Tips and Useful Information
Let's face it - as one of the most popular destinations in Asia, Bangkok is quite a place to be. The busy streets and the seemingly endless attractions can make a first-time traveller feel unsure of what to do. With all the hustle and bustle and the fact that not everyone can speak English articulately, it's easy to feel intimidated by the city. But there's actually no reason to be. With the right tips and information about Bangkok, you can confidently navigate Bangkok like a pro.
Questions on how to travel around Bangkok will surely pop up during your trip. Before leaving for your trip to Thailand's most adventurous city, it's always best to plan which place to eat at, what attractions are worth the time and money and what safety and health concerns you should be familiar with. Doing so can help you have a memorable Bangkok vacation. Check out the tips below.
Questions on how to travel around Bangkok will surely pop up during your trip. Before leaving for your trip to Thailand's most adventurous city, it's always best to plan which place to eat at, what attractions are worth the time and money and what safety and health concerns you should be familiar with. Doing so can help you have a memorable Bangkok vacation. Check out the tips below.
Transport
Skytrain is the best and most efficient way to avoid traffic in Bangkok and see everything the city has to offer. Trains run from 06:00 AM to midnight. Trains arrive every 3 to 4 minutes Peak hours run from 07:00 – 09:00 and 16:00 – 19:00. The Skytrain (BTS) and underground (MRT) rail systems connect the main shopping, entertainment and business areas of the city MRT Trains runs from 06:00 AM to midnight and arrive every 5 to 7 minutes. Bangkok MRT Frequency Less than 5 minutes between trains during peak hours (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 4.30 AM - 07.30 PM) Less than 10 minutes between trains during off-peak hours. The MRT has two lines: Blue line and Purple line Adult - 15 - 40 Baht Child and Senior - 8 - 20 Baht Taxi Fares start at 35 THB for the first two kilometers then rise to 2 THB per kilometer. Taxis are cheap and appear on virtually every corner at almost any time. Buses Tourists generally do not take the bus as taxis are so cheap and normally closer by. There is also no air-conditioning so you can get very hot and sometimes not even get a seat. Buses are not very clean in Bangkok. Trust us when we say its much better to take a taxi. -Blue signs take the normal route -Yellow signs take the expressway Buses run daily from 05:00 – 11:00 Buses in Bangkok provide an incredibly cheap way to travel from one side of the city to another. Types of Bus in Bangkok: Regular Bus - 7 baht (cream-red) and 8baht (white-blue) Air-conditioned Bus - 9 to 19bath (cream-blue) Expressway Bus - 8.5 baht All-night Bus - 8 baht (cream-red) Euro II Bus - 12 to 22 baht (yellow-orange) -Be sure you stick to the numbers that match the colors only. Buses with the same number but different colors don't always share the same route. -The newest, most efficient and spacious bus is the EURO II (yellow-orange). -To get off, press a buzzer in advance. . Travel out of rush hour times Peak hours (07:00 – 09:00 and 16:00 – 19:00) Rush hour in Bangkok is terrible. What would normally take you 20 minutes in a taxi can take you over one hour. If you do travel during rush hour it is advisable to take a motor bike taxi as they are the fastest form of transport. Make sure that they are sober. Not often but rarely one may of had a bit too much to drink. 
Money Saving
Check out our Free Things To Do page . Changing your currency. Foreign exchange service providers in Bangkok are categorized into 3 groups: money exchange booths operated by banks, currency exchange chains, and independent money changers. Money changer with low charge. -Super Rich Thailand -Siam Exchange -Vasu Exchange -Super Rich 1965 High charge: -K79 Exchange .If you want the best exchange rates, do not use the currency exchanges in your hotel or banks. . When buying tickets for anything, always check online first as it is normally cheaper. .If you actually need to buy anything in Bangkok—from clothes and jewelry to bags—one of the city’s many markets is your best option. .Eat street foods. With all of the street vendors being relatively inexpensive, try something new for every meal. Stick to street food and local Thai restaurants to avoid spending more than you need to on food. .Be Selective with taxis, tuk tuks and motorbikes. Before stepping foot in the tuk tuk, establish how much the trip will cost. And if you feel like you’re paying too much money, feel free to ask another driver how much it would cost to get to your destination. Be mindful of scams when you consider taking a tuk tuk. From time to time, drivers may offer you an extremely discounted or free ride. This offer is on the condition that you stop at a store and look around. Most will claim you don’t have to buy anything, but that they’ll get some kind of commission for you showing up. If you’re choosing to take a taxi, demand that they put the meter on. If they refuse, find another driver who will use it. Otherwise, you’re getting ripped off. It’s also in your best interest to avoid taxis that are right outside of tourist sites, hostels, and hotels. They’re going to charge you more than drivers slightly further away, because they’re aware that many tourists in Bangkok don’t know any better. .City Tuk-Tuks. Tuk-Tuks around Bangkok should cost anywhere from 50-150 baht. Unless you are trying to get way out of town, you should not pay more than 150 Tuk-Tuk drivers will offer you lower prices to get you to go to tuxedo shops on the way to your destination. They do this because they earn vouchers for gas by bringing customers to tux shops. .Visit during Low season Rainy season takes place from May to September, with heavy rain showers for a few hours every afternoon and evening. It’s not a constant monsoon, but it’s enough to keep some tourists at bay. While things won’t be as busy, they’ll certainly be more affordable. .You can pick up clothes and accessories at cheap prices in many markets and wholesale malls in Bangkok. .If you want to save money, use public transport or metered taxis. If you’re really low on funds, you could even consider the bus. .Foodcourts There are food courts in all major shopping centres in Bangkok but one of the best value locations is the Terminal21 food court. Pier 21 is located on level 5 of Terminal 21 on Sukhumvit Road at Sukhumvit Soi 19. Open from 10 am to 10 pm every day the food is cheap and tasty. You can also use your Rabbit Rewards card here. . If you actually need to buy anything in Bangkok—from clothes and jewelry to bags—one of the city’s many markets is your best option. 
Check the weather
Hot Season : March to June ( 35° / 27° C ) The time when Bangkok celebrates the Thai New Year with great festivity and cheer. The months of March, April and May are the hottest. Rainy Season : July to October ( 33° / 25° C ) ‘Low Season’ occurs between May and October. August, September and October all have significantly high levels of rainfall, but September is the wettest month. Low season can have a number of advantages, You can find yourself some great deals. Cool Season : November to February ( 32° / 22°C ) December to February is the perfect time to explore Bangkok on foot. Evenings temperatures can drop below 20°C. November to February are the coolest and the driest months which makes this the “high season” for tourism in Bangkok. Prices are a bit higher during this time. January - most pleasant month. Average temperature is around 27°C with very little rainfall. February - pleasant and comfortable. Average temperatures is 28.9°C. Humidity averages 72 per cent. Chinese New Year usually occurs in early February or late January. March - starts to get warmer. The temperature is 30.1°C, with 72% humidity. April - hottest month. The temperature is 31.2°C, with highs of up to 40.2°C. Songkran - Thailand's New Year - is often celebrated around this time. The city joins in one big water fight during this festivity. May - hot month in with temperature of 30.5°C, average highs of 34.4°C and record highs of 39.7°C. Humidity and rainfall pick up in May. May marks the beginning of Thailand’s rice growing season. June - temperatures decline and rainfall increases, with a temperature of 29.9°C and just 177 mean monthly sunshine hours. July - temperatures of 29.5°C and average highs of 33.2°C make July a warm and rainy month. July is the official start of rainy season. August - rainfall increases with a temperature of 29.2°C September - peak month of rainy season. Temperatures drop to 28.9° October - October is the second rainiest month, with temperatures of 28.7°C and average humidity of 78%. November - temperature is high at 32.4°C. Although there’s still a small amount of rain at the beginning of the month, November is mostly sunny. Loi Krathong, one of Thailand’s most popular festivals, takes place during this month. December - temperatures are cool and comfortable with average temperatures of 26.9°C and an average high of 31.7°C. December is one of Bangkok’s least rainy months. December 5.-The King’s Birthday (which is also Father’s Day in Thailand) The New Year is also a major holiday in Bangkok. Fireworks display near Central World Plaza and on the Chao Phraya River attracts large crowds. 
At the airport
Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi International Airport) is Thailand’s biggest airport and serves as the primary international airport Domestic check-ins are from Rows B to C. Row A is dedicated to Thai Airways’ Royal First Class and Royal Silk passengers. International departures are at Rows D to W. Arrive at least two hours before international departures or one hour before domestic departures. Transit passengers will need to proceed to the airline checkpoints The best spot to sleep in is at the Observation Deck on the 7th floor. On the B floor, there are a few quiet seats next to the Subway and 7-Eleven. There’s free drinking water near most bathrooms. Showers are available in a few of the paid lounges. Free WiFi is available at Suvarnabhumi Airport for up to 2 hours per day. There are several ATM machines in Suvarnabhumi Airport, as well as banks offering currency exchange. Suvarnabhumi Airport contains a large King Power Duty Free shopping area which offers a large selection of items at duty-free prices. Information Desk - The main Airport Information Counter is located in Departures, near Gates 5 and 6 on the 4th floor. There is a second Airport Information Counter on the Departures level near Gate 3 and two more on the 2nd floor, near Gates 3 - 4 and Gates 7- 8. Six additional Airport Information Counters are located in the Departures and Arrivals passenger-holding areas. Medical Facilities - 5 clinics can be found throughout the airport on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Floors of Concourse D. Smoking Room - Location: International Departures, Concourses C, D, E, F and G, on the 2nd Floor. Spa - Location: Terminal 3, Airside and Land side. Don Mueang Airport Don Mueng Airport is not run a smoothly as Suvarnabhumi International Airport. If possible try not to use this airport. it is mainly for budget airlines. Terminal 1 (International Flights) Terminal 2 (Domestic Flights Only) -Don Muang Airport has two levels. The Departure Hall is on the second floor, and all airlines have their check-in counters. Other facilities on this floor include money exchange counters, restaurants, souvenir shops and VIP lounges. On the first floor is the Arrivals Hall. There are numerous ATMs inside Don Mueang Airport, as well as several currency exchange booths. There is no departure tax at either of Bangkok’s airports. Tourist visas are available to most nationalities, allowing 60 days of entry into Thailand. This can be extended for a further 30 days at all Immigration Centres in Thailand. The Terminal 2 departures floor has plenty of comfortable seating and floor space, with the observation deck above the departures floor offering darker space. -Free WiFi is available at Bangkok Don Muang Airport for a maximum of 2 hours. -Information Desk – In Terminal 1, an Information Desk can be found in both Departures and Arrivals areas. In Terminal 2, six Information Desks are available. -Medical Services - The fully-staffed Medical Center Clinic offers urgent and emergency medical care. Location: 1st floor, north of Terminal 1. Hours: 8:00AM - 5:00PM. -Observation Deck-Location: Terminal 1, take escalator to the 4th Floor, follow the signs to the Silom Village Restaurant and you will see the signs leading to the Observation Deck. -Showers – Showers are available at Sleep Box Hotel (Rate: 300 Baht) and inside the Miracle -Lounge (Location: Terminal 2, Domestic Departures). -Smoking Zones - Six smoking areas are available: Arrivals zone 3, Pier 2, Domestic Arrivals, Gate15. Departure zone 3 = Pier 2 ( A ), North Gate14, Bus Departures Gate. -Spa Services - Orchid Spa provides foot massages for tired travellers, hair salon services are also available. Location: Landside, FL4. Hours 7:00AM - 7:00PM daily. 
Before you travel
. Make sure you have the correct documents. . Do you need a visa? . Check your airlines luggage allowance and fees. . Check with your doctor about vaccinations. . Make sure you have travel Insurance. . Check if there are fees on entering and leaving the country. . Let your bank know your traveling abroad or they might cut your card off. . Bring an adaptor. Things to know
. Wear light clothes .Proper Dress code when visiting Royal Grand Palace and Grand Temple:T-shirts are allowed. Long trousers, Pants, Jeans, Sandals, Long skirts lower than your knees are the best items to wear. .Shorts, mini-skirts, short skirts, tights, see-through shirts, blouses and sweat shirts are strictly not allowed. .Beware of scammers .Get bike rentals .Get Prepaid Thailand sim card to keep in touch while in Thailand. . Take a bike taxi when traveling at rush hour times. .Before arriving in Thailand, make sure to do thorough research into the ethical ways you can interact with the native wildlife. .Do not feed the monkeys .Purchase bug spray .DON’T PAY MORE THAN 100 BAHT FOR A THAI DISH. Anything cheaper than 45 baht may be loaded with MSG and made with sub-par ingredients. Anything more expensive than 100 baht will be unpopular with locals and likely frozen. In Thailand, if the price is too high (could be real estate or air conditioning costs) the restaurants will be near-empty and the food sits around. .Be aware of the tourist price versus the local price. .Get into a taxi after they've turned on their meter, or use the GrabTaxi App. Many taxis purposely ride without their meters so that they can scam tourists into paying more money or start with their meters outrageously high. .Learn a few phrases. |
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