TripZilla Transits: What to Do During a 12-Hour Layover in Bangkok

A long layover in Bangkok does not necessarily have to be spent wandering around the airport.

With enough time between flights, eligible travellers arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport can head into the city for a temple visit, Thai meal, massage or a few hours of shopping. The Airport Rail Link reaches central Bangkok in around 30 minutes, making a short excursion possible without relying entirely on road traffic.

However, a 12-hour transit does not provide 12 full hours of sightseeing. Immigration, baggage arrangements, transport and the recommended return time for your next flight can take up a significant portion of the stopover. Before leaving the airport, check Thailand’s current entry requirements, your airline’s baggage policy and whether both flights depart from the same Bangkok airport.

With careful planning, here is how to turn a long Bangkok layover into a brief city escape.

Read more about: 10 New Night Markets and Cafés to Visit in Bangkok.

At the Airport:

Image credit: New Bangkok Airport Guide

Where to leave your bags: Before heading into Bangkok, confirm whether your checked luggage is being transferred automatically to your next flight.

Travellers who need to store cabin baggage can use AIRPORTELs at Suvarnabhumi Airport on B Floor near the Airport Rail Link. At Don Mueang Airport, its luggage-storage counter is located on Level 1 of Terminal 2 near Gate 9.

Both locations currently operate around the clock, but prices and counter locations can change. Check the provider’s latest information before travelling.

Where to rest: Both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports contain lounges, massage outlets and short-stay accommodation options.

Facilities depend on the terminal and whether they are located before or after immigration. Some lounges offer showers, while airport hotels and sleep facilities may accept travellers for shorter stays.

Check the airport directory and your exact terminal before booking. Travellers remaining airside should also confirm that they can access the chosen facility without clearing immigration or passing through a different security zone.

Image credit: Satyendra Kumar

Other helpful tips for Suvarnabhumi Airport: If it’s too early to sleep, but the long flight has left your neck stiff and your limbs aching, make your way to Chang Massage and Spa and treat yourself to a world famous Thai massage! For souvenirs, head over to Concourse D and check out stores like Chitralada and Sai Jai Thai for high quality, authentic local products.

Other helpful tips for Don Muang Airport: Though Don Muang Airport is smaller than Suvarnabhumi Airport, it also offers foot massages and hair treatment at Orchid Spa for tired travellers. In addition, 24-hour duty-free shopping is available on the third floor of International Departures.

What to Expect at Immigration

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Immigration, baggage collection and customs can take considerably longer during busy periods. Do not plan the city portion of the layover until you have cleared the airport formalities.

Return to the airport according to your airline’s recommended check-in time. For an international flight, many airlines advise arriving around three hours before departure. Domestic passengers should generally return at least two hours before departure, subject to their airline’s instructions.

Check whether your onward flight departs from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang. Travelling between Bangkok’s two airports can take well over an hour and may become much longer in heavy traffic.

Transport:

Image credit: Kim Seng

• Lucky for you who would rather head to the city: The Airport Rail Link not only provides an extremely convenient way to and from the airport, but it’s also fast – allowing you to maximise your time exploring! The rail journey itself takes around 30 minutes each way, but allow additional time for walking, transfers, ticket purchase and waiting for trains. The Airport Rail Link does not operate throughout the night.

• You haven’t travelled in Bangkok until you’ve sat in one of their famous tuktuks – the three-wheeled motorised cousin of the rickshaw. It’s more a novelty ride than a comfortable one so just remember to avoid peak hours (7am-9am, 4pm-7pm), and stick to short rides or you’ll be choking on too much bad air.

Also check out: 5 Reasons Why We Think Bangkok’s Transport System Is Awesome.

Things to See:

Image credit: Mike Hiran

• The Grand Palace is probably the most well-known landmark in Bangkok. Yes, it’s grand; yes, it’s got huge historical importance; and yes, it’s also really, really big (bigger than 30 football fields combined!). It’s also got a strict dress-code, so remember to dress appropriately – that means long pants, shirts with sleeves, and no bare feet!

• Tip! If someone approaches you before you’ve even reached the gates and tells you that the Grand Palace is ‘closed’, you’re better off ignoring them and checking for yourself. Chances are, you’ve just avoided being scammed.

• If you’re here over the weekend, you have to drop by Chatuchak. This weekend market gives a new meaning to ‘shop till you drop’; from clothing to food to art and antiques and even pets, the thousands of stands in Chatuchak are sure to take even the most avid shopaholic on a ride. Chatuchak’s full weekend market primarily operates on Saturdays and Sundays. Travellers with weekday layovers will find far fewer sections open and should choose another shopping area instead.

Read more about: Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market going Cashless.

Image credit: Christopher Rose

• Who hasn’t heard of Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha? Get your wide-angle lens ready; the giant buddha housed in the temple is 46 metres long and fully covered in gold leaves.

• Did you know that you can also get a massage at the nearby Wat Pho Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School? Not only are the prices here cheaper than the massage parlours around the city, but Wat Pho is also considered to be the top massage school in Thailand – no doubt the massages here are gonna be great!

Treat Yourself:

Image credit: Marriott International

• Speaking of massage parlours, W Hotel’s AWAY Spa is well-known for its exceptional services and all-encompassing treatments. If you had only one spa to go to, we’d recommend pampering yourself at this one.

• Here’s some good news for those who lament not being in Japan for an onsen (hot spring) dip; Kashikiri Soda Onsen and Spa offers a relaxing soak in a private hot tub. Even the water is imported from Japan – that means you’ll get the onsen experience without needing to expose yourself in a communal pool!

• Ever imagine how a manicure session could get any better? What if I told you that you could enjoy a free mocktail during the manicure session – nail art included – all included in one cheap package? At Hugs x Kisses Nail Bar, you’ll get just that.

Things to Eat:

Image credit: Audrey Cafe & Bistro Facebook

• Bypass the usual cup of Thai milk tea and make a beeline for Audrey Cafe & Bistro for the next step of milk tea evolution: a slice of Thai milk tea crepe! This charming cafe specialises in unique mille crepe cakes – that’s layers of thin crepes stacked on top of each other with cream slathered between each layer, resulting in a softer, fluffier slice of ‘cake’. Yum!

• If you’re looking for something more filling, check out Cabbages & Condoms. We must warn you: don’t take the name lightly. With that said, make your way past the mannequins covered in colourful condoms and tuck into some mouth-watering Thai dishes in the open-air courtyard. Don’t worry about the heat – the fans here spray cooling mist at you as you dine!

• The phrase is ‘dinner and drinks’, not ‘just dinner’. Bangkok is packed with countless watering holes for you to wash down your meal. Octave, Above Eleven and The Speakeasy are all gorgeous rooftop bars in the midst of the cosmopolitan cityscape, each presenting their own charm and signature drinks for you to toast your holiday to as you enjoy the panoramic view.

Other Useful Tips to Remember!

Image credit: Axel Drainville

• Be wary of scams. As great as Bangkok is and as kind as people can be, scams do happen. So remember to do your research before embarking on your adventure to prevent falling prey to these tourist traps. Common scams include locals claiming that ‘the Grand Palace is closed for a private function’

• Be kind, but firm. If your tuktuk driver is being difficult, don’t be afraid to walk-away. There are plenty of other tuktuks around to hitch a ride from; as the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

• Walking away is a powerful tactic in haggling too! Start your haggling price 10-40% off the labelled price, bargain, and watch as they make last-ditch offers when you start leaving the store.

• When taking a taxi, always insist on metered fare and ensure that the driver activates the meter at the start of the ride to avoid paying more than you need to. Again, walking away is a mighty tool; countless other taxis will vy for your patronage.

• Alternatively, you could also use ride apps such as Grab to secure your transportation at a fair price.

Also check out: Top 5 Ways to Get Scammed in Bangkok.

With all that is said, as long as you prepare well and remain a mindful traveller, it’ll be easy for you to turn that long dreaded layover into a bonus Bangkok holiday. So book your flights… perhaps even intentionally including a layover in Bangkok?