Like most skills in life, solo travel is something that feels easier with practice. But what if you’re doing it for the very first time, or you’re returning to solo travel after a long hiatus? Our Editor shares her top travel and safety tips for exploring Bangkok solo, after a recent trip of doing exactly that.
If life begins at the end of your comfort zone, then I pretty much jumped out of mine with two feet when I boarded a plane to solo travel to Bangkok. With 3 days to explore the vibrant Thai capital, and then a further 3 days uncovering the ancient city of Ayutthaya, it was a wonderful yin and yang experience of chaos and calm. Scroll for the full story or jump straight in to my 15 top tips.
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This article has been written in partnership with Trip.com. All words and views are my own.
My Bangkok Solo Travel Story
I am a confident traveller, but I’m also now a single Mum in her 30’s who honestly probably thought her long haul solo travel days were way behind her. But alas, there I was touching down in Bangkok, with so much unknown ahead of me.
What made this solo experience feel so much easier, was using the Trip.com app to plan and book everything including flights, hotels, airport transfers and even tours and excursions on the ground. It was like having a little virtual travel assistant in my pocket, who gave me smart Trip.Best recommendations whenever I needed them.
Solo travel can feel daunting, but I found that booking things through the app helped me to add purpose and structure to my days. From the best cookery classes, ladyboy cabarets and rooftop pools in Bangkok to bike tours and peaceful spas in Ayutthaya, I unlocked places and experiences that I would never have found without the app.
This trip was the most empowering solo travel experience that I have ever had and it reminded me of what I am capable of, not only as a Mum, but as a business owner and a female solo traveller.
I hope this article can reassure you and empower you that as a solo traveller, you are more than capable of taking on Bangkok.
Why Bangkok is Brilliant for Solo Travel
There’s something electrifying about arriving in Bangkok on your own. The adrenaline of the culture shock, the buzz of the tuk-tuks and the scent of sizzling street food – it’s a city that instantly awakens your senses. The great thing about being a solo traveller in Bangkok is that you will be amongst thousands of others. Bangkok acts as a starting point for people’s wider exploration South East Asia, so don’t be surprised to cross paths with many other solo travellers or digital nomads. You’re guaranteed to spot other likeminded people dining solo in the restaurants and street cafes. Rest assured – it’s common place here, and people won’t bat an eyelid if you’re without a plus one.
Despite its chaotic charm, I quickly remembered just how friendly Thai people are, and I realised how safe and accessible this city can feel for solo travellers. But like all big cities, it pays to be prepared. Scams exist everywhere, so it’s important to always be vigilant, especially as a solo female traveller.
I’ve put together my top travel and safety tips for making the most of Bangkok solo, while keeping your adventure smooth, safe and stress-free.
15 Best Travel and Safety Tips for Solo Travel in Bangkok
1. Pre-book an Airport Transfer for when you land
I remember feeling a little daunted when I landed at Bangkok airport, but I was so grateful to my past self for being organised and booking myself an airport transfer. After a long flight, it was so nice to be picked up in a licensed air-con taxi and whisked straight to my hotel. It’s a safe way to get into the city and will help you to be avoid being scammed at the airport by any unlicensed taxi drivers who will approach you and offer you rides at the terminal exit.
Book reliable airport transfers via Trip.com.
2. Book authentic group experiences to socialise or meet other travellers
If you’re heading to Bangkok as a solo traveller and are worried about feeling isolated or lonely, a great way to combat this it to book a few group activities or tours. From making Thai cuisine in a cookery class to full day tour of the Damnoen Saduak floating market, there’s a huge amount of choice if you still want to have a shared experience whilst travelling solo. You’ll often find that the travel guide or tour guide is also a great source of knowledge and information for your wider exploration of Bangkok. I found that having just a few short chats with other people on the tours really helped to combat any potential feelings of loneliness or isolation.
The best group activity I booked whilst in Bangkok was a Thai Cookery Class at TIngly Thai Cookery School. I had so much fun during this experience and got to visit a local food market and meet other likeminded solo travellers as part of the tour. One lady had even heard of my site, Travelista, which I was so proud of! Our host, Cho, was so friendly, funny and knowledgeable. I can’t recommend this experience enough.
Watch this reel on our Instagram for a closer look at this exact Thai Cooking Class experience.
2. Download these essential apps before you go
Modern technology can be a game-changing travel companion — especially when navigating a new city solo. Download these apps and you’ll have a solution for everything you’ll ever need, right in the palm of your hand
• Grab – Southeast Asia’s version of Uber. Safer and often cheaper than street taxis.
• Trip.com – Easily one of Asia’s top travel booking platform. You can use Trip.com to book everything from flights, airport transfers and hotels to tours and excursions on the ground. It’s like having a virtual travel buddy with you at all times. Download the Trip.com app and start planning today.
• Google Maps – Save offline maps for when data is limited.
• Translate – Helpful for reading signs or menus in Thai.
• Monzo – Monzo is my go-to banking app for when I travel. It has zero transaction fees and the app is literally a joy to use. Signing up to Monzo is free and you can use a physical card or Apple Pay. Use my Monzo referral for a cash sign up bonus.
• XE Currency – To keep track of spending and convert prices.
• HappyCow – Great for finding vegetarian/vegan eats.
Top tip: If you love being organised, create a new Travel folder on your iPhone and group all these apps together, so you have them all in one place whenever you need them.
4. Choose the right neighbourhood as your base
Where you stay can really shape your experience of Bangkok. As a solo traveller, I always recommend areas that are central, well-lit, well-connected and have a bit of character. Here are some of the best places to stay as a solo traveller.
My Top Pick:
• Lumphini – I chose to stay in Lumphini at the Grande Centre Point Lumphini, which as a safe and welcoming hotel, I couldn’t recommend enough. It was so nice to come back to a clean, tidy air-conditioned room after humid days of exploring the streets of Bangkok. Lumphini is a leafy, elegant neighbourhood best known for the iconic Lumphini Park — Bangkok’s answer to Central Park. It offers a more peaceful, residential vibe while still being close to the action. It’s served by the Lumphini MRT station, so it’s got great public transportation links around the city.
Other good options;
• Ari – Trendy, local and a little off the main tourist trail. Think cute cafés and leafy streets. Browse hotels in Ari.
• Sukhumvit (Thonglor/Phrom Phong) – Safe, stylish, and close to BTS Skytrain links. Browse hotels in Sukhumvit.
• Riverside – For a quieter, more scenic stay near cultural sights like Wat Arun and The Grand Palace. Browse riverside hotels near the Grand Palace.
I would avoid staying too close to Khao San Road if you’re after sleep or a more relaxed vibe — but it’s still worth visiting once!
5. Stay in social but safe accommodation
Bangkok has incredible accommodation options — from boutique hostels with rooftop pools to luxury hotels with skyline views. As a solo traveller, I like to strike a balance between security and social energy.
Look for:
• Female-only dorms or floors
• 24-hour reception and security
• Central location near a BTS or MRT station
• Communal areas or cafés where you can meet other travellers
Browse all hotels and hostels in Bangkok.
Top tip: Sites like Trip.com feature a huge choice of accommodation types, so you can easily filter down to hotels, home stays, hostels or guest houses.
6. Always explore the city with a power bank for charging up your phone
If you’re going to be relying on technology to explore, you don’t want to run out of juice on the go – especially as a solo traveller when you have nobody else to rely on. The most important thing you’ll need in your day-to-day exploring is a power bank with charging wire to keep you topped up through the day. Using Google Maps and GPS will drain your battery quicker than you are used to. Check out these affordable and fast charging power banks.
7. Stay Connected with an eSIM
I knew how important connectivity would be for me as a solo traveller in Bangkok, so I purchased a 7 Day eSIM for my time in Thailand. This was my first experience of using an eSIM and I was so impressed by how easy it felt to set up. Contrary to what the name suggests, you don’t need to spend any time replacing your sim for another. The data is added digitally via a code and you keep the same phone number.
I recommend choosing a sim with unlimited data for a set number of days. This way you’ll know you can always access the internet in the event of getting lost or in an emergency. As far as travel safety and money-saving tips go, I’d say an eSIM is an absolute must. Compare the best travel eSIMs for Thailand in this helpful article.
8. Dress Respectfully (Especially When Temple-Hopping)
Bangkok is a modern, cosmopolitan and vibrant city, but it is still deeply traditional in places — particularly around temples and sacred sites. Dressing respectfully is important but it will also help you to avoid any unwanted attention. It’s true that temperatures and humidity can soar in Bangkok, so I recommend always travelling with some light layers in your backpack which you can throw on when visiting religious sites or if you feel you want more coverage. Solo travel in Bangkok means you have to be extra organised and prepared, as you won’t have anyone else to lend you spare items of clothing when needed.
Temple dress code:
• Cover shoulders and knees
• No sheer or tight-fitting clothes
• Slip-on shoes (many temples ask you to remove them)
A linen shirt and wide leg linen trousers are my go-to pieces for staying both respectful and comfortable.
9. Be street smart (but not paranoid)
Overall, I felt very safe as a solo female traveller. I’m pleased to say I didn’t get into any situations that felt potentially unsafe, but that’s not to say they can’t happen. It’s always worth following your instincts and using common sense to avoid petty crime.
Practical tips and safety measures to keep in mind:
• Don’t walk down dark or isolated streets at night
• Always share your location with someone, perhaps by using Apple’s Find My Friends app.
• Always travel an Apple Air Tag (or the non-branded equivalent) in your suitcase and your day bag
• Avoid accepting tours or deals from people who approach you on the street
• Be mindful of pickpockets in crowded areas
• Keep bank cards and cash in different areas on your person so not everything can be lost at once
• Keep a copy of your passport in a separate bag
• Be cautious when drinking or partying — watch your drinks being made (if possible) and never leave them unattended
The good news? Bangkok is generally a safe city and Thai people are famously friendly and helpful – Thailand isn’t called the Land of Smiles for nothing. If you ever feel unsure, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
10. Embrace solo dining and street food
Bangkok is a total dream for solo foodies. Many street vendors cater for individuals, and eating solo is common and welcomed. Thai food is there to be enjoyed, so put yourself amongst the hustle and bustle and take up a table for one with pride.
Must-try solo foodie spots:
• Jay Fai – The Michelin-starred street food queen (book early!)
• Chatuchak Market – Endless snacks and small bites to graze as you explore
• Terminal 21 Food Court – Clean, affordable and solo-diner friendly
• Wallflowers Cafe – Quirky and cool botanical cafe and bar with a great roof terrace near China town (I loved it here).
If you’re nervous about where to start, try joining a street food tour for your first night. To help you feel a little more confident and empowered, check out our Guide to The Subtle Art of Dining Alone.
11. Use the BTS and MRT (It’s Safer and Faster than Taxis)
Bangkok’s Skytrain (BTS) and underground (MRT) systems are clean, safe, and air-conditioned — ideal for solo travellers avoiding traffic or haggling with taxi drivers.
Tips for riding public transport solo:
• Always stand behind the yellow line on platforms
• Keep small change or a Rabbit card (the pass for BTS Skytrain) for easier payment
• Avoid peak rush hours (7–9am and 5–7pm) if you can
• Keep all bags zipped up and nothing valuable in pockets
12. Have a loose travel itinerary, but leave room for flexibility
One of the best things about solo travel is the freedom to change your plans at a moment’s notice. Bangkok is a city that rewards spontaneity — you might stumble on a hidden market, a boutique spa with a special offer, or a peaceful café tucked down a side street.
I recommend booking accommodation in Bangkok for your first few nights and a couple of tours or activites, then leaving room to move based on how you’re feeling.
If you’re a die-hard planner and want everything mapped out, check out our sister article to this one; The Perfect 3 Day Bangkok itinerary for Solo Travellers with an extended itinerary for Ayutthaya.
13. Check out the TagThai Tourist E-Wallet
Cash is still king in Bangkok, but for a more secure and cash-free way to enjoy the city, you can use the TagThai Tourist E-Wallet, a digital payment solution that is accepted a thousands of locations nationwide. From malls to the tiniest independent street vendors, you will see the payment QR codes everywhere in Bangkok and nationwide across Thailand. This is a good alternative if you know you are going to be charged by your bank for transactions.
14. Sign up for a travel bank card that gives you free-free spending
If you’re a frequent traveller, it’s essential to have at least one bank card with a bank who offers zero fees for spending abroad. I highly recommend Monzo, which I first signed up to about 3 years ago for its brilliant travel perks. They include;
• Spending abroad without any transaction fees
• Competitive exchange rates in line with HSBC
• Free cash withdrawals overseas
• Smart features to split bills and add spending limits
• Inclusive worldwide travel insurance when you sign up to Monzo Premium.
• Realtime spending notifications which convert transactions back to your main currency, to help you stay within budget
Monzo is complete free. Sign up to Monzo with my referral and you’ll earn £10-£50 as a new user.
15. Don’t be afraid to barter on prices
Negotiating prices is all part of the Thai culture. As a tourist, they’re likely going to offer you a higher price, with the expectation that you’re going to start a negotiation. In places like night markets, small shops, and independent retailers, never accept the first price you are given. The same goes for Tuk Tuk drivers – who will always try to charge tourists more than locals.
The general rule of thumb is that, if they let you walk away, you’ve bartered too hard and gone too low. Walk away, and if you really want the item at their asking price, simply return to the vendor and say you’re happy to pay their asking price. As long as you remain polite and respectful in the negotiation, bartering is completely safe to do as a solo traveller.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This
With this article, you truly do have everything you need to have an incredibly time in Bangkok as a solo traveller. Whether you’re there alone out of choice or necessity, see this solo time as an opportunity to be observant, mindful and reflective. With a little planning, a few of these handy apps, and the right mindset, it’s an amazing destination to explore alone — full of culture, kindness, and unexpected magic.
If you’re any thing like me, you’ll come home with more than just souvenirs — you’ll return with confidence, clarity and a new sense of empowerment.
Are you going to be a solo traveller in Bangkok? Leave us a comment and tell us about your trip, and check out the Perfect 3 Day Bangkok Itinerary for Solo Travellers.
