Take a break to spend a few days in Bangkok. Money and work will keep going on, but a pause in your daily grind is also essential, and Bangkok always seems like a good idea to take that escape from your work life.
Bangkok for three days sounds amazing! The street food, temples, and vibrant markets are perfect to steer your daily route towards relaxation. Plan your trip during Bangkok’s best months, such as November to March, which are cooler with drier weather, perfect for temple hopping and street exploring. Three days is just enough to enjoy Bangkok’s vibe. So, here’s how you can plan a short holiday trip in Bangkok.
Day 1
Everyone seems eager to start with temple visits in the Bangkok holiday packages. How about you keep it for the second day of your trip and focus on enjoying your time here, exploring the food scene and local life of Bangkok on Day 1? It’s a good way to replenish and take things slow after your long flight into Bangkok and to fight the jet lag if you have any.
So on your first day in Bangkok:
- Start your day with brunch at Yaowarat Road in Chinatown, which is the go-to place to enjoy some lip-smacking, steaming dumplings, fishball noodles, and Yaowarat Toasted Buns.
- Once your hunger pangs are satiated, wander around Chinatown to view street art at Khlong Ong Ang.
- Walk through Talat Noi – one of Bangkok’s oldest yet coolest neighbourhoods. Enjoy a light snack in between at the charming River Vibe Restaurant & Bar or Baan Rim Nahm.
- Then head to Chatuchak Weekend Market in case you are here on a weekend to shop for a few knick-knacks.
- Take a tuk-tuk ride and explore the dramatic zeal of the city, its bustling traffic, and vividly lit streets.
- Pause at one of the rooftop bars or dining venues in Bangkok to enjoy a dinner or a drink with sweeping views of Bangkok’s iridescent skyline. Make sure you have a reservation in advance.
- When you feel content, head back to the hotel for an overnight stay. That’s day one completed in Bangkok.
Day 2
Experience the cultural and historic splendour of Bangkok today. There are plenty of places to visit in Bangkok, as Thailand’s capital city is brimming with a diverse array of Thai temples, museums, and historic sites. It goes without saying that you will definitely take a snapshot in front of a pagoda, temple, or a structure that hints at ancient architecture or some vibe of the bygone era. On your second day, begin to understand why Bangkok is so charming artistically.
- Start your day early to visit the Grand Palace. This way, you can also beat the crowds. The moment you enter the vicinity, your eyes catch the gleaming gold pagodas and murals on the walls. Inside this grand complex, visit the Emerald Buddha. Make sure to dress modestly, as most Thai temples have a dress code where shoulders and knees should be covered at all times.
- Have lunch at The Sixth, a small, picturesque cafe near the river, quite popular for its Pad Thai and Thai curries, or opt for the Michelin-star restaurant – Rongros Bangkok.
- Next, take a boat ride across the river to visit Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn. This temple stands magnificently at the shoreline, glittering in the sun. The perspective from this side of Bangkok is amazingly calmer. Climb the steep steps and enjoy the view before heading back to the bustling side of Bangkok to visit Wat Pho, another fascinating landmark and holy shrine for locals in Bangkok.
- Later, spend time at either the Jim Thompson House Museum or the National Museum to get a glimpse of Bangkok’s love for historic culture and art.
- End your day with a river cruise on the Chao Phraya River with a dinner experience.
That concludes Day 2 of your 3 day Bangkok itinerary. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 3
On your last day in Bangkok, just stroll and shop to your heart’s content. Today, we suggest no long-duration sightseeing as you will need time for packing and heading to the airport as per your departure time. However, you do have a couple of options that depend on your departure flight from Bangkok
- If your schedule allows it and you have a late flight, then by all means, head to Ayutthaya Historical Park to view some stunning temple ruins and architectural marvels from a different era. This spot is around one to two hours away from the Bangkok city centre, so plan accordingly.
- Or, you could explore Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, located around 90 minutes away from Bangkok city centre, to witness vendors in bamboo hats paddle up long-tail boats, selling a variety of things right from fresh produce to hot noodle soup, which they make right there in make-shift kitchens on their boats.
- If you have an early flight, then avoid squeezing in sightseeing. Instead, check out Bangkok’s brilliant malls and go for a shopping spree! Take your pick from some of the most chic and extravagant malls in Bangkok, such as Siam Paragon, IconSiam, and MBK Centre, to name a few. Treat yourself to souvenirs, indulge in a Thai massage, and savour authentic mango sticky rice or Pad Thai before you head back home.
Content and full of memorable experiences, bid adieu to Bangkok with a promise to come back for more. Your tour concludes, and you head to the airport for a flight back home or to your onward destination.
Tips for First-time Travellers to Bangkok
- Getting around Bangkok is quite easy. Bangkok has the BTS Skytrain, MRT Subway, Airport Rail Link, and SRT Red Line that seamlessly and affordably connect almost all parts of Bangkok. If you have an international bank card, it can be used as your transport access card to make contactless payment at the ticket payment gates.
- The currency of Thailand is Thai Baht, though USD is widely accepted, as are bank cards. But most experiences happen on the streets of Bangkok rather than in posh high-rise towers. So, make sure to keep local currency in hand to pay seamlessly to that sweet, kind, smiling vendor serving spicy peanut and papaya salad, who prefers counting cash to swiping plastic cards.
- Look up learning a few Thai phrases and some local etiquette, such as joining your hands with a slight bow, which is a common way to greet and respect locals in Bangkok. Pointing fingers or feet or touching anyone’s head is shunned. Don’t say anything offensive about the Royal Family, and always be mindful of how you dress while you visit a shrine or holy place in Thailand.
Conclusion
The above itinerary for 3 days in Bangkok is just a blueprint for your trip. Add more days for comprehensive tour packages, but we insist that you keep three days but not less to explore Bangkok. You can play around with attractions and experiences as per your wish. For instance, slip in a Thai massage on the day of arrival and stay back in the hotel rather than wandering around street food stalls if you feel tired from your journey. Alternatively, add a day at a theme park if you are visiting with kids, or squeeze in a Thai cooking class if you are interested to learn some kitchen tricks to make that perfect Thai food once back home.
What’s next after Bangkok? If you have time to spare, then head to Pattaya, which is just two hours away from Bangkok, to enjoy beaches, nightlife, and more! Or fly north to Chiang Mai for mountains and elephants, or south to the islands where the sea hypnotises you with every shade of blue. But wherever you go in Thailand, Bangkok certainly leaves a lasting impression and will nudge you to come back for more.
