Thailand, through travellers’ eyes

Bangkok.

Find your own rhythm in the city of contrasts.

Plan the landing. Leave room to wander. Borrow a little know-how from the people who went before you.

Food discoveriesRiver daysTemples and old town
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Reviewed 25 Oct 2026 · 15 sources

Illustration of Bangkok’s riverside and Wat Arun at golden hour
Bangkok, illustrated: Illustration, not a photograph of the place
THE FIRST HOUR MATTERS

Land with a little less guesswork.

Two airports. Different ways into town. A plan that starts with where you land.

Official and editorial facts From the airports’ and operators’ own pages, with the date each was checked.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

  • Airport Rail Link6 1to Phaya Thai (BTS)
    Journey
    25–30 min
    Published hours
    05:30–00:00Daily
    Fare
    THB 45.00 per personPublished fare as of 21 Jul 2023 · Full line; 15–45 baht by distance (page updated July 2023)
    Where
    Suvarnabhumi Airport Station, basement (B floor)
    Operator’s journey planner
  • Public taxi (meter)7 8to Your address
    Published hours
    24 hours
    Fare
    Meter fare plus a 50-baht airport charge; expressway tolls are paid by the passenger.
    Where
    Floor 1, between Gates 4 and 7 (ticket machines)
  • Bus S11to Khaosan (Sanam Luang)
    Published hours
    06:00–20:00Daily
    Fare
    Fare not listed on the official page.
    Where
    Floor 1, Gate 7
  • AOT Limousine1to Your address
    Fare
    Pre-booked or at the counter; price not listed on the page reviewed.
    Where
    Counters in the baggage claim hall and just outside Arrivals
    Operator’s journey planner
  • Free shuttle to Don Mueang1to Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
    Published hours
    05:00–24:00Daily
    Fare
    Free, only for passengers with an onward air ticket.
    Where
    Floor 2, Gate 3

From Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)

  • SRT Red Line3to Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue), for the MRT
    Published hours
    04:45–00:00Extra early trains from Don Mueang at 04:45 and 05:20
    How often
    Every 12 minutes at rush hours, 20 minutes otherwise
    Fare
    12–42 baht by distance (page updated July 2023).
    Where
    Don Mueang station, by the airport
    Operator’s journey planner
  • Bus A12to BTS Chatuchak, Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal
    Published hours
    06:50–23:59Daily
    Fare
    THB 30.00 per personPublished fare as of 25 Oct 2026 · As listed on the airport’s page (it carries no date)
    Where
    Floor 1: Gate 6 (International Terminal) or Gate 12 (Domestic Terminal)
  • Bus A22to BTS Chatuchak, Victory Monument
    Published hours
    05:00–22:00Daily
    Fare
    THB 30.00 per personPublished fare as of 25 Oct 2026 · As listed on the airport’s page (it carries no date)
    Where
    Floor 1: Gate 6 (International Terminal) or Gate 12 (Domestic Terminal)
  • Bus A32to Pratunam, Ratchaprasong, Lumpini Park
    Published hours
    07:00–23:00Daily
    Fare
    THB 50.00 per personPublished fare as of 25 Oct 2026 · As listed on the airport’s page (it carries no date)
    Where
    Floor 1: Gate 6 (International Terminal) or Gate 12 (Domestic Terminal)
  • Bus A42to Democracy Monument, Khaosan, Sanam Luang
    Published hours
    07:00–22:40Daily
    Fare
    THB 50.00 per personPublished fare as of 25 Oct 2026 · As listed on the airport’s page (it carries no date)
    Where
    Floor 1: Gate 6 (International Terminal) or Gate 12 (Domestic Terminal)
  • Public taxi (meter)8to Your address
    Fare
    Meter fare plus a 50-baht airport charge.
    Where
    Official taxi queue
  • Free shuttle to Suvarnabhumi2to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
    Published hours
    05:00–24:00Daily
    Fare
    Free, only for passengers with an air ticket.
    Where
    International Terminal, Floor 1, Gate 6
START WITH YOUR LANDING

A calmer first hour.

Arrival helper: compare the published options for your landing time. Times are local at the airport. It adds time for passport control, baggage and the walk to the station: landing is not leaving.

Based on published hours and fares on the dates shown. It can’t see delays, live availability or tonight’s last connection: always check the operator before you travel.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER TRIPS.

A few things worth knowing.

Personal experiences, with the context that makes them useful.

Individual experiences

Each tip is one traveller’s own experience, published with their permission and reviewed for personal information and spam.

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THE PRACTICAL BITS

Before you go.

Facts from official pages, each with its source and date.

Official and editorial facts

The short version

Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) in the east, linked to the city by the Airport Rail Link, and Don Mueang (DMK) in the north, with the SRT Red Line and the A1–A4 airport buses.1 2 3

In town, the MRT Blue Line runs daily from 06:00 to midnight and meets the BTS Skytrain at Sukhumvit (BTS Asok), while the orange-flag Chao Phraya Express Boat runs along the river for a flat fare.4 5

Getting around

  • MRT Blue Line: 38 stations, daily 06:00–00:00, fares 16–43 baht (July 2023). Change to the BTS Skytrain at Sukhumvit (BTS Asok) and to the Purple Line at Tao Poon.4
  • Airport Rail Link: from Suvarnabhumi via Makkasan to Phaya Thai, where it meets the BTS Sukhumvit Line; 05:30–24:00.6 1
  • Chao Phraya Express Boat, orange flag: Nonthaburi to Wat Ratchasingkhon every day for a flat 16 baht; weekdays 06:00–18:10, weekends and public holidays 08:00–17:00 (July 2023 timetable).5
  • Metered taxis: 40 baht for the first kilometre, then 6.50–10.50 baht per km depending on distance, and 3 baht a minute in slow traffic (rates from 13 January 2023). Booking by app or call centre adds 20 baht.8

Booking and opening

  • Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew11
    Hours
    Daily; tickets 08:30–15:30
    Tickets
    500 baht for foreign visitors, including Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles
    Booking
    Tickets at the gate or online

    The dress code is enforced: no sleeveless, short or see-through tops, no shorts or mini skirts, no torn or tight trousers. The palace’s page gives two closing times (15:30 and 16:30), so check before you go.

    Official tickets and times
  • Wat Pho12
    Hours
    08:00–19:30
    Tickets
    300 baht

    Dress politely: no shorts (trousers are fine), and take your shoes off before entering temple buildings.

    Official tickets and times

Entry rules

Entry depends on your passport and changes: these are the official pages, not advice for your case.

  • Every foreign visitor fills in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before travelling. It is free; look-alike websites charge for it, so use only the official site.13 Official page
  • Thailand changed its visa-exemption and visa-on-arrival rules on 15 September 2026; for many nationalities a visa-free tourist stay is now 30 days. Check your own passport on the official e-Visa site before you book.14 15 Official page

Good to know

  • Tourist Police hotline: 1155, 24 hours a day, in 8 languages.10

Questions

How much is the Airport Rail Link into Bangkok?

The government’s page lists fares from 15 to 45 baht depending on distance, as of its July 2023 update; check before travel.6

Where does the Airport Rail Link connect to the BTS Skytrain and the MRT?

At Phaya Thai for the BTS Sukhumvit Line, and at Makkasan for the MRT Blue Line (Phetchaburi station).6

How much is a taxi from the airport?

The meter fare, plus a 50-baht airport charge, plus any expressway tolls. Meter rates start at 40 baht for the first kilometre, then 6.50–10.50 baht per km (rates from January 2023).7 8

How do I get between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang?

A free shuttle runs between the two airports from 05:00 to midnight for passengers with an onward air ticket: from Floor 2, Gate 3 at Suvarnabhumi, and from the International Terminal, Floor 1, Gate 6 at Don Mueang.1 2

What should I wear to the Grand Palace?

Covered shoulders and legs: sleeveless, short or see-through tops, shorts, mini skirts and torn or tight trousers are not allowed.11

Do I need an arrival card for Thailand?

Yes. Every foreign visitor completes the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online at tdac.immigration.go.th before travelling.13

More about the country: Thailand · Airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) · Don Mueang International Airport (DMK).

PUT THE ADVICE IN CONTEXT

A glimpse of the whole trip.

Public trip pages that travellers chose to feature.

A guide with a paper trail.
Official references and attributed traveller experiences stay distinguishable.
Explore sources
HOW THIS GUIDE IS PUT TOGETHER

Sources and how this guide is made

  1. How to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport into BangkokThailand Center (Public Relations Department) · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 12 Jul 2023
  2. Way to airport: Don MueangAirports of Thailand (Don Mueang Airport) · checked 25 Oct 2026
  3. Commuter Train System Red Line GuideThailand Center (Public Relations Department) · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 12 Jul 2023
  4. MRT (Blue Line) GuideThailand Center (Public Relations Department) · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 12 Jul 2023
  5. Where can the Chao Phraya Express Boat take me?Thailand Center (Public Relations Department) · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 24 Jul 2023
  6. Where can the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport take me?Thailand Center (Public Relations Department) · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 21 Jul 2023
  7. Public TaxiAirports of Thailand (Suvarnabhumi Airport) · checked 25 Oct 2026
  8. Taxi fares in BangkokThailand Center (Public Relations Department) · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 12 Jul 2023
  9. The Seasons of ThailandThailand Center (Public Relations Department) · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 17 Aug 2023
  10. Tourist Police hotline 1155Tourist Police Bureau · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 9 Nov 2025
  11. Practical informationThe Grand Palace (Bureau of the Royal Household) · checked 25 Oct 2026
  12. Plan your visitWat Pho · checked 25 Oct 2026
  13. Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)Thailand Center (Public Relations Department) · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 28 May 2025
  14. Revision of Thailand’s visa exemption and VoA schemes, 2026Government Public Relations Department · checked 25 Oct 2026 · information dated 2 Sept 2026
  15. Thailand introduces new visa-free and visa on arrival rules on September 15, 2026VisasNews · checked 25 Oct 2026 · news / reference, not an official page
  • Official and editorial facts come from the sources above. A person opened each source on the date shown; numbered links show which fact comes from where. Nothing here is live.
  • Individual experiences are travellers’ own tips, published with their permission and checked for personal information and spam, never edited to change what they say. “Linked to a logged trip” means the traveller logged a trip there, not that the tip itself was verified.
  • Community statistics count participating flew.world travellers only, once each; averages need 10 or more independent ratings.

Last editorial review: 25 Oct 2026. Out-of-date information is removed when its source expires. The main picture is an illustration, not a photograph.