From temples and museums to shopping malls and outdoor markets, Bangkok has more than enough to keep you occupied for 3 days in Bangkok.
Bangkok Dangerous © Mike Behnken
If you’re visiting for a long weekend or just passing through on the way to the islands, use this itinerary to make the most of your stay.
From the best places to shop to the best restaurants and nightlife options, read on to discover what you can do with 3 days in Bangkok.
Counterfeit Clothing for sale, Chatuchak Market © Ben
3 Days In Bangkok:
Day One
- Click here to view our One Day in Bangkok: Must See Itinerary.
Day Two
- Click here to view our Two Days in Bangkok Itinerary.
Day Three Morning: Chatuchak Market (Weekend Only) or Siam Sawan Bike Tour
- Chatuchak Market (Weekend Only)
Every weekend, thousands of vendors open their shops in Chatuchak Weekend Market, the largest market in Thailand. Home to over 8,000 independent stalls, Chatuchak is a shopper’s paradise, offering everything from cheap fashion to furniture, souvenirs and pets.
Open on weekends only, Chatuchak is best visited in the morning before the afternoon heat picks up. The market opens at 9 am and is accessible via BTS Mo Chit or MRT Kamphaeng Phet. A huge range of dining options are available inside the market. See the Travel Happy page about Chatuchak for more info. - Siam Sawan Bike Tour (departs 8:30 am)
Tour the greener side of Bangkok — an area south of the city known as Phra Pradaeng — by bicycle. This four-hour bike tour takes people through Phra Pradaeng, Bangkok’s greenest district, stopping at a variety of restaurants and eateries along the way.
Thanon Yaowarat © yeowatzup
Afternoon: Chinatown (Yaowarat)
- Yaowarat Road and Market
Bangkok’s Chinatown is an impressive sight, home to a great selection of restaurants, small shops and jewellers. Shop for high quality gold and silver products or visit one of the area’s many Chinese/Thai temples to get a look into this unique part of Bangkok. - Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)
Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, is home to the worlds’ largest solid gold statue. The 5.5 ton Buddha image, which has an estimated value of £170 million, is believed to date back to the 13th or 14th century. - Wat Mangkon Kamalawat
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat is Bangkok’s most popular Chinese Buddhist temple. Located just a few minutes from Yaowarat Road, it contains a selection of Chinese-style Buddha images and hosts several Chinese cultural events throughout the year.
Lake Ratchada Skyline © Mark Fischer
Afternoon: Sukhumvit
- Benjakitti Park
Located within walking distance of BTS Asok, Benjakitti Park features a large lake, bicycling track and great collection of tropical plants. Bicycles are available to rent for 40 baht per hour, with the track around the lake offering great views of Bangkok’s skyline. - Benjasiri Park
Another park along Sukhumvit Road, Benjasiri Park is one of Bangkok’s smaller city parks. A beautiful pond with freshwater turtles, several Thai statues and plenty of greenery make this a great place to escape Bangkok’s daytime heat. - The Emporium
Located next to Benjasiri Park at BTS Phrom Phong, The Emporium (and the new EM District shopping complex) is a popular luxury shopping mall that’s home to a variety of brand names, high street fashion retailers, bookstores and more. - Terminal 21
Located at BTS Asok, Terminal 21 is a breath of fresh air for Bangkok’s shopping scene. This mall is divided into several zones, each designed to imitate an international city. A huge range of independent shops sell everything from custom jeans to souvenirs. - For more about things to do on Sukhumvit, see Travel Happy’s Guides to Nana and Asoke (Lower Sukhumvit), Thonglor and Ekkamai (Central Sukhumvit) and On Nut, Phrakanong and beyond (Upper Sukhumvit)
Terminal 21 © Krista
Dinner (in Chinatown)
- Hong Kong Noodle
Located in the middle of a busy market off Yaowarat Road, Hong Kong Noodle serves cheap and tasty Hong Kong-style Chinese food. Tasty dim sum, soups and noodle dishes make this a great place to stop for lunch or dinner while in the area. - Hua Seng Hong
Yaowarat Road’s Hua Seng Hong might not be organised or orderly, but its Chinese food is some of the best in the area. Roast duck, grilled pork and a wide range of other well-known Chinese dishes make Hua Seng Hong a good dining option if you’re in Yaowarat. - Sala Rim Naam at Mandarin Oriental
Located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya and accessible via the Mandarin Oriental’s private boat, Sala Rim Naam serves a selection of fantastic Thai dishes in a relaxing, beautiful setting.
Mid Range Hotels in Bangkok
Dinner (in Sukhumvit)
- Suda
Located less than one minute from BTS Asok, this open air Thai restaurant attracts a mix of local office workers, expats and tourists. Dishes are cheap and tasty, with the menu including a huge range of classic Thai meals. - Sabai Jai Gai Yang
Located on Sukhumvit Soi 63, a short walk from BTS Ekkamai, Sabai Jai Gai Yang serves a mix of Thai-style grilled chicken and Isaan (Northeast Thailand) dishes. Popular with locals, this restaurant is a great place to relax with friends and a bottle or tower of local beer. - Supanniga Eating Room
Located inside a cosy three-storey townhouse in Thong Lor, Supanniga Eating Room serves a mix of Northeast and Southern Thai cuisine. Dishes are tasty and unpretentious, with great service and extremely fair prices for a restaurant on Soi Thonglor.
Where to Stay:
Luxury Hotels in Bangkok
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is arguably Bangkok’s most luxurious hotel. With a great location on the Chao Phraya River, it’s perfectly located for visitors that want to see Bangkok’s famous temples and historical attractions during their stay. - Shangri-La Hotel
The Shangri-La offers a beautiful riverside setting and some of the best rooms in the city. Like the Mandarin Oriental, it’s a convenient and luxurious choice for visitors that want to travel to the Grand Palace and other attractions near the Chao Phraya. - Sala Rattanakosin
Located beside the Chao Phraya on the historical Rattanakosin Island, Sala Rattanakosin is a luxurious 4½ star hotel with a fantastic location. Minutes away from the Grand Palace and the city’s other top historical attractions, it’s a great choice for travellers seeking convenience. - There are also some remarkable boutique hotels in Bangkok which are worth considering
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Mid Range Hotels in Bangkok
- Centre Point Silom Hotel
The Centre Point Silom Hotel is a short walk away from Sathorn Pier, making it a convenient and comfortable accommodation option for visitors to Bangkok that want to access attractions along the Chao Phraya by day and Bangkok’s best nightlife by night. - Arun Residence
Offering some of the best views of Wat Arun in the city and home to one of Bangkok’s most popular riverside restaurants, Arun Residence is a conveniently located 4-star hotel that’s a short distance from the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and other attractions.
Budget Hotels in Bangkok
- Khaosan Immjai Hostel
With a location close to Khao San Road and a selection of affordable hostel beds and private rooms, Khaosan Immjai Hostel is a conveniently located and clean option for travellers on a strict budget. - Oldtown Hostel
Oldtown Hostel is a clean, simple and comfortable hostel located a short walk from Bangkok’s luxurious Riverside area. Rooms range from eight-bed shared rooms to private doubles, twins and family rooms.
Bangkok Nightlife
If you need to leave Bangkok early the next morning, there’s no better way to cap off your stay than with a drink at one of the city’s numerous riverside hotel bars. For a relaxing and chilled out experience, try one of the following riverside hotel bars:
- Ciao at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Equal parts Italian restaurant and riverside cocktail bar, Ciao offers a great view of the Chao Phraya River and a relaxed setting. Visit after sunset to enjoy a drink surrounded by the lit up trees of the Mandarin Oriental’s riverside dining terrace. Smart casual dress required. - The River Bar at The Peninsula Hotel
Located on the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya, The River Bar offers a great view of the Bangkok riverside and a drinks list that ranges from signature Thai cocktails to a variety of imported beers. Smart casual dress required. - Thonglor
Just finished dinner in Sukhumvit? Thonglor, Bangkok’s trendiest nightlife neighbourhood, is a great place to enjoy your last night out in Bangkok. Try one of the many great bars located on Soi Thonglor or pop into Seenspace on Thonglor Soi 13 for a drink with the local hi-so crowd. - Sukhumvit Soi 11
Sukhumvit Soi 11 is Bangkok’s most popular international party street, boasting a huge range of clubs and bars. Good nightspots include Levels inside the ALoft Hotel, Oskar Bistro, Nest Rooftop Lounge, and Above Eleven.
Getting to Bangkok
From Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Suvarnabhumi Airport is Bangkok’s main international airport, located about 25 kilometres east of the city. There are three ways to get to Bangkok from Suvarnabhumi Airport: via the Airport Rail Link, by public bus and by taxi.
- The Airport Rail Link (ARL) connects with the BTS Skytrain at Phayathai Station, making it a convenient option for visitors staying along the Sukhumvit Line. Trains depart on a frequent schedule from the basement floor of the airport terminal.
- Bangkok’s somewhat confusing public bus system is the cheapest way to get into the city from Suvarnabhumi. Buses depart from the Transport Centre close to the airport for a wide range of destinations.
- Taxis from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok cost 250 to 400 baht, depending on traffic and your destination, and are available from the taxi stand on the ground floor of the terminal. A 50 baht fee is applied to all taxi fares departing from the airport.
From Don Muang Airport
- Don Muang Airport is Bangkok’s second airport. It primarily serves domestic and short haul international flights. There is currently no direct train service to Don Muang Airport, so you’ll need to catch a taxi from the airport into the city.
- Taxis depart from the taxi stand on the ground floor of the airport terminal. Turn left once you exit customs and you’ll find the stand. Like at Suvarnabhumi Airport, a 50 baht fee is applied to all taxi fares from Don Muang Airport.
