The quick answer
With one day, do the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun in the morning (they are neighbours), then Chinatown in the evening; our Bangkok in one day itinerary strings them together. For three days, follow Bangkok in 3 days. Dress code matters in temples: shoulders and knees covered, see what to wear in temples.
The 25 must-sees in one table
| Place | Time | Price (Oct. 2026) | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace | 2-3 h | 500 baht | 8:30am-4:30pm, tickets until 3:30pm; arrive at opening |
| Wat Pho | 1 h 30 | 300 baht | The 46 m Reclining Buddha; 8am-7:30pm |
| Wat Arun | 1 h | 200 baht | Cross the river by ferry; lovely at sunset |
| Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) | 45 min | 40 baht | At the gate of Chinatown |
| Wat Saket (Golden Mount) | 1 h | 100 baht to climb | 344 steps for a 360° view of the old town |
| Wat Suthat and Giant Swing | 45 min | 100 baht | The Giant Swing can be seen for free |
| Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple) | 45 min | 100 baht | 8am-6pm; photogenic in the morning |
| Jim Thompson House | 1 h | 250 baht | Guided visit only |
| National Museum | 2 h | 240 baht | Closed on Monday and Tuesday |
| Chatuchak Market | 3 h | Free | Weekends; go early to avoid the heat |
| Chinatown (Yaowarat) | 2-3 h | Free | Come at dusk for the street food |
| Khao San Road | 1 h | Free | Lively in the evening; see our guide to night walks |
| Lumphini Park | 1 h | Free | Early morning, before the heat |
| Mahanakhon SkyWalk | 1 h 30 | 1,000 baht by day, 1,200 late afternoon | Book online; choose clear weather |
| Muay Thai at Rajadamnern | 2-3 h | See the page | Fights in the evening; book ahead |
| Chao Phraya river | 1 h | Ferry fares are low | See the river boat guide |
| Thonburi canals (klongs) | 2 h | Depends on the boat | Longtail boat among stilt houses |
| Asiatique The Riverfront | 2 h | Free | Night market by the river |
| Iconsiam | 2 h | Free | Reconstituted floating market on the ground floor |
| Jodd Fairs night market | 2 h | Free | Street food and cheap clothes; it has moved, see the page |
| Bang Krachao | Half day | Free to enter | Cycle through Bangkok's "green lung" |
| Damnoen Saduak floating market | Half day | Depends on the tour | Very touristy, go early; see floating markets |
| Maeklong railway market | 1 h | Free | The train passes eight times a day |
| Ayutthaya | Full day | 50 baht per temple, 220 baht combined | By train, boat or tour |
| Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai bridge | Full day | Depends on the tour | History and waterfalls west of Bangkok |
Times are approximate and exclude travel. For all admission prices see admission prices in Bangkok.
What to book
- Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun with a guide: if you want the history explained and a smooth morning, compare the tours in guided tour of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun.
- Floating market and Maeklong railway market: usually sold as one half-day tour with transport; see floating market and train market.
- Ayutthaya: by train, by boat or on a guided day; see Ayutthaya from Bangkok: which excursion.
- Muay Thai and SkyWalk: book online for a set time.
Going further
To pick the season, read the best time to visit Bangkok. To choose an area to stay, see where to stay in Bangkok. Before you go out, read scams and safety in Bangkok and our temples of Bangkok guide.
