Travel to Bangkok

There are direct flights to Bangkok from London Heathrow with carriers EVA Air, British Airways, Qantas and Thai Airways. The journey takes around 11 hours and all flights land at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Indirect flights from most major UK airports are also available and can work out a little cheaper.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located 30 kilometres from the city centre. There are a number of options for reaching the city centre, the fastest being the Airport Rail Link which takes around 15 minutes and costs 90 baht. A slightly cheaper option is the City Line train which costs 45 baht and stops at every station along the rail line. You can also get the bus from the main bus terminal which is located a few kilometres from the terminal (a free shuttle service connects the two) or metered taxis are readily available and pretty cheap. As the traffic in Bangkok can be notoriously bad, the Airport Rail Link is highly recommended.

It's easy to get around during your holiday in Bangkok if you make use of the BTS Skytrain as you'll avoid the daily congestion on the roads. It is cheap and reliable and will take you to popular destinations such as Siam Square and Mo Chit. If you plan on using the Skytrain a lot, consider purchasing a 'Ride All You Like' tourist pass that costs 120 baht a day for unlimited travel. There is also a metro system and for those happy to face the traffic tuk-tuks are a fun way of seeing the city. If you plan to take a trip down the Chao Phraya River then make use of the cheap boat bus, Chao Phraya Express, which plies up and down the river and stops at most of Rattanakosin's major attractions.

Really cheap hotels in Bangkok can be found on Khao San Roadthe city's backpacker mecca. Here you can pick up a bed for less than a few pounds! On the whole accommodation all over the city is affordable as long as you avoid the high-end chains, and it's possible to pick up a nice hotel room for less than £20 a night. Shop around online and book in advance for the best deals.

As well as being home to cheap hostels, Khao San Road is also the cheapest place for food, drinks and basically anything you need during your holiday in Bangkok so if you are on a tight budget it's a great area to stay.

When it comes to food you can't go far without seeing a restaurant in Bangkok and meals can be very cheap. Just be wary of tuk-tuk drivers who recommended places to eat as these tend to be very tourist-orientated and can easily be twice the price of a smaller eatery located just down the road. Find out where the locals eat and head there for truly authentic Thai cuisine.

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