Itinerary planner
Plan your Bangkok days
Choose your trip length, interests and pace. The planner picks from the same day plans used in our itineraries and arranges them around weekends, day trips and where you’re staying. Your plan updates as you change the options, and the page address saves it so you can bookmark or share it.
Day 1
The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
Bangkok's three headline sights, in the order that best avoids crowds and heat.
From your base in Siam: about 30 minutes by taxi or boat + BTS to the first stop.
Morning
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
MRT to Sanam Chai, then walk · 15 min walk from the station
Arrive for the 8:30am opening. Allow 2–3 hours. Dress code is strict: shoulders and knees covered. Ignore anyone outside who says the palace is closed.
Lunch
Around Tha Tien or Museum Siam
Walk · 10–15 min
Simple Thai lunch near Tha Tien pier, between the palace and Wat Pho. If the heat is too much, Museum Siam is air-conditioned and next door.
Alternative: Museum Siam (1.5 hours) if you want a cool break before more temples.
Afternoon
Wat Pho, then cross to Wat Arun
Walk, then cross-river ferry · 5 min walk + 5 min ferry
Wat Pho takes about an hour; stay longer for a massage at the temple's massage pavilions. Then take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien to Wat Arun.
Evening
Sunset over Wat Arun
Ferry, then taxi or MRT to Wat Mangkon for Chinatown · 15–20 min
Return across the river and watch Wat Arun light up from the Tha Tien side, then dinner in the Old Town or Chinatown.
If you only have one day in Bangkok, this is it.
Day 2
Chinatown by day, the river by afternoon, Yaowarat by night
The Golden Buddha, Talat Noi's old lanes, an express boat ride and Bangkok's best street-food street.
From your base in Siam: about 25 minutes by MRT + BTS or taxi to the first stop.
Morning
Wat Traimit and Talat Noi
MRT to Hua Lamphong · 5 min walk to Wat Traimit
Start with the solid-gold Buddha at Wat Traimit, then walk to Talat Noi's riverside lanes of shophouses, workshops and street art.
Lunch
Chinatown noodle shops
Walk · 10 min
Eat around Charoen Krung or Yaowarat — this is a noodle and rice district at lunchtime.
Afternoon
Chao Phraya Express Boat
Chao Phraya Express Boat · 15–25 min
Ride the public express boat from Ratchawong or Marine Department pier. Head downstream to Sathorn for the riverside, or cross to ICONSIAM for its SookSiam food floor.
Alternative: Rest at your hotel during the hottest hours and return to Chinatown for the evening.
Evening
Yaowarat Road street food
Boat back to Ratchawong, or BTS + MRT to Wat Mangkon · 20–30 min
Stalls set up from late afternoon and are in full swing after dark. Walk the whole road before choosing.
Day 3
Chatuchak Weekend Market and Ari
The big weekend market at opening, Or Tor Kor's fruit hall, an afternoon in Ari's cafés and a night market.
Chatuchak's full market only operates on Saturday and Sunday.
From your base in Siam: about 15 minutes by BTS to the first stop. Weekend only — move this to a Saturday or Sunday.
Morning
Chatuchak Weekend Market
MRT to Kamphaeng Phet or BTS to Mo Chit · Direct
Be there at opening. Allow 3 hours. Note section numbers of stalls you like.
Lunch
Or Tor Kor Market
Walk · 5 min
Directly across the road. Excellent fruit and prepared curries in a clean hall.
Afternoon
Ari cafés
BTS Mo Chit to Ari · 5 min
Two BTS stops south. Rest your feet in one of Ari's independent cafés and walk the leafy sois.
Evening
Jodd Fairs Ratchada night market
Taxi or BTS + MRT to Thailand Cultural Centre · 20–30 min
A busy night market with lots of food stalls. The original Rama 9 site has closed — head to the Ratchada one.
Alternative: If you are tired, eat in Ari instead.