My Bangkok Travel Guide

Updated: June 14, 2026 • By Bangkok John

Wat Arun at golden hour across the Chao Phraya River — Wat Arun at sunset, from the river. The standard Bangkok skyline shot earns it.

Bangkok is dense, chaotic, food-mad, and the best Asian city in the world to wander. I’ve been coming back since 2014, sometimes for a weekend, sometimes for months at a stretch. This is the running guide I’d hand to a friend.

The short version: stay riverside on a first trip (Mandarin Oriental, Capella, Four Seasons, Anantara), do the temples on one morning, build the rest around food and the pool. Three to four nights minimum, and don’t try to add Bangkok to the end of a beach trip – start in Bangkok, end on a beach.

My 2026 Bangkok Travel Guide

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Bangkok Basics

Bangkok Hotels

Best Hotels in Bangkok
Best Marriott Bonvoy Hotels in Bangkok
Best Hotels for Families in Bangkok (coming soon)
Best Riverside Bangkok Hotels (coming soon)
Best Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotels (coming soon)
Best Boutique Bangkok Hotels (coming soon)
Best Cheap Bangkok Hotels (coming soon)

Bangkok Activities and Attractions

Bangkok things to do
Bangkok restaurants
Bangkok with kids
Bangkok nightlife and bars (coming soon)
Best Bangkok food tours (coming soon)
Bangkok day trips (Ayutthaya, Amphawa) (coming soon)

Bangkok Travel Planning

Frequently asked questions

How many days in Bangkok?

Three to four nights minimum. Less and you'll feel like you barely arrived. The temples are a day, the food is a couple of evenings, and at least one pool morning is non-negotiable.

Where should I stay on a first trip?

The Riverside (Bang Rak or Charoenkrung). Most of the city's best hotels are there, the river is its loveliest evening view, and the temples are right across the water. Sukhumvit is the second-trip move.

Is Bangkok safe?

Yes. One of the safer big Asian cities for tourists. Take a metered taxi or Grab at night rather than walking long distances; the rest takes care of itself.

Keep reading

Best Hotels in Bangkok – After dozens of stays since 2014, here's where I actually book – the riverside grande dames, the boutiques, and the family pools that have kept three daughters happy.
Bangkok Neighborhoods – Where to Stay and What Each Is For – The honest breakdown of Bangkok's main neighborhoods. Where each one shines, where it doesn't, and which one is right for your trip.
Bangkok Restaurants – Where I Actually Eat – The shortlist. Splurge meals, weekday lunches, street food I keep returning to, and the bar where I always end up at midnight.
Bangkok with Kids – The hotel, the activities, and the small decisions that make Bangkok work for a family trip.
Bangkok Things to Do – The shortlist. Temples, markets, a few weird museums, and the things I'd actually plan a day around.

About Bangkok John

Bangkok John was started in 2020 when I posted my first hotel review. The site now publishes regularly updated guides to Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin, and all of Thailand.

I'm a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member and an Emirates Skywards Gold member, so I lean toward Marriott properties when the choice is close. I pay for my own rooms.

Questions? Email me at hello@bangkokjohn.com.