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A Guide to Exploring Lumphini Park [and why we love spending an entire day there!]

A Guide to Exploring Lumphini Park [and why we love spending an entire day there!] 

For a place named after Buddha’s birthplace, you’d think Lumphini Park would have religion plastered all over it. Much to our surprise, this patch of green is one for fitness activities, swan boats, and monitor lizards (a curveball if you ever saw one).

And that’s just for starters. This is unofficially Bangkok’s lungs: around 57 hectares where you can R&R, so expect elders practicing tai chi, and people parading their cutesy cats amidst towering skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle of city life.

Now, just like the rest of Bangkok, tons of wonderful things await you in Lumphini. So if you need help planning the ultimate trip to this park, follow our comprehensive guide below, a pathway we carved with the hottest scoop to enjoy your visit!

Where is Lumphini Park?

Where is Lumphini Park

Lumphini Park is centrally located in the Sathorn area, Bangkok’s main business district. It’s bounded by Rama IV Road to the south, Ratchadamri Road to the west, Witthayu Road (Wireless Road) to the east, and Sarasin Road to the north.

Best Time to Visit Lumphini Park

Operating Hours: 4:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Daily)

It’s best to visit Lumphini Park between November and December to experience cool and sunny weather. 

During these months, you can enjoy exploring the park to its fullest during the day of your visit. 

Otherwise, you can pick a specific time of the day depending on your planned activities. For instance, mornings and afternoons are best for pleasant walks and watching the sunrise or sunset. 

How to Get to Lumphini Park

Taxi: Hailing a metered taxi anywhere in Bangkok is the most convenient way to get to Lumphini Park. Taxis are everywhere in the city, so you won’t have any problem finding one.

You can tell if a metered taxi is vacant if it has a red neon light sign on its windshield. Standard taxi fare starts at 35 baht for the first two kilometers and increases by 2 baht for the next kilometer which makes it a cheap option for tourists.

If you don’t want to flag a taxi on the street, you can use popular taxi-booking apps like Grab and Bolt but expect a high markup in fare prices.

Train: Trains in Bangkok are efficient modes of transportation, so riding one is a great way to get to Lumphini Park. There are two train options to reach the park: BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway.

If you use the BTS Skytrain, take the Silom Line to Sala Daeng Station. Lumphini Park is only a 450-meter walk from this BTS station.

It’s best to take the MRT Subway Blue Line to Silom MRT Station for your convenience since it’s next to the park’s main gate.

City Bus: There are multiple bus stops on all sides of Lumphini Park, so riding a city bus to get there is straightforward. It’s also the cheapest option since ticket prices for Bangkok buses are minimal.

Tuk-tuk: Riding a tuk-tuk is a unique way to get to Lumphini Park from anywhere in Bangkok. Tuk-tuks are open-air, so they give you a better view of the city’s sights and streets on your way to the park.

Be sure to negotiate the price when riding a tuk-tuk because they don’t have meters. They typically cost the same as taxis so, you can use that as your baseline when haggling for a reasonable fare.

Where to Stay near Lumphini Park

SO/ Bangkok

Media from sobangkok

Address: 2 N Sathon Road, Silom, Bang Rak

Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 11:30 a.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 2 624 0000

Website: https://www.facebook.com/sobangkokth/

Prices: ฿฿฿

SO/ Bangkok is a luxury hotel across the street from Lumphini Park which makes it a solid option, location-wise. It has ultrachic rooms with contemporary art designs, iMacs, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows for excellent lighting.

Though it’s one of the more expensive hotels near the park, it’s worth the services and amenities you get for staying here. Think private lounge, upgraded park-view rooms, spa treatment, private hot tubs, and infinity outdoor pools.

They even have 2 swanky on-site restaurants specializing in international cuisines, so you won’t go hungry here!

Crowne Plaza Bangkok

Address: 952 Rama IV Road, Khwaeng Suriya Wong, Khet Bang Rak

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11:30 a.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 2 632 9000

Website: https://bangkoklumpinipark.crowneplaza.com/ja

Prices: ฿฿฿

If you’re a sucker for minimalist interiors, this luxury hotel near Lumphini Park is the place to be. But that’s not all—Crowne Plaza Bangkok’s suites also have separate living rooms and dedicated working spaces.

Aside from that, this hotel boasts an elegant rooftop pool with Mexican-esque designs and colorful potted flowers. The pool is shallow for adult standards, so it’s perfect for families vacationing with small kids.

The Cotton Sala Daeng Hotel

Address: 14, 1 Soi Sathon 2, Silom, Bang Rak

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11:30 a.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 2 267 6363

Website: https://www.thecottonhotel.com/

Prices: ฿฿

The Cotton Sala Daeng Hotel is an excellent mid-range hotel that’s only a 5-minute walk from Lumphini Park. It has informal interior designs, so expect furnishings and amenities to focus more on comfort and functionality over style.

This place makes it ideal if you prefer a value-for-your-money hotel that offers sufficient space and basic features you’ll need during your stay. Other notable amenities in this hotel are its ice cream parlor and Australian-style restaurant.

The Cube Hostel Silom

Address: 3, 9-10 Sala Daeng Road, Silom, Bang Rak

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11:30 a.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 96 314 1481

Website: http://www.thecubehostel.com/

Prices: ฿

The Cube Hostel Silom is arguably the best budget-friendly accommodation near Lumphini Park. They have sleeping capsules equipped with fans, reading lights, lockers, and privacy curtains.

It’s ideal if you’re looking for a clean and cost-effective place to sleep. They even have female-only sections which makes it safe for female tourists.

Given the price of staying here, we think it’s definitely the best value for your money, especially since you also get a free breakfast.

Where to Eat in and near Lumphini Park

Lumphini Park Food Court

Address: 192 Rama IV Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 87 493 9240

Prices: ฿

Lumphini Park Food Court is the place to go for affordable and filling snacks or meals, especially after running around the park. It’s dotted with food stalls, so there are a lot of breakfast, lunch, and drink options to choose from.

Think: rice noodles, pork bone soup, chicken rice bowls, porridge, and stir-fried noodles. We particularly enjoyed the stir-fried noodles with meatballs and boiled eggs.

Or you can go for the soy milk bowl if you like something on the sweeter side. It’s a dessert bowl topped with numerous fruit slices, sweet beans, sago, coconut jellies, and more.

Pacamara Coffee Roasters 

Address: Faculty of Medicine Library, Chulalongkorn University, Pathum Wan

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: +66 61 821 3583

Website: https://pacamaracoffee.com/

Prices: ฿฿

This coffee shop next to Lumphini Park is the perfect place to get your caffeine and pastry fix. The coffee lovers on our team are particularly fond of this cafe’s fine selection of coffees, from classic Americano, Espresso, or Macchiato to local Thai-style blends. 

Aside from that, this cafe also has a wide range of sandwiches, cakes, and other dessert options. If you have a sweet tooth, our top recommendations are the Italian panna cotta and blueberry cheesecake.

Otherwise, go for the chicken and fresh mozzarella sandwich if you want a more filling breakfast option.

Polo Fried Chicken (Soi Polo)

Address: 137/1-3 Sanam Khli Alley, Lumphini, Pathum Wan

Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 81 300 4444

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063475514687

Prices: ฿฿

If you love fried chicken, you’ll appreciate it even more once you try Polo Fried Chicken. This restaurant specializes in Southern-style Thai fried chicken topped with crispy fried garlic.

Have it with their sweet and sour seafood som tum for an explosion of flavors. It’s also worth mentioning that this place received a Michelin Bib Gourmand for their food’s excellent quality and reasonable prices.

That’s why it’s usually packed with local and foreign visitors who want to sample their signature fried chicken. Be sure to come by early if you don’t want to wait.

Ñamñam Pasta and Tapas Silom Edge

Address: 2 Si Lom Road, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: +66 65 954 0515

Website: https://www.namnampasta.com/

Prices: ฿฿

If you’re looking for a great Italian restaurant near Lumphini Park, there’s Ñamñam Pasta and Tapas. Their selection of pasta dishes is massive, and you can choose between 14 types of fresh and homemade pasta noodles.

Since you can customize your dish, that means you can order a carbonara or bolognese pasta with linguini, spaghettini, rigatoni, or fusilli noodles. It’s perfect for pasta enthusiasts.

Aside from that, this restaurant also serves other notable dishes like shakshuka, Caesar’s salad, and beef nachos. That makes it a solid choice if you enjoy full-on variety.

What to See and Do in Lumphini Park

Run one or more laps around the park

Jogging and running are two of the most popular activities in Lumphini Park. In fact, you’ll find a lot of Bangkokians running one or more laps around the park early in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening.

That makes it the perfect place for health-conscious travelers to visit. Plus, it helps that the park’s roads are well-maintained which makes running and jogging more fun.

Since the park attracts plenty of runners in the community, it’s also the place to be if your goal is to make friends with the locals.

Explore the park in a rental bicycle

The cycling aficionados on our team say Lumphini Park is the place to go if you enjoy sightseeing on a bicycle. It’s also a great alternative if you’re not good at running since you can cover a lot of ground with less strain on your muscles.

That makes it ideal for unathletic visitors going here on a sightseeing trip. However, it’s worth noting that riding a bicycle is only allowed in the park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so be sure to come early if you plan on cycling here.

Bicycles are available at the entrance, but you can also rent e-bikes from rental companies outside the park like Zendrian and Scoota. Renting a bike costs approximately 50 baht per hour or 300 baht for the entire day.

Ride the free pedal boats along the park’s lake

Riding a swan pedal boat is one of the more exciting experiences you can get from visiting Lumphini Park. It’s also free, so it’s the perfect activity to try when traveling in Bangkok on a tight budget.

Since these swan pedal boats are two-seaters, they’re even more fun to ride with someone. That makes it ideal for couples or besties who frequent the park to relax and hang out.

Aside from that, kayaks are also available to rent in the park. Though they cost 50 baht for 1-hour-and-30-minute sessions, they provide better mobility which is great if you like adrenaline-pumping activities more.

Go on a picnic with friends or family

Going on a picnic is the best way to take advantage of Lumphini Park’s vibrant grass field, beautiful lake, and relaxing atmosphere. That’s why it attracts local and foreign families and couples looking for a tranquil place to spend their weekend vacations.

After all, food tastes better when eaten amid the park’s awe-inspiring scenery. Aside from sharing food, you can enjoy numerous activities like pedal boating, kayaking, jogging, walking, animal spotting, and watching flowers.

Drop by the Bangkok Public Library

Address: 192 , Rama 4 Road, Lumphini, 10330 Pathumwan, Bangkok, 192 Rama IV Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Operating Hours: 

  • 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday – Saturday)
  • 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 2 163 4675

Website: http://bangkoklibrary.go.th/web03

Admission Cost: Free

This public library in Lumphini Park is perfect for families who like to spend their free time on educational and recreational activities. Though their collection consists mostly of Thai books, foreigners will also find a small dedicated section for English books.

Otherwise, you can use the library’s WiFi and quiet atmosphere to finish some remote work on your laptop. Bangkok Public Library also has dedicated facilities for kids to play, read, and try simple crafts for free.

You can leave your kids in this section while you enjoy your peaceful reading time at the library’s adult section. But that’s not all—the library is air-conditioned, so it’s a great place to cool down and escape the sunny weather outside.

Watch or join the numerous wellness activities within the park

Wellness activities are popular among those who frequent Lumphini Park and there are plenty to do here. Think yoga classes, aerobic exercises, tai chi, jumping rope, and calisthenics.

Aerobics, in particular, has daily sessions every 6 p.m. where everyone in the park is free to join. Think of it as a community event which is great for meeting and making friends with the locals.

The park also has two outdoor gyms with numerous weights and equipment visitors can use. Or you can go to the park’s basketball court if your preferred exercise is playing sports.

Meet the wildlife living within the park

A tour of Lumphini Park isn’t complete without meeting the numerous wildlife living there. This includes Asian monitor lizards, turtles, fishes, cats, and rock doves.

Our team particularly enjoyed observing the monitor lizards since they don’t run away even when people are near them. However, you should still avoid getting too close since they’re wild animals.

If you want to try feeding animals, it’s only recommended to do it with the park’s rock doves and fishes.

Watch special performances at night

Nightly performances are a big thing that people look forward to in Lumphini Park. It’s like a community event, so expect to see a lot of Bangkokians sitting by the park’s grass field to watch the live shows from one of its outdoor stages.

There are also local street vendors at night, so you’re covered for food while enjoying the performances in the park. Moreover, the park has even more shows and activities during special holidays. 

On the Songkran Festival, in particular, there will be colorful rides, food stalls, and souvenir shops.

FAQs about Lumphini Park

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