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Bangkok in 3 nights and 4 days: temples and the river, or markets and shopping?
Option A suits travelers who want to take their time exploring temples and riverside views; Option B is a better fit if you want to spend more time at markets and shopping downtown. Choose Chatuchak Weekend Market on a Saturday or Sunday.
3 Nights, 4 Days: Option A | Temples and the Chao Phraya River
Arrive in the Old City on day one and rest. On day two, visit the Grand Palace and temples, then spend the evening by the river. On day three, connect Talat Noi with ICONSIAM, and head to the airport on your final day.
Day 1 | Airport to the Old City
Keep the first day focused on getting to your accommodation and resting after arrival.
- Suvarnabhumi Airport → Phaya Thai Station
Take the Airport Rail Link City Line; the trip takes about 30 minutes. Fares are 15–45 baht, or 45 baht for the full route. To reach the Old City, book a car from Phaya Thai to your accommodation.
- Don Mueang Airport → Khao San · Sanam Luang
The A4 airport bus runs toward Democracy Monument, Khao San, and Sanam Luang. Alternatively, take a metered taxi from the taxi stand on the first floor of Terminal 1’s arrivals level. There is a 50-baht airport surcharge, and passengers pay highway tolls.
- Accommodation → Dinner in the Old City
Unpack at your accommodation, then have dinner at a nearby restaurant. Krua Apsorn is one Old City dining option to consider.
Day 2 | The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun across the river
Spend the day visiting some of the Old City’s best-known temples. The Grand Palace is open daily from 08:30–15:30, Wat Pho daily from 08:00–19:30, and Wat Arun · Wat Arun · วัดอรุณ daily from 08:00–18:00.
- Accommodation → The Grand Palace · Wat Phra Kaew
Take the MRT Blue Line to Sanam Chai Station, then head toward the Grand Palace. The visitor entrance is the Mani Nopparat Gate; follow the visitor route and exit signs. Admission for foreign adults is 500 baht. Sleeveless tops, short bottoms, sheer clothing, and similar attire may be refused.
- The Grand Palace → Wat Pho
Head from the Old City to Wat Pho to see the Reclining Buddha and temple architecture. Admission for foreign adults is 300 baht. Remove your shoes before entering temple buildings and keep your visit quiet and respectful. It’s about a 6-minute walk to nearby MRT Sanam Chai Station. For lunch, consider Old City restaurant Krua Apsorn.
- Wat Pho → Wat Arun
Cross the river from Tha Tien Pier. Admission for foreign adults at Wat Arun is 200 baht. Wear neat, modest clothing as you explore the grounds.
- Wat Arun → Khao San Road
Return from the riverside to the Old City and explore the restaurants and street stalls on Khao San Road. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Phra Arthit Pier to the street. For nightlife, bars, and pubs, consider adding Adhere the 13th Blues Bar in the Old City to your plans.
Day 3 | Talat Noi lanes and ICONSIAM
Stroll through the lanes of this historic merchant district and stop at a riverside café, then spend the afternoon shopping and dining across the river. ICONSIAM is open daily from 10:00–22:00, with free admission.
- Old City → Talat Noi
Take a taxi or travel along the river to Talat Noi, where you can take your time exploring murals, shrines, and old shop houses. Travel time depends on your transport and starting point, so check your route before setting out. For coffee, consider nearby Mother Roaster or Hong Sieng Kong.
- Talat Noi → ICONSIAM
If taking the BTS, change to the Gold Line at Krung Thon Buri Station and continue to ICONSIAM Station. The full Gold Line fare is 16 baht. Browse the shops, restaurants, and indoor floating-market-style area, then spend the evening by the river.
- ICONSIAM → Accommodation
Take the Gold Line and BTS back to your accommodation. If you choose the riverside shuttle boat, check the departure point and service information for that day.
Final Day | Downtown to the airport
Leave plenty of time to reach the airport for your departing flight.
- Accommodation → Suvarnabhumi Airport
Travel downtown to Phaya Thai Station, then take the Airport Rail Link City Line. The ride takes about 30 minutes, and the full-route fare is 45 baht. Taxis use the meter plus a 50-baht airport surcharge; passengers pay highway tolls.
- Accommodation → Don Mueang Airport
Head toward BTS Mo Chit and take the A1 airport bus, or board the SRT Red Line at Krung Thep Aphiwat Station. A one-way adult Red Line fare is 33 baht. At Don Mueang, use the taxi stand on the first floor of Terminal 1’s arrivals level; taxis leaving the airport have a 50-baht surcharge.
Confirmed admission and transport costs for 3 Nights, 4 Days: Option A (per adult)
Grand Palace 500 + Wat Pho 300 + Wat Arun 200 + Airport Rail Link 45 + Gold Line 16 + Orange Flag boat 19 = 1,080 baht total.
- Includes: admission to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun; the full Airport Rail Link route from Suvarnabhumi Airport; the full Gold Line route; and one Orange Flag boat fare.
- Not included: accommodation, meals, flights, downtown BTS and MRT fares, taxis, and the cross-river ferry fare.
3 Nights, 4 Days: Option B | Weekend market and downtown shopping
Shop at the market in the north, then explore the cultural and commercial areas of Siam and Ratchaprasong. Finish your last day with a convenient trip from downtown toward the airport.
Day 1 | Airport to Siam
Depending on your arrival airport, take the train or airport bus into town, then settle in around Siam.
- Suvarnabhumi Airport → Phaya Thai Station
Take the Airport Rail Link City Line; the trip takes about 30 minutes. Fares are 15–45 baht, or 45 baht for the full route. From Phaya Thai, take the BTS toward Siam.
- Don Mueang Airport → Downtown
The A1 airport bus runs toward BTS Mo Chit and Mo Chit Bus Terminal. The SRT Red Line connects to Krung Thep Aphiwat Station; a one-way adult fare is 33 baht. Airport taxis are available from the taxi stand on the first floor of Terminal 1’s arrivals level and have a 50-baht airport surcharge.
- Siam → Dinner
Leave your bags in Siam and head out for dinner. Consider Ko-Ang Khaomankai Pratunam for a meal, or Saxophone Pub near Siam for nightlife, bars, and pubs.
Day 2 | Chatuchak Weekend Market and Ari
The entire market is open Saturday and Sunday from 09:00–18:00, with free admission. If you’re visiting on a weekday, move the market visit to another day or check which sections are open.
- Siam Station → Kamphaeng Phet Station
Take the BTS to Mo Chit, change to the MRT, and get off at Kamphaeng Phet Station. The trip takes about 22 minutes on average. Exit 2 at Kamphaeng Phet Station gives direct access to the heart of the market.
- Kamphaeng Phet Station → Chatuchak Weekend Market
Browse the clothing, crafts, plants, and food sections. The whole market is free to enter, and it’s large, so wear comfortable shoes and take your time. Have lunch inside the market. For coffee or a meal, consider Nana Coffee Roasters Ari or Ong Tong Khaosoi Ari as your next stop.
- Chatuchak → Siam
Take the MRT and BTS back to Siam for dinner. If you want to continue shopping and dining, spend the evening around Siam and Ratchaprasong.
Day 3 | Siam’s cultural spots and Ratchaprasong
Spend a day exploring downtown exhibitions, traditional Thai architecture, shrines, and shopping districts. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is open Tuesday–Sunday from 10:00–20:00, with free admission.
- Accommodation → Jim Thompson House
Head to the area around BTS National Stadium Station and visit Jim Thompson House on a guided tour. Check the official information for ticket terms and tour schedules shortly before your visit.
- Jim Thompson House → Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Go to Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, connected to National Stadium Station, to see the exhibitions. It’s open Tuesday–Sunday from 10:00–20:00 and is free except for special events. It closes on Mondays, New Year holidays, and Songkran holidays. Gallery Drip Coffee is a nearby café option.
- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre → Erawan Shrine · Ratchaprasong
Follow the skywalk from Exit 8 of BTS Chit Lom Station to Erawan Shrine. The shrine is open daily from 06:00–22:00, and visits are free. Explore the surrounding shopping district, then consider dinner at Ko-Ang Khaomankai Pratunam.
Final Day | Take in the downtown views, then head to the airport
Choose an observation deck or park to fit your departure time, then make your way to the airport.
- Siam → King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk
Take the BTS to Chong Nonsi Station, which connects to the building. A daytime adult ticket costs 1,000 baht. Check the terms for your time slot, then enjoy the city views.
- King Power Mahanakhon → Suvarnabhumi Airport
Travel downtown to Phaya Thai Station and take the Airport Rail Link City Line. The trip takes about 30 minutes, and the full-route fare is 45 baht. Taxis use the meter plus a 50-baht airport surcharge; passengers pay highway tolls.
- Downtown → Don Mueang Airport
Take the SRT Red Line from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station to the airport station; a one-way adult fare is 33 baht. Alternatively, take the A1 airport bus toward BTS Mo Chit. The taxi stand is on the first floor of Terminal 1’s arrivals level, and taxis leaving the airport have a 50-baht surcharge.
Confirmed admission and transport costs for 3 Nights, 4 Days: Option B (per adult)
Chatuchak Weekend Market 0 + Bangkok Art and Culture Centre 0 + Erawan Shrine 0 + Mahanakhon SkyWalk daytime ticket 1,000 + full Airport Rail Link route from Suvarnabhumi Airport 45 + one-way SRT Red Line fare from Don Mueang Airport 33 = 1,078 baht total.
- Includes: free admission to Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, and Erawan Shrine; a daytime Mahanakhon ticket; the full Airport Rail Link route; and a one-way SRT Red Line fare.
- Not included: accommodation, meals, flights, downtown BTS and MRT fares, and taxis. Apply only one train fare for the airport you actually fly into or out of.
FAQ
How do Bangkok’s 3-night, 4-day Options A and B differ?
Option A centers on the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the Chao Phraya riverside. Option B explores Chatuchak Weekend Market, Siam’s cultural spots, and the Ratchaprasong shopping district.
Can I visit Chatuchak Weekend Market on a weekday?
The full market is open Saturday and Sunday from 09:00–18:00. The plant section operates on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the wholesale section on Fridays, so match the day to the area you want to visit.
What should I wear to the Grand Palace and temples?
The Grand Palace restricts attire such as sleeveless tops, short tops, sheer clothing, and short bottoms. Wear neat, modest clothing at Wat Arun as well.
Official sources & check dates
- Suvarnabhumi Airport · 2026-10-19
- Donmueang International Airport · 2026-10-19
- 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 Tourist Information · 2026-10-19
- 태국 정부: 골드라인 이용 안내 · 2026-10-19
- Public transportation in Bangkok · 2026-10-19
- 태국 정부: 방콕 대중교통 정보 · 2026-10-19
- SRT 레드라인 요금 정보 · 2026-10-19
- Boat Service · 2026-10-19
- Public Taxi · 2026-10-19
- FAQ | The Grand Palace · 2026-10-19
- Wat Pho official site · 2026-10-19
- Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan | Tourism Authority of Thailand · 2026-10-19
- 방콕 사원 이동 안내 · 2026-10-19
- 왓포에서 사남차이 MRT역까지 이동 · 2026-10-19
- ICONSIAM Official Directory · 2026-10-19
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: ICONSIAM · 2026-10-19
- ICONSIAM 방문 안내 · 2026-10-19
- 짜오프라야 익스프레스 보트 운항 정보 · 2026-10-19
- Chatuchak Market Contact and Opening Times · 2026-10-19
- Chatuchak Market Tips and FAQs · 2026-10-19
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Chatuchak Market · 2026-10-19
- 시암역에서 깜팽펫 MRT역까지 열차 이동 · 2026-10-19
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Jim Thompson's House · 2026-10-19
- Bangkok Art and Culture Centre: Plan Your Visit · 2026-10-19
- Erawan Shrine: Visitor Information · 2026-10-19
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Erawan Shrine · 2026-10-19
- King Power Mahanakhon: SkyWalk · 2026-10-19
- Taxi-Meter · 2026-10-19
- Chatuchak Weekend Market: stations and location · 2026-10-19
- KING POWER MAHANAKHON: SkyWalk Ticket (Daytime) · 2026-10-19
Site updated: 2026-10-19