In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before you fly (within 3 days of arrival; tdac.immigration.go.th). Book evening dinner cruises and sunset observation deck slots before you go; temple tickets are bought at the gate, and Grand Palace tickets can be bought online up to a month ahead. The Grand Palace is 500 THB and refuses entry in sleeveless tops, shorts, tight trousers and mini skirts. Wat Pho is 300 THB; Wat Arun’s ticket kiosk is by the pier. Ignore tuk-tuk drivers outside temple gates who claim the sight is closed for a ceremony; this is a touting technique to divert visitors to tailor and gem shops. The SRT Dark Red Line from Don Mueang to Krung Thep Aphiwat is 33 THB; the airport guide covers the Airport Rail Link and taxis from Suvarnabhumi. Prices are in Thai baht (THB). Or book a tour: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun guided tourad (from ฿750, 4.8 stars from 6,053 reviews) takes a group of up to 10 round all three temples in about 5 hours, with a guide who gets you past the queues; the tickets themselves are bought on the day at the official counters.
What to book before you go
Prices are the standard adult foreign visitor rate in Thai baht (THB), charged by the official operators. Buy direct from official counters or verified providers; street stands near the pier charge markups for basic public boats.
| Sight | Book how far ahead | Adult price | Book at | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew | On the day at the gate, or online up to a month ahead | 500 THB | royalgrandpalace.th | Dress code; enter by the Mani Noppharat gate; the ticket also takes you to the Khon dance show, Monday to Friday |
| Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) | Buy at the gate | 300 THB | In person at the gate | Open daily 08:00 to 19:30; no shorts; traditional Thai massage school on site |
| Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) | Buy at the gate | Paid at the gate | In person at the gate | Reached by cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier |
| Mahanakhon SkyWalk | A few days ahead for sunset slots | 1,000 THB before 15:30, 1,200 THB from 15:30 | kingpowermahanakhon.co.th | Open until midnight; direct access via BTS Chong Nonsi (exit 3); glass floor at 310 metres |
| Jim Thompson House | Buy at the door or online | 250 THB | jimthompsonhouse.org | Guided tour included and compulsory; closes at 17:00; shoes removed at the house entry |
| Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise | 3 to 7 days ahead for river-view tables | Varies by operator and deck | GetYourGuide or operator desks | Departs from Iconsiam or Asiatique; buffet cruise along the illuminated riverside temples |
| Rajadamnern Muay Thai | 1 to 4 days ahead | Varies by seat class and night | rajadamnern.com | Fights seven nights a week; the stadium calls itself the world’s first Muay Thai stadium |
| Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong Railway Market | 1 to 2 days ahead | Varies by tour | GetYourGuide | Southwest of Bangkok; early departures avoid the midday heat and tour-bus crowds |
- Airport arrival. Bangkok airport to the city covers rail links, express buses and taxi kiosks from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang.
- The palace. Grand Palace tickets covers the clothing rules, the Khon theatre shuttle buses and how to spot street touts.
- Itineraries and sights. 3 days in Bangkok lays out a three-day plan, and things to do in Bangkok covers the main sights in one place.
- Self-guided walks. Rattanakosin old city walk traces temples from Wat Saket to the river, and Chinatown and Talat Noi walk passes street art, alleys and shrines.
- Dining and street food. Where to eat in Bangkok names the Bib Gourmand stalls, the Michelin-starred tables, the rooftops and the vegetarian places, with closed days and which are cash only. Bangkok food tours compares night tuk-tuk safaris and cooking classes, and best Pad Thai in Bangkok compares three pad thai shops.
- Getting around. Bangkok public transport details the BTS Skytrain, MRT subway and canal boats, and Bangkok hop-on hop-off compares the Blue Flag river boat with tourist buses.
- Where to stay. Where to stay in Bangkok compares areas by station and pier and names hotels in each, and Hotels on the Chao Phraya River compares six on the water.
- Money, data, safety and manners. Money in Bangkok covers ATM fees, notes and tipping, an eSIM for Thailand the data plans, Is Bangkok safe the scams, the laws and the emergency numbers, and Bangkok etiquette the temple dress codes, monks and the monarchy law.
Tours and tickets worth booking
Four bookings cover most first visits. GetYourGuide prices are its lowest “from” prices, in baht.
Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun with a guide
From ฿750 · 4.8 stars from 6,053 reviews · 5 hours · small group of up to 10
Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun Guided Tourad meets outside Golden Place at Tha Chang pier and ends at Tha Tian pier, with an English-speaking guide, a boat ride across the river and bottled water. The listing says the entry fees are bought on the day at the official counters, with the guide taking the group past the queue. Shorts, short skirts and sleeveless tops are not allowed, and anyone who has not met the group 30 minutes after the start cannot join it. Grand Palace tickets, Wat Pho tickets and Wat Arun tickets cover each temple on its own.
Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong Railway Market
From ฿799 · 4.6 stars from 29,554 reviews · 7.5 hours · hotel pickup option
Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Marketad combines a paddle-boat arrival at the floating market with the railway market, where the stalls fold back when the train comes through. It includes an English-speaking guide, return air-conditioned transport and lunch. The options are hotel pickup, a meeting point at the main entrance of River City shopping mall, a group of 12 and a nine-seat upgrade. The two markets are covered in Damnoen Saduak floating market and Maeklong Railway Market.
Chao Phraya dinner cruise
From ฿1,128 · 4.4 stars from 5,474 reviews · 2 to 4.5 hours · buffet and live music
Bangkok: White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise with Free Beerad is a buffet of Thai and international dishes with a welcome drink, an open bar with beer and live music, sailing past Wat Arun, the Grand Palace and the Rama VIII Bridge. Boarding is at Asiatique The Riverfront, ICONSIAM or River City depending on the option, and a cabaret and Thai dance show runs on the night cruise. Chao Phraya dinner cruises compared sets the boats side by side.
Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium
From ฿1,000 · 4.9 stars from 16,381 reviews · 3 hours
Bangkok: Muay Thai Boxing Tickets at Rajadamnern Stadiumad is sold by seating zone, from third class to ringside, the President Box and a VIP lounge. You book a zone, not a seat; date changes are not allowed, and tickets are exchanged at counters 2 to 6 on arrival. Flash photography is banned. See Rajadamnern Muay Thai tickets.
Where the official ticket is cheaper
| What | Official | GetYourGuide | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace entry | 500 THB (royalgrandpalace.th) | ฿650, skip-the-line ticketad | Official, unless the ticket-counter queue is the problem |
| Mahanakhon SkyWalk entry | 1,000 THB before 15:30, 1,200 THB from 15:30 (kingpowermahanakhon.co.th) | ฿1,336ad | Official |
Hours and open days
Wat Arun from the Chao Phraya. Photo: Diliff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5.
Most major temples in Bangkok open every day of the week, with morning hours offering cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
| Sight | Open | Closed | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew | 08:30 to 15:30 | Open daily | Tickets are sold until 15:30; the grounds clear by 16:30 |
| Wat Pho | 08:00 to 19:30 | Open daily | Shoes come off inside the Reclining Buddha hall |
| Bangkok National Museum | Wednesday to Sunday, 08:30 to 16:00 | Monday and Tuesday | Admission 200 THB |
| Museum Siam | Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 | Monday | Next to MRT Sanam Chai station; admission 100 THB |
| Chatuchak Weekend Market | Saturday and Sunday | Weekdays | Full retail market at weekends only |
| Jim Thompson House | 10:00 to 17:00 | Open daily | The last guided tour leaves at 17:00 |
| Mahanakhon SkyWalk | 10:00 to midnight | Open daily | Last access 23:00 |
Entry rules for Thailand
The departures hall at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Photo: Khaosaming, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Thailand is outside the EU, so neither the EES nor ETIAS applies. Every foreign visitor must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arriving, by air, land or sea: submit it at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before your arrival and show the confirmation email at immigration. It is not a visa and there is no fee; look-alike sites that charge are not the official one.
| Citizen of | Visa for tourism | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | None (UK Foreign Office) | Up to 30 days, for tourism, on arrival from 15 September 2026 |
| United States | None | Up to 30 days |
| Canada | None (travel.gc.ca) | Up to 30 days |
| Australia | None | Up to 30 days |
| EU citizens | None: every EU member state is on Thailand’s exemption list (Royal Thai Embassy) | Up to 30 days |
- Passport: valid for at least 6 months after the day you arrive, with at least one blank page (UK Foreign Office).
- Funds and onward travel: immigration can ask for proof of at least 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family, and for evidence of a ticket out of Thailand (UK Foreign Office).
- Entry by land under the visa exemption is normally limited to two entries a calendar year; the limit does not generally apply to arrivals by air.
Vapes and drugs
It is illegal to possess or use any vape, e-cigarette, pod, e-liquid or heated-tobacco device in Thailand. Offences bring confiscation, fines typically of 5,000 to 30,000 THB, detention and court proceedings, and you may have to stay in the country until the case ends. Smoking in public is also illegal, with a fine of up to 5,000 THB. Cannabis is restricted to medical use with a Thai prescription, and Thailand has strict laws on all other drugs (UK Foreign Office). Is Bangkok safe and Bangkok etiquette have the rest of the rules.
Compare Bangkok with other cities
- Winter sun: winter sun city breaks sets Bangkok’s December to February highs of 32 to 34°C and one or two rain days a month against the other warm cities.
- Food city breaks: best food city breaks sets Bangkok’s pad thai and Chinatown street food against the other food cities, with the closed days and the cash-only rule.
- A first trip to Asia: best cities in Asia for a first trip sets Bangkok against the other Asian cities we cover, with the entry rules, how easy each is to get around and what catches newcomers out.
Itineraries
Day-by-day plans for a first visit.
Which ticket to buy
The official ticket, the tours that include entry, and which sells out first.
Tickets
Grand Palace Bangkok Tickets: Dress Code and Entry
The Grand Palace costs 500 THB for foreign visitors, open daily from 08:30 to 15:30. Online tickets, clothing rules, the Mani Noppharat gate, the Khon show and how to deal with street touts.
Tickets
Bangkok Hop-On Hop-Off: River Boats vs Buses
Bangkok hop-on hop-off compared: the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat (Blue Flag) day pass from 150 THB versus hop-on hop-off buses, routes, piers, hours and traffic advice.
Tickets
Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruises: Best Boats
Compare Chao Phraya dinner cruises in Bangkok: large buffet boats versus boutique teak dining barges, departure piers, times and prices from 790 THB.
Tickets
Jim Thompson House Tickets: Bangkok Silk Museum
Jim Thompson House tickets cost 250 THB for adults, with a guided tour included. Six traditional teak houses, Southeast Asian art and the silk pioneer's story.
Tickets
Mahanakhon SkyWalk Tickets: Bangkok Glass Floor
Mahanakhon SkyWalk costs 1,000 THB for entry before 15:30 and 1,200 THB from 15:30, and stays open until midnight. The glass floor at 310 metres, ticket tiers and BTS Chong Nonsi access.
Tickets
Rajadamnern Muay Thai Tickets: Bangkok Boxing
How to book Muay Thai tickets at Rajadamnern Stadium, which runs fights seven nights a week: the six seat classes, the weekly fight programme and how to get there.
Tickets
Wat Arun Bangkok Tickets: Ferry & Sunset Views
How to reach Wat Arun by the Tha Tien cross-river ferry, buy a ticket, explore the porcelain prang, and the best sunset spots across the river.
Tickets
Wat Pho Bangkok Tickets: Reclining Buddha & Hours
Wat Pho tickets cost 300 THB and the temple is open until 19:30. The 46-metre gold Reclining Buddha, 108 bronze bowls and the traditional Thai massage school, from 340 THB for 30 minutes.
Day trips from Bangkok
Out and back in a day, with the tours compared against going on your own.
Day trip
Day Trips from Bangkok: Fares, Times & Route Guide
Ayutthaya is 20 THB by train, Maeklong Railway Market is 23 THB, and Kanchanaburi has a 100 THB daily train and a 120 THB weekend one. Fares, schedules, tours and travel times compared.
Day trip
Amphawa Floating Market: Weekend Hours & Boat Tours
Amphawa is 90 km southwest of Bangkok and opens Friday to Sunday afternoons. Grilled seafood boats, 60 THB firefly canal tours, and transport from Bangkok.
Day trip
Ayutthaya Day Trip from Bangkok: Trains & Temples
Ayutthaya is 80 km north of Bangkok and costs 20 THB by train. How to hire a station tuk-tuk, temple dress codes, the 220 THB pass, and tour comparisons.
Day trip
Damnoen Saduak Day Trip: Boat Prices & Avoiding Scams
Damnoen Saduak is 100 km southwest of Bangkok. Boat prices from 150 THB a person, the roadside pier trap, when the coaches arrive, and how to combine it with Maeklong.
Day trip
Kanchanaburi & Death Railway: Day Trip from Bangkok
Kanchanaburi is 130 km west of Bangkok. The Bridge over the River Kwai, Tham Krasae wooden trestle, the 100 THB daily train, the 120 THB weekend train, and Erawan National Park.
Day trip
Khao Yai Day Trip from Bangkok: Wildlife & Safaris
Khao Yai is 175 km northeast of Bangkok. The 400 THB park entry, Pak Chong buses and trains, why you need a vehicle inside, wild elephants and guided tours.
Day trip
Maeklong Railway Market: Train Times & Day Trip Guide
Watch market awnings pull back as trains rumble past in Samut Songkhram. Daily train times, the 23 THB rail route from Bangkok, and the safety lines.
Where to stay
Areas and hotels, chosen for a visitor rather than a resident.
Where to stay
Where to Stay in Bangkok: Best Areas and Hotels
For a first visit to Bangkok, stay by a BTS or MRT station on Sukhumvit or at Siam, or by a river pier for the temples. The areas compared by station and pier, with hotels from hostel to riverside luxury and the drawback of each.
Where to stay
Chao Phraya River Hotels in Bangkok: Which to Pick
Six Bangkok hotels on the Chao Phraya compared: Mandarin Oriental, The Peninsula, Shangri-La, Anantara Riverside, Sala Rattanakosin and Riva Surya. Which bank each is on, how you reach BTS Saphan Taksin or the temples, and the drawback of each.
Airport transfers
From the airport to the centre, every option priced and timed.
Getting around
Tickets, passes and the transport a visitor actually uses.
What's on, month by month
Festivals, holidays and closures that change a visit.
Events
Best Time to Visit Bangkok: Weather Month by Month
Bangkok weather month by month: the cool season from November to February, the hot season peaking in April for Songkran, and monsoon rainfall patterns.
Events
Loy Krathong Bangkok 2026: Piers, Parks & Viewpoints
Bangkok's festival of floating lights on 24 November 2026: the Tourism Authority's programme along the Rattanakosin waterways, riverside viewpoints at Iconsiam and Asiatique, park lakes, krathong rules and dinner cruises.
Events
Songkran in Bangkok 2027: Water Fights & Top Zones
Bangkok during Songkran from 13 to 15 April 2027: the Silom, Siam Square and Khao San water fight zones, the Benjakitti Park festival, waterproof gear, temple merit-making rituals and the rules.
Food and drink
Where to eat, what to order and when to book.
Food and drink
Where to Eat in Bangkok: Street Food to Michelin
Where to eat in Bangkok by what you want: Jay Fai's crab omelette, pad thai at Thipsamai, Michelin Bib Gourmand noodle and congee shops, Nusara and Sirocco for a rooftop view, and vegetarian dining. Closed days, cash-only places and what to book.
Food and drink
Bangkok Food Tours: Street Food, Markets and Classes
Bangkok food tours and cooking classes compared: Chinatown tasting walks from 1,140 THB, midnight tuk-tuk food tours, and cooking schools with market tours from 946 THB.
Food and drink
Bangkok Night Markets: Jodd Fairs, Srinakarin & More
Comparing Bangkok's night markets: trendy food stalls at Jodd Fairs, vintage treasures at Srinakarin Train Market, riverside boardwalks at Asiatique and ChangChui.
Food and drink
Best Pad Thai in Bangkok: Three Shops Compared
Pad thai in Bangkok compared by shop: Thipsamai's egg-wrapped plate on Maha Chai Road (shut Tuesdays), Michelin Bib Gourmand Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu on Dinso Road (open to midnight, cards taken) and Baan Phadthai near Saphan Taksin. What to order, hours and which to pick.
Walks
Self-guided routes, stop by stop.
Walk
Chinatown Bangkok Walk: Yaowarat and Talat Noi Route
A self-guided walking route through Bangkok Chinatown and Talat Noi: Wat Mangkon, Yaowarat Road, Wat Traimit Golden Buddha, So Heng Tai Mansion, and River City Pier. Opening times and map.
Walk
Rattanakosin Walk: Bangkok Old City Self-Guided Route
A self-guided walking route through historic Rattanakosin in Bangkok: Wat Saket, the Giant Swing, Wat Suthat, Wat Ratchabophit, Wat Pho, and Tha Chang Pier. Opening hours, prices, and dress rules.
More guides
Guide
Things to Do in Bangkok: Top Sights and Ticket Prices
Essential sights in Bangkok with entry prices, operating hours and transit routes: Grand Palace (500 THB), Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Golden Mount and weekend markets.
Guide
Chatuchak Market Bangkok: Sections, Hours and Metro
Practical guide to Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market: about 15,000 stalls across 27 sections, Section 11 clock tower landmark, MRT and BTS transit, cash tips and bargaining.
Guide
Free Things to Do in Bangkok: What Costs Nothing
High-value sights in Bangkok that cost nothing to enter: Lumphini Park monitor lizards, Benjakitti wetlands boardwalks, the BACC art centre, Erawan Shrine and Chinatown.
Guide
Bangkok With Kids: Family Attractions and Strollers
Visiting Bangkok with children: Sea Life Ocean World, free Children's Discovery Museum, Museum Siam, canal boat rides, heat management and stroller advice.
Guide
Iconsiam vs Siam Paragon: Bangkok Mega Malls Compared
Comparing Bangkok's premier shopping complexes: Iconsiam on the Chao Phraya with indoor floating market SookSiam vs Siam Paragon with Gourmet Market and Sea Life.
Guide
Bangkok Etiquette: Temple Dress, Monarchy, Vapes
The rules a visitor to Bangkok breaks by accident, from official sources: the Grand Palace and Wat Pho dress codes, shoes off in halls of worship, women and monks, never stepping on a Buddha image, the monarchy law, the vape ban, public displays of affection and heads and feet.
Guide
Money in Bangkok: Baht, ATM Fees, Cards and Tipping
Bangkok runs on baht notes at stalls, boats and Bib Gourmand shops, while malls and hotels take cards. ATM fees on foreign cards run from 250 to 350 THB a withdrawal, the MRT takes contactless cards, and tipping is not expected. What to carry and how much cash you may take out.
Guide
eSIM for Thailand: Phones, Networks and Plans
A Thailand eSIM is a data plan you install on the phone before you fly. It needs an iPhone XS, XR or later, or a compatible Android, and an unlocked phone if you keep your home line. Nomad runs on True, dtac and AIS, Saily on TrueMove H and AIS, Klook's 5G plan on AIS. What each plan type does.
Guide
Is Bangkok Safe? Scams, Laws and Rainy Season
What the UK Foreign Office and the Government of Canada say about safety in Bangkok: bag-snatchers on motorbikes, drink spiking, gem and taxi scams, the vape ban, the lese-majeste law, alcohol hours, the rainy season, the Cambodia border and the emergency numbers.
Plan your trip
The rules and costs that apply to every city on the site.
Common questions
What should I book before travelling to Bangkok?
Fill in the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before you fly. For sights, book Chao Phraya dinner cruises, cooking schools and Mahanakhon SkyWalk sunset entry a few days ahead. Grand Palace tickets can be bought at the gate or online up to a month ahead; Wat Pho and Wat Arun are bought at the gate.
Do I need a visa to visit Bangkok?
Citizens of the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and every EU member state can enter without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, since 15 September 2026. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival. Every foreign visitor must also complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online, within 3 days before arriving. Thailand does not use the European Entry/Exit System (EES) or ETIAS.
What is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?
An online form that every non-Thai visitor must complete before entering Thailand by air, land or sea. It is free, submitted at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before arrival, and you show the confirmation email at immigration.
Which sights in Bangkok enforce a strict dress code?
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew refuse entry in sleeveless shirts, vests, short tops, see-through tops, shorts, torn or tight trousers, bike pants, mini skirts and sleepwear. Wat Pho asks visitors to dress politely and does not allow shorts.
How do I get from Bangkok airports to the city centre?
From Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), take the Airport Rail Link train into the city. From Don Mueang Airport (DMK), take the SRT Dark Red Line electric train to Krung Thep Aphiwat for 33 THB. Both airports also have metered taxi ranks.