Neil Aronson Bangkok Thailand is one of the best destinations for family friendly travel for families with kids of all ages. Traveling to Bangkok with kids is highly rewarding if you prioritize a slow-paced itinerary, mid-day breaks for the heat, and booking family friendly hotels near the BTS Skytrain.
Balance cultural activities, like morning temple visits, with indoor play areas and boat rides to keep meltdowns at bay. Our recommendation for Bangkok is 2-3 nights, then off to the beaches, Chiang Mai, or both.
Chiang Mai is maybe the best place to visit with kids, and is our home city. But Bangkok is also a wonderful place families to experience a different cultural side of Thailand and way of life. And for sure you will find it easier for shopping, getting around, indoor activities, and hotels for all tastes. Picking the right area to stay in is very critical, which we have information on below.
Keep in mind with most of Bangkok is family friendly, it may not be for everyone. I myself love to visit for a few days and then travel elsewhere. I am more of a quiet nature person, so a few days is enough for us. However it is also a great jumping-off point for other nearby places to visit such as Ayutthaya historical site, Hua Hin, and flights to Chiang Mai or the beaches of the South.
Travel Packs
A must have for your laptop, camera gear, valuables, extra clothes
Why Bangkok Is Great for Families
- Safe areas and many ways to get around like the BTS (Skytrain).
- Friendly local culture that warmly welcomes children.
- Affordable hotels and family suites.
- Diverse activities for toddlers, kids, and teens.
- Great balance of education, adventure, and relaxation.
- Jumping off point to nearby destinations.
- Shop for anything your family needs.
- Medical Care is excellent and convenient.
- Any Food you want is available.
Parents on travel forums frequently describe Bangkok as one of the easiest and most rewarding places in Southeast Asia to visit with children.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a temple tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
Air Asia is the top regional discount airlines for Thailand and all Southeast Asia. Book from Chiang Mai to just about everywhere.
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Essential Tips
- Try to book a Bangkok family hotel with easy access to The Skytrain (BTS) and MRT Subway . This will make getting around Bangkok much easier.
- Strollers vs. Carriers: A lightweight umbrella stroller is great for the malls, but a baby carrier is a lifesaver when navigating crowded markets or steep temple stairs..
- Temple Etiquette: Always pack a long scarf or sarong. Both women and children must have their shoulders and knees covered when entering sacred sites.
- Pacing: Limit activities to one main event per morning, spending the afternoons relaxing by the pool to help kids recover from the heat.
- Paying For Things: If you want to use cash, bring new bills ($100) and exchange in the city. Don’t exchange in your home country, you will get a much better rate in Thailand. Credit Cards are accepted almost anywhere now except at street markets. Make sure you have not foreign transaction fees. Wise is also a card we use to pay and transfer money.
- Visa Requirements: Many countries can enter on what is called a Visa Exempt entry. Recently this has been changed back to 30 days. For longer stays you will need a Visa. Check the Official Government Thai Visa website for your requirements.
- Get A VPN: Not Only for internet security, but a way to stream TV from your home country. There are three main uses for a VPN when traveling: security, particularly when using public Wi-Fi, streaming to catch up with shows from your home country, and accessing home services that are inaccessible abroad, such as online banking. Nord is our top Choice I use every day.
- Get Travel Insurance! You never know what could happen, especially when traveling with kids. AXA is one of the more popular choices.
🚕 Getting Around
Navigating Bangkok’s traffic and uneven sidewalks can be tough with a stroller. Save your energy by using:
- The BTS Skytrain & MRT: The safest, coolest, and most reliable ways to travel. Almost all stations have elevators.
- Chao Phraya Express Boats: A great way to travel with the family. It’s a breeze, gets you to temples like Wat Arun, and kids view it as a thrilling adventure.
- Tuk-Tuks: Kids love these, but only take them for short, fun rides (agree on a price beforehand!) and avoid them during rush hour.
- Grab App: Use the ride-hailing app Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber) for fixed, transparent pricing. It removes the need to haggle and is great for getting back to your hotel after a long day.
Fun Family-Friendly Attractions And Spots
SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World: One of Southeast Asia’s largest aquariums, featuring sharks, penguins, rays, and interactive exhibits. Located beneath Siam Paragon shopping mall.
Safari World: A large wildlife park with a drive-through safari section and marine park. Popular with families spending a full day outdoors. Embark on an exhilarating journey through the wilderness, observing over 100 species from Africa, Asia, and Australia in their natural habitats.
Children’s Discovery Museum: A free museum designed for children, with hands-on science, water-play, and family friendly creative learning activities.
Siam Amazing Park: A combination amusement park and water park featuring rides suitable for both younger children and teens.
Lumphini Park: Bangkok’s largest central park is family friendly with playgrounds, paddle boats, and monitor lizards that fascinate many children.
KidZania Bangkok: An interactive indoor city where kids can role-play different professions, located inside Siam Paragon
Harborland: Located in various malls, this is one of Bangkok’s largest indoor playgrounds, perfect for burning off energy.
The Grand Palace & Wat Pho: See the dazzling temples and the giant Reaching Buddha. Go early right at opening, bring lots of water, and ensure everyone’s shoulders and knees are covered.
Family Friendly Shopping Areas
- ICONSIAM — Indoor attractions, dining, and riverside views. Great stop by the River Taxi from Wat Arun. Also amazing food court for kids.
- Siam Paragon — Aquarium, food court, and shopping. Lots of entertainment for kids and families. Madame Tussauds is located here. By BTS station.
- Terminal 21 Asoke — Airport-themed mall that kids often find entertaining. Jus across the street from the Hilton Grande Asoke, our hotel choice. And the BTS station.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market on a Saturday afternoon. It is the world’s largest and most diverse weekend market, with over 200,000 visitors every weekend. Great way to get more culture other than the modern mall.
Travel Backpacks
A must have for your laptop, camera gear, valuables, extra clothes
Cooking Classes are a great way for your kids to have fun and be educated as well. Bring your older kids along to a Thai cooking class, where they can learn about the culture and new skills.
Attuyaya Historical Park: Take a day trip to this ancient capital. Book this small-group tour and avoid the larger group tours that take you on a crowded bus. This small-group tour is limited to just nine travelers
Where To Stay
The main consideration for whether the riverside area or the city center area is going to partly depend on what you are planning to do during your stay and the kind of activities you are looking for. Again however, getting around the city is very easy in the main tourist areas below.
- Sukhumvit: This modern district is a popular choice of where to stay in Bangkok with family thanks to its easy access to shopping malls, public transport and a wide choice of restaurants.
- Siam: Another popular district for people looking for Bangkok accommodation for families, Siam is close to shopping malls and Bangkok’s family Friendly attractions, such as Kidzania and Siam Ocean World. The Skytrain makes it easy to access the rest of Bangkok.
- Riverside: Many of the top family-friendly hotels in Bangkok enjoy a riverside location. This is often chosen as the best location to stay in Bangkok for a luxury family vacation, as it offers a quieter and atmospheric place to stay. It is a handy location for exploring Bangkok by river taxi.
Recommended Sukhumvit Hotels
Hilton Bangkok Grande Asoke – Another 5-star hotel, and where we most recently stayed. The location is amazing, right across the street from the BTS station and Terminal 21 shopping mall. The interior is very nice and staff is amazing. The room was perfect, and make sure you get breakfast included, it is worth staying there just for that.
Serviced Apartment: 137 Pillars Residences — If you’re looking for a cozy high-end apartment in central Bangkok, then 137 Pillars Residences may be just the ticket. This family friendly residence is perfect for families perhaps staying longer than a couple nights.
INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit – is fortunate to have Sky-high LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar. Commanding the hotel’s two upper-most floors, the 33rd and 34th levels, with panoramic views of the Bangkok skyline, LUZ has quickly gained a reputation as “the place to be” since its September 15, 2023 debut. One of the most family friendly hotel brands in Thailand with kids play areas, dining, and family friendly rooms and pools.
Recommended Siam Hotels
Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok: Widely considered the premier family resort in the city, this five-star property is tucked directly behind the Siam Paragon mall. It features free-form saltwater lagoon pools, lush gardens, and the exceptional Kempinski Kids’ Club, which offers daily activities, cooking classes, and interactive games.
Centara Grand at CentralWorld: This towering five-star hotel sits directly above the massive CentralWorld shopping and dining complex. This family friendly resort offers interconnecting family suites and features a great outdoor pool, making it incredibly convenient for parents who want to shop and dine without navigating heavy traffic with kids.
Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel: Located near the Ratchadamri BTS station (one stop from Siam), this luxury retreat provides traditional Thai architecture and beautiful gardens. It is perfect for families seeking a calmer, more tranquil base that is still only two minutes from the lush paths of Lumpini Park.
Recommended Riverside Hotels
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort: This sprawling property gives you a relaxing, family friendly oasis in the city. It features spacious two-bedroom suites and a large lagoon-style pool. Guests can hop on the hotel’s complimentary shuttle boat to the BTS Skytrain or ICONSIAM.
Shangri-La Bangkok: This luxury property offers top-tier babysitting services, a large swimming pool, and lush gardens right on the river. It is conveniently located right next to the Saphan Taksin BTS station, making travel with kids very easy.
Millennium Hilton Bangkok: Located perfectly across the river from the ICONSIAM shopping and entertainment district (a short boat ride away). It features a large riverside pool and family friendly dining options.
Expedia is one of the most well known booking companies and the one I mainly use, especially for flights.
