Mood · BangkokOverwhelming · hospitable · full of contrasts · always in motion
Bangkok
Temples, neon, street food and a river that ties it all together.
Bangkok is the city you don't expect: chaotic at first glance, but once you grasp its structure, it reveals itself as one of Asia's richest urban experiences. Below you'll find how Bangkok works: when to go, what it costs and which day trips are worth your time. Eating and visiting addresses are further down.
Country
Thailand
Region
Central Thailand
Currency
Thai Baht (THB, ~33 THB/€)
Language
Thai (English in tourist areas)
Time zone
6 hours ahead of Amsterdam
Best time
November, February
Airport
BKK (Suvarnabhumi): 45 min by BTS/taxi
Per day
€25, €150 p.p.
Safety
Very safe
Who it suits
- Culture travellers who look beyond the temple checklist
- Foodies willing to queue for a single meal
- Travellers using Bangkok as the start of a larger trip
- Couples discovering the city before the islands
Less suited if…
- Anyone who finds busy, noisy cities stressful
- Anyone seeking nightlife in an all-inclusive resort
Mood · BangkokBangkok can't be planned. Bangkok must be experienced.
Don't miss
Highlights
The things to plan your day around.
Mood · BangkokGrand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Bangkok's royal heart: arrive before 9:00
Mood · BangkokWat Pho & Traditional Thai Massage
The 46m reclining Buddha and the city's recognised massage school
Mood · BangkokChao Phraya River Cruise
Understanding Bangkok via the water: 25 THB, no tourist boat
Mood · BangkokThai Cooking Class
Market visit, insight and cooking yourself: Bangkok's best souvenir
Mood · BangkokMahanakhon Skywalk
Bangkok's highest viewpoint, with glass floor
💡 Take the orange flag boat
The Chao Phraya Express Boat (orange flag) stops at all historic piers for 14-25 THB. It's the cheapest and most beautiful way to get to know the city: better than any tourist cruise.
Mood · BangkokEat
Where to actually eat
No tourist traps.
Mood · BangkokJay Fai
Michelin-starred street food: the iconic crab noodle omelette
Mood · BangkokThip Samai
Bangkok's most famous pad thai, cooked in a 60-year-old pan
Mood · BangkokErr Urban Rustic Thai
Northern Thai fermentation and soups: where modern Bangkok eats
Photo: Deepak-nsk (Wikimedia, CC0)Yaowarat Road (Chinatown)
Bangkok's most theatrical night market: neon, smoke and dim sum
Mood · BangkokRoots Coffee Roasters
Bangkok's finest specialty coffee: in Saladaeng
⚠️ Avoid the 'closed temple' scam
If someone tells you the Grand Palace or a temple is 'closed today' and offers an alternative tour, it's always a scam. Walk straight to the real entrance.
The best view costs 25 THB: a Chao Phraya Express Boat from Tha Tien to Nonthaburi.
See
What you really must see in Bangkok
Mood · BangkokChatuchak Weekend Market
8,000 stalls, everything for sale: go early, beat the heat
Mood · BangkokRattanakosin: the old city
The historic island: temples, print shops and age-old cafés
Mood · BangkokLumphini Park
Bangkok's green lung: monitor lizards, tai chi and city air
Mood · BangkokKhlong Saen Saep canal express boat
The real city life: no tourists, just Bangkokians
↗️ Take the Skytrain one stop too far
Ride the BTS one stop too far to On Nut or Bearing (far from the tourist trail) for local Thai restaurants, markets and everyday Bangkok life without tourist prices.
Discover
Everything on the map
Filter by what you're after.
Mood · BangkokJay Fai has a Michelin star and a smoky wok fire. She doesn't need the first.
Out and about
Best day trips
Out of the city within an hour.
Mood · AyutthayaAyutthaya
~1h30 by train80 km · UNESCO temple ruins by bike
The former Siamese capital (1350-1767) is a UNESCO heritage site within cycling distance. Take the train from Hua Lamphong (1.5 hours, 20-30 THB), hire a bike at the station (~60 THB/day) and explore the temples at your own pace. Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Chaiwatthanaram are the three ruins not to miss. As a day trip or overnight stay: both work.
View day trips (opens in a new tab)
Mood · KanchanaburiKanchanaburi
~2 hours by train or bus129 km · Bridge over the River Kwai & WWII history
Kanchanaburi is more than the bridge: it's also a WWII memorial site with deep Dutch historical roots. The Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum and the Commonwealth War Cemetery (with graves of Dutch and KNIL soldiers) are profoundly solemn. Erawan National Park (an hour further on) offers emerald-green waterfall swimming spots. Ideal as a day trip or 2-day excursion.
View day trips (opens in a new tab)Practical
Everything you need to know
Weather & best time
Tropical monsoon climate. Dry and pleasant from November to February (25-32°C). Hot and dry in March, May (up to 40°C). Rainy season June, October with daily afternoon showers.
Jan
☀️
23-31°
Apr
🌡️
29-38°
Aug
🌧️
27-34°
Nov
☀️
25-32°
What does a day cost?
Budget
€25-40 /dag
Hostel in Banglamphu, street food meals, BTS/MRT and Grab for longer journeys.
Mid-range
€70-120 /dag
Boutique hotel in Rattanakosin or Sukhumvit, mix of restaurants and street food, cooking class.
Luxury
€200+ /dag
Mandarin Oriental or Capella Bangkok, dining at Bo.lan or Nahm, private guide for the temple route.
Good to know
Visa
Dutch citizens visa-free for up to 60 days
Payment
Cash (THB) often needed; card payments accepted in shopping centres
Plug
Type A/B/C · 220V
Transport
BTS Skytrain, MRT metro, Grab, Chao Phraya ferry
Tap water
Don't drink it; use bottled water or a filter
Tipping
Not mandatory; 10% at restaurants, 20-40 THB for street food
Mood · BangkokThree days is the beginning. Most people want to stay longer.
Sleep
Pick your neighbourhood, not the stars
By travel style: book through our partners.
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
The iconic luxury hotel on the Chao Phraya river
Boutique hotels in historic Bangkok
Charm in the old city, close to the temples
Bangkok on a budget
Banglamphu and Khao San Road: the social heart of Bangkok
Before you go
Sorted before you set off
Worth booking ahead.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Bangkok?
November to February is ideal: dry, pleasantly warm (25-32°C) and clear. March to May can turn extremely hot (up to 40°C). June to October is the rainy season: short, heavy showers that strain Bangkok's drainage system. Bangkok is busy year-round, but winter is most comfortable.
How many days do I need in Bangkok?
Three days is the minimum for a worthwhile Bangkok visit: day 1 Rattanakosin (temples, river), day 2 Chinatown and Silom, day 3 Chatuchak and the modern city. Five days let you truly get to know the city, including a day trip to Ayutthaya. Two days isn't enough: you'll see the sights but miss the city.
What's the best way to get around Bangkok?
BTS Skytrain and MRT metro are fastest for main routes and avoid Bangkok's notorious traffic. Chao Phraya Express Boat is the most scenic route, along historic quays. Grab (Thailand's Uber) is reliable and cheap for short trips. Avoid tuk-tuks for longer rides: romantic but slow and expensive.
Is Bangkok safe for tourists?
Bangkok is generally very safe for tourists. Pickpocketing happens at busy spots like Chatuchak, the Grand Palace area and the BTS. Watch out for the 'temple closed' scam: someone claims a temple is shut and offers an alternative tour instead. Always walk on to the real entrance. Women travel solo with the usual night-time sense.
What dress code applies at Bangkok temples?
At all active temples (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun), covered shoulders and knees are required. This applies to men and women alike. At the Grand Palace this is strictly enforced; loan clothing is available at the entrance. Wear comfortable, loose clothing that respects the rules.
Wayloha editorial team · Editorial
Updated June 2026
Lonely Planet Thailand 2024 · CNN Travel Bangkok Guide · Michelin Guide Bangkok · TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) · Baipai Thai Cooking School · Mahanakhon Skywalk official · BTS Skytrain official · Jay Fai restaurant · Thip Samai restaurant
Bangkok awaits
Three days are just the beginning. Most people want to stay longer.
Plan your Bangkok tripMore in Thailand
More cities in Thailand
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya travel guide: the best temples, cycling tips and how to experience the historical park at sunrise. Checked by the Wayloha editorial team.
Read the guide →
Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi travel guide: the bridge over the Kwai, war cemetery, Erawan Waterfalls and floating bungalows. Checked by Wayloha editorial.
Read the guide →
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai travel guide: the best temples, elephant sanctuaries, cooking classes and day trips. Checked by the Wayloha editorial team. Including season tips and burning season warnings.
Read the guide →
Krabi
Krabi travel guide: Railay Beach, Tiger Cave Temple, snorkelling at the Four Islands and day trips to Koh Phi Phi. Verified by the Wayloha editorial team. Includes seasonal tips.
Read the guide →
Phuket
Phuket travel guide: the best of Old Town, Big Buddha, Phang Nga Bay, snorkelling at the Similan Islands and tips to avoid Patong. Checked by the Wayloha editorial team.
Read the guide →
Koh Samui
Koh Samui travel guide: Ang Thong Marine Park, Fisherman's Village in Bophut, Chaweng Beach and day trips to Koh Tao. Tips for the season, transport and the island's best beaches.
Read the guide →Part of Thailand
New to Thailand?
Read our complete Thailand travel guide: regions, best time to go and practical tips before you plan your trip.