If you’re traveling to Thailand, you’ll likely pass through Bangkok and wonder, “How many days in Bangkok do you need to see the top sights?” Whether you only have a day in Bangkok or need a Bangkok itinerary for four days, you’ve come to the right place. This Bangkok itinerary highlights non-touristy things to do in Bangkok, the best places to stay in Bangkok, and how many days in Bangkok are necessary to experience the best of the city.
Big thanks to Manpreet Kaur from Hello Manprett for her help in putting together this Bangkok itinerary.
How Many Days Bangkok Itinerary: 1-5 Day Guides
A Day in Bangkok Itinerary
If you only have a day in Bangkok, I recommend hiring a driver or a private tour guide. That way, you can check out all the must-see places in Bangkok without stressing. It won’t be easy, but you can do it if you’re smart!
Things to See During a Day in Bangkok:
Floating Markets: I don’t normally advise doing tours, but I will in this case. Most Bangkok floating markets are miles outside the city center and can be tricky to get to. So, if you want a stress-free morning, book a tour. The only market open in the afternoon is Amphawa—for the others, it’s best to go early and eat breakfast.
There are four main floating markets in Bangkok:
- Damnoen Saduak (open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)
- Amphawa (open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
- Taling Chan (open Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Khlong Lat Mayom (open Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Damnoen Saduak is the most popular floating market among tourists. Amphawa is much smaller but more authentic. Taling Chan is the closest to Bangkok, so if you want to go alone, this is your best bet. Khlong Lat Mayom is also pretty close—this is the foodie market, so go hungry! You’ll have more options on weekends, as most floating markets are closed throughout the week.
Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress.
Best Bangkok Tours: Click here to check out the top Bangkok tours
Best Bangkok Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Bangkok
Best Bangkok Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Bangkok
Grand Palace: If you are going to get scammed anywhere in Bangkok, it will likely be at the Grand Palace. It is THE tourist spot in Bangkok, and getting there can feel like running a gauntlet. Firstly, you have the Tuk Tuk drivers who might try and take you to Bangkok’s nicknack shops in Bangkok or tell you the palace is closed. Don’t listen to anyone—get to the ticket booth! The Grand Palace is massive, and there isn’t much shade, so I suggest arriving early to explore and take photos before the hot midday sun is fully overhead.
Wat Arun: Walk to the river and then take a 10-minute boat ride to Wat Arun—it’s worth it, and the boat ride is fun.
Wat Pho: I saved the best temple for last! Not only will you find the reclining Buddha here, but you can also get incredible foot massages for a reasonable price from the students at the Thai Massage School.
Night Market and Koh San Road: I know what you’re thinking: another cheesy tourist trap. But I don’t care how old you are, go! I thought it would be my worst nightmare, but it’s too much fun not to try. Soak up the drunk backpacking atmosphere, drink some Chang beer, eat some pad thai, and have fun.
Bangkok Itinerary 2 Days
Are you curious about the best things to see in Bangkok in 2 days? You’ll cover much ground, but it’ll be worth it.
Day 1 (Day of Temples)
Remember to wear appropriate clothing when visiting temples in Thailand. Wear long pants and have a scarf handy to cover your shoulders, as people inside the temples ensure visitors follow the dress guidelines. If you don’t follow the rules, you’ll either be refused entry or kicked out. If you’re unsure what to wear in Thailand, read my Thailand packing guide here.
Start your day at Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan, a beautiful temple where you can walk up a spiral staircase and learn about meditation and mindfulness techniques that the monks practice. It has a calm and peaceful atmosphere, making it the perfect place to start your day.
Wat Ratchanatdram Worawihan opens at 8:30 a.m. I suggest arriving as close to that time as possible. Also, try to visit again at night when all 37 spires are beautifully illuminated.
QUICK TIP: For a more authentic experience in Thailand look at doing more boutique tours with companies who are embedded in the local community and offer interesting opportunities to meet. local people. My favorite tour company in Thailand Where Sidewalks End does exactly that.
Explore more of Thailand’s local experiences with WSE.
Next up, just a few minutes walk away, you’ll find Wat Thepthidaram. This temple was built in 1836 by King Rama III to honor one of his many wives.Youery famous in Thailand, where the “Shakespeare of Thai Literature” was ordained as a monk and lived for many years. If you are interested in Buddhism, it’s a fascinating place to explore.
Next, walk towards the giant swing, which, sadly, is no longer swingable but is still cute to see and photograph. Plus, it’s right outside another gorgeous temple called Wat Suthat Thepwararam, one of Bangkok’s ten royal temples of the first grade.
Then, venture to one of my favorite temples in Bangkok, Wat Arun. To get here, you must take a 10-minute walk and a 10-minute boat journey to get here. Don’t let this put you off, as it adds to the whole experience, and riding the public boats is relatively easy and inexpensive.
Take the boat back and head straight to Wat Pho, where you’ll find the glorious reclining Buddha. It’s a busy place, but take your time to appreciate the beauty and pay your respects. I saved this one for last as this is where the Thai Massage School is—I still dream of the hour-long foot massage I enjoyed after a long day of temple gazing. Do yourself a favor and book a Thai Massage in Wat Pho. Your feet will thank you!
Day 2
Floating Markets: You can only see this during the weekend, as these markets are closed throughout the week. Visit either Taling Chan or Khlong Lat Mayom—both are close to Bangkok, and you can visit without a half-day tour. You will need to take a taxi, though.
Bangkok Itinerary 3 Days
You’ll have to make some hard decisions for a 3 day Bangkok itinerary—to see the best of Bangkok, you’ll have a busy few days! The first thing I suggest is making a must-see Bangkok 3 day itinerary. Here are my top picks:
- Grand Palace
- Wat Arun and Wat Pho
- Floating Markets
- Chinatown
- Night Markets
- Koh San Road
Day 1: Visit the Wat Ratchanatdram Worawihan, Wat Thepthidaram, Wat Suthat Thewararam, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho temples. Spend the evening at the local night markets.
Day 2: Start at the Grand Palace before heading to the Bangkok National Museum. End the day in the Koh San Road area.
Day 3: Head to the floating markets in the morning and then go to Chinatown. If you haven’t already had enough temples (trust me, temple burnout in Thailand is real), explore nearby Wat Traimit, known as “The Temple of Golden Buddha.” Standing at five meters tall and weighing five and a half tons, it’s pretty impressive and worth the walk. Finally, end your Bangkok 3 day itinerary enjoying a drink and sunset views on a rooftop bar.
Bangkok Itinerary 4 Days
4 days in Bangkok, Thailand is, in my opinion, the perfect amount of time to explore the city without feeling rushed. This Bangkok itinerary features the city’s main points of interest and several hidden gems.
Here’s a summary of the best Bangkok itinerary 4 days:
- Day 1: Lumphini Park and Mall and Art Box Night Market
- Day 2: Wat Ratchanatdram Worawihan, Wat Thepthidaram, Wat Suthat Thewararam, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, evening at the night markets
- Day 3: Grand Palace, Bangkok National Museum, evening in Koh San Road
- Day 4: Floating markets, Chinatown, Wat Traimit, and sunset at a rooftop bar
Day 1: If you want to avoid hating Bangkok, I recommend easing your way into the city and making your first day chill. Spend day one of your Bangkok itinerary exploring the Lumpini Mall and Park.
Lumpini Mall is a great way to start your trip in Bangkok, as there are many unique stores and delicious places to eat. There are several large malls in this area and some beautiful parks where you can chill out with a cold drink if shopping isn’t your thing. The best thing about starting your Bangkok travel itinerary here is that you don’t need to worry about people shouting at you on the street, feeling the pressure of finding somewhere good to eat, or dealing with Tuk Tuk drivers.
Once you’re done in the mall, visit the Art Box Night Market in Bangkok Khlong Toei, which sells locally-made jewelry and clothes. The market is open daily from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. If you don’t have much energy left, grab dinner here before returning to your hotel.
Day 2: I made this handy map you can save to help you navigate your way around the best temples to visit in Bangkok.
This is a big day on your Bangkok trip, as you’ll visit ALL of the city’s temples… Okay, not all of them, but you will see five main temples using this Bangkok temple itinerary.
The temples I recommend visiting (in this order) are:
- Wat Ratchanatdram Worawihan
- Wat Thepthidaram
- Wat Suthat Thewararam
- Wat Arun
- Wat Pho
After all that walking, it’s time to relax—what better way to do that than by taking an evening cruise along the Chao Phraya River? Yes, it’s super touristy, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a must-see!
Day 3: The Grand Palace is at the top of everyone’s list. Arrive around 8:00 a.m. to beat the crowds. It will take you two to three hours to see everything as the palace is huge. Also, visit the Bangkok National Museum, one of Asia’s largest museums with many traditional Thai art and history exhibitions. The museum has air conditioning, so you can cool down after the Grand Palace.
Get to the night market early and wander around to snack on some food (make sure to order pad thai). Then, take a Tuk Tuk to Koh San Road and share some drinks with the backpacker crowd.
Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?
The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing
Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.
Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies.
Day 4: Once you return from your morning at a floating market, spend the afternoon exploring Bangkok Chinatown, which you can find by heading to Yaowarat Road. Then, explore Wat Traimit and finish your day with a sunset on a rooftop bar. If you’re on a budget, check out Octave at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit. To splurge, give Sirocco a try.
Bangkok Itinerary 5 Days
For a 5 day Bangkok trip, follow everything on the 4 day itinerary, but add a day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok.
Your 5 days in Bangkok will look something like this:
- Day 1: Lumphini Park and Mall, Jim Thompson House, and Art Box Night Market
- Day 2: Wat Ratchanatdram Worawihan, Wat Thepthidaram, Wat Suthat Thewararam, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, evening at the night markets
- Day 3: Grand Palace, Bangkok National Museum, evening in Koh San Road
- Day 4: Floating markets, Chinatown, Wat Traimit, and sunset at a rooftop bar
- Day 5: Take a day trip to see the temples of Ayutthaya
Quick Tip: View my full Thailand packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Thailand Essentials shopping list here.
Where to Stay in Bangkok First Time
Where’s the best place to stay in Bangkok during your first visit? There are many accommodations throughout Bangkok for any travel preferences or budget. Here are some areas to consider:
- Sukhumvit: This is a significant commercial and entertainment hub, offering a wide range of accommodation options, from budget to luxury. It’s well-connected by public transportation, including the BTS Skytrain, making it one of the best places to stay in Bangkok for convenience.
- Silom: Known for its vibrant nightlife, Silom is also a business district with plenty of shopping and dining options. It’s centrally located and has good access to public transportation.
- Khao San Road: Khao San Road is the best place to stay in Bangkok for a lively street scene, cheap accommodations, and diverse nightlife.
Wondering where to stay in Bangkok? Check out these options!
Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai
Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam
Novotel Bangkok
Thailand Travel Guide Planning
🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Thailand?
Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Thailand which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Thailand on Amazon here.
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go to flight searching platforms.
🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?
I strongly recommend using 12Go or Bookaway. There are many transport options available such as train, bus, and ferry.
I would strongly advice against driving a car in Thailand but you can easily rent a scooter locally.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Thailand?
First and foremost check out all of the amazing Thailand tours Where Sidewalks End has. They are a small local company and they have some really special experiences.
For everything else I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia. They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals. However, Agoda is highly recommended in Thailand and it has the most selection.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
Bangkok Itinerary: How Many Days in Bangkok Final Thoughts
Those were my Bangkok itineraries, depending on how much time you have to spend in Bangkok. If you’re unsure how much time to spend in Bangkok, I suggest 4 days—the perfect amount of time to avoid feeling rushed. I hope you have an amazing time in Bangkok, and thank you again to Manpreet Kaur from Hello Manprett for her help with this post.
