Additional Coverage:
- My family and I visited Bangkok for the first time. The trip was amazing, but it would’ve been better if we avoided these 5 mistakes. (businessinsider.com)
Bangkok Blunders: A Californian’s Guide to Avoiding Common Travel Traps
My family and I recently returned from a four-day winter break trip to Bangkok. We were excited to explore the vibrant city, sample delicious street food, and marvel at the ornate Buddhist temples. While we thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Siam Square neighborhood, we learned a few valuable lessons that could help other travelers avoid some common pitfalls.
First, the heat was much more intense than we anticipated. As Northern Californians, we’re accustomed to mild winters, so Bangkok’s 96-degree Fahrenheit temperatures were a bit of a shock.
We found ourselves retreating to our hotel midday to escape the heat, which ate into our sightseeing time. Future visitors should plan for more frequent breaks and wear loose, breathable clothing like the popular elephant pants.
Second, transportation was a challenge. While ride-hailing apps are readily available, wait times often exceeded 30 minutes, especially in tourist-heavy areas. Pre-booking rides helped us avoid long waits, but it did make our itinerary less flexible.
Third, our hotel’s location in the shopping district proved to be a double-edged sword. While the malls offered a welcome respite from the heat and some unique shopping experiences, we spent more time there than intended, taking away from our exploration of other parts of the city.
Finally, we overestimated how much we could fit into each day. Initially, we planned to visit several attractions daily, but quickly realized that two was a more realistic and enjoyable pace. This allowed us more time to appreciate each site and avoid feeling rushed.
Overall, Bangkok was a wonderful experience, but with a few tweaks, our trip could have been even better. Next time, we’ll definitely incorporate these lessons, and hopefully, spend some time exploring Thailand’s beautiful islands as well.