#1 Bangkok | 3 days stopover
Bangkok as the first destination of my mini world trip was a coincidence. I really wanted to go to Thailand and as most of the flights from Germany land in Bangkok, the fate for 285 Euro decided to take a stopover there. And I have to say … Wow! Amazing city!
In this article you will find inspiration, suggestions and practical travel tips for a three day stopover in Bangkok.
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You go, girl!
After 11.5 hours my plane landed in Bangkok: “It is only 34 °C today and it’s slightly cloudy – a very pleasant weather. Dear passengers, have fun in Bangkok.” OK. Breathe. Stay cool. Unfortunately, I couldn’t avoid a joyous Quicker and caught a grin from the nice steward.
Now just following the crowd and signs for Visum Arrival. Oops. Please wait 45 minutes. Nevertheless good mood level = 100. After the long wait at the counter I saw on the luggage belt immediately my backpack. Thanks to God! With seven other backpackers at the same time, I’m peeling out my whole life for the next few months out of the blue protective cover. Looking to the left and right. Jup. Just as professional as the rest. High Five Fiona.
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It’s all about cash
Next step: Exchanging cash. A friendly Thai woman at the airport in Germany gave me the tip to exchange my money at the very bottom of the airport. The exchange rates for the Wuro are the most advantageous downstairs. Four floors down and many money changers later, I found the place and hold the first time 7,000 Baht in my hand. (Currently 1 Euro is approx. 36 Baht.) Update good mood level = 150.
Good to know: Of course, you can immediately withdraw Baht at the ATMs with every credit card. I always have cash with me for the start, so nothing can go wrong and I can avoid long waiting times at the airport vending machine.
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With the Skytrain to the city center
Let’s go to the city! With the Airport Rail Link (Skytrain from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city) you can get to the city center quickly and cheap. You can not miss the signs. A few minutes later I’m sitting very proudly with my ticket for 45 baht in the train.
My first hotel is located a bit further away from the train station – Google guides me well to the connection bus. At this point: Thanks for living in the 21st century! I would never have found my way around so quickly. And as soon as you look confused on your cell phone, the Thai people pour in from all sides and explain with their hands and feet the right way or accompany you a bit. So: off to the accommodation!
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Accommodations – living like kings
In Bangkok, the price range of sleeping places ranges from 3 Euro per night for a bed in the hostel dormitory up to 350 Euro per night for a king bed almost directly on the rooftop.
For my first two nights, I’ve afforded a little hotel luxury despite low budget travel. An own room with a comfortable bed is after a long flight with possible jet lag definitely heaven on earth! I stayed at the Prince Palace Hotel and paid 67 Euro for two nights including breakfast. My room had 2 (!) Queen size beds (next time I’ll rent the second bed and get the price back out) and was on the 26th floor. Rooftop, 7 restaurants, great breakfast buffet until 12 o’clock, spa, gym. Alright. I will stay here forever.
The last night I spent for 8 Euro in the Happy Monkey Hostel . All I can say is: really great! I expected a basic bed in the dormitory with creepy crawlies. BUT I got a cozy 6 bed dorm with curtains on each bed for privacy, a huge top-equipped bathroom with hair dryer (!) and unbelievable cleanliness.
By the way: I book all accommodation through Booking.com – If you book and rate some nights there, you will benefit from discount deals for your the next trips! And the reviews on the platform have always been very reliable.
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Public transport
After a few hours sleep and an incredibly good green curry: Sightseeing here I come! Bangkok is very modern and you can choose between different options to get from A to B. In short, there are trains, buses and boats.
- BTS Skytrain: The skytrain may not cover all of Bangkok, but if your destinations are in the skytrain area (shopping malls, some tourist areas), I definitely recommend using this train! You can look down on any traffic jam and reach the destination in a few minutes. Furthermore you can easily change the language from ticket machines to English and then select your stop.
Good to know: It’s best to keep some coins in your wallet for the vending machines – this will save you a long wait at the personal ticket sales or change services. My tickets cost all about 35 Baht.
- Underground/Metro (MRT): According to the timetable there is a Blue Line (interesting for you) and a Purple Line (rather outside of Bangkok) I only used the MRT once and the prices are similar to those of the BTS Skytrain.
- Boats: There are express boats and canal boats, each covering their own areas. I definitely recommend to take the express boar at least once, as there are many beautiful sights on the route and you can relax and enjoy everything in a pleasant wind. For only 15 Baht it is worth a ride even if you have no destination and it’s more only a round trip without staying somewhere. Yes – I did this four times. Amazing!
- Busse: By bus you can go everywhere. As soon as you get in, a friendly staff will come to you to ask for your final stop. A ticket costs between 5 and 25 Baht. Don’t worry, if you can’t read the bus stop signs properly – you will be notified as soon as you have to get out! I have not seen a bus timetable or something similar. But Google Maps always helps you bravely which bus number you have to take. You will see the number unmistakably in the front of the buses
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Without public transport in Bangkok
If you don’t like cuddly and sweaty train rides, there are more relaxed options. And they are definitely more fun, too!
- Tuk Tuk: My favorite for short distances. The colorful, flashing vehicles can be found every few meters on the roadside or the drivers shout from the road “Tuk Tuk”. Easy. Sometimes a bit bumpy but always with a pleasant wind around your nose, you experience the city in a typical Thai way. The price is negotiated before you start.
Good to know: There are Tuk Tuks with white and yellow license plates. My first friend in Bangkok (security man who brought me alive across the first major intersection) told me that the Tuk Tuks with the yellow license plate are normally cheaper and I should never pay more than 50 Baht for 10-minute trip.
- Taxi: There are classic taxis with a big “taxi meter” sign on the top (very tourist friendly). The taxi drivers are so happy as soon as you get in and tell you some stories from the city – even if they often don’t speak English at all. You can not or should not negotiate the price, because the taxi drivers legally stick to the taxi meter. That’s also good for you – it’s a normal city price and they are not kidding.
- Motorbike Taxi: Great for quickly reaching your destination during rush hour. But rather only with little luggage – with a big backpack the ride is often very exhausting. You shouldn’t have weak nerves, because the drivers drive fast through the traffic everywhere, no matter if sidewalk or the oncoming lane.
- Grab: Get the app “Grab” on your next trip to Thailand. It works like Uber and you can order a car or a motorcycle. The price is shown directly to you. You can pay cash or immediately via the app. If you get too long waiting times, you can use the price suggested there as well as a negotiation basis for the next Tuk Tuk / Motorbike.
- By foot: Once you have arrived at the sightseeing spots, you can walk a lot by foot. I almost walked only because you meet wonderful locals along the way, who always got some tips. But: you will sweat like hell 🙂
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Must go in Bangkok
Of course, in three days I have not explored every corner of the city. But I can give you some recommendations and must go tips.
TEMPLE
There are more than 400 temples in Bangkok. If you’re temple addicted and want to see every temple, have fun. You can also just look for the biggest or best rated temples. I visited 13 and found my favorite immediately!
Good to know: Upper arms and legs must be covered when entering a temple complex. If you visit a temple spontaneously and you are not dressed appropriately, you can often simply borrow or buy a sarong at the entrance.
Wat Pho
Wat Pho is located in the center of the old town and is by far the most beautiful temple for me. I first looked around by myself and then joined a guided tour. For many visitors the huge lying Buddha is the highlight (46m long!). You will find in every corner many more little Buddhas, beautiful ornate details and above all a lot of peace, because the area is very large and all visitors spread wonderfully.
Entrance fee: 200 Baht (including free water)
Address: 2 Sanam Chai Rd, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200
RELAXATION IN THE LUMPHINI PARK
If you need a short break after a busy day of sightseeing or just want to hide from the noise of the city, I can recommend the Lumphini Park. There is a great lake in the park where you can borrow a paddleboat (but you need a pedal partner for that, as it is a two-person boat). In addition, there are public sports exercises such as aerobics or yoga.
I was just lying in the shade for two hours until I was awakened by the Sprinkler System. A few moments later, whistles sounded and everyone stopped. Ehm okay? Then the national anthem was played and everyone were in silent. After a second whistle, the normal activity continued. This action takes place every day at 6pm!
Entrance fee: free
Address: Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330
ROOFTOP BAR
Classic in Bangkok – but it’s really worth it! The city is littered with sky bars and on every tall building there is a rooftop. However, the spectacle is often very costly. That’s why I was only on the rooftop of my hotel (yep, the luxury for these two nights was really worth it) and on the Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar, floors 45-49 on the roof of a Marriott hotel. Why there? Simply because two locals and my dear friend Axel recommended the bar to me. During the sunset there are even half price cocktails – happy hour from 5pm to 7pm whoop whoop!
Good to know: Most sky bars have a dress code, which means: no flip-flops, no shorts and sleeveless shirts for men. The women wear 99% dresses. These may also be cut shorter.
Entrance fee: free
Address: Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, 2 Sukhumvit Soi 57, Bangkok, Thailand
TERMINAL 21
Yes! Shopping Center! For me, unfortunately, that meant just looking and not touching. Apart from the fact that my backpack is full to the top, my bank account appears in my head every day. But it was damn worth it to take this shopping experience with an airport look. In the modern center, you can use the escalators to get from one theme terminal to the next. Paris, Tokyo, London, Istanbul – everyone will definitely get their money’s worth here.
And the prices are also affordable for the designer brands. Of course, these prices cannot be compared with a cheap night market in Bangkok.
Good to know: Go to the toilets on each floor, which are also designed in the appropriate style! #toilethopping
Entrance fee: free
Address: 88 Soi Sukhumvit 19, Khwaeng Khlong Toei Nuea, Khet Watthana, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110
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Must eat in Bangkok
You can really find food everywhere in Bangkok! One culinary delight after the other. Fresh, often very healthy and above all spicy. Very important for those who have a sensitive stomach just like me: Be sure to learn the words “Mai phet krap (men) / kah (women)”! = not spicy.
The food is still slightly spicy and you can slowly get used to it. The price range for good food is enormous! I really recommend you to try street food. It only costs a few cents and if you live like “boil it cook it peel it or forget it”, nothing can go wrong anyway. The national dish Phat Thai is definitely a must eat. I tested the fried noodles with vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce in all variations with seafood, chicken, pork and tofu. Can I have some more, please! Every day!
Conclusion | 3 days stopover in Bangkok
Worth it! Three days are not enough to experience all the highlights of the city. But three days offer a wonderful stopover with loud, chaotic but also wonderful Thailand flair.
And yet I’m happy to travel to the quieter north of Thailand now.
Have you ever been to Bangkok and do you have any other tips? Feel free to write your must see in the comments so we can all benefit from it! 🙂
Lots of Love ♥
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