Bangkok is Thailand’s crazy capital city and its location has it easily accessible from all over the world. Most tourists will first arrive in Bangkok and often continue on to the country’s tropical islands or the mountain regions of the north. But at the very least visitors should spend 24 hours in Bangkok.
The city offers some of the best street food in Thailand, stunning temples, great shopping and wild nightlife.
In this guide, I will break down how to spend 24 hours in Bangkok. Plus, I’ll add a couple more suggestions in case you’re lucky enough to be in Bangkok any longer. And I will also give some tips for first-time visitors to Thailand.
Travel Tips for Bangkok
I believe Thailand in general is a great country for new travellers to start exploring south-east Asia. This is due to the friendly locals, limited language barrier, great food and high level of safety. Bangkok may be a big city but if you just take one district at a time, it never feels too overwhelming.
Here are some of my tips for those arriving in Bangkok for the first time.
Transport From Bangkok Airport
The majority of international tourists will fly into Suvarnabhumi Airport which is 31km from the city centre. The other airport in Bangkok is Don Mueang Airport, this is a hub for low-cost carriers.
If you don’t have a pre-booked airport transfer, taxis are available out the front and they will use the meter. The average cost to the city is 240THB so this can be a cheap option even for those travelling alone.
There are options to get public transport from the airport to the city, and this can cost as little as 70THB. But this option will take over an hour and depending on where you’re staying, it may also involve walking.
Thailand Currency
The official currency in Thailand is Thai Bhat. ATMs are widely available all over the city. I found all the ATMs around Bangkok were changing a fee of around $9.12AUD. This was regardless of what amount we were withdrawing or which Australian bank we used. Also, there are heaps of currency exchanges for those who brought cash from home, just always count your money before you leave.
Language in Thailand
The official language in Thailand is Thai and most people can also speak English so the language barrier for has never been an issue for me in Bangkok.
When is The Best Time of Year to Visit Bangkok?
The weather in Thailand is always warm and there are two main seasons, the dry season and the monsoon season. The monsoon season starts in late May/early June and continues into mid-October. During these months, Bangkok can be hit with heavy rain.
April & May are usually the hottest months of the year, and this can make walking around the city during the day a bit unbearable.
Getting Around Bangkok, The Best Transport Options
There are some great transport options around Bangkok including, bus, train and ferry. The Sky Train has stops all over the city (although not one close to Khao San Road, which is an area I recommend you stay in). And the network is very easy to follow for tourists as the signs & maps are also written in English characters.
During the day ferries run up and down the river, with tickets only costing 40THB per trip and you can also purchase all-day passes if you think you’ll use them a lot.
Although there are heaps of public transport options, if you’re only in Bangkok for 24 hours I would just recommend getting Taxis. They are usually very cheap, easy to find and will drop you exactly where you want to go.
Drivers should be using the meter but if they don’t and you’re only travelling within the city, get another taxi. Their fixed prices will always be a rip-off
The State Railway of Thailand was the first rail network and is still in operation today. Although this train network is for long distant journeys, not trips within the city. It’s a great option if you are travelling elsewhere in Thailand after Bangkok.