Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Bangkok

LouiseBlakemore

Book a boat and take a ride around the khlongs. We did this on our own so we were able to stop and take pics and chat with locals. Walk. Walk. Walk. This is the way to see the city, and it's safe.

deepak4ualways

The place has some of the biggest and crowded malls where you can get all sorts of products like electronics, clothing, etc. A definite place for shopaholics.

madushi101

Bangkok is popular for its culinary diversity among many. Which you see will be a true fact once you step out walking. There are mouth-watering food stalls everywhere you go.

In the words of those who've been there before ...

Chris S

A large bustling city with many very varied neighborhoods each offering something different for people of all tastes and pockets. Exciting and vibrant with a lot of great cultural sites for those that like history and culture. Foodies will be spoiled for choice with everything from fantastic cheap street food and food courts to top-end restaurants as well.

Shaligram

Bangkok is a busy city. It's also very friendly and an excellent place for food lovers. No need to mention the nightlife. They wrote songs about it and have made hit movies catering to bizarre imaginations and sometimes a not-so-bizarre reality, that is Bangkok at night. Mostly though, it's a safe and friendly place.

Suanphlu

Bangkok, the other City of Angels that never sleeps. Bangkok is full of things to do and see from ancient monuments to great restaurants. Easy to get around by Skytrain, underground, tuk-tuk, taxi or a trundling ancient bus. Bangkok is a must-visit city that caters for all tastes and lifestyles.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

Bangkok is served by two airports, the Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Muang Airport (DMK). The latter is a hub for low-cost carriers including Air Asia and Nok Air and mainly offers domestic and regional flights.

Do I need a visa?

Thailand has many bilateral agreements in place with other nations that allow visa-free travel. To see if your country is on that list please check here.

If your country is not listed, you will need to apply for a visa at your nearest Thai embassy. You can check here for more information on types of visas.

When is the best time to visit?

November through January: Bangkok is hot and steamy no matter what time of year you visit, however, the very best time to visit is late November to mid-January. Known as the “cool season,” the temperatures sit around 90 Fahrenheit (36 Celsius).

Ferry

The ferry on the Chao Phraya river is also convenient — if and only if — you are heading somewhere close to the river.

Motorcycle taxi

Motorcycle taxis are cheap, fast but can be scary for the uninitiated. Tuk Tuks are used by both tourists and locals alike; please bargain before jumping on.

Skytrain and subway

The BTS Skytrail and the MRT subway provide another inexpensive way to get around town. Both train systems are limited and only cover portions of the city, so definitely map out your route before setting out. Also note that these two lines of public transportation run separately and don't share a ticketing system. However, they do have a few connecting stations—which is helpful if you need to cross from one to the other.

Taxis

The easiest way into the city is through a metered taxi. Do not use the limo or taxi services offered by touts. They can tend to swarm around you once you have cleared customs. These touts will charge rates that can be as much as 200% to 300% of normal metered taxi rates.

For more detailed information on getting around, you can refer to this article.