Bangkok in 3 days: what to see and how to plan the route
A ready 3-day Bangkok plan: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, markets, Lumphini Park, floating markets and Ayutthaya. Opening hours, prices and tips.
Three days in Bangkok is enough to see the main temples, walk the markets and make a trip out of town. The main rule: temples in the morning while it is not hot, malls and markets in the second half of the day. Below is a route that copes with the heat and does not make you rush around the city.
Day 1: the Old City and the river
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. A ticket costs 500 baht and covers the palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It is open daily from about 8:30, with last entry around 15:30, and it is best to arrive at opening. Shoulders and knees must be covered, with no shorts or see-through clothing. If you are dressed wrongly, clothes are provided at the entrance, but the queue for them can be long. For current hours and prices check the official palace website.
Wat Pho. A few minutes on foot: a huge reclining Buddha and a school of traditional Thai massage. The massage is paid, but inexpensive.
Wat Arun. The Temple of Dawn on the other bank of the Chao Phraya. You can get there on a short river ferry from the pier next to Wat Pho. The best light is in the evening, with the sunset over the river.
For dinner, head to the Yaowarat Chinatown area: street food, stalls and the lights that are worth seeing.
Day 2: markets and parks
Lumphini Park. In the morning locals run and exercise, and large monitor lizards walk through the water and grass. A calm start to the day.
Jim Thompson House. A museum of silk and a traditional house. A cozy place right in the center.
The Siam area. Air-conditioned malls, cafes and the Pratunam market. Ideal for a hot midday.
Chatuchak Market. A huge market that is open at weekends, on Saturday and Sunday. It sells clothes, souvenirs, plants and food. If your days do not fall on a weekend, replace it with a night market or an evening walk along Sukhumvit.
Day 3: out of town
Choose one option, because there is not enough energy for two places in one day.
- Floating markets. Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa are about 1.5-2 hours from the city each way. It is a tourist version of a market, but the boats and the fruit are real. At Amphawa the market on the railway line nearby is interesting in the evening.
- Ayutthaya. The old capital, 80 kilometers to the north, with temple ruins and Buddha statues. It is convenient to go by train or minivan from Bangkok and spend the whole day there.
How not to lose time
- Start with the farthest place: temples in the morning, then on the way by BTS.
- On the street, ignore anyone who says "the palace is closed today" and offers a tuk-tuk. This is a classic scam. Go to the ticket office and check for yourself.
- Clothing: light and breathable, with a wrap for your shoulders for the temples. Malls and trains are air conditioned, so a thin sweater is useful.
- Money: exchange near ticket offices and temples is usually poor value, so change in the city or withdraw from an ATM.
Where to stay to make the route easy
For this route the best choice is an area near the BTS, so you go to the Old City by train and river boat instead of standing in traffic. A review of areas with pros and cons is in where to stay in Bangkok.
What next
From Bangkok it is easy to continue to an island. See the Phuket beach guide for ideas. Compare flight prices in the HotTrip flight search, which shows nearby dates.
Frequently asked questions
How much is entry to the Grand Palace?
As of October 2026, 500 baht per ticket, valid for the palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Children shorter than 120 centimeters enter free.
Can I wear shorts in a temple?
No. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Take light trousers or a wrap with you: it is faster than queuing for clothes rental.
Are three days enough for Bangkok?
Yes, for a first visit. If you also want the floating markets and Ayutthaya, you need 4 days.
Is it better to go straight to an island or stay in the city?
Many people spend 3-4 days in Bangkok and then fly to an island, because the city has no sea. This combination is almost always convenient for flights.
Cover: photo by Sai zainalin ZN on Pexels
Read next
Yerevan: areas, where to stay and what to see in 2-3 days
Yerevan areas and where to stay, the main sights (Republic Square, the Cascade, Matenadaran, Erebuni), trips to Garni and Geghard and how to get from the airport.
Where to stay in Bangkok: which areas to choose for a first visit
A guide to Bangkok areas: Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, the Old City and the river. Where to stay the first time, how to get from the airport and how to move around.