Bangkok Travel Guide & Money-Saving Tips

A practical Bangkok travel guide to street food, temples and smarter ways to spend less on transport, rooms and everyday meals.

Bangkok does street food, temples and river views brilliantly

Bangkok is the city we recommend when you want your trip to revolve around eating. Yaowarat is the obvious starting point, with fishball noodles, late-night kuay jab carts and old food shops packed into the Chinatown streets.

The temples give the city a different rhythm. Start early at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, then cross the river for Wat Arun when the light softens. Between them, commuter boats make the Chao Phraya part of the day rather than scenery beside it.

This hub brings together what to know before going to Bangkok, with practical ways to save money while still getting the most from the trip.

Good to know

Temples like Wat Pho and the Grand Palace require covered shoulders and knees. Carry a light layer, or you may have to buy or rent one at the gate.

Top tips

Currency: THB (฿)
Daily spend: 400–1000+ THB per person
Hotels: 150–1000+ THB per night
Plug: Thai / American 2-prong / Europlug
Tipping: Welcomed
Timezone: GMT+7
Taxis: Grab / Bolt / inDrive / LINE MAN
Food: GrabFood / LINE MAN / Robinhood

Best time to visit

Weather, prices, crowds and the events worth travelling for.

SEASON OVERRIDE: Bangkok's Jun – Sep period is green season, not a Gulf-islands beach window.

Cool and dry

Great

Nov – Feb

Warm, mostly dry days bring peak hotel prices and the heaviest crowds, especially around Christmas and New Year.

Hot and hazy

Good

Mar – Apr

Very hot, humid days and March haze bring lower prices; Songkran draws visitors for water fights on 13–15 April.

Green season

Good

May – Oct

Hot days, fierce afternoon rain and September flooding risk bring the lowest hotel rates and thinner crowds.

Cost saving tips

Compare Bolt and LINE MAN before booking Grab; rides are often cheaper on the same route.
Take the airport rail link or the official metered-taxi rank instead of accepting a tout's flat fare.
Use flat-fare Chao Phraya commuter boats for temple trips rather than tourist cruises.

Top tips

Carry small baht notes because markets, food stalls and boat piers may not be able to change ฿1,000 notes.
Order three or four small bowls at Victory Monument's boat-noodle stalls, rotating between broths as you go.
Stop and stand still when the royal anthem plays over BTS station speakers at 8am and 6pm.
Cover your shoulders and knees at the Grand Palace and temples, or expect to rent a cover-up at the gate.
Use GrabFood, LINE MAN or Robinhood for delivery; Foodpanda no longer operates in Thailand.
Pay attention to the wai, with palms together and a slight bow, when greeting or thanking people.