3 days in Bangkok Itinerary – What to do in Bangkok for 3 days – A backpackers guide.
Bangkok, as we know, is one of the most famous Southeast Asian tourist destinations. The inexpensive adventure to this amazing tropical climate draws in backpackers all year round.
The multicultural vibe, the combination of old and modern and traditional and luxurious, and the amazing street food (Bangkok is actually the street food capital of the world) solidifies Bangkok as a must-visit.
If you’re only staying for 72 hours in Bangkok—or 3 days—then we can provide you with the highlights of the city. Here are Bangkok’s main attractions that you should check out while you’re staying in this vibrant city in our 3 days in Bangkok Itinerary.
2 Nights – 3 days in Bangkok – let’s go!
Getting to Bangkok isn’t a whole lot of work to do, especially when you’re flying. There’s Eva Air, Qantas, Thai Airways, and British Airways to get you to Bangkok on a non-stop flight.
And when you land in Suvarnabhumi Airport, it would just be a glide into the heart of Bangkok in just approximately 40 minutes using the Skytrain, a modern state-of-the-art railway system.
Bangkok in 3 Days – DAY 1: TEMPLE AND MARKET DAY
If you’re planning to visit just one temple or wat, choose Wat Pho. Recognized as the oldest and biggest temple in the Bangkok, it’s definitely a must-visit. The entrance fee to Wat Pho amounts to only 50 baht, and the temple is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm.
The inside of the temple is a labyrinth of 35 magnificent structures, including the 43m-long decubitus Buddha. Wat Pho is also a place for a traditional Thai massage that you can enjoy for 220 baht (good for 30 minutes).
GRAND PALACE
The Grand Palace, located at Na Phra Lan Road, was the official residence of Thai kings for nearly two centuries up until 1946. Here, you’ll witness the most important of Thailand’s shrines, primarily the sacred Emerald Buddha – a surprisingly small figure raised on a giant pyramid, which always draws a significant crowd of tourists.
The landmark opens at 8.30am until 3.30pm each day and the admission only costs 200 baht.
If you happen to be in Bangkok for the weekend, don’t forget to visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market. This market provides a vast variety of goods, from native accessories and merchandises to exotic food and delicacies. The market, as one of the main attractions of the city, defines the growth and stability of their culture. Also, make sure that you indulge in Bangkok’s street food while strolling through the market.
OTHER FAMOUS MARKETS TO CHOOSE FROM IF YOU’RE IN BANGKOK DURING WEEKDAYS:
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market – One of the best well-known floating markets in Thailand, but is also known as one of the most crowded.
Amphawa Floating Market – The place stands as the second most popular floating market in Thailand. Located 90 km southwest of the city, the market feels very authentic, with charming little wooden houses lined up beside the canal, selling souvenirs and a variety of snacks. No need to get there in the wee hours of the morning; you can still arrive at 9:00 and still avoid the crowd. Tip: don’t miss the little temple by a giant tree situated right across the river.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market – This medium-size floating market is located very close to the city. This market seems to be very prominent to the locals, so you might be one of the few foreign visitors.
Bang Nam Pheum Floating Market – This one stands to be the smallest of all the five active markets and it’s only a taxi ride away from the city.
Read our full guide of Bangkok Markets right here for more in-depth info.
Bangkok in 3 Days – DAY 2: HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
The Jim Thompson House at the north end of Soi Kasemsan 2, a museum complex of old Thai structures, also draw in tourists from around the world.
Jim Thompson is a former American CIA agent who fell in love with Thailand during a call of duty. He made a fortune trading Thai silk, and it was a great thing that he took the chance to make a deal with the editor of Vogue to build his home by buying six traditional Thai houses.
Thompson vanished in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands in 1967 and his body has never been located.
The tour to the Jim Thompson House opens from 9 am to 5 pm every day and costs only 100 baht.
The Dusit Park is a tranquil, elegant complex that maintains a house museum and other cultural collections. Based on history, the park was built by King Rama V for his summer retreats, inspired by visits to Europe.
Tour inside and observe a selection of royal personal effects, treasures, and antiques. Tours—in English—leave every 30 minutes between 9.45am and 3.15pm and last for approximately an hour.
Bangkok in 3 Days – DAY 3: SHOPPING AND NIGHTLIFE
SIAM PARAGON – MODERN, LUXURY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Image courtesy of www.tnktravel.com
Entering through the impressive steel-and-glass modern mall, you will see flagship boutiques of designer brands, such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Versace, clustered in prime locations. This is where the wealthy people come to play. No need to shop. Just bask in the luxurious splendour of Siam Paragon.
CHINATOWN (YAOWARAT ROAD)
Go for a shopping experience in the bustling, vibrant Chinatown. From clock-makers to native weavers, Chinatown is brimming with goods and the entire experience is a pure sensory delight. It’s a fun cultural immersion, complete with awesome street food, gold shops, quaint wooden houses, and bargain goods. If you’re a foodie, then this is also one of the best places to get your Thai street food.
KHAO SAN ROAD
After sundown, head off to Khao San Road ( click the link for the full guide), the famous backpacker central. And experience a hip, energetic nightlife in any of the bars and pubs along the short street. This area in Banglamphu comes alive in the evenings as backpackers party all night.
In between our recommended tourist spots to visit in your 3-day stay in Bangkok, make the most out of it by riding a tuk-tuk and exploring nearby areas for a full Thai immersion.
Helpful articles and blog posts on Bangkok 3-day itineraries and tourist spots:
We only recommend writers and blogs that we read regularly and believe will deliver substantial value to our readers. The following is our top picks of articles we think are worth reading for you to get an overview, or detailed experiences, of travellers experiencing 72 hours in Bangkok– plus reviews on some of the tourist spots that we recommended:
- “72 Hours in Bangkok” by Lavishley
- “72 Hours in Bangkok (Trip #3)” by The Adventures of Jax and Adam
- “The Jim Thompson House, Bangkok” by Paper Planes
- “Chatuchak Weekend Market Bangkok” by Eat and Treats
- “First Impressions of Khao San Road: The Place To Disappear” by Rexy Edventures
- “My 3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary in Bangkok [Thailand] 2014 – Too Short &Hectic a Trip!” by Entrée Kibbles
- “Best of Bangkok In 3 Days: What to do in Bangkok” by Trip Hobo
And if you might be considering the option of touring Bangkok for only 24 hours, you can check out our suggested itinerary: What to do in Bangkok in 24 hours (one day in Bangkok).
Do you have an awesome link to a relevant well-written article that should be included in our 3 days in Bangkok Itinerary? If so, hit us up on Twitter by following and messaging us the link. Looking for the best budget stays in Bangkok? Check out our guide to Bangkok for further information.
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