Bangkok Holidays

Enjoy our lowest-priced travel months!

How does that lyric go? One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster? Well, with bright city lights, tasty Thai recipes and temples covered in gold, it'll certainly feel like it.

Destination highlights

A city stay like no other - it's so good that we'll let the whole 'no beach' thing slide
Street food that'll tickle your taste buds no end
Bright lights (in the big citaaay 🎵 ), market stalls and brilliantly cheap beer
Mind-bogglingly impressive temples and palaces to explore

What are the best sights to see in Bangkok?

The Grand Palace - a must-visit for any serious tourists. It's Bangkok's #1 place to visit and you could spend just about a whole day here, wandering around the temples or catching a Khon Performance (a masked dance drama) at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. Make sure to stop by the Temple of the Emerald Buddha - it houses (unsurprisingly) a Buddha image carved from a single block of pure Emerald, but it's a proper sight to see
Khaosan Road - yeaaaah you wanna take your horse to the Khaosan Road, you're gonna haggle 'til you can't no more. This iconic strip is Bangkok backpacking heaven, and an excellent opportunity to barter for those souvenirs for the folks back home. There's cheap beer (we're sold) and street food galore, but we suggest proceeding with caution when it comes to scorpion on a stick... it's certainly one way to make that city break memorable for sure
Lumphini Park - head here for a quiet escape from the hustle n' bustle of Bangkok. You'll go from the noise of beeping cars and pure panic of dodging tuk tuks to strolling through the trees and saying hey to the lizards (they're pretty epic creatures), all in a split second when you walk through the entrance to this tranquil little spot

Top tip: when exploring the Grand Palace or temples, you'll need to cover up your shoulders and knees as a sign of respect. We like to pack a shawl and some airy trousers in our backpacks when out and about that are easy to throw on before visiting these areas. It's also respectful to remove your shoes before entering the temples, so if people are ditching their sandals at the door, you'll want to flip off your flops, too.

What are the top hotels in Bangkok?

More Bang(kok) for your buck

Anantara Riverside Bangkok - talk about boujee. This 5-star stay stretches across 11 acres (in other words, it's pretty flippin' big) and is snuggled up right alongside the Chao Phraya River. And with that comes dinners by the water and mega stylish city-view bars. As Sidney Sampson once put it: Riverside (Let's Go)
Banyan Tree Bangkok - once you set eyes on the 61st floor cocktail bar at this super swanky hotel, you're not gonna want to stay anywhere else. Sunsets are best spent here, mojito in hand, soaking up the city
Montien Hotel Surawong - this is a hotel made for plant people. Well, not strictly, but if you enjoy spending your days surrounded by spikey cacti and perfectly-pruned bonsai, then you'll love this hotel from the moment you step through the door into its greenhouse-style lobby. And for more greenery, the leafy Lumphini park is only a 10-minute walk away, too!
La Petite Salil Sukhumvit Thonglor 1 - a chic little hotel that's the perfect home away from home. Cosy rooms? Yep! Comfy slippers? You betcha. A brolly in every room for fending off those monsoon-season rains? Obvs. They've got everything you need for a stress-free city stay
Shangri-La Bangkok - foodies, this one's for you. Not only does this hotel have a selection of a la carte restaurants from traditional Thai to the good ol' faithful Italian, but it's also got a Chocolate Boutique serving delicious praline slices and tasty tiramisu

Popular Bangkok hotels

More Bangkok hotels

Weather in Bangkok

JAN

26^°C

FEB

27^°C

MAR

28^°C

APR

29^°C

MAY

28^°C

JUN

28^°C

JUL

27^°C

AUG

27^°C

SEP

26^°C

OCT

26^°C

NOV

26^°C

DEC

26^°C

The weather in Bangkok gets pretty roasty and toasty from February to April, with highs of 36°C. It's a dry heat before monsoon season hits in the May and things start to get a little more humid. May to October is still as great a time as any for a jolly, though, just maybe bring a brolly in the suitcase! If you're after a milder, drier climate for your Bangkok break, November to January is where it's at. Winter sun here we come!

FAQs

The currency used in Bangkok is the Thai Baht (THB).

Notes and coins you’ll commonly see:

Notes: 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 baht
Coins: 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht

Cards are widely accepted in hotels, shopping malls and larger restaurants. However:

Street food stalls, markets and taxis are usually cash only
ATMs are easy to find across the city (small withdrawal fee applies)

For the best experience, carry a mix of cash and card, especially if you’re planning to eat your way through Bangkok’s street food scene.

The main language spoken in Bangkok is Thai.

In tourist areas, you’ll find:

Basic to good English spoken in hotels, restaurants and attractions
Limited English in local markets or smaller street stalls

Thai is a tonal language, so pronunciation matters, but locals are friendly and appreciate any effort. Useful phrases include:

Sawasdee (hello)
Khob khun (thank you)

Even a simple greeting with a smile goes a long way here.

Direct flights from the UK to Bangkok typically take around 11 hours 30 minutes to 12 hours.

Most direct services fly into Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), the main international airport.

Common routes:

London Heathrow → Bangkok (direct): approx. 11h 30m–12h
Indirect via Middle East or Asia (e.g. Dubai, Doha, Singapore): approx. 14–17 hours total

Airlines operating these routes include British Airways, Thai Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Indirect flights can often be cheaper and give you the option to break up the journey with a stopover.

Bangkok operates on Indochina Time (ICT, UTC+7) and does not observe daylight saving time.

This means the time difference depends on the time of year in the UK:

Summer (UK on BST, UTC+1): Bangkok is 6 hours ahead
Winter (UK on GMT, UTC+0): Bangkok is 7 hours ahead

It’s Bangkok that stays constant, the UK clock shift creates the change.

Jet lag can be noticeable on arrival, especially heading east, so it’s worth planning a relaxed first day to adjust.

British passport holders do not need a visa to visit Thailand for tourism stays of up to 30 days if arriving by air.

Entry requirements:

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
You may be asked to show proof of onward travel
Immigration will stamp your passport on arrival, no pre-application needed

If you plan to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa in advance.

Bangkok is hot year-round, but there are three main seasons:

Cool & dry (November–February): Best time to visit. Temperatures are slightly lower (by Bangkok standards), humidity is manageable, and it’s ideal for sightseeing.
Hot season (March–May): Very hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C, good for pool time, less ideal for long days out.
Rainy season (June–October): Expect short, heavy downpours, usually in the afternoon. It’s still very visitable, with fewer crowds and greener scenery.

For most travellers, December to February hits the sweet spot.

Getting around Bangkok is part of the experience and it’s surprisingly easy once you know your options:

BTS Skytrain & MRT Metro: Fast, cheap and air-conditioned, the best way to beat traffic
Taxis & Grab (ride-hailing app): Widely available and affordable (always check the meter is on)
Tuk-tuks: Fun for short rides, but agree a price beforehand
River boats: A brilliant way to travel along the Chao Phraya River while avoiding traffic

Traffic can be intense, so trains and boats are often the quickest option.

Bangkok is one of the world’s great food cities, from £1 street food to high-end dining.

Must-try dishes:

Pad Thai – stir-fried noodles with prawns, tofu, peanuts and lime
Green curry – rich, spicy and coconut-based
Som tam – spicy papaya salad with a serious kick
Mango sticky rice – sweet, simple and iconic

Street food is a huge part of the culture, busy stalls with high turnover are usually the best (and safest) bet.

Whether you’re eating at a roadside stall or a rooftop restaurant, Bangkok rarely misses when it comes to food.

Visit a floating market

Before all these cars were on the road, people had to do their weekly shop somehow. And because Bangkok's network of waterways would give Venice a run for its money, the logical thing was to boat it. But why boat to the shops when the shops can boat to you?! At the floating markets, you can sail through the stalls picking up fruit, veg and even a proper meal if it tickles your fancy. Keep your eye out for a deep dive into boat noodles further down the page - it's got us hungry just thinking about them.

Catch a Thai Boxing match

For a unique night out in the city, why not catch a match at Rajadamnern Thai Boxing Stadium. It's slap bang in the city so you could swap those rounds of drinks to watch a few rounds in the ring quite easily, and it's a night you'll certainly not forget in a hurry (unlike that other evening at the Khaosan Road).

Get your haggle on at the night market

No, a haggle is not some trendy new headwear that the young'uns are wearing nowadays (but you can guarantee you'd be able to find one at the market if it was). Haggling is an ✨art form✨ and one that takes many, many moons to perfect. It's basically shopping where you decide the price tag - our favourite kind. Simply find the item you'd like, and start negotiating a price for it. Don't be afraid to play hardball and walk away, sometimes it's the best tactic to get someone to meet your offer! And if it doesn't work, it wasn't meant to beanie.

Try a Thai massage

Holidays and massages go hand in hand like the sea and sand (we're poets and we definitely already know its) because there's just nothing more relaxing than a good ol' rub down. While your typical Thai massage isn't quite as peaceful as, say, a hot stone one, you are guaranteed to come away feeling like a brand new person, and one that's at least an inch taller (because there can be a lot of neck stretching involved). Our top tip: when the masseuse asks how firm you want it, do yourself a flavour and go on the easy side!

Boat down the Chao Phraya River

It's all smooth sailing down the biggest river in Bangkok. You've got boat tours galore to find out some fun facts about the city whilst you float aboat (sorry, about), you can take quick trips across the water on the little ferries, or have a crackin' evening of food and wine on one of the Chao Phraya's famous dinner cruises. Whatever floats your goat!

What events can I go to in Bangkok?
Bangkok’s events calendar is packed year-round, from huge water fights to lantern-lit river scenes. Here are the key festivals to know for 2026:
🧧 Chinese New Year (17 February 2026)
Celebrated in full force in Bangkok’s Chinatown, this is one of the city’s biggest cultural events. Expect dragon dances, firecrackers, street performances and some of the best food of the year. It’s not a public holiday across Thailand, but in Bangkok, it’s a big deal.
💦 Songkran Water Festival (13–15 April 2026)
Thailand’s New Year celebration turns into a city-wide water fight. Streets fill with locals and tourists armed with water guns, buckets and hoses. It’s chaotic, fun and completely unavoidable, especially in central Bangkok. Wear quick-dry clothes and protect your phone.
🥬 Vegetarian Festival (October 2026 – dates TBC)
Marked by yellow flags across participating food stalls, this festival focuses on plant-based eating and spiritual cleansing. While it’s more intense in Phuket, Bangkok still sees plenty of veggie street food pop-ups and special menus.
🕯️ Loy Krathong (November 2026 – full moon date TBC)
One of Thailand’s most beautiful festivals. Locals gather along rivers and lakes to float decorated banana-leaf boats (krathongs) with candles and incense, symbolising letting go of negativity. In Bangkok, the Chao Phraya River is the main focal point, expect glowing lights and a really special atmosphere.
Where's the best nightlife in Bangkok?
Bangkok's known for it's nightlife. It's got cheap beers, crackin' tunes and top-notch food to keep you dancing 'til dawn. But there's another side to the city, too. One that's got rooftop cocktail bars and classy jazz joints! While the night's still young, here are our recommendations...
- Khaosan road - the party street of Thailand, and the place to head if you're ready to boogie all night. Sup Dude is known for its dance tunes, Here Bar is where you'll wanna go for hip hop and the alternative gang can find solace at Mischa Cheap & Tropical Galaxy
- Thonglor district - if you're looking for a classy evening of sipping tasty drinks and cosyin' up over good food, this area will be right up your soi (street in Thai, obvs). Wine bars and trendy restaurants are dotted all over the place so you're sure to find something that suits your style
- Night markets - if you'd rather a shop than a shot, head to the markets for some late-night browsing and try and bag yourself a bargain with a 'designer' t-shirt or two
What's the food like in Bangkok?
If you think the Thai takeaway round the corner from your Uncle Phil does great food, Bangkok will blow your (bang)socks off. Here are just some of our fave dishes to look out for:
- Pad Thai - it's a classic for a reason. Ribbons of rice noodles, stir fried veggies, scrambled eggs, your choice of meat or seafood (or tofu!) and a scattering of crushed peanuts... in other words, scrumdiddlyumptiousness in a bowl
- Tom Yum Goong - this famous bright red soup is usually served with meaty shrimp, a squeeze of fresh lime, and a little kick of chilli to spice up your life
- Kway Teow Rua - another noodley affair, this time prepared on a boat, so they're unsurprisingly sometimes called boat noodles! Find a fresh bowl of this traditional dish down at the floating markets
- Mango sticky rice - essentially the Thai equivalent of a rice pudding, order this as a sweet treat after dinner as it's a proper Bangkok staple. A scoop of sticky rice drizzled in coconut cream with slices of fresh mango - talk about tasty
- Khanom Bueang - little taco-shaped Thai crepes which make for a great dessert to follow some street food. You can get savoury versions, but the sweet ones are the real deal, packed with whipped cream, shredded coconut and roasted peanuts

Places to visit

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho
If you thought the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace was impressive, you should pay a visit to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. This Buddha is 46m long and 15m high (in other words, mahoosive), and for 20 baht you can buy 108 coins to drop in each of the 108 bowls surrounding the figure to be granted good luck... an especially worthwhile tourist attraction if you happen to have smashed a mirror recently.
Jim Thompson House
'Who's this Jim bloke?' We hear you ask. Only the Silk King of Thailand! This guy was born in the US but moved to Thailand in his 40s and established the Thai Silk Company Ltd, helping thousands of people out of poverty by allowing his employees to work from home (and that was way before Zoom existed), meaning the Thai women in his workforce were able to retain their position in the household while also winning that bread. He was a pretty interesting guy and, after his disappearance, his amazing Thai-style house was turned into a museum and art gallery, displaying his personal art and silk collection, all for us tourist peeps to go have a gander at. There's even a restaurant on site so you can make a whole day of it and escape the sounds of the city for a little while.
Lebua Rooftop Bar, State Tower
Not to Harvey Wallbang on about the bars in Bangkok, but Lebua is home to the famous Sky Bar that features in The Hangover Part II. It also houses the Tower Club at Lebua hotel which is a crackin' stay, with 24hr room service, Michelin-starred restaurants and even a free shoe shining service - don't say we don't treat you.

We'd recommend checking with your healthcare provider for all up-to-date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.

Thailand are introducing a tourist tax later this year and whilst there's no solid date for this yet, you'll want to keep an eye out so you don't get surprised by the extra fee. With the new tax, tourists will have to pay a 300 Baht fee when arriving by plane, or 150 Baht when arriving by boat.

Bangkok Holidays

Enjoy our lowest-priced travel months!

Destination highlights

What are the best sights to see in Bangkok?

What are the top hotels in Bangkok?

Popular Bangkok hotels

Weather in Bangkok

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

View destination on a map

FAQs

What currency do they use in Bangkok?

What language do they speak in Bangkok?

How long does it take to fly to Bangkok?

What's the time difference between the UK and Bangkok?

Do I need a visa to visit Bangkok?

When is the best time to visit Bangkok?

How Do I Get Around Bangkok?

What's the food like in Bangkok?

Visit a floating market

Catch a Thai Boxing match

Get your haggle on at the night market

Try a Thai massage

Boat down the Chao Phraya River

What events can I go to in Bangkok?

🧧 Chinese New Year (17 February 2026)

💦 Songkran Water Festival (13–15 April 2026)

🥬 Vegetarian Festival (October 2026 – dates TBC)

🕯️ Loy Krathong (November 2026 – full moon date TBC)

Where's the best nightlife in Bangkok?

What's the food like in Bangkok?

Places to visit

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho

Jim Thompson House

Lebua Rooftop Bar, State Tower

Key facts about Bangkok

Flight Time

13hrs

Time Difference

+6 hrs

Currencey

Thai Baht

Language

Thai

Do I need any vaccinations to visit Bangkok?

Do I need to pay tax on my holiday to Bangkok?