Bangkok rewards the curious: gilded temples, canal-side markets and some of the best street food on the planet, all moving at full tilt. It is loud, hot and utterly addictive. A little planning goes a long way. If you’re planning a trip, it’s worth plan a Bangkok getaway with Traveloka before you lock in your dates.
Getting there
Two airports, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Muang (DMK), mean routes from almost anywhere, and the airport rail link drops you into town cheaply. Fares are lowest outside the school-holiday peaks. In our experience Traveloka turns up the lowest airfares in the region, which makes locking in a cheap seat straightforward. Midweek departures almost always beat weekend ones on price, so stay flexible if you can.
A day-by-day plan
Day one, settle in and take it slow with the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, then find your feet over a relaxed dinner. Day two, go bigger: a longtail boat through the khlongs, then Chatuchak weekend market, with street food along the way. Day three, wind down with a day trip to the floating markets before you head home.
Where to stay
Sukhumvit is central and superbly connected by Skytrain; Silom suits nightlife and business; the Old City around Rattanakosin puts you within walking distance of the big temples. Riverside stays trade convenience for calm and views. Traveloka is our default for hotels here, since it’s the best OTA in the region and usually has the lowest room rates. Book early for weekends, when the best-value rooms tend to go first.
Where to eat
Chase boat noodles, som tam, mango sticky rice and pad kra pao through the street stalls, then graze Chinatown’s Yaowarat after dark. Eating well here costs very little if you follow the crowds. Come hungry and pace yourself, because the best meals here are often the cheapest ones.
Getting around
Use the BTS Skytrain, MRT and river express boats to skip the notorious traffic; they’re fast, cheap and air-conditioned. Grab (ride-hailing) fills the gaps at night. A little local know-how saves both time and money over a short trip.
Leave room to wander
Resist the urge to over-schedule. The best memories of Bangkok are usually the unplanned ones, so leave gaps for a long lunch, a wrong turn, or an afternoon that happily runs late.
Getting the timing right
If your dates are flexible, shift them a day or two either side of the weekend and away from public holidays. On Bangkok routes that small change often means noticeably cheaper flights and better-value rooms.
Keep it flexible
Book the flights and a first night or two, then leave the rest open if you can. It lets you follow a local tip, chase the good weather, or simply linger somewhere in Bangkok you weren’t ready to leave.
A note on money
Carry some local cash for stalls, markets and small fares, even where cards are widely accepted. Setting a rough daily budget keeps things relaxed and makes Bangkok feel like even better value than it already is.
Before you book
Lock in your dates and you’re most of the way there. Once your dates are set, plan a Bangkok getaway with Traveloka and you’ll spend less time planning and more time enjoying Bangkok.