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Bangkok in 3 days: itinerary for the first visit
I did Bangkok wrong the first time. I was there for a week, but mainly went on trips outside the city because I felt like there was plenty of time and in the end I saw almost nothing of Bangkok itself.
The second time we gave it three full days. And suddenly everything made sense.
Now if you're looking for Bangkok in 3 days or wondering how many days in Bangkok is enough, this itinerary is exactly what I would recommend in good conscience.
Not a complete list of sights. But a plan that works.
Before you start, check out our basic overview of the city in our systematic guide too.
Why 3 days in Bangkok is the ideal minimum
One day is a culture shock.
Two days is a sprint.
Three days is the first moment you start to enjoy the city.
Bangkok is huge. Not just in size, but in contrast. Temples that look out of this world. Modern skyscrapers. Street food next to Michelin star restaurants. Luxury hotels next to crumbling houses.
And the fabled exuberant nightlife that hides many secrets.
In three days, you can do:
- the historic centre by the river
- the modern skyline and rooftop bar
- Chinatown and evening atmosphere and maybe even weekend markets
If you only have two days, this plan can be trimmed down. If more, a third day is the perfect base for further expansion.
Find a hotel in Bangkok by location
Day 1 - Iconic Sights
Yes. On the first day, you go where everyone goes.
At least I do. I want to see what I shouldn't go back without first.
- Morning - Grand Palace + Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Bangkok's most famous landmark
- 60-90 minutes
- We first arrived around noon. Mistake. Come right after opening, it's less crowded and less hot.
- Morning - Wat Pho
- Just a 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace
- 30-45 minutes
- The Reclining Buddha is exactly the moment when you break out of the crowd a bit and start to take in the details.
- Noon - Lunch somewhere around the river
- Afternoon - Wat Arun
- Cross the river by ferry
- 45-60 minutes
- For me the most beautiful temple not only in Bangkok, but in the whole of Thailand
- Evening - Khao San Road or Silom/Sukhumvit
- I would spend the evening in one of the wilder neighborhoods depending on where you stay
Where to stay if you want to be close to the centre
If it's your first visit, it makes sense to be near the blue metro line or right by the river in the historic center.
I would recommend these hotels:
- 👉 ARUN Riverside Bangkok **** - great hotel right on the river, Grand Palace and Wat Pho
- 👉 The Royal ThaTien Village ** - the cheapest hotel with ensuite rooms by the river and Wat Pho
We have a detailed breakdown of the neighborhoods (Sukhumvit vs Silom vs Riverside) in the article Where to stay in Bangkok.
Day 2 - modern Bangkok and sightseeing
The second day completely changes the mood and theme. And that's exactly what Bangkok is - about brutal contrasts.
Glass. Steel. Skyscrapers. Giant shopping malls. And in the evening, views that are unforgettable.
- Morning - King Power Mahanakhon
- 30-45 minutes
- The highest vantage point in the city, where you'll realise just how huge Bangkok is
- During the day - Chatuchak market (Saturday, Sunday only) or shopping in the giant malls
- Any time, even a few hours
- late afternoon - Akara Sky Hanuman
- 60-90 minutes
- View full of attractions with a (very expensive) rooftop bar
- evening - Sukhumvit or Silom
- Any time
- Wild district full of bars, massages, nightclubs and street food
Where to stay for better accessibility
Modern Bangkok is a good strategic location for accommodation throughout your stay in Bangkok.
For me, the Silom area makes the most sense, from where it's close to a direct metro line to Sukhumvit, but also to the historic centre of Bangkok.
I would recommend these hotels:
- 👉 Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini **** - if you want to stay in a well-known brand, modern downtown, but also steps away from both the blue and dark green metro lines
- 👉 The Siam Heritage Hotel **** - great value for money just 5 minutes walk from the metro
Day 3 - the real Bangkok
On my last day I would leave modern and wild Bangkok and head back to more older neighborhoods.
- Morning - Talat Noi + Chinatown
- 90-120 minutes
- The atmosphere of a quiet neighbourhood with workshops, street art and stylish cafes, but a little further on also the wilder Chinatown
- Early afternoon - Golden Buddha
- 15 minutes
- Bangkok's most valuable Buddha statue, just next to Chinatown
- Afternoon - Wat Saket
- 45-60 minutes
- The mountain with the golden shrine and a beautiful view of Bangkok
- Late afternoon - Wat Benchamabophit
- 45-60 minutes
- Beautiful marble temple
- Evening - Khao San Road or Silom/Sukhumvit
- I'd enjoy the last evening again in one of the iconic districts depending on where your hotel is or what you missed the previous days
How much does 3 days in Bangkok cost?
Bangkok can be cheap. And you'll be surprised how much you'll pay for "just one drink with a view".
Realistically (mid-style, well-rated 4* hotel near the metro):
- 🏨 Hotel: around 3 500 thb per night/room (but simple 2* hotels also from 900 thb)
- 🍜 Food: around 600 thb per day
- 🚇 Transport + entrances: on average we spent around 1 000 thb
- 🍸 Drinks in top bars: from 440 thb
We spent around 12 000 thb per person for the whole 3 days without oversaving.
A lot of money usually runs out on the exchange rate when withdrawing from the ATM. We break down how fees and exchange rates work here 👉 Money and prices in Thailand.
I use Revolut outside of Europe for better rates and to earn RevPoints, which I later convert to air miles.
Bangkok is not ultra-cheap. But it can be very flexible - you can spend really little here. Or really a lot of money.
Does Bangkok make sense?
Yes.
It makes sense to me, even for just a few hours between flights.
But it takes 3 days to understand the contrast between chaos and luxury, between the gold of temples and the glass of skyscrapers.
And maybe, like me , you'll say you'd love to stop here on your next trip to Asia to see how much Bangkok has changed in that time.
Before you fly to Bangkok
Three things I would have done back home:
1️⃣ Hotel near the subway (BTS or MRT)
Bangkok is huge and transportation is the biggest time guzzler. For many travelers, Bangkok is the first stop in Asia and that's also why I would definitely sort out a hotel in advance.
2️⃣ Flight tickets with reasonable arrival time
Arriving at 11:30pm after a 12 hour flight and dealing with taxis is not an ideal start. And a large number of arrivals in Bangkok are during the night hours.
On the other hand, major airlines often fly into Bangkok several times a day, so you usually have more flights to choose from.
3️⃣ If you're continuing on around Thailand
If you're heading further afield from Bangkok (Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Krabi), we book trains, buses and ferries through the popular 12go.asia website.
We've travelled through multiple regions in Thailand and have written up practical tips and our experiences.
- 📍 Phuket - the best beaches
- 📍 Koh Samui - tips for the best excursions and activities
- 📍 Koh Phangan - zen tranquillity and the exuberant Full Moon Party
- 📍 Krabi - the most beautiful islands and natural sights
Any questions left?
If you have any questions or comments about the article...
