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Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. Based on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok is one of the most popular cities on the South East Asian tourist trail. Its easy to get to, filled with cultural sites and museums, and is known for its excellent nightlife. Its also the gateway to other parts of amazing Thailand. While some travellers simply use the city as a waypoint en route to destinations in the country, you really can’t skip spending a few days in Bangkok when visiting Thailand. There’s always something to see and do in this noisy, chaotic and exciting metropolis. In this itinerary, I’ll be providing a guide to Bangkok for the first time visitor, giving you an idea of how to experience the highlights over a three day period.
Bangkok is known to Thais as Krung Thep (a shortened version of a much longer name!), which translates into “City of Angels”. The city was founded on the Chao Phraya River by the Thai (then Siamese) General Chao Phraya Chakkri in 1782, following the fall of the old kingdom of Ayutthaya to the north at the hands of the Burmese. Chakkri would go on to become King Rama I, establishing the Chakkri Dynasty which still reigns over Thailand today (the current monarch is often referred to as King Rama X). In the years since, the city expanded significantly, with several wats and roads being constructed. Bangkok grew dramatically after World War II, with tourism becoming an increasingly important aspect of Thailand’s economy. Its unique Thai character gives the global city a charm that sees many travellers coming back.
Bangkok is incredibly easy to get to and is serviced by two airports. The main one, Suvarnabhumi International (BKK), is about 30 kilometres east of central Bangkok and is a regional hub, connected to much of the world. The second, Don Mueang Airport is mainly used by budget airlines domestically and connections throughout parts of Asia.
Assuming you’ve flown into BKK, you can get into the city using Bangkok’s convenient public transport system. The Airport Rail Link connects passengers to the BTS Skytrain, which will have you in the heart of Bangkok within 30 minutes for approximately 45 Baht. Alternatively, the MRT metro can get you there in roughly the same time for a similar price. If you’d prefer to be driven to your hotel, I’d recommend using Grab (a ride-share app similar to Uber), which will be cheaper than a taxi, but be prepared to brave Bangkok’s notorious traffic.
Tourists from most Western Countries including Australia, the United States and most European Union nations, can visit Thailand visa-free. While you should check the laws that apply to your country of citizenship, Australians can enter Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa.
The peak tourist season in Bangkok is November to February. Its also probably the best time to visit. While this is Bangkok’s cool dry season, its still very hot (you can expect temperatures to reach the low 30s Celsius regularly). There’s a fair few public holidays that fall during this time, including the late King Rama IX’s birthday and Constitution Day however, so you may want to check your dates if you’ve got a bit of flexibility. Meanwhile July to October is the wet season, with a significant chance of tropical monsoonal rain during this time of year. I’d try to avoid it, particularly if its your first time to the city as the best way to experience Bangkok is being out on the streets.
Bangkok is full of accommodation options for travellers. If its your first time visiting however, I’d aim to stay somewhere around the Ko Ratanakosin district. Situated along the east bank of the Chao Phraya river, this area of the city is close to most of the city’s iconic sites and historic temples, making it the perfect spot to base yourself when exploring Bangkok. Alternatively, if you’re more interested in the backpacker partying scene, staying near Khao San Road is the obvious choice.
Overall, accommodation in Bangkok (and Thailand in general) is quite affordable. You can expect to pay roughly the following prices for a double room per night in the high season:
As mentioned earlier, Bangkok’s roads are notorious for being congested, with traffic delays being quite common. For this reason, you don’t want to rely on cars and taxis too much when getting around the city. Luckily, the public transport system is excellent, between the BTS Skytrain and MRT Metro, both of which run frequently from 6am to midnight daily. A standard fare can range from anywhere between 16-44 Baht ($0.67 – $1.76 AUD), or you can buy a one-day unlimited pass for less than $6 AUD. You should however note that Thailand is a very cash based country, so you’ll want to have enough on you to pay for fares (and to pay for things in general).
When it comes to destinations along the riverbank (think the main temples we’ll be diving into soon!), one of the best ways to get about is by taking the Express Boat. This public ferry serves commuters up and down the Chao Phraya River from 6am – 8pm each day for around 10-40 Baht ($0.42 – $1.67 AUD) per fare. In addition to being highly affordable, a trip on the ferry is a great way to take in some of the city’s best views while escaping the often punishing Bangkok heat.
While tuk-tuks (motorised rickshaws) are popular, they are a tourist trap that just aren’t competitively priced for foreigners. Despite this, riding one once remains essential Bangkok experience (but agree on a price before setting out).
The currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht. Note that cash is still used far more widely than cards in Thailand.
The national language is Thai. While hotel staff and the like will speak English, it wouldn’t hurt to learn some basic Thai phrases, as outside of the tourism industry, English is not widely spoken. Some helpful phrases include:
Overall, Bangkok is a pretty safe city. The risk of street crime is fairly low. You’re more likely to be the victim of a scammer or pickpocket,so just read up on the latest scams, be aware of your belongings in crowds, and politely decline assistance from overly friendly strangers. – normal common-sense stuff. As with many parts of Asia, drug penalties can be comparatively severe in Thailand. Also note that any kind of criticism of the monarchy is regarded as very serious offence under Thai law.
Spending three days in Bangkok will give you enough time to see the city’s main highlights, including its most famous temples. You’ll also have the chance to get out of the city to the nearby ruins of historic Ayutthaya.
On your first day in Bangkok, you’ll want to see the city’s most important sites. Luckily for you, they’re all pretty centrally located along the banks of the Chao Phraya River. After a quick breakfast, you’ll want to head to one of Bangkok’s most notable attractions, the Grand Palace. From there, you’ll be taking in a few other significant temples. One of the best ways to get to the Palace is by taking the Express Boat ferry to Pier 9 Tha Chang.
As you’ll be visiting a number of places of worship today, make sure you dress modestly – that means covering knees and shoulders (males and females).
The first stop of the day is the most popular destination for tourists in all of Bangkok. Dating back to 1782, the Grand Palace complex consists of over a hundred buildings across 214,000 square metres. While the Royal Family no longer lives here, the Grand Palace has served as the King’s official residence since its construction and is still used for official functions. The Palace grounds are also the site of Wat Phra Kaew, which translates to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Included with your admission ticket, this temple houses the holiest Buddha image in all of Thailand, with Buddhists travelling from all over the world to pay their respects. While the actual Buddha statue is quite small, the whole complex is filled with iconic Thai architecture and history.
Its important to know that the Grand Palace gets packed as the day goes on. Its why I recommend making this your first stop of the day so that you can enjoy it with less people getting in your way. Expect to spend at least two hours as you wander around the areas that are open to the public. To get the most out of your experience, consider hiring a guide at the ticket kiosk, or take an audio tour for around 200 Baht.
After spending the morning in the Palace, and perhaps grabbing a light lunch from a street vendor nearby, your next stop is just a short 10 minute walk away. Wat Pho is Bangkok’s oldest temple. It translates to Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and inside you’ll find a HUGE gold covered reclining Buddha statue (in fact Bangkok’s largest). Stretching out at an impressive 46 metres long, the statue illustrates Buddha entering nirvana upon death. Its a massively significant site for Buddhist worshippers and definitely something you can’t miss when exploring Bangkok’s temples. There’s a number of other buildings on the complex housing further Buddha depictions, so you’ll probably fill in at least another hour at Wat Pho.
Wat Pho is also the site of a traditional Thai massage school and makes a great place to experience an authentic Thai massage. Make sure you book in when you arrive (there’s often a waiting list) and if you don’t manage to get a time that will suit your schedule, you should definitely make sure you get to experience a Thai massage somewhere while in Bangkok (or Thailand in general if you’ll be seeing more of the country).
To get to the last temple for the day, you’ll have to cross to the other side of the Chao Phraya River, so get on board the ferry once more and head on over to Wat Arun via the Pier 8 Tha Tien. Probably the most iconic temple of the Bangkok skyline, Wat Arun is named after the Indian god of dawn, Aruna (hence the temple is often called the Temple of Dawn), and is built in the style of the former capital Ayutthaya. That’s no coincidence, as it was meant to symbolise the rebirth of Thailand (Siam) following the fall of the old capital.
The central spire stands tall at 82 metres high and overall, the impressive architecture gives rise to what is arguably the most beautiful temple in all of Bangkok. Its also one of the very few Buddhist temples that visitors can (and are in fact encouraged) to climb up, offering impressive views of the city. Its a good choice as the last temple of the day, given the chance to take in the beauty of the surroundings.
After a day of temple hopping, you’re bound to be exhausted. If you’ve got time to kill before dinner, get back on board the River Ferry and watch life on the Chao Phraya River pass you by. When you get hungry, get off at Pier 5 Ratchawong and head into Chinatown (Yaowarat), a crowded hub of alleys and market stalls that is also known for being the capital of Bangkok’s street food scene. If you feel like partying on afterwards, you can venture out to Khao San Road‘s backpacker scene, before calling it a night.
Now that you’ve seen Bangkok’s most famous temples, you’ll be diving deeper into the city on your second day in the city. You’ll be starting out at another temple (this is Thailand after all!), but then you’ll be headed to a unique museum as well as enjoying the fresh air in one of the city’s best public spaces as the day goes on. You’ll be mostly away from the river today, so you might want to use Grab or public transport to get to your first destination after breakfast.
Yes, after spending most of yesterday temple hopping, you’re starting the day with another wat, but this one is still worth visiting, even if you think you’ve had your fill. Perched on top of a small hill, it takes a good 25 minutes to hike the stairs to Wat Saket, but upon doing so you’ll be rewarded with great views across the city. The temple contains iconic murals including depictions of Buddhist hell that you won’t see elsewhere. However, the main thing to see here is the famous golden chedi that stands in at 100 metres high and was commissioned by King Rama III during his reign. After the hike to the top, spend some time relaxing up here, taking in the scenery and atmosphere before continuing on with your day.
Up next, you’re off to one of Bangkok’s more unique attractions. The Jim Thompson House is located a short distance away from the commercial heart of Bangkok (where you’ll find the city’s well known shopping malls) and is a traditional Thai style house that once served as the residence of former US spy, Jim Thompson, who served a stint in Thailand during World War 2. He would become more well known for his role in reviving the Thai silk industry however, before his mysterious disappearance in 1967.
When you visit the Jim Thompson House, you’ll take a guided tour (you can’t book in advance but its the only way to see the property), during which you’ll see the various rooms on display, filled with artefacts and artworks. Along the way you’ll learn about the significance of Thai silk through a demonstration of its production, and also see a cultural Thai dance routine. You’ll gain a lot from visiting, both in learning some history as well as experiencing some local culture. Its one of the most popular museums in Thailand for a reason! After your tour you can explore the lush gardens surrounding the property.
As you start to get hungry, you might want to duck into one of the massive malls nearby for a quick feed. There’s countless options within a 20 minute walk. Siam Discovery is a massive modern mall that includes a Madame Tussauds if you enjoy those. Siam Paragon houses the Sea Life Ocean World Aquarium, while Central World has an indoor skating ring. They all have excellent food courts and are a great way to escape the heat of the day before continuing on.
When you’re ready to get back outside, Lumphini Park is a relatively short walk to the south and is essentially Bangkok’s answer to Central Park in New York. Named after the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal, this public space is the city’s biggest park and is filled with beautifully maintained lawns, trails and an artificial lake. Its a good choice for a relaxing afternoon stroll and an escape from the hustle and bustle of regular Bangkok street life. You’ll see countless locals enjoying the outdoors and you can even join in with an outdoor aerobics session in the late afternoon. At 6 o’clock, you’ll hear the park’s speakers blare in tribute to the King while park goers stop in their tracks out of respect. Its a daily occurrence so don’t be alarmed if it catches you off guard.
When you’re ready to wind up, grab dinner before heading back to the hotel. If you’re craving some nightlife, Bangkok has numerous options waiting for you. Or if you’re feeling like something different, consider seeing a Muay Thai Fight at Rajadamnern Stadium.
Believe it or not, I’m going to recommend that you spend your third day in Bangkok getting out of the city! While there’s plenty to do in Bangkok, if you’ve only got a few days in town, I’d highly recommend taking a trip to the Old Capital of Ayutthaya. This historic site contains the ruins of the former capital of Siam, a regional powerhouse before its fall in the 18th century.
Many visitors to Bangkok don’t realise that Ayutthaya is a mere 80 kilometres north of the city, making it a very easy day trip. You can either go with an organised tour such as this one, or visit independently. If you’re making the trip on your own, there’s regular bus or train services that will get you to the UNESCO heritage site, leaving from central Bangkok (it will probably cost you around 40-60 Baht depending on your choice of transport). If you’re on a tour, there’s a good chance the bus will pick you up from your hotel (or a larger hotel nearby).
Before you get to the actual ruins of Ayutthaya Historical Park, your first stop should be the Bang Pa-In Palace. This 19 hectare property was a former summer palace for the Thai Royal Family throughout the 19th century, although it was actually built all the way back in the 17th century by King Prasat Thong before the fall of Ayutthaya. The property is notable for its vast array of structures and shrines from various architectural styles, ranging from European to Chinese influences – in fact, there is only one shrine on the property (the floating Divine Seat of Personal Freedom) which is built in traditional Thai style, a significant contrast to much of the temples through Bangkok.
You can spend at least an hour taking in the various buildings and grounds of the beautiful palace here while taking lots of photos. A good tour will aim to get here early on in the day (hence it being the first stop) before the crowds arrive in mass. Its a relaxing and historically interesting place to visit and you should make the most of the experience. Don’t miss the chance to ascend to the top of Sage’s Lookout Tower for excellent views of the palace complex.
Once you arrive at the actual UNESCO heritage site of Ayutthaya’s old city, head to Wat Mahathat. Wat Mahathat was the most important temple in Ayutthaya and served as the seat of the Kingdom’s Power. The size of the temple can only be imagined now, although the ruins left following the city’s sacking are impressive. The central prang once stood around 43 metres high, and was actually restored before collapsing once again in the early 20th century.
While the ruins and the various Buddha statues sprawled throughout the complex are impressive, the highlight at the site is undoubtedly the sandstone Buddha head nearby entangled in the roots of a Bodhi tree. Its become one of Thailand’s most iconic images and its unknown exactly how it came to be, but one popular theory is that the head was left there after looting of the site following the fall of the Old City.
The next temple I’d recommend in Ayutthaya dates back to the 15th century and is one of the very few historical sites in the area that remains fully intact. Its thought that this was due to the fact that it was used by the Burmese army as a military outpost during their campaign against the Old City, and therefore preserved. Today, Wat Na Phra Men is most notable for its massive gold Buddha statue, standing 6 metres tall and depicted in royal attire. Outside the main shrine, you’ll find various stupas, another Buddha head in a Bodhi tree, and many more interesting icons of worship.
The last temple on this itinerary is actually no longer a temple at all – the entirety of Wat Lokaya Sutharam’s temple was totally destroyed in the Burmese sacking of Ayutthaya, However the site is now notable for the massive 42 metre long Reclining Buddha statue that lays exposed to its surroundings. While there’s nowhere near as much to see here as the other temples, the huge Buddha makes it worth a brief stop alone and many worshippers present offerings to the sacred icon.
For most people, the above sites will be enough traipsing through ruins for a day. If you’re looking to head back to Bangkok, consider taking a river boat cruise all the way back down the Chao Phraya River into the heart of the city (it will take around 2 hours). If you’ve come to Ayutthaya on an organised tour, there’s a good chance it will include such a trip, with lunch served on board. For those wanting to spend more time in Ayutthaya however, there’s plenty more temples and ruins to see, as well as the Ayutthaya Tourist Centre and Museum. If you’re thinking of sticking around, you might consider purchasing a full day ticket to Ayuthaya Historical Park for 220 Baht (around $9.25 AUD) rather than paying separately at each place you visit.
Whenever you do make it back to Bangkok, you’ll probably be ready for a relaxing rest of the day. Wander the streets, take a dip at your hotel pool, or head to a local market, before eating some more delicious Thai food and finishing your few days in Bangkok with a cocktail at a rooftop bar.
So there you have it – 3 days in Bangkok! Is there anywhere you’d recommend that I’ve missed? Let me know all about your favourite spots in Bangkok in the comments.
If you’re looking to continue on your travels through Thailand, popular destinations include Chiang Mai in the north, or Phuket and its nearby islands to the south. Moving on from Thailand? Consider heading over into neighbouring Laos or Cambodia to see more of South East Asia.
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