A paradise for travelers, Bangkok is known to many! People come from all over the world for the novel experiences, the food, or the culture that can only be had in Thailand. Although this wonderful country has so much to offer all over, we’ve only got 24 hours and we need to make every second count!

How to non-rev to Bangkok


There are actually two airports in Bangkok! There is DMK which is a bit north of the city and the large international airport BKK. For most international travelers, you’ll be able to enter the city through BKK and there are many airlines who fly there (detailed to the right!). But if you’re coming for a bit closer, DMK might work as well! There are frequent flights from DMK to Tokyo’s NRT and Seoul’s ICN.

Fortunately, BKK is the hub for Thai Airways and they operate flights all over the world. Chances are, for our European and Asian readers, there is a nonstop flight from your base to BKK!

Abu Dhabi Etihad Airways
Amsterdam KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Colombo Thai Airways and SriLankan Airlines
Delhi Air India and Thai Airways
Doha Qatar Airways
Dubai Emirates and Thai Airways
Frankfurt Lufthansa and Thai Airways
Hanoi Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines
Hong Kong Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express and Thai Airways
Istanbul
Turkish Airlines
London British Airways, EVA Air and Thai Airways
Manila Philippine Airlines and Thai Airways
Mumbai Air India and Thai Airways
Singapore Cathay Pacific, Jetstar Asia,Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines
Seoul Asiana Airlines, Korean Air Lines and Thai Airways
Tokyo Air Japan, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and Thai Airways
Zurich Swiss International Air Lines and Thai Airways

Getting Around Bangkok


There are three major ways to get around Bangkok:

  1. Ride Share/Taxi – Thankfully there’s a service in Thailand called GrabGrab is really easy to use and the fares are very affordable!
  2. Metro System – Bangkok has it’s own public transit system called the BTS Skytrain. This will probably be your go-to after arriving in BKK since there is a station at the airport. Although be wary, there aren’t many stations around the city. Therefore, it’d be best to use this mode when traveling across the city.
  3. Tuk-Tuks – These are definitely the most fun way to get around! Tuk-Tuks are small motorized vehicles that have a little cover on top! I’d highly recommend this mode of transport when going for relatively short rides or when there’s a ton of traffic!
An awesome night shot of a Tuk-Tuk in Bangkok!

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Where to Stay in Bangkok


An awesome night shot of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok

This is a bit difficult to recommend to someone since there are so many places all over the city! Since it’s only a day trip, I suggest either the Khao San or the Bangkok Riverside.

Khao San

This area of the city is famous and actually made an appearance in the Book and Movie “The Beach”. This area is famous and is a great area for someone who likes to party! There is plentiful street food, backpackers, shops, and temples to really keep you busy while you’re here!

Khao San does have its drawbacks. Namely, it is loud and packed with people. It is also completely cut off from public transportation making it a bit inaccessible.

Bangkok Riverside

The Bangkok Riverside is just that, the banks of the Chao Praya river. From here you’ll have amazing views of the city’s temples and the Royal Palace. This area is where you will find more lavish accommodations but there are some budget options in the area! A great perk of this area is that the ferries are very accessible and they’re great to travel from and to landmarks along the river.

I’d say the only major drawback for this area is the price. Although it does have access to public transportation!

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Top Attractions


Bangkok can easily become a destination where you can spend a week! But we’ve only got a day so we gotta be tactical!

One of my favorite attractions on my trips to Bangkok was the floating markets. They’re awesome shopping sprees of local food, spices, art, tools, souvenirs, and just about anything! It’s a great experience, although the only issue is that they’re a bit far from the city. When I went, I’ve gotten caught in traffic and spent 5 hours on the road… It can be a huge time commitment, be wary!

If you elect out of a floating market then I’d highly recommend heading out to the river! From the river, there are many things to see and do! The Grand Palace would be a great first stop. This palace has housed the kings of Siam from 1782 and is an amazing display of Siam architecture and art. Be mindful though, there is a strict dress policy. Play it safe and wear long pants and a dress shirt!

Nearby, there is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Walk over to this temple and appreciate the detail in the temple’s design and take a look at the Emerald Buddha, an entire statue made of a solid piece of jade.

Afterward, take another ferry and check out the Wat Arun Ratchavararam. This Wat dates back to 1656 and is gorgeous! It is open to travelers and is a great photoshoot opportunity!

Street food being prepared on a road in Bangkok
A shot overlooking all the shops at the Chatuchak Market in Bangkok

At this point, you’re definitely hungry. All over the city are amazing restaurants but The Sixth 6th is one of the most authentic Thai Restaurants around! You can use their website to reserve a table online and you’ll need one… They only have 6 tables in the restaurant!

In case they’re not available you might as well get the best Pad Thai you’ve ever eaten. If that’s what you’re after then you should definitely head to Thipsamai. Their Pad Thai is among the best. It is close to the Grand Temple so it’s a great opportunity to ditch the ferry and grab a Tuk-Tuk!

After a meal as good as that might as well get a Thai massage. You’ve worked hard and earned it! When I went, there was a wide array of massage parlors that will give you one of the best and most affordable massages you’ve ever had! Although I don’t have one in particular to recommend, I’ve been to at least 4 different massage parlors and they all were amazing!

At this point, let’s go ahead and grab a Thai Iced Tea! These delicious mixtures are a nice way to cool down and get some caffeine back in us to keep going! From here we can go shopping at the Chatuchak Market. This market is only open on the weekends but is one of the largest markets in the world with over 15,000 stalls!

From the Market, head back to the riverside and grab a scenic drink over at Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower. This famous bar boasts one of the most scenic night views of Bangkok! From here you should check with yourself if you still have the energy to go out and party you should look into heading over to Khao San Road. This party scene goes on until the morning and has street performances, a night market, and loud music ready to suit anyone’s’ taste!

Departure


A shot of the terminals at BKK - Suvarnabhumi Airport

That was a wild trip! If you’re anything like me, you’ll already be planning your next trip over to Bangkok!

In order to get to the airport, I recommend taking the train since it’s immune to the notorious Bangkok traffic and is pretty reliable. It’s also important to allocate about 2 or more hours at the airport at a minimum to get through security. Hopefully, all your flights go well!

Safe Staff Travels!

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