Bangkok
3
Day Itinerary •
Thailand
Three days in Bangkok and the central plains give you the full sweep of Thailand's most extraordinary city , the grand temples of Rattanakosin, the floating markets of the klongs, the extraordinary street food culture of Chinatown, and the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, one of the greatest cities in Asia before its destruction in 1767. This route covers the royal city of Bangkok from its gilded temples and canal life to its extraordinary night markets, then escapes to the ruins of Ayutthaya and the River Kwai bridge at Kanchanaburi. Three days that show why Thailand is the finest destination in Southeast Asia.
Best Time To Visit
November to February
Getting There
Fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK)
Getting Around
BTS Skytrain, Grab, longtail boat, day trip by train
Budget Per Day
Approx 50 to 120 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and public transport
DAY 1
RATTANAKOSIN
MORNING
THE GRAND PALACE AND WAT PHRA KAEW, THE TEMPLE OF THE EMERALD BUDDHA
The most visited site in Thailand. The Grand Palace complex covers 218,400 square metres and contains the extraordinary Wat Phra Kaew, home to the sacred Emerald Buddha carved from a single block of jade. The detail of the temple murals depicting the Ramakien epic is extraordinary. Entry approx 500 baht. Dress modestly, shoulders and knees covered. Drive/Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
WAT PHO, THE TEMPLE OF THE RECLINING BUDDHA
The oldest and largest temple complex in Bangkok, home to the extraordinary 46-metre gold-plated Reclining Buddha, so large it fills the entire building. The 108 bronze bowls for merit-making coins line the walls. The temple is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Entry approx 200 baht. Drive/Travel: 15 min ferry across Chao Phraya
AFTERNOON
WAT ARUN, THE TEMPLE OF DAWN
The most distinctive skyline in Bangkok. The extraordinary 82-metre prangs of Wat Arun are encrusted entirely with fragments of Chinese porcelain and coloured glass. Climb the steep stairs of the central tower for extraordinary views over the Chao Phraya at golden hour. Entry approx 100 baht.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Wang Lang market on the west bank of the Chao Phraya opposite the Grand Palace is one of the finest local food markets in Bangkok, almost entirely unknown to tourists. The boat from Tha Chang pier takes two minutes. Extraordinary grilled meats, fresh coconut ice cream and the finest pad kra pao in Bangkok. Free to enter.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Street cart near Grand Palace Jok rice porridge and pa thong ko fried dough, the classic Bangkok breakfast. | Lunch: Err, Phra Nakhon Outstanding modern Thai near Wat Pho. Local river fish and extraordinary curries. | Dinner: Supanniga Eating Room, Tha Tien Extraordinary eastern Thai cuisine. Order the crab curry and mango salad.
DAY 2
CHINATOWN AND DUSIT
MORNING
YAOWARAT, BANGKOK'S CHINATOWN, AND THE TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN BUDDHA
Bangkok's Chinatown is the most extraordinary in Southeast Asia. Yaowarat Road at breakfast is alive with gold shops, dim sum houses and the finest street food in the city. Wat Traimit contains the extraordinary 5.5-tonne solid gold Buddha statue, the largest in the world. Entry to temple approx 100 baht. Drive/Travel: 30 min by Grab or BTS
MIDDAY
VIMANMEK MANSION AND DUSIT PALACE, THE WORLD'S LARGEST GOLDEN TEAK BUILDING
Built in 1900 for King Rama V, Vimanmek is the largest golden teak building in the world, a three-storey palace of extraordinary Victorian-Thai fusion architecture furnished entirely with the king's personal collection. The throne hall and audience chambers are extraordinary. Entry approx 150 baht. Drive/Travel: 20 min by BTS to Victory Monument
AFTERNOON
OR TOR KOR MARKET AND THE CHATUCHAK WEEKEND MARKET
Or Tor Kor is the finest fresh produce market in Bangkok, extraordinary for tropical fruits, ready-cooked Thai food and the finest durian in the country. Adjacent Chatuchak Weekend Market (Saturday and Sunday) is the largest market in Asia, 15,000 stalls covering 35 acres. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Talat Noi, the tiny neighbourhood between Chinatown and the river, is one of the most extraordinary hidden corners in Bangkok. A labyrinth of century-old shophouses, street shrines and riverside warehouses that has barely changed since the 1920s. The Wat Kalayanamit riverside view at sunset is extraordinary. Completely free to explore.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: T&K Seafood, Yaowarat The finest boat noodles in Chinatown. Queue before 8am. | Lunch: Krua Apsorn, Dusit Legendary Thai restaurant beloved by the royal family. Extraordinary crab omelette. | Dinner: Rot Duan, Chatuchak Outstanding Thai at the market. Massaman curry and fresh coconut water.
DAY 3
AYUTTHAYA
MORNING
AYUTTHAYA HISTORICAL PARK, THE RUINS OF THAILAND'S GREATEST CITY
Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam from 1350 to 1767 and one of the largest cities in the world at its peak. The ruins of Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Chai Watthanaram are extraordinary. The famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Mahathat is one of the most extraordinary images in Asia. Entry to park approx 50 baht per site. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours train back to Bangkok
MIDDAY
BANG PA-IN ROYAL PALACE, THE SUMMER RESIDENCE OF THE THAI KINGS
The extraordinary Bang Pa-In complex on an island in the Chao Phraya mixes Thai, Chinese, Gothic and Renaissance pavilions in a single extraordinary garden. The Aisawan Thiphya-art pavilion reflected in its lake is one of the most beautiful buildings in Thailand. Entry approx 150 baht. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive to Ayutthaya floating market
AFTERNOON
AYUTTHAYA FLOATING MARKET AND THE ELEPHANT VILLAGE
The Ayutthaya Floating Market at Bang Sai is a genuine working market on the water, far less commercialised than the famous markets near Bangkok. Local handicrafts, river fish grilled to order and extraordinary coconut-based desserts. The nearby elephant village offers ethical observation without riding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon in Ayutthaya contains a reclining Buddha and a leaning chedi visible from across the plains. Built in 1357 by King U-Thong, it is one of the oldest and finest temples in the city. Almost entirely free of tourists in the early morning. The views from the top of the chedi are extraordinary. Entry approx 20 baht.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Train food, Hua Lamphong Buy khao tom from platform vendors. The 6am train to Ayutthaya takes 1.5 hours. | Lunch: Baan Kun Pra, Ayutthaya Outstanding riverside restaurant in a century-old teak house. Local river prawns. | Dinner: Chinatown street food, Bangkok Return to Yaowarat for the finest night street food in Asia.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Bangkok, All 3 Nights Hotel near Rattanakosin for Day 1 access. Sala Rattanakosin or Arun Residence both extraordinary. Approx 60 to 180 USD. Budget Option NapPark Hostel or Lub d Siam Square. Approx 15 to 35 USD per night. Ayutthaya Day Trip Easy day trip from Bangkok by train (approx 15 baht). No overnight required.
Top Tips
1. Grand Palace dress code is strict. Sarongs are available to borrow at the gate but arrive properly dressed.
2. Tuk-tuk drivers near temples offering gem shop tours should be ignored entirely. Take Grab instead.
3. Wat Arun at sunrise from the Chao Phraya is extraordinary. The first ferry runs at 6am.
4. Yaowarat Chinatown at night from 6pm is one of the finest street food experiences in Asia.
5. Book the overnight train to Chiang Mai from Hua Lamphong for an extraordinary journey north.
6. Carry small baht notes always. Street food vendors and temple ticket offices rarely have change.
Total Budget
40 to 135 USD/day