Is Bangkok Worth Visiting?

Is Bangkok Worth Visiting?

Bangkok is a must-visit city when travelling to Thailand. It is a city full of contrasts where the spiritual and the beauty meets the busy and the weird. From the most outstanding “Wats” (temples) to the crazy tuk-tuk hustling culture around the bustling streets.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and it is a place like no other. It is a vibrant place everywhere you look around. There is something for everyone, it is rich in history, culture, fun and amazing food.

Bangkok seems to provoke mixed feelings in people. Without the same trip, people can hate and love this city at the same time. You have probably heard all the nasty things about it, followed by all the praises two sentences later. Therefore, is Bangkok worth visiting?

Yes. It is definitely worth visiting. Bangkok offers a lively and pulsating city life, full of activities, historical sites like temples, floating and railway markets, exotic and delicious food, kind and friendly locals, bustling nightlife and tons of day trip possibilities to explore the outskirts of Bangkok.

As former long-term and slow travellers, we can recommend giving Bangkok a good chance, especially staying in the city longer than a couple of days to really grasp the vibe. The never-ending list of activities and always active city is a major point of attraction for travellers and locals alike.

Bangkok is quite an incredible metropolis, easy to explore as it is equipped with a great public transport system. It is possible to cross the city through endless overwater bridges with the high-speed train or high-speed boat!

The city of Angels as it is also known as is a city that never sleeps where the neon lights from the trendy clubs, amazing skyscrapers and motorcycles keep it alive.

It offers the most luxurious hotels with breathtaking views and the cheapest serviced apartments for those staying a longer time.

Bangkok sure has everything so that you don’t miss a thing!

Keep reading the post below to find out more about the reasons why Bangkok is worth visiting!

Why is Bangkok worth visiting? Top 7 Reasons to visit Bangkok.

1. Affordability.

Bangkok is the cheapest international port to enter Thailand, through Suvarnabhumi Airport. It is also a very convenient place to continue your Southeast Asia. Foreigners can find a cheap lifestyle when on their vacations or long travels.

From a wide range of accommodations, including luxury hotels or cheap hostels, to cheap and exotic street food and bars. Given Bangkok’s uniqueness, it is super easy to either live on a tight budget or throw in bucks like there is no tomorrow. This city will suit everyone’s pocket.

For those who are on a tight budget, Bangkok can be a very affordable city if planned accordingly by eating local foods and living in more suburban areas or staying in cheap guest houses/hostels. If eating delicious Thai local street food or doing cheap groceries, it is possible to spend no more than 1000 baht (28 USD) per day.

Bangkok is definitely one of the cheapest places in Thailand to spend a vacation. Even a long-term rental in a decent apartment complex with a swimming pool, aircon, wifi and a gym room can go for around 300 USD a month.

Accomodation budget.

• Loftel 22 Hostel (budget): Located in the Chinatown district. Pretty convenient hostels with great double rooms and shared bathrooms. Dorms are even cheaper if you feel so inclined.
• Chan Cha La 99 Hostel (budget): Close to BTS Bang Chak public transport. Wifi provided and most of the rooms include shared bathrooms. It is cheap and clean.
• Au Bon Hostel (budget): Located in the iconic Khao San Road, right in the heart of the backpackers and nightlife district. The average price per night for a private twin room goes around 600 baht a night. There is free Wifi and the rooms are provided with a fan.
• Zhongdee Hostel (budget): If you intend to thrive around Bangkok's nightlife, this is the perfect hostel for you. Dorms are super cheap, none over 300 baht a night and private rooms are around 500 baht. Free Wifi and a fan are provided.

If you are on a looser budget, meaning dining out, doing some shopping, going out at night, using taxis or tuk tuks and staying at a 3-4 star hotel, then, your daily spending will go up to around 3500 baht (100 USD) a day. With that average budget, you can have a pretty relaxed vacation and still be satisfied that you are not burning cash!

• Centre Point Silom Hotel (mid-range): This is our favourite one as it is very conveniently located close to BTS Saphan Taksin and to Taksin Pier. Great rooms and excellent breakfast. High-speed Wifi and aircon.
• SSIP Boutique Dhevej Bangkok (mid-range): Khao San Road can also be pretty glamorous! This hotel is super stylish with great breakfast and is close to the Chao Phraya River and priced around 1500 baht a night which is excellent for a 4-star hotel. They conveniently have high-speed Wifi and aircon.
• Ramada Hotel & Suites (mid-range): Fantastic mid-range hotel is in the middle of the nightlife district. It is also conveniently located close to a BTS station with an amazing swimming pool and varied breakfast. The average price is 3000 baht a night.

Lastly, if you happen to be one of those lucky travellers or long-term nomads whose budget is not a worry, then Bangkok can be a delightful city. The most amazing hotels where the friendly staff will pamper you every day with the best service, best food and fantastic rooms.

Dining out in the highest-rated Michelin restaurants can be an out-of-this-world sensorial experience and in general, the sky will be the limit! Even if this is your personal situation, it is possible to not break the bank and have a great lavish vacation. Some of the best 5 stars hotels are 5000 to 10000 baht (150-300 USD) a night.

• Mandarin Oriental Hotel (affordable luxury): This is our favourite one, except we could only afford a weekend! It is definitely the most famous hotel known for its affordable luxury. It is close to the Chao Phraya River, with elegant rooms and high-end food delicacies.
• Hansar Bangkok Hotel (affordable luxury): It is ideal for those who want to stay in the city business district and around convenient locations. The suites are gorgeous and they offer an excellent view of Bangkok’s skyline. They offer great massages and beautiful food.

Food Budget.

When it comes to food, Bangkok is the winner in cheap and tasty street food. If you want to eat on a budget and save some bucks there, then for 30-40 baht (less than 1 USD) you can have nice food and fresh fruit. Our favourites are mango and durian freshly cut for you for 40 baht! If you happen to be strolling around the city most of the shopping malls have food courts with cheap and fast food for 50-100 baht (less than 3 USD).

If you go to more high-end restaurants then you are looking at more than 500-700 baht per person. We would recommend not eating “Western food” as it is meaningfully more pricey and also why do that when in Thailand? Thai food is incredible and quite diverse.

Nightlife Budget.

Bangkok is by far one of the craziest cities in terms of its nightlife. You can go out all into the most exclusive and expensive places to the cheapest pubs and bars. Going out into the high-end bars, fantastic rooftop bars and nightclubs can be quite pricey but still, pretty affordable.

Although some of the specialty cocktails can go for 5000 baht (150 USD) on average! Now, if you stick to water bottles, bottled alcoholic drinks and simple spirit mixes go from 40 to 250 baht (1-5 USD) a drink, which is quite cheap. Surprisingly, wine is fairly expensive in Bangkok (Thailand in general) as there is a specific tax import cost per bottle that makes its purchase 3-5 times more expensive.

Going out and enjoying Bangkok's nightlife in popular backpacker areas such as Khao San Road is quite cheap, where you can find local beers and cocktails for less than 100 baht (2-3 USD). Do not expect fancy spirit brands or sophisticated cocktails, but you can still get the basics covered for a low price. This is particularly true if you go out with a group of people when you can purchase a full bottle of spirit to share or “a bucket” filled up with cheap liquor but cost-effective!

Getting around Bangkok budget.

Getting around Bangkok is easy and convenient. Bangkok is a well-suited cosmopolitan city provided with BTS and MRT (train, bus, subway and boat lines) for a 15-30 baht (less than 1 USD) price ticket.

It is a pretty expensive way to explore the city and avoid the traffic madness! For day trip excursions, even though you can reach most places by public transport, you can also use taxis. Taxis can be a bit “scammy” and obviously targeted at westerners. Thus, making the total price a bit high but still very cheap compared to Western prices. A taxi ride within the city or to the outskirts of Bangkok will cost around 500 baht-1000 baht (20-50 USD).

2. Friendly Locals.

Thai locals are very friendly, warm and polite. This is one pf the reason why we decided to spend a long time around Thailand! We felt very accepted as foreigners, pretty safe, comfortable and like at home.

Thailand is mostly known as the Land of Smiles because Thai people do smile a lot and they like making eye contact to smile at you. They are very polite and kind and not confrontational. It is very much in their nature to be helpful and give everyone a hand when needed. Lastly, they are very open-minded. it is a land where ladyboys are a third gender and accepted, together with prostitution even Marihuana is legal!

Thai culture is very diverse with multiple historical backgrounds and a heterogeneous population including us westerners.

3. Exquisite food.

Thai food is internationally recognised for its unforgettable flavours. Thai culinary tradition is the result of a combination of fresh blends of herbs, fresh food and mixed spices. Thai food culture comes from ancient times carrying influences from neighbouring countries in Indochina like Laos, Myanmar, India, China and Indonesia.

Thai cuisine is the perfect mix and mingles of sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavours to create the most incredibly flavoured dishes. Each Thai region has its own set of dishes from their local produce and their own heritage. Still, there are popular staple dishes like the known for everybody Pad Thai and Green Curry, pretty much landmarks of the Thai food culture.

• Northern Region: In northern areas, food tends to be less spicy and not so sweet. Very much based on pork and sticky rice dishes. These are paired with turmeric, ginger, tamarind, lemon leaves and curry flavours. Seafood dishes are not so common, due mainly to their inland location. The ingredients, how they are cooked and the resulting dishes are in the part heritage of Myanmar.
• Southern Cuisine: Southern cuisine is based on Indian warm spices like cardamom, tons of cardamom, clove, cinnamon, peanut sauce and sweet soy sauce. The main fresh produce in these areas is seafood. Unlike in the Northern areas of Thailand, the South cooks with a lot of chillies! Very spicy dishes and soups. They have a tremendous Indian and Indonesian influence.
• Northeastern Region: Towards this area, Laos has greatly influenced the cuisine of the Eastern part of Thailand, introducing all things fish! Rice, fish, spices and fresh leaves are the base of most dishes in this region. Bangkok simply got the best of all worlds as it is located pretty much in the central part of the country. All food is possible in Bangkok!

Must-try dishes in Thailand are:

• Khanom Jeen Nam Ngiaw. Sweet pork with spicy noodles and vegetables.
• Thai Panang curry with fried pork and kefir leaves.
• Thai street food. Bangkok street food stalls offer appealing, colourful, delicious and affordable delicacies! Super convenient as they are either packaged or freshly but quickly made, Thai street food is heaven on Earth!

From stir-fries, spicy soups and creamy curries to fresh fruits and local sweets.

Don’t forget the street markets! They are everywhere in Bangkok and it is an excellent way to mingle with the locals and learn their culture but also to find authentic food/dishes besides Pad Thai!

4. Nightlife.

For some, watching the sunset is the end of a day, but for others, it is only the beginning! Bangkok’s nightlife is one of the reasons why visitors choose this city as a place to stay long-term or vacation. From fancy rooftop bars and skyscrapers to the best bustling nightclubs and live shows where the night is young! There are tons of choices to suit all visitors.

These are the top nightlife activities in Bangkok:

• Bangkok Ladyboy Shows.
• Bars in Bangkok.
• Havana Social.
• The Iron Fairies.
• Smalls Bar.
• Tep Bar.
• Tuba Bar.
• Sky-bar.

These are the top nightclubs in Bangkok:

• Glow.
• Route 66.
• DJ Station.
• Onyx Bangkok.
• Levels Club.
• Beam.

5. Bangkok is safe to visit.

Bangkok is a great city, comparable to Tokyo, New York or LA. Although there are dangers and risks when visiting Bangkok, the city is generally safe.

Most of the risks involve minor crimes like pickpocketing, bag snatching and scams. These scams involve tuk-tuk, taxis, and market rip-offs.

With a bit of caution and an assertive attitude, these can be minimised. Bangkok is also generally safe for solo female travellers, as this city is quite open-minded and respectful to women, solo travellers, and backpackers of all races and genders.

There has been an increase in law enforcement across Bangkok and violent crimes are not so much a problem anymore, so long you avoid the dangerous areas. Knowing a couple of safety tips goes a long way in exploring Bangkok to ensure staying out of trouble. More details have a read to “is Bangkok safe at night”?

6. City Activities.

Bangkok is definitely a must-visit city as there are multiple options for everyone, especially activities so different and unique from other places in Asia.

These are our top recommendations to do in Bangkok:

• Visit the Grand Palace.
• Visit the Wat Phra Kaew.
• Visit the Wat Traimit.
• Visit the Wat Saket.
• Visit the Golden Mount.
• Visit the Wat Kalayanamit.
• Visit the Wat Pho: The Reclining Buddha.
• Visit the Wat Pariwat.
• Visit the Wat Arun.
• Shop at the Chatuchak Market.
• Stroll around Khao San Road.
• Take a Thai Cooking Class in blue elephant cooking school.
• Take a sunset boat ride in the Chao Phraya River.
• Enjoy a legit Thai massage.
• Stroll and thrive on street food in Chinatown.
• Views from the MahaNakhon SkyWalk.
• Walk around Lumphini Park.
• Take the Manohra dinner river cruise.

7. Day-trip Excursions.

If Bangkok itself and all the exploring possible got you exhausted already, fear not we have more for you! There are fascinating places only a 1 to 2-hour drive from Bangkok that is authentic and unique gems.

There are lots of day trips out from Bangkok, and here are our top recommendations and favourite ones:

Floating market.

Among our favourite things to do in Bangkok, visiting the floating markets and railway market are at the top of the list. Located outside of the city centre of Bangkok, it is possible to find a whole different shopping culture. Reflecting on the Thai tradition of commerce, these floating markets truly make your day trip a unique experience. You can find the best local and traditional foods, fresh produce, cute handcrafts and colourful fruit from locals selling them through their long tail boats. There are several of these floating markets around this vibrant city.

The ones described below are our two favourite ones:

• Damnoen Saduak. This is by far the most known one. It is a traditional market but also crowded with tourists exploring this fascinating place. Visitors will be able to find all sorts of traditional foods, sweet local desserts, seafood and clothes. It is a very photogenic place and you will be able to get amazing photographs to never forget this market.
• Amphawa Floating Market. This is another favourite of ours and a popular floating market among locals and visitors. It is located a little outside of Bangkok city centre but the journey to get there won’t take more than 1.5 hours. This market is more targeted to natives although there are a fair number of tourists too. It is possible to find Thai favourite dishes and street foods as well as crafts and odd clothing items.

Railway market.

Maeklong Railway Market is a unique and bizarre place to visit! It is definitely a must-see market where the shopping process happens along the train tracks in between the train schedules. The fascinating moment is when the train approaches, the food stalls will quickly move the shop umbrellas and relocate the products to avoid colliding with the train.

This market is not only incredible but also packed with the best goods. Lots of fresh vegetables, dried fruit snacks, and uncommon tropical fruits like rambutans or mangosteens and they will prepare street food on the spot. It is an amazing experience!

Ayutayah.

Ayutthaya is a historical city about 1.5 hours from Bangkok, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient city is full of temples and ruins that go back in time to when Burma was in charge and the city was under the Siamese kingdom's rule.

Getting to this old city is either with a private/small group tour or you can go by yourselves via train/bus or taxi. It is a pleasant journey and not too expensive. We fully recommend going to Ayutthaya. While you are there don’t forget to try the local hidden restaurants for incredible local dishes.

Kanchanaburi.

In our opinion, this place is unmissable when travelling in Bangkok. It is about two hours drive from Bangkok, close to the Thai-Burmese border. The journey is so worth it, the views are incredible. The city has huge historic importance as a fortress city against the Burmese attack back in the 1800s.

There are many things to discover in Kanchanaburi besides enjoying the amazing landscape. These include the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the JEATH War Museum, the Bridge on the River Kwai and Erawan National Park. Do not miss taking the train to spot the insane panoramic views.

Other places nearby Bangkok that could make for a great day trip are:

• Sai Yok Yai Falls.
• Hellfire Pass.
• Wat Tham Khao Poon and Wat Ban Tham (cave temples).
• Prasat Muang Singh (twelfth-century Khmer temple ruins).
• Tham Than Lot National Park.
• Death Valley train journey (Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok).
• Pattaya.
• Coral Island.

Final thoughts

Bangkok is an ever-bustling and always-alive city and one of the most popular destinations in Asia.

This is for a good reason, Bangkok is one of the most cosmopolitan capitals in Thailand, comparable to big cities like New York or Chicago. Home to ancient culture and history mixed with luxury and street chaos, Bangkok is simply shocking and fascinating.

It offers a plethora of things to do and places to explore, let alone the mind-blowing food. From endless temples, exotic street foods, Michelin-starred restaurants, rooftop bars and parks to traditional floating markets, river cruises and millenary cities nearby make the best of a day trip excursion.

Bangkok is absolutely worth the visit and if you give it a chance, mimicking you are a local, you will discover an incredible city!