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How many days in Bangkok? The ideal 3-day itinerary
Four days in Bangkok is enough to explore the city and take a day trip. Find out how to create your itinerary so you don’t miss any important landmark on your trip.
Too short, and your trip will be more about FOMO than enjoyment; too long, and Bangkok’s relentless fast pace might wear you out. So, the question is: how many days in Bangkok is enough? The short answer is: four.
Here’s a Bangkok itinerary designed to help you explore the Thai capital without missing a thing while staying connected with your Holafly eSIM.
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How many days do you need in Bangkok?
Three days in Bangkok is ideal for your first trip to the Thai capital. If you have more time, you can turn this visit into a longer Thailand trip to one of the islands, as there are dozens of daily flights from the Suvarnabhumi airport.
Three days is enough to explore Bangkok’s floating markets and temples like Wat Pho or Wat Phra Kaew, and you can even spend a day visiting the historic city of Ayutthaya.
However, if you’re wondering how many days in Bangkok you’ll need to explore other areas, like parks, four days is the sweet spot.
Travel itinerary for 3 days in Bangkok
Splitting days into activities is a great option for creating the perfect 3-day Bangkok itinerary. Start with this suggested itinerary and make it your own by adding more or fewer activities.
Day 1: Explore local temples
Temples are at the heart of Bangkok’s culture, architecture, and unforgettable sights, meaning you’ll want to set aside a good part of the day for temple-hopping. Here are the must-see temples that should top your list:
- The Temple of the Emerald Buddha: This is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok. It’s also close to the Grand Palace, making it a two-in-one visit.
- Wat Arun: After you’re done admiring its traditional Thai architecture, climb to the top of Wat Arun’s central spire for one of the best views in Bangkok.
- Wat Pho: Home to the famous reclining Buddha and part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme. Besides its beautiful architecture, it is a wonderful place to discover more about traditional Thai medicine or Thai massages.
- Wat Intharawihan: With a 105-foot-tall Buddha statue known as Luang Pho To as the main attraction and a meditation center, this temple is a perfect way to complete your temple-hopping day. A similar statue is found among the things to do in Koh Samui, but it’s only 39 feet tall.
When visiting each temple, consider two things: make sure your packing list for Thailand includes clothes appropriate for sacred places, and there might be a small entrance fee, which you must pay using Thai Baht.
During your day, stop at street food stalls to get some traditional Thai dishes like a refreshing Som Tam or a Pad Thai.
After a long day of walking, you can dive into modern Bangkok by visiting rooftop bars for a drink. If you’d rather continue exploring, there’s always the option of visiting Bangkok’s Chinatown.
Tip: One of the best things to do in Thailand is to enjoy the Chinese New Year in Bangkok’s Chinatown. However, this celebration takes place on different dates every year, so mark the date on your calendar.
Day 2: Take a food tour of the local markets
Day two is about exploring local markets, trying delicious street food, and buying souvenirs to take home.
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: By far the most popular floating market. You’ll find souvenirs, fresh fruit, and get the chance to try boat noodles. Plus, moving around in the maze-like canals is a unique experience in Bangkok.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market: With over 15,000 stalls selling souvenirs, food, and traditional Thai clothes, this is your go-to spot for a weekend in Thailand. Visiting the nearby Chatuchak Clock Tower is a plus.
- Maeklong Railway Market: The railway market is a unique experience in this bustling city. Not only is it the largest fresh seafood market in the country, but it also works uniquely, as stalls are moved from the rail when the train is coming, so keep an eye out when enjoying a Gaeng Tai Pla.
- Pak Khlong Talat: Walk through the Flower Market and get a phuang malai (local flower garlands) for good luck before going to the Yodpiman River Walk for a coffee break and enjoying major sights like churches and temples.
Are you not done exploring markets during the day? Head over to the Patpong Night Market or Asiatique to experience Bangkok’s traditional nightlife.
Day 3: Book a day trip to the Historic City of Ayutthaya
Eighty-six miles from Bangkok, you’ll find the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Historic City of Ayutthaya for an ideal city break. Most temples have gone through restorations, while others have kept ancient Thai architecture untouched.
Temples like the Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Phra Si Sanphet are among the most popular places to visit. The first draws the most visitors, and the second is the holiest temple from the old Siamese Royal Palace.
After exploring Ayutthaya’s ancient temples, consider taking a Chao Phraya River cruise for a unique view of the city’s historical ruins. These are usually held late afternoon, perfect for watching the sunset.
Lastly, you can stroll through the Bueng Phra Ram, where you can take a break from exploring and finish your day at some of the incredible restaurants like Malakor Kitchen and Cafe or Cafe Kantary Ayutthaya.
Optional Day 4 in Bangkok: Explore local parks
The best way to spend your final day in Bangkok is by exploring some of the city’s peaceful and green spaces. These offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital while still giving you room to connect with Thai culture.
- Benjakitti Park: This park is ideal for exercise, walking around the Benjakitti Forest, or the wetlands close to downtown Bangkok. Plus, on the other side of the Chao Phraya River is the popular Khlong Toei District, which makes it the perfect place for pictures.
- Wachirabenchathat Park: Bordering the Queen Sirikit and Chatuchak Park, this is the most popular park in the city. It’s an excellent stop for exploring landmarks like the old train JNR Class DX50 or spending some time at the Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium.
- Suan Luang Rama IX: Built in 1987 to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday, this is the largest park in Bangkok managed by the Suang Luang Rama IX Foundation. It’s worth walking around the botanical gardens, learning the king’s history, or relaxing by the lake.
- Benchasiri Park: Built around an ornamental lake, this park is a great option for exploring Bangkok art or enjoying some open-air events. Home to various gardens next to the Khlong Toei District, it’s a great place to explore modern Thailand.
These are great places to spend a fourth day in Bangkok, but if you want more, the Bangkok National Museum to learn more about the country’s history, or the Baiyoke Tower to watch the city skyline, are great options for your itinerary.
Choose how many days in Bangkok you’ll stay connected
Spending time in Bangkok means you’ll need internet access. Using Google Maps, translating things from Thai to English, or even checking your bank account requires the internet.
If you’re staying three to four days in Bangkok, you can get the eSIM for Thailand to get unlimited data, 500 MB of data sharing, and up to 5G connectivity for $4.30 to $4.22/day, meaning you’ll only pay $16.90 for the whole trip.
However, if you’re staying as a digital nomad in Thailand, a more complete option like Holafly Connect is better. You’ll get unlimited data, up to 5G connectivity, unlimited data sharing, and internet connection in over 170 destinations, which is great for traveling to other countries.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
