Bangkok: This City Has It All
Should you visit Bangkok?
Absolutely. Bangkok is one of the world’s great cities, where you can have almost any experience of the city you want to have. Want to travel on the cheap? Want to splurge on luxury? Want to get up early and explore cultural sights? Want to party into the night and sleep into the day? It’s up to you. From street food to Michelin-stars, from hostels to five-star hotels, from historic to brand spanking new. Bangkok has all of that.
How long should you stay in Bangkok?
You could spend your whole vacation in Bangkok and not out of things to do. Plus, there are numerous day trips and overnight getaways you could take, including trips to nearby beach towns. That said, if you’re coming to Thailand, get out and see the rest of the country and the region.
As a rule of thumb, spend about 20% of your trip in Bangkok. So, if you’re traveling for two weeks, spend three days. If you really love cities, then up that number to 30% or 40%, and if you’re not a city person, then drop it to 10%.
Where’s the best place to stay in Bangkok?
Where you stay in Bangkok will largely be determined by who you are and what you’re looking to do. Looking for great shopping or family-friendly activities, try the Siam area. Young and looking for nightlife, base yourself in Sukhumvit. If you’re on a couples trip and want to spend your days exploring quiet neighborhoods, check out Bang Rak.
More on these neighborhoods below:
Siam Area: I’m not sure that Bangkok has a true city center, but Siam is certainly the center for holiday-makers. Siam is home to some of the city’s biggest shopping centers, bustling street markets, and nicest restaurants. Easy access to the sky-train means that cultural sights and nightlife are both within easy striking distance.
Sukhumvit: If you’re coming to Bangkok for the nightlife, then you’ll want to base yourself in Sukhumvit. Sukhumvit Road runs over 300 miles (almost 500 kilometers) south down the coast, but Sukhumvit the neighborhood extends roughly from the Nana BTS station to Phrom Phong. Within that stretch you’ll find plenty of bars, clubs and two of Bangkok’s three major red-light districts.
Bang Rak/Silom: This is Bangkok’s hidden gem, a part of the city that many travelers never explore too deeply. Many hit up Yaowat Road, Bagkok’s Chinatown, or venture across the Chao Phraya river to the ICONSIAM mall, but Bang Rak has so much more. There are art galleries, happening cafes, and quiet neighborhoods to stroll and explore.
What are the best hotel in Bangkok?
As with everything else in Bangkok, your options run the full spectrum. All of these hotels are in the five-star category, but rates run from >USD250 per night ($), to USD250 to USD600 ($$), and up into the high-end >USD600 ($$$)
Siam
Kempinski ($$)
Rosewood ($$$)
Anantara ($)
Bang Rak/Silom
Shangri-La ($$)
Four Seasons ($$$)
Mandarin Oriental ($$$)
Sukhotahai ($)
Sukhumvit
Hilton Sukhumvit ($)
Sheraton Grande ($$)
The Westin ($$)
Family Options
VIE Hotel, Siam ($)
Conrad Residences, Siam ($$)
How do you get around Bangkok?
There are two major airports in Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang. If you’re arriving on an international flight from outside of the region, you’ll likely be landing at Suvarnabhumi. If Bangkok isn’t the first stop on your Southeast Asia adventure, then you may come in at Don Muang.
Either way, the best way to get where you’re going from the airport is via taxi or Grab (SE Asia’s version of Uber). Bangkok taxis are a little tricky. They’re supposed to operate on a meter, but most won’t. It’s helpful to have a good sense of what the fair price is for your ride and negotiate to that point. Last time I arrived at Bangkok, my taxi fare was THB500, or about USD14. Short rides around Bangkok should be between THB150 to 300 (USD5 to 10).
Bangkok has an extensive train system composed of the BTS Skytrain and the MRT. Between the two, you can most of the places you want to go. Use them, as they will spare you having to spend too much time in Bangkok’s prolific traffic.