The Best 3-Day Bangkok Itinerary

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Bangkok has a rich culture and history and many breathtaking places to visit that are worthy of a spot on your Thailand bucket list.

Best of all, Bangkok is easy to reach. It has excellent transport links, including two airports: Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport, with the latter being connected to central Bangkok via the Bangkok Airport Rail Link.

In addition, you can easily see all this top destination has to offer in just 72 hours! This 3-day Bangkok itinerary includes almost all the sites and activities you wouldn't want to miss out on as a first-time visitor to the city.

From temples and a palace to restaurants and markets, this itinerary includes the most interesting stops for a short trip to the vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand. Keep reading to learn more!

Heading to Bangkok and planning last-minute?

Book your Bangkok accommodations and experiences early! See the short list of top suggestions below.

🏨 Top accommodations in Bangkok

• Hansa Bangkok House (under $50 USD a night)
• SAMALA Hotel Bangkok (under $100 USD a night)
• Thanabhumi (rated highly)

☂️ Top tours and experiences in Bangkok

• Damnoen Saduak Market & Maeklong Railway Market (likely to sell out)
• Half-Day Bangkok Bike Tour Including Lunch (rated highly)
• Hands-on Authentic Thai Massage Workshop (rated highly)
• Suvarnabhumi Airport - Three-Hour Miracle Lounge Access (very popular)
• Bangkok Suvaanabhumi Airport - Fasttrack Immigration Service (very popular)

Bangkok 3 Day Itinerary

Bangkok's Famous Historical Sites

The first day of this 3 days in Bangkok itinerary will be spent exploring Bangkok's historical sites, like the Grand Palace. You'll also stop for lunch at The Sixth, a popular Thai Restaurant and Bar in the city. In the afternoon, you can shop on Khao San Road before going on a memorable Chao Phraya River dinner cruise.

The attractions on your first day are also close to each other, so you can easily walk from one place to the next. They are located near the Chao Phraya River as well, so you can take some time to explore this area by taking a stroll along the water.

Finally, starting your first day early is recommended as the walls of the Palace like to retain heat, and in the middle of summer, it can become quite hot and unpleasant inside! Most of the sites also close relatively early, so best to get a head start.

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

When looking at a Thailand travel guide, a visit to the stunning Grand Palace will likely be recommended. The Grand Palace, located in the centre of Bangkok, is the perfect place to start your venture into the city's history.

Notably, many buildings inside are great examples of traditional Thai architecture. The structures are beautifully detailed and decorated in bright, bold colours, such as with gold finishings. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) is also on the grounds.

The Palace used to be the official residence of the Kings of Siam but is now used for official events. Interestingly, only the King can touch the Emerald Buddha, so keep your hands to yourself!

If you are here early in the morning, you can spend a couple of hours exploring the Palace, as it should be less crowded at this time of the day. It is a must-visit even if you only have one day in Bangkok!

While you can definitely explore the Grand Palace and Wat Phra alone, taking a guided walking tour of both is also an excellent idea. Your English-speaking guide will provide more information on the history of the buildings.

🏨 Nearest accommodations to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram Wat Phra Kaew

• Baankorrakang (budget option)
• Poonsuk Place Hotel (loved by guests)

Wat Pho

Having seen the Emerald Buddha, you can now go see the Reclining Buddha! This Thai landmark is located approximately a ten-minute walk from the Grand Palace. An hour should be enough to look around.

The Wat Pho is also the perfect place to retreat to after your busy morning at the Grand Palace. Even though the main attraction you'll want to see is the 46-metre-long gold Buddha itself, be sure to check out the beautiful nearby courtyard as well.

If you want to see other temples along with Wat Pho, book a Bangkok temples tour. On this three to four-hour excursion, your guide will take you to multiple temple complexes, and you can learn more about each sites' history and culture.

Lunch at The Sixth

After a busy morning visiting iconic Thai landmarks, you'll probably want to stop for some food and drinks. Halting your exploration for a while and heading over to The Sixth to enjoy Thai delicacies is recommended.

The Sixth not only has excellent food but is also conveniently located just a few minutes from Wat Pho. Options on the menu include noodles, soups, and seafood dishes.

Thailand, and Bangkok in particular, is known worldwide for its street food. Therefore, make sure to spend some time checking out the local food carts as well. Grabbing snacks at a food cart is also a great way to stay on budget while exploring one of the cheapest countries in Asia!

Wat Arun Temple

Wat Arun Temple (The Temple of the Dawn), with its riverside location and the highest prang in all of Thailand (70 metres to be exact!), is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city.

This landmark can often be spotted in cityscape photos of Bangkok. It got its name, 'The Temple of the Dawn,' from the Indian God Aruna, who was the God of Dawn. While visiting, don't forget to check out the Ordination Hall near Wat Arun Temple.

You should try to catch the sunset here, too, as the sun casts a beautiful light on the tall spiral. You can easily spend a few hours at this attraction, roaming around the beautiful grounds, so take your time exploring the area.

Again, you could book a private guided tour of the Temple of Dawn, which also includes a visit to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Kitzcorner/Depositphotos.com

Khao San Road

Khao San Road, or Khaosan Road, is a bustling street in central Bangkok that's popular with backpackers and other tourists. It can be reached in around 12 minutes when driving from your last stop. Alternatively, you could walk there along the riverbank in about 30 minutes or take a Bangkok tuk-tuk tour, which includes a stop at Khao San Road.

Once you arrive, you can explore various shops, including souvenir shops and small independent stores. Afterward, you can pick up some snacks at cafes or street food stalls. Khao San Road also has affordable hostels and bars selling cheap drinks.

🏨 Stay near Khaosan Road

• Roof View Place (low nightly price)
• Samsen Street Hotel (value option)

Destguides

A Chao Phraya River dinner cruise or an e-scooter night tour

The perfect way to end your first day in Bangkok is by going on a Chao Phraya River dinner cruise. As you sail along the river on this enjoyable cruise, you'll see many landmarks, like the Grand Palace.

You'll also get to enjoy a delicious Thai buffet featuring a variety of dishes. There's entertainment on board as well, such as live music. Of course, you'll also get to admire the stunning views over the river as the sun goes down.

If you get seasick, another fun option is joining a group e-scooter night tour that includes a local guide and delicious street food. My husband and I really enjoyed this activity despite being hesitant about riding an e-scooter around at night in a chaotic city like Bangkok - we never felt unsafe, though!

We felt the tour was worth the money. We were pretty tired by the end of it because it went over the suggested time by half an hour, and we visited quite a few sites and tried several dishes. We had a blast and will look to do a similar night activity like this again in another city (we usually stick to daytime activities, but not anymore)!

A Day of Shopping & Relaxation in Bangkok

CHAINFOTO24/Shutterstock.com

You can't come to Bangkok and not set aside a day or an afternoon for some shopping and market exploration! While there are many markets and shopping malls one can visit in Bangkok, stopping by two of the most famous ones, Chatuchak Market and Asiatique, is a must.

However, before visiting these markets in central Bangkok, you'll visit some shopping attractions outside the city. The first stop is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in the Damnoen Saduak District.

After exploring this fascinating floating market, you can head to another unique market, Rom Hup Market. Interestingly, it's located on an active railway track and is a one-of-a-kind attraction to see.

You can also break up your shopping day with a Thai massage and some tea. Your feet are bound to get tired at some point during the day, so head over to the Bangkok Oasis Spa for a well-deserved massage break.

topten22photo/Shutterstock.com

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Your day will start with a trip out of Bangkok to the Damnoen Saduak District. You can reach this area in just under an hour and a half, with most people visiting to go to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

While you can reach the area alone, going on a tour is highly recommended. With a private Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, you can explore the area with a guide just for your group. Alternatively, you can join a Damnoen Saduak Floating Market group tour, which is more affordable than a private tour. Both options have hotel pick-up provided.

At the market, you'll discover many boat market stalls floating on narrow canals. You can explore the stalls, which sell crafts, souvenirs, fruit and veg, and much more! Even if you don't purchase anything, seeing what's on offer, snapping some photos, and enjoying the atmosphere are worth the journey from Bangkok.

🏨 Accommodations in close proximity to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

• Baan Klong Resort (budget friendly)
• Khum Damnoen Resort (value option)

Rom Hup Market

Rom Hup Market is located about 20 minutes from the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and is worth visiting on the way back, if possible. You can also reach the market directly from Bangkok in around an hour.

Also known as the Maeklong Railway Market, this unique market is located on a railway track. While you may assume the track is no longer active, that's not the case! Instead, vendors must move their goods back and forth as trains come down the track; this practice is quite a sight to see.

Things to purchase at the market include clothing and accessories. However, this market is primarily a food market and one of the largest seafood markets in Thailand. Other food items on offer include fruit, vegetables, and Thai sweets.

If you're interested in seeing both the Rom Hup Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, you could opt for a train market and floating market day tour from Bangkok.

🏨 Accommodations in close proximity to the Rom Hup Market

• Coco View Hotel (cheap option)
• Baan Siriporn Resort - โรงแรมบานศรพร รสอรท

Destguides

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak Market, Jatujak Market, or JJ Market (as the locals refer to it) is the largest market in Thailand and one of the biggest outdoor weekend markets in the world. It is a very popular place in Bangkok among both locals and tourists.

The vast marketplace has 10,000 stalls that consist of food, plants, antiques, clothes, cosmetics, and more. Unfortunately, it is only open on the weekends, so try to plan your visit to Bangkok to fall on a Saturday or Sunday so you can experience this fantastic place.

Foodies may also want to join a Bangkok food tour. On this 2-hour tour, you'll be taken to the best food stalls at the Chatuchak Weekend Market. You will also visit food vendors at some other markets, like the Bangkok Farmer's Market.

🏨 Stay nearby the Chatuchak Weekend Market

• Matini Hostel Grandstation (budget option)

Afternoon Tea and Signature Thai Massage

After you have spent the morning and early afternoon walking around bustling markets, it is time for you to get into relaxation mode, Thai-style. So head over to the well-rated Bangkok Oasis Spa for a relaxing massage and some tea that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

The massage spa offers various types of massage and spa packages. You can also add other treatments, like body scrubs or facials, for an extra cost.

uskarp/Depositphotos.com

ASIATIQUE The Riverfront

ASIATIQUE is an open-air mall located in the old docks of Bangkok. It is a shopping centre and offers dining options, activities, and more. After you are done with your massage, head over to Asiatique to be entertained.

There are over 1,500 boutiques you can peek into and more than 50 restaurants to choose from. Performances also occur nightly, so look into what shows are happening once you arrive. ASIATIQUE is one of the best places to visit in Bangkok in 3 days!

🏨 Stay near Asiatique The Riverfront

• PAMAhouse Boutique Hostel (budget option)
• Away Bangkok Riverside Kene (good value)

☂️ Visit Asiatique The Riverfront with an excursion

• River Star Princess Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River

Off-the-Beaten-Path Sites in Bangkok

The last day of your 3 day itinerary for Bangkok will be spent visiting less touristy areas of the city. These places are not unheard of, but you won't be surrounded by relentless crowds pushing you around at these locations!

This day starts by visiting the fascinating Jim Thompson House Museum. You'll then go to the Bobae Market and another temple, Loha Prasat. After lunch, head to the Democracy Monument, an important Asian landmark and a must-see for history buffs.

You can walk between most stops today, but you may want to take a taxi between the first few to ensure you have enough time to see everything. Each ride will likely be less than 100 baht.

Destguides

Jim Thompson House Museum

The Jim Thompson House Museum is one of the unique tourist attractions in Bangkok. Jim Thompson, an American businessman and architect, formerly owned the home. He mysteriously disappeared in 1967.

Today, the museum has an art collection, including many pieces of Southeast Asian art, which Thompson collected. As you look around, you can also learn more about the businessman and the silk trade in Thailand, an industry that Jim Thompson built a company around.

🏨 Accommodations nearby the Jim Thompson House Museum

• Siam Eco Hostel (cheap option)
• Mercure Bangkok Siam (mid-range)

☂️ Visit the Jim Thompson House Museum with an excursion

• Bangkok Instagram Tour - The Most Famous Spots Private & All-Inclusive (rated very highly)
• Private Guide in & Around Bangkok - Custom Tour (a hit among most)

Bobae Market

The Bobae Market is a great place to get gifts and items you would rather buy in bulk. Going to this wholesale market is only recommended if you want to purchase multiples of the same thing; otherwise, the prices of most items are the same as at any other market. You can also visit to experience the bustle and atmosphere of the marketplace.

🏨 Accommodations nearby the Bobae Market

• Noir Cafe & Hostel - Chinatown (cheap option)
• C'HOUSE Bangkok (value option)

Loha Prasat

Another of the many fun things to do in Bangkok is going to Wat Ratchanatdaram temple. Also known as Loha Prasat, its name stands for iron castle or monastery. It is an educational temple and features stunning architecture with excellent views.

Loha Prasat is a Buddhist temple that was completed in 1846. It has five towers and 37 golden spires representing the 37 virtues needed to reach enlightenment.

An interesting way to see Loha Prasat is by going on a Bangkok spiritual tour. The tour teaches you more about Buddhism and takes you to three sites, Loha Prasat, Wat Ratchanatdaram School, and Golden Mount Temple (Wat Saket).

🏨 Accommodations near Wat Ratchanatdaram Worawihan Loha Prasat

• Hansa Bangkok House (cheap for the area)
• Ibis Bangkok Siam (mid-range)

Lunch at Krua Apsorn

Krua Apsorn is another Thai restaurant popular with locals and tourists. You can have breakfast here, but try to head here for lunch or dinner to try out a dish from their main courses.

Bonus, they are vegetarian and vegan-friendly! A few menu options include yellow curry with lotus root, papaya salad, and stir-fried vermicelli with prawns.

🏨 Places to stay close to Krua Apsorn Dinso

• Thanabhumi (rated highly)
• Peace Land Khaosan (chill out by the pool)

Democracy Monument

The Democracy Monument was commissioned in 1939 to commemorate the 1932 Revolution. It is situated in the middle of a traffic circle and is quite rich in meaning for the native people of Thailand. Visiting this Southeast Asia landmark is a must, and it is conveniently located near your last stop, Krua Apsorn.

🏨 Nearest accommodations to the Democracy Monument

• Issara by D Hostel (low nightly price)
• BED STATION Hostel Khaosan (unwind poolside)

☂️ Visit the Democracy Monument with a tour

• Bangkok Night Bike With Flower Market & Grand Palace

Bangkok Travel Tips - Common Questions

From wondering if you need to cover yourself to wanting to know if you need a visa for Thailand, knowing the answers to these common Thailand questions will make your trip much more enjoyable!

Do you have to cover up in Thailand?

Generally speaking, Thailand is a more conservative country. As such, spaghetti straps and daisy dukes are not recommended to wear, even in the bustling streets of modern Bangkok.

When visiting the temples especially, there is a strict dress code. Make sure to dress appropriately by covering your thighs (to your knees) and shoulders and showing no cleavage. This applies to both females and males. Shoes also need to be removed before entering many places.

Buying a cheap sarong from a market stall in the city before you set off on your first day is a great idea. You can then quickly wrap it around you when needed and fold it up small to fit in your bag. You can also use it as a blanket when visiting the beach.

Do you need a visa for Thailand?

A "Visa on Arrival" is available for citizens of many countries. A few countries that are eligible for a "Visa on Arrival" include China, India, Romania, and more.

On the other hand, the Visa Exemption Program allows citizens from countries like Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, and others to enter Thailand "visa-free" for a certain number of days.

Do check the visa requirements for any country before booking your tickets and accommodation and traveling to Thailand.

In Conclusion

If you're planning a quick trip, this itinerary featuring the best things to do in Bangkok in 3 days should have given you an idea of all the activities you can do! You can shop at bustling markets, visit breathtaking temples, and even enjoy a luxurious dinner cruise.

To get between stops a little further apart, don't forget to use the BTS Skytrain or MRT. Of course, you can also remove any stops that don't appeal to you and spend more time exploring those that interest you the most.

If you have extra time in the city, you could visit other landmarks. Additional places to put on your 3-day Bangkok itinerary include Chinatown on Yaowarat Road, the MBK Center, and Siam Paragon, one of the largest shopping malls in Thailand.

Lastly, if you're tired of the heat and crowds in Bangkok, why not consider a day trip to the temples in Ayutthaya? Or, you could head up north for a few nights in Khao Kho, Thailand. The possibilities are endless!

This article was edited by Alli Sewell.

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