Bangkok

Travel Guide
Wat Arun

Bangkok Travel Guide Video

Revel in the color, noise and history of Thailand’s frenetic capital, a city that welcomes its visitors with a clash of old and new.

Traveling into Bangkok for the first time is a dizzying assault on the senses. Ride a tuk-tuk through the city center and you will pass neon-lit streets packed with clubs, ancient alleys and grandiose temples. Breathe in the scents of a thousand street food stalls. Listen for the chants of praying monks mingled with the voices of market vendors and shoppers haggling with one another.

Visit the Bangkok National Museum and the Bangkok Folk Museum to learn about the multifaceted history of the city. It used to be two separate cities, Krung Thep and Thon Buri, located on either side of the Chao Phraya River. Although Krung Thep has been the capital of Thailand since the late 18th-century, when the Grand Palace was built, the two municipalities were only recognised as one city in the 1970s.

Make the palace your first stop when exploring Bangkok, before visiting the spectacular temples that line the riverbank. Hop on a boat and drift along the Chao Phraya River for unbeatable views of Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun, recognizable for their towering stupas. Explore the temples on foot to encounter gigantic Buddha statues and golden Thai architecture.

Experience modern Bangkok in the sleek, air-conditioned malls in the districts around Siam Square. For a different, typically Thai shopping experience, pound the pavements of the city’s many markets. Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the best, offering antiques, handicrafts and quick eats.

Don’t leave without trying some street food. Wander through the old town of Banglamphu or Chinatown and snack on bowls of noodles or green curry and rice.

Visit Thailand’s exhilarating capital in any season to experience its sights, smells and sounds. In low season, between May and October, the weather stays hot and humid but offers the chance to save money on accommodations. Come in mid-April to join in with the water fights and colorful festivities of Songkran, Thailand’s new year celebrations.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit

4/5(1,519 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Sukhumvit. Check out top attractions like Terminal 21 Shopping Mall and Lumphini Park, and jump on the metro at Asok BTS Station or Sukhumvit Station to see more of the city.

Sukhumvit
Lumpini Park featuring a park, a lake or waterhole and a house

Bangkok City Centre

3.5/5(59 area reviews)

Known for its stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Bangkok City Centre. Check out top attractions like Siam Paragon Mall and Pratunam Market, and jump on the metro at Hua Lamphong Station or National Stadium BTS Station to see more of the city.

Bangkok City Centre
Bangkok featuring a bridge, skyline and a river or creek

Siam

Siam Paragon Mall and Erawan Shrine are top sights in Siam, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Ratchadamri BTS Station or Siam BTS Station to see more sights in the area.

Siam
Default Image

Silom

4/5(136 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Silom. Check out top attractions like Silom Complex Shopping Mall and Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, and jump on the metro at Chong Nonsi BTS Station or Sala Daeng BTS Station to see more of the city.

Silom
Wat Pho showing interior views

Bangkok Riverside

Khaosan Road and Asiatique The Riverfront are a few top attractions in Bangkok Riverside. Hop around the city on the metro at Rama IX Bridge Station or Wat Dokmai Station and check out the area's fantastic nightlife, stunning river views, and popular shops.

Bangkok Riverside
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Asoke

Asoke is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Terminal 21 Shopping Mall and Soi Cowboy, and you can get around town on the metro at Sukhumvit Station.

Asoke
Asia Hotel Bangkok
Asia Hotel Bangkok
4 out of 5
296 Phayathai Road, Bangkok, Bangkok
The price is ¥4,522 per night from Apr 25 to Apr 26
¥4,522
per night
Apr 25 - Apr 26
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,014 reviews)
"Locations"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Asia Hotel Bangkok
Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok
Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok
4.5 out of 5
19 Sukhumvit Soi 18, Klong Toei, Bangkok, Bangkok
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥9,728 per night from Apr 23 to Apr 24
¥9,728
per night
Apr 23 - Apr 24
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,019 reviews)
"we got an exceptional room on the 22nd floor. we have been here at least 6 times. we really like this hotel."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok
Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri
Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri
5 out of 5
153/2 Mahatlek Luang 1, Ratchadamri Rd, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Bangkok
The price is ¥13,789 per night from Apr 28 to Apr 29
¥13,789
per night
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel. Clean room and respectful staff. Some small nitpicks, but otherwise great. Personally, the breakfast options was merely ok at best, and it's a short walk to BTS lines. Pool and sauna were nice and not crowded. They have an ATM in the lobby as well as a vending machine for some basic ..."

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024

Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Citadines Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok
Citadines Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok
4 out of 5
22/22 Sukhumvit 11, Sukhumvit Road, Wattana, Bangkok, Bangkok
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,115 reviews)
"Staff fantastic big well air conditioned room BINGO"

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024

Citadines Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok
Oakwood Suites Bangkok
Oakwood Suites Bangkok
5 out of 5
20 Soi Sukhumvit 24, Sukhumvit Road, Khlong Tan, Bangkok, Bangkok
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (141 reviews)
"Great location, close to shopping etc yet peaceful and quiet"

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2024

Oakwood Suites Bangkok
Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok
Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok
4 out of 5
No 115 Sukhumvit 55, Thonglor, Sukhumvit Road, Klongton Nua, Bangkok
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (921 reviews)
"Really excellent stay. Both deluxe and executive studios are great; all modern and very clean. Pool is sensational and the gym is good too. What really made a difference though is the staff; they’re second to none. Friendly at all times, bending over backwards to help; it was a pleasure dealing with ..."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Bangkok

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2149
" "5 - Excellent 47.10653222270934%
4 - Good
1852
" "4 - Good 40.59622972380535%
3 - Okay
475
" "3 - Okay 10.41209995615958%
2 - Disappointing
58
" "2 - Disappointing 1.2713722051731697%
1 - Terrible
28
" "1 - Terrible 0.6137658921525647%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 3, 2020

Bangkok is highly polluted and has too many cars on the roads. Go there then travel to another city. Not worth the hassle.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 27, 2020

I live here.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 2, 2020

If you like the city life, you'll like Bangkok. Just be prepared for the traffic.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 2, 2020

Ok considering recent events ok

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Apr 1, 2020

Ok...not alot of entertainment

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 23, 2020

Fascinating city; a world all of its own.

Cities near Bangkok