3 Days in Bangkok: Itinerary 2026: Bangkok Local Guide

mareikemueck · 2026-10-11T22:20:43+02:00

**🛬 Arrival and Orientation** Most visitors land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), where the Airport Rail Link takes about 30 minutes to Phaya Thai station for 45 baht. From there, transfer to the BTS Skytrain to reach your hotel in areas like Sukhumvit or Silom. Grab a Rabbit Card for the BTS at any station; it saves time and small change. If you arrive after 10 PM, use a metered taxi from the official queue, expect 300 to 400 baht plus tolls to central Bangkok. **🏛️ Day 1 Morning: Old City** Start early at the Grand Palace (Na Phra Lan Road), which opens at 8:30 AM; arrive by 8 AM to beat the crowds and heat. Entry costs 500 baht and covers the Emerald Buddha Temple. From there, walk 10 minutes to Wat Pho (2 Sanam Chai Road) to see the Reclining Buddha; entry is 200 baht and includes a free bottle of water. Both sites are within the Rattanakosin Island area, so no transport is needed between them. **🛶 Day 1 Afternoon: River and Chinatown** After Wat Pho, walk to Tha Tien Pier and take the cross-river ferry to Wat Arun (3 baht, 5 minutes). Climb the central prang for views of the Chao Phraya River; entry is 100 baht. Then take the Chao Phraya Express Boat from Tha Tien to Ratchawong Pier (15 baht, 10 minutes) to explore Chinatown. Walk along Yaowarat Road, stopping for roasted chestnuts and dim sum at names like Nai Ek Roll Noodle (open until 10 PM). **🛍️ Day 2 Morning: Siam and Shopping** Take the BTS to Siam station and start at Siam Paragon (991 Rama I Road), which opens at 10 AM. The food hall on the ground floor, Gourmet Market, is great for breakfast; try the mango sticky rice at 80 baht. Then walk via the skywalk to CentralWorld (999/9 Rama I Road) for more shopping. For a break, visit the Erawan Shrine at the Ratchaprasong intersection, open 6 AM to 11 PM, and offer a flower garland for 50 baht. **🌆 Day 2 Afternoon: Sukhumvit** From Siam, take the BTS to Asok station (about 10 minutes) and transfer to MRT Sukhumvit. Walk to Terminal 21 (88 Sukhumvit Soi 19), a mall with a different city theme on each floor; open 10 AM to 10 PM. For lunch, head to Soi 38 night market (open from 5 PM) or try the Michelin-listed Raan Jay Fai (327 Maha Chai Road) if you don't mind the queue. In the late afternoon, visit the Jim Thompson House (6 Soi Kasemsan 2, entry 200 baht, open 10 AM to 6 PM) near National Stadium BTS. **🍜 Day 2 Evening: Riverside Dining** Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin and then the free shuttle boat to Asiatique The Riverfront (open 4 PM to midnight). This open-air mall has a Ferris wheel (400 baht) and many seafood restaurants along the river. For a more local experience, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang Pier and eat at Supanniga Eating Room (392/25 Maha Rat Road), which serves authentic Thai dishes like moo ping and crab curry. Reserve ahead for a table by the window. **🚤 Day 3 Morning: Floating Market** Book a half-day tour to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (about 1.5 hours by van from central Bangkok). Tours typically pick up at 6:30 AM and cost around 800 baht including a boat ride. Alternatively, go to the closer Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market (open weekends 8 AM to 4 PM), about 30 minutes by taxi from Bang Wa BTS. There, you can sample grilled seafood and Thai desserts for under 100 baht. **🛌 Day 3 Afternoon: Relax and Depart** Return to the city by 1 PM and treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage at Health Land (multiple branches, 2 hours for 650 baht). If you have time, visit the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (939 Rama I Road, free entry, open 10 AM to 9 PM) near Siam BTS. For your last meal, head to MBK Center (444 Phaya Thai Road) for cheap eats at the food court on the 6th floor. Allow at least 45 minutes to reach Suvarnabhumi Airport via Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai, plus 30 minutes for check-in.