Travel guides › Bangkok
Bangkok in 3 days, 2 nights: temples and riverside sights, or markets and shopping?
Choose A if you want to explore temples and Chao Phraya River scenery in depth, or choose B for markets and shopping, timed for a weekend. Both itineraries start from Suvarnabhumi Airport; if you are using Don Mueang Airport, you can take the airport bus or rail routes noted in the guide.
3 days, 2 nights A | Grand Palace and riverside temples
On day one, travel from the airport to the Old Town to visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. On day two, link Talat Noi with riverside shopping. On the last day, relax at a riverside café before heading to the airport.
Day 1 | From the airport to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, then dinner in the Old Town
- Suvarnabhumi Airport → Phaya Thai Station
Take the Airport Rail Link (ARL) City Line to Phaya Thai Station; the ride takes about 30 minutes. The full-route fare is 45 baht.
- Phaya Thai Station → Grand Palace · Wat Phra Kaew
From Phaya Thai Station, take the BTS toward Siam and the MRT to Sanam Chai Station, then head to the Grand Palace. The palace is open daily from 08:30–15:30; admission for foreign adults is 500 baht. Sleeveless tops, shorts, see-through clothing, and similar attire are restricted. The visitor entrance is the Maninopparat Gate.
- Grand Palace · Wat Phra Kaew → Wat Pho
Head from the Old Town to Wat Pho to see the Reclining Buddha and temple architecture. It is open daily from 08:00–19:30; admission for foreign adults is 300 baht. Remove your shoes before entering buildings. For lunch, try nearby Old Town spots such as Krua Apsorn or Ann Guay Tiew Kua Gai, depending on your schedule.
- Wat Pho → Khao San Road
Head from Wat Pho toward the river and explore the Old Town streets. In the evening, stroll along Khao San Road, lined with restaurants and street vendors. For nightlife, bars, and pubs, consider Adhere the 13th Blues Bar. It is about a 10-minute walk from Phra Arthit Pier, close to Khao San Road.
Day 2 | A walk around Talat Noi and Wat Arun · Wat Arun · วัดอรุณ
- Hotel → Talat Noi
Wander through the lanes of Talat Noi near Chinatown to see old shops, shrines, and murals. Take a break at riverside cafés Hong Sieng Kong or Mother Roaster, and enjoy lunch at Nai Ek Roll Noodles.
- Talat Noi → Wat Arun · Wat Arun · วัดอรุณ
Head to a riverside pier and take a boat toward the Tha Tien Pier area, then take a ferry across the river. Wat Arun is open daily from 08:00–18:00; admission for foreign adults is 200 baht. Avoid revealing clothes and dress respectfully for your visit.
- Wat Arun → ICONSIAM
Check the riverside boat and shuttle boat schedules on the day of your visit, then head to ICONSIAM. It is open daily from 10:00–22:00, with free admission. Explore the indoor floating-market-inspired area and riverside views, then have dinner. If you want to continue the evening, consider BKK Social Club by the river.
Day 3 | Relax at a riverside café, then head to the airport
- Hotel → Wat Pho or the riverside
If you have time before your flight, take a short walk around Wat Pho or along the river. Grab a coffee at Vivi The Coffee Place, or head to the riverside to relax at A Coffee Roaster by Library.
- Riverside → Suvarnabhumi Airport
From Sathorn Pier, connected to BTS Saphan Taksin Station, head to Saphan Taksin Station, then take the BTS and Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The full Phaya Thai–Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link fare is 45 baht. If you are leaving from near Khao San, the S1 Airport Bus runs toward Sanam Luang and costs 60 baht one way.
3 days, 2 nights A: confirmed admission and transport costs (per adult)
Grand Palace 500 baht + Wat Pho 300 baht + Wat Arun 200 baht + Airport Rail Link 45 baht × 2 round trips + orange-flag boat 19 baht = total 1,109 baht.
- Included: Admission to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun; round-trip Airport Rail Link fares; and one one-way orange-flag boat fare.
- Not included: Accommodation, meals, flights, city rail fares, or the Tha Tien–Wat Arun ferry.
3 days, 2 nights B | Weekend market and downtown shopping
If you’re in Bangkok over the weekend, focus on Chatuchak Weekend Market and the art and shopping spots around Siam. On the final day, the route continues through Ratchaprasong to the airport, keeping transfers simple.
Day 1 | From the airport to Siam and the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
- Suvarnabhumi Airport → Phaya Thai Station
Take the Airport Rail Link (ARL) City Line; the trip takes about 30 minutes. The fare to Phaya Thai ranges from 15–45 baht depending on distance; the full-route fare is 45 baht.
- Phaya Thai Station → Siam
Explore the Siam area by BTS. Have lunch at Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice in Pratunam, then take your time browsing the shopping spots around Siam and Ratchadamri.
- Siam → Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
The BTS National Stadium Station is connected to the third-floor entrance of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–20:00; admission is free except for special events. For dinner, try Gallery Drip Coffee and nearby restaurants in Siam. For nightlife, consider Bar.Yard.
Day 2 | Chatuchak Weekend Market and an evening in Ari
- Siam Station → Kamphaeng Phet Station
Take the BTS to Mo Chit Station, transfer to the MRT, and continue to Kamphaeng Phet Station. The trip from Siam to Kamphaeng Phet takes about 22 minutes on average.
- Kamphaeng Phet Station → Chatuchak Weekend Market
From MRT Kamphaeng Phet Station Exit 2, you can walk straight into the heart of the market. Open Saturday and Sunday, 09:00–18:00; admission is free. Browse clothes, handicrafts, plants, and food, and grab a casual lunch inside the market.
- Chatuchak → Ari
After the market, head to Ari for a break at Nana Coffee Roasters Ari, then have dinner at Ong Tong Khaosoi Ari. For nightlife and live music, you can stop by Saxophone Pub.
Day 3 | A walk around Ratchaprasong, then the airport
- Hotel → Erawan Shrine · Ratchaprasong
From BTS Chit Lom Station Exit 8, follow the skywalk to Erawan Shrine. Open daily from 06:00–22:00; worship is free. Explore the nearby shopping centers, and fit in lunch at Suda Restaurant or Doi Chang Coffee, depending on your schedule.
- Ratchaprasong → Suvarnabhumi Airport
Take the BTS to Phaya Thai Station and transfer to the Airport Rail Link (ARL). The full Airport Rail Link journey takes about 30 minutes and costs 45 baht. If you are flying from Don Mueang Airport, check the airport’s recommended routes, such as the A1 airport bus toward BTS Mo Chit.
3 days, 2 nights B: confirmed admission and transport costs (per adult)
Chatuchak Market admission 0 baht + Bangkok Art and Culture Centre admission 0 baht + Erawan Shrine visit 0 baht + Airport Rail Link 45 baht × 2 round trips = total 90 baht.
- Included: Free admission to Chatuchak Market and the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, a free visit to Erawan Shrine, and round-trip Airport Rail Link fares.
- Not included: Accommodation, meals, flights, or city rail fares.
FAQ
What’s the difference between Bangkok itineraries A and B for 3 days, 2 nights?
A takes you around the Grand Palace, Old Town temples, and the Chao Phraya riverside. B is built around the weekend Chatuchak Market and the art and shopping spots in Siam.
When should I visit Chatuchak Weekend Market?
The entire market is open Saturday and Sunday, 09:00–18:00. If visiting the market is your priority, choose itinerary B and plan your trip for a weekend.
What should I wear to visit the Grand Palace and temples?
The Grand Palace restricts attire such as sleeveless tops, shorts, and see-through clothing. At Wat Arun, avoid revealing clothes and dress respectfully.
Official sources & check dates
- Practical Information | The Grand Palace · 2026-10-19
- Visit plan | Wat Pho · 2026-10-19
- Wat Arun The Temple of Dawn Bangkok · 2026-10-19
- How to Get to Khao San Road: Airports, BTS/MRT, Boat, Taxi · 2026-10-19
- Talat Noi in Bangkok: lanes, street art, Chinese shrines and the riverfront · 2026-10-19
- ICONSIAM Official Directory · 2026-10-19
- Public transportation in Bangkok · 2026-10-19
- Suvarnabhumi Airport · 2026-10-19
- Boat Service · 2026-10-19
- 태국 정부: 방콕 대중교통 정보 · 2026-10-19
- 왓포에서 사남차이 MRT역까지 이동 · 2026-10-19
- Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan | Tourism Authority of Thailand · 2026-10-19
- 방콕 사원 이동 안내 · 2026-10-19
- 사톤 선착장 · 2026-10-19
- 짜오프라야 익스프레스 보트 운항 정보 · 2026-10-19
- Chatuchak Market Contact and Opening Times · 2026-10-19
- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre: Plan Your Visit · 2026-10-19
- Erawan Shrine: Visitor Information · 2026-10-19
- 시암역에서 깜팽펫 MRT역까지 열차 이동 · 2026-10-19
- Chatuchak Market Tips and FAQs · 2026-10-19
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Chatuchak Market · 2026-10-19
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Erawan Shrine · 2026-10-19
- Donmueang International Airport · 2026-10-19
Site updated: 2026-10-19