How to Get Around
One of the best ways to zip around, and technically above, the crowded streets of Bangkok is to take their stellar sky train. You can buy a multiple day pass at any of the train stations from an automated machine and use the system of sky rails during your entire visit to Bangkok. Between the sky train, the public ferry system that shuttles people down the Chao Phraya River that runs through the center of Bangkok and the vast network of Tuk Tuk (small local auto rickshaw taxis) you can get pretty much anywhere in the city rather quickly.
As for the ferry, you can choose between the public ferry with an orange flag (15 Baht = $0.50) or the more expensive tourist ferry with a blue flag (150 Baht = $4.60). To fully experience the “real” Bangkok, take the public ferry (orange flag), if you’d rather a less crowded experience full of Australians on holiday you’ll find that on the tourist ferry. The area along the main river of Bangkok (Ko Ratanakosin) used to be the ancient royal district and this is where many of Bangkok`s most famous attractions are located. And, thus the rivers and canals are the heart of Bangkok, and its cross-river ferries are still the main transportation for the locals. If you stay at The Peninsula Hotel they have their own private ferry that will shuttle you around the city.
When it comes to Tuk Tuks, these were our preferred means of transportation through the city. But, beware there are a couple scams to be aware of. Tuk Tuk drivers get a commission if they bring tourists to certain shops, particularly tailor shops. The owners of the shops will pay for the Tuk Tuk drivers gas in return for a certain number of tourists. Always negotiate the price and the destination before you get into the Tuk Tuk. If the driver says he will give you a lower rate if you let him take you on a tour or that he needs to stop somewhere on the way to your destination, just beware that he’s going to stop at a tailor shop and try to force you to go in before he completes the journey to your final destination.
Self Guided Walking Tour
If you get on one of the ferries along the main river, jump off at ferry pier no. 9 Tha Chang. Here is where you can start your walking tour which will take you to some of the most famous landmarks in Bangkok. The main sites in this area are fairly densely packed so you can easily walk between the temples in this area. Make sure however to get an early start as most of these sites close around 3:30 pm.
Right off of pier #9 is the Grand Palace which is a must stop on any trip to Bangkok. The Grand Palace is open from 08:30-15:30 every day and costs 500 Baht to enter ($15). It’ll take about 2 hours of your time to explore the palace. From Grand Palace, walk (about 10 minutes) or take the ferry one stop to No. 8 Tha Tien Pier. Grab something quick and delicious to eat and drink at one of the many food stalls along the street on your way to Wat Pho.
Wat Pho, known for its impressively large reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf and mother-of-pearl ornaments inlaid into the feet. It is a remarkable religious statue that sit 46m long and 15m high. It is supposed to illustrates Buddha entering nirvana. Wat Pho also contains four chapels that further contain another 394 gilded golden Buddhas sitting pensively in the lotus position.
Even though your main mission on any trip to Wat Pho is, of course, to see the reclining Buddha, don’t forget to wander around in the courtyard and admire the Chinese statutes that were once used as ballast on ships, as well as the 91 stupas that are beautifully decorated in ceramic pottery flowers and colorful and sparkling tiles.
Wat Pho is also Thailand’s headquarters for the teaching of traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage. So, following you walk around the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, this is the perfect place to stop for a relaxing Thai massage. There’s plenty of places set up for everything from full body massages to pay by the minute head and feet massages. If this is your first time in Thailand, this is a safe and very authentic place to try out a Thai massage. A good idea is to book a spot when entering Wat Pho as there can be a waiting list.
Wat Pho is open every day from 08:30 – 18:30 (Thai massage is available until 18:00), tickets cost only 100 Baht ($3). It will take approximately 1-2 hours of your time to fully explore Wat Pho.
Now it is time to cross the river, so jump on a cross-river ferry from No. 8 Tha Tien to Wat Arun pier (only 3 Baht = $0.09). This temple is Bangkoks most stunning and iconic structures and can be readily seen from the water, its large spire standing tall above the surrounding buildings. It is most impressive after dark when it is lit up providing a truly magical atmosphere.
In the middle of this temple lays its most prominent feature, an 82 m high beautifully decorated Khmer-style tower where you can walk up the steep stairs and admire the view of Bangkok and its rivers. It is open everyday from 08:00 – 18:00 costs 100 Baht ($3) per person to enter and will take you approximately 1-2 hours to explore.
Things to Do in Bangkok
Mr Moo Tour
In Bangkok we would recommend looking up a man named Mr. Moo who does a full day tour. He was excellent, super nice and he took us all around to see what Thailand is really like (if you do this trip, just make sure to say, “no,” when he asks you if you want to stop at the elephant park. We said yes and it was a pretty traumatic experience to see how the elephants seem to be abused. Let’s just say it wasn’t a place where it seemed like they treated the elephants well so definitely don’t give them your business). We found Mr Moo’s tour as the highest rated tour on Viator. It currently isn’t being offered (probably due to covid), but if for whatever reason Mr Moo is no longer offering his tour, make sure to take a day tour to the Damnern Saduak Floating Market and the Maeklong Railway Market.
Tuk Tuk Food Tour
Tuk Tuks are Thailands famous auto rickshaw style taxis. You can’t have a genuine Thai experience without traveling, at some point, by Tuk Tuk. The price for a Tuk Tuk trip is extremely cheap. $1-$3 will get you pretty much anywhere you want to go. Avoid any type of deal where you agree to stop somewhere en route to your destination. You’ll end up being pushed into a tailor shop and pressured into buying something. That being said, it’s a great way to get around.
And if you want to combine the thrill of riding in a Tuk Tuk with guided, private night time visits to a couple temples while sampling a bunch of cuisine on a food tour, then check out this great Tuk Tuk by Night Food Tour.
Street Food Tour
Bangkok is known for one of the most extensive street food scenes anywhere on Earth. Some of the best food in Bangkok can be found from street vendors. Many people ask about the possibility of getting sick from street food. The answer is simple, as long as you’re eating fully cooked or grilled foods the quality of preparation and the cleanliness is little different from any small restaurant you could eat at in the city. It’s like eating at a food truck back home. The best way to experience street food though is with a guided tour. These local tour guides will know the best places to stop and will direct you towards good, fresh, healthy food.
Ride an E-Scooter and Eat Street Food
Tuk Tuk and Michelin Star Street Food
Muay Thai fight at Rajadamnern Stadium.
One of the coolest things you can do in Thailand is attend a Muay Thai boxing match. Muay Thai, also known as the “art of eight limbs” as it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins, is Thailands national sport. The sport is simultaneously brutal and beautiful and the matches are an absolute blast to watch. You can buy tickets online prior to the match and print them out at home. Tourists typically pay the extra couple dollars for ring-side seats while the Thai people flood special areas of the stadium cordoned off by chain link fences where they frantically bet cash on each match.
The best stadium to go to is Rajadamnern Stadium. Check out their website HERE where you can purchase your tickets.
Visit The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
One of the absolute best attractions in Thailand and one of our favorite places we’ve stopped on any of our travels is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Consisting of a maze of narrow canals, this is the most famous floating market in the world. Here you will find hundreds of traders with wide brimmed straw hats selling their goods from their sampans (small wooden boats) full of colorful fruits and vegetables. Stands are selling cooked food. Snake charmers are putting on shows. It’s an incredibly photogenic scene.
Visit Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw
The former home of the monarch, the Grand Palace is located on the ground of the architectural wonder, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The grounds contain more than 100 buildings, all beautifully decorated with gold and diamonds in different colors in old-Bangkok style.
The king does not live here anymore, and only uses this palace for important ceremonial occasions. The Temple of Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Buddhists come here from all over Asia to pay their respects.
Located in a beautiful ordination hall, sits the main attraction – The Emerald Buddha, a 66 cm tall figurine beautifully carved in green Jade, clothed in gold fabric. It depicts the meditation Buddha seated in a yogic posture. It was discovered in the northern part of Thailand in 1434.
If you prefer to have an in-depth guided tour where you learn everything about the palace, you can hire a guide at the ticket kiosk. Or you can rent an audio guide for 200 Baht = US$ 6 for two hours.
Whatever you do, be wary of anyone who approaches you in this area, speaks perfect English, and tells you that the palace is closed today. They are often people who want to steer you to a gem or tailor shop where they will get a commission. Even guards and other official-looking people may sometimes try to convince you to go to one of these shops.
Every two hours you can witness a very cool changing of the guard ceremony.
What to wear: You must be properly dressed before being allowed entry into the temple. Wear shirts with sleeves, long pants or skirts and shoes. No tank tops or short skirts. If you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks, so no bare feet. If you show up at the front gate improperly dressed, there is a booth near the entry that provides clothes to cover you up properly. You must leave your passport or credit card as security to borrow extra clothes. Shoes should be removed before entering the main chapel. Also, when sitting in front of a Buddha image, remember to tuck your feet behind you to avoid the very offensive pose of pointing your feet towards the Buddha.
The palace is open everyday from 08:30-15:30 and entrance is 500 Baht ($15)
Wat Pho
Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 m long reclining Buddha. The temple is considered the earliest centre for public education in Thailand, and the marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions has been recognised by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme. It houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.
Wat Pho is open to visitors from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Entrance fee is THB 100. A dress code is enforced for some parts of the temple complex; please note link below under Grand Palace and dress accordingly. A visit to both Wat Pho and the Grand Palace is easily done as the two sites are only a 10-minute walk apart.
Visit Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun is one of the most striking temples in Bangkok. Known as The Temple of Dawn and named after the Hindu god Arun, who is often portrayed as the radiations of the rising sun, this temple is designed to reflect the first rays of the morning sun giving off a stunning pearly iridescence. No trip to Bangkok is complete without taking in the beauty of this temple, one of Bangkok’s most famous and iconic landmarks.
China Town
Bangkok has one of the world’s most famous and vibrant Chinatowns. It is located on the opposite side of the river from Wat Arun Temple right off the no. 5 Ratchawong Pier. Bangkok´s Chinatown is one of the oldest parts of Bangkok and it represents the first resettlement of Chinese dating all the way back to 1782. Here you will find action at all hours and surprises at every turn. When the sun sets this is the street food central of Bangkok and where you will find the most delicious and authentic Thai street food, including some Chinese-inspired dishes that are not available anywhere else in Thailand.
Chinatown is a maze of tiny alleyways, centuries-old temples, and hectic markets. Go for a walk through these narrow streets and beautiful buildings, shop for Chinese green tea and other Chinese souvenirs, and just watch the life on the streets. This is the place to experience the real and authentic Bangkok, so the best thing you can do is to explore and get a little lost.
Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market
The famous and lovely Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talat) is located in this area of Bangkok and is the biggest wholesale flower market in town. You will also find delicious and fresh fruits and vegetables here.
Thai Massage
Thai massage is a very unique form of massage. Unlike Swedish massage which most people are familiar with, Thai massage involves all four of the masseuse’s limbs. They climb all over you using their knees, arms and elbows simultaneously. The massage involves both deep tissue and relaxing massages as well as some mild chiropractic work, stretching, hot stones and reflexology. It is a truly all encompassing physical therapy and something you should definitely try while in Thailand.
Have Tailor Make You Custom Clothes
Like most places in southeast Asia, Thailand is full of tailor shops that offer the ability to get relatively cheap custom articles of clothing made for yourself. Thailand tailors are slightly more expensive than the one’s we went to in Vietnam, but they are still astronomically less expensive than you’d find anywhere in the western world. Make sure to get something for yourself tailor made on your trip to Thailand even if its just a pair of pants. The best thing you can do is come prepared with a couple ideas so you can go in, pick out your fabrics and get measured early in your trip and then go back to pick up the final products a day or two later. This will decrease the amount of time and indecision during your first visit and allow you enough time to have the piece adjusted if the fit is not perfect.
Watch Sunset from Sky Bar
Bangkok is famous for its roof top bars, known throughout the city as Sky Bars. Here’s a list of Bangkok’s best Sky Bars for you to enjoy an evening cocktail:
The Roof – with a splendid view of Wat Arun
Vertigo Moon Bar – located on the top of the Banyan Tree Hotel
Sky Bar Lebua – where scenes from the movie “The Hangover” were filmed
Three Sixty Lounge – at the top of the Hilton Hotel
Park Society – close to Lumphini Park
Red Sky – on the 55th floor of CentralWorld
Take a Thai Cooking Class
Thai food is some of the most well balanced and exciting, spicy and delicious food on the planet. One of the best things you can do on a trip to Thailand, besides eat a bunch of Thai food, is bring back the knowledge of how to make some yourself. Below is a list of some of the best cooking experiences offered by local chefs in Bangkok. But, as always, check back on AirBnb Experiences, GetYourGuide and Viator to check for more offerings at the time of your trip:
Hands On Authentic Thai Cooking Class
Unique and Authentic Thai Cooking Class
Engaging Authentic Thai Cooking Class
Authentic Thai Market & Cooking Class
Heritage Cooking with Blue Elephant
Hands On Thai Cooking and Market Tour
Party on Khaosan Road
Khaosan Road has long been the backpacker haven of the world and one of the top party spots in Thailand. If you’re looking for a cold glass of beer or to party with backpackers, hippies, and hipsters this is the spot for you. Take the river ferry to pier #13 Phra Arthit and walk 5 min or a Tuk Tuk and head over to the famous Kao San Road during the day or evening. Kao San Road is a crazy street packed with partying people, and street stalls selling clothes and souvenirs. There’s always something going on on Khaosan Road.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
If you are staying in Bangkok during a weekend, Chatuchak Weekend Market is an absolute must! Chatuchak Weekend Market is the mother of all markets as the biggest open-air market in the world, consisting of about 15 000 stalls covering more than one kilometer. Take the Skytrain to Mo Chit BTS Station, or the subway to Chatuchak MRT station. Here you will find just about anything you can imagine, both useful and not so useful stuff, from food to clothes and everything in between. The market is open Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00–18:00
If you, however, are in Bangkok on weekdays and not on a weekend, you should instead experience the modern side of Bangkok and visit the excellent Siam area to go shopping. Take the Skytrain to Siam Station or Chit Lom Station.
The Maeklong Train Market
The Maeklong Train Market is like no other market in Thailand. A train literally comes through the market. The people selling stuff literally have to fold in their stalls and pull their stuff off the tracks before the train comes through. The train will sometimes go right over some of their goods. It’s just as crazy to watch how fast the market sets back up and is back in business. It’s almost instantaneously. If you’re looking for that iconic photo or just want to see the market in action, make sure to confirm what time the train passes through, but be prepared to wait for a little as the train doesn’t always run on time.
Nana Plaza and Ping Pong Shows
Nana Plaza is the sex capital of the world. Essentially the red-light district of Bangkok, the plaza, which was originally built as a shopping center, occupies a three-story commercial building about 300m from the BTS Skytrain’s Nana Station. It describes itself as the “world’s largest adult playground.” The area is full of strip clubs, sex toy stores, lady boy shows, “full service” massage parlors and prostitutes. In all there are 30 bars and 3 hourly rate hotels. One of the craziest things you’ll ever see anywhere in the world is Nana Plaza’s famous Ping Pong Shows. At these shows girls shoot ping pong balls out of…well…you can probably guess from where, performing a multitude of tricks for their patrons. Certainly not everyone’s thing, but if it is…this is where you’ll find it.
Calypso Cabaret
Calypso Cabaret in Bangkok is an entertaining show that takes place every night at Asiatique: The Riverfront. Thailand’s katoeys (ladyboys) are some of the most beautiful (and convincing) transvestites in the world, mostly accepted and embraced by a highly tolerant Thai society, their presence is ubiquitous around Bangkok. The ladyboy cabaret show takes place within Warehouse 3, near Asiatique’s town square. Decorated with rainbow neon lights, the auditorium can accommodate up to 350 people per show. Tickets come with a free drink and it’s possible to purchase a dinner and show package.
Vertigo at Banyan Tree
We discussed Bangkok’s sky bars above, but one deserves proper mention. Vertigo at Banyan Tree is an open-air bar and restaurant located 61 floors above the bustling streets of Bangkok and is one of the best bars anywhere in the world. Here you can indulge in some of the world’s finest champagne, exotic cocktails, wine-by-the-glass or non-alcoholic beverages in the bar area, or go all the way for a memorable multi-course seafood dinner. Stylish, sophisticated, romantic, the magical atmosphere makes for a memorable evening, weather permitting. A telescope is available for star-gazing, and on most nights there is live jazz too. Due to its popularity, reservations are required for the restaurant.
Siam Niramit
Siam Niramit is a spectacular show in Bangkok. The show is designed to captivate audiences by weaving all 700 years of Thailand’s rich history into an epic live action novel, replete with all the authentic customs and traditions held dear by the Thai people. The 90 minute, lavish production is a great way to experience Thai culture.
Papaya Studio
If you’re a vintage lover, there is no other vintage shop quite like Papaya Studio. It is one of the largest museum-like antique stores, covering a massive area of 4 stories, filled with millions of pieces of furniture and decoration. Trying to list the amazing objects, items, figures, toys, household objects and furniture tightly packed next to each other would be impossible, but you can’t help but notice the pinball machines, Vespas, and full-sized comic book characters.
Explore a Local 7-11
In Thailand’s 7-11, there’s so many variations of yummy local food you will not find anywhere else in the world. It is a truly unique experience. Apart from the standard Basil Chicken Rice, there are goodies like 7-11 brand Banana Marshmallows, Love Farm’s Dried Lemon with Salt and Chili Powder, Tasto’s Strawberry Milkshake potato chips. You’ve gotta explore a local 7-11 for yourself to see all the prepackaged food and treats you’ll never see anywhere else. It’s a truly unique experience.
Best Instagram Spots
Check out this article on some of the best Instagram spots in Bangkok.
Best Themed Cafés
Thailand is known for it’s themed cafes, cafes that are dedicated to a singular theme or obsession, beloved by the owner. Everything in the cafe is dedicated to that theme. Some of the coolest cafes to try are listed below (beware that covid-19 has caused a lot of these cafes to close):
Unicorn Café where everything in this magical rainbow colored coffee shop is dedicated to Unicorns.
Little Zoo Café where customers are invited to play with animals like foxes, owls and raccoons while they drink their cappuccino.
Pooltime Café. Just like Little Zoo, you can play with 3 different raccoons at this local coffee shop.
Sretsis Parlour. Sisters spelled backwards is a dreamy, whimsical and very girly themed café dedicated to the the sister’s latest fashion collection which they produce under their clothing label Sretsis.
Mocking Tales. A café dedicated to witches, goblins and all the fantastic imagery of fairy tales from your childhood. Café by day and cocktail bar by night, this bar has some of the most enchanting decorations and coolest libations anywhere in Bangkok.
Floral Cafe. Dedicated to intense flower displays.
Sanrio Hello Kitty House…you can probably guess the theme of this café.
On the River Café is a tropical themed café, right on the river complete with catamaran lounger nets for you to lay in while drinking and enjoying their wonderful desserts.
For the most extensive list of theme cafés in Bangkok, check out this blog post: https://thailand.tripcanvas.co/bangkok/unique-cafes-restaurants/
Try a 40 Year Old Stew
There’s a myth that says the longer a wok hasn’t been washed, the tastier the food. Now that might sound unhygienic, but wait till you get a load of Wattana Panich which first opened almost 60 years ago. This local street food stall in Bangkok has saved their soup every night instead of throwing it away, simply adding more to the same wok every morning. As weird as this might sound, it’s actually an ancient Chinese technique for creating complex and intensely flavorful dishes. The enormous pot of beef soup bubbling at the front of Wattana Panich restaurant has apparently not stopped cooking in the 40 years the restaurant has been open and has been renowned as one of the tastiest stews on earth, even recently winning a Michelin Star.
Price: From 50-200 Baht / USD $1.50-7 Address: 336-338 Soi Ekkamai 18, Sukumvith 63 Rd, Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 (Coordinates here) Contact: 02-391-7264 , 081-927-0742 Opening hours: Daily from 9.30am to 8pm (Closed on the Monday)
Eat Thai Cuisine
My favorite food bloggers do an absolutely perfect write-up of Thai Cuisine and what you should make a point to try while visiting Thailand. Check out 2FoodTrippers HERE.
Click on the photo below for our list of the Best Restaurants in Bangkok.
Click on the Photo Below for Our List of Bangkok’s Top Bars
Please Enjoy These Other Photos From Our Trip to Bangkok
