Transportation
Flights
Where to Search:
- Google flights
- ITA Software Matrix Search (useful for finding open-jaw and alternative routes, nearby airports, etc. Note: no links to sellers and many low-cost carriers are missing),
- Kayak
Where to Buy:
- It’s recommended to purchase tickets on airline websites.
Bangkok Airports
- Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Muang (DMK). To get to the city, you can use taxis, book a transfer, or use public transport. From BKK, the Airport Rail Link is convenient, and from DMK, the red line is available.
Taxis
- Bangkok has a large number of taxis. Taxis are required to use meters, but many drivers ask foreigners for a fixed amount. Taxi apps include Grab, Bolt, InDrive, and Lineman. Moto-taxis are also widespread.
Public Transport in Bangkok
- Public transport is diverse, but tourists are mainly interested in BTS (Skytrain), MRT, boats on the Chao Phraya River (Chao Phraya Express Boat), and canal boats (e.g., Khlong Saen Saep boat service). Transit Bangkok and the Moovit app are useful for route planning, and Google Maps can also be used.
Money
ATMs
- Thai banks charge a uniform fee of 220 baht per withdrawal. Foreign cards can withdraw 20-30,000 baht, with Krungsri bank ATMs allowing up to 30,000 baht. In automated deposit machines (CDM) of Bangkok Bank and, according to some reports, Krungthai Bank, you can withdraw up to 100,000 baht. For large sums, it’s better to withdraw at a bank branch (cash advance). The name and surname on the passport and card must match, usually easier at Bangkok Bank branches.
Currency Exchange in Bangkok
- Popular networks with good rates include Superrich Thailand and Superrich 1965. You can find the nearest exchange offices conveniently on Google Maps.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Popular Tourist Areas
- Along the green BTS Sukhumvit Line, between the Siam and Ekkamai stations. Each “micro-district” has its own characteristics.
- Siam, Chit Lom, Asok, Phrom Phong – here you will find large shopping centers (Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, centralwOrld, Gaysorn Village, Central Embassy, Terminal21, EmQuartier, EmSphere, etc.).
- Nana and Asok – nearby are the “red-light districts” (Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy), as well as the popular Sukhumvit Soi 11 street with numerous bars, favored by many tourists and expats.
- In the area of sois 4-5 — the “Arab quarter.”
- Near the Phrom Phong station, specifically on soi 33/1, there is also a bar cluster popular among expats.
- Asok – a convenient transport hub (BTS intersects with MRT).
- Thonglor — the “Japanese district” with many interesting restaurants and bars.
2. Silom and Sathorn — more business-oriented and less touristy areas, which also have many restaurants and bars.
3. Riverside – for those who prefer to stay near the river. Several expensive, traditional hotels are located here (more on them below).
4. Khaosan Road / Rambuttri Road — for backpackers.
5. Chinatown — a vibrant district of Bangkok with many interesting places.
How to Choose a District and Hotel
To look, compare, find out prices, read reviews, and book:
Google Maps
Agoda
Booking.com
Trip.com
Bangkok Hotels
Some hotel chains and hotels:
Accor Brands in various segments: Banyan Tree, Sofitel, SO/, Pullman, Mercure, Novotel, Ibis, and others
IHG InterContinental, Kimpton, Indigo, Vignette Collection, Holiday Inn, and others.
Marriott (Aloft, Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, JW Marriott, Le Meridien, Marriott, Renaissance, Sheraton, St. Regis, W, Westin and others)
Minor Hotels (Anantara, Avani and others)
Hyatt (Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt)
Centara (Centara Grand, Centara, Centra)
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (Sukhotai, Muu, 137 Pillars)
Kempinski: Siam Kempinski and Sindhorn Kempinski
One Harmony (Okura Prestige and Hotel Nikko)
Some expensive hotels along the Chao Phraya (Riverside)
Mandarin Oriental
The Siam Hotel
Capella
The Peninsula
Four Seasons
Atmospheric hotel in Chinatown: Shanghai Mansion
What to See in Bangkok
Bangkok is a huge city with many interesting places. It’s very “multilayered.” Of course, everything depends on individual preferences, interests, available time, accustomed pace, and other factors. As the song goes, “One night in Bangkok makes the hard man humble.”
A classic tourist program for 1-3 days usually includes:
✔️ The historical part of the left bank — Rattanakosin Island — a complex of royal palaces and temples, including Wat Phra Kaew (“Temple of the Emerald Buddha”) and Wat Pho (“Temple of the Reclining Buddha”).
✔️ Cruise along the Chao Phraya, canal cruises.
✔️ Wat Arun (“Temple of the Dawn,” “Temple of the Morning Dawn”) — located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya. Known for its 79-meter pagoda, decorated with ceramic tiles and colorful porcelain.
✔️ Chinatown (daytime walks, bars in the evening).
✔️ The Portuguese quarter and the Baan Kudichin Museum.
✔️ Bangkokian Museum (Ethnographic Museum of Bangkok).
✔️ MOCA Bangkok (Museum of Contemporary Art).
✔️ Shopping malls.
✔️ Parks.
✔️ Markets (e.g., Chatuchak).
✔️ Night markets, for example:
Srinagarindra Train Night Market
✔️ Spa and massage salons.
✔️ Many will enjoy the Japanese bath (onsen) — there are many in Bangkok.
Walking Bangkok Guide from TAT Bangkok
Bangkok Bars
The bars are temples, but the pearls ain’t free (c) Murray Head
Bangkok Rooftop Bars
A great selection: Rooftop Bars Bangkok
Some cocktail bars in Bangkok
(in no particular order)
- Vesper: Google Maps
- BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River: Google Maps
- Ba hao 八號: Google Maps
- Stella at Capella Bangkok: Google Maps
- Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental: Google Maps
- Firefly at Sindhorn Kempinski: Google Maps
- Asia Today: Google Maps
- Teens of Thailand: Google Maps
- Sugar Ray You’ve Just Been Poisoned: Google Maps
- The Key @ Josh Hotel: Google Maps
- Honest Mistake: Google Maps
- Tropic City: Google Maps
- Find The Locker Room: Google Maps
- Rabbit Hole: Google Maps
- Midsummer Night’s Dream: Google Maps
- J. Boroski: Google Maps
- Philtration: Google Maps
- Mahaniyom: Google Maps
- The Bar Vagabond: Google Maps
- Lost in Thaislation: Google Maps
- Bar Us: Google Maps
- Eat Me: Google Maps
- Dumbo: Google Maps
- 2463 Speakeasy: Google Maps
- Kodo Bar: Google Maps
- Key Room 72: Google Maps
- 008 Bar: Google Maps
- 342 Bar: Google Maps
- Sugarray Apartment: Google Maps
- Copper Bar: Google Maps
- After TE Time: Google Maps
- Ku Bar: Google Maps
- Widdershins: Google Maps
- Opium Bar: Google Maps
- Revolucion Cocktail at Holiday Inn Silom: Google Maps
- Thaipioka: Google Maps
- Salon Du Japonisant: Google Maps
- Villa Frantzén: Google Maps
- Midlife Crisis: Google Maps
- The Loft at the Waldorf Astoria: Google Maps
- TEP Bar: Google Maps
- TAX Bar: Google Maps