Bangkok itinerary: the best way to spend 3 days

The best 3 days in Bangkok go like this: temples and the river on day 1, art and Chinatown on day 2, a market and a rooftop on day 3. Start each day early, because the heat is the real constraint, and use the afternoon for air conditioning, a massage or the pool.

Time day 3 for a Saturday or Sunday if you want Chatuchak. If you land the day before, see the airport to city guide and fill in your TDAC arrival card first. Stay near the river or the BTS, and our guide to where to stay in Bangkok will help you pick.

Day 1: temples and the river

8:30 am, the Grand Palace. Be there at opening. Tickets cost 500 baht and include Wat Phra Kaew. Cover your shoulders and knees. The BTS to Saphan Taksin, then the orange flag boat from Sathorn Pier, makes the best start to the trip. Read the Grand Palace guide, especially the part on the closed today scam.

11:30 am, Wat Pho. It is a short walk away and open until 7:30 pm. Admission is 300 baht. See the Reclining Buddha with its mother-of-pearl feet, and if you have earned it, stay for a traditional massage at the on-site school from 340 baht for 30 minutes.

1 pm, lunch and a break. Eat near Tha Tien or take the boat back to your hotel. Rest through the worst of the heat.

4 pm, Wat Arun. Take the small ferry across from Tha Tien. Entry is listed at 200 baht. Then cross back for sunset, because the temple is at its best with the sun going down behind it. See the Wat Arun guide.

Evening, a dinner cruise. This is the classic end to the first day. Our dinner cruise guide compares six boats. Book ahead, and check your pier against where you finish the afternoon.

Day 2: art, Chinatown and street food

10 am, Jim Thompson House. Take the BTS to National Stadium, Exit 1. Tickets are 250 baht and you enter the main house with a guide. It opens at 10 am daily, so this is an easy morning.

12:30 pm, lunch and a mall. Use the middle of the day for the air-conditioned malls around Siam, or return to your hotel pool.

3 pm, Wat Traimit. See the solid gold Buddha on the fourth floor of the Phra Maha Mondop building. The temple is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Hua Lamphong is the nearest MRT.

4 pm, Talat Noi. Walk through this old Chinese riverside community, with its street art and small restaurants.

6 pm, Yaowarat. Chinatown’s food street is the main event, and MRT Wat Mangkon puts you close to it. Come hungry, and read our street food guide first so you know what to order.

Day 3: market, modern art and a view

Saturday or Sunday morning, Chatuchak. The full market opens from 9 am to 6 pm on weekends. Go at opening, because it spans 35 acres and it gets hot. On a weekday, skip it. On Wednesdays and Thursdays only the plant section is open.

Alternative, MOCA Bangkok. The Museum of Contemporary Art is in the same part of the city, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, and costs 400 baht. It works as a follow-up to Chatuchak or as your weekday replacement.

Afternoon, a massage or spa. Your feet will need it after the market. See the best massage in Bangkok.

Sunset, a view from above. The Mahanakhon SkyWalk sits at 314 metres and costs 500 to 1,200 baht depending on the time. It opens from 10 am to midnight, with last access at 11 pm, next to BTS Chong Nonsi. If you would rather have a drink in hand, pick from our rooftop bars.

Night, Muay Thai or a night market. Rajadamnern Stadium runs fights on most nights, with doors at 5 or 6 pm depending on the event. Check this week’s card and buy online. If you prefer shopping, go to one of the night markets.

If you only have 2 days

Keep day 1 exactly as it is. On day 2, do the Jim Thompson House in the morning, Wat Traimit and Yaowarat in the late afternoon, and finish at a rooftop bar. You will miss Chatuchak, which is only a real loss if you are here at the weekend. In that case, swap it in for the Jim Thompson House.

If you have 5 days

Follow the 3-day plan, then add these.

Day 4, out of the city. Pick one trip and leave early. A floating market is the most popular, and the wider list of day trips from Bangkok covers the other options. Keep the evening simple.

Day 5, slow down. Spend the morning on Bang Krachao, the green area known as the lung of Bangkok, where you can rent a bicycle in Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park. The Bang Nam Phueng market is less than 10 minutes from the park, so check its days and add it if you can. Spend the afternoon at a spa, then book your best dinner of the trip for the last night.

Practical notes

• Hours and prices change, so check before you go. Temples and palaces can adjust hours for ceremonies.
• Mix boat, BTS and MRT rather than sitting in traffic. Our getting around Bangkok guide explains how they connect.
• The best time to visit Bangkok affects how hard you can push the afternoons.
• Want more options? Swap in anything from things to do in Bangkok or The List.

Questions people ask

Are 3 days enough in Bangkok?

Yes. Three days covers the main temples, the river, Chinatown, a market and a rooftop without rushing. Add two more for day trips.

What is the best 2-day Bangkok itinerary?

Do the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun on day 1, and the Jim Thompson House, Chinatown and a rooftop bar on day 2.

What should I do on 5 days in Bangkok?

Follow the 3-day plan, then spend day 4 on a floating market or day trip and day 5 on Bang Krachao, a spa and a final dinner.

What is the best order for Bangkok's temples?

Start at the Grand Palace at 8:30 am, walk to Wat Pho, then cross the river by ferry to Wat Arun.