• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Albom Adventures

Albom Adventures

  • New Zealand
    • Auckland
    • North Island Travel
    • South Island Travel
    • New Zealand Life
  • All Travel
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • Pacific Islands
    • Americas
      • Central America and Caribbean
      • North America
      • South America
    • Europe
      • Eastern Europe
      • Northern Europe
      • Southern Europe
      • Western Europe
    • Asia and Africa
      • Asia (China and South East Asia)
      • Middle East
      • Africa
    • Worldwide
    • Travel Planning and Tips
    • Travel Anecdotes
  • Cruising
    • Cruising Tips and Cruise Ships
    • Cruise Ports
  • About
    • Media – Work With Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy for Albom Adventures
    • Contact Albom Adventures

Inspiring travel through photography

Home » Travel » Asia and Africa » Asia (China and South East Asia) » Bangkok Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors to Thailand

Bangkok Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors to Thailand

Temple of dawn in Bangkok, Thailand.
Temple seen at night at Ancient Siam, Bangkok, Thailand
Collage of features from Bangkok Grand Palace, the flower market, and Golden Mountain

Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world. A whirlwind of vibrant colours, intricate detail, chaos, and activity, it’s a city that elicits a response from everyone. For me, it was an instant passion. For others, not so much. Either way, below you will find plenty of Bangkok travel tips that help first-time visitors navigate their stay.

Most of the information below applies countrywide; therefore, Thailand travel tips.

A golden temple shines on top of the Golden Mount in Bangkok
Golden Mountain in Bangkok.

Where is Bangkok?

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is located on the delta of the Chao Phraya River, about 23 km (14 miles) inland from the Gulf of Thailand. The country is bordered by the Andaman Sea, the Indian Ocean, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia in Southeast Asia. The city is over 1,500 km² in area, according to Britannica.

Bangkok travel tips: a quick reference guide

  • Emergency numbers: Police (191), Ambulance (1669), Fire (199)
  • Official language: Thai
  • Currency: Baht (THB)
  • Credit cards: Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted.
  • ATM machines: Easily found in Bangkok.
  • Electricity: 220V 50Hz Type C connectors (same as used in Europe). Also, Type A connectors may be used.
  • Telephone country code: +66
  • Internet: Free Wifi is often provided to customers by hotels, restaurants, and cafes.
  • Water: Tap water is generally NOT considered safe to drink. Bottled water is the best choice.
  • Tipping: Not customary or expected.

Be inspired . . .

Best time to visit Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the hottest cities on earth.
In fact, in 2016 the World Meteorological Organization named it the hottest city on the planet. This is based on median temperatures as it stays hot all year, even overnight.

Orange sky as susnset overlooking some of the best of Bangkok Thailand
Sunset from Golden Mountain.

Bangkok weather

A tropical, humid, and hot climate, Bangkok has three basic seasons:

Bangkok Seasons

December to February

  • Generally considered the best time to visit Bangkok.
  • More blue skies.
  • Cooler temperatures.
  • Drier days.
  • More crowded.
  • More expensive.
  • Requires booking ahead.

March to June

  • This is the hottest time in Bangkok with daily temperatures often topping 40°C (104°F).
  • Fewer tourists, except during Songkran in April.
  • Less planning required.

June to October

  • Monsoon season.*
  • Heavy rains.
  • Fewer tourists.
  • Less planning required.

November

  • A good month to visit.
  • More drier days as monsoon season ends.
  • Fewer tourists than December.
  • Requires booking ahead.

*We visited for three days in October and it didn’t rain.

Intracate entrance to the Temple of Dawn guarded by statues of monkey and demon. It is one of the famous places in Bangkok Thailand
Temple of Dawn in Bangkok.

Significant Thai holidays that affect travel

Like most countries, there are plenty of public holidays in Thailand. Some of the more significant ones are below; or, find a more complete list of Thai holidays.

  • Chinese New Year (January or February): A significant event in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.
  • Songkran Festival (April 13 – 15, annually): This three-day water festival marks the beginning of the Thai New Year’s celebration. Bangkok Songkran activities centre around Khao San Road. It’s both a fun celebration and a cleansing ceremony in which fragrant water is often poured on senior monks, or used to clean the Buddha, as well as a giant water fight.
  • Loy Krathong Festival (November): A celebration of the end of the rainy season, where participants give thanks to the water goddess. We attended a simulated Loy Krathong Festival at Ancient Siam in Bangkok.

Bangkok travel tips: know before you visit

We earn from qualifying purchases through partnerships or affiliate programs.

Crowded food stalls of Chinatown are one of the fun things to do at night in Bangkok
Despite the crowds, visiting the food stalls in Chinatown is one of the fun places in Bangkok at night.

Thailand travel tips: visas and entry

Thailand’s visa exemption rule offers a 30-day maximum visa-free entry to tourists from 64 countries. Click here to see if your country qualifies.

Is Bangkok safe?

We had no problems in Bangkok, but we follow our own personal safety guidelines, similar to when we were in South America. Remember to stay aware of your surroundings, hold your personal belongings in the front, and don’t carry extra things with you.

Pickpocketing may be the most common crime against tourists; although, like in most major cities, other trouble often follows people who drink too much.

Backpack safety poster suggesting wearers carry the pack in the front while in Bangkok.
Backpack safety posted at the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok.

Travel insurance

We have been to emergency rooms in six countries, including, most recently, when I got dengue fever in South America.

Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.image 8483513 15379486

Top 10 things to do and places to visit in Bangkok city

Grand palace is one of the Bangkok highlight in Thailand's capital city.

Click here for our detailed list of Bangkok highlights, which includes:

  • Grand Palace
  • Wat Arun
  • Temple of Reclining Buddha
  • Get a Thai Massage
  • Golden Mount
  • Ancient Siam
  • Flower market
  • Chinatown
  • Bang Krachao
  • Shopping

Bangkok travel tips: what to eat in Bangkok

If you’re going to spend any time in Bangkok, even just a day, there are a few things you will want to try. Just be aware that you will most likely be paying for everything brought to your table in a restaurant, even if you didn’t order it. Ask first before you accept, as even the bottle of water may have a price tag.

Bangkok is a culinary feast, an assault to the tastebuds from one incredible flavour to the next. Even being gluten and dairy-free, I found it easy to eat here.

Salted eggs at Bang Nam Phung floating market in Bangkok, Thailand.
Salted quail eggs
Barbecuing Thai sausages is one of the fun things to do in Bangkok
BBQ Thai sausages
Barbecued coconut in palm leaf is one of my highlights of Bangkok food
Barbecued coconut in palm leaf
Making coconut pancakes with green pandan and brown sticky rice powder
Coconut pancakes
Black sesmae ball with gingko in ginger tea
Black sesame balls with gingko
Egg wrapped pad thai and shrimp served in Bangkok Thailand
Egg wrapped Pad Thai
Durian fruit for sale in Chinatown, Bangkok
Durian fruit
Squid at the Chinatown night market in Bangkok, Thailand.
Squid at night market
Thai spicy basil fried with rice and pork
Thai basil minced pork

Double-decker Thai bus food tour

Bangkok is a food lover’s paradise. The Thai Bus Food Tour is a really fun way to explore the city and even recommended by our guide.

Imagine travelling via double-decker bus past the stunning sites of Bangkok whilst enjoying a multi-course meal featuring Michelin-awarded food. The options include a 6-course lunch or dinner, afternoon tea with 18 Thai snacks, or a Bangkok nightlife menu.
⇒ Check price and reviews for the Double-Decker Thai Bus Food Tour

Bangkok travel tips: getting around the city

Visitors can get around Bangkok via taxis, tuk-tuk, trains, boats, or self-driving. If you don’t want to do it on your own, you can hire a private guide. We were on our own the first day, and travelled with a private guide on subsequent days.

Taxi

Although required by law to run the meter, many taxi drivers will try to offer a fixed rate. Don’t take it. The best advice is to walk away and flag down a different taxi. Remember, taxis showing red lights are available (no light implies occupied). There are also motorcycle taxis, but we avoided them.

As a rough guide, you can get pretty much anywhere in the city for not more than $10USD.

Grab Taxi

Similar to Uber, Grab is quite popular in Bangkok. However, you do need to first download their free app.
⇒ Click to download the Grab Taxi app

Boat / Ferry

ferry crossing the Chao Phraya River

The Chao Phraya Express Boat is a fun way to travel in the city, and also very inexpensive. We took a ferry to cross the Chao Phraya River between the Reclining Buddha Temple and Wat Arun.

Bus or Train

While the extensive BTS bus system may be the most affordable way to get around, buses are often stuck in slow-moving traffic. In contrast, the BTS subway and the MRT Skytrain are great ways to avoid the heavy traffic, plus it’s easy to navigate, and still quite inexpensive.

Tuk Tuk

Jeff and Rhonda Albom on a Tuk Tuk in Bangkok Thailand
Jeff and I on a Tuk-Tuk.

Even the tourism board has a warning about tuk-tuk drivers overcharging unsuspecting tourists. While these three-wheeled motorized vehicles look like a fun way to get around the city, be very sure you have negotiated well before you get started, or you will overpay quite a bit.

Private Bangkok City tour

Private tours are ideal for travellers with limited time, specific must-see lists, and those who like to delve deeper into a culture. Knowing the Bangkok highlights and carefully reading the tour descriptions and reviews, we feel comfortable recommending this tour.

First off, it visits what we believe are the top sites (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown, and the flower market). Secondly, it offers visitors a choice between a private air-conditioned vehicle or a lower-priced option using public transportation. This highly-rated all-day Bangkok tour with an English-speaking guide starts and ends at your hotel.
⇒Reserve your Bangkok in a day tour here

Rent a car

Even as I wrote the words, I cringed at the idea of driving in Bangkok if you are not a local. While it is legal to rent a car, traffic is heavy, scooters cut through often, and driving appears to take a skill beyond my level.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

We arrived in Bangkok on a small cruise ship, which docked in town for three days (two nights). Therefore, we didn’t need to review Bangkok hotels. However, like all major cities, Bangkok accommodation covers the full gambit of options. We recommend beginning your search at Booking.com.

Temple of Reclining Buddha Bangkok Thailand PA260196 1
Temple of reclining Buddha in Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangkok travel tips: toilets

  • We always found western-style toilets (sit-down) in the public bathrooms. In fact, I only saw one squat toilet during our visit.
  • Always carry toilet paper with you. Many public bathrooms have large toilet paper rolls when you first enter the bathroom. Be sure to take what you will need, as there will be none in your stall.
  • A polite society, they use terms like shooting a rabbit (men) or picking a flower (women) for using the toilet. Therefore, there is often either a rabbit (men) or flower (women) on the door to identify the room’s gender.

Bangkok packing tips

We are avid proponents of packing light and bringing layers. Although, if Bangkok is your sole destination, you will need fewer warm options. Bring plenty of t-shirts, shorts, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a solid pair of comfortable walking shoes. You will also need to cover arms and legs to enter the palace, so a wrap or sarong can be quite useful.

Get a free copy of our packing list when you sign up for our newsletter.

More tips on visiting Bangkok

  • We changed our money at CentralWorld Mall. Comparing the options, we got a better exchange rate from the Currency Exchange than from the ATM.
  • Carry small changes, as you will need it more often than you imagine.
  • The minimum wage in Thailand is equivalent to $10USD per day.
  • In Thai, rather than greeting with the equivalent of “How are you?” the question translates to “Have you had rice?“
  • If you are heading out to some of the islands, be sure to check out this list of Thailand’s best beaches.
  • In some cases, tourists can get a VAT refund for gifts items they are taking out of the country. There is a downtown office at customer service on the 6th floor of CentralWorld. Click here for VAT refund information.
  • The legal age to purchase alcohol in Thailand is 20.
  • If you have more time here, get out to some of the islands like Phuket or Koh Samui.

Save for your visit to Bangkok

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.

Collage of features from Bangkok Grand Palace, the flower market, and Golden Mountain
Temple seen at night at Ancient Siam, Bangkok, Thailand

You might also like …

Cape Reinga lighthouse is used here to represent the best of New Zealand travel tips for first time visitors

New Zealand Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

A stone house in shape of an eagle's head in Uruguay

Visit Uruguay: Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

British clocktower in Argentina in Buenos Aires

Argentina Travel Tips: A Guide for First-Time Visitors

Muri Lagoon on a Rarotonga Travel Guide

Rarotonga Travel Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Visit

Disclaimer: We were guests of the Tourism Authority of Thailand on two of our three days to aid in the writing of Albom Adventures. We travelled via cruise ship, which served as our local accommodation. We paid for our full cruise passage. The opinions expressed here are strictly our own.

470 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Category: Asia (China and South East Asia)Tag: Thailand, travel guide, Travel Tips

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Sidebar

rentalcars
Travel Insurance by InsureMyTrip
Booking.com

Featured activities

Official New Zealand Specialist badge from New Zealand Tourism Board Lonely Planet Community Pathfinders

As an Amazon Associate, Albom Adventures earns from qualifying purchases as well as from other collaborative and affiliate partners.

Copyright © 2023 · Albom Adventures · All Rights Reserved.

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT