BKK · 13.75° N · 100.50° E · Thailand
Thailand's capital of golden temples, river boats and street food, and the city half of our Pattaya and Bangkok holiday.
Bangkok is big, busy and full of contrasts, and it is the city half of our Pattaya and Bangkok holiday.
Along the Chao Phraya you find the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho with its reclining Buddha and, on the opposite bank, Wat Arun. At the Grand Palace, cover your shoulders and legs: sleeveless or see through tops, shorts, mini skirts and torn or tight trousers are not allowed.
The BTS Skytrain and MRT cover much of the city, the Airport Rail Link runs to Suvarnabhumi Airport, and river boats stop along the Chao Phraya. Metered taxis are common, and tuk tuk fares are agreed before you set off.
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.
Entry rules for Thailand depend on your passport and can change. Check the official sources below before you book and again before you travel. If you need Thailand's online arrival card, use only the government's own website and avoid sites that ask for payment.
See your doctor or a travel clinic a few weeks before you go. Highs stay above 32°C all year, so drink plenty of water and use sun protection. Guard against mosquito bites, take care with food and water, avoid contact with animals and check air quality reports.
Thailand's currency is the baht (THB). Carry cash for markets, street food and small shops, and ask your bank what your card costs to use abroad.
General information only, not legal or medical advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you travel.
Checked on 14 October 2026
November to February is the cool, dry season, with the fewest rainy days. March to May is the hottest time. The rains run from about mid May to October, and September is usually the wettest month.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
