In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Thailand
Bangkok
กรุงเทพมหานคร
Bangkok is a morning-and-evening city: do the palace and temples at opening, hide in AC malls from 12:00 to 16:00, eat on the street after 18:00 — and take a metered taxi or a ride-hail with big bags, never the BTS at rush hour.
Bangkok's sights are far apart and its traffic is famously slow. The temples are on the river, the malls are on the BTS, the food is in Chinatown, and no single line connects them. The trips that go wrong are the ones that fight the heat at noon, queue with a bag at the Grand Palace in the wrong clothes, or take a tuk-tuk to a 'closed' attraction. Four clusters cover a first visit from one kept bed, with the river and the BTS as the two reliable routes.
- Country
- Thailand
- Local name
- กรุงเทพมหานคร
- Best months
- Jan · Feb · Nov · Dec
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Stay
- 2 days: Grand Palace + Wat Pho at opening; Siam or Chinatown in the evening
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- THB
- Money
- Cash for street food, markets, motorbike taxis, tuk-tuks and boats; cards in hotels, malls and most restaurants (some add 2–3%). Thai QR payment (PromptPay) is everywhere but needs a Thai bank app; some stalls take Alipay or WeChat. Carry ฿20–100 notes: stalls struggle with ฿1,000.
- Daily spend
- Budget ฿500–900 excl. bed · Mid ฿900–2,500 excl. bed · High ฿2,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Install an eSIM before you fly, or buy a tourist SIM at the AIS or True counters in the arrivals hall (passport needed; the counter registers it).
- Emergency
- Tourist Police 1155 · Police 191 · Ambulance 1669 · Fire 199
- Plugs
- 220 V, 50 Hz; sockets take flat two-pin (A) and round two-pin (C) plugs, many also three-pin (O). A universal adapter covers it.
- Tipping
- Not expected at stalls. Round up taxi fares; ฿50–100 after a massage; ฿300–500 a day for a guide. Upmarket restaurants add 10% service plus 7% VAT ('++').
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled and filtered water is cheap. Ice in restaurants and from carts is factory-made tube ice and generally fine.
- Toilets
- Malls, BTS/MRT interchange stations (some), cafés, hotels and temples; some public toilets charge ฿3–5. Carry tissues; a bum-gun hose is standard.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (iced coffee from a cart / latte in a café) | ฿30–60 / ฿80–150 |
| Noodle soup or pad thai at a street stall | ฿50–100 |
| Beer: large bottle at 7-Eleven / in a bar | ฿60–80 / ฿120–200 |
| 5 km ride-hail: motorbike / car | ฿60–100 / ฿120–220 |
| BTS or MRT ride | ฿17–65 |
| Chao Phraya Express Boat | about ฿16–30 (check) |
| Tourist SIM or eSIM, about a week | ฿300–600 |
| Temple entry (Wat Pho / Wat Arun) | ฿300 / ฿200 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
- BKK to the city: the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai (about 30 minutes) then the BTS is the zero-brain path before midnight; after the last train it is a metered taxi from the public queue, and the risk is a long immigration line, not the ride.
- Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)
- DMK to the city: the A1 airport bus to Mo Chit (BTS and MRT) is the cheap path before the last bus; after that a metered taxi, 45–90 minutes in traffic; DMK is mostly low-cost flights, so land times spread late.
By rail and road
| Station | Serves | To the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (สถานีกลางกรุงเทพอภิวัฒน์ (Bang Sue)) | Long-distance trains north (Chiang Mai), north-east (Nong Khai, Ubon) and south (Hua Hin, Surat Thani, Hat Yai); SRT Red lines to Don Mueang | MRT Blue from Bang Sue station, 20–30 min to Sukhumvit or Silom; taxi 25–45 min |
| Hua Lamphong (Bangkok railway station) (หัวลำโพง) | Some ordinary and commuter trains, including the eastern line (check which services still run) | MRT Hua Lamphong in the station |
| Thonburi station (สถานีรถไฟธนบุรี (Bangkok Noi)) | Trains to Kanchanaburi and Nam Tok on the Death Railway | Express boat to Thonburi Railway pier, or taxi 20–40 min |
| Wongwian Yai station (วงเวียนใหญ่) | Maeklong line to Mahachai (change by ferry for Maeklong railway market) | BTS Wongwian Yai, 10 min walk |
| Northern bus terminal (Mo Chit 2) (หมอชิต 2) | North and north-east: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, Isaan; many vans | Taxi from BTS Mo Chit or MRT Chatuchak Park 10 min; city buses (check) |
| Eastern bus terminal (Ekkamai) (เอกมัย) | East coast: Pattaya, Rayong (Ko Samet), Trat (Ko Chang) | Already on the BTS |
Typical fares
- Suvarnabhumi → Sukhumvit, metered taxi
- ฿400–550 incl. ฿50 airport surcharge and tolls, 35–70 min
- Suvarnabhumi → Phaya Thai, Airport Rail Link
- about ฿45, 26 min (check)
- Don Mueang → centre, SRT Red line + MRT
- about ฿40–60 (check)
- Taxi across the centre
- ฿80–200 on the meter
Get around
Rail above and below the streets for the east side, the river boat for the old city, taxis and ride-hail for everything else. Avoid roads at rush hour; the BTS and MRT beat any car between 07:00 and 09:30 and 16:30 and 19:30.
| How | Fare | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Inside a cluster: the old city, Chinatown, Siam malls |
| BTS Skytrain | ฿17–65 per ride (check) | Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, Chatuchak, the river at Saphan Taksin |
| MRT (underground and monorails) | ฿17–45 per ride; ฿20 cap on some lines (check) | Chinatown, Wat Pho, Hua Lamphong, Chatuchak, Krung Thep Aphiwat |
| Chao Phraya Express Boat | Orange flag about ฿16; blue tourist boat about ฿30 or a day pass (check) | Grand Palace (Tha Chang), Wat Pho (Tha Tien), Wat Arun, Chinatown, ICONSIAM |
| Cross-river ferry | ฿4–5 (check) | Tha Tien to Wat Arun and other short crossings |
| Khlong Saen Saep canal boat | ฿10–24 (check) | Golden Mount (Phan Fa pier) to Pratunam, Asok and Thong Lo, skipping road traffic |
| Metered taxi | ฿35 flag fall, then per km; ฿80–200 across the centre | Bags, groups, old city to Sukhumvit off-peak |
| Ride-hail car (Grab, Bolt) | ฿100–250 across the centre | Night, airport, anywhere a taxi driver refuses the meter |
Fares are estimates; check before you ride.
- Passes
- No pass. BTS and boats are cheap; a metered taxi is fine for short rides if traffic is light.
- Late at night
- BTS and MRT stop around midnight; taxis and ride-hailing run all night.
See and do
01Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddhaพระบรมมหาราชวัง
The royal compound and Thailand's holiest temple, gold and mosaic in every direction; the one sight everyone sees.
Hours: best 08:30 at opening · Price: ฿500 · Time: 1.5–2 h · 13.7500, 100.4913
02Wat Phoวัดโพธิ์
The 46 m reclining Buddha, a quiet maze of courtyards and chedis, and a massage at the school where Thai massage is taught.
Hours: best After the palace, before 12:00; or late afternoon · Price: ฿300; massage extra · Time: 1–1.5 h · 13.7465, 100.4930
03Wat Arun from the river
The porcelain-covered tower on the west bank: climb it in the morning, photograph it from Tha Tien at sunset.
Hours: best 08:00–10:00 or sunset from across the river · Price: ฿200 plus ฿5 ferry (check) · Time: 45 min plus the ferry
04Chinatown street-food eveningเยาวราช
Neon signs, woks on the pavement and a dozen dishes on one street; the best meal in the city for ฿300.
Hours: best 18:00–21:00; fewer stalls on Monday (check) · Price: ฿200–500 for five or six dishes · Time: 2–3 h · 13.7406, 100.5098
05Jim Thompson Houseบ้านจิม ทอมป์สัน
Teak houses joined into a home full of Asian art, with the mystery of the owner's disappearance; the best rain and heat escape.
Hours: best 10:00–12:00 or early afternoon · Price: ฿200 · Time: 1 h · 13.7493, 100.5283
06The Chao Phraya by express boat
Palaces, temples, churches and hotels from the water for the price of a bus ticket; the way to reach the old city from the BTS.
Hours: best Late afternoon light · Price: ฿16–30 (check) · Time: 30–60 min
07Chatuchak Weekend Market
Thousands of stalls, from vintage and ceramics to plants and coconut ice cream; half a day that fills a suitcase.
Hours: best Sat–Sun 09:00–12:00 · Price: Free entry · Time: 3–4 h
08Golden Mount (Wat Saket) at sunset
An easy climb above the old city's rooftops and temple spires, with a breeze at the top.
Hours: best 16:30–18:30 · Price: ฿100 (check) · Time: 1 h
09Muay Thai night at Rajadamnern
The national sport in its oldest stadium: live music, ritual dances before each fight, and a loud crowd.
Hours: best Evening fight card · Price: ฿1,500–2,500 ringside (check) · Time: 2–3 h
10Ayutthaya day trip
The ruined capital of old Siam 80 km north: temple towers, Buddha heads in tree roots, a bike ride between them.
Hours: best Leave by 07:30; Nov–Feb for the heat · Price: Train ฿20–400 by class plus ฿50–100 per temple (check) · Time: Full day
Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ayutthaya (old capital ruins) | Train from Krung Thep Aphiwat about 1.5 h, or van or car about 1.5 h | Full day — leave by 07:30 |
| Damnoen Saduak floating market + Maeklong railway market | Tour van or car about 1.5–2 h each way | Half to full day — leave 06:30 |
| Kanchanaburi (River Kwai bridge, war cemetery) | Train from Thonburi about 3 h, or van from the southern bus terminal about 2.5 h | Very long as a day trip |
| Bang Krachao (the green lung) | Cross-river boat from Khlong Toei pier (Wat Khlong Toei Nok), then bicycle | Half day |
| Ko Kret (pottery island) | Taxi to Pak Kret, then a 2-minute ferry | Half day |
Eat
| Where | What · area | Price | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yaowarat Road street food (evening) | Chinatown grazing: noodles, dumplings, grilled seafood, desserts · Chinatown | ฿60–200 a dish | Budget |
| Boat-noodle alley | Kuay teow reua in small bowls · Victory Monument (canal-side lane) | ฿20–30 a bowl; most people eat 4–6 (check) | Budget |
| Jek Pui curry | Curry over rice at tables with no chairs · Chinatown (Charoen Krung) | ฿60–100 (check) | Budget |
| Nai Ek Roll Noodles | Kuay jap (peppery rolled-noodle soup, pork) · Chinatown (Yaowarat Soi 9) | ฿80–150 (check) | Budget |
| Thipsamai | Pad thai wrapped in egg; fresh orange juice · Old city (Maha Chai Road) | ฿100–400 (check) | Mid-range |
| Krua Apsorn | Crab omelette, stir-fried dishes · Old city (Dinso Road) and Samsen | ฿300–600 (check) | Mid-range |
| Supanniga Eating Room | Home-style Thai from Trat and Isaan · Thong Lo, Tha Tien (river views), Sathorn | ฿500–900 (check) | Mid-range |
| Polo Fried Chicken (Kai Thod Jay Kee) | Fried chicken with crispy garlic, som tam, sticky rice · Soi Polo, near Lumphini Park | ฿250–450 (check) | Mid-range |
| Jay Fai | Crab omelette, drunken noodles over charcoal · Old city (Maha Chai Road) | ฿1,000–2,000 a dish (check) | Splurge |
| Le Du | Modern Thai tasting menu · Silom | About ฿4,000–6,000 (check) | Splurge |
| Sorn | Southern Thai tasting menu · Sukhumvit | About ฿6,000+ (check) | Splurge |
| Gaggan | Progressive Indian tasting menu · Sukhumvit | About ฿10,000+ (check) | Splurge |
Per person, one dish or one meal, 2026 estimate. Stalls move and change hours: check the day before.
Sleep
| Band | Price a night | Where | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| budget | ฿350–700 dorm bed · ฿800–1,500 double | Banglamphu and Khao San; Silom sois; Sukhumvit Soi 11–15 hostels | Hostels (party and quiet), guesthouses |
| mid | ฿1,800–4,000 | Sukhumvit (Nana–Phrom Phong) | 3–4 star hotels and serviced apartments |
| mid | ฿1,800–4,500 | Silom and Sathorn | Business hotels, boutique hotels |
| splurge | ฿6,000–25,000+ | Riverside (Charoen Krung), Ratchadamri, Lumphini | Grand heritage hotels, international luxury chains |
| mid | ฿1,500–3,000 (cheaper by the month) | Ari, On Nut, Ekkamai | Serviced apartments and condos |
Per room per night in baht, 2026 estimate; New Year, Chinese New Year and Songkran add 30–80%.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | สวัสดีครับ / ค่ะ (sawasdee khrap / kha)sa-wat-dee krap (men) / ka (women) |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณครับ / ค่ะ (khop khun)kop-koon krap / ka |
| How much is this? | อันนี้เท่าไหร่ (an nee tao rai)an nee tao rai |
| Can you lower the price? | ลดได้ไหม (lot dai mai)lot dai mai |
| Not spicy, please | ไม่เผ็ด (mai phet)mai pet |
| A little spicy | เผ็ดนิดหน่อย (phet nit noi)pet nit noy |
| Delicious! | อร่อย (aroi)a-roy |
| The bill, please | เช็คบิล (check bin)chek bin |
| Please use the meter | เปิดมิเตอร์ด้วย (poet meter duay)pert mee-ter duay |
| Please take me to this address | ไปที่อยู่นี้ครับ / ค่ะ (pai tee yoo nee)pai tee yoo nee |
| Stop here, please | จอดตรงนี้ (jot trong nee)jot trong nee |
| No, thank you | ไม่เป็นไร / ไม่เอา (mai pen rai / mai ao)mai ao krap / ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Temples: Cover up, take hats off, keep your head lower than Buddha images when sitting, and sit with feet tucked away from the altar.
- Head and feet: The head is high and the feet low: do not touch anyone's head, do not point with your feet or put them on tables or seats.
- Monks: Give monks space and seats on transport; women do not touch a monk or hand him things directly.
- The monarchy: Stand when the royal anthem plays (before films, and at 08:00 and 18:00 in parks and stations); treat royal images, and banknotes that carry the king's portrait, with respect — never step on a coin.
- The wai: The palms-together greeting: return a wai from adults, but you do not need to wai shop staff or children; a smile and a nod is fine.
- Shoes: Off at temple halls, homes and some shops and massage parlours — look for the row of shoes.
- Keeping cool: Raised voices and anger lose face for everyone: keep calm (jai yen), smile, and walk away if a deal will not work.
- Tipping: Not expected at stalls; round up taxis; ฿50–100 for a massage; check for a service charge before tipping in restaurants.
Red lines
- Grand Palace and temples: shoulders and knees covered; shoes off in halls.
- Do not touch monks or point your feet at Buddha images.
- Never insult the monarchy in speech, print or online.
Scams and watch-outs
- 'The Grand Palace is closed today' from a friendly stranger near the gate: it is almost never true. Walk to the official visitor entrance and see for yourself.
- ฿20–50 tuk-tuk 'city tours' stop at gem, tailor and suit shops that pay the driver commission; the gem 'bargain' is worth a fraction of what you pay.
- Taxis that refuse the meter near sights, malls and Khao San: walk to the main road and flag another, or use a ride-hailing app.
- Upstairs 'free show' bars in Patpong and Nana end with a bill of thousands of baht: do not go upstairs on a tout's invitation.
- Lookalike 'TAT tourist information' offices in the old city are private agencies; the real Tourism Authority does not sell tours.
One and two days
1 day
A stopover between flights. Skip: Chatuchak and Ayutthaya: too far for one day.
- 08:00Grand Palace at opening, covered up
- 10:30Wat Pho and a 30-minute massage
- 12:30Ferry to Wat Arun, then lunch by the river at Tha Tien
- 14:30BTS to Siam for the malls or Jim Thompson House in the heat
- 18:00Chinatown street food
2 days
A short break or the start of a Thailand trip. Skip: Tuk-tuk 'tours' and floating markets on a 2-day stay.
Day 1 — old city and river
- 08:00Grand Palace
- 10:30Wat Pho
- 12:00Lunch at Tha Tien, ferry to Wat Arun
- 14:00Hotel pool or Museum Siam in the heat
- 17:00Golden Mount for sunset, then Chinatown for dinner
Day 2 — Siam, park and rooftop
- 07:00Lumphini Park and Benjakitti boardwalks
- 10:00Jim Thompson House
- 12:00Lunch and the Siam malls
- 17:30Rooftop sunset in Silom or Sathorn
- 19:30Dinner in Silom or Thong Lo
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: www.tourismthailand.org/
- Wikivoyage — Bangkok: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bangkok
- Wikitravel — Bangkok: wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Bangkokกรุงเทพมหานคร
ไปที่อยู่นี้ครับ / ค่ะ
Please take me to this address
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Take me to
- พระบรมมหาราชวังGrand Palace
- วัดโพธิ์Wat Pho
- เยาวราชYaowarat Road street food (evening)
- บ้านจิม ทอมป์สันJim Thompson House
Most embassies are on Wireless Road (US, UK residence area, Australia, Japan) and South Sathorn Road (UK, Germany, Singapore). Write your own embassy's 24-hour line below.
Show drivers the address in Thai script with the nearest BTS/MRT station and soi number; many do not read English.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/bangkok). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.