Discover Bangkok

Currency: Thai Baht (฿ THB)

Approximate Exchange Rate: $1 USD ≈ 35-36 THB | €1 EUR ≈ 38-40 THB (rates fluctuate)

Daily Budget Expectations:

Budget Traveler ($25-45 USD / 900-1,600 THB per day):

• •Hostel dorm or basic guesthouse: $8-15 (300-500 THB)
• •Street food and local restaurants: $8-15 (300-500 THB)
• •Local transport (BTS/MRT/bus): $3-5 (100-200 THB)
• •Free temples and cheap attractions: $5-10 (200-400 THB)

Mid-Range Traveler ($60-120 USD / 2,200-4,300 THB per day):

• •Comfortable hotel or Airbnb: $30-50 (1,000-1,800 THB)
• •Mix of street food and restaurants: $20-35 (700-1,200 THB)
• •Transport, entrance fees, activities: $10-20 (400-700 THB)
• •Rooftop bar drinks, massage: $10-15 (400-600 THB)

Luxury Traveler ($200+ USD / 7,000+ THB per day):

• •High-end hotel with pool: $100+ (3,500+ THB)
• •Fine dining restaurants: $50-100 (1,800-3,600 THB)
• •Private transport, spa treatments: $50+ (1,800+ THB)
• •Premium shopping and exclusive experiences

Money Tips:

• •ATMs widely available; withdraw in larger amounts to minimize fees (150-220 THB per transaction)
• •Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks
• •Credit cards accepted at hotels, malls, upscale restaurants; cash essential for street food, markets, tuk-tuks
• •Keep small bills (20, 50, 100 THB) for street vendors and taxis
• •Currency exchange booths (Super Rich, Vasu Exchange) often offer better rates than banks
• •Bargaining expected at markets but not in shops with fixed prices
• •Tipping not traditionally required but 20-50 THB appreciated for good service

Official Language: Thai

English Proficiency: Moderate in tourist areas and hotels, very limited in local neighborhoods and with taxi drivers

Essential Thai Phrases:

• •Hello/Goodbye: Sawasdee krap (male) / Sawasdee ka (female) (sah-wah-dee)
• •Thank you: Khop khun krap/ka (kop-koon)
• •How much?: Tao rai? (tao-rye)
• •Too expensive: Paeng maak (pang-mahk)
• •Delicious: Aroi (ah-roy)
• •Not spicy please: Mai pet (my-pet)
• •Where is...?: ...yoo tee nai? (yoo-tee-nai)
• •Yes/No: Chai (chai) / Mai chai (my-chai)
• •Excuse me/Sorry: Khor thot (kor-tot)
• •Bathroom: Hong nam (hong-nahm)

Numbers 1-10: Neung, song, sam, see, ha, hok, jet, paet, gao, sip

Communication Tips:

• •Download Google Translate with offline Thai—camera translation works well for menus
• •Grab app (like Uber) eliminates taxi negotiation issues and language barriers
• •Learn the "wai" greeting: hands together in prayer position, slight bow (higher hands = more respect)
• •Thai people appreciate any attempt to speak Thai, even just "sawasdee"
• •Many restaurants have picture menus—pointing works perfectly
• •Writing addresses in Thai script helps tremendously for taxis
• •Smile frequently—Thailand is the "Land of Smiles" and mai pen rai (no worries) attitude prevails

Getting to Bangkok:

By Air:

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK): Main international airport, 30km east of city center

• •Airport Rail Link (ARL): Fastest option, 30 THB to Phaya Thai Station, connects to BTS; 45 THB express to Makkasan (15-30 mins)
• •Taxi: 250-400 THB plus 50 THB airport surcharge plus tolls (50-100 THB), 45-90 mins depending on traffic—use official taxi queue on ground level, insist on meter
• •Grab: 350-500 THB depending on destination and traffic (book at arrivals)
• •Airport bus: 150 THB, various routes, slow but cheapest

Don Mueang Airport (DMK): Older airport for budget airlines, 24km north of city

• •Train: Mo Chit Station connected by free shuttle, then BTS south (1-2 hours total)
• •Bus: A1, A2 buses to BTS/MRT stations, 30 THB
• •Taxi: 250-350 THB plus tolls, 30-60 mins

Getting Around Bangkok:

BTS Skytrain (Best for tourist areas):

• •Elevated train covering Sukhumvit, Silom, and newer areas
• •Runs 5:30am-midnight
• •Fares: 16-59 THB depending on distance
• •Major tourist stations: Siam (central), Nana, Asok, Phrom Phong, Saphan Taksin (for river boats), National Stadium, Sala Daeng
• •Clean, air-conditioned, efficient—avoid rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm)

MRT Subway:

• •Underground system complementing BTS
• •Covers areas like Chatuchak, Sukhumvit, Chinatown (blue line), Cultural Center
• •Fares: 16-42 THB
• •Key stations: Chatuchak Park (weekend market), Hua Lamphong (main train station), Wat Mangkon (Chinatown)

Rabbit Card (Recommended):

• •Rechargeable card for BTS (100 THB deposit, 50 THB card fee)
• •Slight discount and faster than buying single tickets
• •Available at BTS stations
• •Note: BTS and MRT use separate systems; consider getting both or using single journey tickets for MRT

Chao Phraya Express Boat:

• •Scenic and practical way to see riverside Bangkok
• •Orange flag boats for tourists: 15 THB flat fare (all-day pass 150 THB)
• •Blue flag local boats: 10-15 THB
• •Key piers: Sathorn (connects to BTS Saphan Taksin), Tha Tien (Wat Pho), Tha Maharat (Grand Palace), Phra Arthit (Khao San)
• •Runs 6am-7pm

Taxis:

• •Abundant and cheap but traffic can be brutal
• •Flagfall: 35 THB, then ~5 THB per km
• •ALWAYS insist on meter or use Grab app
• •Have destination written in Thai
• •Driver may refuse during rush hour or if destination inconvenient
• •Typical fare across tourist areas: 60-150 THB

Tuk-Tuks:

• •Iconic three-wheeled vehicles
• •More expensive than metered taxis—negotiate price BEFORE getting in
• •Expect 100-200 THB for short rides
• •Fun experience but not practical for daily transport
• •Beware of "friendly" tuk-tuk drivers offering cheap tours (gem shop scam)
• •Exhaust fumes and heat make them less comfortable than they appear

Grab App (Highly recommended):

• •Thai equivalent of Uber—safe, air-conditioned, no negotiation
• •Book via app with upfront price
• •Accepts card payment
• •GrabBike for motorcycles through traffic (wear provided helmet)
• •Essential during rain or when time matters

Buses:

• •Extensive but confusing network
• •Air-con buses: 12-25 THB
• •Good for adventurous travelers willing to research routes
• •ViaBus app helps with planning

Walking:

• •Bangkok is NOT a walking city due to heat, humidity, broken sidewalks, and long distances
• •Great for exploring specific neighborhoods (Yaowarat/Chinatown, Khao San, Old City)
• •Skywalks connect BTS stations to nearby malls

## Top Attractions & Experiences