The capital of Thailand, and the country’s largest city, Bangkok is one of the most vibrant places you’ll ever visit. A city that seems to divide the opinions of fellow travellers that we meet – either they love it or hate it! But, in our opinion, Bangkok is one of the most rewarding cities in the world, and so we’ve created the perfect 4 day Bangkok itinerary to make sure that you get the most out of your time in the city that never sleeps.
In our opinion, if this is your first time to Thailand or Southeast Asia, then Bangkok is an absolute must-visit destination, and the best way to dive headfirst into Thai culture. So, whatever your holiday or travel plans make sure that you carve out at least 4 days in Bangkok to explore all the sights, sounds and smells. Your body and mind won’t regret it, and this city is going to captivate your senses.
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The ideal 4 day Bangkok itinerary
So, you’ve earmarked four days to explore this fascinating city, before you head off to the likes of Chiang Mai in the north or down to the stunning islands of Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi and many others in the south. And luckily, we’ve come up with what we think is the ideal Bangkok 4 day itinerary. Let’s be honest, you aren’t going to be able to see everything but with this itinerary at least you’ll capture all the best bits!
- Day 1 – Exploring the Temples | Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, Market and the infamous Khao San Road
- Day 2 – Markets & Shopping | Street food, markets and the MBK centre and drinks at a Sky Bar
- Day 3 – Chinatown | More markets and temples
- Day 4 – Cultural highlights | The Golden Mount temple and the Jim Thompson House
Why go to Bangkok?
If you’ve ever been intrigued to visit Southeast Asia, but don’t know where to start? Or maybe aren’t 100% confident in travelling? Then Bangkok is definitely one of the best options for you. Here are some of the reasons why you must have Bangkok on your itinerary, as a city stop.
- Thailand is rich in history, and not surprisingly its capital provides some of the best examples of historical sites for you to explore.
- If you’ve never been to Asia or Southeast Asia before then Bangkok is one of the best places in Thailand to get started, and is a gentle way into the region. It has been open to tourism for decades and is well geared towards both tourists and travellers.
- Bangkok is also a great location to then leapfrog into the rest of Thailand or anywhere across the region. It is the gateway into Southeast Asia with great low-cost airlines making travel very affordable.
- We believe that Thai cuisine is right up there with the best in the world, if not the best! And if you’ve ever wanted to try street food, then look no further than any of Bangkok’s markets. Get ready taste buds… you’re in for a treat.
- And finally, the shopping. If you’re looking for low cost but good quality clothes or want the latest gadget, you will find it here, and almost definitely at a much better rate than you would back home.
Recommended: Prefer to try out the more relaxed Chiang Mai?
Is 4 days in Bangkok enough?
Some people fall in love with the pace and vibrancy of Bangkok and never leave…
And if you are a digital nomad it definitely is a great spot to base yourself out of for a few weeks, especially given how easy it is to take day trips or long weekends from Bangkok to other great places. We would rank it up there with Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi as places we could easily base ourselves for extended periods as digital nomads!
However, if this is your first time in Bangkok, then we’d definitely recommend a four day Bangkok itinerary. This will definitely give you enough time to explore many of the famous buildings and iconic landmarks in Bangkok. And leave you wanting to come back and explore more… on our first trip to Bangkok we stayed for 4 days, and found ourselves returning on 3 more occasions within the next 6 months!
If you’re looking for some more inspiration on other things to see and do in Thailand, have a look here at our 3 week Thailand guide and itinerary. We’ve got details on everywhere you need to go, where to stay, what to do and so much more!
Although if you can’t quite squeeze in 4 days in Bangkok then don’t worry, the below itinerary is very flexible, so pick and choose your favourite ideas from the below. Or if you’d like any more suggestions, let us know in the comments below or get in touch with us here.
Not sure about Thailand? What about this 3 weeks in Vietnam guide?
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Check out the latest travel insurance prices with Safety Wing here.
Day 1 – Exploring the Temples
Bangkok is known as temple central, with a number of famous temples dotted across the city. We’d recommend you start your first day by visiting a few particularly since they are all relatively close to one another.
Budget on a few hours and try to get there as early as feasible to make sure that you avoid the crowds but also take advantage of the cooler mornings.
We’ve set out our itinerary as a ‘do it yourself’ tour, but if you’re not that confident, then there are some great professional guides with Get Your Guide that can take you around to make it that little bit easier. Having a tour guide is also a great way to learn more about the history behind these amazing temples.
Wat Phra Kaew
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Wat Phra Kaew is known as one of Thailand’s most sacred and revered temples. It’s handily located within the Grand Palace grounds, so you get a two for one deal here! The Buddha itself is quite small, standing at only 66cm, but is unique in that it’s crafted from a lone jade stone.
This one is quite expensive since the entrance fee is 440 THB (13.75 USD/11.25 GBP), but we think it’s really worth the money.
Location: Na Phra Lan Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Open: Open daily from 8.30am to 3.30pm
Note: The Grand Palace has the strictest dress code of all the attractions in Bangkok. If you don’t follow the following rules you won’t be allowed in. Shoulders and knees must be covered (that means trousers for men). No tight or revealing clothes. And no flip flops!
A stone’s throw from Wat Phra Kaew is one of our favourites: Wat Pho.
This temple is one of the largest and oldest in the city and we like it since it’s one of the quieter ones to visit in Bangkok, so you can spend time walking around taking photographs without trying to beat the hordes.
It boasts a very famous giant reclining gold Buddha that is absolutely beautiful to see in real life.
The cost for entry is 100 THB per person (3.10 USD/2.50 GBP).
Location: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Open: Daily 8.00am – 5.00pm
Important: The entrance is round the side of the temple, not on the main road. Ignore the tuk tuk drivers telling you it is closed. It is a scam. They’ll try and take you on a tour of the city.
Wat Arun
The last temple for this morning is across the river, on a short (5 minutes max) but scenic ferry ride.
Just walk along Thai Wang Alley and you’ll find the terminal where you’ll pay 10 THB (about 0.25 GBP) for a boat across the Chao Phraya river. We love the ferry ride since it gives you a few minutes to take photos of the Wat from afar, plus the goings-on of local life on the river.
The temple itself is more colourful and beautiful but is usually one of the busiest, so be prepared for crowds. You’re also only allowed to now climb to the second level of the temple.
Although we’re suggesting that you visit the Wat Arun temple third on day one of this Bangkok itinerary, it is truly best seen at sunrise (it’s actually called the Temple of the Dawn), so if you do have a bit of extra time in your itinerary, swap this out for an early morning jaunt.
There is also an entrance fee for Wat Arun, 50 THB per person (1.50 USD/1.25 GBP).
Location: 158 Thanon Wang Doem, Khwaeng Wat Arun, Khet Bangkok Yai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10600, Thailand
Open: 8.30am – 5.30pm
Read next: The best temples to explore in Chiang Rai
Wang Lang Market
About 2km (20 minutes by foot) from Wat Arun is the Wang Lang market, a great local market full of yummy Thai food.
It’s a great place to try authentic Thai street food although it is aimed more at locals than tourists, so don’t expect high end standards for the stalls. But it’s because of the fact that it’s not touristy is exactly why we love it…
If you’re not sure about what street food is what, then the safe bets are mango sticky rice, coconut pancakes or anything that doesn’t contain meat.
Location: Wang Lang Market, 45 Arun Amarin Rd, Khwaeng Siriraj, Khet Bangkok Noi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700, Thailand
Note: If you’re up for a different market we’d suggest that you head to the Maeklong Train Market. It has an active train running through it! It’s another great spot for those Instagram pics. The Maeklong Railway Market used to be totally off the tourist trail, but that has changed in recent years.
Khao San Road
You’ve probably done quite a bit of pounding the city streets by now. And it can be uncomfortably hot and humid in Bangkok, so, we’d suggest spending a few minutes at your accommodation to freshen up before heading in the evening to the Khao San Road. Made famous by the Leonardo Di Caprio film The Beach.
Khao San Road is the epicentre of the backpacking scene across all of Southeast Asia. It’s an overwhelming affair: essentially a night market full of people trying to sell you laughing gas, a Thai beer t-shirt and elephant trousers, a custom-made suit, or creepy crawlies to eat.
Just saunter down the road and don’t get too distracted or fussed by all the vendors; just see it as a chance to experience the hustle and bustle of Thailand. If you’re not keen on buying a t-shirt or eating spiders, find a more secluded bar along the road, get yourself a Chang beer or a cocktail and watch the night unfold before you.
Also, if you’re not set on eating at the Khao San Road, we love the nearby restaurant Krua Apsorn. This unassuming restaurant is actually in the Michelin Guide! Don’t expect very friendly service, but do expect some of the most heavenly food you’ve ever eaten. We recommend the crab omelette, or any of the seafood or signature dishes. For about 400 THB (12.50 USD/10.25 GBP) you can have a great meal for two.
Read next: Need more inspiration for you Thailand trip, get off the beaten path with these hidden Thai gems!
Day 2 – Markets & Shopping
Chatuchak Weekend Market (or MBK Centre)
We’re hoping that you are in Bangkok over the weekend and, if so, can find your way to the Chatuchak weekend market. If not, never fear! Just scroll on for an alternative shopping option.
The market boasts over 8,000 stalls and attracts over 200,000 visitors so it’s an absolutely massive affair. Everything from clothing to handicrafts and food, if it’s available for sale in Thailand, it’s at the Chatuchak market. You could spend an entire day walking around this market, if your feet would allow!
What we like about the market is that it’s well-located since it’s on both Skytrain and MRT routes.
Chatuchak Location: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Open: Fridays – 6.00pm to midnight. Saturday/Sunday – 9.00am to 6.00pm
If your itinerary doesn’t include a weekend and you need your retail therapy fix, you can always go to the MBK Centre. This 8-storey behemoth of a mall is a mix of traditional western retail stores and an indoor market, which hawks everything from mobile phones (lots of them!) to elephant trousers, and everything in between. A reminder to bargain with the shopkeepers….
Handy tip: if you are there over a weekend and want to visit both the MBK centre and the Chatuchak Market, then best to head to MBK first, as our next stop is right next to Chatuchak and is a little gem that you CANNOT miss.
MBK Centre Location: 444 Phayathai Rd, Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
Open: Daily 10am – 10pm
Or Tor Kor Market
This gorgeous market is right next to Chatuchak and, guess what? It’s our favourite food market in all of Southeast Asia! Making it a must-visit attraction as part of your Bangkok itinerary.
The market itself was initiated by the former king of Thailand, who wanted to prop up farmers from Northern Thailand and help them promote their produce. By doing so, in return they need to provide their best quality goods and also turn it into ready-to-eat meals that are sold in the central food court of Or Tor Kor. We had the best pad thai of our lives here – trust us, just go!
But in case you need to know a little more about it, we have a full guide on the Or Tor Kor market.
We’d definitely suggest that you look to book a guide to do a food tour with you. Here is a great recommendation.
Or Tor Kor Location: Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900
Open: Daily 8.00am to 6.00pm
Sunset at the Sky Bar
Seeing the city from above is one of the must-do things in Bangkok and there is no better place than the Lebua Sky Bar.
If you’ve seen the Hangover II, you’ll know exactly which bar we’re referring to! Now, honestly, the place is eye-wateringly expensive and costs about 20 GBP (25 USD) for a beer. But the street cred you’ll get from saying you went, and the views you’ll have are worth forking over cash for that brew.
Note: Make sure you clearly say that you want to go the ‘famous’ Sky Bar else the ushers will take you to one of the other bars in the building; some of which – like their champagne bar – don’t offer the ‘cheaper’ cocktails and beer.
Location: Lebua at State Tower, 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak
Open: Daily 6.00pm to 1.00am
If you’re looking for other (cheaper) options, there is a great list here. Also, good to be aware that a lot of the rooftop bars have stricter dress codes: closed shoes and long trousers for men.
Day 3 – Chinatown
Like many countries in the world, China has had a profound impact on culture in Bangkok and this is really evident in its bustling Chinatown district.
The district, which is actually called Yaowarat, is globally renowned for its street food but also has a number of temples to visit. We recommend you spend one day walking the streets of the district although, if you prefer, you could spend the day at a floating market. We aren’t huge fans of the floating markets since find them very ‘touristy’ and oversold, so haven’t included an option here.
However, if you are keen to try one out, we’ve heard okay things about the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the Amphawa Floating Market. We’ve included more info in the Bonus Activities section for you.
Sampeng Market
Kick off your day with a visit to the Sampeng market, which showcases local food, homewares and, of course, souvenirs.
It’s the best place in Bangkok to try breakfast dim sum (dumplings) but also has delicious egg omelettes on sale, plus pretty good coffee to get you going.
Sampeng Location: Soi Wanit 1, Khwaeng Chakkrawat, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Open: Daily 8.00am to 6.00pm
Wat Traimit
This temple is the home of the world’s largest seated buddha which also, by the way, is the biggest gold statue globally!
Built in the 14th century, it’s a great example of traditional Thai architecture and since it’s free to visit, is worth a look. However, if you do want to take a wander around their museum, this costs 10 THB (0.30 USD/0.25 GBP)
Wat Traimit Location: 661 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Talat Noi, Khet Samphanthawong, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Open: Daily 8.00am to 5.00pm
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Wat Keng Noei Yi)
This Wat is one of the most important Chinese Buddhist temples and we love that it mixes different influences, including Taoist, Confucian and Buddhist.
It was originally named Wat Leng Nui Yee, but this was changed to Wat Mangkom Kamalawat (Dragon Lotus Temple) by King Rama V.
Photo Credit: Kris Duda / Flickr
Location: 423 Charoen Krung Rd, Khwaeng Pom Prap, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Open: Daily 9.00am to 5.00pm
Street eats and drinks
Temple-hopping is hungry work so we’d suggest heading to Jay Noi’s Kuichai Meal, which is just 250 metres from Wat Keng Noei Yi.
Kui Chai is a steamed Chinese chive cake that comes with an absolutely delicious dipping sauce. The stall is great for vegetarians since beyond the chive cake they also have other yummy veggie-friendly options including fried taro.
Finish off your day trying different delicacies in the neighbourhood (we’re told Mangkorn Khao has the best egg noodles), and finally end your day with a drink or two. Try Ba Hao for a refreshing signature cocktail or, for the ultimate view, head to the Grand China Hotel. It has a revolving restaurant which gives you panoramic views of the district and of the river.
Location of Jay Noi’s Kuichai: Charoenkrung Road, Bangkok
Open: Tuesday to Sunday 1.00pm to 7.00pm
Location of Grand China Hotel: 215 Yaowarat Rd, Samphanthawong, Bangkok
Day 4 – The Golden Mount Temple & Jim Thompson House
The Golden Mount Temple
We really did save the best for the last day of your 4 day Bangkok itinerary. The Wat Saket (or Golden Mount Temple) is our favourite temple in Bangkok, if not all of Thailand.
The temple is a quiet retreat from the bustle of Bangkok – when we last went, there were about ten other people there. Walk up the stairs, ring the brass bells and take a seat at the top stupa, watching the city below as the chimes clink in the background. Absolute bliss.
The entrance fee is 50 THB (1.50 USD/1.25 GBP), particularly worth the money – we loved it as it was so quiet and has a great view of the city.
Location: 344 Thanon Chakkraphatdi Phong, Khwaeng Ban Bat, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100
Open: Daily 8.00am to 5.00pm
Jim Thompson House
The man who started the Thai silk industry, Jim Thompson was a prominent American businessman living in Bangkok. More than just a silk merchant though, Thompson loved collecting South East Asian art and built up a massive collection of statues and paintings not just from Thailand, but from surrounding Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, as well as China.
This museum, known as The Jim Thompson House showcases all of this art and is a great place to walk around for a few hours.
Photo Credit: Clay Gilliland / Flickr
Location: 6 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Wang Mai, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330
Opening hours: Daily 9.00am to 6.00pm
Bangkok Night Cycling Tour
Looking for a really unique way to see Bangkok?
One of the best ways to see a city is on a bike, and we love cycling tours! Taking you on a tour of the city, cycling through small alleyways that you’d never find by yourself, the tour then finishes with food tasting and a meal at a local restaurant.
Check the Bangkok bike tour here.
We hope that you have enjoyed our 4 days in Bangkok itinerary, and you have a much clearer picture of the best things to do in Bangkok. If you have any other ideas or think we are missing a trick that should be added to our Bangkok travel guide, let us know in the comments below.
4 day Bangkok itinerary interactive map
Where to stay in Bangkok?
Whether you’re backpacking Thailand, or looking for a more luxurious stay, there are a number of cool hotels in Bangkok, check out some of our favourite options below.
Luxury: We love the Banyan Tree chain of boutique hotels, since they all have beautiful rooms and delicious food. The Bangkok location is dreamy, offering great views and a wonderful spa.
Mid–range: When we recently visited Bangkok, we stayed at the Printing House Poshtel. This is a great option since it’s a luxury take on hostels, aimed at ‘poshpackers’. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, it has great staff and service and the restaurant turns out top-quality, affordable meals.
Budget: Diff Hostel always comes out tops; a difficult feat considering Bangkok is the centre of South East Asia’s backpacking world. This cosy hostel has great amenities (USB chargers, privacy curtains) and is good for socializing and networking.
Are you travelling to Bangkok with children? We like this list of the best family hotels. If you’re not looking for a hotel, an Airbnb in Bangkok is also a great idea.
Bonus activities to add to your 4 days in Bangkok itinerary
Not sure about some of our suggested activities in our 4 day Bangkok itinerary? Or you’ve actually decided to stay on longer in Bangkok? Here are a few more ideas for your Bangkok itinerary.
Watch a Muay Thai fight
It’s the uniquely Thai combat sport that has many a foreigner itching to try it – Muay Thai or, directly translated, ‘Thai boxing’! While it’s great to try a Muay Thai class, you can get a taste of the sport by attending an evening’s worth of fights, seeing acclaimed fighters doing the signature stand up striking sport, also known as the ‘art of eight limbs.’
There are quite a few places to watch it but the best free bouts usually take place at MBK mall while tickets are sold for more upmarket places like the Rajadamnern stadium (actually the first Muay Thai stadium in Thailand), or Lumpinee Stadium.
Check out the latest ticket prices here.
Take a river cruise
Why not take in the sights of Bangkok from a different angle? By boat on the Chao Praya River. You can do a two hour river boat cruise where you can glide along the water as you see the iconic sights including the Grand Palace complex and Temple of Dawn. Some of the cruises like the Grand Pearl also include a traditional Thai dance performance as well as a large buffet of both local and international dishes. It’s a great way to take in a sunset in Bangkok, so try to opt for the evening cruise, which also has live music at times.
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can also do an impromptu ‘tour’ by hopping on the Chao Phraya Express, a river boat company operating a point to point service. Tickets are around 20 THB (0.65 USD/0.50 GBP) for destinations like the flower market or Wat Pho.
Book your river boat cruise here.
Visit a floating market
While we aren’t huge fans of the floating markets – we find them a little touristy for our taste – many people swear by a visit to one of these unique floating locations, full of stalls. The most famous of which is definitely the Damnoen Saduak floating market – it’s even been featured in a number of blockbuster films (remember James Bond running down the canals in The Man with the Golden Gun?). Spend time strolling down the market alleys, eating your way through the many delicious dishes on offer.
Get a ticket to see the Damnoen Saduak market here.
Take a Thai cooking class
Take a little bit of Bangkok home with you by trying your hand at an authentic Thai food cooking class! That way you can recreate those special gastronomic delights like mango sticky rice and pad thai in the comfort of your own kitchen, of course after instruction by a local Thai expert. We like the course offered by Maliwan Thai which is a four hour class where you learn four dishes. You’ll first head via tuk tuk to the local market to choose your ingredients before going back to the class and getting cooking, before tucking into your dinner delights! Actually, we find that cooking classes are a great way to meet other like-minded travellers, making this a great social activity.
Book your cooking class with Maliwan here.
Visit the National Museum
If you’re a history or art buff, then definitely add the Bangkok National Museum to this Bangkok 4 day itinerary. It’s a stone’s throw from the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, so easy to put on the agenda. Initially founded by King Rama V, this is a large museum with over 12 halls. It includes a plethora of local art and relics, stretching from the early Sukhothai era to modern day. You’ll love the ceramics, the many unique local instruments and definitely the gigantic funeral chariot hall, which is home to the carriages used for royal cremations.
By the way, they even offer free tours in English, French, German and Japanese! Just check the website for the latest time slots.
Address: Na Phra That Alley, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200
Relax at Lumphini Park
Sometimes you need a break from temple-hopping and sightseeing, particularly in a buzzing city like Bangkok. If you’re in need of some relaxation, check out Lumpini Park.
The largest green space in Bangkok, this city park is where Bangkok’s locals come to hang out, doing everything from their evening bout of tai chi to a light bit of jogging. On weekends you’ll find families walking the paths, many people gliding across the lake in swan-shaped paddleboats and if you go there on a Sunday you might even catch a free jazz or classical music concert.
Address: Rama IV Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
Shop at Siam Paragon
If you haven’t had your shopping fix at the sprawling MBK we’d suggest you put Siam Paragon onto your Bangkok itinerary. Located on Siam Square and by the Siam BTS Skytrain station this major mall boasts over 250 shops including everything from high-end luxury brands to bargain deals. Add to that the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia, a large cinema complex and tons of fantastic restaurants, this is the perfect place to indulge your penchant for retail therapy.
Address: 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330
When is the best time to go to Bangkok?
The honest truth is that you can probably go to Bangkok most of the year, even in ‘rainy season’.
However, the best time to go is between November to February, which are the cooler months and allow you to easily explore Bangkok on foot. Although these are the peak months, so attractions are a bit busier and accommodation becomes more expensive!
March to May is generally when the weather really heats up and Bangkok is hot and humid, although it’s quite a festive time of year with a number of celebrations.
The cheapest time to go is May to October, which is the rainy or ‘low’ season – you’ll find deals on accommodation but you might have a bout of rain or two (or three). We have visited and loved it in both dry and rainy seasons.
Getting around Thailand
If you’re looking to continue to explore Thailand, we’d recommend checking out Bookaway for the best trains, bus and transfer options. They have amazing 24 hour support and many options have great cancellation options – which is a bit of a relief, when you need to change travel plans. Trust us, that happens more than you’d expect.
Otherwise, check out the latest flight options on Skyscanner. There are a load of great flight options for heading to Chiang Mai, or exploring more of Southeast Asia, with low-cost flights across the region.
Recommended: Heading to Yangon from Bangkok? Here is our city Yangon city guide.
Getting from Bangkok airports into town
If you’re arriving into Bangkok on a long haul flight, then you’ll most likely be landing into Bangkok’s International Suvarnabhumi Airport. Great news, this airport has great connectivity into the city centre.
If you’re on a local flight, then alternatively you may be landing into Don Mueang Airport, which doesn’t have great transport links.
Here we have broken down the best ways to get from these airports into Bangkok city centre.
From Suvarnabhumi Airport
Airport Rail Link: The fastest option, this connects the airport with downtown Bangkok and only takes between 25 and 30 minutes. It makes six stops and ends at Phayathai station which again provides the option of bus, van or taxi to your accommodation. Cost at time of writing was 45 THB (1.40 USD/1.15 GBP)
By taxi: The most convenient and, of course, the most expensive. You can take a taxi from Gate 4 and 7 of the passenger terminal – make sure to ask them to put the meter on! It takes between 40 and 50 minutes and ranges from 350 to 450 THB (11.00 to 14.00 USD/9.00 to 11.50 GBP). You can also book a Grab taxi via the Grab app, which usually ends up slightly cheaper.
Public Van: The vans make stops along the route to Victory Monument in the city centre, ensuring they take a bit longer than a taxi – about 45 minutes to an hour depending on the number of drop-offs. Usually the cost is 40 THB (1.25 USD/1.00 GBP) and from Victory Monument you can either walk, or take another bus, van or Skytrain.
From Don Mueang Airport
By taxi: The airport is about 24 km from downtown Bangkok, and taxi is the easiest way to travel between the two points. The journey takes between 30 and 60 minutes depending on traffic and price ranges from 300 and 400 THB (9.25 to 12.50 USD/7.75 to 10.25 GBP).
By bus: A more affordable option is to take Bus No 29 which costs 20 THB (0.65 USD/0.50 GBP). This takes between 45 and 75 minutes to reach downtown Bangkok.
Bangkok top travel tips
Here are a few of our favourite tips for Bangkok:
Dress code: Not sure what to wear in Thailand? It is quite a conservative country and outside of the islands, you are generally expected to cover your shoulders and legs. This is even more important at holy places like temples so make sure that at least your skirt or trousers reaches past your knees, and that you don’t wear any vests or revealing shirts. They do usually sell a cover-up at the door, but it’s not worth paying this at every stop.
Scams: There is also an ongoing scam around tuk-tuks, most notably those that wait around the Wats. Usually they stand at a closed entrance and tell you that the entire Wat is closed for the day and offer you a ride elsewhere, usually to their friend’s store! Just walk breezily past and find the right entrance. You can also avoid tuk-tuks entirely by downloading Grab, Asia’s equivalent to Uber.
Bargaining Tips: Bartering is part of Thai culture, so don’t shy away from it! Here are a few of our favourite things to do when bargaining:
- Keep it friendly. Make sure you smile and do it with a sense of humour
- Have a price in mind. Don’t just start at 50% but have somewhere you want to aim for. That way you’ll be happy to get near it, or slightly less than it.
- They won’t sell it if they don’t make money. So, don’t worry – if they weren’t making a profit, they would walk away from the sale
- If you want it but the price isn’t right, feel free to walk away. They might chase you down or you can return later to see if you can bargain again.
Must-have apps for Bangkok and Thailand
Grab: The most important app to download before arriving in Bangkok is definitely Grab. It is Southeast Asia’s equivalent to Uber and works amazingly well. Grab has removed the element of bumping up fares for foreigners so you know exactly what you’re going to pay. And it can be linked to your credit card so there’s no hassling with cash.
If you’re keen to take a tuk tuk in Bangkok then the app is also really helpful in negotiating. You can show them the cost of the trip on Grab and see if they’ll at least come close to that fare. Tuk tuks in Bangkok are notorious for ‘ripping off’ tourists.
Tripit: If like us you love to keep organised, and think having all your travel tickets and accommodation bookings in one place is a great idea, then you have to sign up to Tripit. The free service pulls in all your booking confirmations in your emails and then sorts out your trip itinerary for you. How cool is that?
Trabee Pocket: And if you like to keep an eye on budgets, then Trabee Pocket is the tool for you. You can set up daily spending, and track how you’re doing against your budgets.
Maps.me: For us there is no better maps app than Maps.me. Perfect for offline use, working on GPS, it allows you to track wherever you are. With this in your pocket you can’t go wrong.
Useful websites for booking travel and accommodation in Thailand
Bookaway: Newer to the SE Asia travel market, but absolutely the best service that we have experienced (and we’ve tried them all), so for any trains, boats, flights or buses in Thailand, then check out Bookaway.com. They have 24hr online support and many of the options have better cancellation policys than the competitors. A really simple to use booking platform, and given how booked up things can get in the busy seasons, it’s good to plan ahead.
Agoda: We know there are other booking sites out there but it’s clear that Agoda has the widest array of accommodation in South East Asia. We almost exclusively book with them since they also price match against other booking sites.
What camera equipment and other gear do we use?
We’re living proof that you don’t need the most expensive gear to travel the world and take good photos. Here are some of our must have items that make it into the packing list for all our travels.
- Main Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
- Drone: DJI Mavic Air – Fly More Combo
- GoPro: Hero 7 Black
- GoPro Dive Case: Go Pro Housing
- GoPro Case: Smatree GoPro Carry Case – Small
- Packing Cubes: Eagle Creek Packing case
- Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 70
- Powerbank: Anker Powercore
- Phone: Xiaomi Mi 9
- Hard drive: Transcend Slim Storejet 2TB
- Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 720s
- Headphones: Bose Quiet Comfort 35
- Wifi Hotspot: GlocalMe G4
Useful phrases
- Hello – Sawatdii
- How are you? – Sabaaidii mai?
- I’m fine – Sabaaidii
- I’m not well – Mai sabaii
- Thank you – Khop kun
- Sorry – Khot hort
- Goodbye – Bai
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