One Night in Bangkok is a must on every trip to Thailand. Thailand's capital is the shopping eldorado, with numerous markets every day, the huge Chatuchak Weekend Market, which always takes place on the weekends, and shopping malls and malls that leave nothing to be desired. Bangkok is a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity. There are countless food stalls with authentic Thai food and several restaurants serving Japanese and international cuisine. Here is simply served every taste. Bangkok is my ultimate favorite city!

In Bangkok there are many very good hotels for every budget. If you are just passing through and you do not want to visit the city, there are a number of hotels near the Suvarnabhumi International Airport (only a 5-10 minute drive away).

However, if you want to visit this vibrant metropolis, consider booking an accommodation near the Siam Center, Sukhumvit or the Khao San Road backpacker area.

Since September 2006, Bangkok has launched the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, as well as a second, older airport (Don Muaeng), which now has the most domestic connections (as well as flights to neighboring Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, China, South Korea and others) and land. Since 2007, Don Muaeng Airport has become more and more of a hub within Asia. From here, flights are mainly handled by smaller Asian airlines (such as Nok Air, [Thai / Indonesian] Air Asia, Thai Lion Air, New Gen Airways, Malindo Air). However, from Suvarnabhumi Airport domestic flights of Thai Airways take place. There are free shuttle bus connections between both airports. Bangkok also has a very well developed network of public transport. With the Airport Rail Link and MRT / Skytrain or buses you can easily get from the airport to the city.

Arrival from USA:

From New York you can reach Bangkok in about 20 hrs. Most flights have a stopover in Doha, Abu Dhabi or Qatar.

From Los Angeles most flights do have an stop over in asian cities like Seoul, Hong Kong or Bejing. Flight time is between 20 to 30 hrs.

Arrival from Canada:

From Vancouver most flights do have an stop over in asian cities like Seoul, Hong Kong or Bejing. Flight time is between 17 to 25 hrs.

From Toronto most flights do have an stop over in asian cities like Seoul, Teipeh or Bejing. Flight time is between 17 to 22 hrs.

Arrival from England:

From London there are Nonstop Flights by Thai Airways, British Airways and EVA Air. Other flights do have an stop over in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Qatar. Flight time is between 11,5 to 16 hrs.

Arrival from Germany:
Direct (non-stop) flights to Bangkok from Germany are available from Lufthansa and Thai Airways.
Furthermore, the Emirates airlines (Etihad, Qatar and Emirates) offer direct connections, but with a stopover in their respective capitals: Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai.
Air China now also offers very cheap flights via Beijing to Bangkok. In part, the stop in Beijing is over 10 hours. But in China / Beijing there is the possibility to stay up to 72 hours visa free.

Airport transfer to the hotel:
The airport transfer is possible in addition to public transport with taxis. The cars with "taximeter" label go to clock and you will be billed afterwards. Some hotels have free shuttle buses from the airport to the hotel and back.

You can also rent a car at the airport. Here are all the usual lenders to choose from (Thai Rent a Car, AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz). Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way is to book the car already in your homecountry.
 
Arrival from Bangkok:
In Bangkok there are 2 airports to choose from: Don Muaeng  (where only small asian airlines ans some domestic flights take off and land) and Suvarnabhumi International

From Don Muaeng airport (domestic airport) to the city:
From Don Muaeng you can take a train to Bang Sue Station. Here you take the MRT (Blue Line) to the station Mo Chit. From Mo Chit you continue with the BTS (Sukhumvit) to the Siam Center.

Or you can take bus no. 29 to the Siam Center. The distance is about 23 km and takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic.

Arrival from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in the city:
Take the Airport Link City Line or Airport Link Express line to Phaya Thai Station and change to BTS (Sukhumvit) to Siam Center.

More about transport and traffic within Bangkok as well as bus connections to other tourist regions (Pattaya, Hua Hin, various islands)

Arrival from Koh Phangan / Koh Tao / Koh Samui:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. With the mini bus we continue to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani (Phangan & Samui) or Chumphon (Koh Tao). From the pier you can catch a pick-up or minibus to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok.

The journey by land is e.g. possible from Surat Thani or Chumphon with the so-called "VIP Bus" or "Aircon Bus" and takes between 13 and 16 hours depending on traffic. Due to the air conditioning, it gets really cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride.

From Koh Samui you can also travel by plane to Bangkok.

Arrival from Phuket:
Again, it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. The mini bus continues to the bus station in Phuket Town and from there by VIP bus to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok.

Depending on traffic, the journey takes between 14 and 18 hours. In the buses, it is very cold due to the air conditioning. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride.

From Phuket you can alternatively travel by plane to Bangkok.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Krabi, Khao Lak, Pattaya, Hua Hin):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes on to the bus station and from there with the VIP bus on to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok.

From Krabi you can alternatively travel by plane to Bangkok.

Arrival from Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok to the city:
From Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) to Wong Wian Yai Station, take bus 164. Change to BTS Silom Line to Siam Station.

The area between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Siam Center is very well connected by public transport (Airport Rail Link, BTS and MTS), so you can get on and off at many stops here.

Shopping:

Bangkok is the ultimate shopping paradise. Near the BTS station "Siam" there are some big malls, where you can buy everything imaginable, from luxury and designer products to cheap mass-produced goods. The best department stores are

•     MBK Center: large center with many small shops, u.a. Fake products
•     Siam Center: international fashion brands, young designers and Thai products
•     Siam Paragon: Luxury mall with high-priced international designers
•     Siam Discovery: International fashion labels
•     Central World: Thailand's largest mall, with many international designers and young         fashion labels

At the BTS station Asok there is a particularly nice mall called the terminal 21. The individual floors are provided with sights / highlights from different countries (Caribbean, Rome, Paris, Tokyo, London, Istanbul, San Francisco and Hollywood)

In November 2018, the ICONSIAM was opened as a luxury mall of superlatives. Here you will find numerous high-priced designers and some flagship stores. On the top floor is a fine food and restaurant area. The floor is beautifully designed, including water features and light show, as well as an exhibition on Bangkok's city history. The mall is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

markets:
The largest market is Chatuchak weekend market. Here there is really every conceivable item for sale. The market is fascinating, the area very spacious and the market is very well visited. (Skytrain station Mo Chit)

The Pat Pong night market is also very popular. From 5 pm, the red light district turns into a colorful street market (Skytrain station Sala Daeng)

The Pratunam Market is a large textile market. There are many booths and a "wholesale area" for wholesalers. (Skytrain stop Siam)

Rooftop bars
For the evening hours, visit one of the numerous rooftop bars (attic bars) and enjoy the magnificent view of Bangkok's skyline.

One of the most famous bars is located on the roof of the Lebua State Tower. Here are some scenes of the movie "Hangover 2" was filmed. The hotel, restaurant and bar in the Lebua State Tower are rather luxurious, but there is still no strict dress code, as described in many places. The hotel and the bar can be reached via the BTS Skytrain station Sarusak. The hotel is located in the Maha Nakhon district on 1055 Silom Road.

47th United Central Building is located in the Silom district of 323 Silom Road. Cocktail Bar Cloud 47 is on the 47th floor of the building. The bar is large and offers live music on a stage between 8pm and midnight. There are various wines and beers, as well as excellent cocktails and snacks. The bar is accessible via the BTS Skytrain station Sala Daeng. There is no strict dress code.

Baiyoke Sky offers 7 restaurants as well as a rooftop bar and viewing platform from the 84th floor. Here you have to pay 400 THB entrance fee, including a free drink. The view of the city is phenomenal. The Baiyoke Sky Hotel can be reached via the BTS Skytrain station Phaya Thai. Again, there is no dress code. However, the hotel and bar are well frequented, so it may be advisable to reserve a table.

Banyan Tree Hotel is located in the Thai Wah Building in the Maha Nakhon district (21/100 South Sathorn Road). Here, there are excellent ways to spend your evening: In the Moon Bar, there are in addition to the magnificent view over the city good cocktails and the Vertigo Grill very good food. Also dinner cruises (ship rides) are offered on the Chao Phraya. The hotel can be reached via the BTS Skytrain station Sala Daeng.

The Bitter Deck at Sala Arun Hotel is in close proximity to Chao Phraya, Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Museum of Siam. From the roof terrace you have a beautiful view of the historic buildings, which are also lit in the evening (Wat Arun is currently not lit Feb.2017, due to renovation). The bar is located at 49 Maha Rat Road, near the Tha Thien pier on Chao Phraya. Nearest BTS Skytrain station is Saphan Taksin.

At the rooftop (78th floor) of the Maha Nakhon Building, which opened in 2016, there is located a sky bar with sweeping views. The Maha Nakhon Building is 314 meters high, making it Thailand's tallest building. The tickets to the rooftop cost about 750 THB and include 1 soft drink (discounts / reduced ticket prices are offered at certain times). Also located on the roof terrace there is a Skywalk (a kind of transparent glass balcony). There is no dress code! The building can be reached by the skytrain, the stop is Chong Nonsi in Bang Rak district. Address: 114 Naradhiwat Rajanagarindra Rd, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand

In 2019, the Spectrum Lounge & Bar was opened on the roof of the 5-star Hyatt Regency Hotel on Sukhumvit Road. In addition to an open-air area with space for around 200 people, there is also a covered lounge and bar area with space for an additional 50 guests. The Rooftop Bar is open from 5.30pm until 1.00am. The bar is very luxurious and decorated with art objects. Important: to visit you should be dressed appropriately, sporty or too casual clothes, sneakers or flip flops are not allowed! Hyatt Regency is accessible via Nana BTS Station. Address: 1 Soi Sukhumvit 13, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand