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Mahanakhon SkyWalk, Bangkok

Itinerary · Bangkok · Thailand

7 days in Bangkok

A day-by-day plan grouped by neighbourhood, so you spend your time seeing Bangkok, not crossing it.

Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team

Photo: KingPowerMahanakhon, Public domain

Quick answer

7 days is enough to see Bangkok's highlights at a comfortable pace, with time for day trips. Day 1: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. Day 2: Bangkok National Museum and Museum Siam. Day 3: Wat Arun and Chatuchak Weekend Market. Base yourself in Rattanakosin (Old Town).

Key facts

Days
7
Sights covered
14
Day trips
2
Best base
Rattanakosin (Old Town)
Book ahead
Nothing essential

Day by day

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

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

    1. Morning

      Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

      Rattanakosin · 2–3 hours · mid-priced.

    2. Late morning

      Wat Pho

      Rattanakosin · 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. 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: Bangkok National Museum and Museum Siam

    Bangkok National Museum and Museum Siam, then Rooftop bars in the evening.

    1. Morning

      Bangkok National Museum

      Rattanakosin · 2 hours · low cost.

    2. Late morning

      Museum Siam

      Rattanakosin · 1.5 hours · low cost.

    3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tom yum goong

      Restaurants and riverside eateries across the city.

    4. Evening

      Rooftop bars

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

  3. Day 3: Wat Arun and Chatuchak Weekend Market

    Wat Arun and Chatuchak Weekend Market, then Erawan Shrine in the evening.

    1. Morning

      Wat Arun

      Thonburi · 1 hour · low cost.

    2. Late morning

      Chatuchak Weekend Market

      Chatuchak · 3–4 hours · free.

    3. Lunch

      Lunch: Som tam

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

    4. Evening

      Erawan Shrine

      Visit in the evening when it is busiest, and avoid standing directly in front of people praying.

  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

      Rent a bicycle or a tuk-tuk to cover the main sites on the island.

    3. Evening

      Back in Bangkok

      Dinner: try Khao man gai.

  5. Day 5: Chao Phraya Express Boat and Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)

    Chao Phraya Express Boat and Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha), then Mahanakhon SkyWalk in the evening.

    1. Morning

      Chao Phraya Express Boat

      Chao Phraya River · 1–2 hours · low cost.

    2. Late morning

      Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)

      Chinatown · 45 minutes · low cost.

    3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khao man gai

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

    4. Evening

      Mahanakhon SkyWalk

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

  6. Day 6: Day trip to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

    About 1.5–2 hours by car each way. Getting there: Organised tour or hire car with driver.

    1. Morning

      Travel to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

      About 1.5–2 hours by car (Organised tour or hire car with driver); about 100 km.

    2. Day

      Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

      It is very touristy and busiest early in the morning; tours usually combine it with the Maeklong Railway Market.

    3. Evening

      Back in Bangkok

      Dinner: try Boat noodles.

  7. Day 7: Jim Thompson House and Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

    Jim Thompson House and Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, then Sukhumvit and Thong Lo in the evening.

    1. Morning

      Jim Thompson House

      Pathum Wan · 1–1.5 hours · low cost.

    2. Late morning

      Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

      Pathum Wan · 1–1.5 hours · free.

    3. Lunch

      Lunch: Boat noodles

      Boat-noodle shops along the canal by Victory Monument.

    4. 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 7 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 19–26 hours of visiting over 7 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

Questions travellers ask

+Is 7 days enough in Bangkok?

7 days is enough to see Bangkok's highlights at a comfortable pace, with time for day trips. How many days Bangkok needs.