Is Bangkok worth a visit, or is it better to give it a miss?
On my first trip, I spent a week in Bangkok. I felt I had plenty of time, so I mainly went on trips outside the city.
To be honest, I wasn’t particularly keen on the city, and at the time I thought to myself that I’d had enough and that next time I’d only be stopping here to change flights at most.
On my next visit, we set aside three full days for it. That was a completely different experience. Instead of just a stopover, I began to see a city that’s well worth stopping off at for a while.
Eventually, during my next two visits, I realised that I really do like Bangkok and I always make sure to set aside at least a day there.
So yes, Bangkok is well worth a visit. On your first trip to Thailand, ideally you’d set aside three full days for it. One day is enough for a first taste, but I wouldn’t base a definitive opinion on that alone.
- Stay if you enjoy food, big cities, temples, bars or the contrasts between old and new neighbourhoods.
- Cut your stay short if you want to get to know Bangkok, but the main aim of your trip is the seaside.
- Head straight on if you’re short on time and are looking for beaches and peace and quiet above all else on your holiday.
Below, I’ll explain why I’d recommend Bangkok to most people, when I’d skip it myself, and how much time you should really spend there.
Why stop off in Bangkok
For me, Bangkok isn’t the sort of city you can tick off your list just by visiting a single palace. The best thing about it is the mix of completely different experiences.
In the morning, you can stroll through Wat Pho, cross the river to Wat Arun, and round off the evening with a meal in Chinatown.
Another day, you could start amongst the skyscrapers, pop in for a massage and, in the evening, take in the city views from above.
That’s exactly why I love coming back here. You don’t have to love every single street. You just need to find the part of the city that suits you. For example , we really enjoyed Bangkok’s food, cafés and cocktail bars.
If you’re mainly interested in specific places, have a look at our guide to what to see in Bangkok. Here, I want to address a different question: whether it’s worth setting aside time for the city.
When I’d rather give Bangkok a miss
Skipping Bangkok isn’t a traveller’s mistake. It’s simply a matter of preference, and I fully understand that Bangkok’s somewhat chaotic nature might not be to everyone’s taste.
Skip Bangkok if:
- you’re only on a short holiday and are looking forward exclusively to the seaside
- you find the heat, noise and crowds exhausting
- a stop in the city would mean an extra bag of luggage, a journey to the hotel and a wasted day
- you’ve already seen Bangkok and this time you want to explore another part of Thailand
Bangkok is vast. You’ll often need the metro, a boat or a taxi to get between places of interest.
What’s more, the heat can slow you down during the day. If this is a key consideration for you, do check the weather in Bangkok before booking.
If it’s more a case of being put off by concerns about an unfamiliar city, have a look at our guide to safety and common scams in Bangkok. It will help you distinguish between everyday inconveniences and situations for which it’s worth being prepared.
In my opinion, the worst option is to arrive tired, spend the night in a random hotel far from everything, and leave first thing in the morning. You’ll mainly be rushing from one place to another and will easily get the impression that Bangkok isn’t worth visiting.
How many days in Bangkok are enough?
Count full days, not the number of nights. Arriving late in the evening and leaving early in the morning won’t leave you much time to explore the city.
- Just a stopover: I’d only head into the city if you’ve got plenty of time and don’t need to rush back to the airport. I describe the decision-making process step by step in the article ‘Bangkok during a stopover’.
- 1 full day: Choose the old town by the river, two or three nearby destinations and one evening. Don’t try to cover the whole of Bangkok.
- 2 full days: Spend the first day exploring the temples and the river, and the second in the more modern neighbourhoods, enjoying the food or visiting the markets. You’ll see two different sides of the city, but the itinerary will be quite packed.
- 3 full days: This is my choice for a first visit. You’ll also have time for moments when you’re not rushing anywhere. I’ve set out a specific itinerary in ‘Bangkok in 3 Days’.
- 4 days or more: This makes sense if you enjoy the city itself or want to go on day trips. Ayutthaya, for example, is well worth a visit for its history.
Bangkok, or head straight to the coast?
If you’ve bought a flight to Bangkok for a cheap trip to Thailand, you don’t necessarily have to stay here.
It depends on what sort of holiday you’re after.
For beaches and island hopping, I’d carry on to Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui.
If you’re more drawn to the north of the country than the seaside, have a look at Chiang Mai.
On my first longer trip, I’d choose both: a few days in the city and then another part of Thailand.
However, on a short holiday focused on relaxation, I wouldn’t force myself to visit Bangkok’s sights just because the flight lands there.
The time of year also plays a key role when choosing an island. The weather in different parts of Thailand varies throughout the year.
In one of our articles, I offer advice onwhich region of Thailand is best for a beach holiday.
And if you’re just changing flights in Bangkok, take a look at my tips on how to manage your connections stress-free at:
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK ) (most international flights)
- Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK ) (mainly a hub for AirAsia)
How to enjoy Bangkok if you decide to stay
Start by choosing a hotel. For a short stay, location is more important than saving a few crowns on a room far from the places you want to see. Our guide to where to stay in Bangkok will help you choose a neighbourhood.
From my own experiences, I can offer two different tips:
Pullman Bangkok Hotel G – a convenient base
We enjoyed our stay in Silom. At the Pullman, I appreciated the location and the view from the room. I wouldn’t consider the swimming pool a reason to book this hotel.
Lebua at State Tower – a stay with a view
Lebua offers spacious suites and beautiful views. For the price we paid, it was good value. For a significantly higher price, I’d look elsewhere, as some of the rooms feel a bit dated.
When planning your day, group together places that are close by. Visit the Old Town and the river together, and save the modern districts for another day.
Then simply choose whether the underground, boats or taxis are best suited to your specific journey.
Compare hotels in Bangkok for my dates
So: is it worth visiting Bangkok?
In my opinion, yes, provided you give it proper time. Three full days showed me a side of the city that I’d missed during my first, seemingly longer visit. You don’t have to see everything.
Just don’t turn your stay into a series of trips between the hotel, the airport and the most famous temples.
But if all you want from your holiday is the beach and some peace and quiet, feel free to move on. Bangkok can wait for you on your next trip.
💬 Would you spend a few days in Bangkok, or would you head straight to the seaside? Let me know in the comments why.
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