Bangkok hotels for every budget
Bangkok hotels cover every budget. In Bangkok's five-star hotels – like Banyan Tree Bangkok, Lebua Tower Club and Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok –you'll find that stunning views of gardens, rivers or temples are accompanied by luxury spas, sweeping pools and plush rooms. But, if you're travelling on a budget, there are lots of cheap hotels in Bangkok to choose from. Places like Century Park boast a central location and a range of rooms for a reasonable price, while three-star hotels like BelAire and Le Fenix have everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Things to do in Bangkok
Bangkok is a whirlwind city, with a million things happening all at once. To ease yourself in to the organised chaos, start with a visit to the The Grand Palace complex, where you'll find beautiful grounds, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha – otherwise known as Wat Phra Kaew – and the Grand Palace itself.
Bangkok is also a shopper’s paradise, boasting air-conditioned malls, colourful floating markets and fascinating night markets. Save room for souveneirs from your Bangkok holiday! And, of course, no trip to Bangkok would be complete without having a delicious dinner of Thai street food, followed by a night out on Khao San Road.
Getting around Bangkok
The SkyTrain and the modern underground system make travelling within Bangkok city quick and easy. For a taste of more traditional Thai travel, though, take a thrilling ride in a tuk-tuk or board a public long-tail boat.
Where should I stay in Bangkok?
It depends what type of holiday you want. There are distinct districts of Bangkok, and given the sheer traffic and humidity, you'll want to stay within your district. Unless you want to spend hours in traffic jams, that is. That being said, first timers to Bangkok would be best suited to Sukhumvit.
Sukhumvit is the trendy tourist area in the centre of Bangkok. Packed with bars, restaurants, clubs, shops and malls, it has all the amenities you'd expect without sacrificing traditional Thail culture and hospitality. Essentially, it's the best of both worlds, an eclectic East-West mix with brilliant public transport access too.
Headed to Bangkok to party, party, party? Khao San Road is the neighbourhood for you. It's the hub of Bangkok's hectic nightlife scene and it's absolutely cheap as chips to stay, eat and drink here.
If you're after culture, peace and scenery, the hotels in the Riverside district will be right up your street. Ideal for couples and families, the hotels in this area range from budget friendly to high-end luxury.
Siam is the shopping district. We're talking six of the world's best malls bursting with high-end designer names and Western brands, plus oodles of street stores and boutiques too. It's a central, developed area that's super tourist-friendly and home to some of Bangkok's most luxurious hotels.
Silom is Bangkok's business district. Stay here and you'll be party to locals going about their day-to-day business and relaxation. Speaking of which, this is where you'll find the infamous Patpong area, with its ping pong shows, girly bars and activities of that nature.
How many days to visit Bangkok for?
3-4 days is a good amount of time to visit Bangkok for. Less than that, and you'll struggle to squeeze in all that you want to see - especially as the heat, humidity and crowds can easily take its toll on your energy. But even if you've only got 24 hours to spare for this bustling city, don't miss it - it's well worth it!
When you're visiting temples, remember to behave appropriately
If you visit a temple, it's important to dress respectfully with your shoulders and knees covered. You'll also be asked to remove your shoes. But, when you do, remember that feet are considered dirty, and showing the soles of your feet is thought to be very rude. When you're in a temple, make sure the soles of your feet never point towards a statue of Buddha.
You should also be aware that Thai people consider the head to be the most important body part, so you must never touch someone on the head – especially a monk or a statue of Buddha.