The trip takes about 15 minutes and costs about 15 baht, less than $1. 00 USD, although longer trips from more distant piers cost more. A boat trip is traditionally the quickest way to Chinatown. The piers have maps, schedules, and signs translated into English. You buy a ticket from an automated machine when you arrive at the pier. Many of the piers are near public transportation stations. Sathorn Pier, for example, is a short walk from the Saphan Taksin Skytrain stop.

The options for navigating to the Wat Mangkon will be limited at first, so traveling this way may be inconvenient depending on where you are in the city. The MRT works similarly to the piers. The stations are equipped with plenty of signs translated to English and automatic ticketing machines that are easy for travelers to navigate. Tickets start at 15 baht and increase depending on how many stations you pass on your trip.

Walking from Hua Lamphong station is a good way to enjoy the sights of Chinatown on a warm day. Bring a map along to help you navigate.

Not all drivers are fair to tourists. Instruct the driver to use their taxi meter. If they disagree, they likely will attempt to overcharge you for the trip. There are many taxis, so wait for the next one. Tuk-tuks are basically motorized rickshaws. They’re like taxis meant for shorter distances. Be aware of drivers that claim to know secret shopping locations or offer tours, since this is a popular scam targeted at travelers. Most drivers don’t speak great English. In addition, the roads in Bangkok are often crowded, so your trip might be longer and costlier than you anticipate.

Bangkok’s bus system is pretty extensive and can be confusing for travelers, but the terminals in the city all have maps that will help you get around. The buses are numbered to indicate where they stop. Bus lines 1, 4, 7, 25, 53, and 73 are a few common options for getting to Chinatown. The buses are also color-coded. You may see buses that have the same number but are different colors. These buses often go on separate routes, so be careful when choosing your ride.

Many places accept U. S. currency and even exchange it. A lot of hotels and other large businesses also take some credit cards for a small fee. Local ATMs are relatively easy to use if you speak English, but they charge a large transaction fee. Expect to pay around $6. 00 for a transaction. Crime is pretty low in Chinatown. There are some pickpockets in the busy areas, but they won’t be able to get you if you’re aware of your surroundings.

The Chao Phraya River borders Chinatown to the south and west. Some other useful landmarks include the Prha Pokklao Road bridge to the southwest and the Sirat Expressway to the east.

Bangkok is a relatively tourist-friendly city, but getting around is still tricky if English isn’t your first language. Find a good translation app for your primary language to make navigating easier. Thai is a difficult language to translate, so even the best apps aren’t perfect. Having a dictionary is also useful in case the app fails.

For example, avoid bringing short shorts and spaghetti strap-style shirts. If you visit a temple, you may be asked to cover up before you are allowed in. The further south you go, the more conservative the dress gets due to the sizable Muslim population in the city.

Take the side roads when riding a bike. The side roads are much quieter and safer for bike traffic than the busy main streets.

The gate is in the middle of the Odeon traffic circle. Both the gate and the road are often closed on holidays, but it is very busy during the Chinese New Year.

The temple has a heritage museum on the second floor. The Buddha statue is on the third floor. Tickets cost between 40 to 100 baht and are available at a nearby kiosk.

Yaowarat Road is known for its gold shops. Some of the shops are well-known, but be wary of smaller stalls and shops that seem seedy. The roads and the market are typically very crowded, so be prepared for the heat and close quarters if you go.

The temple sells items like paper notes to burn as an offering and is near a lot of street food vendors, making it very accessible. There are other temples, such as Wat Chakkrawat further west, closer to Ratchawong Pier. They are all similar but have a few different sights to see. Wat Chakkrawat, for instance, has crocodile ponds.

Little India is close to Sampeng Market, making it a natural stop after a long day of walking among the crowds of Chinatown.