Overview & Budget
This 5-day Bangkok itinerary is built for first-time visitors who want a real taste of the city plus one classic day trip. It mixes temples, street food, river views, a UNESCO ruin and a spa finish.
| Day | Focus | Est. Cost (THB) |
|---|
| 1 | Old Town temples | ฿1,800 |
| 2 | Chinatown + river | ฿1,500 |
| 3 | Sukhumvit modern | ฿2,200 |
| 4 | Ayutthaya day trip | ฿2,800 |
| 5 | Floating market + spa | ฿2,500 |
Buy a Rabbit Card on day one. It saves time at every BTS turnstile and you can top it up at any station.
Day 1: Old Town
Start at the Grand Palace (open 8:30am). Cover shoulders and knees. Walk to Wat Pho next door to see the Reclining Buddha, then cross the river by ฿5 ferry to Wat Arun for sunset.
- Grand Palace + Wat Phra Kaew (฿500 entry)
- Wat Pho Reclining Buddha (฿300)
- Lunch on Maharaj Pier
- Wat Arun (฿200)
- Dinner on Tha Tien rooftop
Day 2: Chinatown
Take the MRT to Wat Mangkon. Spend the morning at Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) then wander Yaowarat Road. From around 5pm the street food stalls open and Yaowarat becomes one of the best food streets in Asia.
- Wat Traimit Golden Buddha
- Sampeng Lane market
- Talat Noi street art
- Yaowarat street food (Jek Pui, T&K Seafood)
Day 3: Sukhumvit
Modern Bangkok day. Brunch at Phrom Phong, browse EmQuartier or Terminal 21, then a Thai cooking class or Muay Thai match in the evening. Finish at a rooftop bar like Octave or Vertigo.
Rooftop bars enforce smart-casual dress codes. Closed shoes and long pants for men.
Day 4: Ayutthaya
Day trip to the former Siamese capital. Trains from Hua Lamphong are ฿20-345 and take 90 minutes. A guided tour from Bangkok runs ฿1,200-2,500 and includes lunch and transport between the temple ruins.
- Wat Mahathat (Buddha head in tree)
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram
- Elephant kraal (skip the rides)
Day 5: Floating Markets + Spa
Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa floating market in the morning (book a tour with hotel pickup, ฿1,200-1,800). Back in town by 2pm for a 2-hour traditional Thai massage at Health Land or Wat Pho Massage School (฿500-1,200).
Last dinner at an old-school spot like Krua Apsorn or a final rooftop. Pack and head to the airport via Airport Rail Link the next morning (฿45 from Phaya Thai).
Overview & Budget
This 5-day Bangkok itinerary is built for first-time visitors who want a real taste of the city plus one classic day trip. It mixes temples, street food, river views, a UNESCO ruin and a spa finish.
| Day | Focus | Est. Cost (THB) |
|---|
| 1 | Old Town temples | ฿1,800 |
| 2 | Chinatown + river | ฿1,500 |
| 3 | Sukhumvit modern | ฿2,200 |
| 4 | Ayutthaya day trip | ฿2,800 |
| 5 | Floating market + spa | ฿2,500 |
Buy a Rabbit Card on day one. It saves time at every BTS turnstile and you can top it up at any station.
Day 1: Old Town
Start at the Grand Palace (open 8:30am). Cover shoulders and knees. Walk to Wat Pho next door to see the Reclining Buddha, then cross the river by ฿5 ferry to Wat Arun for sunset.
- Grand Palace + Wat Phra Kaew (฿500 entry)
- Wat Pho Reclining Buddha (฿300)
- Lunch on Maharaj Pier
- Wat Arun (฿200)
- Dinner on Tha Tien rooftop
Day 2: Chinatown
Take the MRT to Wat Mangkon. Spend the morning at Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) then wander Yaowarat Road. From around 5pm the street food stalls open and Yaowarat becomes one of the best food streets in Asia.
- Wat Traimit Golden Buddha
- Sampeng Lane market
- Talat Noi street art
- Yaowarat street food (Jek Pui, T&K Seafood)
Day 3: Sukhumvit
Modern Bangkok day. Brunch at Phrom Phong, browse EmQuartier or Terminal 21, then a Thai cooking class or Muay Thai match in the evening. Finish at a rooftop bar like Octave or Vertigo.
Rooftop bars enforce smart-casual dress codes. Closed shoes and long pants for men.
Day 4: Ayutthaya
Day trip to the former Siamese capital. Trains from Hua Lamphong are ฿20-345 and take 90 minutes. A guided tour from Bangkok runs ฿1,200-2,500 and includes lunch and transport between the temple ruins.
- Wat Mahathat (Buddha head in tree)
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram
- Elephant kraal (skip the rides)
Day 5: Floating Markets + Spa
Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa floating market in the morning (book a tour with hotel pickup, ฿1,200-1,800). Back in town by 2pm for a 2-hour traditional Thai massage at Health Land or Wat Pho Massage School (฿500-1,200).
Last dinner at an old-school spot like Krua Apsorn or a final rooftop. Pack and head to the airport via Airport Rail Link the next morning (฿45 from Phaya Thai).