Bangkok
5
Day Itinerary •
Thailand
Five days in Bangkok and central Thailand lets you explore the full depth of Thailand's most extraordinary city and the ancient kingdoms that preceded it. The grand temples of Rattanakosin, the klong life of Thonburi, the ruins of Ayutthaya, the River Kwai and the extraordinary Erawan Falls of Kanchanaburi all within reach of a single base. This route covers Bangkok's royal and street life in depth, the ancient Siamese capital of Ayutthaya, the wartime history and extraordinary natural beauty of Kanchanaburi, and the floating markets and orchid farms of the central plains. Five days that reveal why Bangkok is the finest city in 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 trips by train and bus
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
KANCHANABURI
MORNING
THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI AND THE THAILAND-BURMA RAILWAY CENTRE
The original steel spans of the Bridge on the River Kwai stand above the Kwai Yai river exactly as rebuilt after Allied bombing in 1945. The extraordinary Thailand-Burma Railway Centre museum tells the story of the 415km Death Railway built by 60,000 Allied prisoners of war and 200,000 Asian labourers. Entry to museum approx 160 baht. Drive/Travel: 30 min by songthaew
MIDDAY
HELLFIRE PASS MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND THE DEATH RAILWAY CUTTING
The most moving site in Kanchanaburi. The Hellfire Pass cutting was hand-drilled through solid rock by POWs working by torchlight through the night, hence the name. The cutting and the museum maintained by the Australian government are extraordinary and profoundly moving. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
ERAWAN NATIONAL PARK AND THE SEVEN-TIER EMERALD WATERFALLS
The Erawan Falls are among the most extraordinary in Thailand. Seven tiers of emerald-green pools cascade through the jungle, each swimmable and filled with giant Mahseer fish that nibble your skin. Tier 3 and Tier 7 are the most beautiful. Entry approx 300 baht. Arrive by 2pm to avoid coach tours.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Wat Tham Sua, the Tiger Cave Temple near Kanchanaburi, contains an extraordinary cave shrine and a hilltop stupa reached by 400 steps with views over the entire Kwai valley. Almost entirely unknown to international tourists. The bats emerging at dusk number in the millions and are one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles in Thailand. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kanchanaburi town market Boat noodles and fresh roti near the bus station before 8am. | Lunch: Apple's Retreat, Kanchanaburi Outstanding Thai food on the River Kwai. The green curry is extraordinary. | Dinner: Floating restaurant, River Kwai Fresh river fish and Singha beer on the water at sunset.
DAY 5
THONBURI AND THE MARKETS
MORNING
DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MARKET IN ASIA
The Damnoen Saduak floating market is the most photographed in Thailand for good reason. Vendors in traditional hats paddle wooden boats loaded with tropical fruit, cooked food and Thai souvenirs through a network of klongs. Arrive at 7am for the extraordinary early morning light before tour groups arrive. Entry free, boat hire approx 300 baht. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive to Bangkok
MIDDAY
WAT PRAYOON AND KLONG BANGKOK NOI, THE HIDDEN CANALS OF THONBURI
The klongs of Thonburi on the west bank are among the most extraordinary hidden worlds in Bangkok. A longtail boat through the canal network passes wooden houses on stilts, Buddhist temples with river frontages and markets accessible only by water. The turtle pond at Wat Prayoon is one of the finest hidden gems in Bangkok. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min by Grab
AFTERNOON
JIM THOMPSON HOUSE, THE FINEST SILK COLLECTION IN ASIA
The house of American silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson, who mysteriously disappeared in the Cameron Highlands in 1967, is a complex of six traditional Thai houses assembled on the Saen Saep canal. The extraordinary collection of Asian art and silk textiles is the finest privately assembled in Southeast Asia. Entry approx 200 baht. Tours run every 20 minutes.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bangkrachao Green Lung, a forested peninsula in a bend of the Chao Phraya just 15 minutes from central Bangkok by ferry, is the largest urban green space in Asia and one of the most extraordinary hidden gems in Thailand. Rent a bicycle from the pier for 50 baht and cycle through jungle, orchid farms and Buddhist temples entirely unknown to most visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Floating market boat food Pad thai cooked in a boat wok is the finest version in Thailand. | Lunch: Err, Phra Nakhon Return visit for the extraordinary roasted duck curry and river fish. | Dinner: Nahm, Silom One of the finest Thai restaurants in the world. Book weeks ahead. Extraordinary.
Where To Stay
Bangkok, All 5 Nights Base in Rattanakosin or Silom for all days. Sala Rattanakosin or Capella Bangkok. Approx 80 to 250 USD. Kanchanaburi Night Option Stay at Felix River Kwai Resort for Day 4 if preferred. Approx 60 to 120 USD. Budget Option NapPark Hostel or Lub d Silom. Approx 15 to 35 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Grand Palace dress code is strict. Arrive at 9am opening to beat the crowds.
2. Tuk-tuk gem shop scams are rife near temples. Use Grab for all longer journeys.
3. Erawan Falls on weekdays only. Weekends are very crowded. Arrive before 10am.
4. Hellfire Pass is the most moving site in Thailand. Allow more time than you think.
5. Damnoen Saduak: arrive at 7am. The market is extraordinary before 9am and chaotic after 10am.
6. Bangkrachao by bicycle at dawn on a Sunday is one of the finest experiences in Asia.
Total Budget
40 to 165 USD/day