Places to visit in Bangkok in 3 days
By Ganesh ·
The best places to visit in Bangkok (the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the river, Chinatown, Chatuchak and Ayutthaya) with a 3-day plan, costs from India and the entry rules for Indians.
The short answer: the best places to visit in Bangkok are the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho (the reclining Buddha), Wat Arun across the river, a Chao Phraya river boat ride, Chinatown's Yaowarat Road at night, Chatuchak Weekend Market, the malls around Siam, a rooftop bar at sunset, and day trips to Ayutthaya and the floating markets. Three days covers the city well; add a fourth for a day trip.
Prices and rules below are approximate. Check before you go.
Bangkok at a glance
Bangkok is huge, hot and easy to enjoy once you use the river and the trains. The old royal city (Rattanakosin) holds the big temples; Chinatown sits just south of it; the modern centre around Siam, Sukhumvit and Silom has malls, hotels and nightlife. The BTS Skytrain, the MRT metro and the Chao Phraya Express boats avoid most of the traffic.
Top places to visit in Bangkok
1. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
The former royal residence and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are Bangkok's most important sights. Go at opening time to avoid the heat and crowds, cover shoulders and knees, and ignore anyone outside who says the palace is "closed today".
2. Wat Pho
A ten-minute walk from the palace, home to the 46-metre reclining Buddha and Thailand's best-known school of traditional massage. You can book a massage inside the temple grounds.
3. Wat Arun
The Temple of Dawn, decorated with coloured porcelain, sits on the west bank. Take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier. It looks best from the east bank at sunset.
4. The Chao Phraya river
The orange-flag Chao Phraya Express boat is a cheap way to sightsee between the old city and the hotels near Saphan Taksin. In the evening, dinner cruises sail past the lit-up temples.
5. Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Come after dark for the street food and neon signs. Wat Traimit, with its five-tonne golden Buddha, is at the eastern end.
6. Chatuchak Weekend Market
One of the world's biggest markets, open Saturday and Sunday, with thousands of stalls of clothes, crafts, plants and food. Go in the morning and carry water.
7. Siam and the malls
Siam Paragon, CentralWorld and MBK are connected by skywalks; ICONSIAM on the river has an indoor floating market. Good for the hottest part of the day.
8. Rooftop bars and viewpoints
Mahanakhon SkyWalk has a glass floor high above the city; hotel rooftop bars in Silom and Sukhumvit are popular at sunset (dress codes apply).
9. Ayutthaya day trip
The old capital, about 80 km north, has temple ruins listed by UNESCO. Go by train, minivan or a hired car; rent a bicycle or tuk-tuk on arrival.
10. Floating and railway markets
Damnoen Saduak floating market and the Maeklong railway market (where stalls fold back as the train passes) make a half-day trip. Both are touristy but fun.
A sample 3-day plan
- Day 1: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and a massage, ferry to Wat Arun; Chinatown for dinner.
- Day 2: Chatuchak (if it's the weekend) or Jim Thompson House, then Siam's malls; rooftop bar at sunset.
- Day 3: Ayutthaya day trip, or the floating and railway markets; river dinner cruise.
Many Indian travellers combine Bangkok with Pattaya (about two hours away), Phuket or Krabi, fly south for the beaches.
What it costs (approximate, per person)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights from India (many direct routes) | ₹15,000–25,000 | ₹25,000–40,000 |
| Stay per night (twin share) | ₹1,500–3,000 | ₹4,000–8,000 |
| Food per day | ₹800–1,500 | ₹2,000–4,000 |
| Grand Palace entry | about 500 baht | |
| Ayutthaya day trip | ₹1,500–3,000 | ₹4,000–7,000 (private car) |
Best time to visit
November to February is the coolest and driest period and the busiest. March to May is very hot. June to October brings monsoon showers but lower prices. Indian searches for Thailand trips peak in November–January.
Entry rules for Indians
Thailand has allowed Indian passport holders visa-free entry for tourism, but the permitted length of stay has changed several times, and all foreign visitors must fill in the online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before arrival. Check the current rules on the official Thai e-visa site, thaievisa.go.th, and complete the TDAC only on the official government site, not on paid look-alikes.
Practical tips
- Use a Rabbit card or contactless bank card on the BTS; the MRT takes contactless cards too.
- Use Grab or Bolt rather than unmetered taxis; agree tuk-tuk fares before you get in.
- Dress modestly for temples, no shorts or sleeveless tops.
- Indian restaurants are plentiful around Sukhumvit and Pratunam; vegetarian Thai food is marked jay (yellow flags).
- Keep the plan, flights and hotels in one Sancharees trip and share it with your group.
FAQ
How many days are enough for Bangkok?
Three days for the main sights, four with a day trip.
Where should I stay in Bangkok?
Near a BTS or MRT station. Sukhumvit or Siam for first-timers, the riverside for views, Khao San Road for budget travellers.
Is Bangkok good for families?
Yes: SEA LIFE Bangkok, Safari World, the malls and the river boats are all easy with children.
Photo: Templo Wat Arun, Bangkok, Tailandia, 2013-08-22, DD 05 by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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