Navigating Bangkok: Everything You Need to Know
Before You Go: Is Bangkok Safe?
I have to say it was one of the cities during the whole itinerary that I was most unsure about before arriving. But in all honesty, I felt completely comfortable throughout my stay. I walked around alone during the day, explored markets at night and never once felt unsafe. Even in terms of transport like Grab Scooters
Like any major city, stay aware of your surroundings and politely decline anyone insisting on taking you somewhere "special", but overall I found Bangkok surprisingly easy to navigate as a solo traveller.
📱 SIM Cards
Thailand's temples are some of the most beautiful I've ever visited, and it was the first time I felt so spiritually close to anything. But, that said, it's important to dress respectfully (yes no shit Sherlock, you’re probably thinking. However, the amount of people who fail at this is astounding).
So that means:
• Shoulders covered
• Knees covered
• No see-through clothing
Some temples rent scarves or sarongs if you forget, but it's much easier to pack something lightweight that you can throw on throughout the day.
💰 Cash or Card?
Cards are becoming much more common, especially in shopping centres, hotels and larger restaurants. On the other hand though, street food stalls, markets and even cafés often prefer cash, so I'd always keep a little on you just in case.
I’m sure many people do but I for sure prefer to travel with an eSIM, rather than physical. There are of course companies like Airolo and Holafly but compared to local, they actually seem way more expensive, so typically I get mine locally, either at the airport or in direct sale stores throughout the city.
🚆 Getting Around
Despite the traffic, I actually found the city very easy to navigate. For longer journeys, I mostly used Grab (Southeast Asia's version of Uber), which was affordable, reliable and meant I didn't have to worry about language barriers or negotiating taxi fares. I have to say, I became a bit addicted to the scooters though, I guess it was kind of an adrenaline rush!
Bangkok also has the BTS Skytrain which although I didn’t use, seems to be cheap, air-conditioned and certainly avoids the infamous traffic altogether.
For attractions along the river, don't overlook the public boats either. They're inexpensive, surprisingly efficient and give you a completely different view of the city. It’s especially nice to go past Wat Arun and see it from a new perspective.
👗 Temple Dress Code
📱 SIM Cards
I’m sure many people do but I for sure prefer to travel with an eSIM, rather than physical. There are of course companies like Airolo and Holafly but compared to local, they actually seem way more expensive, so typically I get mine locally, either at the airport or in direct sale stores throughout the city.
🍜 Street Food
Don't be afraid to eat it. Some of the best meals I had in Bangkok came from tiny street stalls with plastic chairs. A good rule of thumb is to look for places that are busy with locals, it's usually a sign the food is fresh and worth trying.
If you're not sure what to try, keep an eye out for boat noodles (kuay teow reua), originally served from boats along Bangkok's canals, pad kra pao, Thailand's famous spicy basil stir-fry topped with a fried egg, moo ping with sticky rice for a quick snack on the go, and khanom krok, delicious little coconut pancakes that are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.
If you've got a sweet tooth, don't leave without trying mango sticky rice (especially during mango season) or a freshly made roti, a crispy pancake usually filled with banana, chocolate or condensed milk.
Final Thoughts
Bangkok might seem intimidating before you arrive, but it’s much easier to figure out than I initially expected. Once you've got the BTS, Grab and a rough idea of which areas you want to explore, the city quickly starts to make a bit more sense.
Hopefully these tips answer some of the questions you had before visiting.
👉 Check out my Bangkok Guide, where I'll take you through the temples, neighbourhoods and experiences I think are worth making time to visit.