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Bangkok travel guide

Bangkok spreads along both banks of the Chao Phraya River, with the old royal quarter of Rattanakosin on the east bank and quieter Thonburi opposite. Two airports sit roughly 30 km out on opposite sides of the city, and most visitors move around on the Skytrain, the metro and the river boats, so the nearest station or pier matters more than the postcode.

By Hotel Unfiltered · Copy reviewed

Bangkok

Getting there and choosing your base

  • Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK): The main airport, east of the city, used by all full-service airlines for both international and domestic flights. The Airport Rail Link runs to Makkasan, Ratchaprarop for the metro and Phaya Thai for the Skytrain, so a hotel near one of those lines saves sitting in traffic.
  • Don Mueang Airport (DMK): Bangkok's former main airport, north of the centre, now used mostly by low-cost carriers such as AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Lion Air. Switching between the two airports can take hours in heavy traffic, so on a tight connection a night near the departure airport is worth considering.
  • Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal: The new terminal at Bang Sue now handles most intercity trains, including services from Chiang Mai and the south, and connects directly to the MRT Blue Line. The old Hua Lamphong station is still the stop for the Eastern Line to the Cambodian border, so check which one your ticket names.

Areas to consider

Siam and Ratchaprasong

Suits shoppers and first-time visitors who want the Skytrain interchange and the big malls on the doorstep. Ask whether you can reach the Skytrain platform on foot without crossing one of the area's wide, busy roads.

Sukhumvit

Suits longer stays, with a wide spread of hotels, restaurants and serviced flats strung along the Skytrain line. Sukhumvit sois can run a long way back from the main road, so check the walk from the hotel to its nearest BTS station, not the soi number.

Silom and the riverside

Suits travellers who want the city's grandest river hotels, or the financial district that turns into a nightlife area after dark. If the hotel is on the river, ask whether it runs its own shuttle boat to a Chao Phraya Express pier or the Skytrain.

Khao San Road and Banglamphu

Suits budget travellers and anyone who wants to walk to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Ask how far the nearest Chao Phraya Express pier is, as the river boats are often the easiest way to cross town from here.

When to go

November to February is the coolest and driest stretch and the most popular time to visit. March and April are the hottest months, and Songkran in mid-April turns Khao San Road into a water fight. The wet season runs from May to October, with the heaviest rain and street flooding most likely in September and October.

Before choosing a room

  • Some hotels charge a guest fee or hold an ID card when a visitor comes back for the night, and a few on Khao San Road turn away Thai guests; read the house rules before booking if this may affect you.
  • Low-lying streets flood after heavy afternoon storms in the wet season. Ask whether the hotel entrance or the soi outside tends to flood.
  • In March and April a swimming pool makes a real difference; check that it is open and not closed for maintenance during your dates.

Sources and planning resources

Facts checked on . Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.

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