Top 10 Travel Tips to Explore Bangkok for First Timers

The advice you cannot ignore

Here we give have some tips for you, that will help you make up your mind if this is the city that you want to visit and if you have already decided, these will be useful in the way you will go about your trip in this city. There is a lot to see and do here, but every country has a different culture where some things are acceptable while others are not. So, follow our bits of advice and rest assured that you will come back happy and satisfied. 

1. Travel in groups

You should travel in groups unless you are planning a thrilling solo trip. You should always bring maps with you that are printed in your language. It will always help if you can learn some Thai language because some people you meet may not know much English.

2. Keep your documents ready

Also, keep your documents like your passport ready and safe, and make sure that you have a valid visa while you are in Thailand. If you are worried about it getting lost, keep a copy of it on your smartphone. If you are an American tourist, you will not need a visa for holiday trips of up to 30 days, though a passport will be mandatory.

3. Types of markets

There are all types of markets here from fancy malls to street markets offering all types of items. You should ideally bring cash and look for bargains, as some don’t accept your credit cards. You can always try the floating markets, which are unique to this part of the world. Also, bring some change with you, so you don't get stuck without some. Always take a large enough bag for carrying essential items, so you don't have too many bags after shopping.

4. Choose your transport options

You should always choose between public transport and taxis. As for the taxis themselves, use authorized taxis only. Some routes can get too crowded for vehicles at certain parts of the day, like the rush hour in your country so use metros to travel as long as you are comfortable and you will find here signboards in English along with details in the Thai language.

5. Plan for the season

You must plan for the season you are coming in, including your attire. Most people will prefer to come here from November to March when it doesn’t rain much. You should also check if your mobile network operates in this country and the charges for using it in Thailand. If you find it too expensive you can always purchase the local SIMs and packages associated with them.

6. In the abode of Buddha

This is a Buddhist country that takes its religion seriously and some temples are recommended to the tourists who come here to get an understanding of the local culture. In Buddhist temples be polite and follow their rules like making no noise while everyone walks with their head bowed in front of the statues of Buddha.

7. Right days to travel

You should also choose the days of your travel according to local situations. If you like crowds you can come here when you want to but if you prefer a quieter holiday, you should plan your itinerary accordingly. For instance, the streets can be crowded, so for a relaxing atmosphere visit Colonial buildings, which are large and with a quiet atmosphere around them.

8. Trying Thai cuisine

If you have come so far, you won’t be returning before you have tasted the Thai cuisine. Choose eateries according to what you can afford. There are fine dining restaurants and plenty of street food, no matter what part of the city you are in. It is advised that you carry enough water with you as you can get tired of walks and the heat, or else you will have to purchase water bottles or soft drinks, but this could take up some of your precious time.

9. Choose your accommodation

It will be best for you if you arrange your accommodation before you get here. You will have plenty of options online for this and you will not need to go to a travel agent unless you are unsure whether you are doing the right thing. Always use tried and tested accommodation sites that are popular with travelers. If you are planning to book one on reaching Bangkok, you may have to pay more than what you have planned for.

10. Be street smart

Be street-smart and avoid paying too much if you are buying from stores that don’t sell items at fixed prices. Also, use your smartphone for the information you need, and do not rely on the advice of strangers. If people propose to you thinking of you as a tourist, avoid taking their help and rely only on trusted tourist guides, if any.

Final thoughts

All this may be too much information for you to take in at one time, but you will come across some if not all of these scenarios while you are on your stay in Bangkok. Every part of the world is different from others and different languages spoken in different countries with different accents within them are an indicator of this fact. If this is your first time, you will have many firsts in terms of experiences that you will have and we hope our tips will make your trip a great success.