Ultimate tips to travel to Bangkok: How to get around, best places to visit, food, areas to stay and everything!

Written by Beverley Lennon
Edited by Dawn Pillay

Everyone loves Bangkok, even the kids! There are endless things to do and sadly never enough time to experience it all.

• Does it take too much time to research and plan your own travel itinerary?

• Are you drowning in the amount of information available on the internet?

• Is it difficult to decide where to stay, what to do or even the best places to eat?

If you answered yes to all of the above, then you seriously need some help! Whether it’s your first time to Bangkok or 12543 time visiting – make your travel planning easier with our curated content.

Bangkok is hyped up with incredible night-market shopping (yes even weekday night markets!) – the coolest cafes and restaurants, an array of must-shop shopping areas and unique bars and so much more.

If you’re lost and wondering what next? We have everything you’ll need, whether you’re a couple, group of friends, family, or digital nomads.

From A to Z, this ultra convenient guide to Bangkok will help you to prepare – enjoy an awesome trip… for the first time, or over and over again!

Also read:

Your one-stop guide to the ultimate girls’ trip to Bangkok with 18 of the best shopping spots, cafes, and activities!

16 must-try authentic local food in Bangkok you will never find out if you don’t have Thai friends!

4D3N shopping guide to maximise your time in Bangkok

Where to stay in Bangkok: 6 best areas and 12 budget hotels near BTS (under $40!)

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1. Where to be based and explore in Bangkok?

Here are our 6 recommended areas in Bangkok to stay at and/or explore.

1. Siam, Pratunam – Centralised location to be based in Bangkok, great for shopping. (click here for hotels near Pratunam)
2. Silom, Lumphini Park, Sukhumvit – Good to be based at for business, nightlife and Lumphini Park’s greenery! (click here for hotels near Silom, Lumphini Park and Sukhumvit)
3. Chao Praya Riverside – Romantic riverside location for honeymooners and historical junkies (click here for hotels near riverside)
4. Ekkamai, Thonglor – Plenty of cafes to cafehop at, and boutique shops for the hipsters (click here for hotels near Ekkamai, Thonglor)
5. Chatuchak – If you’re here for the weekend and love exploring Chatuchak’s weekend market! (click here for hotels near Chatuchak)
6. Chinatown – This is the go-to place for foodies to explore Bangkok through her food and heritage. (click here for hotels near Chinatown)

2. Useful travel apps

These apps will make travel so much simpler!

There’s much you can do with that smartphone you are holding, and especially more so when you travel.

We highly recommend downloading this list of practical and our most-used applications before your trip to Bangkok. They’ll fully change the way you travel!

a) The best place to chill while waiting for your flight! – Priority Pass

Ever dreamt of unlimited beer refills?

If you’re travelling with family and friends, or travel frequently – Priority Pass gives us a great deal of convenience and value for our money. You might be travelling on a budget flight, but now you’ll get to enjoy exclusive lounge access!

With Priority Pass, we didn’t have to worry about finding a place to eat before our flights – or even finding a comfortable place free of crowds to relax at, while waiting to board the plane.

From free-flow drinks (including beers!!!) and complimentary meals and desserts – to shower facilities and sometimes even complimentary spas (at selected lounges)…

Once you experience the beauty of airport lounges, you’re sure to embrace the lounge culture with both arms wide opened too. 😛

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b) Getting around is so much easier with these must-have apps – Grab, Google Maps, NEXT-Station Bangkok

Grab is super convenient for ensuring you get around with lesser waiting time. Here’s why

Google Maps will show you how long it takes to get to your destination and the best routes there.

NEXT-Station Bangkok is the best way to check your public transportation options

Download via App Store | Download via Google Play

c) Letting the locals know what you want in Thai is easy – Google Translate

We’ve had a hard time finding places we needed to go, and the best cheat trick we’ve used to getting around Bangkok and Thailand is Google Translate.

3. Local SIM Cards

Want to know which is the best local SIM card to get in Bangkok?

There are 3 main telcos in Thailand – Truemove, DTAC, and AIS.

4. Bangkok Activities

a) For Couples looking for romance

Every romantic escape requires hand-in-hand activities for the both of you. Bangkok is blessed with a series of romantic things to do.

Whether its an indulgent onsen and spa experience together…

or if you’d like to adventure your way through Bangkok’s weekend getaways.

Romance and adventure just happen to go so well together…

b) For Families excited to bond

Let’s face reality, you can’t always shop when you’re traveling with kids, since they’ll obviously get bored eventually – so do plan some days for them to have fun! There are so many fun family-friendly things to do with kids in Bangkok and you should definitely check them out!

It will be hard for them to choose between a day at Flight Experience, one at Kidzania – where they get to be little adults, or even at Fantasia Lagoon Water Park to beat the famous Bangkok heat with splish-splashing fun!

c) For Friends/Shoppers out for a good time

This is going to be a hard task for you as there are uncountable incredible things to do with friends in Bangkok. There’s even a series of amazing free things to do if you’re on a budget and challenging yourselves.

And if you like us are taking leave from work to travel with your friends, and can only visit during weekdays; we’re coming to your rescue with night markets that open during the weekdays! No excuse not to shop till you drop…

Nothing new, but you need to hear it again – Bangkok is shopping heaven and that also means… its a favorite destination for ladies to let loose (shopping-wise) with its amazing shopping malls.

For some good night-fun with the guys and gals, you can always head to rooftop bars with great views for a hearty drink and conversations.

d) For Digital Nomads who want to take a break from work

There are plenty of things to do and activities to experience during your free time in Bangkok. Once work is done for the day, you can always make the best out of your stay. First, experience one of these workshops available in the city of Bangkok. It’s a great way to interact with locals and pick up new skills/hobbies to relax with.

And while working and traveling might get pretty overwhelming and stressful; take some time to unwind with super affordable massages in Bangkok!

5. Eats (and cafes for work!)

a) For Couples looking for romantic places to dine

Food and romance… our two favorites! Bangkok is home to charming little garden cafes for you to chill at and escape the heat with your sweet lover! They ooze romance and are perfect for adorable couple pictures!

For meals accompanied with aphrodisiac views, these romantic restaurants with a view to dine in at Bangkok are perfect to steal your lover’s heart! You don’t have to wait for special occasions to enjoy incredible food choices, featuring a view to die for… Can’t get any better!

b) For Families hunting down kid-friendly cafes

Eating with kids can end up to be a pretty… embarrassing event – especially if tantrums are involved in the whole dining experience, and you’ll have other restaurant guests staring at you and probably “shushing” your kids too!

Nobody wants that on holiday and that’s why we believe that the unique themed cafes and restaurants in Bangkok will be great for parents with kids!

c) For Friends/Shoppers looking for great food

It’s time to stroll through the city streets and tickle your palates. There’s something for everyone – but first, have a taste over these must-try authentic local food in Bangkok…

… or go on a foodie tour in Chinatown!

Pick up your best finds among the stalls, and share them with your group of friends for an ultimate Thai feast! And when shopping and visiting gets tiring, and you’re craving a good sugar rush – how about these delightfully sinful instagrammable desserts?

d) For Digital Nomads looking for cafes for work

We know how tough it can be to find the perfect work space. There are many cafes in Bangkok, but how do we know which ones have reliable WiFi, power plugs to charge up our laptops or tablets, or even great coffee?

These cafes for work might just be what you’re looking for. You’re welcome!

6. Best Stays

a) For Couples who want a little romance

For this, you will need comfortable nights of lodging and romantic views… such as these hotels with amazing infinity pools and bathtubs with a view for lounging together in water.. Our favourite? Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok with its luxurious feels – perfect for every king and queen!

But if you’re looking for romantic riverside hotels in Bangkok for under $100, nothing compares to the 360° views and magical infinity pool at Millennium Hilton Bangkok.

b) For Families who need family-friendly rooms

Hotel living with little ones in Bangkok is easier than you think with these 2-bedroom suites and family rooms in central Bangkok.

Besides being spacious and with the coolest all-ages playrooms, like the one at Somerset Park Suanplu (Sathorn) which happens to be located in the vicinity of Dreamworld Theme Park too… Some like Rembrandt Hotel’s funky bunk beds (I’ll sleep on the top one please!!)

What else is good? How about Royal President Hotel Bangkok that is centrally located next to the Nana BTS Station and MRT Sukhumvit line. Few family-friendly hotels offer heartfelt luxury but Royal President Hotel Bangkok is a decent option!

c) For Friends/Shoppers looking for central stays

Bangkok is one great trip to take with your friends and you can make it memorable with a comfortable stay! Get ready for big laughs, new adventures and happy memories. There are several unique hotels located near the BTS metro station…

… as well as hotels in Pratunam under $40 – talk about convenience, and saving money so you can spend more on shopping!

These hotels are not only centrally located but they also have a funky touch to them…We like all things quirky at The House of Phraya Jasaen but you will surely also be considering Beat Hotel by Hi-Residence for its hip mural arts…

If you don’t mind being called a Khao San Road lover, you might consider a stay at Siam Champs Elyseesi Unique Hotel which is a bear 10 minutes’ walk away from the famous party street! It is a really great location for exploring other attractions of the city as well.

d) For Digital Nomads looking for good locations to be based

Shout-out to this incredible upmarket hostel that’s perfect for digital nomads out there. Nomads’; we’re pleased to introduce you to Oneday Hostel Sukhumvit 26.

It’s a comfortable and affordable hostel that also features a space for you to work at. The whole building and rooms are equipped with excellent Wi-Fi. What else is needed?!

Another good option is Lamphu House Bangkok – if you are traveling on a budget and totally don’t mind being in the vibrant party scene of Khao San, while having proper Wi-Fi in your room. The resort-like guesthouse is also well-known among digital nomads, as a superb location to network with like-minded folks.

We also like the fact that comfort (and luxury) comes with a higher price at Somerset Lake Point Bangkok by offering serviced apartments for travel-holic workers like us, that can be rented for extended stays!

7. Police, Embassies, Hospitals

If you’re ever in trouble and need emergency information

During our last road trip to Bangkok and beyond, we experienced an emergency situation and found ourselves frantically Googling for a reputable hospital.

To ensure no one has to stress over finding important information during emergencies, we’re sharing this list of emergency contact info!

If you need the police, ambulance or want to report a crime…

Requiring help from your embassy?

Don’t panic, here are 3 recommended hospitals in Bangkok with international standards, and an amazing team of English-speaking doctors and nurses:

Still wondering how to get ready for and make the most out of your time in Bangkok? With this guide in hand, you should be all set!

If you have further questions, feel free to ask us in the comments section below. 😀

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PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us

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