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Bangkok, one of the major hubs of Southeast Asia, offers up so much rich culture and food. To see Bangkok in 3 days you’re going to want to take full advantage of all the time you have. There’s so much mango sticky rice to be eaten, so let’s get started.

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Arriving in Bangkok

You’re most likely going to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) which is the main international airport. From here you have a couple different options.

1. Airport rail link – This is the cheapest option. however, it can be quite crowded if you have a lot of luggage.
2. Taxi – Go to one of the labeled taxi stands on the ground floor of the arrivals hall. You’ll get a ticket with a number on it. Match the number to the parking space with a taxi waiting. If you’re paying more than 500 baht to get anywhere in the city, you’re paying too much.
3. Grab – Order a Grab car that is convenient with the app and eliminates any kind of communication barrier.

If you happen to arrive at the smaller airport, Don Muang (DMK), you will have to take a taxi into the city. Buses are an option, but if you have luggage it isn’t practical. In the future, there will be a train connecting DMK to the city, but it is still in the works.

Depending on where you came from in the world, you may need to deal with some jet lag. So check into your hotel and relax with a foot massage so you are ready to hit the ground running for your first full day in Bangkok tomorrow.

Day One | Bangkok in 3 Days

Before you leave your hotel, remember to bring a water bottle because it gets really hot and you may not be used to all the humidity. Day one will be spent near the Chao Phraya River. This is the main river in the city and originates in central Thailand. There are many boats used for transportation on the river that operate like buses with different colored lines. Public boats can cost as little as 15 baht one way.

Be wary of the “tourist boat” they charge a lot more to go to all the same places that the public boats go.

Start at the Grand Palace

The first stop on your Bangkok in 3 days itinerary, is the Grand Palace, which was built in 1782. I recommend getting there early to beat the crowds. The Grand Palace opens at 8:30 am and closes at 3:30 pm. You can book a ticket in advance to avoid waiting in line. There is a strict dress code when entering the grounds. You must be dressed conservatively with shoulders and knees covered.

Within the grounds, you can see the unique Thai architecture that has high attention to detail and is very colorful. The Emerald Buddha is also a sight to see. The small green statue dates back to the 14th Century.

I recommend spending at least 2-3 hours here as there is a lot to see and the grounds are a pretty good size.

Wat Pho Temple

Within walking distance of the Grand Palace, is Wat Pho. This temple houses the Reclining Buddha and the top school of Thai Massage. The Buddha is an impressive 46 meters long and covered in gold leaf. Visitors like to make a wish and drop in 108 coins into each bowl inside the temple that lines the walls. You can make a small donation that helps with temple renovations.

Take the time to wander around the grounds and admire the architecture. You’ll spend another hour or two here. The cost to enter is 100 baht and the conservative dress code is required.

Wat Arun Temple

Across the river from Wat Pho is Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn. There is a shuttle boat to take you across the river for 3 baht. This temple is painted white and is a staple landmark of the west side of Bangkok. The main prang is over 70 meters. There are four smaller prangs that enclose the main one. The decorations and paintings of the temple are highly detailed. The steps of the temple are steep so it can be tricky to climb up and down.

The entrance fee is 50 baht and a conservative dress code is required. You should spend at least one hour at the temple.

Book your ticket in advance to avoid the long lines.

Icon Siam

By now, you’re probably hungry, and hot. So it’s a good time to check out one of the many shopping malls in Bangkok. The Icon Siam is the most recently built luxury mall and is conveniently located on the Chao Praya River. Head over to the mall to cool off and grab something to eat at one of the many restaurants, or on the ground where you can find plenty of street food options.

Asiatique

Wrap up your first day in Bangkok at Asiatique. This is a boutique night market that opens at 4 pm. There is a free shuttle boat from Saphan Taksin Pier (Central Pier). You can find a ton of souvenirs and food here. Sometimes there are events that are held by the riverfront.

Asiatique is also a good place to experience a fish spa. I know it might be a little weird at first but your feet will come out soft and smooth.

Day Two | Bangkok in 3 Days

On day 2 of your Bangkok in 3 days itinerary, you’ll be heading out of the city to the old capital of Ayutthaya. This day trip is about a one and a half-hour drive north of the city. The easiest thing to do is book a tour in advance either through your hotel or online.

There are a number of temples and archeological sites to see in the old capital. The most notable is the Ayutthaya Historical Park where you will see the most photographed Buddha head tangled in tree roots. You can walk around the ruins of the old capital which were burned in an invasion by the Burmese.

While you’re in town, you’ll definitely need to try the giant river prawns which can only be found in Ayutthaya. These prawns can be the length of your forearm! The top restaurants that serve these prawns can be found here.

Evening in Bangkok

Once you arrive back in the city after your day trip, it’s time to check out the nightlife. Freshen up at your hotel and get ready for your night out in Chinatown. You’ll experience sensory overload in this part of town. There will be tons of street food options, many specializing in seafood. This is also a great area to take a food tour or a cooking class.

There are two dueling restaurants battling it out for years on best seafood, R&L Seafood and T&K Seafood. These two restaurants are situated across the street from each and differentiated by the color of their shirts, red for R&L and green for T&K. Dine at both and decide for yourself who wins the seafood battle!

If you’re looking for the rooftop bar experience. I recommend going to The Octave, which is inside the Marriott hotel at Thong Lor. They have Happy Hour from 5 pm-7 pm, 50% off drinks. The rooftop also offers a full 360- degree view of the city, perfect for sunset.

Day 3 |Final Day

On your last day in Bangkok, you can explore more of the city along the Sukhumvit BTS line. If you happen to be in the city during a weekend, check out Chatuchak Market (JJ Market). This market is the largest outdoor market in Thailand with 15,000 stalls and 11,505 vendors. It’s only open on Saturday and Sunday. You’ll definitely want to spend a good amount of time here, and it’s really easy to get lost.

If shopping at the outdoor market wasn’t enough for you, you can check out some of Bangkok’s elaborate shopping centers. These shopping centers are more than just giant malls scattered around the city. Central World, Siam Paragon, Terminal 21, and Emporium are all found along the Sukhumvit BTS line. You can find fine dining, luxury movie theaters, an aquarium (SeaLife inside Siam Paragon), and so much more at any of the shopping centers in Bangkok.

Lastly, luxurious spa time doesn’t have to come with such a big price tag, here in Bangkok. Check out GoWabi, to experience highly rated spa treatments at a discount. You can experience Hydrotherapy, Swedish Massage, Thai Massage, 4 Hands Massage, and more. It’s the perfect end to your 3 days in Bangkok itinerary.