Skip to content

BKK · 13.75° N · 100.50° E · Thailand

Bangkok

Thailand's capital of golden temples, river boats, rooftop bars and street food.

Find flights to Bangkok

Trip type
More options

About Bangkok

In short

  • Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
  • Wat Pho and the reclining Buddha
  • Wat Arun
  • Chatuchak weekend market
  • Street food in Yaowarat

At a glance

Country
Thailand
Region
Far East
Local time
GMT+7
Time difference
1 hour ahead of Dhaka
Currency
Thai Baht (THB)
Languages
Thai and English
Main airports
  • BKKSuvarnabhumi Airport
  • DMKDon Mueang International Airport
Flight time
About 11.5 hoursDirect from London
Best time to visit
November to February
Deals
6 deals

Bangkok is big, busy and full of contrasts. Along the Chao Phraya river you will find the Grand Palace, Wat Pho with its reclining Buddha, and Wat Arun on the opposite bank.

Get around by river boat and Skytrain, shop at Chatuchak weekend market, and eat your way through Yaowarat, the city's Chinatown. Bangkok is also where most trips to Thailand's islands and north begin.

Before you go

Entry and visas

Entry rules for Thailand depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, and they can change. Check the official sources below before you book and again shortly before you travel. Thailand's Immigration Bureau also runs an official online arrival card: if it applies to you, use only the government's own website and be wary of other sites that ask for payment.

Health

See TravelHealthPro's Thailand page and book a travel health appointment several weeks before you go. Average highs in Bangkok stay above 32°C all year, so drink plenty of water, rest in the shade and use sun protection. Protect yourself from mosquito bites, take care with food and water hygiene, avoid contact with animals and keep an eye on local air quality reports.

Money

Thailand's currency is the Thai baht (THB). Carry some cash for markets, street food stalls and small shops, tell your bank before you travel, and check what your card charges for payments and withdrawals abroad.

General information only, not legal or medical advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you travel.

Checked on 14 October 2026

When to go

  1. JanuaryBest
  2. FebruaryBest
  3. March
  4. April
  5. May
  6. June
  7. July
  8. August
  9. SeptemberNot ideal
  10. OctoberNot ideal
  11. NovemberBest
  12. DecemberBest

November to February is the cool, dry season, with the fewest rainy days of the year. The hottest months are March to May. The rainy season runs from around mid May to October, and September is usually the wettest month.

  • Tour

    Thailand: Pattaya and Bangkok

    From Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport · Four nights in Thailand, two in Pattaya and two in Bangkok, with breakfast, a Coral Island tour with lunch and a White Orchid dinner cruise.

    From

    BDT 52,000

    per person · Checked 23 Oct

  • Hotel

    Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

    Opened in 1876 on the Chao Phraya River, with the original Authors' Wing, two outdoor pools, a riverside spa and restaurants including Le Normandie.

    Live prices

    Price checked when you search

  • Flight · Return

    Bangkok with Emirates via Dubai

    Search live prices from

  • Flight · Return

    Bangkok with Qatar Airways via Doha

    Search live prices from

  • Flight · Return

    Bangkok with British Airways

    Search live prices from

  • Flight · Return

    Bangkok nonstop

    Search live prices from

Questions about Bangkok

See all questions
What currency do I need in Bangkok?

Thailand uses the Thai baht (THB). Carry some cash for markets, street food and small shops, tell your bank before you travel, and check what your card charges for payments and withdrawals abroad.

What should I wear to visit the Grand Palace?

Dress modestly, with your shoulders and legs covered. The Grand Palace asks visitors to dress with respect because it is a place of reverence for Thai people, and it does not allow sleeveless or see through tops, shorts, mini skirts, or torn or tight trousers. Dressing the same way for other temples is a sensible habit.

How do I get around Bangkok?

Rail is often the easiest way to cross the city: the BTS Skytrain and MRT lines cover much of it, and the Airport Rail Link runs to Suvarnabhumi Airport. River boats serve stops along the Chao Phraya. Metered taxis are common, while tuk tuk fares are usually agreed before you set off.

Do I need a visa to visit Thailand?

It depends on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the official sources on this page before you book, and again shortly before you travel, as rules can change. Thailand's Immigration Bureau also runs an official online arrival card; if you need it, use only the government's own website.

Checked on 14 October 2026

When is the best time to visit Bangkok?

November to February is usually the most comfortable time to visit, as it is the cool, dry season with the fewest rainy days. March to May are the hottest months, and the rainy season runs from around mid May to October, with September usually the wettest month.