Bangkok Travel Guide

At Flight Centre we have a great range of Bangkok holidays to suit everyone and every budget. Thailand’s steamy and vivacious capital is far from being a sitting wall flower. With endlessly buzzing streets, brightly shining temples and fragrant foods, a holiday in Bangkok is a feast for the senses that travellers can’t help but find addictive.

Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
Languages: Thai
Airport: Suvarnabhumi Airport
Population: 8,249,117
Time Zone: UTC +7

Where to Stay

No matter what your travel style or budget, Bangkok accommodation has something to suit you. The business district of Sukhumvit has a great range of affordable hotels and is conveniently close to the Skytrain. For something more upmarket, boutique and luxury hotels offering impressive views can be found along the Chao Phraya River. Khao San Road is the backpacker district where you will find numerous hostels as well as a full range of budget hotels.

Transport

In Bangkok you’ll never have a problem hailing a taxi – the streets are practically an endless stream of brightly coloured cabs. Along with the convenience factor, taxis in Bangkok are reasonably cheap, making them a popular way to get around. Travellers wanting to avoid traffic may wish to take a gamble on a motorcycle taxi. These two-person vehicles can quickly zip through the streets but their safety is a little to be desired. The train service also bypasses congested streets and is the best way to travel from the airport to downtown Bangkok. If travelling outside the city, consider hiring a car and setting your own itinerary. To see the city at a slower pace, take a water taxi through the canals or enjoy a Bangkok tour to see the city’s famous landmarks.

Flights

A large number of international airlines including Thai Airways, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qantas and Singapore Airlines, fly from Australia to Bangkok regularly. Some offer direct flights while others stopover in some of Asia’s major airports. The direct flight from Sydney to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport takes approximately ten hours. View the latest cheap flights to Bangkok.

Climate

As a tropical city just north of the equator, weather is generally quite warm and humid in Bangkok. In fact, Bangkok is commonly regarded as one of the hottest cities in the world. With such high temperatures and humidity, monsoonal weather is common during May to October. The best time to visit Bangkok is after the monsoon season, particularly in December and January when temperatures can drop to around 20 degrees.

Food

Your tastebuds are sure to get a workout during your stay in Bangkok. Here, food is very much a part of the city’s identity and a major drawcard for tourists craving the perfect Pad Thai. Thai food is influenced by a myriad of cultures and is heavily based around seafood, spices, coconut-milk, rice and noodles. On the street you’ll find some of the most authentic Thai meals at bargain based prices while at fine dining restaurants and hotels you can try the latest trends in Thai fusion food. Looking for something out of the ordinary? Fried insects are a delicacy in Thailand and can be found at many of the food stalls in Bangkok.

Insider Tips

Once you’ve booked your Bangkok holiday, you’d be wise to start practicing your haggling skills. Shopping is a 24 hour past time in Bangkok and there are plenty of bargains to be found. For an authentic Thai shopping experience, start out at one of the city’s markets, like the Chatuchak Weekend Market, where you’ll find anything and everything from jewellery to vinyl records, antiques and clothing. While you might not be able to bring anything home, the flower and fresh produce markets, such as the Pak Khlong Talad Flower Market, are also well worth a visit. Get caught up in the dizzying array of colour and fragrances, and experience the dynamic energy of a Bangkok market.