Leave the backpack at home, because Bangkok is no longer the domain of gap-year students. Thanks to affordable packages and some serious upgrades in the hotel market, it’s now a booming destination for families and couples too. A city of spicy street food, skyscrapers, ancient temples, thronging traffic and hidden markets, Bangkok blends the old and the new, traditional and modern, East and West. It’s a place where the next surprise is just around the corner, and you never know where you’ll end up.
One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster
Thins to do
Discover Bangkok’s many temples - Among the madness of modern Bangkok, there’s an awful lot of cool historic sites to visit. The temples of Wat Arun and Wat Pho are two of the most prominent in the city – at the latter you’ll find an incredible 46m-long gold statue of Buddha laying on his side.
The Great Palace - The dazzling gold spires of the Great Palace are a must-see for all visitors to the city. As official residence of the Thai royal family, the complex is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city.
Shop till you drop at Chatuchak Market - One of the biggest markets in the world, the Chatuchak Market is a fascinating sprawl of stalls selling everything from clothes and antiques, to fresh vegetables.
Events to plan around
Chinese New YearFebruary – This is the big one. The whole of Bangkok explodes into a raucous, colourful celebration, with a different theme every year. Find out which Chinese star sign you are, and expect firecrackers. A lot of firecrackers.
Songhkran (Thai New Year)April 13 - April 17 – wet and wild, this is a joyful celebration that ends up in the biggest water fight you’ve ever seen. Expect to get wet.
Loi Kratong November 4th – watch thousands of tiny rafts made from banana leaves and decorated with candles and flowers, float away down rivers, taking all the owners’ worries with them.
Food & Drink
Street eats - Holidays to Bangkok are the perfect opportunity to sample some of the world’s best street food. Chinatown and the Saphan Lueng and Old Town areas are our top tips for great street eats.
Cocktails and speakeasies - The cocktail scene in Bangkok is booming and there’s a whole host of trendy cocktail bars and secret speakeasies to take advantage of.
Upmarket and up in the air - Bangkok is a city of skyscrapers and there’s plenty of restaurants and bars high up in the clouds that will give you an incredible view of the city.
Hotels in Bangkok
Retrieving our hand picked hotels...
When to travel and how to get around
When shall I go?
Bangkok sits close to the equator and is consequently hot all year round. However, there’s major variations in rainfall, so you need to make sure you’re getting the weather you want when planning your Bangkok holiday.
November – February - Bangkok’s ‘cool’ season (if you can call it that). Highs of 32°C, lows of 22°C, and the lowest amount of rainfall out of all the seasons.
March – June - The hot season, when it’s not uncommon for temperatures to exceed 35°C. Generally dry, but a greater chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
July – October - The rainy season, when monsoon rains lash the city and rainfall can exceed 330mm in a month. September is the wettest month of the year.
A to B, easy as 1,2,3
Tuk tuks - There’s no more exhilarating and exciting way to travel the city than in the back seat of a tuk-tuk. They’re also quick, affordable, and efficient, too.
Taxis - Taxis are also relatively inexpensive. They’re great if you’re travelling in a larger group or have luggage, but if you’re in a hurry they may not be the best choice in the clogged streets of the city centre.
Skytrain and Metro - The Skytrain is probably the most popular form of public transport in the city. Used in combination with the Metro system, it’s an excellent way of moving around Bangkok.
Essential information for Bangkok
Local time
-17hrs
Currently
Language
Thai
Currency
Thai Baht
Official currency of Thailand
Flight information
11h 30m
BKK
Indirect flight
Flight Schedule
Fly to Bangkok with Air France, KLM or Emirates
Do I need a visa?
British citizens do not require a visa for stays less than 30 days.
During mid-Autumn candles, cakes and incense feature more frequently than usual to celebrate the Moon Festival whilst November promises Krathong where waterways become covered in decoratively adorned floats in respect of the water spirits.
