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Things To Do In Bangkok in 3 Days
Thailand is an amazing country, and as the capital, it’s usual to spend 3 days in Bangkok to explore the sights and sounds. We often spend 2 nights in Bangkok, and there’s always a temple we want to see again or a restaurant we loved the last time we were on a 3 day trip to Bangkok.
If you’re wondering what to do in Bangkok for 3 days, here’s our favorite Bangkok 3 days 2 nights itinerary, from temples, palaces, and museums, to street food and nights out.
Day 1 of 3 days Bangkok Thailand Itinerary
Current time in Bangkok:
1. Visit the Grand Palace Complex and Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The beauty and grandeur of the Grand Palace will have you staring in awe. It was the residence of the Kings of Thailand since 1782. The magnificent architecture and the golden spires that reach the skies look absolutely magnificent amidst the other temples in the complex. Another of the important things to do in Bangkok in 3 days, is to visit the Wat Phra Kaew or the temple of the Emerald Buddha, a small buddha dating back to the 14th century. Luckily it’s located within the Grand Palace Complex.
The Grand Palace complex also includes a replica of the Angkor Wat, and the temples of Wat Phra Kaeo and Phra Mondop. The halls such as the Amarindra Vinichai, Boromabiman Hall,
Chakri Maha Prasat, Amphorn Phimon Prasat and Dusit Maha Prasat where the kings once received guests with pomp are must-visits in the temple complex.
How to get there?
Depending on where you’re spending your weekend in Bangkok, you have a few options to get here. Either take a taxi or a tuk-tuk. Alternatively, you can catch the BTS Skytrain and then take the boat to Chang Pier, from where you can walk to the Palace.
How much time do you need for sightseeing?
If you’re here just to visit the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha, you can do it in an hour or so. But if you want to visit every hall and temple within the complex, it’ll easily run up to 4 hours or more.
What’s the cost?
The entrance to the Grand Palace costs THB 500, which is approximately USD 17 or 18. It may appear expensive at first glance, but when you consider the number of temples and halls within the Grand Palace Complex, it’s more than worth it.
You can always book your tour to Grand Palace online, to skip the lines and save your time.
Tips
Dress properly. Visitors wearing shorts are often refused entry. And if you’re going with open arms, you’ll be asked to cover them up. Remember that this is a sacred place.
As is required in all temples, you must take your footwear off. So if you’re worried about hygiene when walking barefoot, wear socks!
2. Try weird food on Khao San Road
One of the best places to visit in Bangkok in 3 days is Khao San Road. Popular with travelers and locals, it’s the place to try truly local fare, including weird food like insects or worms. It’s open throughout the day but gets more crowded after 6 PM in the evening. The road is also full of vendors selling knickknacks and keepsakes.
How to get there?
It’s a short 1 km walk from the Grand Palace and quite easy to locate.
How much time do you need for sightseeing?
If you’re just looking, you can be done in 15 minutes. But if you want to sit at one of the stalls and have a drink or try some local food, you could easily spend a few hours of your 3 days in Bangkok here.
What’s the cost?
It depends on whether you just window shop or eat something. But given that 1 USD = 30 THB, it won’t be that much.
Tips
Assume that you’re in a flea market, and bargain for the knickknacks. The food though usually has a set price.
3. Take the Loy Nava Dinner Cruise
A dinner cruise along the Chao Praya River is a great addition to your Bangkok 2 nights 3 days package. With the sun setting around 7 PM, the 6 to 8.30 PM dinner cruise enjoying delicious Thai snacks, drinks, and food is the perfect way to enjoy your Bangkok 3 days tour!
How to get there?
The cruise starts from the Taksin Pier, which you can get to by taxi.
How much time do you need?
The cruise takes you along the river for 2.5 hours.
What’s the cost?
The cruise costs USD 60 for a 6-course Thai dinner with live music. You can find out more about the dinner cruise by clicking here.
Here are some other tours you can take during your 1st day in Bangkok:
Day 2 of Three days in Bangkok
4. Explore Chinatown and Wander through Little India
Did you know that there’s a Chinatown in Bangkok? Go there if you are looking for the unusual things to do in Bangkok. It’s an amazing place full of exotic scents that fill your nostrils and flavors that tantalize your tastebuds. Full of life and color, the streets of Chinatown is one of the important things to see in Bangkok in 3 days. If you like jewelry, then the gold shops in Chinatown are also a must-add to your Thailand itinerary 3 days.
A short walk from Chinatown is Little India, another of the places to visit in Bangkok in 3 days. Locally known as Phahurat Market, it’s full of temples, textile stores, curry stalls or hotels, and stores selling spices that will leave you with heavier bags to carry home. The golden-colored Sri Guru Singh Sabah Temple in Little India is free to enter. If you haven’t been to India yet and are wondering what to do in Bangkok for 3 days, enjoy the free breakfast served at the temple every morning. It will give you a little taste of India.
How to get there?
The main touristy parts of China town are on Yaowarat Road and Charoen Krung Road. You can take a taxi here. The Skytrain does not come here. So it would be easier to the Chao Phraya River Express to the Ratchawong Pier, and then walk here.
Little India is a short 5-minute walk from Chinatown.
How much time do you need for sightseeing?
One to two hours is enough time to see most of Chinatown and Little India.
What’s the cost?
Walking around and window shopping won’t cost you anything. But if you get sucked into a store, you just might end up spending a few quid.
If you love food (just like me!) check out this Chinatown food tour.
Tips
Bargain! Yes, I’m saying it again! Most of the vendors here will reduce the prices to make a sale.
5. Visit the Art in Paradise Museum
Another answer to a Bangkok what to do in 3 days question is the Art in Paradise Museum. Full of 3D artwork that you can pose with, the museum is a fun place to take a zillion photos with your friends and loved ones. If you don’t find the time to visit this museum in Bangkok, there are Art in Paradise museums in Pattaya and Chiang Mai as well.
How to get there?
Art in Paradise is located on the 4th floor of Esplanade Shopping Mall on Rachadapisek Road.
How much time do you need for sightseeing?
There are more than 150 3-dimensional paintings in the museum. If you plan of taking a picture with most of the paintings, you’ll need at least 2 to 3 hours.
What’s the cost?
Entrance fees to Art in Paradise is as follows:
THB 300 for adults. THB 200 for children over 135 cm tall, and Free for children under 135 cm.
Be sure to book a ticket online to skip the lines.
Tips
Don’t forget to take your camera! You can’t visit such an amazing museum and come away without pictures!
6. Spend some time relaxing in a spa
If you ask a friend what to do in Bangkok for 3 days, a stop at a spa will be at the top of their list. Thailand is known for its spas and massage centers that provide massages, facials, and other relaxing therapies. The problem with Bangkok though is not knowing the difference between a real spa and a shady joint just masquerading as one. The one spa that we found to be real and good was the Dahra Spa. Try to visit. It will help you to relax during your 3 days in Thailand.
How to get there?
After you leave Art in Paradise, take MRT to Sukhumvit station and then the BTS Skytrain to Phrong Pong where the spa is located. If you can afford to spend a little more during your 3 days in Bangkok, a taxi will get you there faster.
How much time do you need?
Depending on the package you choose, you can spend 30 minutes to 3 hours here. The spa offers a great coffee body scrub and milk and hone wrap. If you want to combine these two treatments with a Thai massage, choose the Deluxe Treatment. Here are a few other spa packages worth checking out.
What’s the cost?
It depends on the options you choose. But it can be anywhere from THB 300 to THB 3000.
Tips
Try to go here later in the day after all your sightseeing, so you can relax for longer.
7. Visit the adult-only Soi Cowboy Street
Just a normal street in the daytime, the Soi Cowboy Street is a red-light area at night in Bangkok. It’s here the crowd ends up to have a good time and forget on their 3 days 2 nights Bangkok itinerary.
It’s here you’ll find all the prostitutes, ladyboys, transvestites, go-go dancers and more. Some of them invite you to night clubs and dance bars, some of them invite you to have a wild time.
How to get there?
Soi Cowboy is located between Sukhumvit Soi 21 and 23. You can get here by stopping Asok BTS station.
How much time do you need?
An hour to a few hours. It depends on whether or not you like this scene.
Here are some other tours you can take during your 2nd day in Bangkok:
Day 3 of Bangkok itinerary 3 days
8. Visit Vinammek Mansion
Built entirely of teakwood, the Vinammek Mansion or Vinammek Palace was a royal villa commissioned by King Rama V in 1897. It was originally built in Chonburi before being transplanted to the Dusit Palace Complex and follows a neo-classical European style with Thai motifs added to it.
How to get there?
Take the taxi to Rajavithee Road that is close to Dusit Garden and Dusit Palace.
How much time do you need for sightseeing?
An hour or two should be enough.
What’s the cost?
The entrance fees are THB 100.
Tips
Don’t wear short sleeves or you won’t be allowed in. Shorts, dresses, and skirts need to be below the knee level.
9. Visit Wat Arun Ratchawararam
Wat Arun Ratchawararam or Wat Chaeng is a temple dedicated to the Indian god Aruna whose name means Dawn. The beautiful temple which was the inspiration of King in 1768 looks amazing at sunrise and sunset.
An impressive, 70 m Chao Phraya spire of the Wat Arun is made of intricate pieces of glass and Chinese porcelain and one of the must-sees on your 3 days 2 nights Bangkok itinerary.
How to get there?
Wat Arun can be reached by boat. You need to take any riverboat that gets you to Pier 8 and from there take the small boat across the river to Wat Arun.
It’s definitely more convenient to book a combined ticket for the boat and Wat Arun though. See more here.
How much time do you need for sightseeing?
One hour should give you enough time to gaze at the splendor of this temple.
What’s the cost?
THB 50 for adults. Free for children.
Tips
10. Shop and eat in Siam
Shopping in the central district of Siam is one of the highlights of a Bangkok 3 days 2 nights package. This is where you’ll be able to buy world-renowned originals and fakes at shoestring prices.
You could also go shopping in the nearby Thai markets of Chatuchak Weekend Market, Mahboonkroong Mall, Siam Paragon Mall, or Ratchada Night Market.
Getting there
Located in Pathum Wan, the Siam and Ratchaprasong shopping areas are easily accessible by anyone via taxi or tuktuk.
Time required
The time you need to allocated to this part of your Bangkok itinerary 3 days depends on what you’re here to do. You could just have a glance at the stores in a matter of minutes or spend hours haggling for valuables you like.
Cost
It depends on what you buy.
Tips
Bargain! Really, unless it’s a registered mall.
11. Enjoy a drink and dinner at the top of the city
You ask one friend ‘what to see in Bangkok in 3 days?’, and they say ‘the city skyline’.
And you tell another friend, ‘I’m going to Bangkok, what to do in 3 days?’ and they say hit the nightclubs.
But if you’re looking for things to do in Bangkok in 3 days that will make both those friends happy, go to the Vertigo Restaurant and the Moon bar that’s next to it. The Vertigo bar gives you the best views of the Bangkok skyline. It’s also one of the top Instagrammable spots in Bangkok.
How to get there?
Both the Moon Bar and the Vertigo Restaurant are located on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree hotel. So just catch a taxi to the Banyan Tree Hotel in Bangkok.
How much time do you need?
1 to 2 hours, or if you’re in a good mood, a lot more. Vertigo is open from 6 PM to 10:30 PM. The Moon bar is open from 5 PM to 1 AM.
Tips
Wear smart casual attire if you want to be allowed entry. Shorts, sleeveless shirts, sandals or flip flops are not allowed.
Where to stay for 3 nights in Bangkok?
There are so many great options to stay at during your 3 days 2 nights Bangkok trip. It’s so difficult to choose. But we’ve tried to get you a few places to visit on your 3d2n Bangkok itinerary.
Luxurious Hotels
Close to the Grand Palace and the Parliament of Thailand, the Prince Palace Hotel is as luxurious as it gets.
Featuring one of the highest rooftop bars in the city, the Lebua At State Tower is the epitome of luxury.
Close to the Emerald Buddha and Grand Palace, the riverside Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok is a trendy epitome of luxury.
Budget Hotels and Hostels
Located on Onnut-Ladkrabang Road, the mix of traditional wooden furnishings and modern design at the Orchid Hotel makes you feel at home in Bangkok.
If you’re looking for a shorter 2 day Bangkok itinerary, click here! Or if you would like to read some stories from traveling around Thailand, here you go!
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