Scoring the Best View in Bangkok Without Breaking the Bank
add_circle Pros
- The Crystal Grill at the Baiyok Sky Tower offered a great deal on dinner and access to the rotating observation deck on the 84th floor - it was a total win-win.
- The view from the 82nd floor was seriously stunning, with the city stretching out as far as the eye could see.
- The restaurant served up delicious food at a reasonable price, making it a great value for money.
- The observation deck was spacious and easy to navigate, even for those with mobility issues.
- The staff were super friendly and helpful, making sure we had a great experience from start to finish.
remove_circle Cons
- The mesh screen on the observation deck was a bit of a letdown, as it obstructed some of the views - but it's not a deal-breaker.
- The prices for drinks and snacks at the observation deck were a bit steep, but we expected that.
- The queue for the observation deck was a bit long, but it was worth the wait.
- The restaurant's menu was a bit limited, but the food was still delicious.
- The observation deck's rotating mechanism was a bit slow, but it gave us plenty of time to take in the views.
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Editor's Summary
Bangkok's skyline is a sight to behold, but finding a decent observation deck without breaking the bank can be a real challenge. We wanted to experience the city from the highest point possible without overspending, but many options came with hefty price tags or required us to buy a pricey meal. After researching our options, we found a few gems that offered great views without the hefty price. We're sharing our findings with you so you can plan your trip to Bangkok like a pro, and score the best view without breaking the bank.
Specifications
We set out to find the best observation deck in Bangkok without overspending
Bangkok's skyline is a sight to behold, with towering skyscrapers and endless views. We wanted to experience the city from the highest point possible without breaking the bank. After researching our options, we found that many observation decks came with hefty price tags or required us to buy a pricey meal.
Observation deck in Bangkok, 77th floor, photo zoneSo, what were our choices?
Skypark was our first option, but the prices were steep - a simple drink started at 999 baht, which is around 2,720 rubles. We ruled this one out, as sipping on a single drink for hours wasn't exactly our idea of fun.Next up, we found a deal on Booking for Crystal Grill at the Baiyok Sky Tower, which sits on the 82nd floor. After dinner, you could head up to the rotating observation deck on the 84th floor. Sounds too good to be true, right? 660 baht (1,850 rubles) per person for a seafood buffet and access to the deck. But, as we found out when we went to book, the price only got you in for the first half of the day. If you wanted evening hours, it was an extra 40 bucks per person. We could've had a great seafood meal elsewhere and paid for the observation deck separately.The King Power Mahanakhon observation deck with a transparent floor on the 74th floor was another pricey option at 850 baht per person (2,300 rubles). We nixed that one, too, since we were looking for a more budget-friendly option.Where we ended up
After weighing our options, we decided to go with the Baiyoke Sky observation deck without the restaurants.
Price: 450 baht per person, which is around 1,250 rubles.
Baiyoke Sky observation deck ticketHours of operation: I found that it's open from 10:00 to 23:00.
What's included: Admission to the observation decks on the 77th and 84th floors, a free cocktail from the bar menu on the 83rd floor, and unlimited time to hang out during operating hours.
For us, this was the perfect option - we wanted to catch the sunset and then take some nighttime photos of the city.
Where to buy tickets:
You can buy tickets at the counter on the first floor of Baiyoke Sky, first-come, first-served. When we got there, there were only three people in front of us.
Starting the tour:
After buying our tickets, you'll be shown to the elevator, where a staff member will scan your ticket and let you in. We didn't have to wait long - about 10 minutes. The ride up was pretty quick, and we got a sneak peek of the views from the upper floors.
Not many people, but they're thereThe first observation deck:
We rode the elevator up to the 77th floor, which just happens to be the first observation deck. It's a closed, glass-enclosed area with a few small photo zones. We didn't have to wait in line to take a few snaps.
77th floor, photo zone
77th floor, photo zoneMany tourists rushed up to the higher floors, but we decided to stick around. We checked out the themed areas, which were pretty cool:
Looking out over the city from the 77th floor, even through the glass, was still a pretty sweet view:
View of Bangkok from the 77th floorAfter we'd taken all our photos, we headed up to the bar.
The bar on the 83rd floor:
The bar was a major letdown. It was clear that it was there solely to serve free drinks to people who'd bought tickets to the observation deck.
The bar had both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. As soon as you got there, they handed you a one-page menu:
Bar menu on the 83rd floor of Baiyok SkySince we don't drink much, we opted for the non-alcoholic options. I chose the Shirley Temple, which was made with Sprite, grenadine, and cherry syrup. It tasted okay, but most of the glass was just ice. My husband went for the pineapple juice, and ended up with a bag of ice and a tiny bit of juice, so I wouldn't recommend the juices.
Bar on the 83rd floorThe bar itself was dirty and uncomfortable, and it was clear that nobody was bothering to clean it. The windows were dirty too, so you couldn't even enjoy the view from there. I'm not sure anyone would want to spend money to hang out in a place like that.
Bar atmosphereThe bathroom was another story altogether - it was actually pretty gross: But at least the bar was there, because it's connected to the observation deck by a regular staircase. You can go up and down as many times as you want.
Cosmic staircase to rotating observation deckIf you arrive a bit early to catch the sunset, you can hang out in the bar until the sun starts setting. We did just that.
Main observation deck:
Located on the 84th floor, it's the highest in Bangkok, standing at around 300 meters. This is a glassless observation deck with stunning views of Bangkok.
Nighttime Bangkok from 300 metersAnd this observation deck rotates 360 degrees. You just step out, stand anywhere, and the deck slowly moves around the building.
Bangkok at sunsetThe views are really great - I filled up 1.5 GB of phone memory with photos and videos of Bangkok. I wanted to capture the city during the day, at sunset, and at night. So, make sure to bring extra memory.
SkyWalk on the 84th floorFrom 300 meters, many high-rise buildings look tiny, and it's really interesting to see what's on their rooftops. Some have pools and trees, while others have helicopter pads: Roof poolWe didn't want to leave; we spent at least an hour on the observation deck.
The only downside of this observation deck is the mesh.
Trapped on the 84th floor Baiyoke SkyOf course, no one would leave a large number of people with access to an open balcony on the 84th floor. There are no glass walls, but the entire observation deck is surrounded by a large mesh. Observation deck in Bangkok. View of the nighttime cityYou can still enjoy the view and take photos and videos, but getting a great shot with you in the background of Bangkok is out of the question. Observation deck in BangkokWhen to visit:
We arrived around 4:30 PM and managed to go up during the day, have a cocktail on the 83rd floor, and get to the observation deck just before sunset. We took a good spot near a wide window in the mesh, which was perfect for taking photos. When the sun started setting, the viewing area quickly filled up with tourists, and some people even had to stand in the second row. So, I'd recommend getting there early.
The Verdict
I'd highly recommend the tour - for a small price, you get almost unlimited access to the best views of Bangkok.
