Explore the best of Bangkok with this ultimate Bangkok travel guide! 🤗
Whether it’s your first time flying to Bangkok or your third, you can't really be sure if you've already explored the city to the fullest! This travel guide will walk you through your Bangkok vacation — from the airport to your hotel and later on to the must-visit attractions in the City of Angels!
How to go from Suvarnabhumi Airport to your hotel 🚘
It can be hard when you've just landed at an airport in another country, especially if it's your first time there. Questions like 'Where do I go?' 'Where can I find a taxi or bus?' and 'Is there a nearby train station?' will definitely pop into your head. But hey, don't worry, getting to your hotel from the airport is not rocket science, especially in Bangkok. They offer many transfer options for you to choose from, including taxis, airport rail links, buses, Grab rides, and car rentals. If you're looking for a fuss-free experience, you can also pre-book your airport transfers.
To help you navigate your way around the airport more efficiently, here’s where you can find these airport transfers:
- Taxi services: Level 1 (Ground Level)
- Airport rail link: Basement Level
- Bus services: Level 1 (Ground Level)
- Grab, car rentals, and airport transfers: Will depend on your selected pick-up point
- DTAC Counter at BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport – DTAC Counter (Arrival Hall)
- Location: 2nd Floor between Gate 6 and Gate 7
- Opening hours: 24 hours
- Smile WiFi Airport Service Counter
- Location: Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), B1 Floor
- Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
- BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport (Klook Counter)
- Klook counter is located on B Floor, RC6 (next to Airport Rail-Link Station), Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport. Please see maps below
- Present your Klook voucher to any Klook staff at the booth to have them scan your QR code for redemption. Collect your physical ticket here
- Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
While you're at the airport, remember to grab your travel essentials! In our case, we got SIM Cards from the Klook booth located on the 4th floor of the Departure Hall, at Row K24. The SIM Card we got came with unlimited calls and data, ensuring you’ll always stay connected!
But, if you’d like an even easier option, go for an eSIM instead! No hassle, just wait for the QR code that will be sent to your email and you're all set.
Aside from SIM Cards, you can also get your BTS Skytrain Rabbit Card here! The train is your most affordable and fastest way to get around Bangkok. Your Rabbit Card includes a THB 200 voucher, and the card itself remains valid for seven years. This means that if you intend to return to Thailand, you can continue using the same Rabbit Card! 👏🏼
Klook Tip: Along with the Rabbit Card, you must also always bring your passport and vouchers.
Getting around Bangkok 🚆
Now that you got out of the airport and into the city, the next step is to figure out how you'll be getting around. Trust us when we say that public transportation in Bangkok is not as complicated as you might think! During our recent trip to Bangkok, we chose to get a private car charter, which proved to be the smoothest way for us to explore the city. Each morning, we were picked up from our hotel and driven to any destination within the city. It really depends on the type of private car charter that you’ll select and purchase. Some trips took as long as an hour, but thanks to our car charter and driver, the ride was always comfortable. 🫶🏼
But, let's be real — the daily traffic in Bangkok makes taxis, Grab cars, car rentals, and even car charters not your best options. So, it’s a good thing that Bangkok boasts a dependable train system, the BTS Skytrain! Opting for the train is the best decision when you need to reach specific attractions within tight schedules. It's an easy, affordable, and swift choice. 🚈⚡️
Klook Tip: Ladies, there's a 'Grab for women' option available for all of you taking Grab rides!
Where to stay in Bangkok 🏨
For our hotel, we stayed at Evergreen Place Siam by UHG. The hotel was great, considering how close we were to malls like centralwOrld and also to the train station. We were especially happy about the 7-11 store that was less than a minute away from the hotel, so best believe that’s where we would get breakfast everyday. 😋😅
The rooms were big and comfortable too — the beds were soft and clean, the room was cold (perfect way to beat the heat of the city), and the bathroom was well-lit and fully equipped with bath essentials. 😌
Inside your room, you'll find a few complimentary items, including room slippers, two bottles of water (check the fridge), bath essentials, and instant coffee and tea. Feel free to use them during your stay, or if you prefer, you can also take them with you when you leave! 😂
And, of course, we can't overlook the hotel’s top-notch facilities! If you have the time, make sure to explore the hotel's amenities, including the lap pool, gym, spa and sauna, and kiddie playground (all of which can be found on the eighth floor). They also offer conference rooms for those on business trips who will need a space to hold meetings. 👩🏻💻 🧑🏻💻
😌 Explore more hotels in Bangkok
Visit these attractions in Bangkok! ☀️
Here comes the fun part! Now that you have an idea of how to get around the city, what travel essentials to get, and even an idea of where you can stay, it's about time we round up some attractions in Bangkok for you to visit and explore. 🕶
1. Sompong Thai Cooking Class 👩🏻🍳👨🏻🍳
Our Thai cooking class experience began with a short trip to a nearby market. As we left the cooking school, the chefs provided us with mosquito spray to ensure we wouldn't get insect bites while walking outside. They also gave us baskets to store the items we would get from the market and cute fans to help us beat the heat.
The real fun started when we reached the market area. There were so many raw ingredients to see, and it was a good thing that an assistant chef accompanied us, guiding us around and sharing the background of the ingredients we would later encounter in our cooking class.
After learning about the ingredients, we were given some free time to explore on our own, with a buddy system in place, of course. We had to move around in pairs to make sure that no one would get lost in the huge market.
Klook Tip: Bring some cash if you want to buy souvenirs or snacks at the market.
Once we head back to the cooking school, they will serve pandan cake and lemongrass and pandan tea for all the participants to snack on after the market trip. They will also give out frozen tissues to everyone for a refreshing touch-up, given the heat at the market. After everyone has freshened up, the cooking class will officially start!
The menu varies each day, and since we pre-booked our session for a Tuesday, we were treated to the dishes on the Tuesday menu (Choo chee curry with prawns, homemade red curry paste, chicken galangal in coconut milk soup, pomelo salad, and mango sticky rice).
The entire cooking experience was fun and educational, as we learned to prepare all the dishes together with a group. The head chef began by demonstrating the process, showing everyone how it’s done before allowing the rest of us to go to our respective stations for ingredient preparation and cooking. During the class, the chef also introduced us to new knife skills that are essential for ingredient preparation and taught us how to properly plate dishes after cooking. One of the most interesting techniques we learned was creating a rose from tomato peel, which made the dish look so much more presentable! 🍅
Another highlight we have of this experience was the mini competition in making red curry paste from scratch. The entire group was divided into two teams, and creating the paste required a good amount of arm strength to blend the ingredients into a smooth and rich curry paste. Our group won, by the way! 😂
After all the cooking, the chefs will arrange all the prepared dishes on a long table, so that all the participants can come together, share a meal, and enjoy the fruits of our labor. The setup resembles a family dining scenario, so remember to take a family photo while you’re at it! 🧡
The cooking class provided an experience that extends beyond just learning how to cook. It's an opportunity to really immerse yourself in Thai food culture — understanding the core ingredients they commonly use, their typical meal preparation techniques, and the staple home-cooked dishes they cherish.
And, of course, you can’t just leave a cooking class without taking home some souvenirs! We were given two souvenirs — a cookbook with all the dishes they teach daily (not just the dishes you learned to make during your session), and a handy coconut grater for making coconut milk or coconut cream.
Some important reminders for you to take note of during the cooking class:
- Make sure to wear your apron properly to prevent getting food on your clothes.
- If you need help, you can always ask the staff. There will be at least two assistant chefs present during the session.
- Listen carefully to the chef's instructions to avoid accidents.
2. Mahanakhon Skywalk ☁️
If you love city views just as much as we do, then make sure to pre-book your Mahanakhon Skywalk tickets! The staff will lead you to the elevator that goes up to the 75th floor. Since the ride up is a bit long, you can enjoy the animations playing all around you while inside the elevator. The animations are interactive, so feel free to take photos and videos while you’re at it.
Once you reach the 75th floor, you'll find a snack bar offering pastries such as sweet bread, fruit bread, and even pizza! Feel free to stroll around, enjoy the refreshing breeze, and take in the stunning city views before reaching the skywalk. 🌬
Be sure to wear the protective cloth provided for your feet before entering the skywalk. The staff will inform you when it's your turn, so please be patient during the process. When it's finally your turn, feel free to sit and take photos. You can also walk around while looking right below you to see how high up you are, and you can even lie down to fully embrace the thrill-seeker in you! 💪🏻
Important Note: If you have a fear of heights, don't force yourself to go on the skywalk. The height is no joke!
Besides the skywalk, there are other ways to enjoy the city views. Once you're on the 75th floor, you'll notice stairs right next to the yellow seats. Climb the stairs, and there you'll truly reach the peak of Bangkok! It's quite windy up there, so be sure to secure your hats and caps well, or consider removing them to make sure they won't fly away.
Exploring the 75th floor can be tiring, so if you feel the need to sit down and rest, you're welcome to do so on the yellow cushions by the steps. You can also ask the staff for a menu and enjoy a snack while taking a break. 😋
After you've finished exploring the 75th floor, don't leave just yet! Drop by the 74th floor, which is the building’s observation deck, perfect for those who want a panoramic view of Bangkok while staying indoors. On the same floor, you'll discover art pieces created by local artists, all centered around Thai culture.
3. Zoom Sky Bar 🥂
Now, if you're looking for a dinner and drinks place, head over to Zoom Sky Bar & Restaurant – the perfect spot to chill with family and friends and enjoy drinks! When you arrive at JC Kevin Sathorn Bangkok Hotel, select the 38th floor in the elevator. Upon reaching the 38th floor, you'll need to climb two flights of stairs to get to the 40th floor where the sky bar is located.
After you've reached the sky bar, you'll be greeted by beautiful views of Bangkok at night. The city lights are simply dazzling, so take your time to marvel at the scenery. It can get quite windy up here as well, so remember to bring a light jacket or cardigan.
The drinks at Zoom Sky Bar are light with just the right amount of kick! You can order your usual drinks like Tequila Sunrise, Negroni, Daiquiri, and Mojito. They also offer fruity alcoholic drinks such as Apple Martini, Young Coconut Delight, and Lychee & Rose Martini. We trried some of their drinks too, and the blends were quite refreshing!
Klook Tip: People start flocking to the sky bar at around 7:00 pm (THA). Try to arrive before then to secure your seats!
4. Amphawa Floating Market 🛶
Probably one of the must-not-miss activities while in Bangkok is visiting the Amphawa Floating Market! Bangkok is famous for its floating markets, and to avoid the large crowds, we made sure to go early in the morning. If you’ve brought your rented car or private car charter, there's no need to worry, since a big parking space is available in the area.
Before boarding the boat, there’s a spot where you can sit and wait. They offer free water, freshly harvested bananas from their plantation, and even homemade coconut pudding prepared by the locals! If you have some extra time to spare and want to kickstart your shopping spree a bit early, there's also a local shop that sells various types of souvenirs such as bags, clothes, wind chimes, refrigerator magnets, and keychains.
Once your boat is prepared and ready, all you need to do is sit back comfortably and take in the picturesque views. The boat seats are especially comfortable and spacious, providing more than enough room for the food and items you plan to buy.
Klook Tip: Locals say that rain and light drizzles are frequent, so it's advisable to bring along a small umbrella, a raincoat, or a lightweight jacket!
The boat will take you to the river’s hotspots, where you can buy a variety of authentic Thai foods and refreshments like mango sticky rice, fresh fruits, grilled meat, and iced coffee! Many boats also sell a bunch of local products such as handmade body bags, tuk-tuk miniatures, elephant stuffed toys, and sun dresses with elephant prints.
After all the shopping and snacking, remember to take photos and videos to commemorate the experience!
5. Maeklong Railway Market 🚞
If you've visited the Amphawa Floating Market, the next destination you can't miss is the Maeklong Railway Market! An important thing to note before heading to the railway market is the train schedule. The highlight of this experience is the exact time that the train will pass by, so plan your visit accordingly.
Important Reminder: When the locals and market staff signal that the train is approaching and advise everyone to stand behind the red line, please follow their instructions and MAKE SURE TO STAY BEHIND THE RED LINE!
The Maeklong Railway Market is also home to numerous local shops and kiosks, selling local items like packed dried fruits, fresh fruits, silk scarves, and the iconic elephant pants! The market offers a wide variety of goods at reasonable prices, and you might even have room to haggle for even better prices.
During the railway market experience, it can get quite hot. So, if you feel like taking a break from the scorching heat, you'll find refreshment stores and cafes conveniently scattered throughout the railway area!
Klook Tip: Dress in light clothing — it can get extremely hot here! Remember to bring a handkerchief, towel, tissues, a water bottle, or a portable fan to stay cool.
Done shopping? Don’t leave just yet! When we visited, locals recommended exploring the other side of the railway market for more restaurant options with less people. Our local friends suggested RomHub Station, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch. The noodles were freshly prepared and incredibly tasty. 😋 And, of course, our meal wouldn't be complete without iced Thai tea!
There are also stores lined up in this area, so feel free to go for a second round of shopping here.
6. Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise 🛥
This is your ✨sign✨ to book that dinner cruise in Bangkok! We tried the famous Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise during our recent trip. The boat sets sail at 7:30 pm, so once you've secured your tickets, head to the ICONSIAM pier and line up. The cruise staff will organize ticket holders based on their assigned seating areas. When the ship is prepared, get ready for boarding!
Important Reminder: Make sure to register and redeem your ticket at the Chao Phraya Princess booth inside ICONSIAM (G Floor, Sook Siam Zone, next to Naraya Shop) by 6:30pm.
After you find your table, lean back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful nighttime view of Bangkok. But, before the boat reaches its first landmark, take the opportunity to indulge in the buffet, offering a wide variety of dishes including Asian and Italian cuisines.
As you enjoy your dinner, a live band will perform a few songs. If you’re feeling extra energetic, go ahead and groove and dance on the dance floor! 💃🏻🕺🏻
Aside from the mouthwatering food, the overall experience was just great. We especially loved the sight of iconic landmarks that the boat passed, such as Wat Arun, The Grand Palace, Rama VIII Bridge, and Wat Kanlaya.
We also made sure to capture lots of photos to commemorate this exceptional experience!
7. Ancient City and Erawan Museum 🌟
You can’t leave Thailand without taking a trip to the Ancient City and the Erawan Museum. Inside the Ancient City, you’ll find several temples and sacred monuments to marvel at and explore. The area is vast, so if you want to make the most of your time here, consider renting a buggy car just like we did! Getting around the Ancient City is much more enjoyable and less tiring with a buggy car.
Klook Tip: Remember to bring umbrellas and tissues, as it's likely to be hot at the attraction.
You might be thinking, 'Where do I start?' Well, that's not really a problem because they provide pamphlets with a map of Ancient City that you can easily follow to make sure you won't miss out on anything.
But, if you're looking for a better option, simply ask the staff at the entrance counter to provide you with an audio guide QR code. You can scan it and listen as you explore. The audio guide will tell you about the temple or monument you're currently viewing and also provide you with historical background, offering new and deeper insights on Thai culture and history. The audio guide comes in three languages — English, Chinese, and Korean.
Some of our personal faves during our visit were the Sanphet Prasat Palace, Mondop Phra Chaturaphut, The Footprint of the Lord Buddha, Pavilion of the Enlightened, Thai Junk, and Mondop of Bodhisattva Avalokitesavara (Kuan-Yin). We highly recommend that you visit these spots too!
Klook Tip: You can rent a traditional Thai outfit if you want to level up your experience and photos even more!
After your visit to Ancient City, your next destination should be the Erawan Museum, which is just as iconic and conveniently located only a few minutes away. Since the attraction isn't very big, feel free to take your time to admire all the stunning structures and antique collections it houses.
One highlight you shouldn't miss, which is likely the first thing you'll see upon entering the attraction, is the three-headed elephant! 🐘
As you enter the museum, you'll be delighted by the sight of beautiful interiors and a grand spiral staircase that leads you to the second floor, called Earth. The ground floor is considered the Underworld, while the top floor is known as Heaven. The museum is not that big, yet it's packed with shrines and statues as you go from one floor to another. You may want to consider getting a pamphlet to give you an overview of what's inside and outside the museum.
8. Erawan Tea Room 🫖
Exploring Bangkok can be tiring. So, if you're looking to relax and find some peace and quiet that's not in a typical spa, then the Erawan Tea Room should be your next destination. As we entered the place, the ambiance felt so cozy — with warm lighting, wooden interiors, and floral scents. The seating was comfortable too, and the staff was both friendly and accommodating.
We were seated by the window, which gave us fantastic city views of the BTS Skytrain, the Erawan Shrine, and the bustling streets of Bangkok. If you're lucky enough to secure a window seat, you'll also be treated to mesmerizing sunset views!
Aside from the relaxing ambiance of the tea room, the tea set we had was exceptional. It was a good combination of savory and sweet dishes, perfectly complemented by your choice of tea or coffee. We tried their iced Thai coffee and iced chrysanthemum tea, both of which were good and refreshing. As for the cuisine, we particularly loved the mango sticky rice, Kanom Krok (crispy rice pudding), Goong Chub Pang Tod (deep-fried prawn), and Pandan Chocolate Coated Crispy Sesami Roll.
But wait, there's more! You can commemorate the experience by bringing some of their products home with you, like pineapple syrup, organic coconut flower sugar, wild nature jam, MiVana superior organic coffee, and wild nature organic herbal salt. They also sell locally-made items like small straw jars, straw organizers, hats, and even saucers!
😋 More Thai food options! 😋
9. Muay Thai match at Rajadamnern Stadium 🥊
We highly recommend watching a Muay Thai match! This has got to be one of the best activities we did during our Bangkok trip. It was a whole other level of experiencing Thailand’s culture through their national sport.
We watched about eight matches all in one night, and trust us when we say that it’s pretty intense, but still so fun to watch! Each match will get your heart pumping, especially if you’re rooting for any of the fighters. Feel free to scream your heart out, since everyone else in the stadium will be screaming too. 😂
If you ever get thirsty or hungry during the match, don’t worry! Snacks and drinks are sold inside the stadium, like sodas, water, beers, hotdogs, and chips. There’s also a souvenir store right outside the stadium doors if you want to take home Muay Thai shorts or other apparel. And hey, remember to snap some photos to commemorate the experience! 😁
😆 More Muay Thai experiences 😆
10. Safari World Bangkok 🦓🦒
Of course, our Bangkok trip would never be complete without a visit to Safari World! Inside, there are two parks — the Safari Park and the Marine Park. We first explored the Marine Park, where we saw adorable manatees and different types of fish. Then in Safari World, we got to see numerous animals like parrots, sloths, crocodiles, raccoons, and pelicans.
As we explored the attraction, we came across an area where you can interact with and feed some donkeys. It was such an amazing experience since all the donkeys were gentle and easy to feed. We made sure to distribute the carrots evenly among the donkeys to avoid overfeeding any of them! 🥕
Klook Tip: Get an animal headband or hat to get the full Safari World experience!
Since the safari is quite large, we made sure to take breaks! There are several cafes inside the safari where you can get drinks and refreshments such as ice cream, fruit drinks, Thai tea, coffee, and bottled drinks too.
We also stopped by one of the must-see places inside the safari — the Giraffe Terrace. Here, we got to encounter giraffes of all sizes, or should we say, all heights? 🦒 We fed some of them a bucket of carrots and bananas, which you can purchase upon entering the terrace.
The main highlight of our Safari World experience was the Drive Thru Safari, where we basically ventured into the habitats of many wild animals. We saw tigers, lions, bears, deer, flamingos, and hippos. It was a new experience for all of us, but it was also a lot of fun! 🦁
You can use any type of car for the Drive Thru Safari. In our case, we used a private car charter. Other types of vehicle that you can bring are vans, rental cars, personal cars, and even taxis! 🚖
Important Reminder: To avoid accidents, please DO NOT OPEN your car doors or windows while inside the Drive Thru Safari.
11. 100 Mahaseth Restaurant 😋🍽
We indulged in a variety of dishes throughout our trip, and one food experience that we can't get over is the lunch we had at 100 Mahaseth Restaurant! Its authentic Thai cuisine and warm restaurant ambiance make for an ideal lunch setting with friends or family.
We remember the fresh, high-quality ingredients present in each dish, and we were impressed to learn that all these ingredients are sourced from local Thai farmers. They indeed are true to their farm-to-table commitment, from one dish to another. 👩🏻🌾 🧑🏻🌾 👨🏻🌾
We tried so many dishes, like Bone Marrow, Northerners Hotdog, Tamarind Leaf Curry, Pork Shoulder skewer, Fermented Rice Stuffed Chicken Wings, Baby Pork Ribs & Chamuang, and Som Tam Pu Pla-Ra! 😋
Among our favorites was the bone marrow dish, which offered a smoky flavor complemented by toasted perilla seeds that added a nice crunch. It paired perfectly with steaming hot rice too. Another standout was the Som Tam Pu Pla-Ra, a Thai papaya salad that has a touch of sweet, salty, and spicy, achieved through the combination of papaya, peanuts, and shrimp within the salad. We of course made sure to pair our food with Thai tea and Purple Lemonade! 🤌🏼
Klook Tip: If you’re a meat lover or just want to try their steak, make sure to check the blackboard for aged steak specials and place your order from there!
Your Bangkok Travel Guide ends here, but the fun you’ll have in the City of Angels is only about to begin! Happy and safe travels! 🛫
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