The bustling capital of Thailand, Bangkok, has a plethora of temples, Tuk Tuks, and tasty food. But can you discover the magic of the city’s rich culture in 3 days?
As the third largest city in Southeast Asia, Bangkok has so much to offer for a variety of travellers. Using this guide will ensure you tick off the must-see experiences and bucket-list-worthy adventures in this packed Bangkok 3 day itinerary!
Three days are certainly enough to experience the fascinating culture of Bangkok, which is a perfect destination as part of an extended Asian adventure! If you’re struggling with what to do in Bangkok, this guide will take you through what to see and do.
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Overall, the best time to visit Bangkok is between November and March, as the rainfall is low, sunlight hours are high and the temperatures are more comfortable. With the addition of annual festivals that are a must-see for some traditional Thai culture, November is an ideal month to travel!
The highest temperatures in Bangkok are seen between February and June, specifically in May, with the average max temperature reaching a whopping 35°C! Winter brings slightly cooler temperatures of 32°C, offering a more pleasant experience while adventuring the city.
Not only is the temperature cooler, but the hours of daily sunlight are also higher in the winter and spring. An average of 9 hours of sun, compared to the 5 hours in September, means you can get so much more out of the day in the winter months!
The famous festival of Loy Krathong, the festival of light, includes festivities such as candles floating down the Chao Phraya river, music, and the picturesque opportunity to wish on a paper lantern and release it into the glowing sky. This famous and beautiful festival is a must-see experience and occurs in November every year.
Beware of the heavy rain during the monsoon season, from August through to October. The wet weather and limited sunshine can dampen the holiday spirit – but these off-season times are the best for quieter and more affordable holidays in Thailand.
Although the long summer holidays seem like an attractive time to spend an adventure in Asia, if you’re travelling with kids be prepared for the wet weather and monsoon conditions. The Christmas holidays, usually lasting 2 weeks, are a great alternative!
Getting around the lively bustle of Bangkok can be confusing and stressful. However, these transport options will allow you to see the city efficiently and without stress!
An affordable and easy transport option is the BTS (the sky train in Bangkok) which connects areas of the city, avoiding the noisy and long queues of traffic below. The cheap, reliable and air-conditioned system allows you to travel above the city, and with the train stopping off at popular tourist destinations, it’s an easy way to not get lost! However, many of the ticket machines are cash-only, so carry change just in case!
Using a taxi can easily get you exactly to where you need to be, but they can be expensive and unreliable with prices, so be aware and proactive in ensuring that the price is fair.
A popular app in Thailand and South East Asia is ‘Grab’, an equivalent to the ‘Uber’ app, which allows you to book a taxi from your exact location and choose the type of car ( for example a larger van for large groups.) This alternative to hailing a taxi is efficient and stress-free, although you may still become victim to the traffic of motorbikes and cars in the city.
The cheapest mode of transport in Bangkok is walking! However, it can become inconvenient and difficult, as there are often obstacles and busy streets of negligent moped drivers, who may drive on the walking paths, in the busy traffic. Elevated paths and walkways across the city allow you to safely walk above the busy roads!
There are also plenty of novelty transportation experiences to try in Bangkok, such as famous TukTuks and river boats which also offer tours and experiences with them, allowing you to travel through the city and see famous sites at the same time!
There are a variety of places to stay in Bangkok that are suitable for a wide range of travellers. Whether you’re seeking a humble hostel or a lavish spa hotel, you are sure to find a setting that suits your travel style.
Khao San Road – One of the most famous roads for backpackers! The variety of affordable accommodation and food options means you can stay in the heart of lively nightlife for a cheap price, and meet other travellers.
Sukhumvit – Filled with shops and restaurants, this area comes alive at night and is popular with tourist accommodations and luxury hotels.
Silom – This affluent cosmopolitan area is full of skyscrapers and businesses and offers an experience of the modern side of the city. However, this area is far away from tourist destinations and is one of the most expensive areas to stay in, so you’ll want to stay near a BTS station!
When visiting Bangkok, your Bangkok adventure must start with immersing yourself in the culture of the city. Enjoy tours of famous, sacred temples, eat at highly-praised street food vendors, and admire the Chao Phraya River at sunset to encapsulate the beauty of the city on your first day!
Start your first day in Bangkok by visiting some of the traditional and lavish temples, the most popular being Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha). Luckily, they are all near each other, so visiting all three is 100% possible!
Seeing these temples is an enthralling experience, so make sure to marvel at the intricate and ancient architecture found throughout the temple and admire the beautiful views outside and inside them! The introduction of the captivating and exotic culture of Bangkok through the temples is one of the best things to do in Bangkok and a rare experience!
It’s important to note the entry cost and respectful dress code required to visit these temples. There are usually stalls selling coverups patterned with elephants and batik designs, so if you’ve dressed for the high temperatures you’ll be able to buy something to cover up with.
There are many ways to get to these temples, such as the nearby BTS stations or taxis. River boats are a good option, offering stunning views of the myriad of ancient temples, and are usually very affordable.
After visiting the temples, indulge your hungry taste buds with a local street food tour. The cost-effective and wide variety of dishes is sure to be a highlight of the trip – the food is to die for!
A popular area for street food in Bangkok is Yaowarat in Chinatown, home to many stalls of freshly cooked food. Must-eat dishes to try include Pad Krapao Moo (stir-fried pork, basil and an occasional fried egg), Moo Ping ( grilled pork on skewers – perfect for a tasty snack), and Pad Thai ( a famous and popular dish of fried noodles.) The diverse choices of meals guarantee a pleasant dining experience.
To finish a fabulous day of sightseeing and sun, enjoy a charming evening meal alongside the Chao Phraya River at dusk. There are both opulent and budget restaurants lining the river, as well as cruises providing meals and tours which glide down the starry path of the Chao Phraya. Soaking in the setting sun and evening city lights is a relaxing yet unforgettable experience.
The second day of this suggested Bangkok itinerary is a refreshing welcome into some of the beautiful sights the city has to offer. You’ll start your day by exploring the floating markets and finish up with a leap into the famous nightlife of this city.
To begin your second day, visit one of the many floating markets in Bangkok. Previously called the “Venice of the East”, the floating markets are a unique sight and are best to visit in the morning as the sun isn’t quite as hot, so they are much more lively!
One of the most popular floating markets is Damnoen Saduak. Although this spot is becoming more commercialised, the deep-rooted culture of wooden boats and locals selling fresh, tropical fruits is definitely worth a visit.
After your morning at the floating markets, visit the Jim Thompson House and Museum, open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Thompson revolutionised the Thai silk industry and his enchanting home, made up of traditional Thai huts which showcase collections of Asian artwork and exotic surroundings, is worth the visit.
This peaceful yet intriguing tour of his home is a refreshing way to start your second day in Bangkok. There is an entry fee of 200 baht for an adult, equivalent to around £4.50, which is a bargain! After viewing the house, you have the opportunity to view the lush gardens surrounding the house and peruse the gift shop so you can purchase some Thai silk.
In the evening, discover the famous and hectic nightlife of Bangkok, full of rooftop bars, flashy nightclubs and trendy cocktail bars. Khao San Road offers lively atmospheres and cheap drinks without compromising on experience.
The final day of Bangkok! After seeing some iconic sights and eating some spectacular Thai food, to round off the final day in Bangkok, do some shopping and fun activities!
To start the morning, visit the flower markets in Chinatown, which are filled with fragrant flowers and rainbow assortments of exotic colours, perfect for snapping pictures! The market is best in the morning as the flowers are freshly delivered, and it’s a perfect way to wake up and acclimatise to the day.
After visiting the flower market, explore the unseen streets of Chinatown, with lots of shopping opportunities and beautiful architecture. Sampeng Lane, a famous street full of shopping options, is a perfect place to pick up some souvenirs and grab a bite to eat.
Sampeng Lane is parallel to Yaowarat Road – which we mentioned earlier in the itinerary as being great for street food. After some shopping, you could enjoy some more street food or venture into the varied Chinese cuisine found in Chinatown, perhaps braving to try some of the more peculiar cuisines, such as fried insects and snakes!
Also in Chinatown is Wat Traimit, which is the largest gold Buddha in the world and worth 250 million USD. It’s an awe-inspiring view of an ancient statue and its natural surroundings.
To continue your shopping experience, visit Khao San Road for some cheap souvenirs and a lively atmosphere, or Siam Paragon Mall, which is a magnificent modern building filled with 8 floors of shops, restaurants and even an aquarium, which is a great activity to do with kids in Bangkok. This extraordinary building is the most photographed mall in the world, and with a free shuttle ferry to get to it – why not pay a visit?
To finish your Bangkok experience, try out some fun things to do in Bangkok such as Tuk Tuk tours or a culinary class. Doing a spontaneous activity to finish your trip creates memories that last a lifetime and doing experiences that you can’t do anywhere but Bangkok are super special. If you haven’t already travelled through the city by Tuk Tuk, a tour through the city is one of the many fun things to do in Bangkok to see the city from a different perspective.
After your Bangkok 3 day itinerary, there are plenty of other places to visit in Thailand and South East Asia, and mixing up the city aspect of Bangkok with some of the beautiful beaches and islands from Thailand is highly recommended.
If you’re planning a magical trip to Thailand, be sure to check out our other guides for the Land of Smiles such as Phuket in December and What to Do for 3 Days in Chiang Mai.
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