Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is one of the most visited cities on earth: a sprawling, humid, endlessly lively metropolis on the Chao Phraya River where gilded temples stand a few streets from glass towers, and where some of the world’s best street food is cooked on the sidewalk next to Michelin-starred restaurants. Come for the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha, the giant reclining Buddha of Wat Pho and the spires of Wat Arun, for boat rides on the river and its canals, the night markets and shopping malls, rooftop bars and the neon of Chinatown. The city is easy to enjoy if you ride the Skytrain, subway and river boats rather than sit in traffic, and plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning. The most comfortable months are November to February, when it is warm and dry; March to May is very hot, and the rainy season runs from about May to October, with the heaviest rain in September.
Right now in Bangkok
- Wed 24–31°C 75–87°F 2 mm Light showers
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- Fri 26–32°C 78–90°F 3 mm Showers
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Rates: ECB
Top tours in Bangkok
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Bangkok at a glance
- Best for: temples and palaces, street food and fine dining, markets and malls, river and canal trips, nightlife, Thai massage and cooking classes.
- How long: 3–4 days for the main sights and a day trip; a week to add Ayutthaya, the floating markets and Kanchanaburi.
- Best time: November to February, with highs of about 32–33 °C (90–92 °F) and little rain; April is the hottest month, at about 36 °C (96 °F).
- Getting there: two international airports, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK); trains from the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.
- Getting around: BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, Airport Rail Link and SRT Red Line, Chao Phraya Express boats, Grab and Bolt, metered taxis.
- Fees to know: the Grand Palace costs 500 baht (about US$15) for foreign visitors as of October 2026; there is no city tourist tax.
- Before you go: entry rules, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, money and general safety are in our Thailand travel guide.
Bangkok’s areas and where to stay
Bangkok has no single center: the old royal city sits on a bend of the Chao Phraya River, and the modern districts spread east along the Skytrain lines. Choose a hotel near a BTS or MRT station or a river pier.
Rattanakosin and Banglamphu (the old town)
The historic heart, with the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the National Museum, the Golden Mount and the backpacker street of Khao San Road. Atmospheric and full of guesthouses and boutique hotels in old shophouses, it is quiet at night away from Khao San. The MRT Blue Line now reaches Sanam Chai station next to Wat Pho, and river boats stop at Tha Chang and Tha Tien piers.
The riverside
Grand old hotels and new luxury towers line both banks of the Chao Phraya, from the Oriental and the Peninsula to ICONSIAM, a huge riverside mall on the Thonburi side. Free hotel shuttle boats run to Saphan Taksin (Sathorn Pier) and the BTS, and the river views at night are some of the best in the city.
Siam, Pratunam and Ratchaprasong
The shopping core, with Siam Paragon, Siam Square, CentralWorld and the clothing wholesalers of Pratunam. The BTS lines cross at Siam station, so this is a convenient base for first-timers, with every type of hotel and lots of food courts.
Sukhumvit
A long road lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and expat neighborhoods along the BTS: lively and sometimes seedy around Nana, busy and central at Asok (where the MRT crosses), and trendier around Thong Lo and Ekkamai, with cocktail bars and cafés. Good for nightlife and for families who want a modern apartment-hotel.
Chinatown and Talat Noi
Yaowarat Road comes alive at night with seafood stalls and neon signs; the lanes of Talat Noi beside the river have street art, old Chinese houses and small cafés. MRT Wat Mangkon station is in the middle of it.
Top things to see in Bangkok
Most temples open from about 8 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and take off your shoes before entering a temple hall.
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
The former royal residence and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred image, form a dazzling walled complex of gilded spires, mosaics and murals. According to the Grand Palace’s official website, it opens daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., tickets are sold from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and entry costs 500 baht (about US$15) as of October 2026. The dress code is strictly applied; shorts, sleeveless tops and ripped jeans are not allowed. The palace closes for some royal ceremonies, so check its schedule page. Ignore anyone outside who tells you it is “closed today” (see Safety).
Wat Pho
Just south of the palace, Wat Pho houses the 46 m (151 ft) Reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf, with mother-of-pearl soles. The temple grounds hold more than a thousand Buddha images, four colorful chedis and the country’s best-known school of traditional Thai massage, where you can book a treatment.
Wat Arun
The Temple of Dawn rises on the Thonburi bank opposite Wat Pho, its central prang decorated with broken Chinese porcelain. A cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier takes a couple of minutes. Climb the steep lower terraces for the river view.
The Chao Phraya River and the canals
The cheapest way to see the city is the Chao Phraya Express boat, which stops at piers for the palace, Wat Pho, Chinatown, ICONSIAM and Saphan Taksin; the orange-flag boats run all day. To see the old wooden houses and temples of the Thonburi canals (khlong), hire a long-tail boat for an hour or two from an official pier, agreeing the price and route first.
Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Come at dusk, when the street food stalls of Yaowarat Road light up: grilled seafood, noodle soups, fried oyster omelets and mango sticky rice. By day, explore the market lanes of Sampeng, the Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit (more than 5 tons of solid gold) and the shrines of Talat Noi.
More classic sights
- Wat Saket and the Golden Mount: a gilded chedi on an artificial hill, with 344 steps and 360-degree views over the old city.
- Jim Thompson House: six teak houses filled with Asian art, built by the American who revived Thai silk, set in a tropical garden near the National Stadium BTS station.
- Lumphini Park: a green oasis for jogging, paddle boats and the large monitor lizards that roam its lakes.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market: one of the world’s biggest markets, with thousands of stalls selling everything from clothes and crafts to plants and pets, open Saturday and Sunday.
Churches and cathedrals
- Wat Arun
- Wat Pho
- Wat Phra Kaew
- Wat Saket
Parks and gardens
- Jim Thompson House
- Lumphini Park
Nature
- Yaowarat Road
Palaces
- Grand Palace
Other sights
- Chatuchak Weekend Market
Other things to do in Bangkok
Food and drink
Bangkok is one of the world’s great food cities. Eat at street stalls and markets for pad thai, khao man gai (Hainanese chicken rice), boat noodles, som tam (green papaya salad), grilled pork skewers and mango sticky rice; the food courts in malls such as Siam Paragon and the Or Tor Kor market near Chatuchak are good, clean places to start. The city also has dozens of Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants, from street stalls to tasting menus. Wash it down with fresh coconuts, Thai iced tea or a cold Singha or Chang beer. Note that alcohol sales are restricted to certain hours and banned on Buddhist holy days.
Rooftop bars and nightlife
Rooftop bars in Silom, Sathorn and Sukhumvit serve cocktails with skyline views (no flip-flops or sportswear); Thong Lo has the trendiest bars, Khao San Road the backpacker scene.
Muay Thai, massage and cooking classes
Watch Thai boxing at the Rajadamnern or Lumpinee stadiums, take a one-hour traditional Thai massage (from about 300–500 baht in a street-level shop), or learn to cook four or five classic dishes at a half-day cooking school, many of which start with a market visit.
Festivals and events
Songkran, the Thai New Year, turns the city into a water fight around April 13–15; in 2026 Bangkok’s events ran from April 9 to 15, with Silom Road and Siam Square as the main splash zones. For Loy Krathong, on the full moon of the 12th lunar month (November 24 in 2026), people float candle-lit baskets on the river and in park lakes. On November 6, 2026, the Royal Barge Procession will sail down the Chao Phraya to Wat Arun for the Royal Kathin Ceremony, with 52 royal barges crewed by 2,200 navy oarsmen. The Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 runs from October 29, 2026 to February 28, 2027 in temples, museums and galleries around the city.
Activities and best months
- City sightseeingThe Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha open daily 8:30-16:30 (tickets until 15:30); entry 500 baht. · source
Day trips from Bangkok
- Ayutthaya: the ruined temples of Siam’s old capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, about 1–2 hours north by train, minivan or boat. See our Ayutthaya guide.
- Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong: the best-known floating market, combined with the Maeklong Railway Market, where vendors pull back their awnings as the train passes; best by early-morning tour. Amphawa’s floating market is quieter and runs on weekend afternoons and evenings.
- Kanchanaburi: the Bridge on the River Kwai, the Death Railway and the war cemeteries, about 2–3 hours west. Erawan National Park’s waterfalls nearby were closed temporarily from September 30, 2026 after heavy rain, so check before you go.
- Pattaya and the eastern beaches: about 2 hours by road for a quick beach break. See our Pattaya guide.
- Hua Hin: the royal beach resort, about 3 to 4 hours by road or train, better for an overnight stay. See our Hua Hin guide.
Nearby destinations
- Ayutthaya68 km
- Pattaya98 km
- Kanchanaburi111 km
- Khao Yai National Park120 km
- Hua Hin145 km
- Ko Samet166 km
- Ko Chang270 km
Getting there and getting around
Airports
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), about 30 km (19 miles) east of the center, handles most long-haul and full-service flights. The Airport Rail Link runs from the basement to Phaya Thai station on the BTS in under half an hour; official metered taxis leave from the public taxi stand one floor below arrivals, with a small airport surcharge. Don Mueang (DMK), the old airport in the north, is the base for low-cost airlines such as Thai AirAsia and Nok Air; the SRT Red Line links it with Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, where you can change to the MRT. Allow plenty of time if you connect between the two airports, which are about an hour apart by road.
Trains and buses out of Bangkok
Most long-distance trains of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), including the overnight sleepers to Chiang Mai and the trains south to Hua Hin and Surat Thani, now leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (formerly Bang Sue Grand Station); some ordinary trains still use the old Hua Lamphong station. Check times on the SRT’s live tracking site or call the SRT hotline, 1690. Long-distance buses leave from the Mo Chit (north and northeast), Ekkamai (east coast) and Southern bus terminals.
Skytrain, subway, boats and taxis
The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are fast, air-conditioned and cheap, typically about 20–65 baht a ride; you can pay with a contactless bank card on the MRT and on a growing number of lines, or buy single tickets and rechargeable cards. River boats are the way to reach the old town. Grab and Bolt are widely used for cars, taxis and motorcycle taxis, with the price shown before you ride; TAT’s 30-baht Amazing Thailand Grab Travel Pass gives four weeks of discounts on rides and food. Metered taxis are cheap, but insist on the meter. Tuk-tuks are fun for short hops; agree the price first and refuse any “special tour”.
When to go and how long to stay
Bangkok is hot all year. The table uses the 1991–2020 climate normals of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) for its Bangkok Metropolis station, as submitted to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO): average daily highs and lows, total rain, and days with at least 1 mm of rain.
| Month | Average high / low | Rain (days with 1 mm or more) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (74 °F) | 24 mm (0.9 in), 2 days | Dry and the most comfortable; peak season and hotel prices |
| February | 34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 21 mm (0.8 in), 2 days | Dry and warming; Chinese New Year in Yaowarat |
| March | 35 °C (94 °F) / 26 °C (80 °F) | 51 mm (2.0 in), 3 days | Hot season begins; hazy days possible |
| April | 36 °C (96 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F) | 93 mm (3.7 in), 5 days | The hottest month; Songkran water festival around April 13–15 |
| May | 35 °C (95 °F) / 27 °C (80 °F) | 217 mm (8.5 in), 12 days | Rainy season starts; afternoon storms |
| June | 34 °C (93 °F) / 26 °C (80 °F) | 198 mm (7.8 in), 13 days | Showers most days, usually short; low hotel prices |
| July | 34 °C (92 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F) | 190 mm (7.5 in), 14 days | Humid and showery; Buddhist Lent begins |
| August | 33 °C (92 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F) | 227 mm (8.9 in), 16 days | Wet; Mother’s Day holiday on August 12 |
| September | 33 °C (92 °F) / 25 °C (78 °F) | 336 mm (13.2 in), 18 days | The wettest month; street flooding after downpours |
| October | 33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 289 mm (11.4 in), 14 days | Rain eases late in the month; end of Buddhist Lent |
| November | 33 °C (92 °F) / 25 °C (76 °F) | 45 mm (1.8 in), 4 days | Dry season returns; Loy Krathong; Royal Barge Procession in 2026 |
| December | 32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (74 °F) | 12 mm (0.5 in), 1 day | Dry and pleasant; festive lights; busy around New Year |
Bangkok gets about 1,700 mm (67 in) of rain a year, almost all of it from May to October. Rain usually falls in heavy afternoon or evening storms rather than all day, but it can flood streets and slow traffic for hours; in late September 2026, heavy rain briefly disrupted some trains and flights. From March to May, highs of 35–36 °C (95–96 °F) with high humidity make midday sightseeing hard work.
Weather month by month
Averages from TMD normals 1991–2020, Bangkok Metropolis · Last reviewed 5 Oct 2026
3 days in Bangkok
Day one, the Grand Palace at opening time, Wat Pho and the ferry to Wat Arun, then Chinatown for dinner. Day two, a long-tail boat through the Thonburi canals, Jim Thompson House, the malls of Siam, and a rooftop bar at sunset. Day three, Chatuchak Weekend Market or the Golden Mount, then a cooking class or a Muay Thai fight.
5 days with day trips
Add a day in Ayutthaya, and an early start for the Maeklong Railway Market and a floating market, or a day in Kanchanaburi.
Where to stay in Bangkok
- Riverside: the classic luxury hotels and the best views, with shuttle boats to the BTS.
- Siam and Ratchaprasong: central, on the main BTS interchange, for shoppers and first-timers.
- Silom and Sathorn: the business district, with good-value hotels near Lumphini Park, the Patpong night market and rooftop bars.
- Sukhumvit (Asok to Ekkamai): the widest choice of hotels and apartments, restaurants and nightlife.
- Old town and Banglamphu: guesthouses and boutique hotels near the big temples; quieter in the evening away from Khao San Road.
Hotel prices are lowest from May to October and highest from December to February. Bangkok hosts the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group from October 12 to 18, 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, so expect higher rates around Sukhumvit and Lumphini that week. Prices are usually quoted with 10% service charge and 7% VAT added, written as “++”; check whether a rate is “net”.
What a trip to Bangkok costs
Prices are approximate, for October 2026, converted at about 33 baht to the US dollar.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Grand Palace entry | 500 baht (about US$15) |
| Street food dish or noodle soup | 50–100 baht (about US$1.50–3) |
| Restaurant meal for one, mid-range | 300–700 baht (about US$9–21) |
| BTS or MRT ride | about 20–65 baht (about US$0.60–2) |
| Chao Phraya Express boat | about 15–35 baht (about US$0.50–1) |
| One-hour Thai massage | 300–500 baht (about US$9–15) |
| Hostel bed | 350–700 baht (about US$11–21) |
| Mid-range hotel double, per night | 1,500–3,500 baht (about US$45–105) |
| Luxury riverside hotel, per night | 6,000–20,000 baht (about US$180–600) |
Practical tips for Bangkok
- Start early: visit the palace and temples from opening time until about 10 a.m., before the heat and the tour groups.
- Dress for temples: carry a light scarf or sarong and wear long trousers or a skirt on palace days.
- Cash and cards: cards and QR payments work in malls and hotels, but markets and street stalls take cash; Thai ATMs charge foreign cards a fee of about 220 baht per withdrawal.
- The royal family: Thai law protects the monarchy, and people stand for the royal anthem before films in cinemas; be respectful in what you say and post.
- Smoking and vaping: smoking is banned in many public places, and e-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand.
- Help: the TAT Contact Center (1672) answers tourist questions, and the Tourist Police (1155) speak English.
Safety
Bangkok is generally safe for visitors, and violent crime against tourists is rare; the main risks are scams, traffic and heat.
- Scams: the classic one starts with a friendly stranger near the Grand Palace or Wat Pho telling you the site is closed for a ceremony and offering a cheap tuk-tuk tour, which ends at a gem or tailor shop. Check opening times on official sites and walk away. Also avoid touts selling “ping-pong shows” in Patpong and Nana, and check bar bills.
- Road safety: traffic drives on the left and does not always stop at crossings, even on green; use footbridges and look both ways. Motorcycle taxis are quick but risky; wear the helmet offered.
- Heat and air: drink plenty of water and rest indoors at midday from March to May. Fine-dust (PM2.5) pollution can be high from about January to March; check the air quality index and wear a mask on bad days.
- Rain and flooding: streets can flood quickly after storms from May to October; avoid wading through deep water, and allow extra time to reach the airport.
- Cannabis: since June 23, 2025, cannabis flower is a controlled herb; buying or using it without a prescription from a licensed Thai practitioner is illegal, whatever shopfronts suggest.
- Emergencies: call 1155 for the Tourist Police (English spoken), 191 for the police and 1669 for an ambulance.
What to pack for Bangkok
Light, breathable clothes; long trousers or a skirt and a top that covers your shoulders for temples; shoes you can slip off easily; sun protection; an umbrella in the rainy season; and a light layer for icy air-conditioning. Thailand uses 220 V; sockets take both flat two-pin (US-style) and round two-pin plugs.
What to pack
- City walking shoesLisbon and Porto are steep, with polished limestone cobbles that get slippery, so grippy soles matter.
- Day packs and anti-theft bagsA small zipped or anti-theft bag makes crowded trams and viewpoints less stressful.
- Rain jacketsFrom October to April Porto and Lisbon see rain on roughly a third of days.
- Travel adapters and convertersPortugal uses Type C and F sockets at 230 V, so most visitors from outside Europe need an adapter.
Bangkok travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Bangkok?
Three to four days covers the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown, the river and a market or two; add a day for Ayutthaya or the floating markets.
How much does the Grand Palace cost?
500 baht (about US$15) for foreign visitors as of October 2026, according to the palace’s official website. It opens from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the last tickets sold at 3:30 p.m.
What is the dress code for the Grand Palace?
Cover your shoulders and knees: long trousers or a long skirt and a top with sleeves. Shorts, sleeveless tops, see-through clothes and ripped jeans are refused.
What is the best time to visit Bangkok?
November to February, when the weather is warm and dry. March to May is very hot, and September is the wettest month.
How do I get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city?
Take the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai and change to the BTS, or take an official metered taxi from the public taxi stand. From Don Mueang, use the SRT Red Line or a taxi.
Can I use Grab or Bolt in Bangkok?
Yes. Both apps are widely used for cars, taxis and motorcycle taxis, with the fare shown before you book.
Which area is best to stay in Bangkok?
Siam or Sukhumvit for shopping, transport and nightlife; the riverside for views and luxury; the old town for the temples and a more traditional feel.
When is Songkran in Bangkok?
The festival centers on April 13–15 each year; in 2026 Bangkok’s events ran from April 9 to 15, with water fights on Silom Road and around Siam.
Is cannabis legal in Bangkok?
No, not for recreational use. Since June 23, 2025, cannabis flower can only be bought and used with a prescription from a licensed Thai practitioner, up to a 30-day supply.
Is Bangkok safe for tourists?
Yes, by big-city standards. Watch for scams around the main sights, take care crossing roads, and keep your bag close in crowded markets.
Sources
- © OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL · fetched 5 Oct 2026
- Wikidata · CC0 · fetched 5 Oct 2026
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Grand Palace hours and fee: the Grand Palace official website; visa, TDAC, cannabis, events, Royal Barge Procession, Art Biennale, the IMF and World Bank meetings, Grab Travel Pass, Erawan closure and the late-September 2026 weather: the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation; climate normals: the Thai Meteorological Department via the World Meteorological Organization’s 1991–2020 normals; Loy Krathong date: the 12th-month full moon from the US Naval Observatory; exchange rate: the US Federal Reserve. Transit fares, journey times, temple descriptions and typical prices are general references or estimates, flagged for checking. Prices and hours change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our Thailand travel guide.
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