Bangkok Travel Guide
When to Visit Bangkok and What It Costs
The cool, hot and rainy seasons, the festivals worth planning around (including Loy Krathong on 24 November 2026), the dates to watch in late 2026, and what a day in Bangkok costs at every budget.
Bangkok is a year-round destination, but the experience changes a lot with the seasons. The heat is constant, the humidity varies, the rains come in the afternoons for part of the year, and the festival calendar adds spectacle and crowds. This guide explains when to go, what to expect in each season, the dates that matter in late 2026, and how much a trip costs.
The cool season: November to February. This is the most comfortable and most popular time to visit. Temperatures are still warm, but humidity drops, mornings and evenings are pleasant, and rain is rare. It is the best season for walking the old town, outdoor markets and day trips to Ayutthaya. Visibility from the Mahanakhon SkyWalk is often good in December and January, though the dry season can also bring periods of poor air quality and haze, so check the air quality index if you are sensitive. Hotel prices are highest, especially over Christmas and New Year, and the major sights are busiest.
The hot season: March to May. This is the hottest time of year, with intense heat and high humidity, and outdoor sightseeing is hard work in the middle of the day. Start early, rest in the afternoon, and use pools and air-conditioned malls. The highlight is Songkran, the Thai New Year in mid-April, when the whole country celebrates with water fights; Khao San Road and Silom Road become huge, soaking parties, and many Thais travel home to their families. Hotel prices often dip outside the festival.
The rainy season: June to October. The monsoon brings heavy, usually short afternoon or evening storms, with sunshine in between, and the city is greener and less crowded. Rates are at their lowest. The risk is flooding, particularly in September and October, when the rivers are high: in late September 2026, severe flooding hit Bangkok and central Thailand, the city declared all its districts disaster areas for a period, and riverside temples in Ayutthaya were protected with flood barriers. The historic centre stayed accessible, and the city has largely recovered, but if you travel late in the rainy season, keep plans flexible and check conditions.
Festivals and dates in late 2026. Loy Krathong, on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, falls on Tuesday 24 November 2026. People float small, candlelit baskets called krathongs on the river and canals to honour the water spirits and let go of misfortune, and the Chao Phraya, Lumphini Park and other waterside spots are beautiful and crowded; book dinner cruises and riverside tables early. In December 2026, the royal cremation of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, is set for 16 December at Sanam Luang, with ceremonies from 15 to 19 December. Expect large crowds of mourners, road closures in the old town and changes to Grand Palace access that week, and dress respectfully if you are near the ceremonies. The Red Cross Fair in Lumphini Park usually takes place in December, and Christmas and New Year bring lights to the malls and fireworks along the river at ICONSIAM.
What it costs: budget. Bangkok is one of the best-value major cities in the world. A budget traveller staying in a hostel dorm or simple guesthouse, eating street food, using the Skytrain, MRT and river boats, and paying modest temple fees, can travel comfortably on a small daily budget. A bed at Lub d Bangkok Siam, for example, costs a fraction of a mid-range hotel room. Street-food meals cost very little, and public transport fares are low.
What it costs: mid-range. For a comfortable boutique or international hotel, a mix of street food and sit-down restaurants, taxis or Grab rides when it is hot, a few paid attractions such as the Grand Palace and the SkyWalk, and a massage or two, expect to spend a moderate daily amount, still well below the cost of a similar trip in Europe or North America. Riva Surya and Sala Rattanakosin in the old town, and the Hyatt Regency in Sukhumvit, sit in this bracket.
What it costs: luxury. Bangkok's luxury hotels offer world-class service at prices that are high for Thailand but often lower than in other world capitals. The Mandarin Oriental, the Peninsula and the Kimpton Maa-Lai, fine dining, spa treatments, rooftop cocktails and private guided tours push the daily cost up quickly, but the experience is exceptional.
Typical prices. Temple entry fees for foreigners are modest: the Grand Palace is currently 500 baht, Wat Pho 300 baht and Wat Arun around a couple of hundred baht, while many smaller temples are free. The Jim Thompson House costs 250 baht for adults. Observation decks and Muay Thai tickets are the most expensive regular attractions, costing around a thousand baht or more for prime slots and seats. A Thai massage at Wat Pho costs a few hundred baht for half an hour. Cocktails in rooftop bars cost about as much as in Western cities.
Saving money. Use the river boats and Skytrain instead of taxis; eat street food and in mall food courts; visit the free sights, including Lumphini Park, Chinatown, Khao San Road, the Golden Mount and the riverfront; book attraction tickets online in advance for discounts; and withdraw larger amounts of cash less often to minimise ATM fees. Travel in the rainy season for the best hotel deals.
Entry and paperwork. From 15 September 2026, visa-exempt tourists can stay up to 30 days; check the rules for your nationality. Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within three days before arrival. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, and check the latest government advice before you travel, as conditions near the Cambodian border and in the deep south remain sensitive.