Bangkok
Thailand's capital, where gilded temples, river boats, canal neighbourhoods, night markets and some of the world's best street food share one very hot, very busy city.
Quick decisions
How many days?
3 days: one day for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, one for Chinatown and street food, one for markets, a museum and the skyline. 4 or 5 days: add a floating market and a day in Ayutthaya.
Where should I stay?
Silom or Saphan Taksin: river views, easy trains and boats. Sukhumvit: restaurants, bars and the best rail links. The old town: walkable to the temples and cheap, but noisier and further from the trains.
Do I need a car?
No. The Skytrain, metro and river boats beat the traffic, and taxis and ride apps fill the gaps. Our getting around guide explains the system.
Best for
Temples: Wat Pho. Food: street food and Yaowarat. Shopping: Chatuchak. Views: rooftop bars. A quiet hour: Lumphini Park.
When to go
November to February is the coolest and driest season. March to May is very hot, and June to October brings short, heavy rain showers that rarely last all day.
Before you go
Check entry rules, including any digital arrival card, because they change. Pack for temples: shoulders and knees must be covered at the main sights. Carry some cash, since many stalls do not take cards.
Continue your trip
Ayutthaya is about an hour and a half north by train or road, and the Gulf beaches and islands are a few hours south and east.
Overview
Bangkok is a city of contrasts that sit very close together. Gilded temple roofs rise beside glass towers, a canal boat putters past a rooftop bar and a cook at a plastic table makes a plate of noodles that rivals any restaurant. It was founded as a capital in 1782, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, and the old royal district there still holds the grandest sights, including the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
The simplest way to plan is by area. The river and old town hold the temples, the river boats, Khao San Road and Chinatown. The modern centre, around Siam, Sukhumvit and Silom, holds the malls, the Jim Thompson House, Lumphini Park and the bars. The weekends belong to Chatuchak, and the canals of Thonburi, across the river, give a quiet counterweight to the traffic.
A few habits help from day one. Start early, because the heat builds fast and the temples are calm in the morning. Use the trains and boats rather than a taxi at rush hour. Eat where there is a queue of locals, and carry small notes. Treat the Thai custom of the wai, a slight bow with palms together, as a polite greeting, and remember that the monarchy and Buddha images are treated with great respect. A calm smile solves most problems.
Getting there
Suvarnabhumi Airport handles most international flights, and a rail link and taxis connect it to the city. Don Mueang serves many budget airlines. Inside Bangkok, the Skytrain, metro and boats beat road traffic, and long-distance trains now leave from the large Krung Thep Aphiwat station in the north.
Where to stay
Pick a base near a train station and you will save hours of traffic. Silom and Saphan Taksin suit river views and easy boats, Sukhumvit suits food and nightlife, and the old town suits early temple visits and tight budgets. Book early for the cool season, and ask for a room away from the main road if you are a light sleeper.
Things to do
The big sights cluster on the river: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. For a calmer taste of the city, try the canals of Thonburi, the Jim Thompson House and the shade of Lumphini Park.
Food and drink
Bangkok is one of the great food cities, and most of its best meals cost very little. Start with our street food guide, then follow your nose through the night stalls of Yaowarat and the market stalls of Chatuchak.
Culture
Bangkok's culture is a blend of royal ceremony, Buddhist daily practice and a large Chinese-Thai heritage. Visit a working temple at dawn to see monks collect alms, watch locals stop for the anthem in the park, and spend an evening at a rooftop bar or a boxing night to see the modern city at play. The ruins of Ayutthaya show where it all began.
Weather by month
Bangkok is warmest in April, with average highs around 34°C, and coldest in January, when nights drop to about 22°C. September is the wettest month, with rain on most days.
| Month | Low | Range | High | Rain | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22°C | 31°C | 24 mm | 4 d | |
| Feb | 24°C | 32°C | 30 mm | 5 d | |
| Mar | 26°C | 33°C | 44 mm | 8 d | |
| Apr | 27°C | 34°C | 84 mm | 11 d | |
| May | 27°C | 34°C | 158 mm | 20 d | |
| Jun | 26°C | 33°C | 145 mm | 23 d | |
| Jul | 26°C | 32°C | 195 mm | 25 d | |
| Aug | 26°C | 32°C | 187 mm | 26 d | |
| Sep | 25°C | 31°C | 293 mm | 26 d | |
| Oct | 24°C | 31°C | 241 mm | 22 d | |
| Nov | 24°C | 31°C | 72 mm | 11 d | |
| Dec | 23°C | 31°C | 19 mm | 4 d |
Averages of daily values from 2015 to 2024. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm of rain. Source: Open-Meteo · Compare destinations by month.
Bangkok on the map
Every place we cover in Bangkok. Tap a category or pin to explore.
In-depth Bangkok guides
Browse the guides grouped by topic: sights, neighbourhoods, food, transport, day trips and trip planning.
Sights, Landmarks & Parks
Key monuments, viewpoints, museums and nature trails.
- Grand PalaceThe Grand Palace is Bangkok's royal showpiece, home to the Emerald Buddha, painted cloisters and a dress code that is firmly enforced at the gate.
- Wat PhoWat Pho is home to the vast Reclining Buddha and Thailand's traditional massage school, and it sits a short walk from the Grand Palace.
- Wat ArunWat Arun is the porcelain-covered prang on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, best reached by short ferry and best seen at sunset.
- Jim Thompson HouseThe Jim Thompson House gathers traditional teak houses around a green garden, and tells the story of the American who revived Thai silk.
- Lumphini ParkLumphini Park is the city's central green space, best in the early morning when tai chi, joggers and monitor lizards share the lake paths.
Neighbourhoods & Where to Stay
Districts, historic quarters and the best bases for your stay.
- Old Town and Khao San RoadThe old town of Rattanakosin combines major temples, shophouse lanes and the noisy backpacker energy of Khao San Road.
- Chinatown and YaowaratYaowarat Road is Bangkok's Chinatown spine, a thick tangle of gold shops, shrines and night-time food stalls best explored after dark.
- Chatuchak Weekend MarketChatuchak is a maze of thousands of stalls selling plants, clothes, ceramics and street food, open at weekends beside two rail stations.
- Siam and the Shopping MallsSiam is Bangkok's shopping centre, a cluster of air-conditioned malls and food courts at the junction of the two Skytrain lines.
- SukhumvitSukhumvit is a long, busy road of hotels, restaurants and bars, with the Skytrain running above and numbered side streets running off.
Food & Drink
Local dishes, markets, cafés and dining districts.
Getting Around & Arrival
Airport transfers, public transit, passes and driving rules.
- Skytrain and Getting AroundThe Skytrain and metro are the fastest way across Bangkok, while boats and taxis fill the gaps in a city famous for its traffic.
- Bangkok Airports and ArrivalBangkok has two airports, Suvarnabhumi for most international flights and Don Mueang for many budget airlines, each with its own city links.
Day Trips & Excursions
Easy half-day and full-day trips from the city.
- Floating MarketsFloating markets near Bangkok range from famous tourist stops to quieter weekend canals, and the right choice depends on timing and taste.
- Ayutthaya Day TripAyutthaya was Thailand's capital for four centuries, and its brick temples and headless Buddhas make an easy day trip north of Bangkok.
Trip Planning & Itineraries
When to visit, what to pack and day-by-day routes.
- Chao Phraya RiverThe Chao Phraya River is Bangkok's best traffic-free route, linking temples, piers and the Skytrain by a network of express and ferry boats.
- Khlong ToursThonburi's khlongs show a slower Bangkok of stilt houses, orchid gardens and temples, reached by a short boat ride from the main piers.
- Rooftop Bars and NightlifeBangkok's night scene ranges from sky-high rooftop bars to lively street corners, with a few rules about dress and getting home late.
- Taxis, Tuk-Tuks, Buses and the MetroTaxis, tuk-tuks and buses fill the gaps between rail lines in Bangkok, and a few simple habits keep journeys fair and quick.
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