A lot of people will disagree, but if you are time constrained then hiring a guide can be an excellent way of seeing things in a limited time, and also open up other sides of Bangkok you wouldn't otherwise see.

If you've booked everything DIY I wouldn't be sure how to find a good guide though? The hotel might know someone (for a cut) but I bet someone here would have a recommendation!

Thanks, I don't want to waste time in bangkok, want to make the most of it and hiring a guide sounds like the only way to do this, don't fancy spending 3 days going round in circles then finding out stuff after we've moved on!!

You need to do whats best for you susan. To be honest- our first time in Bangkok we went on organised tours as it seemed a bit daunting to plan things. Contact your hotel and see what they come up with( then let us know and we can tell you if that sounds good )

The firsts time I went to Bangkok, like Fiona I booked on organised tours, the hotel reception staff made all the arrangements for us and we got to see lots of the sights. We were with other tourists and I think we booked tours for two days. We went to the Grand Palace on our own by taxi.

Thanks for the replies, I emailed the hotel and they were very good to get back to me, I think we will go straight to the tour desk and book a few tours. I booked my taxi to the airport the other day and the lady who runs the business just got back from Thailand, we had a great chat and she told me all about her tours which just happened to be the one's we want to do and she absolutely loved Thailand! I think for a 3 night stay in Bangkok one full day tour and one half day tour will be quite enough!!

Cheers

Don't try to cram too much in on your first visit to Bangkok. The Bridge and Floating Market are all day trips and you have to get the coach about 6.00a.m. because the traffic is so bad in Bangkok. By the time we flew off to Phuket we felt totally stressed because we were so tired from the jetlag and getting up early for the trips. But if you have the stamina go for it!

After reading a few reviews I think we have decided not to do the bridge, maybe just the markets and grand palace thanks for all the replies...

I am off to Thailand in a couple of weeks (1st time) and only having 1 full day and 2 half days in Bangkok, I too have considered the best way to see the sights in such a short time.

Our choice of hotel (Dusit Thani) was primarily down to its location on the Sky Train and Metro routes, to enable us to get about quickly. Had considered a tour guide but in the end decided against it.

Our plan on the full day is to take the Skytrain to the river, tour boat up river to Wat Arun and Wat Po, getting off at Banglampho area (think we will bypass the Grand Palace).

Quick tour of Khao San Road and taxi down to China Town.

After C.T., walk to Railway Station and metro back to hotel before our Evening dinner cruise on Loy Nava

So basically, we are doing it D.I.Y. and have promised if we like Bangkok we will go for longer next time.

Ian
can you not manage the Grand Palace in one of your half days? It is absolutely amazing.

We always use Tour East they are very good you will find them all over Thailand we used a man called Krit he is based in Bangkok

Edit to change font - to lower case as per rules of posting - Admin

Bangkok is totally accessible to tour round yourselves, unless you don't feel comfortable. All the tourist areas are relatively safe.

You can get round by taxi, tuk tuk or on the boats on the river. You can easily squeeze some of the best sites in 2 days sight seeing with a little planning, but you really do need to go to the Palace, and Wat Po.

The shopping district & most of the posh hotels are separate from the main sites, but you can use the sky train and the river boats to get around.