A trip to Asia is a lot of fun. Destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are filled with gorgeous landscapes, exciting attractions to visit, and a long list of things to do. It is easy to turn a simple trip to these destinations into an incredible adventure.

Bangkok is one of the most popular destinations of them all. The city is not only affordable but also acts as the perfect hub for exploring the rest of Thailand. Before you plan a trip to the city, however, there are three important things you need to know.

It’s a Long Flight

The flight to Bangkok will be a long one. Flights from Birmingham Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok are usually 8-9 hours. There are a few routes you can take too, including one with a layover in Dubai or a short transit in Amsterdam.

Since it is a long flight, preparing for the flight is important, especially for the departure flight. The last thing you want is to feel tired by the time you arrive in Bangkok. A few simple tricks can change that and prepare you better for the flight.

You want the start of the trip to be enjoyable and the most convenient way to do that is by driving to the airport. You can book Car Park 7 Birmingham Airport online using BirminghamParking.com. Since you are now driving to the airport, there is no need to worry about getting up late and missing your bus or struggling with a taxi.

Other things like using the airline’s web check-in facility also make the start of the trip more convenient. At the very least, you can avoid spending a lot of time waiting in line, which gives you more time for a cup of coffee.

Next, you want to prepare for the flight itself. Change into something comfortable before boarding. Be sure to load your iPad or your phone with some books, movies or TV series, just in case the there is nothing interesting on the in-flight entertainment system.

Take Guided Tours

Travellers exploring Bangkok with a smartphone in their hands is a common sight as you explore the city. I know how romantic exploring the city with nothing but online guides or Google Maps sounds, but that is actually not the best way to enjoy an incredible vacation experience in this city.

Instead of trying to figure things out yourself – and getting lost every now and then – turn to guided tours that take you to the magical places in Bangkok and nearby areas. Guided tours in this city are actually very affordable; a guided tour of the Ayutthaya, complete with a river cruise and a tasty lunch to go along with the experience, is less than £50.

Affordability isn’t the only reason why you should turn to guided tours rather than doing everything yourself. Most tours are designed to include everything. All you need to do is get to the lobby of your hotel and the rest is easy from there. This level of convenience is how you explore Bangkok at its best.

To make it even better, some of the best tours you can take are now accessible online too. You can pre-book tours for each day of your stay and plan your itinerary around them. You are free to choose the destinations you want to visit, the time you want to spend exploring them, and the kind of experience you want to sample along the way.

Go Shopping and Try New Things

Bangkok is heaven for those who love to shop. There are a lot of local markets with lively shops and all the items you could possibly want. There are also street food vendors and other attractions to keep you entertained. Most markets open in the evening as well, which means you can spend the entire day travelling and still have the opportunity to shop at the end of that day.

Before you set foot in Bangkok’s exciting markets, there are a few more things you need to know. First of all, always spend time bargaining for better prices when shopping in Bangkok; this is true with many other Asian cities too. You can reduce the initial price by as much as 50% if you are good at negotiating.

Being friendly with the shopkeeper and vendor helps too. Instead of taking a more confrontational approach, be more relaxed and throw in a few jokes (and smiles) when negotiating for a better price. Don’t hesitate to walk away if you don’t get the price you want. The shopkeeper will call you back in most cases.

With these three tips in mind, a trip to Bangkok will be a magical one nonetheless. The city – and the country – has a lot to offer. Plan a trip where you can sample the best of the city and you will return home with plenty of stories to tell.