Things You Should Know Before Your First Visit to Bangkok

The impressive Thai capital has always been a popular tourist destination. There are those who choose to spend here a few days and explore the town’s attractions thoroughly and there are also those who make a short city break before departing for other destinations in the Thailand. No matter which type of trip you have planned, there are certain things it is best to know before flying to Bangkok, especially if you are a first-time visitor to Southeast Asia.

Getting from the airport to your hotel

Although there are two main airports in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang), most international flights land on the first one. Suvarnabhumi Airport is located about 30 kilometers away from the city center. The cheapest way to join the center is the “airport link”. There are two different routes, with trains running daily from 6 AM to midnight: the “Express Line” (that will bring you to Phaya Thai or Mukkasan stations in 15 minutes for about 1.80 euros) and the “City Line” (which takes a little longer – about 25 minutes – but costs less than 1 euro, depending on the station where you get off).

However, taking a taxi will prove to be the fastest option and a more comfortable solution if you are a first time visitor of the Thai capital. You will probably have to take a cab anyway, if your hotel is not close to one of the railway stations. Moreover, with a total prive of about 7-8 euros, this might become even cheaper than taking the train if you are not travelling alone.

Getting around Bangkok

Big cities’ residents are usually accustomed to traffic jams, but Bangkok outperforms almost everything in this area. Do not rent your own vehicle if it is strictly not necessary and use the “Skytrain” underground. If you are looking for an authentic transportation experince, try the boats and navigate through Bangkok’s canals. You should take a sailing trip on the Chao Phraya River at least once during your stay in the Thai capital. You can embark, for instance on the Chao Phraya Express Boat from Phra Arthit to explore Khao San Road. No matter which means of transport you choose, it is always to have some 5 and 10 baht notes handy in order to buy your tickets easily.