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Bucket list destination:

Last updated: 04 July, 2023
Expert travel writer: Chris Schalkx

Bangkok is one of South East Asia’s most complex and contradictory cities. Gritty but glamorous, lively but laid-back, the Thai capital is a hive of frenetic street activity with traffic gridlock that grinds the place to a halt for hours.

It’s home to the region’s best fine dining restaurants, as well as tasty street food stalls, sleazy girlie bars and sleek cocktail spots. It’s the address for retro hipster markets and posh designer stores, lofty luxury hotels and charming B&Bs.

Perhaps surprisingly, it’s also a tranquil haven dotted with tropical gardens and glinting temples.

Whatever your penchant, Bangkok’s almost certainly got it covered.

Orientation

Bangkok is a colossal, sprawling city and few tourists ever get as far as its genteel suburbs and posh housing estates.

Most visitors check into a smart hotel along busy Sukhumvit Road or one of the quieter sois (lanes) leading off it, confining their explorations to the historic centres of Chinatown and Bangrak, and everything in between that lines the Chao Praya river.

The areas they miss out on, such as laid-back and cafe-studded Ari, street food haven Talad Phlu, or the on-the-up nightlife enclave of Chinatown’s Soi Nana are the most fun.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Departure Transfer (Shared or Private)

Bangkok

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Departure Transfer (Shared or Private)
Pre-book your shared or private departure airport service to ensure smooth transfer to Bangkok International Airport after your vacation. Your driver will be meeting you at the hotel lobby in Bangkok at agreed time

Price: $15

Min age: 0

Rating 4.57 / 5 [38 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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A Magical Evening in Bangkok: Private City Tour

Bangkok

A Magical Evening in Bangkok: Private City Tour
As the sun starts to set, Bangkok lights up, showing its true beautiful colors. Enjoy a night to remember in Bangkok exploring the best the city has to offer on a private city tour with a local guide. Go from Hua Lam Phong Temple to Patpong Night Market and more, and hear insights and stories that show a different perspective of Bangkok that only comes out at dusk. And with fewer tourist crowds and a calmer atmosphere, you are in for a treat. Discover where the locals go to unwind and let your local host point you out in the right direction on how to keep the night going after finishing your tour with local recommendations. Withlocals Evening City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local products and preventing over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Price: €49

Min age: 0

Rating 4.26 / 5 [57 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Guide In and Around Bangkok: Custom Tour

Bangkok

Private Guide In and Around Bangkok: Custom Tour
Take a personalized tour in and around Bangkok for a unique look at Thai culture and lifestyles. Your personal guide works with you to tailor a full-day itinerary to the city's top attractions, such as the Grand Palace and Floating Market. Explore distinct neighborhoods, browse the shops, and see key sights all in one day.

Price: $58

Min age: 1

Rating 4.90 / 5 [2325 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Bangkok Private Tour

Bangkok

Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Bangkok Private Tour
This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Bangkok from a unique perspective! Get to know Bangkok on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all! Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Bangkok at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Memorial Bridge, Bangkok Flower Market and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included. Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Price: €69

Min age: 0

Rating 4.79 / 5 [34 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Bangkok Private Customizable Guided Tour

Bangkok

Bangkok Private Customizable Guided Tour
Enjoy a full day (8 - hours) tour with your private English-speaking guide, traveling by luxury vehicle with a driver who will take you all around Bangkok. Your private guide will have list of major landmarks, Markets, Monuments and Museums and you will choice to create your itinerary according to your preferences and wishes to make your day perfect. This day is all about you and what you want to do with your time in Bangkok. If you like history, your guide will cater to that. If you’d like to stop for a massage along the way, there will be time for that. If you love shopping and want to check out a local fashion market, the driver will take you there. And if you love food your guide will ensure you visit the best places possible for your favorite dishes! After the tour you will be returned to your hotel.

Price: $84

Min age: 0

Rating 4.54 / 5 [33 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Full Day Bangkok PRIVATE City Tour With Locals - Wat Trimit & Wat Pho tickets

Bangkok

Full Day Bangkok PRIVATE City Tour With Locals - Wat Trimit & Wat Pho tickets
Checkmark from your travel bucket list the main spots of the city on an extended tour of Bangkok and get to know the city like the back of your hand. All you have to do is trust your local guide, they got you and will show the best of their city. Your local guide has a jam-packed itinerary full of history, culture, stories, and sights. See must-sees of the city, plus get current recommendations about local hot spots, family-owned eateries, and up-and-coming districts of Bangkok you must pay a visit. Yes, this tour is the city guide that will help you enjoy Bangkok in the best way possible. Withlocals Full Coverage City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Price: €111

Min age: 0

Rating 4.91 / 5 [233 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Half-Day Bangkok City Tour with The Grand Palace

Bangkok

Private Half-Day Bangkok City Tour with The Grand Palace
Book this private half day Bangkok city tour to immerse yourself in the cultural and historical heritage of Bangkok by exploring the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, the option for Wat Pho and Amulet Market. Enjoy this tour with an experienced local tour guide.

Price: $140

Min age: 0

Rating 4.57 / 5 [33 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Bangkok City Tour Full Day With The Grand Palace

Bangkok

Private Bangkok City Tour Full Day With The Grand Palace
Book this full-day Bangkok City Tour to visit some of the most amazing destinations including Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit), Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market), Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and many other places.

Price: $190

Min age: 0

Rating 4.59 / 5 [122 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Bangkok Airport Arrival – Shared Transfer

Bangkok

Bangkok Airport Arrival – Shared Transfer
Ensure your trip to Thailand is free of hassle by booking your Bangkok shared airport transfer now. Travel from the Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Mueang International Airport to your hotel in the city of Bangkok. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Price: T507

Min age: 0

Rating 4.38 / 5 [347 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Bangkok Airport Transfer

Bangkok

Private Bangkok Airport Transfer
Enjoy the convenience of a private transfer by luxury vehicle from the airport to your hotel in Bangkok City. Skip the airport taxi lines and relax with this service operated by a professional driver. You'll travel directly to your hotel in a spacious vehicle with a safe and reliable driver, a perfect way to begin your vacation or business trip. 

Price: T600

Min age: 0

Rating 4.32 / 5 [147 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Departure Transfer : Bangkok Hotel to Bangkok Airport (SHA Plus)

Bangkok

Private Departure Transfer : Bangkok Hotel to Bangkok Airport (SHA Plus)
Sit back and relax as you enjoy a private transfer from Bangkok Hotel to Bangkok International Airport With an English-speaking driver, enjoy Bangkok scenery without having to worry about traffic or maps. Skip the long cab lines and head straight toward your destination in Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport). The transfer length is around 45-60 minutes and is available year-round, 24-hours a day. Travel to Bangkok Airport knowing that a punctual and safe trip to your destination awaits you. • Airport transfer • All taxes, fuel surcharges and service fees included • Private tour is operated it just your party and a guide/driver • Hotel pickup included

Price: T778

Min age: 0

Rating 4.4 / 5 [30 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Bangkok Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport

Bangkok

Bangkok Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport
Our services are private transfer The chauffeurs are carefully selected for their professionalism, knowledge and discretion. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Price: T924

Min age: 0

Rating 4.64 / 5 [53 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Half-Day Bangkok Bike Tour Including Lunch

Bangkok

Half-Day Bangkok Bike Tour Including Lunch
Cycle off-the-beaten-paths of Bangkok on an easy-paced 4-hour bike tour, with several breaks for guiding and refreshments. Our route is almost free from traffic and it will give you a more intimate and localized experience of this bustling metropolis. This tour includes a traditional Thai lunch and you get a good idea of the local life in different kind of neighborhoods in Bangkok.

Price: T1,280

Min age: 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [171 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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In and around Bangkok Private Tour Guide with Custom Experience

Bangkok

In and around Bangkok Private Tour Guide with Custom Experience
This 8 hours custom and private guided day tour showcases the best of Bangkok and beyond both traditonal and off-the-beaten-path based on your own itinerary. You travel with your fully licenced private tour guide by suitable public transports to top attractions such as Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun  and floating market who will give you the insights and history of sites you visit. Explore and experience vibrant neighborhoods viewing way of life of the locals, testing local cusine (own expense). You are in control of your day for this private and custom tour.

Price: T1,960

Min age: 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [268 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Bamboo Bicycle Tour in twilight: watch dancing Fireflies in Bangkok

Bangkok

Bamboo Bicycle Tour in twilight: watch dancing Fireflies in Bangkok
This Bike & Dine Tour is a unique outdoor experience you will remember for a long time. First, you will be taken on a relaxed, awesome bamboo bicycle adventure, riding on quiet backstreet paths. As the afternoon ends, night birds and insects will already play their symphony of jungle sounds. At twilight, we return to have a delicious Thai dinner at a romantic outdoor restaurant, beautifully located on the river banks. Enjoy the excellent food while watching the river and the blinking lights of Bangkok across the water. We can easily spend a few hours here. However, after you have digested your dinner a boat will be waiting for our river cruise. We know a special place where we may witness fascinating fireflies abundantly lighting up the sky. I never get enough of seeing these nightly creatures and like to share this experience with you. We have fireflies year-round. However, when it is very windy, they might be harder to spot. Nevertheless, your tour will be unforgettable.

Price: T2,000

Min age: 0

Rating 4.73 / 5 [73 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Half-Day Bangkok Off-the-Beaten-Track Tour: Rural Villages and Khlongs

Bangkok

Half-Day Bangkok Off-the-Beaten-Track Tour: Rural Villages and Khlongs
Our journey begins as a Chao Phraya River Express Boat takes you on a relaxing cruise north to the town of Nonthaburi. You take a short stroll in this village where you visit a local market. From here you board a long tail boat bringing us into a canal system unlike those found closer to the city. Peaceful scenes of rural canal life will transport you to a simpler, more innocent time, when the days passed slowly and the worries were few. After an hour, the appearance of rocket boats signals a dramatic change of pace. Instant thrills ensue as high speed manoeuvring through narrow canals will bring out the ‘inner child’ in all. Another long tail boat will bring you to a local restaurant where lunch will be served. Afterwards a transfer back by local transport to your hotel in Bangkok.

Price: T3,650

Min age: 0

Rating 4.79 / 5 [24 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Tour: Best of Bangkok in A Day

Bangkok

Private Tour: Best of Bangkok in A Day
Explore the capital of Thailand with this guided tour that packed the best Bangkok has to offer in a day. A full day visit to the “must see” and the most interesting attractions of Bangkok will give you an impressive insight into Bangkok’s history, Thai architecture, religion, and communities.

Price: T6,670

Min age: 4

Rating 4.72 / 5 [143 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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When to go

High season (November-January) is also the ‘cool’ season. Don’t get the wrong idea, though. It’s only a few degrees cooler than the hottest months, and even evening temperatures rarely dip below 21°C. February and March are hot and sticky, while sweltering April is the hottest month.

The rainy season usually begins in May and lasts until October – downpours can be pretty intense, but generally only last for an hour or so in the afternoon. Wear flip-flops or sandals, as there’s no way to avoid wet feet, and carry an umbrella.

Getting there and away

The easiest way to travel from Bangkok’s sleek Suvarnabhumi Airport to downtown Bangkok is by cab. Taxis are cheap and clean – you buy a ticket from the desk outside the terminal – although London-style taxi ‘limos’ are available for those wanting a little extra comfort.

The Airport Rail Link is convenient if you’re staying close to a stop, but be warned that there are no elevators (and lots of stairs) at several of the stops.

Getting around

The BTS/Skytrain system is affordable and excellent, whizzing you across Bangkok in minutes – savvy travellers base themselves at hotels near a BTS stop. Buy a transport card so you don’t have to line up for tickets during peak hours. The MRT (underground) is handy, but it doesn’t have the Skytrain views.

Taxis and tuk-tuks are cheap and useful for heading out at night, but avoid them at peak times when you’ll waste hours in gridlock.

For a break from taxis and trains, take to the water and bounce along the khlongs (canals) in a speedboat with the locals.

Where to stay

First-time visitors like to base themselves on the Chao Phraya River (Bangkok’s ‘Grand Canal’), in atmospheric Chinatown or in or near old Bangrak to be in the heart of the action.

However, while Chao Phraya River views are wonderful and it’s great to be able to step out of the hotel door into bustling Chinatown, staying there isn’t really necessary as the BTS/Skytrain makes it easy to get anywhere fast – which is why hotels along Sukhumvit Road (dotted with BTS/Skytrain stops) are very popular.

Second-time visitors tend to prefer Asoke, surrounded by restaurants, or the hipster neighbourhood of Thonglor.

Avoid the backpacker ghetto of Banglamphu, and its main street Khao San Road, like the plague. It’s not even worth a look to satisfy curiosity.

Where to eat or drink

Superb restaurants are dotted all over the city and there are fantastic street food stalls on every corner.

After dark, Chinatown’s main drag turns into the city’s best street food destination; Sukhumvit Soi 38 (BTS Thonglor) is a more intimate version.

Thonglor, Ekkamai and Ari are the locals’ choice for affordable eateries, stylish restaurants and hip bars and pubs. RCA is where Thais go for dance clubs and live bands.

Also see our guide to Bangkok’s best food and drink.

Where to shop

Siam, with its swanky malls, is the spot to shop for everything from Thai designer fashion at Siam Centre to cheap cameras, phones and electronics at MBK.

Shopaholics love Chatuchak or JJ markets for clothes, crafts and souvenirs, while Sampeng Lane in Chinatown is fun for colourful Asian trinkets, accessories and kids’ toys.

Pahurat Lane in Little India is the place to head for textiles, while the Amulet market sells Buddhist images, statues and amulets.

Also see our guide to Bangkok’s best shopping.