Thailand · 3 days · 14 stops
3 days in Bangkok – a ready-made itinerary
Bangkok is hot, loud and full of contrasts: golden temples next to towers, street kitchens next to shopping centres. Day one covers the old town by the river, day two the modern centre and day three the ruins of Ayutthaya. The stops are in walking order, with boats and trains noted.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 14 stops
- Highlights
- Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Jim Thompson House, Wat Mahathat, Wat Pho, Wat Arun
- Day trips
- Riverside old town and Chinatown; Siam, Lumphini and Silom; Day trip to Ayutthaya
- Where to stay
- Sukhumvit and Siam, By the river
- Getting around
- The Skytrain (BTS) and the MRT subway avoid the traffic, and boats on the Chao Phraya link the riverside old town.
- Best time to go
- November to February is the most pleasant: drier and a little less hot.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Riverside old town and Chinatown
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Cover shoulders and knees. Anyone saying it is closed today wants to sell you a tour.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaewabout 5 min on foot
Wat Pho
Temple with the 46-metre reclining Buddha. A well-known massage school is in the grounds.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat PhoFerry across the river from Tha Tien pier, a few minutes.
Wat Arun
A temple covered in porcelain mosaic on the west bank. Some of the steep steps on the main tower are open.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat ArunFerry back to Tha Tien pier, a few minutes.
Pak Khlong Talat flower market
A wholesale market for flowers and garlands, open day and night. Good for photos and a cold coconut.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Pak Khlong Talat flower marketabout 20 min on foot
Yaowarat
Chinatown's main street. In the evening street stalls serve noodles, seafood and desserts by the kerb.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Yaowarat
Day 2
Siam, Lumphini and Silom
Jim Thompson House
Traditional Thai wooden houses in a silk merchant's garden, with an art collection. Visits are guided.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Jim Thompson Houseabout 10 min on foot
Siam Paragon
A large shopping centre with a food hall downstairs. Air-conditioned – good for the hot middle of the day.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Siam Paragonabout 10 min on foot
Erawan Shrine
A small Hindu shrine on a busy junction, where worshippers offer flowers and dancers perform.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Erawan Shrineabout 25 min on foot
Lumphini Park
The city's green lung, with a lake and pedal boats. The big monitor lizards by the water are harmless.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Lumphini Parkabout 25 min on foot
King Power Mahanakhon
A skyscraper with a viewing deck and glass floor. Book a sunset ticket in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): King Power Mahanakhon
Day 3
Day trip to Ayutthaya
Trains run from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, about 1.5–2 hours – check the departure station and times first. On site, get between the ruins by tuk-tuk or rented bike.
Wat Mahathat
Ruins of a large monastery, known for the Buddha head in the roots of a tree – don't stand higher than it.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Mahathatabout 5 min on foot
Wat Ratchaburana
A temple ruin right next door with a tall prang you can climb into.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Ratchaburanaabout 15 min on foot
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
The three chedis of the old royal temple, Ayutthaya's landmark. Little shade at midday.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Phra Si SanphetBy tuk-tuk across the river, about 10 min.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
A riverside temple complex in Khmer style. Best light in the late afternoon, then head back to Bangkok.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Good to know
Best time to go
November to February is the most pleasant: drier and a little less hot. March to May gets very hot, and roughly June to October is the rainy season, with heavy but mostly short showers.
Getting around
The Skytrain (BTS) and the MRT subway avoid the traffic, and boats on the Chao Phraya link the riverside old town. Buy tickets at the machines or via an app. Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap but slow at rush hour. A train runs from Suvarnabhumi Airport into the city.
Where to stay
Sukhumvit and Siam
On the Skytrain, with lots of hotels, malls and restaurants. Handy because you can get anywhere quickly.
By the river
Hotels on the Chao Phraya with water views, close to the temples and the boats. Quieter than Sukhumvit.
Your plan
Start with this plan.
Copy it into YesTrip, pick your dates and make it yours: move stops, drop them or let the AI add more. On the road the app shows you the next stop and how to get there.
Bangkok: frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough for Bangkok?
For the big temples, the centre and Ayutthaya, yes – but it is short for a long-haul trip. A fourth and fifth day leave room for Chatuchak weekend market, a cooking class or a floating market.
What should I wear in temples?
Cover shoulders and knees – the Grand Palace is strict about it. Take your shoes off before entering prayer halls.
What should I sort out before the trip?
Check entry requirements with your government's travel advice before you go. Drink plenty and avoid the midday heat – most plans fail because of the weather, not the time.
How do I get from the airport into the city?
From Suvarnabhumi the Airport Rail Link runs to the centre, and taxis leave from the official rank. From Don Mueang there are buses, trains and taxis.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Mastertongapollo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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