Bangkok itinerary in 3 days

Bangkok, the gateway to Thailand, is the perfect starting point for visiting this beautiful country. The ideal is to stay three days in the Thai capital, in order to visit its wonders and also enjoy a little excursion out of town. The city will captivate you with its thousand-year-old tradition, temples and lively markets, but also with its wild nightlife and modern soul.
Here are all our tips for planning the perfect 3-day Bangkok itinerary!

First time in Bangkok? Let us guide you: for a first approach to the city, book a guided walking tour with a local guide or a sightseeing tour on the Tuk Tuk.

Day 1

• Distance travelled: 3.4 km

• Places visited: Royal Palace (500.00 bath/€13.60), Wat Pho (200.00 bath/€5.50), Wat Arun (100.00 bath/€2.70), Khao San Road

• Where to eat: Lunch at Tha Tian Market(Get directions), Dinner at Khao San Road(Get directions)

1 - Bangkok Royal Palace

"/> Dedicate this first morning to the marvellous Royal Palace, one of the most visited attractions in all of Bangkok (daily 8:30am-3:30pm; single entry 500.00 bath/€13.60). Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, it was built in 1782, when Bangkok became the country's capital following the fall of the Ayutthaya and Thonburi kingdoms.

The Royal Palace complex, surrounded by a 1.9 km long wall, comprises more than 100 buildings including palaces and pavilions. This is why we advise you to devote the whole morning to it, taking your time to visit every little corner. The main focus of the palace is the Wat Phra Kaew chapel, which houses the emerald Buddha statue dating back to 1300. Everyone is allowed in, but you will be asked to remove your shoes before entering.
SEE ALSO: Visiting the Royal Grand Palace: times, prices and tips

Arrive early in the morning: this is one of the most visited attractions in Bangkok, sometimes the crowds are just too much. Enter the complex before 10am, the time when most tourists arrive, so you can enjoy its beauty at your leisure.

2 - Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

After lunch, walk to the nearby Wat Pho, Bangkok's oldest and largest temple (daily 8am-6.30pm; single entry 200.00 bath/€5.50).

Wat Pho is also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, this is because it houses a statue of the Reclining Buddha a full 46m long, with a height of about 15m. The sole of the Buddha's feet is completely covered with mother-of-pearl and various Buddhist scenes are depicted there.

But this long one also holds an important history: it is, in fact, Thailand's first public university dedicated to traditional medicine. Open since 1782, it still houses the most important Thai massage school in the world.
SEE ALSO: Visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha: times, prices and tips

Enjoy a real Thai massage: what better place than here to experience a real Thai massage, wary of 'imitations'. A Thai massage of around 30 min costs THB 260.00 (€6.90), and one hour THB 420.00 (€11.20).

3 - Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Now head to one of Bangkok's most beautiful and famous temples, the wonderful Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn (daily 8am-5.30pm; single admission 100.00 bath/€2.70). It is located on the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River and you can easily reach it by taking the cross river fer ry to the Wat Arun Ferry Pier stop, on the Tha Tian-Wat Arun route.

Dedicated to the Indian Aurora deity Aruna, from whom the temple derives its name, it is easily visible from most parts of the city thanks to its 82 m high þrahng, or Khmer-style tower. While visiting the temple, you can also climb the steps of the tower, admiring the ceramic tiles with floral motifs covering it and enjoying the spectacular view!
SEE ALSO: Visit the Temple of Dawn: schedules, prices and tips

Evaluate a combined tour: if you don't want to move between these attractions on your own but want to learn about their history in depth, then you should consider a private guided tour that also includes a visit to the Royal Palace and Wat Pho.

4 - Khao San Road

Photo by Rmunsvila. With your visit to Wat Arun over by late afternoon, take the boat back across the river and head into the heart of the Old Town to the spectacular Khao San Road.

Not far from the Royal Palace, Khao San Road is the hub of nightlife in the Old City. It is a long street with a succession of little shops, small clubs and numerous really cheap accommodation and hostels, chosen mainly by backpackers from all over the world.

But what makes Khao San Road even more unique in the evening is that here you will find a lively night market, where you can sample the famous Thai street food! With generous portions and cheap prices, we definitely recommend sampling the famous Pad Thai. The more adventurous, on the other hand, will also be able to sample really special things like insects or spiders.
SEE ALSO: What to eat in Bangkok and where

Spend the evening here: the heart of thenightlife in the Old City. Thais, tourists and backpackers from all over the world meet here. There are plenty of venues, check out the Hippie De Bar, the wonderful Brick Bar with live music or the quieter Molly Bar.

Day 2

• Distance travelled: 9.5 km

• Places visited: Wat Saket (20.00 bath/€0.55), Chinatown, Wat Traimit (20.00 bath/€0.55), Siam Square and Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (free), MahaNakhon SkyWalk (from 530.00 bath/€14.40)

• Where to eat: Lunch at Hua Seng Hong(Get directions), Dinner at Heaven Rooftop Bar & Lounge(Get directions)

1 - Wat Saket

Photos by PEAK99. Second day in Bangkok, dedicate this morning again to exploring the Old City, reaching the wonderful Wat Saket temple (daily 8am-5pm; single entry 20.00 bath/€0.55).

Wat Saket is a Buddhist temple located atop the Golden Mount, a 60 m high artificial hill. To climb to the top you have to climb 344 steps, which is why we recommend you include it as the first stop of the day, thus avoiding the middle of the day. Once at the top, you can admire several monks and worshippers praying, while the silence is filled with the tinkling of sacred Thai bells. From here, you can also admire a splendid view of the whole of Bangkok!

Attract good luck: according to Thai tradition, ringing these bells brings good luck. If you find yourself here, all you have to do is try it!

2 - Chinatown and Wat Tramit

In the second part of the morning, head to Chinatown, Bangkok's Chinese quarter. You can reach it easily on foot with a walk of about 20 min.

Chinatown is one of the city's most authentic and chaotic neighbourhoods, a real mix of colours, scents and sounds, among typical places and old shops. The main street is Sampaeng Lane, entirely pedestrianised, it will be like finding yourself in some Chinese town.

Here, also visit Wat Tramit, the temple housing the world's largest solid gold statue (daily 9am-5pm; single entry 20.00 bath/€0.55). It is located right in Chinatown and is home to this statue representing the Buddha, a good 3m high and weighing over 5 tonnes.

Stop forlunch in Chinatown: and sample the many specialities that are served both at street stalls and in small eateries. We recommend stopping at Hua Seng Hong, where you can sample their excellent dumplings.

3 - Siam Square and Bangkok Art & Culture Centre

Photo by Mark Fischer. In the afternoon, head to Siam Square, the heart ofBangkok's cosmopolitan and modern soul. It's a good 44 min walk, so your best bet is to take the public bus or tuk tuk, which will get you there in a maximum of 15 min. Alternatively, you can take the MRT_Blue Line metro to Si Lom (10 min), then get off and go to Sala Daeng BTS station, where you can take the BTS Silom Line metro and get off at National Stadium (6 min).

Siam Square is one of the most important squares in the capital, the commercial heart of the city. Completely surrounded by malls and shops, we recommend a visit to the wonderful Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, Bangkok's first modern art gallery (Tue-Sun 10am-9pm, Mon closed; free admission). The museum spans no less than nine floors and was created with the aim of disseminating art.

If you are travelling with children: here you will also find SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World and the famous Madame Tussauds wax museum. Buy a combined ticket with admission to both attractions and enjoy an afternoon of family fun.

4 - King Power MahaNakhon

Finally, end the day in the most modern part of Bangkok by heading to King Power MahaNakhon, Thailand's highest observatory (daily 10am-00pm; admission from 530.00 bath/€14.40). You can reach it conveniently by the BTS Silom Line metro from Siam to Chong Nons (10 min).

This skyscraper has 78 floors housing hotel rooms, shops, offices and a viewing platform 314 m above ground. From here you can admire one of the most beautiful views in Bangkok! Daredevils can also walk on a glass platform, called the Skywalk, which is one of the largest glass observation decks in the world. A truly unique experience!

Spend the evening at one of Bangkok's rooftop bars: bars on the roofs of skyscrapers that offer stunning views of the city. Among the most famous are the Vertigo Moon Bar atop the Banyan Tree Hotel, the Lebua Sky Bar where scenes from the movie 'The Hangover 2' were filmed, the Three Sixty Lounge atop the Hilton Hotel, Park Society, and the Red Sky on the 55th floor of CentralWorld.

Day 3

• Distance travelled: 191 km

• Places visited: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market(tour from Bangkok €28.22), Lumphini Park, Khao San Road

• Where to eat: Lunch at Damnoen Saduak(Get directions), Dinner at Khao San Center(Get directions).

1 - Maeklong Railway Market

Last day in Bangkok, this morning we suggest you dedicate it to an excursion to two of Thailand's most famous markets: the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the Maeklong Railway Market. The best, and also safest, option is to opt for a tour from Bangkok, transport included.

First stop is the Maeklong Railway Market, a market traversed by the tracks of a running train (daily 6.30am-5.30pm; free admission). The spectacle you witness here is truly surreal: the moment you hear the sound of the train in the distance, the merchants quickly collect all the goods, leaving the passageway completely clear, only to occupy the space again once the train has passed.

Book your tour as early as possible: the tour to Damnoen Saduak and Mae Klong markets is one of the most popular and sought-after activities. Book as early as possible to secure a place on the day that is most convenient for you and be well prepared. For your convenience, we recommend that you also bring a packed lunch.

2 - Damnoen Saduak floating market

Second stop on the tour from Bangkok is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of Thailand's most famous markets (daily generally 7am-12pm; free admission). It is located about 20 km from the Maeklong Railway Market.

This market is so famous because it is a floating market: to move between the various stalls you can board a classic longtail boat, the traditional Thai boat (average per person THB 150.00/€4.00). Alternatively, you can also move around on foot, but the boat ride is definitely one of the experiences to try!

3 - Lumphini Park

Once back in Bangkok it will be afternoon, so we recommend heading to the wonderful Lumphini Park, Bangkok's great green lung, a popular spot with tourists and Thais alike.

Lumphini Park covers an area of no less than 58 hectares. Initially owned by King Rama VI, it was donated to the country in 1925 to become the city's first public park and today is one of the most popular places for residents. It is the right place to immerse yourself in nature and completely disconnect from the traffic and chaos of Bangkok. Enjoy a walk along its paths, admiring the skyline in the background, or take a ride on the lake by hiring a swan boat.

Choose where to spend your last evening: Lumphini Park is conveniently located halfway between the Old City and the more modern part. We recommend returning to Khao San Road, to experience the more traditional nightlife, but alternatively you can easily reach a few rooftop bars.

Alternative day trip: Ayutthaya

Alternatively, you can spend this third day visiting Ayutthaya, one of Thailand's major cities. It is about 80 km from the capital and, with only one day to spare, the best option is aguided excursion from Bangkokincluding transport.

Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam and is a city rich in history and charm. Among the must-see attractions is the Ayutthaya Historical Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Here you can admire the ancient ruins of the Kingdom of Siam, the ruins of the city founded back in 1351.

How much does a weekend in Bangkok cost

Bangkok is a really cheap city with a very low cost of living. If you want to plan a low-cost trip, Thailand is the right destination. Obviously, one of the biggest expenses will be the airfare, which should be purchased in good time(compare flights).

Once you arrive, the choice of where to stay is up to you: if you want to be in the most authentic Bangkok choose the Old City, if you want to be in the centre of modernity and nightlife choose neighbourhoods such as Sukhumvit and Silom (here is a map of the neighbourhoods). Everywhere else you can still find great prices, with hostels even starting at €10.00 per night. You will have to use tuk tuks and taxis to get around, while individual neighbourhoods can be visited on foot. Finally, you should definitely try Thai street food: tasty and really cheap, with €5.00 you can enjoy a full meal!

Let's look in detail at the costs of a weekend in Bangkok:

• Costsfor eating: about €20.00 per day per person (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)

• Costs formuseums and attractions: average price €20.00 per day per person following our suggested itinerary including the tour to Damnoen Saduak and Mae Klong markets

• Transport: average price €10.00 per person per day

• Hotels, accommodation and b&b: from €15.00 per room - compare accommodation on Booking

• Entertainment: from €20.00 per day per person (including snacks, coffee, drinks, ...)

• Total cost of a weekend in Bangkok: from €240.00 per person (excluding flights and/or transfers)

Before you go: useful tips

• When to visit Bangkok: there are two seasons, the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October). Prefer the dry season - find out more here;

• Where to stay: depending on your trip. To experience authentic Bangkok choose Rattanakosin, or Old Town. For nightlife, rooftop bars and entertainment choose Sukhumvit and Silom - map and neighbourhoods here;

• Get around on footor by taxi: you can walk around the individual neighbourhoods, as on the first day. Alternatively, use taxis, which are cheap and fast. Make sure you only get into official, metered taxis - find out more here;

• Consider the tuk tuk: the typical means of transport in Bangkok, although not always safe due to reckless driving. You can also take a scenic Tuk Tuk ride to acclimatise yourself to the city;

• Taste Thai street food: world-renowned, a must-try. It is also very cheap! Beware of a few simple rules: make sure the drinks are ice-free and the food is cooked before your eyes;

• Wear appropriate clothing: despite the sweltering heat and humidity, a visit to the temples requires appropriate clothing. Therefore always carry a shawl or a long-sleeved shirt to cover yourself properly;

• Always carry cash: credit or debit cards are not always accepted, especially in the older part of the city. So make sure you always have cash, especially to pay for taxis and entrance fees to temples.