Bangkok is the perfect getaway for a first-time visitor to Thailand. More than just the capital of Thailand, this lively city has so much to offer from modernity to authenticity with notably the best temples in Thailand. In this blog post, I share all my recommendations on how to spend 3 days in Bangkok. After reading this travel guide, you will have all the information you need to plan your trip to Bangkok and enjoy the city to the fullest!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
How to get to Bangkok?
Located in the Central part of Thailand, Bangkok is easily accessible by plane with two International airports:
- International Airport Duang Mueang (DMK)
- International Airport Suvarnabhumi (BKK) – If you are coming from outside of Asia, you will most likely arrive here.
It doesn’t matter which of the two airports you land at since it will be very simple to reach the city center by public transportation anyway.
For instance, there is an Airport Rail Line that starts from BKK International Airport to the center, with different stops along the way linking to either an MRT subway Station or a BTS train Station (if needed). It costs only 45 baths per passenger to get to the last stop of the Airport Rail Line, where the BTS is connected. Count approximately 45 minutes.
On a side note, although the rates may seem attractive, I advise you not to take a taxi from the airport because the traffic across Bangkok is terrible. In others words, it will take longer and cost more by cab than by public transport.
“The payment of the Airport Rail line can only be done in cash. Therefore, I strongly advise you to have some bath bills when you arrive in Thailand.”
How to move around during your 3 days in Bangkok?
To my greatest surprise, Bangkok is a city where it is very easy and convenient to get around on foot (despite the overwhelming heat and pollution at some point). Of course, since the distances from one point to another can be long, I recommend combining public transportation and walking during your 3 days in Bangkok.
SUBWAY AND TRAIN
Subway (called MRT) and train (called BTS) are excellent in Bangkok. The different stations are very well indicated (always in English too), so it is very simple to find your way. Moreover, everything is super clean in the stations and the subway/trains. Subway and train fares are to be paid in cash only at the automatic terminals at the entrance of the stations. To help you know which subway or train you should take, I recommend you use Google maps.
PUBLIC BUS
You will find many bus lines throughout Bangkok. The bus fare is cheap, between 8 and 10 baths per trip. You will have to pay for your bus ticket directly to the driver on board (cash only). However, according to my experience, I advise you to avoid the bus as much as you can since the traffic jam in Bangkok is constant (no matter the time) and the buses don’t have their own road lines. In order to help you know which bus you should take, I recommend you to use the free application called Moovit.
TUKTUK
n case the distances are too long from the MRT/BTS/Bus stops, I suggest taking a TukTuk, a kind of scooter with a cart. Normally on paper, if you take a Government TukTuk (the ones with yellow license plates), the price fare is 20 baths per person for one hour around Bangkok, no matter where you go. However, you will quickly realize that the TukTuk drivers might ask you for a higher rate. It is up to you if you want to negotiate the price or not!
TAXI
If you still want to avoid public transportation (despite all my warnings above!), I suggest downloading the free application called Grab. Indeed, this will save you the hassle of negotiating and you will know the price fare in advance.
How long to stay in Bangkok?
No surprise when I tell you that Bangkok is a huge city! Consequently, there are so many things to do and places to explore that you won’t get bored! Indeed, between gigantic shopping malls, local restaurants, cultural places, and nature parks, there is something for everyone.
Therefore, I recommend you stay at least 3 days in Bangkok to have time to soak up the atmosphere of this great town.
“We spent a whole week in Bangkok and we could have easily stayed more. In other words, this city is so full of activities and things to see that it would be the ideal place for a long-term stay and base in South East Asia.”
Where to stay in Bangkok?
Bangkok is divided into various typical districts, each with its particularity. This diversity makes it possible to satisfy all types of travelers and especially all budgets. However, how do you choose the right neighborhood?
In my opinion, for your first 3 days in Bangkok, you should stay in the famous Sukhumvit neighborhood. Indeed, this part of the city is very modern, packed with many hotels, shopping malls, and cafes. Above all, the neighborhood is centrally located to all must-sees in the town. Moreover, the neighborhood is well-served by subway and train lines.
We had the chance to stay in the beautiful Skyview Hotel Bangkok in one of their Executive suites. Located in Sukhumvit, the hotel is situated 100 meters away from Phrom Prong BTS Station and 15 minutes walk from MRT Sukhumvit Station. As a result, Skyview Hotel Bangkok is the ideal place to spend a short or longer stay in Bangkok. In addition to its great location, it offers all the amenities you need to have a pleasant stay, with large and nicely decorated rooms, a fitness gym 24H/7, an outdoor swimming pool with a bar, restaurants as well as a breakfast buffet room. Anyway, I suggest you spend an evening at the Mojjo Rooftop Bar (located inside the hotel) to admire the breathtaking view of Bangkok at night! Book your room now at the best hotel in Bangkok!
“For those with a smaller budget who are looking for a rental on Airbnb, be aware that short-term stay (less than 30 days) is not allowed in Thailand.”
Things to know before visiting Bangkok
- Cash is predominant in Thailand. As a result, credit or debit cards are not accepted everywhere.
- Bring appropriate clothing for visiting any temples, meaning clothing that covers everything above your knees and your shoulders.
- You have to remove your shoes to enter inside the temple. Therefore, put on shoes that are easy to remove.
- Public transportation is of excellent quality and the city is well served. It will be easy for you to move around by public transportation during your 3 days in Bangkok.
- Price fare for an official TuTuk (the ones with a yellow license plate) is normally 20 baths per person for an hour.
- Carry on an umbrella since the weather changes very quickly in Bangkok.
- Protect yourself from mosquitos with spray and long and light clothes.
- No handshake or kiss to say hello in Thailand: use the “Wai” to greet. The wai consists of a slight bow, with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion.
- Thai people are incredibly kind and will always be there to help you if you need it.
- In Bangkok, almost everyone speaks English or at least a few words. You won’t have any communication issues there.
How to spend 3 days in Bangkok?
Although Bangkok is the largest city in Thailand, it remains authentic and rich in culture with notably many stunning temples throughout the city. This is why I share with you today some of the best temples in Thailand.
SOME OF THE BEST TEMPLES IN THAILAND
Wat Pho
Wat Pho is one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in the city, which makes it undeniably a must-see during your 3 days in Bangkok. In addition to its beauty, the temple is easily accessible from the MRT blue line. Indeed, you just have to go down to Sanam Chai Station and walk 6 minutes to reach it.
This Buddhist site is filled with many temples and colorful statues, all more beautiful than the others. You will also have the possibility to see a big Golden statue of Buddha lying on the side. Very impressive!
PRICE
200 baths per person
DURATION
Allow 1h30 on-site
OPENING HORUS
open daily from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
the Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (temple of the emerald buddha)
Another must-see during your 3 days in Bangkok is the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew commonly referred to as the temple of the Emerald Buddha. Located in the historic heart of Bangkok, the site is qualified as one of the most important sacred places in Thailand.
To remove any confusion, the Grand Palace is located inside Wat Phra Kaew. Therefore, you will only pay for one entrance ticket. Also, the entrance fee includes a mask show which takes place in a theater situated 10 minutes away from the site. A free shuttle is provided at the exit of the Grand Palace to drive you there. Conveniently, the theater is located a few hundred meters from the Sam Yot subway station (MRT). The show lasts 30 minutes and tells part of Thailand’s history.
PRICE
500 baths per person (including a 30-minutes mask show)
DURATION
Allow 2 hours on-site
OPENING HOURS
open daily from 8:30 am am to 3:30 pm
wat Arun
Wat Arun is another Buddhist site that includes notably a tower more than 100 meters high, covered with statues and porcelain details. The site is located on the other side of the Chao Phraya river (which encircles the city of Bangkok). But no worries, Wat Arun is easily accessible by boat. Indeed, you will just have to join the Tah Tian port either from the Sanam Chai subway Station (6 minutes on foot) or directly from Wat Pho (2 minutes by foot). The trip costs 5 baths per person and takes 2 minutes.
PRICE
100 baths per person (including a bottle of water)
DURATION
Allow 45 minutes on-site
OPENING HOURS
open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Wat Saket (golden mount temple)
Lost in the middle of a lush forest, the Golden Mount temple is placed on a small hill. In other words, you will have to climb 344 steps to reach the Golden pagoda. Definitely, worth it, trust me! In addition to the beauty of the place, you will also have a 360-degree view of Bangkok. I strongly recommend you this place which is very different from all the others you will visit during your 3 days in Bangkok.
“There are different shops and coffee places around the site, which makes the perfect place to enjoy a coffee after the visit.”
PRICE
100 baths per person
DURATION
Allow 1h30 on-site
OPENING HOURS
open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Wat Traimit (golden buddha)
Located not far from Chinatown, the Golden Buddha is a beautiful temple decorated all in white and gold. You can either just enter the temple for 40 baths or visit the exhibition for 100 baths more.
PRICE
40 baths per person
DURATION
Allow 30 minutes
OPENING HOURS
open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
wat suthat
Part of UNESCO, Wat Suthat is a beautiful place with a big Golden Buddha statue inside the main temple. Wat Suthat is also one of the six royal temples in Thailand which makes its visit impossible to circumvent during your 3 days in Bangkok. In addition to its rich history, the ground outside the temple is shiny giving an impression of water and reflection. It looks like a painting!
PRICE
100 baths per person
DURATION
Allow 30 minutes on-site
OPENING HOURS
open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
In conclusion
To sum up, as you can see, Bangkok is the perfect city for temple hopping, with easy access from abroad. More than just an ideal place to start your itinerary through Thailand, Bangkok is a must-see for all travelers!
I sincerely hope I have given you some inspiration on how to spend 3 days in Bangkok or have inspired you to add Bangkok to your list if it was not yet the case. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email or in the comments below!
Anyway, don’t forget to check out all my posts related to Thailand to get more inspiration from this lovely country! Also, if you want to get video images of these beautiful mentioned temples, come watch my Bangkok vlog on my Youtube Channel!
Sending you lots of love,
