5★Flight
≈ 2 h 30 m
CCU → BKK, non-stop; check current schedules
Airport
BKK
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK)
Best time
November to February
hot March to May, rain June to October
Stay
3-4 nights
+2 for Ayutthaya
Country
Thailand
check entry rules
Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) land at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang in about two and a half hours. Sukhumvit and Silom suit first trips, with the riverside for quieter evenings. Three to four nights covers the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, a river boat and Chatuchak market. November to February is the comfortable window.
Getting from Kolkata to Bangkok
By air
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the main gateway, east of the city, and handles most non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU). Don Mueang (DMK) serves many low-cost carriers on the same route. Both connect to the centre by taxi, airport rail link or public bus. Journeys vary with traffic, so allow extra time in the evening rush.
From Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link runs to Phaya Thai, where the BTS Skytrain continues into Sukhumvit and Siam. Don Mueang has a bus link to Mo Chit on the BTS. Metered taxis are available at both, and app cabs pick up from designated points. Check current terminal and transport details with Airports of Thailand.
Other options
Overland travel from Kolkata to Bangkok is slow and rarely worth it for a short break. Routes run through northeast India and Myanmar, where border crossings for foreign visitors are restricted and change without notice, or by sea, which has no scheduled passenger service. Flying is the practical choice; check any land route with the Indian and Myanmar authorities before planning.
Where to stay in Bangkok
Sukhumvit
The long modern artery of hotels, malls and restaurants, with the Skytrain running above it. Good for first visits, late dinners and easy transport across the city.
Silom
Finance by day and street food by night, close to the Skytrain and the river. Suits travellers who want a central base with evening markets and quick connections.
Riverside
Hotels along the Chao Phraya, with ferries to the temples and the Grand Palace. Quiet at night, and best if river views and boat travel matter more than nightlife.
Siam
The shopping core where the two Skytrain lines cross, with department stores, cinemas and quick transfers. Suits travellers who want to be in the middle of everything.
Old Town (Rattanakosin)
The historic island of palaces, temples and shophouse streets near Khao San. Best for sightseeing on foot, though transport is slower and nights can be noisy.
Top things to do in Bangkok
- Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: The royal complex beside the river, with the Emerald Buddha and painted galleries. Shoulders and knees must be covered, so dress modestly and check current opening rules.
- Wat Pho: Home of the reclining Buddha and a working monastery. A short walk from the Grand Palace and calmer in the early morning before the coach groups arrive.
- Chao Phraya river boats: Commuter boats and the tourist hop-on service both run along the river. Useful for reaching the temples, Chinatown and the pier at Saphan Taksin.
- Chinatown (Yaowarat): Narrow lanes of gold shops, Chinese temples and street food stalls, busiest after dark. Walk in from Wat Mangkon metro station.
- Chatuchak weekend market: A vast weekend market of plants, crafts, clothes and food stalls, with the Mo Chit BTS and metro nearby. Arrive early, as the heat builds by midday.
- Jim Thompson House: A teak house museum of Southeast Asian art near the Saen Saep canal. Entry is timed, so check current hours before setting out.
- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre: A gallery in Siam with rotating exhibitions, a small library and a café. A good way to spend a hot afternoon indoors.
- Wat Arun: The riverside temple of the dawn, across from the Grand Palace and reached by a short ferry. The light is best in the late afternoon.
- Lumphini Park: The central park, with a lake, early morning joggers and monitor lizards. A break from traffic between Silom and Sukhumvit.
Three days in Bangkok
- Day 1: Old Town and the river: Start at the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, then cross by ferry to Wat Arun. Finish with river boats and street food in Chinatown.
- Day 2: Modern Bangkok: Ride the Skytrain through Siam for galleries and shopping, then move to Sukhumvit for the afternoon. Evening at a night market or a rooftop terrace.
- Day 3: Markets and canals: Chatuchak if the visit falls on a weekend, otherwise a longtail boat through the Thonburi canals. Leave the afternoon free for shopping or a massage.
Add two or three nights for Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi, both reachable by train or road. Chiang Mai and the southern islands need a separate domestic flight.
Best time to visit Bangkok
November to February is the coolest, driest stretch, with daytime temperatures that make walking between temples comfortable. March to May turns hot and humid, with Songkran in mid-April bringing water fights and crowds. June to October brings the monsoon, usually as heavy afternoon showers rather than all-day rain. Check the current year's festival dates, including Songkran and Loy Krathong, before booking.
Getting around Bangkok
- BTS Skytrain: Air-conditioned trains on two lines cover Siam, Silom and Sukhumvit, with tickets from machines and station counters.
- MRT metro: The underground runs to Chinatown, the edge of the Old Town and Chatuchak, and connects with the Skytrain at several stations.
- River boats: Ferries and express boats on the Chao Phraya are the quickest way to the temples and cheap for crossing to the far bank.
Bangkok vs Kolkata: what feels different
Bangkok runs on a different rhythm from Kolkata. Pavements are wider, the Skytrain is air-conditioned, and street food comes with plastic stools and picture menus. Thai is tonal and written in its own script, so English signage matters more. Winter heat is drier, the pace faster, and Buddhist temples sit beside department stores. Kolkata's tram horns give way to motorcycle traffic.
Before you go
- Money: Cards and ATMs are everywhere in malls and hotels. Carry cash for markets, street food stalls and river boats.
- Language: Thai is the main language, with English common in hotels and on the Skytrain. A few polite Thai greetings go a long way.
- Documents: Entry rules for Indian passport holders change, so check the Royal Thai Embassy before booking. Passports should be valid for at least six months.
- Health: Tap water is not for drinking, and bottled water is widely sold. Mosquito repellent helps near canals and in the evening.
Hotels in Bangkok
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Bangkok’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
5★
5★Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Riverside, Bangkok · 5-starGuest score 4.8/5 · 2847 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse
Silom, Bangkok · 5-starGuest score 4.7/5 · 3862 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon
Silom, Bangkok · 5-starGuest score 4.6/5 · 1604 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★The Raweekanlaya Hotel Bangkok
Old Town (Rattanakosin), Bangkok · 5-starGuest score 4.2/5 · 399 reviewsSee live price
4★1905 Heritage Corner
Old Town (Rattanakosin), Bangkok · 4-starGuest score 4.9/5 · 73 reviewsSee live priceFAQ
How long is the flight from Kolkata to Bangkok?
Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) take about two and a half hours to Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang. Connections through other Indian cities or Southeast Asian hubs take longer. Check current schedules with the airline or the Airports Authority of India before booking.
Which Bangkok airport suits flights from Kolkata?
Both Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) receive flights from Kolkata. Suvarnabhumi has the Airport Rail Link and more onward connections; Don Mueang handles low-cost carriers and sits closer to the northern suburbs. Compare arrival times against your hotel area.
When is the best time to visit Bangkok from Kolkata?
November to February brings the coolest, driest weather and the most comfortable walking. March to May is hot and humid, and June to October is wet with monsoon showers. Check the current year's dates for Songkran and other festivals before booking.
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Thailand?
Entry rules for Indian passport holders change from time to time, including temporary exemptions. Check the Royal Thai Embassy or a consulate for the current requirement, passport validity and any fee before booking. Rules can differ for arrivals by air and by land.
How many days do you need in Bangkok?
Three or four nights covers the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, a river boat and one market. Add a day for Chatuchak if the trip falls on a weekend, or for a canal boat in Thonburi. Longer stays allow day trips to Ayutthaya.
How do you get around Bangkok?
The BTS Skytrain and MRT metro are the quickest ways through the centre, with river boats for the old city and temples. Metered taxis and app cabs fill the gaps, and street taxis should use the meter. Traffic is heavy for much of the day.
What should you eat in Bangkok?
Street stalls sell noodle soups, grilled skewers, som tam and mango with sticky rice. Chinatown is good after dark, and food courts in the malls are reliable for a quick lunch. Vegetarian food is easy to find if you ask.
Can you combine Bangkok with other parts of Thailand?
Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi are easy add-ons by train or road, while Chiang Mai and the southern islands need a domestic flight. Allow two or three extra nights for a second base, and book onward travel before the busy winter season.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.