Last updated on : August 14, 2026
Why a Layover in Bangkok
During our trip to Vietnam in March 2026, we made a slightly different choice: instead of going for a quick connection, we intentionally planned a long layover in Bangkok.
Why? For several reasons.
First, let’s be honest: the journey from Montreal to Asia is long… very long. In our case, after a first flight to Vancouver, we then had a flight of around 16 hours to Bangkok. So we wanted to break up the journey, get out of the airport, move around, get some fresh air… simply regain a little energy before continuing on to Vietnam.
But beyond the practical side, there was also a real sense of curiosity.
For a while now, we’ve been realizing just how much Asia draws us in. Every trip makes us want to discover more. So we thought: why not take advantage of this layover to get our first glimpse of Thailand? Especially since we had heard so many good things about the destination.
No pressure. No packed itinerary. Just a few hours to see, feel, observe… and maybe find out whether Bangkok – or Thailand in general – could become a future favorite destination.
To make this possible, we chose to book our flights on separate tickets, which allowed us to control the length of our layover and turn it into a real mini-adventure.
And honestly? It completely changed our experience of the journey.
🎥 On Video: Our First Taste of Bangkok
Before getting into the details of this layover, I invite you to experience it with us through video.
In just a few minutes, I’ll take you along on our first discovery of the Thai capital. You’ll get a glimpse of what you can realistically see during a layover of around 10 hours, before diving into all the details and practical tips in the rest of this article.
⚠️ The prices mentioned in this article reflect our visit in March 2026. They are listed in Canadian dollars (CAD), unless otherwise stated, and may vary over time.
In addition, some links in this article are affiliate links. This comes at no extra cost to you, but if you choose to book or purchase through them, you help support Âme & Aventure. Thank you so much for your support! 🌎🩵
How I Prepared for my Layover in Bangkok
Before even deciding what to visit, the first step was simple: making sure my layover actually gave me enough time to leave the airport.
Between my two flights, I had a layover of around 14 hours. On paper, that’s more than enough… but in reality, you always need to allow time for:
- getting through immigration
- transportation into the city
- a safety buffer for getting back to the airport
Taking all of that into account, I realized I had around 10 to 11 “usable” hours.
And in the end, because of the heat and fatigue, we even decided to head back to the airport earlier than planned. Which means that what we actually did could easily be recreated during a layover of around…
Finding What to Do (Without Trying to Fit in Too Much)
Once I knew how much time we actually had, I started planning.
As usual, I relied on several different sources:
- travel blogs
- YouTube vlogs
- some research on specialized travel websites
- and even a little help from ChatGPT to validate some of my ideas
The goal wasn’t to see everything – quite the opposite. With a layover, there’s one important thing you have to accept: the less you try to fit in, the more you’ll enjoy it.
So I focused on iconic places that were relatively close to one another and would give me a good glimpse of Bangkok in just a few hours.
My Original Plan (vs. Reality)
At first, my itinerary included three must-see places:
- the Grand Palace
- Wat Pho
- Wat Arun
These three places are located relatively close to one another, which makes them perfect for a layover of a few hours. In theory, it was completely doable with the time I had (14 hours).
But when you travel, there’s always a difference between the plan… and reality.
Adapting Once You’re There (The Real Secret)
What we underestimated was:
- the fatigue that had built up after so many hours of flying
- the intense heat and humidity, even early in the morning
Even though getting out of the airport did us a world of good, we quickly realized that we simply didn’t have the energy to do everything.
So we made a simple choice: stick to the essentials. In the end, we visited the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, and decided to skip Wat Arun this time.
And honestly? No regrets.
What to Keep in Mind
Looking back, this layover confirmed something important for me: plan ahead, yes – but always stay flexible.
Even with a well-planned itinerary, you need to be ready to adjust depending on your energy level, the weather, and the actual pace once you’re there.
And in our case, even though we did a little less than originally planned… we still managed to see two of Bangkok’s biggest must-sees in just a few hours.
Entry Requirements for Thailand – For a Layover
Thailand’s entry requirements vary depending on the traveler’s nationality. The information below applies to Canadian travelers, like us.
First, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months when entering Thailand.
In addition, if you’re traveling to Thailand for tourism for a short stay with a regular Canadian passport, you can receive a 60-day visa exemption upon arrival (no visa required). This can be extended for up to 30 additional days at an immigration office, at the discretion of the immigration officer.
👉 Apply for a Thai visa → Official Thai e-Visa website
Finally, all travelers must complete an online digital arrival card within the 3 days before arriving in Thailand. This requirement applies to all points of entry, whether by air, land, or sea.
👉 Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card → Official Arrival Card website
For travelers from other countries, the requirements may be different. It is therefore essential to check the entry requirements specific to your nationality using official sources.
Our Experience
So, for a layover of just a few hours, we didn’t need to apply for a visa, but we did complete the digital arrival card within the 3 days before our arrival. It was provided to us as a QR code, which we had to show when requested.
My Bangkok Layover Itinerary
Before even starting our day, we made one decision that changed everything: not carrying our backpacks around all day.
Since we were traveling with carry-on backpacks only, we could have kept them with us… but with the heat, getting around, and the fatigue, they would have quickly made the experience much more tiring.
So we used a luggage storage service directly at Suvarnabhumi Airport: Bellugg Luggage Service, located on the Arrivals Level, across from Gate 4.
The result:
- we traveled light
- carried only a small bag with the essentials
- and had much more freedom to enjoy our layover
💲 In March 2026, the cost was 150 THB per bag (we had 3, so around $20 in total).
First Stop: The Grand Palace
Our first destination was the Grand Palace.
After getting off at Sanam Chai Station, we walked about 15 minutes to the site, wandering around a little while trying to find the main entrance.
We arrived shortly after opening… and it was already very busy. That gives you an idea of just how popular this place is.
Despite the crowds, it’s a truly impressive site, with its architectural details, colors, and sheer size.
We took our time walking around without a guide, simply admiring everything. Although we would have appreciated having more information to better understand what we were seeing, even without detailed explanations, the experience was definitely worth it.
💲 In March 2026, admission was 500 THB per person (around $23).
Second Stop: Wat Pho
We then continued on foot to Wat Pho, located nearby.
This is where you’ll find the famous Reclining Buddha… and honestly, it’s spectacular… Huge… Impressive… Unforgettable.
However, I prefer to be transparent: the main downside for me was the crowd around the Buddha. A lot of people want to take photos from the same spot, at the same time… and unfortunately, let’s just say that common courtesy isn’t always there.
So it can make the experience a little less enjoyable.
Other than that, the rest of the site is very beautiful, although—personally—I found that some areas felt quite similar to the Grand Palace in terms of style.
💲 In March 2026, admission was 300 THB per person (around $14).
Third Stop: A View of Wat Arun
Originally, we had planned to cross the Chao Phraya River to visit Wat Arun. But with the intense heat, humidity, and accumulated fatigue, we decided to slow down.
So instead, we simply found a spot by the river and enjoyed the view of Wat Arun, watching the boats go by.
And honestly? It was a really beautiful moment, and it was enough for us. Sometimes, simply stopping and taking it all in… is exactly what you need.
So, visiting Wat Arun will have to wait for a future trip to Thailand.
Fourth Stop: A Meal at The Sixth
With the heat and all the walking, we needed a break. So we stopped at The Sixth, a small restaurant that had been recommended to us (and had great reviews online).
The place is actually small and simple—far from the kind of huge restaurants we often see back home—but the food was absolutely delicious. I had chicken fried rice with vegetables… and without exaggerating, it’s the best I’ve had in Asia so far (even compared to Vietnam).
We also had a strawberry smoothie – perfect in the heat. And that was delicious too!
We took our time, relaxed for a bit… and it felt so good.
Fifth Stop: Back to the Airport
After our meal, we slowly made our way back to the airport, without rushing and taking the time to walk around a little along the way.
We returned earlier than planned, by choice. Why? Because we were tired… and honestly, the airport’s air conditioning was very welcome.
We took the opportunity to:
- relax
- have another small meal
- rest for a while before our next flight
My Thoughts on This Layover
Even though we didn’t do everything we had originally planned… this layover was a success. We were able to:
- see two major must-see attractions
- get a real taste of Bangkok
- see how our energy levels would hold up in this type of climate
And most importantly… confirm that Thailand definitely deserves a trip of its own.
If I Had Had More Time
This section is a little different when it comes to Bangkok… because in reality, I actually did have more time!
Our full layover was around 14 hours, but we intentionally returned to the airport earlier than necessary. The heat, humidity, and especially the fatigue that had built up after all those hours of flying eventually got the better of our original itinerary.
But if we had used all the time we had available, there are a few things I would have loved to add to our day.
Crossing the River to Wat Arun
This is probably my biggest regret from this layover.
Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, was part of my original itinerary. After visiting Wat Pho, we were already very close to the Chao Phraya River, and it would have been fairly easy to take the boat across to the other side.
In the end, we simply admired it from a distance along the river – which still gave us a beautiful view – before deciding that it was time to slow down.
If I were to do it again with a little more energy, I would definitely cross the river and visit it.
Spending More Time on the Chao Phraya River
Since we were already by the river, I also would have loved to spend a little more time on the water.
Boats are such a big part of Bangkok’s scenery, and instead of simply crossing over to Wat Arun, taking a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River would have been another great way to discover the city from a completely different perspective.
Exploring the Flower Market
Pak Khlong Talat, Bangkok’s famous flower market, was another place I had spotted in the area.
Since it’s located relatively close to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, it could easily have been added to our itinerary with a few extra hours – or simply a little more energy!
I would have loved to discover this more everyday and colorful side of Bangkok, different from the major tourist attractions we had chosen to focus on for our first visit.
Treating Ourselves to a Thai Massage
This was part of the plan too!
After spending so many hours on the plane, we had thought about treating ourselves to a massage, especially to give our tired legs a break.
In the end, we never did.
Looking back, though, it would have been a great way to end our layover: slow down, relax for a while, and at the same time experience something Thailand is particularly well known for.
And With a Full Extra Day?
With more than just a layover, I probably would have wanted to step away from the temple circuit a little and discover another side of Bangkok.
I would especially have loved to take the time to walk through one of its large green spaces and enjoy a little peace and quiet in the middle of such an intense city.
But with only a few hours, we had to make choices.
And in the end, I don’t regret choosing the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. For our first taste of Bangkok, they allowed us to see enough to get a feel for the city… while still leaving us with a few good reasons to come back someday.
How to Get Around Bangkok – During a Layover
When you only have a limited amount of time, choosing the right transportation quickly becomes an important part of the plan. You don’t want to waste time… or make things more complicated than they need to be.
So before leaving, I asked myself one simple question: what is the most efficient way to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to central Bangkok?
🚎 Public Transportation (The Option We Chose)
We decided to use public transportation – and honestly, it was an excellent choice.
From the airport, you can take the Airport Rail Link, which gets you into the city quickly, and then connect to the MRT subway or BTS Skytrain.
That’s exactly what we did. Even with a transfer along the way, everything was well marked, easy to navigate, relatively quick, and most importantly, much more affordable than the other options.
For a layover of just a few hours, that can make all the difference.
👉 Our Route:
- We traveled from the airport to Makkasan on the Airport Rail Link (35 THB per person, each way).
- We then used the pedestrian walkway to transfer to Phetchaburi Station (MRT Blue Line).
- From there, we took the MRT to Sanam Chai Station (40 THB per person, each way).
- To get back to the airport, we simply followed the same route in reverse.
A Popular Option: The Grab App
Another very popular option in Bangkok is the Grab app, the Asian equivalent of Uber.
It’s a simple and comfortable option, without having to figure out the public transportation system. However, it’s also more expensive… and can sometimes take longer depending on traffic.
In our case, with the limited time we had, public transportation was simply more efficient.
What Really Helped Us (and Saved Us Time)
One detail made all the difference: we didn’t go in completely unprepared.
Before our trip, I watched a YouTube video from a creator who explained how to use public transportation in Bangkok during a layover. 👉 You can watch the video here.
As a result:
- we already knew where to go
- how to buy the tickets
- how to make the transfers
So we didn’t have to figure everything out once we got there… and that saved us valuable time.
My Advice After Our Experience
If you’re comfortable with a little planning, public transportation is definitely one of the best options for a layover in Bangkok.
But if you want something simpler, more direct, and without having to think about navigating the transportation system, Grab is still a very good alternative.
Keep in Mind
⚠️ No matter which option you choose, the most important thing is to plan your route in advance because, during a layover, every minute counts.
Currency
The currency used in Thailand is the Thai baht (THB).
Even for a layover of just a few hours, I recommend having some cash with you. In our case, cash came in handy several times, and we ended up using our card very little once we left the airport.
We withdrew some baht directly from an ATM at Bangkok Airport when we arrived. It was simple and gave us immediate access to local currency for transportation, sightseeing, and our meal.
Cards are obviously accepted in some places – we used ours to pay for part of our luggage storage at the airport – but during our day in Bangkok, cash turned out to be much more convenient.
💡 My advice: even if you’re only staying for a few hours, withdraw a small amount of baht when you arrive. There’s no need to take out a large amount for a simple layover, but having some cash on hand can keep you from getting stuck at a shop or service that doesn’t accept your card.
During our visit in March 2026, we got an exchange rate of around 22 THB to C$1, including both the ATM fees and our bank fees.
Exchange rates obviously fluctuate over time, so I recommend checking the current rate at the time of your trip and keeping in mind any withdrawal fees charged by both your bank and the ATM.
Layover Budget & Costs
Here are the expenses from our few-hour layover in Bangkok. Please note that this only includes our expenses while in Bangkok. Flight-related costs are included in the budget for the Vietnam portion of our trip. The prices below are for 2 people.
- 🧳 Airport luggage storage: 450 THB (around C$20)
- 🚂 Public transportation: 300 THB (around C$14)
- 🍔 Food: 720 THB (around C$30)
- 🎟️ Activities: 1,600 THB (around C$75)
👉 Total: 3,070 THB (around C$139) for 2 people in March 2026.
Practical Tips for a Successful Layover in Bangkok
Bangkok can be a great city to explore during a long layover, but it’s a destination where you need to allow yourself enough time.
Between arrival formalities, transportation, the heat, and the fatigue that often comes with a long journey, it’s better to keep your itinerary fairly light.
For all my tips on planning a layover—including how much time to allow at the airport, luggage, entry formalities, calculating how much time you actually have, and leaving yourself a comfortable safety margin—I’ve put together a complete guide:
👉 [Making the Most of a Layover: My Practical Tips for Using Your Time Wisely]
Here’s what I learned more specifically from our experience in Bangkok.
⏱️ How Much Time Should You Allow for a Layover in Bangkok?
For Bangkok, I would plan a fairly long layover before considering leaving the airport:
👉 Less than 6 hours: I would stay at the airport
👉 7 to 8 hours: possible, but fairly tight
👉 10 hours or more: much more comfortable
Why so much time?
You need to allow time for arrival formalities, but most importantly, for getting into central Bangkok and back to the airport. Depending on where you’re going and the type of transportation you choose, you can easily expect the journey to take 45 to 60 minutes each way.
And in Bangkok, I would leave some extra time for the unexpected. Traffic can be heavy, and I definitely wouldn’t want to plan my return to the airport down to the last minute.
In our case, our layover was around 14 hours. On paper, that seemed like a huge amount of time. In reality, once we subtracted the different formalities, transportation, and our safety margin, we had around 8 hours that we could actually use.
And in the end, we only spent about 5 hours in Bangkok, since we chose to return to the airport earlier than planned.
☀️ Heat, Humidity and Temples: Plan Your Clothing Accordingly
If there’s one thing we underestimated in Bangkok, it was the effect of the heat and humidity.
We obviously knew it would be hot. But after so many hours of traveling and with the fatigue that had built up, the heat took much more energy out of us than we expected.
If you’re planning to visit temples during your layover, also keep the dress codes in mind.
Looking back, I would choose very lightweight clothing for getting around the city and simply bring an extra layer that’s easy to put on when needed for temple visits.
It’s actually a habit I adopted later on during our trip.
🛕 Choose Just a Few Must-Sees
Bangkok really isn’t a city where I would try to fit in as many attractions as possible during a layover. The distances, heat, and time spent getting around can quickly eat into the time you actually have.
Instead, choose one to three places that genuinely interest you and, if possible, keep them within the same area.
In our case, we focused on the Grand Palace and Wat Pho rather than trying to cross Bangkok in every direction.
And make sure to leave yourself some time to simply take in the city.
One of the moments I enjoyed the most ended up being one of the simplest: sitting by the water, looking at Wat Arun on the other side of the river, and watching the boats go by.
During a layover, a few moments like that can sometimes be worth much more than checking one more attraction off a list.
😴 Take Your Fatigue Into Account
This is probably the tip that our Bangkok layover illustrates best.
A 14-hour layover can seem very long when you’re planning your itinerary comfortably at home. But a 14-hour layover after a long flight, with very little sleep and significant jet lag, is completely different.
We had planned to spend more time in Bangkok. In the end, between the fatigue and the heat, we decided to head back to the airport earlier, enjoy the air conditioning, grab something to eat, and rest before our next flight.
And we never regretted that decision.
So plan your itinerary, but keep it flexible. If you still have plenty of energy, you can always add something. If you’re exhausted, give yourself permission to do less.
🌙 In Summary
Bangkok can be a great destination for turning a long layover into a first taste of Thailand, but I would definitely recommend a layover of at least 10 hours if you want to enjoy it without feeling too rushed.
Choose a few must-sees, keep your visits within the same area, prepare for the heat, and most importantly, listen to your energy level.
In our case, Bangkok wasn’t an absolute favorite. But those few hours gave us a first glimpse of the city and, most importantly, left the door open for a future trip to Thailand.
And in the end, that’s also what I love about layovers: they don’t need to show us an entire destination. Sometimes, they simply make us want to discover more.
In Conclusion
Our layover in Bangkok was… memorable, but also a bit of a mixed experience.
On one hand, we discovered a vibrant, intense city, with an energy you can feel from the very first few minutes – especially when stepping out of the subway and finding yourself right in the middle of Bangkok’s busy traffic. It’s the kind of place that definitely leaves an impression.
But on the other hand, I have to be honest: the conditions we arrived in had a real impact on our experience. After a flight of around 5 hours to Vancouver, followed by nearly 16 hours to Bangkok, we were definitely tired. Add the intense heat and high humidity, and it becomes an important factor to consider.
Even though we were impressed by places like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, we could tell that our energy level influenced how we experienced the city.
So, it wasn’t love at first sight… but it wasn’t a disappointment either. It was more of a nuanced first impression.
A Context That Makes a Big Difference
Looking back, I’m convinced the experience would have been different:
- with more rest
- at a slower travel pace
- or at a different point in our trip
And it’s also worth mentioning that I’m naturally less drawn to big cities, which inevitably influences how I feel about a destination like Bangkok.
Would I Go Back?
The answer is simple: I wouldn’t rule it out… but it’s not a priority.
There are clearly many beautiful and interesting things to discover in Thailand. And considering how many positive things I’ve heard from travelers with a similar travel style to mine, I’m still curious.
But if I do go back someday, it will probably be:
- as part of a dedicated trip
- with plenty of time
- and possibly by combining Bangkok with other regions of the country
My Verdict on a Bangkok Layover
👉 Yes, it’s worth it.
Even in just a few hours, you can see some of the must-sees, get a feel for the atmosphere, and form a first impression of the city. But you need to go in with the right expectations.
