A Bangkok Travel Guide. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand and the port of arrival for many travellers who come to southeast Asia. With unlimited things to see and do its no surprise that Bangkok is the most travelled city of 2018. With its vast flavours of food and incredible sights to see, Bangkok is a must for anyone who is willing to venture this part of the world.
For both myself and Hanna, we find ourselves coming back to this incredible city more often than not. The hustle and bustle of Thai culture, along with the amazing cuisine, makes it easy to see how addictive Bangkok can be. There are experiences for everyone, ranging from the legendary street parties on Khao San Road, to the beautiful floating markets. This is why Bangkok, for us, is a must.
A Bangkok Travel Guide
Things To Do
There are many things to do in Bangkok and to write them all down would be a nearly impossible task. But there is a list of things to see do and eat, that my self and Hanna have put together. This was written as of march 2019, so things might change in the future.
The Grand palace
Home to the Thai royal family, the Grand Palace is exactly as it sounds. A large complex containing several beautiful temples. If you come to visit, you will definitely be in awe of each building. Ranging from towering pagodas to the temple of the emerald buddha, the Thai craftsman ship on show is certainly something to behold. One thing to mention is that it gets very busy so its good to get there early. This beauty comes at a price, with most temples costing 50B to enter, the Grand Palace entrance fee is 500B, so be wary of that if you’re planning to visit.
Wat Benchamabophit
This local temple in the centre of Bangkok is often missed by most tourists. The temple itself is beautiful, the grounds are immaculate and the white marble floors, harmonised by the archways of gold and old style bells make for some great photos opportunities. Be sure to check out this temple and as an added bonus it is also cheap, with entry at 50B.
Wat Arun
This amazing white and black temple laced with jewels is located right on the riverside. The name of the temple is derived from the god Aruna, and its beauty certainly fits its god like name. Accessed from both sides of the river, Wat Arun is one of the most famous instagram spots, be sure to get there early in the morning, as it gets pretty busy. Entrance fee is only 50B.
Wat Pho
Where the giant Buddha lays, built in the 16th century, this temple is apart of the UNESCO world memory programme. This is one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok, at its heart is a 50m reclining buddha, an impressive sight to behold and a great place to catch up on the vast history of Bangkok.
Chinatown
There are many Chinatowns in the world, but we feel like there are not many like the one in Bangkok. The almost mile long strip is home to all sorts of trades, considered mostly a foodies haven at night, this is when the food stalls come alive. But during the day, china town is equally as busy, with venders selling all types of goods. You’ll be impressed by the amount of stuff that one person can sell. If you need an umbrella, Chinatown, if you need some shoes, Chinatown, if you need a taser, Chinatown, and If you’re coming to Bangkok, then you have to visit Chinatown!
The Floating Markets
The floating markets, a tradition which is slowly losing its touch with authenticity, being a market (no pun intended) driven towards tourists. However, don’t let that deter you from seeing these venders float down the river. When trying to choose the right floating market to go to, it can be daunting task. There are more than just one and they are not all located outside of Bangkok, so be sure to do some research, especially on what days they are open.
Khao San Road
All throughout Asia you’ll find that the night life is a big aspect of local culture, ranging from night markets to pub streets. Khao San Road in Bangkok is no acceptation, with a potent mix of both. With bars and pubs located all throughout they have venders selling every cocktail there is including buckets of alcohol, yes buckets of alcohol !!! But Before you get to forgetting your night, you’ll be hard pressed to try all the types of food there is to offer. Our favourite place to eat is on a side street located next to Khao San Road, called magic Thai food by Max. Not only do you get great local food for cheap, but Max the owner is a bad ass magician! Definitely check this place out.
Sky Bars
For the the ones that like to treat themselves every once in a while. Or if you’re feeling something fancy, be sure to check out the number of sky bars in Bangkok. Often with a dress code and a pricy menu, they provide a great experience. With amazing views of the sky line. Below is an old picture of when me and Hanna first met. We had to go and see the view from Red Sky Bar, one of our favorites!
Mall Terminal 21
While in Bangkok be sure to grab the train to the famous mall called Terminal 21. A huge shopping complex with all the stores and shops you could ever want. This is great if you need to restock on some clothes, as they have stores like Zara and H&M. However, don’t expect them to be cheap, as they are priced the same as back home. So there are not many cheap deals to be had here.
A Bangkok Travel Guide
Where To Stay
Regarding the where to stay in Bangkok, this is a tough one. Generally most backpackers stay near Koh San Road. Which is great if you’re new and you want to be close to the action. But you’ll find this to be the most touristy area. That being said, there is plenty to choose from. Additionally, there are plenty of hotels outside the area for a good price. For us, we were fortunate to stay at the Le Meridien. Check out our post on the hotel, it was an incredible experience.
For myself and Hanna, we both love Bangkok, our recommended amount of time here would be about 3-4 days. This would be enough time to see all the temples and nurse a few hangovers. Bangkok can be hit or miss. However, if you stick to our blog and to your wits, you’ll be sure to have a great time.
This has been a Bangkok travel guide, for more guides and places to see in thailand.
Follow the lead of the locals and enjoy some excellent early evening street food meal along Yaowarat Road, as this is one of the few places where it is still available and plentiful. If you’d rather sit down, fantastic, funky and eclectic Thai food can be had at the Namsaah Bottling Trust, a short taxi ride away in Silom.