I lived in Bangkok for three years, from 2017 – 2020. This trip in February 2024 was my first time back since then, but I know everything you need to know about a trip to Bangkok. Bangkok is generally not on top of everyone´s list of places to visit. It´s chaotic, there´s lots of traffic, it´s very hot, and I love it. I will say, it is a city where you need to know where to go to truly enjoy it. That said, once you discover its magic, I guarantee that you´ll find it hard to leave.
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General Bangkok Recommendations
- Language – The language in Thailand is Thai. It is a tonal, beautiful, sing-song language. You can expect some people in Bangkok to speak English, especially at main tourist attractions, restaurants, etc, but it´s best to learn a few words!
- Currency – The currency is Thai Baht and the exchange rate is around 30-35 Baht per dollar. You do need to have some cash on you in Thailand. Most places accept credit cards, but you never know when you´ll need cash. About $100 – $150 should be enough for a 5-day trip assuming most purchases are made with credit card.
- Taxis – Generally, taxis are safe, but always tell them to turn the meter on by saying ¨meter¨. You always want to avoid taxi drivers asking for fixed prices and non-metered rides. Grab App is your best bet.
- Taxis from the Airport – This is important. It is safe to take a taxi from the airport – and very common – just use the certified taxi lines. It is also very normal for the taxi driver to ask you if you want to take the elevated highway and for you to pay the tolls for the highway as you go and in cash. It will increase the cost of your ride, so they will ask. Always have cash for taxis.
- Visas & Vaccinations – Most nationalities don´t need a visa to enter Thailand for tourism, but always check! My husband is Colombian, and he needed a visa and a yellow fever vaccination to enter. With this, it was easy to enter, but it´s always important to check.
- Sim Cards – You can buy a sim card at any 7/11 with your passport and cash. It shouldn´t cost more than $10 for the week.
- Bartering – Bartering isn´t that common in Thai culture. At most, they´ll give you 10% off the price, but if you ask for a crazy discount, they´ll likely reject your offer. This is important to remember for Chatuchak Market.
- Respect at Temples – You need to cover your midriff, shoulders, and legs at temples. The best option is linen pants or a long dress and at least short sleeves. If you don´t have the appropriate clothing, you´ll need to buy or rent sarongs at the entrance of most temples. This is true for men and women. You also cannot wear shoes or take pictures inside many temples.
- Hydrate – It sounds simple, but Bangkok is hotter than you think. You need to plan the correct clothing, walk slowly, drink a lot of water, and plan stops. You likely won´t be able to do as much in one day as you would be able to in a more temperate location because of heat and traffic, so try not to pack too much in!
Logistics of Bangkok
For tips on the logistics of getting around in Asia, check out my post on Asia Transportation Tips. It´s a great beginner´s guide for getting around in Asia, which can be a chaotic place for transport. In Bangkok, there are four main types of transportation – the BTS Skytrain, the MTR metro, taxi, and motorbike. Of these, I most prefer getting around by motorbike.
Download the Grab app before you arrive (the Thai version), and you´ll be able to order a motorbike or taxi to take you anywhere you need to go in the city. Motorbike is by far the most efficient mode of transport. I recommend bringing a mask, asking the driver for a helmet, and only taking bikes relatively short distances to start. I have easily spent 20-30 min on a bike buzzing around the city, but beginners should start slow with this type of transport.
The BTS and MTR are also great options for getting around the city. The BTS has been expanding significantly, so it reaches many more places in the city than it did in the past. Note that these two train systems are not connected, so you´ll need different tickets for each. If you plan to take the BTS a lot, you can get a rabbit card for the week and put some money on it.
Taking a taxi is also an option, but always plan for it to take double the time you think it will take to arrive anywhere you need to go and try to avoid high-traffic hours. It´s a great option for going to dinner when you don´t necessarily want to get sweaty on a bike. The train or a motorbike is almost always faster.
Neighborhoods of Bangkok
The choice of where to stay during a trip to Bangkok is an important one, mostly because getting around the city can take a lot of time, and the street you stay on can make all the difference in how you perceive the city. So when planning your trip to Bangkok, think carefully about what you want to do and see, and where you´ll be going out to dinner most nights.
Charoenkrung
While I didn´t ever live in Charoenkrung, it´s my favorite neighborhood in the city – especially if it´s your first trip to Bangkok. It´s a large area between BTS stations of Saphan Taksin and Rama IV road. I like the area around Soi Nana (not to be confused with Sukhumvit Soi 11) – specifically the Talat Noi area. Historically the city´s Chinatown, it has become an artsy, edgy place with some of the best bars and restaurants in the city. At the same time, it still has the genuine Chinatown charm. It´s also nice because it´s between the more modern areas of the city and the main tourist destinations such as the temples and Grand Palace. If it´s your first time in Bangkok, it´s an excellent choice.
Hotel Options
- Ba Hao Residence – This hotel is above one of my favorite bar/restaraunts on probably my favorite street in Bangkok to get a drink (Soi Nana). The location is excellent and the space is beyond cool.
- The Mustang Blu – I´ve wanted to stay at this hotel for a while. It has an insane interior design, and is located very close to Ba Hao Residence in one of Bangkok´s coolest neighborhoods. If you´re looking for character, this is it.
- Modern Minimalism – Mandarin Palm Penthouse – If you´re looking for something a bit more minimalist in this same cool neighborhood, this is your spot.
Sathorn/Silom
Sathorn/Silom is another great area to stay in on your next trip to Bangkok. It has arguably some of the best hotels in the city, and it has some great restaurants and bars. Silom is well-known as the gay area of the city, but all are welcome. I would stay somewhere near Lumphini Park or Soi Convent (around Sala Daeng and Chong Nonsi BTS stations). I love this area, and it´s where I would likely live if I were to move back to the city in the future.
Hotel Options
- The Sukothai Bangkok – The Sukothai is well-known to be an excellent hotel in Bangkok with an incredible pool and amenities. I would 100% staycation there.
- The W Bangkok – The W is in a great location very close to the BTS, making it easy to hop on the train and get places in the city. It´s a great, modern option.
- Marriott Executive Apartments – Sathorn Vista – I´ve been to and stayed in many Marriotts in Bangkok, and they´re all excellent. I recommended this hotel to a family visiting the city and they loved it as an option for a family vacation.
Phrom Pong/Asok/Nana/Thong Lor
This is not necessarily one neighborhood, but rather, a string of BTS stops that make up a main business district of the city, but also very popular streets. Both Sukhumvit Soi 11 in Nana and Thong Lo are quite famous, and at Asoke BTS station, you´ll find the infamous Soi Cowboy. This area is both modern and seedy, but at the same time, I spent many nights going out in this area in my twenties, so it´s a good time. If you want to go to parties, it´s a good place to be. I lived here and, fun fact, I worked just a block from Soi Cowboy.
Hotel Options
- Marriott Marquis Queen´s Park – I´ve stayed at this hotel multiple times. Their breakfast buffet is one of the best I´ve had in my life. I also love it because it connects directly to Benjasiri Park on one side and it´s close to the Emquartier mall system, so you have heaps of dining options.
- Hotel Nikko – This is a newer hotel in the Thong Lor area, very near the Thong Lor BTS. It has great reviews and a nice location.
More on Bangkok
For more about the incredible city of Bangkok, see my other posts:
- A Five-Day Bangkok Itinerary
- All The Best Restaurants in Bangkok – According to A (Former) Local
- Asia Transportation Tips
- Spend the Day in Bangkok´s Green Lung: Phra Phradaeng
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