7 best day trips from Bangkok

Day trips compared

The day trips

80 km · About 1.5–2 hours by train or minivan

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

Getting there

Train from Bangkok, minivan or organised tour

Best for

Culture, First-timers, Couples

100 km · About 1.5–2 hours by car

2.Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Bangkok's best-known floating market, where vendors in wooden boats sell fruit, noodles and souvenirs along narrow canals. It is very touristy and busiest early in the morning; tours usually combine it with the Maeklong Railway Market.

Getting there

Organised tour or hire car with driver

Best for

First-timers, Families, Food lovers

80 km · About 1.5 hours by car

3.Maeklong Railway Market and Amphawa

At Maeklong, market stalls line the railway track and pull back their awnings each time a train passes through. Nearby Amphawa has a canal-side floating market that comes alive on Friday to Sunday afternoons and evenings, with grilled seafood and boat trips to see fireflies after dark.

Getting there

Tour, hire car with driver or minivan

Best for

Food lovers, Couples, Families

130 km · About 2.5–3 hours by train or car

4.Kanchanaburi

The town on the River Kwai is known for the bridge on the Death Railway, built by Allied prisoners of war and Asian labourers in 1942–43, with war cemeteries and the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre museum. The turquoise pools of Erawan Falls lie further out, so an overnight stay is worthwhile.

Getting there

Train from Thonburi station, minivan or tour

Best for

Culture, Families, Quiet stays

20 km · About 1 hour by taxi and ferry

5.Ko Kret

A small island in the Chao Phraya north of the city, home to a Mon community and its pottery workshops. Walk or cycle around the mostly car-free island, browse the weekend market and try Mon-style snacks.

Getting there

Taxi or bus to Pak Kret, then a short ferry

Best for

Quiet stays, Food lovers, Families

180 km · About 3 hours by car

6.Khao Yai National Park

Thailand's first national park is part of a UNESCO-listed forest complex of waterfalls, viewpoints and wildlife including gibbons, hornbills and wild elephants. A long day is possible, but a night in the surrounding hills, also known for vineyards, is more rewarding.

Getting there

Hire car with driver or organised tour

Best for

Families, Quiet stays, Couples

150 km · About 2–2.5 hours by bus

7.Pattaya and Ko Lan

The beach resort south-east of Bangkok is the nearest seaside escape; skip the busy city beach and take the ferry of about 45 minutes to Ko Lan for clearer water and sandy coves.

Getting there

Bus from Ekkamai terminal, then ferry to Ko Lan

Best for

Beach, Nightlife, Families

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• The Airport Rail Link connects Suvarnabhumi with Phaya Thai BTS station, and the SRT Red Line runs from Don Mueang to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the main station for long-distance trains.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask