5 days in Bangkok

Day by day

1. Day 1: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho

   Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Bangkok National Museum, then Chinatown and Yaowarat Road in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

      Arrive at opening to beat the heat and tour groups, and ignore anyone outside who says the palace is closed today; it is a well-known scam that ends at gem shops. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Wat Pho

      Drop a coin into each of the 108 bronze bowls along the Reclining Buddha's back for luck, then book a massage at the temple's school. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pad thai

      Street carts and specialist shops across the city, especially in the old town around the Golden Mount.

   4. Afternoon

      Bangkok National Museum

      Use it as a rainy-season retreat in the old town; the Grand Palace is about a 10-minute walk away. (2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Chinatown and Yaowarat Road

      Go after 6pm for the food, take the MRT to Wat Mangkon, and eat at stalls with queues of locals.

2. Day 2: Wat Arun and Chatuchak Weekend Market

   Wat Arun, Chatuchak Weekend Market and Chao Phraya Express Boat, then Rooftop bars in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Wat Arun

      See it close up in the morning, then watch it light up at sunset from a riverside terrace on the Tha Tien side. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Chatuchak Weekend Market

      Arrive early before the heat builds, grab a map at the entrance and carry small notes for bargaining. (3–4 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tom yum goong

      Restaurants and riverside eateries across the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Chao Phraya Express Boat

      Use the regular orange-flag boats rather than tourist boats to save money, and let passengers off before you board. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Rooftop bars

      Go just before sunset for both views, and expect cocktails to cost several times street prices.

3. Day 3: Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) and Erawan Shrine

   Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha), Erawan Shrine and Jim Thompson House, then Mahanakhon SkyWalk in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)

      Visit before an evening in Chinatown; it is a short walk from MRT Hua Lamphong. (45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Erawan Shrine

      Visit in the evening when it is busiest, and avoid standing directly in front of people praying. (20 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Som tam

      Isan street stalls and restaurants everywhere; say 'mai phet' if you want it mild.

   4. Afternoon

      Jim Thompson House

      Combine it with the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre near BTS National Stadium, a few minutes' walk away. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Mahanakhon SkyWalk

      Book a slot shortly before sunset to see the city in daylight and after dark in one visit.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Ayutthaya

   About 1.5–2 hours by train or minivan each way. Getting there: Train from Bangkok, minivan or organised tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Ayutthaya

      About 1.5–2 hours by train or minivan (Train from Bangkok, minivan or organised tour); about 80 km.

   2. Day

      Ayutthaya

      The capital of Siam from 1351 until it was sacked in 1767, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of ruined temples and brick prangs, including the Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Mahathat. Best for culture, first-timers and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Bangkok

      Dinner: try Khao man gai.

5. Day 5: Lumphini Park and Wat Saket (Golden Mount)

   Lumphini Park, Wat Saket (Golden Mount) and Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), then Sukhumvit and Thong Lo in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Lumphini Park

      Go early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat, and keep a respectful distance from the monitor lizards. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Wat Saket (Golden Mount)

      Climb in the late afternoon for softer light and a cooler breeze at the top. (1 hour, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khao man gai

      Specialist stalls busiest at breakfast and lunch; Pratunam is known for them.

   4. Afternoon

      Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple)

      Visit early in the morning, when monks may be chanting and the marble is still cool underfoot. (45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Sukhumvit and Thong Lo

      Cocktail bars, craft-beer pubs, clubs and live music from Nana to Ekkamai, with a smarter crowd around Thong Lo.

Before you go

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Rattanakosin (Old Town) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Banglamphu and Khao San ($) suits budget, nightlife and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 19–25 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.3 hours in December to 12.9 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Bangkok
• 2 days in Bangkok
• 3 days in Bangkok
• 4 days in Bangkok
• 7 days in Bangkok

Questions travellers ask