Bangkok

Travel Guide

Sukhumvit featuring night scenes and central business district
Temple of the Emerald Buddha showing a temple or place of worship
Wat Arun
Temple of the Emerald Buddha featuring a temple or place of worship and religious aspects as well as a large group of people
Sukhumvit featuring a city and a sunset

Bangkok Travel Guide Video

Revel in the color, noise and history of Thailand’s frenetic capital, a city that welcomes its visitors with a clash of old and new.

Traveling into Bangkok for the first time is a dizzying assault on the senses. Ride a tuk-tuk through the city center and you will pass neon-lit streets packed with clubs, ancient alleys and grandiose temples. Breathe in the scents of a thousand street food stalls. Listen for the chants of praying monks mingled with the voices of market vendors and shoppers haggling with one another.

Visit the Bangkok National Museum and the Bangkok Folk Museum to learn about the multifaceted history of the city. It used to be two separate cities, Krung Thep and Thon Buri, located on either side of the Chao Phraya River. Although Krung Thep has been the capital of Thailand since the late 18th-century, when the Grand Palace was built, the two municipalities were only recognised as one city in the 1970s.

Make the palace your first stop when exploring Bangkok, before visiting the spectacular temples that line the riverbank. Hop on a boat and drift along the Chao Phraya River for unbeatable views of Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun, recognizable for their towering stupas. Explore the temples on foot to encounter gigantic Buddha statues and golden Thai architecture.

Experience modern Bangkok in the sleek, air-conditioned malls in the districts around Siam Square. For a different, typically Thai shopping experience, pound the pavements of the city’s many markets. Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the best, offering antiques, handicrafts and quick eats.

Don’t leave without trying some street food. Wander through the old town of Banglamphu or Chinatown and snack on bowls of noodles or green curry and rice.

Visit Thailand’s exhilarating capital in any season to experience its sights, smells and sounds. In low season, between May and October, the weather stays hot and humid but offers the chance to save money on accommodations. Come in mid-April to join in with the water fights and colorful festivities of Songkran, Thailand’s new year celebrations.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit

4/5(467 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Sukhumvit. Check out top attractions like Terminal 21 Shopping Mall and EmSphere Shopping Center, and jump on the metro at Asok BTS Station or Sukhumvit Station to see more of the city.

Sukhumvit
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Phaya Thai

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Phaya Thai. Top attractions like La Villa Aree Shopping Mall and Bangkok Shooting Range are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Ari BTS Station or Saphan Khwai BTS Station to see more of the city.

Phaya Thai
Lumpini Park featuring a garden, a city and a lake or waterhole

Bangkok City Centre

3.5/5(34 area reviews)

Known for its stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Bangkok City Centre. Check out top attractions like Pratunam Market and Khaosan Road, and jump on the metro at Hua Lamphong Station or National Stadium BTS Station to see more of the city.

Bangkok City Centre
Bangkok showing night scenes, a bridge and skyline

Siam

Enjoy the popular shops in Siam. Erawan Shrine is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Ratchadamri BTS Station or Siam BTS Station to see more of Bangkok.

Siam
Wat Pho which includes interior views

Bangkok Riverside

Khaosan Road and ICONSIAM are a few top attractions in Bangkok Riverside. Hop around the city on the metro at Rama IX Bridge Station or Wat Dokmai Station and check out the area's fantastic nightlife, stunning river views and popular shops.

Bangkok Riverside
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Asoke

Asoke is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Terminal 21 Shopping Mall and EmQuartier, and you can get around town on the metro at Sukhumvit Station.

Asoke
Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
4.5 out of 5
999 Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, Moo 1 Nongprue, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan
The price is HK$907 per night from 1 May to 2 May
HK$907
HK$1,085 total
includes taxes & fees
1 May - 2 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Bang Phli. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (237 reviews)
"We stayed only for one night and the staff were exceptional. Easy collection from airport and attentive check in. The hotel is amazing but the room we had was a bit tired. Trying to find a plug by the bed it became obvious there was a need for more of a deep clean. This could have just been our room. ..."

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2025

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21
Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21
5 out of 5
2, Sukhumvit Soi 19 (Wattana), Sukhumvit Rd., Klongtoey Nua, Bangkok, Bangkok
The price is HK$955 per night from 5 May to 6 May
HK$955
HK$1,124 total
includes taxes & fees
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,052 reviews)
Amazing.
"Everything is fine."

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2025

Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal 21
Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit
Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit
5 out of 5
491 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok
The price is HK$904 per night from 4 May to 5 May
HK$904
HK$1,085 total
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
One of the best hotels anywhere!
"One of the very best hotels I've ever stayed at in any place I've been. 5 stars on everything!"

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2025

Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok
Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok
4 out of 5
No 115 Sukhumvit 55, Thonglor, Sukhumvit Road, Klongton Nua, Bangkok
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,113 reviews)
"The room is very nice and perfect location. Definitely come back again."

Reviewed on 17 Apr 2025

Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok
Adelphi Grande Sukhumvit
Adelphi Grande Sukhumvit
4.5 out of 5
16 Sukhumvit Soi 41, Bangkok, Bangkok
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,289 reviews)
"Perfect place ,Nice staff"

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2025

Adelphi Grande Sukhumvit
Ascott Sathorn Bangkok
Ascott Sathorn Bangkok
5 out of 5
No. 7 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok, Bangkok
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Bangkok. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,045 reviews)
"Overall, a very nice place for the price paid"

Reviewed on 2 Apr 2025

Ascott Sathorn Bangkok
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bangkok

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
746
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
730
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
194
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
28
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
12
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Unfortunately Bangkok is changing towards large shopping malls and losing it's old edge. There are still interesting things there but I don't feel we will be rushing back.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Wonderful city and one I will remember forever

4/5 - Good

Terry

Bangkok as always is very busy and there are many cars, however, there is plenty of places to visit and the food is always very good.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

I have travelled to Thailand often in the last 20 years so Bangkok is just a stop over before returning to UK, have seen most sites over this time but for first time visitors there is plenty to see, Sukhumvit 1-15 is a good area to locate as it is ea

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love everything about this wonderful city