Only have 1 day in Bangkok? You can see many of Bangkok’s iconic attractions in the space of a day, plus sample some great food and enjoy the nightlife too.
Face of the giant reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, Bangkok © [email protected]
Whether you’re passing through on the way to another city or spending 1 day in Bangkok before making your way to the islands, it’s surprisingly easy to enjoy the best of Bangkok in a day. If you only have 24 hours to see the sights, efficiency is everything. From where to stay to what to do, read on to find out how you should best spend your 1 day in Bangkok.
Bangkok Holiday Essentials
- Where To Stay In Bangkok: See our guide to the best areas and the best hotels to stay in Bangkok.
- Things To Do In Bangkok: Check this huge list of Bangkok activities that you can book online.
- Flights To Bangkok: Find the cheapest flights to Bangkok and flight times from scores of airlines with Skyscanner.
- Bangkok Packing List: Don’t forget to take any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Thailand.
- Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.
🗺️ 1 Day In Bangkok — What To Do
The Grand Palace © Colin Tsoi
🌅 Morning: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
| Attraction | What To Expect |
|---|---|
| Grand Palace — Temple complex, Rattanakosin | Bangkok’s most impressive attraction — a huge complex of Thai temples and historic buildings. Highlights include Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Chakri Maha Prasat hall. Entry is ฿500 for non-Thais. From the Riverside, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang (N9) pier and walk through the riverside market. |
| Wat Pho — Temple, Rattanakosin | One of Bangkok’s oldest temples, a short walk from the Grand Palace. Contains an incredible 46-metre Reclining Buddha statue and one of Thailand’s first massage schools. A great stop after the Grand Palace. |
| Wat Arun — Temple of Dawn, Thonburi | One of Bangkok’s most picturesque temples, directly across the Chao Phraya from Wat Pho. Take the three baht cross-river ferry from Tha Tien (N8) pier. Best visited in the morning light or at sunset. |
| Amulet Market — Market, Rattanakosin | Bangkok’s largest and most popular market for Buddhist amulets, located in the streets around the Grand Palace. Most amulets are purchased by people in dangerous professions seeking safety and good fortune. |
| Walking Temple Tour — Guided tour | A popular way to see the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun — your guide handles the fastest route between temples, admission fees and transport. |
Bangkok Things To Do
🍽️ Lunch: Where To Eat
| Restaurant | About |
|---|---|
| Jim Thompson, A Thai Restaurant — Thai, Siam | Set within the heritage Jim Thompson compound, this elegant restaurant looks out over tropical gardens and original teak houses. The menu celebrates regional Thai cuisine with a contemporary twist, using seasonal local ingredients. A natural pairing with a visit to the Jim Thompson House museum next door (see below). |
| Na Aroon — Vegetarian / Seafood, Ariyasom Villa, Sukhumvit Soi 1 | A serene garden restaurant inside the historic Ariyasom Villa boutique hotel, a short walk from Nana BTS. Serves organic vegetarian and fresh seafood Thai dishes — no meat, no MSG, no preservatives. One of Bangkok’s most peaceful and atmospheric lunch spots. |
| Thai Niyom Cuisine — Thai, Ploenchit | A Michelin Bib Gourmand holder every year since 2019, tucked into an alley off Sukhumvit near Nana and Ploenchit BTS stations. Specialises in bold, authentic regional Thai dishes — northern, southern and central — made with freshly pounded curry pastes and carefully sourced ingredients. Outstanding value. |
Jim Thompson House Museum © [email protected]
🏛️ Afternoon: Klong Tours, Jim Thompson House or the National Gallery
| Attraction | What To Expect |
|---|---|
| Khlong Tours of the Chao Phraya — Boat tour | Board a small teak boat — either a converted rice barge or longtail boat, as made famous in the James Bond film The Man With The Golden Gun — and adventure through the city’s eastern districts on historical canals that were once Bangkok’s primary transport network. |
| Jim Thompson House — Museum, Siam | American businessman Jim Thompson played a major role in building Thailand’s silk industry during the 1950s. After his mysterious disappearance in Malaysia, his house — which contains a large collection of Thai and Southeast Asian art — opened to the public as a museum. |
| National Gallery — Museum, Rattanakosin | Located a short distance from the Grand Palace on Chao Fa Rd. Houses an impressive collection of Thai and Southeast Asian paintings, sculptures, portraits and photos from post-WWII Thai artists. |
🍽️ Dinner: Where To Eat In Bangkok
| Restaurant | About |
|---|---|
| Sala Rattanakosin Eatery and Bar — Thai / International, Rattanakosin | Excellent riverside dining with a fantastic view of Wat Arun. Choose from indoor and outdoor seating with a great menu of Thai dishes and Western meals. The rooftop bar opens from 5pm and is one of the best spots in Bangkok for a sunset drink facing the Temple of Dawn. |
| The Deck by the River — Thai / International, Rattanakosin | Part of Arun Residence, The Deck offers Thai and fusion dishes with one of the best views of Wat Arun in Bangkok. Multi-storey restaurant directly facing the temple — book a table for sunset if you can. Open daily 11am–10pm. |
| Thip Samai Pad Thai — Street food, Rattanakosin | One of Bangkok’s most famous and long-running Pad Thai restaurants, holder of a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The signature egg-wrapped pad thai with fresh river prawns is outstanding. Open daily 9am–midnight, closed Tuesday. Arrive before 7pm to avoid long queues. |
Bangkok river nighttime panorama, from the Hilton Millennium © [email protected]
🌙 Nightlife in Bangkok
| Bar / Club | About |
|---|---|
| Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar — Rooftop bar, Silom | Located on the rooftop of the Banyan Tree Hotel on Sathorn Road, with a panoramic view over Lumphini Park and Bangkok. Drinks from ฿300. Tables available, seats reserved for diners. |
| Sirocco and Sky Bar — Rooftop bar, Silom | Located on the top floor of State Tower. Sky Bar featured in The Hangover II and offers spectacular views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya. Sirocco serves Thai fusion. Drinks from ฿300 — tables for diners only. |
| ThreeSixty Lounge — Rooftop bar, Riverside | On the top floor of the Millennium Hilton Bangkok. The view covers both the city skyline and the Chao Phraya River. Drinks from ฿300. |
| Phra Athit Road — Bars, Banglamphu | A selection of small pubs and live music bars a short walk from the Chao Phraya. Popular with locals and expats. A quieter, more characterful choice than nearby Khao San Road. Access via Phra Athit (N13) pier. |
| Khao San Road — Bars and clubs, Banglamphu | Bangkok’s backpacker hub and home to some of the city’s cheapest bars and clubs. A fun place to party if you don’t mind the noise and crowds. |
| Sukhumvit — Bars and clubs | A 20-minute taxi ride from the Riverside, Sukhumvit offers a more diverse selection of bars and clubs. From international Soi 11 to trendy Thong Lor (Soi 55), Bangkok’s most popular nightlife is along this road. |
| Silom — Bars and restaurants | Bangkok’s financial district by day, home to some of the city’s best bars and restaurants by night. Easily accessible from the Riverside area by taxi or BTS. |
⭐ Luxury Hotels in Bangkok
| Hotel | About |
|---|---|
| Mandarin Oriental Hotel — Booking.com | Agoda | Arguably Bangkok’s most luxurious hotel. With a great location on the Chao Phraya River, it’s perfectly placed for visitors who want to see Bangkok’s famous temples and historical attractions. |
| Shangri-La Hotel — Booking.com | Agoda | Beautiful riverside setting with some of the best rooms in the city. A convenient and luxurious choice for visitors wanting easy access to the Grand Palace and other attractions near the Chao Phraya. |
| Sala Rattanakosin — Booking.com | Agoda | Located beside the Chao Phraya on historic Rattanakosin Island, minutes from the Grand Palace and the city’s top historical attractions. The rooftop bar facing Wat Arun is one of Bangkok’s best. |
Mid Range Hotels in Bangkok
🏨 Mid-Range Hotels in Bangkok
| Hotel | About |
|---|---|
| Centre Point Silom Hotel — Booking.com | Agoda | A short walk from Sathorn Pier, making it a convenient option for visitors wanting to access attractions along the Chao Phraya by day and Bangkok’s best nightlife by night. |
| Arun Residence — Booking.com | Agoda | Home to one of Bangkok’s most popular riverside restaurants with some of the best views of Wat Arun in the city. A 4-star hotel a short distance from the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and other attractions. |
💰 Budget Hotels in Bangkok
| Hotel | About |
|---|---|
| Khaosan Immjai Hostel — Booking.com | Agoda | Close to Khao San Road with a selection of affordable hostel beds and private rooms. Conveniently located and clean option for travellers on a strict budget. |
| Oldtown Hostel — Booking.com | Agoda | A clean, simple and comfortable hostel a short walk from Bangkok’s Riverside area. Rooms range from eight-bed shared dorms to private doubles, twins and family rooms. |
🚌 Getting To Bangkok
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| How To Get Here | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link — Suvarnabhumi Airport | Connects to the BTS Skytrain at Phayathai Station. Convenient for visitors staying along the Sukhumvit Line. Trains depart frequently from the basement of the airport terminal. |
| Public bus — Suvarnabhumi Airport | The cheapest way into the city. Buses depart from the Transport Centre close to the airport for a wide range of destinations. |
| Taxi or Grab — Suvarnabhumi Airport | Taxis cost ฿250–400 depending on traffic and destination. Available from the taxi stand on the ground floor. A ฿50 airport surcharge applies. Use Grab for a fixed price shown upfront. |
| Taxi or Grab — Don Mueang Airport | Don Mueang primarily serves domestic and short-haul flights. There is no direct train service. Taxis depart from the ground floor — turn left on exiting customs. A ฿50 airport surcharge applies. |
For full details on getting to and from Bangkok’s airports, see our Bangkok Airport Guide.
Bangkok and Thailand Travel Itineraries
- 1 Day In Bangkok: Must See Itinerary
Only have 1 day in Bangkok? You can see many of Bangkok’s iconic attractions in the space of a day, plus sample some great food and enjoy the nightlife too. - 2 Days in Bangkok Itinerary
With just 2 days in Bangkok you still have time to enjoy its impressive cultural sites as well as its fine selection of shopping and dining. Check out this 2 day Bangkok itinerary. - 3 Days in Bangkok Itinerary
From temples and museums to shopping malls and outdoor markets, Bangkok has more than enough to keep you occupied for 3 days in Bangkok. - 1 Week In Bangkok Travel Itinerary
While most visitors spend a few days in the capital before travelling elsewhere in Thailand, it’s far from challenging to spend a week in Bangkok taking in all that the city has to offer. - 1 Week Thailand Beaches Itinerary
Thailand has hundreds of great beaches, ranging from large tourist resorts to remote beaches largely undiscovered by tourists. Thailand’s long coastline and wide range of destinations make it arguably Asia’s best destination for lovers of sand, sea and sun. - 1 Week Bangkok And Mountains Itinerary
Planning a trip to Thailand but prefer not to spend too much time on the beach? While Thailand is best known for its beautiful beaches, its capital city and mountain destinations are also great places to spend your holiday. - 1 Week In Chiang Mai Itinerary
Thailand’s mountainous north offers a very different experience from its famous southern beach destinations. A cooler climate, beautiful mountainous scenery and a more relaxed, laid back feel make northern Thailand a unique destination that’s worth experiencing. - 2 Weeks In Thailand And Vietnam Itinerary
Our Two Weeks in Thailand and Vietnam itinerary lets you see the best of two of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and rewarding destinations, all in just 14 days. - 2 Weeks In Thailand And Cambodia Itinerary
Our Two Weeks in Thailand and Cambodia itinerary includes everything from modern cities and relaxing beach resorts to some of the world’s most incredible historical temple complexes and ancient cities - 3 Weeks In Thailand, Cambodia And Vietnam
Our Three Weeks in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary lets you experience three of Southeast Asia’s most exciting, rewarding and unique countries from multiple perspectives.
