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.
3 Days In Bangkok:
Bangkok Day One
- Click here to view our One Day in Bangkok: Must See Itinerary.
Bangkok Day Two
- Click here to view our Two Days in Bangkok Itinerary.
Bangkok Day Three Morning: Chatuchak Market (Weekend Only) or Siam Sawan Bike Tour
Counterfeit Clothing for sale, Chatuchak Market © Ben
- 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. - Phra Pradaeng Bike Tour
Tour the greener side of Bangkok – an area south of the city known as Phra Pradaeng – by bicycle. This popular bike tour takes people through Phra Pradaeng, Bangkok’s greenest district, stopping at a variety of restaurants and eateries along the way.
Bangkok Day Three Afternoon: Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Thanon Yaowarat © yeowatzup
- 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
Bangkok Day Three Afternoon: Sukhumvit
- Benjakiti Park
Bangkok’s answer to Central Park, Benjakiti is a huge green space within walking distance of BTS Asok (even if it’s completely invisible from the Skytrain). The park a large lake, bicycling track and a vast newly constructed re-wilded area that is dog-friendly. 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 its newer sister, Emquartier, located directly opposite) is a popular luxury shopping mall that’s home to a variety of brand names, high street fashion retailers, bookstores and more. A third mall, Emsphere, is due to open next to The Emporium in 2023. - 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
Bangkok Day Three 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.
Bangkok Day Three 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.
Mid Range Hotels in Bangkok
Where to Stay In Bangkok:
Luxury Hotels in Bangkok
- Mandarin Oriental Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
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
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
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
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
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
Mid Range Hotels in Bangkok
- Centre Point Silom Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
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
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
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
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
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
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
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.
- 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. You often have to wait in line for a taxi to become available. A 50 baht fee is applied to all taxi fares departing from the airport.
- You can also book a private airport transfer to be waiting with your name on a sign in Arrivals. A cheaper option is to book a shared transfer from the airport to your Bangkok hotel in a minivan too.
- 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.
- See Travel Happy’s Bangkok Airport Guide for more info
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, and there is often a queue to get a taxi.
- You can also book a private airport transfer to be waiting with your name on a sign in Arrivals. A cheaper option is to book a shared transfer from Don Mueang airport to your Bangkok hotel in a minivan too.
- See Travel Happy’s Bangkok Airport Guide for more info
Moving On From Bangkok
Bangkok is the gateway to the rest of Thailand – whether it’s by plane, bus, boat or train, you can get to anywhere in Thailand from Bangkok. If you’ve a next destination in mind, for example Chiang Mai, check 12Go for an overview of the different types of transport available and to see how much it costs and how long it takes.
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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.
