4-Day Bangkok Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Tips & Itinerary

Bangkok—a no-brainer travel destination and gateway for enthusiasts and adventurers who want to experience Southeast Asia. From highly ornate grand temples to streetside Michelin-approved eateries, it is not hard to see why many are drawn to this vibrant capital city of Thailand, brimming with places and attractions waiting to be experienced.

While we can all agree that the thought of exploring the streets of Bangkok is exciting, planning a trip to this big and bustling city may become overwhelming and sometimes intimidating for someone looking to narrow down their visit. Personally, I felt this during our preparation for our recent trip to the place especially when I realized that there are TONS of things to do in Bangkok.

While we wanted to experience the city to the fullest, our allotted four-day stay in the country was not enough to cover all of these, hence, we decided to drill down our itinerary with some of Bangkok’s must-see attractions and activities. Read on to find out what these are and other important travel information before and during your visit to the city.

Table of Contents

• Fast Facts
• What to Expect in the Airport
• Getting Thai SIM Card & Baht
• Traveling to the Main City
• Where to Stay in Bangkok
• Places to Visit
  1. The Grand Palace & Temple of Emerald Buddha
  2. Wat Arun
  3. Wat Pho
  4. Khao San Road
  5. Chatuchak Weekend Market
  6. ICONSIAM
  7. Jim Thompson House Museum
  8. Other Places to See
• First Timer Tips
• Sample Itinerary

Fast Facts

• Visa: Visa-free for 64 countries including the Philippines
• Travel requirements: None as of writing except for visa if needed
• Currency: Thai Baht
• Major languages: Thai, English
• Major religion: Buddhism
• Timezone: Indochina time (GMT+7)
• Seasons: Summer (March to June), monsoon (July to October) and cool (November to February)
• Best time to visit: November to February
• Modes of transportation: Trains, taxis, tuktuks, motorbike taxis, buses, boats and ferries, ride-hailing apps
• Payment methods: Cash (local merchants); card i.e. Mastercard & Visa (big establishments)
• Power plug & socket type: Type A, B, C and O

What to Expect in the Airport

Bangkok is just a three-and-a-half hour (or less) direct flight from Manila. Major airlines typically have regular daily schedules going to the city which may either land in Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang International Airport. Once you pass the arrival gate, travelers are required to pass by the mandatory immigration screening which may be a remarkable experience for first-time visitors.

Contrary to the other countries I’ve visited and something that I also expected for a big and busy airport, immigration lines in Bangkok can take time due to the large number of people entering Thailand. I highly suggest not to schedule any immediate plans right after your flight as it may be delayed due to the long queue. After this step, you are free to explore Bangkok at your own pace.

Getting Thai SIM Card & Baht

Another must-do after your arrival in Bangkok is to secure a Thai SIM card to reconnect to the internet. The city’s two airports are located far from the main center so you may want to consult Google Maps on how to reach your accommodation.

In our experience, there are a handful of Thai telecom booths scattered throughout the whole Suvarnabhumi Airport where we landed but as a seasoned traveler, we booked ours at Klook to score on discounted SIM cards. We easily redeemed this in one of the designated booths indicated in our booking and the assistant in the place immediately set up the SIM on our phones. One can also opt for pocket Wi-Fi, but we preferred having a local SIM card for convenience and the lesser price.

There is no lack of currency exchange booths in the airport, and one may be tempted to immediately exchange their local notes in these places. But another insider tip is to skip these and head to the basement level. In this area near the Airport Rail Link station are HappyRich, SuperRich and Kasikorn Bank offering higher rates for Philippine pesos compared to the ones in the upper levels.

If you prefer withdrawing cash in the local currency, there are also a handful of ATMs in all levels of the airport.

Traveling to the Main City

There are several ways to get to the main city and this can be either by riding the train, taxi or using a ride hailing app.

For budget travelers, they can opt to ride the Airport Rail Link which is connected to Suvarnabhumi Airport in its basement level. During our trip, we took this way and easily got to the last station, Phaya Thai, for THB45 where our booked hotel is located nearby. I suggest having a copy and studying the map of Bangkok’s train system too before your trip to identify if your accommodation is close to any of its stations.

Another alternative for those who prefer to travel conveniently and for those who have bulky and heavy and luggage is to book a car or taxi via a ride-hailing app. Most Southeast Asian countries have Grab operating in their areas so it’s best to have it installed on your phone especially if you plan to visit a few of these nations. Another option is Bolt which we didn’t try but according to others, provides decent prices than Grab.

Lastly and my least recommended way of reaching the main city is riding the airport taxi which is infamous for overcharging tourists. I’ve seen a handful of people complain about drivers charging an additional THB50 on top of the metered fare after reaching their destination. In addition, they will also ask you to pay for the toll fee required in the trip which adds up to the overall amount of the fare. My best suggestion is not to opt for this option as much as you can to avoid getting scammed which is rampant in the city.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

There’s no shortage of accommodation options in Bangkok and what’s better is that non-luxury ones aren’t expensive and are very affordable. Hence, most travelers can have more freedom of choice on where to stay depending on their preferences and planned activities.

For our trip composed of three persons who prefer to stay in a private room with a bathroom, we stayed at Bangkok City Hotel in the district of Ratchathewi for its proximity to big shopping malls, a BTS Skytrain station, complimentary buffet breakfast, and, of course, its affordable price. But if you plan to stay in the other parts of the city, here are handpicked accommodations that we also considered on choosing where to stay in Bangkok:

• Khao San Road area
  • Nanda Heritage Hotel
  • Thana Wisut Hotel
• Sukhumvit area
  • Maxim’s Inn
• Riverside area
  • The Royal River Hotel
  • Hansa Bangkok House
• Pratu Nam area
  • Hotel de Bangkok

Places to Visit

As mentioned, there are a lot of suggested things to do in Bangkok and, while all of these are worthy to give a try, I personally think that the list would still boil down based on one’s personality and preferences. But if you’re looking for a checklist of the must-visit places and attractions in the city, here are the commonly recommended spots to include in your itinerary.

The Grand Palace & Temple of Emerald Buddha

• Entrance fee: THB500
• Dress code: Conservative clothing
• Points of interest: Temple of Emerald Buddha, Royal Pantheon, Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall
• Operating hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM, daily

Not to be confused with its name, The Grand Palace is not just a single building but a complex that houses several royal residential areas, administrative buildings and a temple. With a total of 32 structures within its vicinity, anyone can easily spend an entire day in the place, basking in unique Thai architecture and culture.

Taking centerstage in The Grand Palace is the Temple of Emerald Buddha (locally called Phra Ubosot) which not only boasts a display of striking Thai architecture but also houses the green jasper Buddha—hence the name—in meditation pose and is deemed a national veneration of Thai people. Other places worthy of seeing in the complex are the Royal Pantheon, Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall, Phra Si Rattana Chedi and the Dusit Maha Prasad Throne Hall.

Entry to the place costs THB500 for foreign tourists which includes seven-day access to The Grand Palace, Temple of Emerald Buddha, Temple of Emerald Buddha Museum, Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, Arts of the Kingdom Museum and the Masterpieces and watching a Khon performance (Thai classical masked dance) at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre.

It is also important to note that entry to the area is restricted for people who do not follow the appropriate dress code. Listed below are the pieces of clothing that are not allowed when inside the walls of The Grand Palace:

• Shorts, Bermuda shorts, cropped pants, culottes, ripped and skinny jeans, leggings
• Mini skirts
• Sleeveless tops, scarves worn on top of sleeveless shirts or blouses, crop tops, spaghetti tops and dresses, singlets
• Nightwear, dressing gowns
• Sheer clothing

There are personnel at the entrance who manually check each visitors’ attire and stop them from entering once they see a person not obliging the dress code. No need to fret as there are nearby spots in the area that will provide sarongs and elephant pants to tourists in need.

For our visit to The Grand Palace, we availed of Klook’s Bangkok Day Tour which included trips and admission to the mentioned and to Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Aside from these, the package also included the transportation going to each place, tour guides, drinking water, moist towels and insurance.

Wat Arun

• Entrance fee: THB100
• Dress code: Conservative clothing
• Point of interest: Central prang
• Operating hours: 8:30AM-6:00PM, daily

Formally known as Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan or simply Wat Arun, Bangkok’s iconic landmark along Chao Phraya River is also a must-see when you find yourself in the city.

Noted to be a former royal temple and earlier home of the previous Emerald Buddha, Wat Arun is mostly visited for its multi-tiered prangs or spires which are encrusted with colorful pieces of porcelain. From afar, these form a big collage that covers each spire; up close, it shows quality craftsmanship with the attention to detail treated in each piece. Aside from this main feature, each prang is also adorned with sculptures of Hindu references, Chinese soldiers and animals.

Similar to The Grand Palace complex, appropriate dressing is also observed in the place with personnel making rounds in the area and ensuring that everyone is wearing the right attire.

Despite being called the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is best viewed during sunsets especially across the other side of the Chao Phraya River which gives majestic and dramatic views of this iconic Bangkok landmark.

Wat Pho

• Entrance fee: THB300
• Dress code: Conservative clothing
• Point of interest: Temple of Reclining Buddha
• Operating hours: 8:00AM-6:00PM, daily

Located directly across Wat Arun and south of The Grand Palace is another must-see tourist spot due to its historical and cultural significance to Thailand.

Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangkalaram Ratchaworamahawihan or simply called as Wat Pho is one of the highest grade first class royal temples in the country and one the oldest places of worship in Bangkok. It is also noted to be housing Thailand’s largest collection of Buddha images including the famous and large gold-plated Reclining Buddha with a staggering dimension of 46 meters in width and 15 meters in height.

In addition, the complex is also an active center of education with origins as being the birthplace of traditional Thai medicine and the world-famous Thai massage which visitors can also experience in the place.

Similar to the first two, an appropriate dress code is also strictly observed in the area to pay respects and removable shoes before entering temples are also required.

Khao San Road

• Entrance fee: None
• Point of interest: Stalls selling exotic food
• Operating hours: 24/7 but is more alive at nighttime

Travel junkies may already have an idea and are familiar with the name Khao San Road especially if they have seen the 2000 Leonardo Di Caprio film The Beach. But for unacquainted ones, this street dubbed as the “center of the backpacking universe” is the place to be in Bangkok if you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation, unforgettable nightlife, souvenir shopping and exotic food experiences.

Though there are stores that operate in the street during the daytime, the best time to go to Khao San Road is at nighttime when bars and clubs start opening. This is also the place to go if you’re wondering where the location of those food documentaries about stalls selling fried worms, crickets and scorpions were shot in Thailand. For non-partygoers and non-daring foodies, the array of stores and spas that dot the road are the spots to visit.

We actually didn’t visit Khao San Road during our trip (though included in our initial itinerary) since we’re not really into the activities that the place offers. But one of the establishments that piqued my interest in the area was Madame Musur which is a Thai restaurant offering affordable grubs in a relaxed setting at the sidelines of the bustling street life.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

• Entrance fee: None
• Dress code: None but recommended to wear lightweight clothing
• Operating hours: 7:00AM-6:00PM (Plants section only), Wednesday & Thursday; 6:00PM-12MN (Wholesale only), Friday; 9:00AM-6:00PM (Whole market), Saturday & Sunday

Since we already touched on the topic of shopping, there’s no better place to score cheap finds in Bangkok than in Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Home to thousands of stalls selling fashion, home and living items, plants, books, souvenirs, food and more minus the hefty price tag, the place has become a favorite for travelers looking to maximize their souvenir shopping. In addition, haggling is also a common practice in the area letting visitors buy more items at a lesser price.

After visiting a handful of stores and malls before stopping by the place, I can say that the items sold at Chatuchak Market are relatively cheaper than in other shopping centers in Bangkok. For as low as THB200, one can take home a matching top and bottom set in the array of stalls selling trendy clothes or a handy souvenir tote bag at THB100. However, word of advice, there are also a handful of stores in the area claiming to sell pure silk scarves for as low as THB150 which should be avoided as these offer rip-offs made from cotton or polyester blend instead.

Reaching Chatuchack Weekend Market is also easy with the presence of the nearby Mo Chit station of BTS Skytrain and Chatuchak Park and Kamphaeng Phet stations of the MRT.

ICONSIAM

• Entrance fee: None
• Dress code: None
• Points of interest: SOOKSIAM, Napalai Terrace
• Operating hours: 10:00AM-10:00PM, daily

One of the things that Bangkok will never fail you is the presence of shopping malls located in the city’s major commercial areas. But if there is one that should be put in everyone’s itinerary, it would be the famous ICONSIAM located along Chao Phraya River.

A mega retail complex that is home to over 7,000 stores ranging from luxury to budget-friendly brands, ICONSIAM draws visitors for the various activities and views that anyone can experience in the place. One of the most-visited spots in the area is the so-called SOOKSIAM or the indoor floating market located on the ground floor of the mall that serves affordable Thai street food and grubs. True to its inspiration, a visit to this food court provides a buzzing experience like the hustle and bustle of local food markets.

Another must-do in the area is seeing a panoramic view of Bangkok skyline at Napalai Terrace. Tucked on the seventh floor of the building, this spot in ICONSIAM is best visited late in the afternoon for the golden views of the city caused by the soon-to-set sun.

There are several ways to reach ICONSIAM but the major ones are riding a ferry and getting off at the mall’s pier or taking the BTS Skytrain and getting off at Charoen Nakhon station.

Jim Thompson House Museum

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• Entrance fee: THB200
• Operating hours: 10:00AM-6:00PM, daily

A shopping trip in one of Bangkok’s malls wouldn’t be complete without spotting a Jim Thompson store that sells Thai silk products ranging from keychains and handkerchiefs to neckties and men’s and womenswear. While it is also recommended to go into one and touch the soft and luxurious feel of pure silk, the home of the man behind the brand is also one of the must-see places in Bangkok.

Known to be as the savior of Thai silk industry in the 50s, Jim Thompson was an American businessman who revitalized the local craftsmanship of the natural woven fiber. Aside from his significant contribution to the then-dying industry of Thai silk, he also became famous for his mysterious disappearance in the 60s, leaving behind his striking Thai-style house along Saeng Saen Canal and his collection of local antique art.

Today, the museum prides itself on retaining the original arrangement and design of the house including the tropical jungle-inspired garden as chosen by Jim Thompson himself with a few modifications in the place to accommodate its new function as a gallery.

Despite being located just a few blocks away from our booked hotel, we couldn’t drop by at the place due to the lack of time, but if I were to go back to Bangkok for the second time, I would put this on my go-to list.

Other Places to See

If you have more time or none of the aforementioned piqued your interest in exploring Bangkok, here are the other spots in the city that we visited that you may also want to try:

Erawan Museum – Home of the large copper three-headed elephant sculpture with a display of striking intricate architecture and a collection of art and Buddha relics and sculptures of the museum founder.

_{Score discounted Erawan Museum tickets here!}

• Entrance fee: THB400
• Dress code: Conservative clothing
• Points of interest: The “Underworld” and “Cosmos”
• Operating hours: 9:00AM-7:00PM, daily

Wat Ratchabophit – or Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram. A more modern-styled temple that mixes Thai and Western aesthetics and has a unique circular interior courtyard; a more ideal and quieter place to marvel at the ornate details of Thai architecture.

• Entrance fee: None
• Dress code: Conservative clothing
• Operating hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre – A contemporary art museum in the middle of the city, popular for its spiral construction similar to Guggenheim Museum in New York.

• Entrance fee: None
• Dress code: None
• Operating hours: 10:00AM-8:00PM, Tuesday to Sunday

Erawan Shrine – A popular Hindu shrine that houses the four-faced “Buddha” or specifically a golden image of the Hindu god Brahma who is believed to grant wishes and bring fortune and success to worshippers. Locals said that if Brahma granted a tourist’s wish, he or she should go back to Bangkok and make an offering.

• Entrance fee: None
• Dress code: No strict dress code but best to wear conservative clothing
• Operating hours: 6:00AM-10:00PM, daily

centralwOrld – One of the several big shopping malls that dot the center of Siam neighborhood visited for its local, high street and high-end stores.

• Operating hours: 10:00AM-10:00PM, daily

Siam Paragon – Another big retail and entertainment complex sitting beside centralwOrld that boasts local and luxury brands.

• Operating hours: 10:00AM-10:00PM, daily

MBK Center – One of the budget-friendly shopping malls in Siam known for its more affordable offerings compared to its neighboring counterparts.

• Operating hours: 10:00AM-10:00PM, daily

Central Embassy – A luxury shopping mall connected to the posh Park Hyatt Hotel and located a stone’s throw away from Phloen Chit station boasting some of the world’s biggest high-end brands.

• Operating hours: 10:00AM-10:00PM, daily

Open House – A bookstore incorporated with food stalls and restaurants and located at the top level of Central Embassy mostly offering books in Thai and a few selections in English and other languages.

• Operating hours: 10:00AM-10:00PM, daily

First Timer Tips

Similar to the world’s biggest cities, Bangkok also has its share of good and bad things that most tourists commonly experience as foreigners navigating the area. For our trip, luckily, we didn’t have a lot of major unpleasant experiences during our stay in the city but here are a few things to remember (and a few ones we wished we knew) while visiting Bangkok.

1. Avoid taking taxis and tuktuk. Taxi and tuktuk drivers can easily detect tourists and once they realized that you are one, they will overcharge you for your trip. Others will negotiate with you at first but will eventually increase the fare after reaching your destination complaining about traffic. The best workaround for this usual ‘tourist scam’ is to avoid them or if you have no other choice, insist on using the meter for taxis or pay the agreed first price with the tuktuk driver.
2. Book tours through legitimate organizers. I’ve seen a couple of visitors in Bangkok complain about being scammed after booking a tour through unofficial organizers (usually those boat tours in Chao Phraya River) and wonder why these people even opt for these when legitimate agencies are posted wide and publicly on the internet. My practical tip is to book tours only through official organizers which can be easily found in travel booking apps like Klook and KKDay.
3. Wear slip-ons or mules when visiting temples. To pay respect for the handful of sacred temples located across Thailand, visitors are required to remove their shoes when they enter one, hence, it is suggested to wear slip-ons or slides to avoid the struggle of tying your sneakers from time to time.
4. Bring a bottled water with you. Contrary to what I’ve grown accustomed to in the Philippines, service or house water and ice in restaurants are not free and will be charged to availing customers. In addition, Bangkok is relatively more humid than Manila so you will further need that bottle for hydration.
5. Advise the server if you would like your order to be served spicy or not. Thai people are big fans of spicy food and automatically assume that people who order dishes also want it that way. Hence, if you’re a traveler with a low tolerance for spicy food, I highly suggest letting your server know about it so they wouldn’t be serving the opposite.
6. Get a BTS Skytrain Rabbit Card. Since cab and tuktuk drivers are not your allies when exploring the streets of Bangkok, the city’s BTS Skytrain would be your best bet for affordable and fast transportation. Hence, I highly suggest getting a Rabbit Card or a stored value card from the rail system, so you won’t have to queue up in line every time you’ll ride the train, especially during rush hours. Nonetheless, it is also important to note that this card wouldn’t work in the MRT and Airport Rail Link stations.
7. Do not rely heavily on directions on Google Maps. One important thing that I learned after visiting Bangkok is to not fully rely on Google Maps to give you directions. In my experience, the app made us walk to our destination even though there was a nearby train station that could easily take us there faster. My best advice is to have a copy of Bangkok’s train system and study it closely, especially the stations that are close to your planned visits.
8. Expect to encounter locals who do not understand English. Another realization after visiting the city is the fact that not all locals can understand English very well. For a city mostly visited by Western travelers, I was quite surprised to encounter locals who have zero understanding of English. Hence, I also recommend learning a few basic Thai words or a translator to communicate with them.
9. Visit a 7-Eleven store. Despite coming from a country dotted with this famous convenience store, I also suggest visiting Bangkok’s 7-Eleven as they provide an array of food choices at very affordable prices. One of the things that blew my mind the most was how cheap their in-house desserts are compared to the ones offered in the Philippines.
10. Buy Poy-Sian and Tiger Balm at Boots. If you plan to take home a few Poy-Sian inhalers or Tiger Balm ointment as souvenirs or for personal use, I suggest buying them at a Boots store for relatively cheaper prices compared to Watsons and Big C Supermarket.
11. Drop by The Old Siam Plaza to buy Thai silk at the best prices. Another insider tip that most locals do is buying Thai silk at The Old Siam Plaza located a few blocks away from Sam Yot MRT station. Contrary to the rip-offs found in Chatuchak Market, silk fabrics here are sold at the best prices worth the textile’s quality.

Sample Itinerary

For our four days of exploring the streets of Bangkok, here is the actual itinerary that we used to see the city’s top tourist attractions and must-dos: