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Bangkok

Bangkok travel guide

Capital and largest city of Thailand

Flights from$752 round trip
Things to do192 experiences
Best time to visitSeptember to March and July
Nearest airportDMK · 13 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+7
Population5,676,648

About Bangkok

Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and largest city of Thailand. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estimated population of 9.1 million people as of 2024, 15.9% of the country's population. Over 17.4 million people live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region as of the 2021 estimate, making Bangkok a megacity and an extreme primate city, dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in both size and importance to the national economy.

Cheap flights to Bangkok

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $752 from Vancouver, travelling 8 Apr – 27 Sep. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Cheapest month to fly

$885 Nov $1,105 Dec $850 Jan $752 Feb $1,213 Mar $752 Apr

Airlines travellers compared most often: Thai Airways, KLM, SriLankan Airlines.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Places to visit in Bangkok

  1. Grand Palace

    Grand Palace

    Landmark · 2 mi from centre

    The former royal residence with dazzling halls and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees, and arrive early to avoid crowds.

  2. Wat Pho

    Wat Pho

    Religious · 2 mi from centre

    A large temple complex famous for its reclining Buddha and traditional Thai massage school. Book a massage on site for a relaxing break after sightseeing.

  3. Wat Arun

    Wat Arun

    Religious · 2 mi from centre

    A riverside temple with a central spire covered in colorful porcelain and seashell decoration. Take the short cross-river ferry from near Wat Pho, and come back in the evening for views of it lit up.

  4. Chatuchak Weekend Market

    Chatuchak Weekend Market

    Market · 4 mi from centre

    A huge weekend market with thousands of stalls selling clothing, crafts and food. Go early to avoid the midday heat, and bring a map to navigate the sections.

  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown

    Neighborhood

    A busy district centered on Yaowarat Road, packed with street food stalls, gold shops and Chinese temples. Visit after dark when the food vendors fill the sidewalks, and arrive hungry to try several dishes.

  6. Jim Thompson House

    Jim Thompson House

    Museum

    The traditional teak home of an American silk entrepreneur, filled with Asian art. Tours are guided, so plan to join one in your preferred language.

  7. Lumphini Park

    Lumphini Park

    Park · 2 mi from centre

    A large green space in central Bangkok with lakes and walking paths. Look for monitor lizards near the water, and visit early morning for cooler air.

  8. Ayutthaya

    Ayutthaya

    Historic · 42 mi from centre

    The ruins of the old Siamese capital, with temples and Buddha statues. It is about 80 km north of Bangkok, so plan a day trip by train or tour.

Things to do in Bangkok by type

192 tours, tickets and experiences across 12 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • Over 6 hours 36
  • 3-6 hours 23
  • 1-3 hours 15
  • Flexible 5
Good for
  • Families 6
  • Couples 6
  • Youth 6
  • Senior 5
  • Adult only 1
Ways to go
  • Private 41
  • Small group 13
Browse all things to do in Bangkok

Top experiences in Bangkok

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 192 available.

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Where to stay in Bangkok

Popular hotels in Bangkok, out of 2,598 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Bangkok

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bangkok is September to March and July, when average daytime highs are around 88–94°F and rain falls on about 14 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 73° – 91° 1
Feb 76° – 93° 8
Mar 80° – 94° 10
Apr 82° – 96° 9
May 80° – 92° 25
Jun 79° – 90° 26
Jul 78° – 88° 30
Aug 78° – 90° 24
Sep 77° – 88° 30
Oct 76° – 89° 23
Nov 74° – 89° 9
Dec 74° – 91° 2

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Bangkok weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 89° 75° 76%
  • Thu 22 Oct 90° 75° 51%
  • Fri 23 Oct 90° 77° 62%
  • Sat 24 Oct 90° 77° 76%
  • Sun 25 Oct 89° 78° 76%
  • Mon 26 Oct 88° 73° 86%

Know before you go

Currency
Thai baht (THB)1 US dollar ≈ ฿33.6
Language
Thai
Calling code
+66
Driving
On the left
Time zone
Asia/BangkokUTC+7

Getting to Bangkok

These are the airports closest to central Bangkok. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • DMK Don Mueang International Airport13 mi (21 km) from the city centre
  • BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport16 mi (26 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Bangkok

Bangkok has a decent public transportation network by Southeast Asian standards, but much room for improvement lies in its integration. Bangkok is notorious for its traffic jams, so visitors are advised to rely on the rail and river networks whenever possible. Transit Bangkok is a journey planner that can help you choose the best route.

By train

Three separate operators form the Bangkok rail network: the Skytrain (BTS), the Metro (MRT), and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Each operator has a different fare system, meaning you will have to buy a separate ticket or stored value card for each network you wish to use. Fare payments can be made by tapping a contactless Mastercard or Visa on the fare gates of all MRT and SRT lines, but not the BTS lines.

Skytrain

The Skytrain (BTS) operates three lines. The Sukhumvit line travels from Khu Khot (N24) in the north to Kheha (E23) in the south. The Silom line travels from Bang Wa (S12) in the west to National Stadium (W1) in the city centre. The Gold line travels from Krung Thon Buri (G1) to Khlong San (G3).

Metro

The Metro (MRT) operates four lines. The Blue line travels in a circle from Lak Song to Tha Phra through Thonburi, Yaowarat, Silom, Sukhumvit, Ratchadaphisek and Chatuchak Weekend Market in Phahonyothin. The Purple line travels from Tao Poon to Nonthaburi across the Chao Phraya River. The Yellow line travels from Lat Phrao to Samrong. The Pink line travels from Nonthaburi to Min Buri.

Bangkok travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Bangkok?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bangkok is September to March and July, when average daytime highs are around 88–94°F and rain falls on about 14 days a month.

What is the weather like in Bangkok?

April is usually the warmest month in Bangkok, with average highs of 96°F (36°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 78°F (26°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 279 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Bangkok?

Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is the closest airport, about 13 miles (21 km) from the centre of Bangkok. Other nearby airports include Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK, 16 mi).

How much are flights to Bangkok?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Bangkok in the last 30 days was $752 from Vancouver, travelling 8 Apr – 27 Sep. February is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $752.

What currency is used in Bangkok?

Bangkok uses the Thai baht (THB). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ฿33.6.

What time zone is Bangkok in?

Bangkok uses the Asia/Bangkok time zone (currently UTC+7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Bangkok?

Bangkok has a decent public transportation network by Southeast Asian standards, but much room for improvement lies in its integration. Bangkok is notorious for its traffic jams, so visitors are advised to rely on the rail and river networks whenever possible.

What are the best places to visit in Bangkok?

Top sights in Bangkok include Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Chatuchak Weekend Market. The former royal residence with dazzling halls and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees, and arrive early to avoid crowds.

What are the top things to do in Bangkok?

Popular experiences you can book in Bangkok include Bangkok Grand Palace Emerald Buddha and Museum Siam, Bangkok Wat Pho Reclining Buddha with Wat Arun View at Dusk and Ayutthaya, Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market - Full Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 192 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Bangkok?

The most popular types of experiences in Bangkok are day trips & excursions (46), city tours (44), art & culture (39) and gastronomy & nightlife (29). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Bangkok?

Popular areas for hotels in Bangkok include Sukhumvit, Riverside and Chinatown-Old City. Well-reviewed options include Galleria 12 Sukhumvit Bangkok by Compass Hospitali and Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok.

How many hotels can I book in Bangkok?

Destina Holidays currently lists 2,598 properties in and around Bangkok, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.