Is Bangkok worth visiting?
Yes, Bangkok is absolutely a capital city that any traveler should visit. During our time here, we had so much fun. We first visited in the fall of 2009 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its vibrant energy, colorful markets, and amazing street food.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this capital city has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the terrific museums and great food.
It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in Travel and Leisure's Best Places to Visit in 2024 - Big City Thrills.
Bangkok is the colorful capital city of Thailand. It is filled with temples and religious sights as well as shopping centers and markets. There is a network of canals and the Chao Phraya River is filled with boats. The city has many high end hotels as well as backpacker meccas and everything in between.
Bangkok, Thailand
5 Reasons to Visit Bangkok
1. Museums
The city is filled with golden temples and beautiful statues of Buddha. Famous landmarks include the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the Temple of the Golden Buddha.
2. Food
The city has many colorful markets, street food vendors, and a range of restaurants from casual to high end. The aroma and beautiful flavors of local dishes are a big part of the experience in this city. Dishes that you must try include Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong (shrimp soup), and Gaeng Daeng (red curry). Many foods are very spicy so make sure you order with "no spice" if that is your preference.
3. Nightlife
Cheap drinks, late nights, and crazy parties make this city a favorite for backpackers and young party-goers. Head to Khao San Road for the biggest crowds and crazy parties. Nana Plaza is another option with a three story building that is filled with bars and clubs.
4. Shopping
Shopping options range from modern malls to more traditional markets. The malls offer bargain prices for technology and gadgets while the markets offer fabric, food, local goods, and a unique experience. The city also has nearby floating markets as well as night markets, which let you experience a different side to the culture.
5. The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Bangkok might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Bangkok here or see if Bangkok is expensive here.
Is Bangkok worth visiting in the Summer?
This is the low season for travel in Bangkok. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 29°C (84°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the nightlife scene. Also, you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery.
Summer Weather in Bangkok
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| September | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) |
Is Bangkok worth visiting in the Autumn?
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 28°C (83°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Bangkok, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, browse the museums, and enjoy the city's energy.
Autumn Weather in Bangkok
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| December | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Is Bangkok worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the high season for travel in Bangkok, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 27°C (80°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, dine out at amazing restaurants, and enjoy an evening out. Also, you can discover the big city activities and take in the beautiful scenery.
Winter Weather in Bangkok
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| March | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
Is Bangkok worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Bangkok. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 31°C (87°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. During this season it's fun to experience the shops and boutiques, the museums and landmarks, and the beautiful scenery. Also, you can check out the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Bangkok
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| June | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Bangkok
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
Related
What is Bangkok most famous for?
Bangkok is most famous for its colorful temples, lively markets, wild nightlife, and sprawling shopping malls. The capital city is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. It is often described as spirited, colorful, vibrant, high energy, cultural, and alluring.
What is the most famous sight in Bangkok?
The most popular sight in Bangkok is The Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Bangkok on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw and other attractions here.
How touristy is Bangkok? Is it a popular capital city to visit?
Bangkok is a popular capital city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $65
- From Bangkok : Kanchanaburi Tour with Floating market Visit: $171
- Bangkok Night Tour: Food, Temple & Tuk Tuk: $65
- Top 3 Must-see Temples in Bangkok Private Tour [Optional Luxury]: $109
- Private Tour to Three must-see Temples in Bangkok: $120
- Bangkok Floating Markets and Boat Tour: $65
- 'Sunset Cruise' Canal Boat Tour - Fully guided 3hrs: $76
- Grand Palace, Temples, and Canal Private Tour [Optional Luxury]: $107
How long should I spend in Bangkok?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Bangkok is two to seven days. Since Bangkok has a variety of activities such as nightlife, shopping, museums, and dining, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bangkok?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Bangkok?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Bangkok?.
More Things to Do in Bangkok
- Is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Worth Visiting?
- Is The Chatuchak Weekend Market Worth Visiting?
- Is The Grand Palace Worth Visiting?
- Is The Royal Barges Museum Worth Visiting?
- Is Chinatown Worth Visiting?
- Is Wat Pho Worth Seeing?
- Is Wat Arun Worth Seeing?
- Is Wat Traimit Worth Seeing?
- Is Khao San Road Worth Visiting?
- Is Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World Worth Visiting?
- Is MOCA Worth Visiting?
- Is The Bangkok National Museum Worth Visiting?
- Is The Jim Thompson House Worth Visiting?
- Is The MBK Center Worth Visiting?
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Bangkok.
Why would you recommend Bangkok to budget travelers? Or, why not?
I couldn't believe the amount of free or cheap things to do here. So many of the huge temples were either free or had an entry fee of just a few baht. We hopped on the boats on the river for almost nothing, and the royal palace was probably the most expensive thing we saw and not too much, either. The nightlife and restaurant scene around Kho San Road was also crazy cheap, and just crazy too.
What makes Bangkok a budget-friendly destination? Or not?
It's a popular backpacker destination with tons of hostels and plenty of cheap street food.
How can you save money during your time in Bangkok?
Bangkok has great street food, so if you're trying to save money you can grab delicious meals at one of the markets or food stalls.
What was your favorite thing about Bangkok?
Bangkok felt like the perfect mix of a livable city and a tourist destination. This was the first place we visited in Thailand and it was actually one of our favorite spots, because we got to experience the more authentic Thai culture.
I love the food in Bangkok! I could seriously spend all of my time trying new restaurants.
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