A Handy Guide for Your First Trip to Bangkok
This handy Bangkok travel guide offers useful insights into which areas to stay, transport options, top attractions, best places to shop and more.
Known as the ‘City of Angels’, Bangkok offers truly unforgettable experiences though it will help to keep the below points in mind if you’re planning your first trip here.
Popular Areas
Because of its vast size, the city has diverse areas where one can stay be it at a budget or boutique hotel. Sukhumvit home to properties like SQ Boutique Hotel is easily one of the best options with easy access to sightseeing, shopping, business, dining, and nightlife hotspots. You can also consider locales like Siam, Silom, Pratunam, the Riverside and the Old Town, while backpackers tend to congregate around Khao San Road.
Getting Around
The Skytrain (BTS) and underground MRT provide easy, fast, and cost-effective ways to explore the city so choose an accommodation provider that’s within walking distance from such services. You can also make use of river ferries and boats, buses, taxis (ensure the taxi meter is working or negotiate a price beforehand) and motorbike taxis; for the latter, always wear a helmet and negotiate the price before the journey begins.
Sightseeing
Plan and research your itinerary since there are so many attractions in Bangkok. The historical Grand Palace with its Temple of the Emerald Buddha is a must-visit, while the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and Temple of Dawn are impressive too. Also of note are the Bangkok National Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Jim Thompson House, while families will love SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World and Madame Tussauds. You can unwind at places like Benchakitti Park, enjoy cultural discoveries at the city’s Chinatown along Yaowarat Road and plan a trip to the Taling Chan Floating Market.
Shopping
Retail therapy abounds with plenty of malls offering dining and entertainment options too; CentralWorld, EmQuartier Bangkok, Terminal 21, the MBK Centre, Asiatique The Riverfront and ICONSIAM are amongst the most popular. For a more local experience, there’s the Sukhumvit Street Night Market, while the Chatuchak Weekend Market with its 15,000-plus stalls is not to be missed either.
