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Why Bangkok Needs to be on Your Bucket List
Thailand truly is the Land of Smiles - the Thai people really do smile frequently, and I had the opportunity to meet some locals who were genuinely friendly and proud to share with me about their culture.
Bangkok, the official capital of Thailand, is best known for its street life (and street food), cultural landmarks, and risque party scenes. The streets are busy at night with food vendors, late-night spas, bars, strip clubs and more.
Bangkok is the most populated city in Thailand. As a result, Bangkok has TERRIBLE traffic. Like really bad. The streets are more like parking lots as the locals say because of how much traffic there is. But it’s still worth every second of experiencing.
First Impressions
I flew into Suvarnabhumi Airport (one of the two international airports serving Bangkok) late at night - around midnight. After traveling for about 24 hours to get there, I was exhausted. Although there are driver options available upon landing at the airport, I highly recommend pre-arranging a car service for your arrival to your hotel. Yes, it may be more expensive than a bus, but trust me - after traveling for so long, the last thing you’ll want to do is try to figure out how to get to yourself into the city in a foreign country.
It was pretty warm and humid outside, even long after the sun had set. So I was very pleased that my pre-arranged driver had a cold bottle of water and chilled towel waiting for me inside!
Because of traffic - even past midnight - it took about an hour to get to the hotel when it should have taken about 30 minutes. The traffic never really lets up no matter what time of the day or night it is so be sure to factor in long travel times for getting around the city by car.
I was so surprised to see the airport and city so busy and active so late. I was soon to find out that this is quite normal for Bangkok. Bangkok is a hustling, bustling city that comes alive at night, (though the city never really sleeps.) Many people come out at night when it’s cooler than in the heat of the day.
Although I was fully ready to check in and crawl into bed after my 24 hour journey, the city was just getting started. All around were whizzing motorbikes, tuk tuks decorated with lights, and cars slowly crawling down the streets.
Pro Tip: Once you’re settled into your hotel or Airbnb, I would recommend using motorbikes or tuk tuks to get around over using cars when possible. It’s slightly easier to fight the traffic that way. Also, make sure that you negotiate the rate beforehand.
Towering above the lively streets, you’ll find tons of rooftop bars and restaurants to take in the sights with a cooler breeze.
We happened to arrive in Thailand when it was the Thai King’s birthday week. He was born on a “yellow” day so the city was covered in the color yellow - temples were decorated in yellow, yellow flowers were planted, and the locals wore yellow clothing for good luck.
Side note: Thai people designate a certain good luck color for every day of the week. This came from an ancient custom (influenced from Hindu mythology) in which each day of the week was based on the color of a God who protected that day.
I was born on a Saturday, so my color is purple representing the god Shani. What’s your color? Comment below and let me know! (If you don’t know just Google your birth date to find out!)
About Bangkok
Thailand was formerly known as Siam. Ayutthaya was its capital.
Approximately 8 million live in the city and over 14 million live in the metroplex, which is 22.2% of Thailand’s entire population! Unfortunately congestion in the city is worsening, so I would advise traveling to this destination sooner than later!
Bangkok is actually a Western word for the city. The people of Thailand call their city Krung Thep Maha Nakhon...I had a hard time saying this though so I stuck with just “Bangkok.”
I found it rather unique that the city had so many sacred religious sites juxtaposed with other rather seedy nightlife scenes. Both are worth checking out, though I preferred the more historical sites overall.
Bangkok is located along the Chao Phraya River, which made it an important trading hub. The city has a historically rich background dating back to the 15th century.
Getting to Bangkok
There are two international airports near Bangkok - the first is Suvarnabhumi International Airport - which is likely the airport you would fly into as it’s newer. The other, which handles budget airlines for domestic and some international, is Don Muang.
Although there are rail link transfers, I highly recommend pre-arranging a car service unless you are already in Asia. After spending 24 hours traveling to get to Thailand from the United States, I knew that I would be completely out of it and didn’t want to think or worry about negotiating upon my arrival. Having a driver waiting for me already at the airport made a huge difference and was a real relief to know it was taken care of when I arrived. I don’t normally pre-arrange a car service, but would highly recommend if you are traveling a long time to get to your destination and/or if you are in a new foreign country that speaks a different language and you are arriving for the first time. I requested a car service through my hotel, which is more expensive, but I wanted to ensure convenience and reliability, so I was ok with the added expense.
When to Visit Bangkok
Bangkok experiences a tropical savanna climate, so it always ranges from warm to hot and has frequent humidity. Monsoon season is August through October, with September as the rainiest time of year, so I would advise avoiding those months.
From a temperature perspective, November through February are the best months to visit, when it is the coolest (though not cool!) December is the coolest time while April is the hottest month in the year.
I visited in late July - it rained occasionally but not for long periods, so we were lucky. Furthermore, it wasn’t peak season so prices were better.
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Getting Around Bangkok
Bangkok is not the easiest city to get around due to the high amounts of traffic. But there are a variety of ways to explore the city. I touch on the Skytrain, taxis, express boats, motorcycle taxis, and tuk tuks. There are also buses, but I do not recommend using those as they are not English-friendly.
Skytrain (BTS)
I didn’t take the Skytrain while in Bangkok but my hotel told me that this was an efficient and convenient way to navigate the inner city. It’s also pretty affordable. Skytrain is literally built above the streets of Bangkok, so you need to access the stations via steps and escalators. BTS doesn’t go everywhere in the city but some major stops are included. Note that Skytrain doesn’t operate after midnight.
Taxis
Taxis are pretty cheap but not the least expensive option. Because of traffic in the city, you risk getting to your destination at a slower pace in a car, but it’s certainly a more comfortable option with air conditioning. All taxis are metered so do not try to negotiate - if a taxi driver tries to negotiate, find a different taxi.
Chao Phrya River Express Boats
I took the express boat to get from a temple to the other side of the river - it was a quick trip but convenient. Also a little more scenic too. There are different express boat routes depending on where you are trying to get to - they are marked by station and color codes. Without a local guide, it may be a little difficult to navigate but if you don’t have one with you, don’t let that stop you from trying this option!
Motorcycle Taxis
The motorcycle taxi is used frequently by locals to get around quickly. You essentially are riding on the back of a motorcycle, which has the ability to weave through the traffic jams. You can spot these drivers because they wear numbered orange vests. I took this once while in Bangkok and it was super exhilarating and fun - I would definitely recommend trying this at least once. The driver will supply you with a helmet - if he or she doesn’t have one, find a different driver. You can be fined if you don’t wear one.
Prices range between 15 and 40 Baht but foreigners almost assuredly will get overcharged. You can negotiate however. Be prepared to show the driver where you want to go on a map or visually as they may not speak fluent English. With this option, you are out in the elements, so you risk helmet hair, windblown looks, or being caught in the rain - for these reasons, I recommend a motorcycle taxi for short trips around the city.
Tuk Tuks
Tuk tuks are super fun and a must-try while in Bangkok. These are motorized three wheelers found all over the city. It’s really fun to see how the different drivers decorate their tuk tuks and attract riders - some play fun music, some have string lights hanging....I even saw one that paid homage to Spiderman and was covered in memorabilia. There is no meter so it all has to be negotiated. As with motorcycle taxis, be prepared to show the driver where you want to go on a map or visually as they may not speak fluent English. Be hyper-vigilant about potential scams - don’t let a tuk tuk driver take you to some tourist trap - be specific about where you are trying to go. These are open-air vehicles so if it’s raining or a long distance, a taxi is the better option.
Major Attractions in Bangkok
There are countless sacred temples and historical sites in Bangkok worth visiting, but some of the most famous must-see spots include:
- Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
- Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
- What Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
- Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha)
Other cultural places to visit and things to do include:
See a Muay Thai fight
Visit the flower market
Stroll down Soi Cowboy (red-light district)
Have a luxurious spa day with a traditional Thai massage
Visit the floating market (half-day trip)
Take a river cruise around Chao Phrya River
Enjoy a cocktail on a rooftop bar
If you had a short time in Bangkok like me, I highly recommend booking a private tour so that you have enough time to see and do all the amazing things that Bangkok has to offer. If you are considering booking a tour to see all of the MANY sights in Bangkok, read my blog post, The Pros and Cons of Booking a Private Tour Guide Experience. Then take the quiz below to find out which option better suits you!
If you’ve decided that a tour suits you best for experiencing Bangkok, here are my recommendations.
- For travelers who want to hit all the top spots in Bangkok: Private Tour: Best of Bangkok in a Day
- For travelers who want a change of pace from Bangkok's hustle and bustle: Private Ayutthaya Day Tour from Bangkok
- For all the foodies: Chef-Designed Bangkok Food Tour for 8 Guests
- For a romantic night with skyline views: Apsara Dinner Cruise by Banyan Tree
I went on the first two tours listed above and HIGHLY recommend them.
*Though I did not go on food tour or dinner cruise myself, I heavily researched the options and read through the many reviews, so that you don’t have to! (Side note - if you have a trip where you are interested in booking a tour but don’t have the time to read through all of the options and reviews, you can hire me to do the work for you! Learn more here.)
Have you ever traveled to Bangkok before? What was your favorite destination? Let me know in the comments below! Have I convinced you to add Bangkok to your travel bucket list? I hope so!
Travel well and often,
author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
