The Bangkok Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors covers neighbourhoods, temples, food areas, airports, daily budgets, transport, common mistakes and a realistic three-day plan.

Use it first when you need the whole trip in one place. Then open the more detailed comparison that matches the next decision.

Bangkok hotel choice is mainly a transport decision. A room can look central on a map while still requiring repeated taxis or awkward changes.

Use the Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok guide to compare Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathorn, Siam, Riverside, the Old City, Chinatown and other bases. When you are ready to compare individual properties, continue to Best Hotels in Bangkok for First-Time Visitors.

BTS, MRT, river boats and taxis solve different parts of the city. The easiest base is usually close to the line you will use most, not simply the area with the lowest hotel price.

For onward travel, the Bangkok to Chiang Mai Transport Guide compares flights, sleeper trains and buses by door-to-door time, comfort and cost.

Ayutthaya works best when you have a fourth Bangkok day or a longer city stay. The Ayutthaya Day Trip from Bangkok guide compares train, tour and private-driver options.

Do not force a day trip into a two-day Bangkok visit if it means missing the city sights that made Bangkok part of the route.

A balanced first visit might include:

• One day for the Grand Palace area, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the river.
• One day for markets, modern Bangkok, shopping, parks or museums.
• One flexible day for food, neighbourhoods, a tour or slower sightseeing.
• One additional day for Ayutthaya when time allows.

Heat, rain and traffic affect the pace. Leave room for meals, transport changes and a break during the hottest part of the day.