Capital city, Thailand
Bangkok
Asia's easiest big city for a first solo trip or a nomad base: cheap street food, fast trains, good hospitals and endless nightlife. Heat, traffic, noise and smog season are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,340–2,090Comfortable, one person · ฿45,000–70,000Details
- Value for money54/100Better value than 53% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–FebWarmest: Mar, 36°CDetails
- Air quality23 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · PollutedDetails
- Internet299 MbpsFixed broadband, Thailand medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledThe waterworks says tap water is safe at source, but old pipes and condo tanks mean locals use filters, bottles or 1 THB-per-litre refill machines.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$24–75Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundGrabWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards and contactless in malls, chains and hotels; cash for street food, markets, motorbike taxis and small shops.Details
Where to stay in Bangkok
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sukhumvit (Asok–Phrom Phong) | First-timers and nomads: BTS, malls, coworking, nightlife |
| Ari | Long stays: cafés, local food, quieter streets |
| Silom–Sathorn | Business district, rooftop bars, runs in Lumphini Park |
| Banglamphu (Khao San, Old Town) | Backpackers: cheap hostels, temples, river boats |
| Thonglor–Ekkamai | Upscale cafés, bars and expats |
Apps that work in Bangkok
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: LINE
- 12Go: Buses, trains and ferries between towns
- IQAir AirVisual: Checking smoke levels in burning season
- Taxis: Metered taxis are fine if the meter runs; refuse flat prices. Tuk-tuks need firm haggling and cost more than taxis.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Thailand.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards and contactless in malls, chains and hotels; cash for street food, markets, motorbike taxis and small shops.
- Currency: Baht (THB). US$1 ≈ ฿33.56 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Thai ATMs charge foreign cards about 220 THB per withdrawal; limits usually 20,000–30,000 THB, so withdraw larger amounts.
- Tipping: Not expected; round up or leave 20–100 THB for good service. Upmarket restaurants add 10% service charge plus 7% VAT.
- Paying by phone: Apple and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; Thai QR (PromptPay) works with some linked Asian bank apps.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Fill in the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours before arrival; paid look-alike sites are scams.
- Officers may ask for an onward ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds (20,000 THB per person); rarely checked, but enforced at times.
- In May 2026 the cabinet approved shortening visa-free stays; check the current permitted length before booking a long trip.
Emergency numbers
Police 191 · Ambulance 1669 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1155
Plugs
Type A, B, C, O · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
AIS, True and dtac airport counters sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs, roughly 300–600 THB for 8–15 days; passport required. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Thailand
Going to Bangkok solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Bangkok meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- BTS Skytrain
- MRT (Bangkok Expressway and Metro)
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (Airports of Thailand)
- Don Mueang Airport (Airports of Thailand)
- Grab Thailand service areas
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.