How to Avoid Common Mistakes Travelers Make on their First Visit to Bangkok
I hated Bangkok the first time I visited.
I’m the kind of person who goes to a new city, and even before I leave, am planning itineraries in my head for when I am able to return. Questions like “What city would you like to go back to?” always stump me because the honest answer is “Almost everywhere.”
In Bangkok, I spent my time thinking about how quickly I could escape the city and never have to come back.
Fast forward to when I was living in Milan, Italy and as part of a holiday raffle, won a prize that would have excited anyone else – a free round-trip flight to Bangkok!
Honestly, I felt a bit restrained in my excitement. How did I end up with the one gift everyone would want but me??
Quickly rationalizing in my head, I realized that a flight to Bangkok would be a good excuse to go to Hong Kong and celebrate Chinese New Year there. And that I could tack on some time in northern Thailand for rock climbing and other adventures that I had skipped on my first trip.
Even though I had to fly through Bangkok both coming and going – honestly? I debated spending any time in the city at all.
In the end, to avoid having multiple back-to-back flights to get back home to Milan, I decided to spend a minimal amount of time in Bangkok and would try to have a better experience the second time around.
Why I Hated Bangkok & Tips for What to Do Instead
Bangkok is not an easy city for many travelers, even experienced ones. It boasts its own special brand of chaos that is hard to handle and can be quite frustrating. Even more so if you’ll be traveling solo.
READ MORE: How to Plan Solo Travel in 8 Easy Steps
Here I break down all the parts of Bangkok that drove me crazy on my first visit – and what to do instead so you don’t repeat my mistakes and have an enjoyable visit when you go. I even came away from my return visit liking the city.
It’s possible, I swear!
#1 | What Went Wrong with Taxis and Tuk Tuks
Trying to go somewhere? Transportation in Bangkok can be a challenge.
It was sometimes hard to hail a tuk tuk – the open-air mini transport common in southeast Asia – if you weren’t going to one of the most common tourist spots. Other than heading toward Khao San Road where backpackers tend to stay, drivers would often shrug their shoulders at your intended destination and simply drive off.
Taxi rides were equally difficult to come by. Even once after getting in the taxi – ably hailed with assistance from hotel staff – I got lost on the way (even with a street address written out in Thai!) because so many street names are identical or don’t go in order depending on which direction you’re traveling in the city.
Another time when I had Google Maps open on my cell phone in Thai, and an address marked off with a star, after minimal effort glancing at the screen, the taxi driver decided that it was too much effort to figure out the destination and he simply drove off without me.
What to Do Instead
Even though it doesn’t help all of the time, having verified locations with Thai writing and marked on a map ready to show the driver will increase your chances of hailing transport immensely. The one time I could not get a taxi to take me to my destination, a tuk tuk driver consulted the map on my phone and was able to go right there.
It also helps to stay somewhere that is close to the Skytrain or other public transportation, so that you are minimally dependent on tuk tuks or taxis to get around. I stayed right by a Skytrain station on my return visit and it was much easier to get around the city on my own.
Check out budget hotel deals in Bangkok HERE
TIP! If you are staying at a hotel or near a hotel, it is probably much easier to get a tuk tuk or taxi organized there. Staff are happy to hail one off the street or call.
TIP! There are also some taxi apps that were not available on my first trip but exist now – see the ‘General Travel Tips’ section below.
#2 | What Went Wrong with the Weather
Bangkok the first time around was quite uncomfortable with the heat. Even though it was December, it was quite hot visiting attractions during the day, and I was coated in a glistening sheen of sweat within minutes of walking outside.
What to Do Instead
The obvious solution, which did not occur to me on my first visit, is to simply do a tour of outdoor attractions at night, when temperatures are cooler. On my return trip, I did a fabulous Bangkok Night Lights Tuk Tuk Tour with Expique.
While I don’t always opt for organized tours when I travel, this small group tour was perfect. During the more moderate weather after the sun went down, tuk tuks whisked us around the city, and our engaging guide shared tidbits of information at every stop and shared a Thai local’s perspective.
Explore Tour Options with Expique HERE
In addition having a guide, taking the tour made transportation easy. The meeting point was at a Skytrain station and since there are dedicated tuk tuks for the entire tour, you don’t have to contend with the hassle of hailing a tuk tuk yourself between each attraction as you would have to do on your own.
TIP! You can also pay extra to have your tuk tuk transport you back to your accommodation at the end of the tour.
#3 | What Went Wrong with Money
You would not believe how many arguments ensued with taxi drivers about making change.
It goes something like this: I offer a bill sufficient to pay the fare. The driver holds up his hands helplessly explaining that he does not have enough change and asks if you have a smaller bill. As a tourist, it’s hard to tell if it’s a real predicament or if someone is trying to scam you.
What to Do Instead
While in some cases it may seem like someone trying to extort you into paying more, the reality is that most street vendors and tuk tuk or taxi drivers only have small bills. If you have anything decently large (500 Baht or more), they may legitimately struggle to make small change.
Even though 500 Baht is only around US$15 or €15, it is often too large a bill for vendors or drivers to accept or make change for.
Be prepared to over-tip or even easier – avoid conflict by having small bills on hand. Otherwise the Asian custom of saving face may prevail, and the driver in an effort to avoid conflict, will drive off without any money at all. Don’t put drivers in this difficult position.
TIP! Change out any large ATM bills at a currency exchange – this is easy to do at the airport or your hostel/hotel – or at a brick-and-mortar store like a 7-11 or supermarket if you make a small purchase.
#4 | What Went Wrong with Public Transportation
In many cities I’ve traveled around the world, local public transportation systems have pretty thorough coverage of the city center. In Bangkok on my first visit, this was not the case.
My hotel was not particularly close to a Skytrain station, and there were very limited options to get around without taking the long trek or struggling with other transport options. It was a hassle, and felt limiting in terms of exploring the city.
What to Do Instead
Stay near a centrally located Skytrain station!
As I’ve already mentioned, finding taxis or tuk tuks are not always easy, so having nearby access to the reliable transportation system dramatically changes your experience in the city. I was able to easily get to my accommodation from the airport when I arrived and had close access to get around Bangkok on my own once I arrive.
READ MORE: Top Reasons to Savor Solo Travel
Of course, being central as well as near a Skytrain station ensures more access on foot as well, and there were several attractions and markets within walking distance.
For my second visit, I stayed at In A Box Hostel.
Find budget accommodations at In A Box Hostel HERE
Find other great deals on accommodation options in Bangkok HERE
#5 | What Went Wrong with the Crowds
When Bangkok gets crowded, it is really crowded.
My first visit was over New Year’s Eve, and the city was completely packed during the holiday period. Like other cities around the world, Bangkok has a large fireworks display that attracts a lot of tourists looking to celebrate somewhere memorable.
Traveling during a holiday period also meant overwhelming crowds and lines at tourist attractions, with most people heading in similar directions to the most popular markets and sights around town.
What to Do Instead
First, the Bangkok Night Lights Tuk Tuk Tour with Expique that I mentioned in #2 above was a great way to experience the city and sights minus the crowds. I wish I had known about it on my first visit.
Explore Tour Options with Expique HERE
Bangkok also boasts also lesser known but equally amazing tourist attractions, like The Jim Thompson House. Seek out more sights that are off the beaten path to experience Bangkok in a more relaxed way. Or visit during the off season.
General Travel Tips for Bangkok
Of course, compensating for all of the typical first-time visitor mistakes won’t be enough to keep you safe and happy in Bangkok all on their own.
Most of the tips listed below are general city smarts, although some are specific to Bangkok and Thailand.
Here are some more tips for when you go:
Plan to haggle.
Take at least half the price off the initial offer from any vendor when you make your counteroffer, but be kind when reaching an agreeable price.
Keep valuables secure.
Especially with all the motorbikes zooming around, the threat of a snatch-and-grab for your purse, camera, or other valuables is real. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables secure and out of reach of any rapidly passing vehicles, especially motorbikes.
Watch out for scams.
The most common scams are people telling you either that “tourist attractions are closed for official reason X” or that there are “no restaurants are in that direction” – and then re-directing you to their friend’s jewelry store or overpriced tourist restaurant.
At tourist attractions, scammers may even be wearing official-looking badges!
Also, don’t buy any gems or jewelry or tailored suits unless it is from a reputable store someone reliable has vouched for. These are common products that many scammers target.
Be Savvy with each Transit Option.
Tuk Tuks. Be sure to negotiate a price before you get in and don’t pay until the end of your trip when you have arrived at your destination.
TIP! It helps to ask at your hostel/hotel what the approximate price should be before hitting the streets, so you can have confidence with your negotiations.
Taxis. Be sure you are running on the meter, and then track the route on your phone to be sure you’re being taken the direct way. If the driver refuses to run on the meter, leave the vehicle and find a different taxi.
Apps. Uber and GrabTaxi are great alternatives to hailing a taxi off the street.
TIP! If you plan to hail taxis with the apps, buy a local SIM card or be sure your home country’s data plan will work.
Boats. I didn’t realize that boats were part of public transit until late in my first visit. It’s a great way to get between many places most directly.
Practice good Buddha etiquette.
Don’t sit with your feet facing the Buddha or take any pictures where you are higher than Buddha. Even if it’s sweltering, having something lightweight like a scarf or cardigan to cover up. And remove hats and shoes before entering a temple.
Explore local cuisine.
Gorge yourself on street food, especially at Chatuchak Market on the weekend. Many dishes come as a series of little bites, so easy to sample many different items from different stands, whether you’re at a market or just strolling around the city.
You’ll also see sidewalk cafes that have tables to sit-down, but are basically full restaurants where all the cooking happens on the street!
And of course, Bangkok has great upscale and fine dining spots. But what you may not know is that they are likely to be way more affordable than comparable spots at home. As a solo traveler, I was pleasantly surprised at how many dishes I was able to sample off tasting menus, like the one at nahm, on my return visit.
READ MORE: How to Eat Well When You Travel Solo
Take a cooking class.
I don’t always take cooking classes when I travel, but it is a great approachable way to learn about the ingredients you’ll find at Thai markets and how to turn them into delicious dishes. I still use what I learned at a cooking class with Silom Thai Cooking School in Bangkok to cook Thai dishes at home regularly.
Find Silom Thai Cooking School Reviews & Booking Information HERE
Treat yourself.
Massages in Thailand are ridiculously cheap. I found my favorite spot on my last visit by looking at reviews close to where I was staying and found a great, local spot.
Outside of fancy hotels and spas you’ll spend a mere US$5 or €5 for either an hour-long foot massage or full body massage.
Obviously there are a lot of great reasons for visiting Bangkok and Thailand, and yes, I recommend that you visit. However, having a great time is not as easy to do as it might be in some other places you’ve visited.
So keep your travel savvy heightened when you go and follow these tips – and you’ll have an amazing time.
Happy travels!
Lana
Have you ever been to Bangkok? Did you enjoy your visit? Any other tips that I missed?
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