First Time in Bangkok

Before you go

Lesson of the day: even though Thailand doesn’t require a Visa for EU citizens you need to have your return or next flight ticket booked in advance. The lovely lady at the check-in counter was dead serious – »ticket or you stay here«. So we had to book a flight to Myanmar. Just a few minutes before the check-in gate closed that is. Well, first time in Bangkok was already exciting before even getting there!

Bangkok is a huge city with tons of things to do and see. It is also the main hub for traveling to other places in South East Asia. You feel that immediately while stepping out of plane, a true cultural melting pot. Did you know that Bangkok is now apparently the second most visited city in the world!?

Well it’s our first time in Bangkok and to be honest our first impression was not that great. You cannot avoid the fact that it is dirty, smelly and so crowded that taking the subway can mean waiting for 3 trains before you can push yourself onboard. I’ve heard so many people say that they didn’t like Bangkok the first, second or even the third time they visited. Somehow they kept coming back and grew fond of it. For us it’s certainly not among our favorite places we visited, but we have found some gems worth seeing and experiencing.

HOW TO GET AROUND

On the map it all seems quite managable, but we found ourselves walking for almost 20 km on the first day! Getting around by foot is always a great idea, but don’t try to cover an area too big.

The old part of town (Temples area) is actually quite disconnected and going there on foot is just too far away from Suhkumvit which is considered the center of Bangkok. I recommend you either the subway or grab an Uber, which works pretty well and do the walking once you get there.

The subway is operated by 2 different providers MRT and BTS, which means the stations intersect only in a few places, so plan your journey wisely. It’s also interesting that you pay a separate price depending on the station you get off; I guess that’s fair. I definitely wouldn’t recommend tuk-tuks, which often cost more than Uber. They also have a bad reputation of ripping people off which was also happened the only time we took one. Long story short we had to get off in the middle of nowhere for some strange reason.

NOT TO MISS

Bangkok and Thailand in general is famous for its delicious food and massages. There are tons of good places for both at very low prices. Try some street food, as grab a Pad Thai (for vegan hands make sure there is no fish / oyster sauce) or invest approx. 6 EUR for some well deserved time to relax after a busy day. Our fav was foot massage (obvious much? :))

Take the free boat from Saphan Taskin BTS station to the Asiatique Riverfront. You’ll get a nice view of the modern city from a different angle and can take a nice walk on the pier. Go there to catch the sunset and on the way back admire Bangkok by night. Drinking your favorite cocktail on one of the many rooftop bars is also a must!

There are supposedly thousands, yes 1000s, of temples in Bangkok! Our favourites were: Wat Arun, Wat Benchamabophit and Reclining Buddha (Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn). Read the last one out loud quickly, I bet you can do it 🙂 Be there early to avoid the crowds and have a more profound experience.

Bangkok and all kinds of markets. Visit the Flower market (Pak Khlong Talat) during the weekdays or the Chatuchak Weekend market, which is one of the largest markets in the world. Don’t make the same mistake as we did – the weekend in the name is there for a reason. The main floating markets (Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa) are now flooded with tourists so look elsewhere for an authentic experience. The mentioned two are now considered as tourist traps, that’s why we decided to skip them.

Where to stay and party

Bangkok is also renowned for its unique and crazy nightlife. There are tons of bars, clubs and of course go go bars that cater all different tastes. To take advantage of it all, to have a short walk home and still have a good night’s sleep I recommend you to stay at Aloft Suhkumvit which is located in the heart of Nana with Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza and other Bangkok signature places just around the corner. The hotel offers great views and is just a nice place to chill after a long night out and catch the sunrise.

What else to visit in Bangkok? Read Most Instagrammable places of Bangkok.