Three days in Bangkok is short, and it is almost always badly organised in the same way: you plan to ‘see the temples’ then ‘see the markets’, ignoring that the city is vast, that heat crushes the afternoon and that two sites three kilometres apart can take forty minutes of travel. The good plan is not to do more, but to do things in the right order.
Before you leave: three decisions
The first is the area. For three days, aim for a hotel less than ten minutes on foot from a skytrain station, ideally between Siam and Asok: you will be at the centre of the network and can reach almost everything without depending on a taxi. The second is arrival time: a flight landing at midday costs you the best part of the day. If you can choose, arrive the evening before. The third is pace: two major sites a day, not three.
Day 1: the river and the old town
The first day happens on the water and in old Bangkok. Leave early, around seven, for the flower market by the river: between four and seven the deliveries arrive and bouquets are made; by eight the essential is done. From there, reach the Royal Palace on foot or by river taxi. Arrive at opening: tour coaches land mid-morning, and an hour’s head start changes the visit entirely.
Allow two hours for the Palace, then walk ten minutes to Wat Pho, which completes the route without duplicating it. Lunch in the area, in the shade, then return by river: the express boat costs a bus ticket and the journey itself is worth it. Late afternoon at Wat Arun, on the west bank, as the light falls on the prangs. In the evening, dine in Chinatown, ten minutes away: the stalls set up at dusk and it is the best value in town.
Day 2: modern Bangkok
Second day, change era. In the morning, head for Benjakitti park for an hour’s walk around the lake, before the heat settles. Then reach Siam by metro or skytrain and spend the afternoon between the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, which is free, and the big malls, which mostly serve as air-conditioned shelter when the temperature climbs.
Late afternoon, choose a viewpoint: the Golden Mount for a 360-degree view of the old town, or a rooftop bar if you accept the price of a cocktail. In the evening, go up to Sukhumvit for dinner, or stay around the Carré district if you want to see the city celebrate. Avoid planning a third site after 6 pm: evening journeys are the longest.
Day 3: leave the centre
For the third day, you must choose. The first option is a trip out of town: Ayutthaya, the former capital, reachable by train or minibus, fills a whole day and is visited by bicycle. The second is a slower Bangkok: the canals of Thonburi, Bang Krachao and its cycling paths, or the secondary temples the coaches ignore. The third, if you are tired, is to plan nothing and follow a market, a café, a street.
Whatever you choose, keep the evening free: it is the moment to return where you liked, rather than chasing one last site.
Getting around without wasting time
Rail first, for distance. Water next, for the old town and the temples: river boats are often faster than the road at busy times. Motorbike taxi for the last metres, in streets no car can enter. And a taxi only when nothing else works. Avoid tuk-tuks for long distances: expensive per kilometre and made for tourist circuits.
What to budget
Over three days, excluding accommodation, count roughly fifteen to twenty-five euros a day: transport, major site entries, street meals and one or two sit-down meals. Accommodation remains the main cost, between twenty and sixty euros a night depending on the area. Bring cash for markets and small shops.
Mistakes that cost half a day
Wanting to see everything on day one. Visiting temples between noon and three, when the ground burns. Taking a taxi at 6 pm to cross the city. Booking a hotel ‘near the BTS’ without checking the real distance. And letting yourself be stopped by someone claiming the site is closed today: it is a classic technique.
FAQ
Are three days enough for Bangkok?
For the major sites and one district, yes. To take your time, allow a week.
Should I book visits in advance?
For the Royal Palace, no: entry is on site. For an Ayutthaya trip, yes if you go by minibus.
Can you do everything on foot?
No. The historic centre is walkable, but Bangkok is too big for that alone.
Best time of year?
November to February: dry air, clear skies, bearable temperatures.
Is it suitable with children?
Yes, by reducing to one major site a day and keeping afternoons in the shade.
Also read
To go further
Mr Schaka’s guidebook, Bangkok – The Practical Guide, covers the essentials: transport, neighbourhoods, addresses, food, etiquette and safety, updated for 2026–2027.
