I used to be a bit of apprehensive about being a backpacker in Bangkok after listening to combined critiques. Some individuals liked it, others thought in another way. For me, after spending three nights on this unimaginable, chaotic metropolis, I can safely say that I really like Bangkok. It’s carnage in the very best approach, and the well-known Khao San Highway is a backpackers dream! So, let me share my favorite issues to do in Bangkok… and some of the opposite suggestions I realized alongside my approach!
Picture by Florian Wehde on Unsplash
Issues so as to add to your Bangkok bucket record
Eat the road meals
Bangkok is road meals heaven for any backpacker, and making an attempt some out is among the first issues that you must do within the metropolis! You’ll quickly spot a person with a pad thai meals truck on wheels that doesn’t seem like it might go UK well being and security laws… however belief me that is the place you’ll discover a number of the finest meals. To not point out the perfect worth for cash.
Be ready to pay a bit of extra once you go into eating places or cafes. I imply, the whole lot is low price in comparison with UK costs, however once you’re on a backpackers price range, each baht helps.
Picture by Streets of Meals on Unsplash
Go to The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
The Grand Palace is an important cease for anybody visiting Bangkok for the very first time.
As town’s most well-known attraction, anticipate to be in awe of the flowery splendour and complicated ornament on the gorgeous Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.)
Belief us, this actually has to seen to be believed: surfaces are coated with intricate mosaics made out of vibrant glass and mirrors – which look notably gorgeous after they catch the solar in the suitable approach. Oh, and don’t overlook to lookup – you’ll see tons of of legendary creatures adorning the buildings and ceilings.
Prime backpacker tip:
Anticipate to cowl up when in these locations – and in the event you’re hoping to put on a spaghetti strap high, take one thing to cover your shoulders out of respect!
Scarfs can be found to hire for round 50 baht with a 100 baht deposit at Wat Arun, but it surely’s simply pointless cash which could possibly be higher spent.
Wat Pho Temple
Not removed from the Grand Palace is the attractive Wat Pho: one of many oldest and largest temples in Bangkok. It’s additionally house to the famend, 46 meter lengthy, golden reclining Buddha which is unquestionably a should see if you wish to be in awe – to not point out the largest assortment of Buddha imagery in the entire nation.
Picture by Kevin Olson on Unsplash
Get pleasure from a ship experience alongside the Chao Phraya River
Not solely is a visit alongside the gorgeous The Chao Praya an fascinating perception right into a time when Bangkok was thought-about the ‘Venice of the East’, it’s a extremely good commuting choice in a very gridlocked metropolis.
Because the native’s journey methodology of alternative, this memorable boat experience is a very stunning solution to see this metropolis of previous and new. Benefit from the juxtaposition of the standard riverside homes, temples, fashionable skyscrapers and rainbow colored lengthy tail boats as you experience down the river – belief me, you’ll find it irresistible!
Climb Wat Arun
Wat Arun, also referred to as ‘Temple of the Daybreak’ is simply on the opposite aspect of the Grand Palace, and can also be a shocking sight that actually must be seen to be believed.
It’s an excellent steep climb, there’s no denying that, however in the event you can courageous the burn, you’ll be rewarded with a number of the most attractive view over the river – so ensure that your digicam is charged for this one!
Picture by Jordan Le on Unsplash
Uncover Bangkok’s historical past on the Museum of Siam
If that is your first time backpacking round Bangkok, you’ll undoubtedly wish to add this to your record of issues to do within the metropolis!
Right here you’ll be able to uncover the whole lot that you must find out about Thailand’s vibrant historical past, artwork and tradition – and even be taught extra about Buddhism earlier than visiting the temples! Utilizing enjoyable reveals to provide you all the data you want in easy-to-digest bites, this entertaining museum is absolutely delivered to life by being in a ravishing heritage constructing itself.
Try the view from the Sky Bar at Lebua
With the movie ‘The Hangover’ placing this stunning bar on the map, it’s undoubtedly a should see in Bangkok. Seeing this gorgeous metropolis at night time from 64 flooring up is fairly superb, but it surely’s not very price range pleasant with cocktails coming in at £22 every, (a full day’s price range for backpackers equivalent to ourselves.)
That mentioned, you will get a beer for £9, so there are alternatives in the event you’re simply after that Instagrammable photograph in your socials!
The bar is on Silom Highway, which I’d additionally advocate as a very nice space to remain in in the event you assume Khao San is a bit of daunting.
Picture by Paul Szewczyk on Unsplash
Gown up on the Unicorn Café
Some days you go to stunning, cultural locations… and a few days you simply want to decorate up as a unicorn, eat fairly unicorn meals and be surrounded by unicorn issues.
At Unicorn Café, Bangkok, they perceive this – which is why they cater in your internal little one. So, if consuming princess waffles in a unicorn onesie is up your road, then head to Bang Rak. I’ve received be sincere, this was one in all my favorite issues to do in Bangkok by far!
instagram.com/unicornbrand
Prime suggestions for visiting bangkok
So, now you realize what issues so as to add to your Bangkok bucket record, listed here are some high tricks to get essentially the most out of your journey….
Get a traveller sim card within the airport
You should buy a 30-day sim card for 459 baht (about £13) in Bangkok airport with free limitless 4g and 500 baht name credit score – which I’d say is a fairly good discount!
In addition to the consolation of realizing O2 aren’t going to hit you with a large invoice once you get house, Google maps and the web are an absolute god ship once you’re making an attempt to work your approach spherical a overseas metropolis.
Nevertheless, in the event you’re form of trying ahead to being reduce off from the world for a bit of bit and wish to stick together with your present sim, free Wi-Fi is virtually in all places anyway.
Maps.me can also be a fab offline model of Google maps so that you don’t want web. Each backpacker is on the Maps.me bandwagon.
Picture by Florian Wehde on Unsplash
Don’t anticipate the visitors to cease for you on a zebra crossing
After making an attempt to cross a street for ten minutes I realised zebra crossings are extra of an optionally available probably privilege on this nation.
A great quaint sport of hen with the visitors is how it is best to deal with this one. Or simply anticipate a Thai particular person to cross the street and comply with them, they know what they’re doing they received this! Dying by tuk tuk probably.
Take the free bus
Neglect the Arriva bus with free Wi-Fi or the comfortable bus from again house. Lookout for a shaggy trying crimson bus that appears prefer it’s about to disintegrate. These buses go everywhere in the metropolis and better of all, they’re free! Fully inside price range. Simply inform the driving force the place you wish to go and he’ll let you know what quantity to get. You may even ask a Thai particular person on the bus cease. Strangers have been so useful they usually love an opportunity to observe their English.
Bangkok Backpacker saving tip: the river taxi is approach cheaper than the tour boat
The river taxi is among the quickest and best methods of getting round Bangkok in the event you’re a backpacker, to not point out essentially the most picturesque. They function up and down the river regularly costing round 10 baht relying on the size of the journey. There are additionally smaller ferries to cross the river setting you again a measly 3 baht (7p like severely). The tour boats price round 30 baht and principally do the identical route solely you’ve gotten a tour information speaking you thru the whole lot so it relies upon what you’re in search of. You will get to the principle temples by way of river taxi together with Wat Arun and the Grand Palace.
Picture by paweldotio on Unsplash
Bangkok Backpacker saving tip: Don’t be afraid to barter
Thai’s can inform a vacationer a mile off which is an ideal cash making alternative when a recent, susceptible backpacker first hits the streets having little expertise on this surroundings earlier than. Don’t get me incorrect, don’t be going into eating places making an attempt to barter them down for a set of spring rolls, however when your buying or getting transport like taxis and tuk tuk that is the place you hustle. In my expertise, relying in your bartering abilities they’ll often cave for probably at the very least half the worth they first suggest. Barter that shit!
If a taxi doesn’t have a metre, ask a worth earlier than you get in
It’s an ordinary process of getting ripped off in first taxi you get in a brand new nation as you haven’t but managed to get the gist of the foreign money and costs but. Normally taxis could have a metre however I’ve heard of them pretending it’s damaged or protecting them up. If this occurs simply ask a worth and barter that shit in the event you really feel it’s an excessive amount of.
Tuk Tuks try to rip you off
If you inform the driving force the place you wish to go he’ll say a worth. This isn’t a hard and fast worth and he’s greater than open to negotiating. Relying on the worth I may begin the bartering at half the preliminary worth and work your approach up. Taxis are cheaper but it surely’s a lot enjoyable flying house from Khao San Highway at 3am in a tuk tuk.
Picture by Lauren Kay on Unsplash
Be taught to make use of the bum gun
In the event you don’t know what a bum gun is don’t be afraid, it’s not as violent because it sounds. It’s nevertheless an artwork after just a few buckets on Khao San Highway and never popping out trying such as you’ve moist your self.
Mainly, the sewers in Thailand can’t deal with shit like ours can at house, actually, in order that they have a small bathe head sort factor on the wall of each rest room, to rinse your self off after you’ve performed what you are promoting.
You’re then alleged to dry your self with rest room paper that’s by no means there, put it within the bin and pour a bucket of water down the bathroom after. It should take just a few goes of getting drenched and blasting your bits too exhausting earlier than you get the dangle of it.
All a part of the expertise, lol.
Bangkok Backpacker dare: Attempt a fried insect
Cremated scorpions and different bugs on sticks shall be getting shoved in your face left proper and centre. For the sake of £1, it’s value it for the soiled image alternative if nothing else. Very Instaworthy.
Picture by Moritz Bruder on Unsplash
FOR MORE TRAVEL TIPS CHECK OUT OUR OTHER GUIDES HERE.