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bangkok river

Solo Travel Tips: Bangkok, Thailand

March 4, 2015AleahAsia, Guides and Tips, Recent Post, Solo Travel City Guides, Thailand88 Comments
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Thailand attracts millions of visitors every year, with Bangkok as its main gateway.

Like any other capital, it has lots of pollution and scams awaiting the clueless tourist. You will find the same in Manila or Saigon. However, I loved Bangkok; I went there before in 2011 and 2012, and in 2014, I lived there for four months, when restrictions on visa runs had yet to be implemented.  I loved the city — its people, its attractions, and of course, the food.

Readers have recently asked me about my solo travel tips to Bangkok so I decided once and for all to write this post. While this is targeted to solo female travelers, it can apply to other tourists as well.

bangkok river with text

Arriving in Bangkok

Bangkok has two airports: Suvarnabhumi, the main international airport, and Don Mueang, the old airport now used by AirAsia. When you arrive via Suvarnabhumi and don’t have a lot of bags, skip the taxi and go by train instead.

Go down to the lowest floor of the airport, and you’ll find the Airport Rail Link which goes to Phaya Thai, one of the BTS stations in the city. Once in Phaya Thai, find the nearest BTS station to your hotel and you’re all set. You don’t even have to go down to street level.

If you have an AirAsia flight and find yourself in Don Mueang, there are shuttle buses right outside the airport. Turn right once you exit from the arrival area. You will be dropped off at Mo Chit station, and from there, you can go to wherever your hotel is.

Accommodation in Bangkok: Hotel or Hostel?

As a solo traveler, you need not worry about accommodations in Bangkok. There are lots! Prices vary, of course. In choosing where to stay, ask yourself: what’s most important for you? Is it location? Price? Facilities? Wifi? For safety purposes, prioritize location. If your accommodation is cheap but is far from the city or is in a bad neighborhood, it’s not worth it.

When I lived in Bangkok, I stayed mostly in hostels rather than hotels for budget reasons. At prices ranging from THB280 to THB350 ($8-10), they were a good deal. The location was excellent (I usually stayed along Silom Road), and of course, Wifi was also very good. More importantly, the variety of travelers staying there made sure I had company whenever I wanted to.

I have yet to write reviews about the hostels I’ve stayed in, but the ones I can recommend are We Bangkok (I know it sounds weird LOL) and Silom Art Hostel.

silom art hostel bangkok

The lobby at Silom Art Hostel.

We Bangkok is best for those who want to meet other travelers. There are 8-bed dorms as well as 4-bed ones and it was almost always fully booked when I was there. It’s a 5-minute walk to the Chong Nonsi station and there’s a 7-11 right across the hostel. There are gyms and a spa nearby too.

Silom Art, however, is best for those who want a beautifully decorated hostel which is not crowded. It never gets full (I don’t think they even fill half of their capacity) and there will be times when you will find yourself alone in the 5-bed dorm room. Food-wise, it isn’t so convenient. The nearest 7-11 is a 10-minute walk and street food is a 15-minute walk going to the Sala Daeng station. The nearest BTS station is Chong Nonsi (a 10-minute or so walk).

I’ve made a lot of friends from my stay at HQ Hostel (10 minutes walk to Sala Daeng station) but the staff is not so friendly especially if you stay longer than a week (I don’t know why). Wifi connection wasn’t so good, and I had my credit cards stolen there as well, the only time it happened in my travels.

I loved it for its lobby though; it encourages interactions with others. I also liked its location and it had the best beds of all hostels I’ve stayed in.

kingston suites bangkok

My huge room at Kingston Suites.

The only hotel I ever used in Bangkok was the Kingston Suites Hotel along Sukhumvit Road (around THB2,000/$61). I loved it; my room was huge, the buffet breakfast was very good, and they also have a gym and a pool, although these were located next door, in their sister hotel’s property. It’s around 5 minutes from Nana station, but they also have a shuttle that can take you there.

Check out other Bangkok hotels via Agoda. You can also use the search box below:


I also recently learned about timeshare resales. Apparently, you can buy or rent a Bluegreen timeshare on the secondary resale market and save a lot of money. You negotiate prices with existing timeshare owners and can sometimes get really good deals at luxurious resorts.

What to Do in Bangkok

Whether you only have a day or a month in Bangkok, there’s always plenty to see. Get the basics over and done with in the early part of your trip; go visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun during sunset. There are over 400 temples in the city, so if you’re into temples, you’d definitely get your fill. Here are seven of the best temples in Bangkok, according to CNN.

wat pho bangkok

The beautiful reclining Buddha of Wat Pho.

If you’re into shopping, of course, check out Chatuchak Market. It has thousands of stalls selling everything from clothes and shoes to paintings, books, home wares, and absolutely anything you can think of. They’re open only on weekends, so make sure to go there early (like 8am) as it gets hot and crowded later in the day. If you’re buying wholesale, there are couriers inside the market that can take care of shipping for you.

Want something more interesting? Head to Phloen Chit station where you can walk for 7 minutes to the Chao Mae Tuptim shrine, aka the Fertility Shrine (aka the Penis Shrine) where you will see hundreds of phallic objects.

bangkok fertility shrine

There are hundreds of objects like this at the Fertility Shrine.

If you’re into Thai food (and who isn’t?), you can take the Taste of Thailand food tour, which is a guided tour of Bangkok’s street food. Sure, you can just go and buy street food anytime (as I did), but it’s nice to hear of some background and see locals’ places as well.

You can also take cooking classes, if you’re really into food (I took a cooking class in Sangkhlaburi though), or use a site that connects you with locals and share a meal with them. Whatever you decide to do, it would be worth it. Thai food is the best for me, and I could never have enough of it!

If you’re into fitness, you would love Bangkok. There’s just so many options there, from lots of gyms to yoga, CrossFit, and other fitness classes. I used the CrossFit10500 box near Silom (5 minutes to Chong Nonsi station) for three months and loved it. It started my love affair with CrossFit.

I also went a lot to Lumpini Park to run and join aerobic classes (for free). The outdoor workout stations at the park are also either free or charge very minimal rates (something like THB20).

bangkok food

My all-time favorite Thai fried rice.

street food Bangkok

Yummy Bangkok street food.

Want to watch the latest English movies at half of the usual cost? Head to Terminal 21 or Siam Paragon on Wednesdays, it’s only THB150 ($4) then. On other days, the cheapest would be from THB250. Wednesday movie days were my favorite time in Bangkok.

Day Trips From Bangkok

If you’re staying for some time in Bangkok (say, more than 4 days), I highly recommend you take a day trip to Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. I went there twice, once on my own in 2012, and the second time with a group in 2016. Check out my post!

buddha head in tree ayutthaya thailand day trip

The iconic Buddha head in Ayutthaya.

Go to the Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok, and from there, you will find trains going to Ayutthaya which can take around 2 hours. Once outside the station, follow the people going down to the river and cross to the other side. From there, rent a bicycle for the day and just go from one temple to another.

There are LOTS of temples in Ayutthaya, so just choose where you want to go. (A must, of course, is Wat Mahathat.) Pick up a brochure/travel guide beforehand from any major BTS station in Bangkok, it’s free.

Some tips: bring sunscreen, water, and a cap or a hat as it can get VERY HOT in Ayutthaya. When I was there, I had to stop at a 7-11 to buy sunscreen. Also, rent the bicycle on the other side of the river, not at the train station’s side. I did that, and I had to lug the fugg’n bike down to the boat and up again.

Scams to Look Out for in Bangkok

Sure, there are scams, but they’re easy to avoid if you do advanced reading beforehand. A common one is going to the Grand Palace where a tuktuk driver will tell you that it’s closed. It happened to me when I went there in 2011, but having read of it beforehand, I wasn’t victimized. I highly recommend just walking to the Grand Palace from the river, it’s not that far.

terminal 21 bangkok

Thai women are beautiful.

Male travelers, I think, are more at risk from scammers, especially those who are taken in by the beauty of Thai women and ladyboys. The Ping Pong show in Patpong Road is very well known. You go in a bar wanting to see women play ping-pong with their private parts, and get charged thousands of baht instead of just THB250 as you were made to believe. Best to avoid if you don’t want the hassle.

Or, how about this. Someone I know got picked up by a Thai woman and they had an affair for a week or so, the farang so flattered that this lovely girl told him she loved him. They separated at the airport with more professions of love and lots of tears.

Months later, the Thai woman contacted him and told him she was pregnant with his baby. Despite warnings from friends, he sent her money for the baby for 2 years and even decided he wanted to marry her and bring her to Europe. His embassy — very wise move! — required a paternity test, and lo and behold, the baby he had been supporting for years was not his after all!

chao phraya river

Be careful of the Chao Phraya river tour scam!

Okay, so the guy was just particularly stupid. I mean, who would get taken in by a pregnancy scam?? And who wouldn’t use protection if they were picked up by a prostitute in a foreign country? Still, this scam has also been noted before. Here’s another one: smiling Thais and dumb tourists.

Safety Considerations for Solo Travelers in Bangkok

Whenever readers ask me which city I recommend for international travel, I always say Bangkok. For me, it’s safer than most cities I’d been to. Of course, I can’t say that it’s extremely safe there; after all, it’s the capital, it has its shares of scams and minor thieves roaming the streets on the lookout for clueless travelers.

You can avoid being victimized by scammers if you read up on the common scams mentioned above. Practice common sense as well when you’re going around. That is, keep your purse close to you, lock up your valuable stuff in the hostel, make sure the taxi turns on the meter, agree on a price with the tuktuk driver beforehand if you don’t want a surprise later, and choose a good neighborhood for your hostel.

Here are more things you should and shouldn’t do in Bangkok.

Grand Palace Bangkok

Lots of scams outside the Grand Palace.

For first time international solo travelers, there’s no other city I would recommend. In Bangkok, everyone’s free to do their own thing. Locals won’t blink at same-sex couples, and if you want to wear your yoga pants while out and about, you won’t get a second look. (Still, of course, you’d have to know what to pack for Thailand!) I would love to go back there again and again, and I’m sure you will, too.

Of course, Thailand is more than just Bangkok, but for solo travelers just learning their way, I would recommend Bangkok for their first international destination.

Do you have other solo travel tips to Bangkok? Do share in the comments!

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Previous Post Why I Fell in Love With Cusco, Peru (And Why You Probably Will Too) Next Post Visiting Prague: The Unexpected Sights and Statues

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88 Comments. Leave new

Har
October 17, 2017 10:38 am

Great tips. Thanks. Anyone there between 21 Oct to 28 – ? 🙂

Reply
Jenny
September 22, 2017 2:53 am

Great post, thanks for the tips! I’m thinking of visiting Thailand in November and glad to hear a recommendation from someone who’s been there solo!

Reply
All about the Free Tuk-Tuk Scam of Bangkok
July 23, 2017 2:04 am

[…] in my opinion is extremely crowded and over-rated. Want to know more? Here’s some additional Bangkok solo travel tips my friends. […]

Reply
Jessica
May 19, 2017 11:42 am

Hey! thanks for sharing, Thailand is one of the most beautiful and calm places I have ever been, I probably go back next year and thanks to this post I could make a great itinerary (last time I stayed for 5 days only) so I will plan to stay more days and I will try to go to some Islands too.

Reply
Pauwy
May 17, 2017 1:29 pm

Thank you for this! I’m planning to go to Bkk this September for the first time.

Reply
cie
May 7, 2017 6:36 am

Anyone travelling by may 2- onwards? 🙂

Reply
Ricardo Madeus
May 30, 2017 5:04 am

traveling on the 30th of may 2017

Reply
Anne
April 19, 2017 3:16 pm

Hi. Planning to go first time solo travel in BKK this coming July. Any suggestions anyone? or anyone who will go there too?

Reply
Anne
April 19, 2017 3:18 pm

the date is on July 25-28

Reply
Agnesca
April 23, 2017 11:18 am

Im planning to go there too this coming July. Anyway where you from ?

Reply
Agnesca
April 23, 2017 12:12 pm

hi anne here’s my email please do contact me if your planning to go to thailand this coming july 🙂 Thank you ( uan_eiyt@yahoo.com )

Reply
P
February 19, 2017 7:07 pm

We’re planning an Indochina trip soon and entering BKK from MLA then exiting in HCM to MLA. Was wondering if BKK immigration officers have an issue with this setup? We plan on doing an overland exit and is this an issue? Have you tried?

Reply
dale
February 16, 2017 10:30 am

anyone here who is going there by September 9?

Reply
30 Easy, Safe and Fun Destinations for Your First Solo Adventure
January 30, 2017 2:45 pm

[…] Bangkok, Thailand recommended by Aleah Taboclaon of Solitary Wanderer […]

Reply
Jacob
January 17, 2017 1:58 pm

Hi thank you for this! I’ll be travelling to Bangkok in January 19, 2017 to January 24. I would like to ask if I can join some group tours or if there are other travellers here who would like to join or accompany me?

Reply
Anne
January 20, 2017 3:37 am

Hi Jacob! I’ll be going too just over the weekend. I don’t have any plans so I can probably join. What do you think? (Haha. Talking about safety, it’s funny how we are looking for travel companions over blog comments)
But I’m serious though. I’ll be arriving on January 21st.

Reply
Julie
January 30, 2017 10:49 pm

Hello! I’m going to Bangkok in mid February. Any suggestions on a tour I should take? You can email me at jewels1015@gmail.com. Thank you!

Reply
Cost of Living in Thailand
January 5, 2017 5:30 am

[…] is vibrant, hectic. If you are traveling alone make sure to brush up on your Bangkok solo travel tips. The city is a major party hotspot for tourists flying a world away to revel in nonstop […]

Reply
Amz
January 4, 2017 3:27 am

Hi. Planning to go first time solo travel in BKK. Ano po requirements sa immi nila? Ano kailangan jo dalhin? Thank you.

Reply
mai
March 2, 2017 11:31 pm

hi amz.. may i know when u plan to go to bangkok.. planning din ako.. mag isa lng..email me at aria_mai@yahoo.com.thanks

Reply
nesh wa
December 26, 2016 4:13 pm

helpfull info.. I’m going 21 January 2017 ..

Reply
Je
December 20, 2016 7:22 pm

This is very helpful..planning to go to Thailand next year and your blog helps me a lot especially in my planning stage. I take down your tips so I wont be a victim of scam.

Reply
amanda emmell
October 20, 2016 5:19 am

Hey I really enjoyed reading your blog! I am going to be going to Bangkok the first week of December. I planned on seeing the city for 2 days then going to pattaya and doing a diving course. Reading everything you wrote not sure what else to spend my time doing , there’s so much !!! Wanted to go to an island but they seem so far away. I can stay for 6 or 7 days. Any advice on an elephant place to volunteer? Or swim with them I know you can’t ride them anymore. My family is worried and doesnt want me to go by myself! But im doing it. Cheap hostels are my thing. My dad said women get kidnapped in the taxis .. loved your blog!!

Reply
Ehla
October 29, 2016 2:30 am

Hey there,

I’ll be in BKK too. Female solo traveler, I’ll be there until December 11,2016. Hope we could travel together I am looking for a companion too! haha..

the blog is really informative thank you @solitarywanderer.

Reply
Lizzy
October 8, 2016 1:08 pm

Hi, all-in-all how much is your recommended budget for 4days 3 nights stay in Bangkok – Phuket tour in Php??

Reply
Simon
August 21, 2016 4:21 am

Hi Aleah,

great site and very informative. Planning my first round the world trip beginning of sept from the u.k. Solo and will be in Bangkok after I’ve been in Phuket for 8 nights, got 7 nights in BK before either getting overnight train to Chiang Mai or flying for convenience. I’m looking forward to visiting temples, markets, experiences authentic Thai massages. I see cherry mentioned festivals in November? I’ll be there 19th – 25th. Gotta say I was a little nervous about safety and i cancelled my south beach Miami part of my trip in favour of staying in the safety of universal studios Florida but I’ve realised I have to be brave and push ahead. Staying at Rose hotel which looks very close to Lumphini park and bus 45 depot. I have reservations about mosquitos and am taking lots of repellent as I don’t want to catch malaria or dengue fever. The hostels you listed look lovely, I’m yet to take that plunge away from hotels. My trip was due to finish in Nepal at a hostel for two weeks but I just cancelled in favour of a more time in Thailand as I had fears over getting sick in Nepal and safety of solo travel. Hope I didn’t make mistake but there are plenty of temples and sights to see in Thailand and I won’t be so lonely perhaps.

Reply
Aleah
October 8, 2016 1:06 am

Hi Simon. You would love it in Bangkok and Thailand in general. There are so many international travelers there. As always, though, you should read up about scams, esp the ones involving women and ladyboys. They target white men 😀 Nepal is also very beautiful. I hope you can go there someday!

Reply
Kim
August 8, 2016 5:56 am

Thanks for the solo travel tips! It will be my first time in BKK and I find this very helpful. Although it worries me that your credit card was stolen at the hostel… I should be careful in choosing hostels.

Reply
Aleah
October 8, 2016 1:07 am

Kim, just make sure to lock up your valuables. I was surprised it happened too, but I was careless.

Reply
Cherry D.
July 13, 2016 11:55 pm

Hi Aleah! I’ll be visiting Thailand for a week this November and its my first solo travel outside PH.
I’ll be staying in Bangkok for just 3 days, what places would you recommend?
I’m actually also planning to see Loi Krathong/Yi Peng festival, do you happen to know how to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok via public transpo?
Thank you! 🙂

Your blog is very inspiring and informative btw.

Reply
Aleah
July 16, 2016 11:00 pm

Hi Cherry,

For just 3 days, I would recommend going around the city, hitting the major temples. If you’re there on a weekend, hit Chatuchak Market as well. From BKK, you can easily take the bus to Chiang Mai. It’s an overnight trip. You can also book a flight if you’re in a rush. If you need suggestions for hotels or hostels, click this link: http://www.agoda.com/city/bangkok-th.html?cid=1652756

Reply
Reeza
June 11, 2016 7:24 pm

This is really encouraging. I’ve never travelled solo outside of the country before, and I’ve been hesitant about visiting Bangkok alone because of it’s bad rep. But the Bangkok you describe excites me. Thank you. ?

Reply
Aleah
July 16, 2016 10:54 pm

Oh Bangkok is great for solo travelers. I really love it!

Reply
Razvan
May 29, 2016 6:57 am

This a very decent and informative review. Excellent!

Reply
Aleah
July 16, 2016 11:01 pm

Thank you!

Reply
Nica
March 8, 2016 9:55 pm

Oh thank you for this. Will be Bangkok on October and if my college friends won’t make it, I ‘ll be alone haha I will contact you before my flight. I’ll be needing some expert advice hahaha

Reply
Aleah
July 16, 2016 11:03 pm

Hi Nica! If you need suggestions on where to stay, you can find some affordable ones here: http://www.agoda.com/city/bangkok-th.html?cid=1652756

Reply
Rick C.
February 17, 2016 2:06 am

Hi Aleah, thanks for this information…. my friend is telling me not to go to Thailand because of the August bombing in the middle of the city and the political situation there, good thing i saw your blog and now i am planning my itinerary… My target date is April 20, 2016
it’s going to be my first trip abroad and i am travelling alone, my first stop is Kuala Lumpur for 3 days, then take a train to Penang island for another 3 days (they say that Penang is worth a visit too) then from Penang’s Butterworth train station directly to Bangkok and planning to stay there for atleast 5 days…
maybe i’ll just pick a tourist map there and roam around the city, i want to try street food but not a fan of super spicy food.. i’m also planning to go straight to Siem Reap if my budget allow me. I hope i can find solo/group traveler than i can talk to or even share a boat ride or cab.
is there a good and safe hotel for a 1,400 Baht?

Reply
carlos
October 23, 2015 11:59 am

I been looking for this information, thank you…

I be going to Thailand on Feb 14, 2016 after i come from Philippines on Jan 12, 2016, it be my first time coming to both country & i be coming all by my self, looking forward to it hehe 🙂

How should i dress when i visit both country? will i be target for scam if i wear my hip hop clothes or is it best to dress like the locals?

Reply
Ann
September 28, 2015 12:22 am

If I stay at the Kingston Suite, is it easy to go to tourist attractions like the floating market, temples, etc?

Reply
Aleah
October 8, 2015 7:46 am

Kingston is near the BTS, so you can easily go anywhere from there. Note that at night, you may have to take a tuktuk or a taxi if you don’t want to walk back to the hotel from the station.

Reply
How To Prepare for Long-Term Travel | Solitary Wanderer
September 15, 2015 1:41 pm

[…] want to travel long-term someday, start traveling overseas now to establish your travel history. Bangkok is good for solo travelers, but you can easily go to Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam as well. Wait for airline seat sales […]

Reply
Dindi
July 27, 2015 11:10 am

Hi Aleah ! I found myself booking BKK for my first ever solo travel 2 days ago !:) I will be going mid August already for 3 days 🙂 It was such a spur of the moment thing as I have always wanted to try traveling alone. Your post eased my nervousness :)) thank you for all the helpful tips :)) I will also be staying in Silom Art Hostel 🙂 Btw, how much is the estmated budget for a 3 day trip? on a tight budget 🙂 thank youu

Reply
Aleah
October 8, 2015 7:49 am

Sorry for the late reply. 🙁 Hope you enjoyed your BKK trip?

Reply
A Solo Traveler's Tips for Staying in Hostels | Solitary Wanderer
July 19, 2015 10:52 pm

[…] Of course, this should also be considered. There are hotels (in Bangkok, in particular) which charge almost the same as a 1-star hotel, especially if you choose a private […]

Reply
Going to Jakarta, Indonesia | Solitary Wanderer
June 10, 2015 2:27 pm

[…] I considered was Bangkok; I had heard so much about that city and I was all agog to visit. I could imagine the temples I […]

Reply
Maro Bautista
May 22, 2015 2:09 pm

Thank you so much for this. I have a plan of traveling to Bangkok and I have just acquired my tourist visa from a visa consulting firm. Honestly, I was really terrified before reading your post. Bottom line is, common sense is the key. I hope I would enjoy my visit there as much as you did. Keep safe always! 🙂

Reply
Aleah
October 8, 2015 7:50 am

Hope you enjoyed your Bangkok trip! If you get the chance to read this, let me know how it went. 🙂

Reply
Maria Alexandra @LatinAbroad
May 10, 2015 12:52 am

I am so damn happy you recommended this article to me! Wonderful tips throughout. Will have to write down all the scams plus OMG, the free fitness classes! that’s one of the things I’m looking the most forward to is that weird LOL. I guess after a month of traveling, I’ll be happy to properly exercise.

-Maria Alexandra

Reply
Aleah
October 8, 2015 7:56 am

So glad you found this post helpful. Feel free to share!

Reply
Sky | Boundfortwo.com
March 24, 2015 9:22 pm

This is very comprehensive guide to BKK. Sad to say we’re been victimized by the TukTuk scam 2 years back. But of course it didn’t turn us down to love Bangkok.

Our favorite place in BKK? Chatuchak Market! Hahaha

Reply
Aleah
October 8, 2015 7:53 am

Lots of people get victimized by tuktuk drivers so you were not alone haha

Reply
Graham Franklin
March 23, 2015 12:03 am

Hi Aleah, thanks for your informative post on Bangkok. BKK is my favourite city in the world, I love the vibrant atmosphere and have lived there for 18 months on and off over the last 5 years. Hopefully I’ll be going back there oon.

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Aleah
October 8, 2015 7:51 am

Thanks for dropping by. I miss my time in BKK. It’s such a dynamic city.

Reply
David
March 20, 2015 3:25 am

Once you get past the bad points, there’s lots to love about BKK … can’t wait for my next visit!

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Aleah
March 23, 2015 2:23 pm

Same here, David. Same here.

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JONtotheworld
March 15, 2015 8:00 pm

Bangkok was my first out of the country trip. Enjoyed it and I want to go back their and do a solo travel. And this post is what I needed. Thanks for sharing Aleah.

Also read some scams in Bangkok but this is my first to read about the pregnancy scam. Oh my!

I also miss Bangkok and will definitely go back soon. I’ll start again in Bangkok then travel to Chiang Mai. 🙂

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Aleah
October 8, 2015 7:57 am

I don’t know when I can go back to Bangkok huhu Enjoy!

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Mike
March 13, 2015 9:47 am

I had a trainer on my job early in my career who became a great friend of mine. He went to Thailand a couple times a year and was trying and trying to get me to go with him to experience it and especially Bangkok. Another one of those…I wish would gone…moments. Pad Thai is by far my favorite food and I could eat it all day long! Your room looks amazing, Aleah! Great post and I hope you are doing fantastic! 🙂

Reply
Aleah
October 8, 2015 7:58 am

Thanks, Mike!

Reply
Fabiana
March 13, 2015 7:48 am

These are really helpful. I am going on my first trip to Bangkok soon.

Reply
Aleah
March 23, 2015 2:25 pm

Have fun! You’ll love Bangkok.

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Michelle
March 12, 2015 2:44 pm

Love the pictures in this post. I’ve never been to Bangkok but definitely want to go one day.

P.S. The pregnancy scam sounds crazy!

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Aleah
March 23, 2015 2:26 pm

It IS crazy. I wonder how stupid one can get to be victimized by it?

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Sarah Marston
March 8, 2015 10:21 pm

Great article. I love BKK visit twice a year and always find something new to do

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Aleah
October 8, 2015 8:09 am

Me too. I lived there four months and I still kept getting surprised at what I found I could do there.

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Sally Munt
March 8, 2015 4:44 pm

I love Bangkok, It is amazing for solo travellers. I definitely agree you rarely need a taxi when the BTS and buses are so good! If you do need a taxi, make sure it is on the meter, not an agreed price or you will get hugely overcharged!

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Aleah
October 8, 2015 8:08 am

I agree. BKK is lovely, but it’s like any other mega-city. You will be taken advantage of if you’re not careful.

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Ven
March 8, 2015 6:45 am

Hi. I also travel and write about my travels. I went solo backpacking in Cagayan and Batanes and found it rewarding which I told myself a prelude to solo travel in Thailand and Vietnam at the end of this year and early parts of Jan. next year as my 1st int’l travel. A close friend warned me though abt solo travel. I found your blog helpful and I hope you can do a Thailand and Vietnam too, it will be really helpful. One question, is mobile internet possible?

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Aleah
October 8, 2015 8:05 am

Ven, sorry for the late response. You won’t have to worry about internet in Thailand. It’s really fast there. Mobile is possible, yes. Just buy a local SIM card and make sure to buy their data package. Someday I will do a post like this on Vietnam. Someday haha

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Nigel
March 7, 2015 5:38 pm

I think Bangkok is a great city! It’s getting a bit hot now though. And locals have said this isn’t even hot. I love the diversity. Mixture of expats locals and travellers.

Allowing yourself extra time to travel is a must and make sure you carry water! Being stuck in rush hour traffic in a bus isn’t great fun.

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Aleah
October 8, 2015 8:04 am

I usually just take the BTS, the traffic there is almost as bad as in Manila haha

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Cathy Sweeney
March 7, 2015 3:05 am

This is a very helpful and comprehensive guide — not just for solo travel. I haven’t yet been to Bangkok, but have never had anyone I know say they didn’t like it. So I hope it won’t be much longer before I go. It’s interesting that you recommend Bangkok for 1st time solo international travelers. Good to know!

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Aleah
March 7, 2015 9:10 pm

Hi Cathy. I think Bangkok is for all ages and all kinds of travelers. The city is big enough to provide everything that one needs and wants. That’s why it’s one of the most popular cities in Asia, if it isn’t the number one.

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Jessica (Barcelona Blonde)
March 6, 2015 8:34 pm

This is such a handy guide! I’d love to go to Bangkok but feel a bit nervous about the prospect of going alone, so this was quite reassuring. The food tour sounds especially appealing; like you said, who DOESN’T like Thai food?

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Aleah
March 7, 2015 9:07 pm

There are lots and lots of solo travelers (male and female) in BKK, Jessica. You definitely won’t be alone for long if you stay at a hostel!

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Gran Canaria Local
March 6, 2015 8:01 pm

Our favoured method of getting around Bangkok would definitely be walking. Especially as we won’t be able to resist the delicious food. Our bodies will definitely appreciate the exercise.

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Aleah
March 7, 2015 12:37 am

I also walked a lot in Bangkok, Matthew. From the hostel, for example, it’s only around 20 minutes by foot to Lumpini Park, and around 5-10 minutes to the nearest station. There are so many interesting things to see along Silom Road that you won’t feel tired at all!

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Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
March 6, 2015 1:19 pm

I would definitely be interested in doing a food tour and taking a cooking class. It’s been a very long time since I visited Bangkok, but I still have such great memories of exploring Ayutthaya. I always recommend it to anyone who is visiting Bangkok. Great tips about avoiding scams and the best location for renting a bike at Ayutthaya.

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Aleah
March 6, 2015 5:12 pm

My most distinct memory of Ayutthaya was how hot it was LOL I agree, the food in Thailand is just superb!

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Mary {The World Is A Book}
March 6, 2015 11:26 am

These are all great, Aleah and now I really want to go to Bangkok! We made it as far as the airport last summer. My husband was paranoid and cancelled our 4 day stopover because of the political situation. One of the biggest regrets of my travel life. That Kingston Suites hotel looks so glamorous and what a deal. That other Bangkok street food looks like our Filipino empanada, doesn’t it?

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Aleah
March 6, 2015 4:38 pm

Hi Mary! My mother also wanted to cancel her trip to Bangkok. Good thing I was there and I told her that everything was safe. I guess your husband was just worried about the kids? There was no need. Anyway, you’ll find another chance to get there!

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carl
October 5, 2016 1:29 am

hello im carlo and my sister want to go thailand ,but the requirements is we need a bank account ,and my question is how much money that i will deposit? if i already have a bank account ,,,and how much the plane ticket?thank you and sorry for my english

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Aleah
October 8, 2016 1:08 am

Hi Carl. You don’t need much in Thailand, it’s a very affordable country. Costs would depend on when you go and how long and what you will do there. For flights, check out Skyscanner.com. When are you going?

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Leigh
March 6, 2015 8:06 am

Great suggestions Aleah. It’s always handy to know how to get to the city centre without using the taxis. I like to splurge the first night or two in a new city until I get my bearings, especially if I’m suffering from jet lag.

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Aleah
March 6, 2015 4:35 pm

Hi Leigh. I prefer to take public transport when I’m traveling. Taxis take too much out of my budget and won’t teach me how to go around the city.

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Photo Cache
March 6, 2015 1:34 am

Seems like you found your “home away from home” destination. You’re right every city has its own brand of scams and scammers. Just heads up and trust your gut. Idk if I’m able to visit Bangkok in the future, but somehow I’m still waiting for the one thing would make me wanna go to Bangkok. It does not help that Thai food is not my fave cuisine 🙁

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Aleah
March 6, 2015 3:12 am

Aww, I can eat Thai food any time. Too bad you don’t like it. I admit the taste is pretty strong. When I was there, there were times I sought “bland” food, so I went to fastfood restaurants LOL

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Aleah writes about her experiences of traveling alone. She started traveling alone when she was 11, and has loads of tips and tricks to make your solo travel safer and more enjoyable. Read more...
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