Bangkok: the complete travel guide to visit the essentials in 3 days

After spending about fifteen days there across 5 different visits, it’s finally time for us to share all our insights about Thailand’s capital. This unmissable Southeast Asian city deserves a stop of a few days! So, ready to visit Bangkok in 3 days? Here’s the itinerary we recommend along with all the practical advice!

Bangkok, world tourism capital

Bangkok is a city with multiple facets, home to about 15 million inhabitants and welcoming up to 39 million tourists annually! These incredible numbers propel Thailand‘s capital to the rank of the most visited city in the world!

You can explore all aspects of Thailand in Bangkok: the historic center is rich in Buddhist temples and monuments, the food is delightful, the ultra-modern downtown is a shopping paradise, the nightlife is very lively… And even if the city has a reputation for attracting many tourists with bad intentions (a reputation we believe is founded), it would be a shame to miss everything Bangkok has to offer because of a minority of foolish travelers, right?

How to get to Thailand and reach Bangkok?

Bangkok is an almost mandatory stop for any trip to Asia. Besides being a beautiful city, it’s generally where most travelers arrive! Why? Simply because Bangkok is usually the cheapest Asian destination for flights. By planning ahead (and with a bit of luck), you can find airline tickets starting from 600 euros. The average price of a round-trip Paris-Bangkok flight is around 800 euros.

Bangkok airports

Be careful, as there are 2 airports in Bangkok! If you’re coming from far away, there’s a very good chance you’ll arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). However, if you’re taking a domestic flight or an international flight with a low-cost carrier, you might arrive at Don Mueang Airport (DMK).

If I’m telling you to be careful, it’s especially if you have a connection in Bangkok. It’s not uncommon for travelers not to realize that their second flight (to go to the islands, for example) doesn’t depart from the same airport where they arrived. So, to make sure you go to the right airport, check the airport code on your ticket: BKK for Suvarnabhumi and DMK for Don Mueang.

While this isn’t a big problem in itself, you should still make sure you have enough time between your two flights to change airports, because they aren’t close to each other! There’s a free shuttle between the two airports, and the travel time is officially 50 to 60 minutes. But I say officially! In practice, there’s often a wait to take the shuttle, and it’s not uncommon for it to get stuck in traffic. We therefore recommend that you allow at least 4 hours of layover to have time to change airports.

How to get from the airport to downtown?

You’ll likely land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), located 33 km from downtown. To reach Bangkok, you can choose between taking the shuttle and metro, a taxi, or a private driver.

The easiest way is to take the airport shuttle, the Airport Rail Link. Its terminus is Phaya Thai station, still 5 km from downtown, but you can get off to directly catch the skytrain (BTS) or subway (MRT) to your hotel from Makkhasan station or the terminus. The airport-Bangkok trip costs a maximum of 45 baht per person (depending on your station) and takes 26 minutes to the terminus. Use this map to know which stations you should get off at. This shuttle leaves every 10 minutes towards the city center and operates from 5:30 a.m. to midnight.

Since taxi scams are common in Bangkok, we don’t really recommend this mode of transportation. You risk getting ripped off, and as traffic can be heavy, the bill can quickly increase. If you prefer the comfort of a car, we recommend taking a private driver. The fare is fixed and you’re sure to arrive safely! If there are at least 2 of you, it remains economical and you’re certain not to get scammed by taxi drivers ;).

Getting to Bangkok by land

If you’re already in Southeast Asia, you can also reach Bangkok by train or bus.

By train

The main station is called Hua Lamphong. But this iconic Bangkok station will soon close its doors after more than a century of good service! Today, all long-distance lines are redirected to the gleaming Bang Sue station, located 8 km to the north, close to the Chatuchak market. Both stations are on the MRT Blue Line (the underground metro), so it’s extremely easy to reach downtown. For example, you can reach the Grand Palace in just a few stops.

By bus

If you arrive by bus, there are roughly 3 options depending on where you’re coming from and where you want to go.

The main bus stations in Bangkok are:

• Mo Chit: located in the north of the city, it’s probably the largest station. You’ll find many minibuses and all lines going up to the north of the country (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai). To get to this station by public transportation, the best is to combine the MRT and the bus.
• Ekkamai: this is the station in the east of the city that serves most buses to the east and northeast of the country. From there, a BTS Skytrain station takes you everywhere in Bangkok.
• Sai Tai Thalin Chang: this bus station is rather in the west of the city, but it serves all destinations in the south of the country.

Warning: the distances between stations are quite significant, so make sure you know which station your bus will depart from! To find out the best combination of bus/metro based on your starting point, use Google Maps’ route feature, which works very well in Bangkok.

How to get around?

By tuk-tuk

The tuk-tuk is Thailand’s iconic means of transportation. They are convenient and fairly inexpensive for short distances, but not worth it for longer trips. Plus, as tourists, you’ll need to negotiate hard to get a decent price. In short, take a tuk-tuk once for fun, but it’s not really economical in the long run.

By taxi

The taxi is the fastest and cheapest mode of transport, according to our experience. Obviously, this is only valid if you ride with the meter on. If the driver refuses to turn it on, simply get out of the taxi and take the next one. To give you an idea, we took a 45-minute taxi ride to the Chatuchak market for a price of 120 baht for 4 people. However, taxis should be avoided during rush hour! Traffic in Bangkok is a real nightmare and you can get stuck in your taxi for 2 hours!

Another option: use Grab, it’s the equivalent of Uber and works well in Southeast Asia. For more info, visit the company’s website. The price is fixed, so no bad surprises ;).

By metro

During rush hour, simply take the underground metro (MRT) or aerial skytrain (BTS), but be aware that it costs about the same as a taxi and there are few stations. However, the main sites in the historic center are still well served. Depending on the number of stations or zones crossed, expect to pay between 15 and 40 baht. You can purchase tickets at the vending machines in the stations. To navigate the lines, look at Google Maps or this interactive map.

By bus

The bus network in Bangkok is immense (more than 190 lines!), which allows you to go anywhere in the city and makes it so complex! Make sure you know exactly which buses you need to take to get from point A to point B. For this, look at Google Maps or ask your hotel directly. Tickets are sold directly on the bus and prices vary. They range from 7 to 25 baht, depending on the lines (part of the red line is even free).

By water taxi

The Chao Phraya Express Boat is another affordable way to visit Bangkok. Getting around on board is easy: the Chao Phraya River crosses the entire city from north to south! Expect to pay between 14 and 33 baht, depending on the line. It’s a good option if you want to mingle with the Thais for a local and authentic experience.

You know the Hop-on Hop-off buses where you get on and off as you please? In Bangkok, you have the same principle but for boats! Book your 1-day ticket online.

Day 1 in Bangkok, the essentials of the historic district

8:30 a.m.: visit to the Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is the former residence of the royal family and probably the most sacred place in the country! And since you don’t joke around with the royal family in Thailand, you’ll need to be properly dressed to visit the premises, meaning pants and a T-shirt with sleeves. Forget tops, shorts, and flip-flops, which will get you denied access. Even if the entrance fee has increased a lot in recent years (currently 500 baht), it’s worth breaking the piggy bank and sweating for a day!

As soon as you enter the compound, you’ll be dazzled by the talent of the Thai artists who built this marvel. Frankly, it speaks for itself, the photos speak for themselves! Among all that is to see at the Royal Palace, you can admire the famous Emerald Buddha in the Wat Phra Kaew temple. Despite its size (only 60 cm high), it’s the most sacred statue in Thailand! We also really liked the treasure museum (air-conditioned 😉) and the museum about Queen Sirikit’s textiles. In short, it’s a must-do!

Note: we recommend visiting the Grand Palace early in the morning to avoid the worst of the heat and tourists.

Tip: the ticket is valid for 7 days, so you can visit part one day and the rest at another time. Also, this ticket includes free entry to a 25-minute traditional dance performance at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. See Day 2 for more info ;).

11 a.m.: Visit to Wat Pho

For the continuation of this first day, the Wat Pho temple is located just across the street from the Grand Palace, to the south. Yes, there are more than 400 temples in Bangkok, but Wat Pho is worth a look. Indeed, it’s not every day that you can see a reclining Buddha covered with gold leaf! It measures 15 m high and 46 m long! But don’t forget to wander around the rest of the temple, which is also very interesting. Oh yes, it’s also the home of one of the best massage schools in Thailand. So, why not relax a bit after your visit?

1 p.m.: Lunch near Wat Pho

For food, you don’t need to go far. As the rest of the day is organized around the Royal Palace, the ideal is to stay in the area. At the Tha Tien pier, west of the Wat Pho temple, you’ll find several good restaurants on Maha Rat Street or in the perpendicular alleys to take a break.

2 p.m.: Visit to the Wat Arun temple

Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, is our favorite in Bangkok! Different from other temples in Thailand, it majestically stands on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The view from the top of the main part is magnificent, especially of the Grand Palace. However, the stairs to get there are very steep, but it’s worth climbing them. Don’t hesitate to walk around everywhere, the architecture is really superb!

6 p.m.: Enjoy the sunset over Wat Arun

For the sunset, we recommend going to the other side of the river, to the Amorosa bar. Located on the top floor of a small building, this bar has an incredible view of Wat Arun. Nothing better to end the day beautifully! But don’t leave right after sunset, as the temple lights up in the dusk. With the colorful boats passing by at night, it’s a sight not to be missed!

8 p.m.: Dinner on the Chao Phraya River

To extend the evening, go for dinner on the river that crosses Bangkok. Quite a few boats offer a cruise with a meal and a show, while enjoying the illuminations that light up the city and give another face to the capital.

Day 2 in Bangkok

8:30 a.m.: Visit to the National Museum of Bangkok

If we had to keep just one museum to learn more about Thai history and culture, it would definitely be the National Museum! The exhibitions are really beautiful and well organized. Plus, volunteer English-speaking guides offer their services for a guided tour in English on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. In short, it’s an essential stop according to us!

12 p.m.: Lunch around Khao San Road

We’ll talk about Khao San Road again at the end of the second day, but the area is great for finding good restaurant options. You’ll definitely find the restaurant that suits you (vegetarian, Thai, Indian…). Once night falls on Khao San, the atmosphere is totally different…

2:30 p.m.: Attend a traditional dance performance

As mentioned earlier, buying a ticket for the Grand Palace gives you a free ticket to attend the traditional Thai dance performance at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. It’s located 3 blocks from the Grand Palace, but a free shuttle offers transportation from the palace exit. Performances take place Monday to Friday, at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Arrive a bit early to be well-placed ;).

3:30 pm: Visit the Ratchanatdaram Worawihan Temple (Loha Prasat)

After leaving the air-conditioned coolness of the theatre, head to Loha Prasat, one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok. Its peculiarity? The presence of a metal castle instead of the traditional golden chedi often found in temple compounds. It has 37 golden spires corresponding to the 37 elements that lead to Enlightenment (nirvana).

4 pm: Climb Wat Saket or the Golden Mount

Just nearby, on the other side of the canal, don’t miss the Wat Saket temple. Here, it’s time to heat up the thighs a bit to gain some height on the only (artificial) hill in the Thai capital. After more than 300 steps, you’ll reach the top of the Golden Mount for a breathtaking view of Bangkok and the temple roofs, but also the city skyline in the background. It’s a good place to admire the sunset behind the skyscrapers ;).

6 p.m.: Walk down Khao San Road

Khao San Road (or Khaosan Road) is the street of all vices in Bangkok, but it’s also where you’ll find the accommodations with the best value for money. We stayed there once, and the least we can say is that we’re not fans of the atmosphere there. The ideal is to stay in the adjacent streets, we’ll detail all this in the Where to Stay in Bangkok section.

Yet, it’s the place to be for budget travelers, because even food and drinks are very inexpensive there. But it’s also here that we encounter the most harmful tourists… We crossed Khao San Road once between 4 and 5 in the morning and the spectacle observed was pathetic. It was as if the worst tourists in the world had arranged to meet there 😱.

If you want to have a calmer and more authentic Bangkok experience, we would rather advise you to go elsewhere. But hey, it remains a mythical street in Bangkok that is good to cross at least once!

8 p.m.: Dine or have a drink on a rooftop

You can imagine as a good capital city, Bangkok is full of rooftops. The one we recommend is the Sky View 360 for its proximity to the Pak Khlong Talat flower market and its breathtaking view of the city skyline. If you’re willing to go a bit further, CHAR is also a very good spot! Both are bars but also restaurants. Sure, the prices are a bit higher than normal (you pay for the view!), but it remains reasonable when compared to other more popular rooftops that make the prices of drinks skyrocket…

If you prefer to enjoy the view only, head to the top of Bangkok’s tallest tower, the Mahanakhon Tower, with 314 meters high! With this ticket, you have access to the 78th floor for a panoramic view of the capital. You can access it during the day or especially for sunset.

Midnight: Stroll through a flower market

Pak Khlong Talat is Bangkok’s largest flower market! As all the flower stalls were on the street during Loy Krathong, we didn’t go there. But this market, open 24/7, is a place not to be missed, just for the olfactory and visual explosion! Small tip: come rather at night, after midnight, for a complete immersion.

Day 3 in Bangkok

10 a.m.: Visit the Jim Thompson House Museum

Jim Thompson is an American who revived the global Thai silk trade. But why visit his house, turned museum? In fact, dear Mr. Thompson was an enthusiast of Asian art and passionate about Thai traditions, and his main house testifies to this. In all, there are 6 red teak buildings with traditional architecture set in a beautiful, lush garden. His Asian art collection is simply sublime and everything is decorated with great refinement.

Noon: Eat at the Jim Thompson Museum

Among the 6 teak houses in the compound, you’ll see the Jim Thompson restaurant, which offers refined Thai cuisine in an exceptional setting. The prices remain affordable and it’s a good restaurant to change from the classic dishes that can be found throughout the city. If you prefer to eat on the go, Jim’s Terrace offers Thai-style tapas. Otherwise, you can go to MBK, where you’ll find many restaurants.

2 p.m.: Go shopping at MBK

Just a stone’s throw from Jim Thompson’s house, MBK is a huge shopping center where you’ll find everything! It’s worth going there at least once, according to us.

4 p.m.: Visit the Wat Traimit temple

Before leaving Chinatown, don’t miss the Wat Traimit temple. Located just east of the roundabout at the entrance to the district, this temple is already very pretty from the outside, but it’s especially known for what it houses. Indeed, you’ll see a large, solid gold Buddha that weighs 5.5 tons and is 3 m high!

5 p.m.: Walk through Chinatown

Chinatown is a bustling district and we recommend you pass through at least once to awaken all your senses. If you have time, stroll through the pedestrian streets all the way west that border the canal (khlong). Numerous street art murals adorn the walls. Then, head to the Sampheng Market, a covered market where you’ll find everything. Then, visit the Wat Mangkon Kamalawat temple (or Wat Leng Noei Yi), a magnificent Chinese temple that differs from all the historic temples you will have seen ;).

6 pm: Dine in Chinatown or a night market in Bangkok

The district is also renowned for its street food stalls, stop to taste Chinese gastronomy. Finally, go up the Yaowarat Road – the artery of the Chinese quarter – to the immense gate of the roundabout. For an even more immersive visit, we recommend this tuk-tuk tour, which includes transportation, a meal, and a lotus flower folding activity.

If Chinese gastronomy doesn’t appeal to you, then we recommend that you at least go to a night market to eat. Essential in Thailand, among the night markets, you can count on the Srinagarindra Train market, a vintage version of the Chatuchak market and much less touristy, or even the Wang Lang and Huamum markets, for a 100% Thai experience.

Other activities to do in Bangkok

If you stay more than 3 days in Bangkok, here’s a supplement of visits and activities to do to add to the itinerary we propose ;).

Go to a floating market in Bangkok

Although this is a must-do in Bangkok to explore the khlongs (canals), we didn’t have the opportunity to go to a floating market, but here’s our selection if you want to do one. Advice: don’t pay more than 500 baht per boat ;).

• Damnoen Saduak: it’s the most famous floating market in Bangkok, although it’s a 1.5-hour’ drive from downtown. Moreover, it’s even open every day, unlike the others… Would we recommend it to you though? Not really… It seems more like a tourist trap than anything else and prices are inflated… Other markets seem more authentic according to us. Prefer the Amphawa floating market at the limit, located in the same sector, and arrive for the opening. It’s open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon.
• Bang Nam Phueng is located south of the city and is open on weekends only. Take the opportunity to discover Bangkok’s green lung, the artificial island Bang Kachao and its Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan park.
• Khlong Lat Mayom is a lesser-known floating market located west of Bangkok. Open on weekends, you can take a boat tour to see the city differently and thus go to the neighboring floating market, Taling Chan.
• Taling Chan: more recent than its counterparts, the Taling Chan market still remains human-sized, where locals still go. Located just 7 km northwest of Bangkok, it’s open on weekends only.

Go shopping

The Chatuchak Market

I think all people who have already traveled to Southeast Asia will have the impression of seeing the same souvenirs sold almost everywhere. So, no need to bother traveling around Asia, just go to Chatuchak, open only on weekends. You’ll find all souvenirs, clothes, shoes, animals, plants, and much more! It’s simple, we had never seen such a big market!

The Chatuchak market has 8000 shops for 200,000 visitors per day. Crazy, right? However, you must be prepared to negotiate hard! Don’t hesitate to refuse a price that doesn’t suit you, you’ll probably find the same merchandise 10 m further. Oh yes, and if you’re a bit hungry, let yourself be tempted by a little mango sticky rice or a delicious coconut ice cream 😋.

Downtown shopping malls

The most popular shopping mall in Bangkok is by far the MBK! What is the MBK? It’s 8 floors and 2000 shops of everything you want! We went there to buy a new mobile for Fabienne (one floor is entirely dedicated to electronics), but there are also clothes, handbags, shoes, jewelry, etc.

What’s funny is that there are brands, but also a lot of copies. Depending on the shop, you’ll therefore be led to negotiate! For example, at the electronics level, you’ll find copies of all the major phone brands for a few dollars… After that, it’s up to you to recognize a bad copy from a good one 😉.

And if you’re tired of negotiating (after 7 months in Asia, I couldn’t take it anymore…) and you have a larger budget, head to Siam Center across from the MBK for a change of category! You’ll find all the luxury brands we know from back home, as well as displayed prices.

So, for shopping, these two places can satisfy everyone.

Walk in a park

Near downtown, stroll in Lumpini Park (Lumphini) or Benchakitti Park (Benjakitti), its neighbor, both connected on foot by the green bridge. These 2 public green spaces are perfect for taking a break from the urban hustle. The locals appreciate them for their calm and you’ll probably see them practicing tai chi! In short, if you’re looking for a peaceful atmosphere between 2 visits, take a breath of oxygen in one of these parks ;).

Treat yourself to a Thai massage

We tried Thai massage on the island of Koh Chang and the experience was probably different for us than for the majority of travelers. When you’re not used to getting massaged, it leads to funny situations :). If your travel itinerary doesn’t include a Thai island, then we recommend you try at least once. You’ll be spoilt for choice, but among the good addresses, we recommend Wat Pho and its traditional massage school or massages given by blind people (Perception Blind Massage) in the Bang Rak district.

Taste street food

Frankly, until now, we’ve never eaten better than in Thailand! So, you can imagine that in Bangkok, there’s plenty to enjoy. And you don’t even need to go to a restaurant, the street food is just to die for! If you want to take a guided tour of the capital’s best addresses or take a Thai cooking class, take a look at Getyourguide. To give you an idea of the must-tries in Bangkok (and make your mouth water), we refer you to this article 😋.

Events not to miss

During our first stay in Bangkok in November, we were lucky enough to attend the Festival of Lights or Loy Krathong. On this occasion, Thais gather at the edges of rivers and lakes to pray to the water goddess by putting thousands of krathongs (small boats decorated with flowers and candles) in the water and releasing lanterns into the sky from bridges.

This moment is simply magical: all waterways are illuminated with thousands of small floating candles and the sky is filled with lanterns. We also greatly appreciated the days leading up to the festival, as all markets were filled with flowers of all kinds. It’s something to see once in a lifetime! For more information, check the important events in Thailand.

Where to stay in Bangkok?

The Thai capital is immense: you can imagine that there are an incredible number of accommodation possibilities.

We stayed in Bangkok twice as backpackers during our RTW trip, we passed through in transit during vacations, we slept near the airport for another transit, and came to attend a conference. In all, we made 5 passages in 3 years in 4 different situations, which makes 4 different budgets and locations.

The most central hotels and hostels

From a geographical point of view, the Phra Nakon district and that of Khao San Road are perfect for being a stone’s throw from the main sights and discovering the historic center of Bangkok on foot. Khao San is THE backpacker district par excellence! It’s very clearly in this lively area of the city that the majority of cheap guesthouses are found. If you want some advice, choose accommodation that is on a parallel street. Khao San Road is very noisy, and insulation in Thailand is all relative.

For small budgets and backpackers, we recommend the Marni BKK Hostel for their excellent value for money, whether you travel solo (dormitory) or as a couple (double room). This hostel is ultra well located. In short, it’s a good accommodation plan according to us! If you’re only passing through Bangkok for 1 day and 1 night, the Zee Thai Hostel is ideal for not blowing your budget. It’s basic, but given the price, it works well for a quick passage!

For more charm and privacy, we recommend Motu Bangkok for a very cozy stay close to the capital’s attractions.

More distant accommodations

You’ll often read that the Siam, Silom, or Sukhumvit areas are good choices too. Personally, I don’t necessarily favor recommending one neighborhood over another. What’s important, in my opinion, is being close to public transportation.

For example, during our first stay in Bangkok, we stayed in the Thonburi district. There isn’t much to see there, but our guesthouse was located next to a BTS station. In the end, it’s worth moving a bit further out to pay less, while still being close to central Bangkok thanks to public transit! In this neighborhood, the Arun Old Town hotel has an incredible rooftop terrace overlooking the Wat Arun temple. Since it’s close to public transportation, it’s a great option! For excellent value for money and proximity to the metro, Fellows House hostel is perfect. Given the amenities, a night wouldn’t cost the same if the establishment were located next to the Royal Palace…

Staying at Bangkok Airport

When returning from Chiang Mai, we passed through Bangkok again and had our flight to Switzerland in the morning. Absolutely not wanting to stay downtown and have to make the journey to the airport early in the morning, we decided to opt for a hotel nearby.

Airport hotels are often quite expensive and not necessarily glamorous. Backpackers should know there are good alternative establishments in Bangkok! We stayed at OYO 512 Plai and Herbs. It’s clearly not a charming hotel, but its location right next to the airport is fantastic. Honestly, we have no complaints about the price!

Map of Bangkok

Below is a map of Bangkok where you’ll find the different attractions/neighborhoods we talk about in this article. Bangkok’s metro lines are in colors, which can help you choose a neighborhood to stay in.

Is Bangkok worth visiting?

These are the tips we can give you after our two weeks spent in Bangkok. Keep in mind that we only explored part of the capital and the city has much more to offer!

Some love it, others hate it… To be honest, I’m not quite sure where we stand. Bangkok is definitely too big and too crowded for our taste, but on the other hand, there’s plenty to do and visiting is really interesting. Even though we wouldn’t want to live there, we highly recommend visiting for at least a few days! It’s certain to leave an impression on you!

From Bangkok, you can easily explore Thailand. So, what will your next destination be: Koh Chang island or perhaps the jungle of Khao Yai National Park? 😉