3 Days in Bangkok: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one covers the old royal quarter by the river: the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho's reclining Buddha and Wat Arun across the water. Day two visits Jim Thompson's teak houses, the malls of Siam and the street food of Chinatown. Day three starts at the flower market, rides the river to ICONSIAM and ends on the glass floor of the Mahanakhon SkyWalk at sunset.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹9,200 to ₹11,500, excluding flights and hotel
Weather: Hot all year; the rainy season from about June to October brings heavy afternoon downpours, and November to February is the most comfortable.
Pack:
Light clothes, plus long trousers or a long skirt and covered shoulders for temples
Sandals that slip off easily for temples
Sunscreen and an umbrella
Thailand plug adapter (type A, B or C)
Local tips:
Use the BTS Skytrain, MRT and Chao Phraya river boats to beat the traffic.
If anyone tells you the Grand Palace is closed and offers a tuk-tuk tour instead, it is a scam.
Do not touch people's heads or point your feet at Buddha images.
Booking tips:
Arrive at the Grand Palace when it opens at 8:30am, before the tour groups.
Book the Mahanakhon SkyWalk sunset slot online in advance.
Getting there (from India):
flight: Nonstop from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities with Thai Airways, Air India, IndiGo and others - About 4 to 4.5 hours from Delhi or Mumbai
From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link reaches the city in about 30 minutes.
Fares change daily with demand, so compare dates before booking.
Day 1: The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
Bangkok's royal heart on Rattanakosin Island: the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and Wat Arun across the river at sunset.
The Grand Palace (morning): Start at the Grand Palace when it opens. Built from 1782 when Bangkok became the capital, its walled grounds hold gilded halls and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred temple, where a small jade Buddha sits high on a golden altar. THB 500 (about ₹1,400), foreign adult, includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha Why visit: Thailand's most sacred temple, the Emerald Buddha; Glittering royal halls Know before you go: Strict dress code: covered shoulders and legs, no sleeveless tops; Opens 8:30am; arrive early
Wat Pho (late morning): Walk south to Wat Pho, about 10 minutes. Its golden reclining Buddha is 46 metres long, with mother-of-pearl inlaid feet. Wat Pho is also the home of a famous school of Thai massage, and you can book a massage in its grounds. THB 300 (about ₹850), foreign adult Why visit: The 46-metre golden reclining Buddha; A traditional Thai massage at the temple's school Know before you go: Remove shoes in the halls; Quieter than the Grand Palace
Wat Arun (late afternoon): Take the short cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. Its tall central spire is covered in pieces of coloured porcelain, and you can climb part of the way up its steep steps for river views. THB 200 (about ₹570), foreign adult Why visit: The porcelain-covered spire of the Temple of Dawn; Views over the Chao Phraya river Know before you go: The cross-river ferry costs only a few baht; Best seen at sunset from the opposite bank
Eat: Thipsamai - A pad thai institution near the Golden Mount, known for noodles wrapped in a thin omelette. Expect a queue at dinner.
Evening: Watch the sun set behind Wat Arun from a riverside bar on the Wat Pho side.
Budget for the day: ₹3,500 to ₹4,400 per person, excluding hotel
Day 2: Jim Thompson House, Siam and Chinatown
Jim Thompson's teak houses, the malls and food halls of Siam, and an evening of street food in Chinatown.
Jim Thompson House (morning): Start at the Jim Thompson House, the home of the American who revived Thai silk after the Second World War and disappeared mysteriously in Malaysia in 1967. Guided tours lead you through six traditional teak houses full of Asian art, in a garden by a canal. THB 250 (about ₹710), adult, includes a guided tour Why visit: Traditional Thai teak houses and their art collection; The mystery of Jim Thompson Know before you go: Visits are by guided tour, every few minutes; A short walk from National Stadium BTS station
Siam Paragon (afternoon): Walk to Siam, about 10 minutes, Bangkok's shopping centre. Siam Paragon has luxury shops, a big food hall and an aquarium, and the malls around it, with Siam Square's smaller shops, are linked by walkways, out of the afternoon heat. Free Why visit: Bangkok's main shopping district; A huge food hall for a cool lunch Know before you go: Shops open around 10am; Linked to Siam BTS station
Chinatown (Yaowarat) (evening): Take the MRT to Wat Mangkon, about 20 minutes, for Chinatown. Yaowarat Road is lined with gold shops and neon signs, and after dark it fills with street-food stalls selling noodles, dumplings, seafood and mango sticky rice. Free Why visit: Bangkok's best street food; Neon signs, gold shops and busy lanes Know before you go: Many stalls close on Mondays; Carry cash for street food
Eat: Nai Ek Roll Noodle - A Chinatown favourite for rolled rice noodles in peppery soup, right on Yaowarat.
Evening: Walk Yaowarat Road after dark, when the street-food stalls are at their busiest.
Budget for the day: ₹1,300 to ₹1,800 per person, excluding hotel
Day 3: Flower market, ICONSIAM and the SkyWalk
The flower market at dawn, a river boat to the ICONSIAM mall, and the glass-floored SkyWalk on top of King Power Mahanakhon at sunset.
Pak Khlong Talat flower market (early morning): Start early at Pak Khlong Talat, Bangkok's flower market, open around the clock. Mountains of marigolds, orchids and roses are sold by the sack, and stalls string jasmine garlands for temple offerings. Free Why visit: Bangkok's biggest flower market; Garland-makers at work Know before you go: Busiest and best before 8am or late at night
ICONSIAM (late morning): Take a Chao Phraya river boat downstream to ICONSIAM, about 20 minutes, a riverside mall opened in 2018. Its ground floor has an indoor floating market, SookSiam, with food and crafts from across Thailand. Free Why visit: An indoor floating market with food from every region of Thailand; River views from its terraces Know before you go: A free shuttle boat runs from Sathorn pier
Mahanakhon SkyWalk (sunset): Take a taxi to King Power Mahanakhon, about 20 minutes, one of Bangkok's tallest buildings. At the top, around 310 metres up, the SkyWalk has a glass-floored platform over the city and an open rooftop for the sunset. THB 1,200 (about ₹3,400), adult, sunset slot; daytime 1,000 THB Why visit: A glass floor more than 300 metres above Bangkok; Sunset over the whole city Know before you go: Book the sunset slot in advance; Shoe covers are given for the glass floor
Eat: Jeh O Chula - A famous late-night Thai restaurant near Samyan, known for its tom yum instant-noodle pot.
Evening: After the SkyWalk, take a river cruise or visit Asiatique, the riverfront night market.
Budget for the day: ₹4,400 to ₹5,400 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
Chatuchak Weekend Market: Chatuchak market on a Saturday or Sunday: Thousands of stalls of clothes, crafts and food. (Trade-off: Weekends only; hot and crowded by midday. - Similar cost)
Floating market day trip: Damnoen Saduak floating market, about 1.5 hours away: Boats selling fruit and noodles on the canals. (Trade-off: Very touristy, and a long early-morning trip. - Costs more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Bangkok?
A 3-day Bangkok itinerary like this one works well for First-time visitors, Food lovers, Shoppers. It's not the best fit if You want a beach holiday; add Phuket or Krabi for that or You dislike heat and humidity.
How much does a 3-day Bangkok trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹9,200 to ₹11,500 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Bangkok itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Bangkok?
The best time to visit Bangkok is November to February.
How do I get to Bangkok from India?
Common options are flight (About 4 to 4.5 hours from Delhi or Mumbai). From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link reaches the city in about 30 minutes.
What are the must-see places in Bangkok in 3 days?
Day 1: The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Day 2: Jim Thompson House, Siam Paragon and Chinatown (Yaowarat). Day 3: Pak Khlong Talat flower market, ICONSIAM and Mahanakhon SkyWalk.
Which Bangkok attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Siam Paragon, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Pak Khlong Talat flower market and ICONSIAM are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in Bangkok in rupees?
The Grand Palace: THB 500 (about ₹1,400); Wat Pho: THB 300 (about ₹850); Wat Arun: THB 200 (about ₹570); Jim Thompson House: THB 250 (about ₹710); Mahanakhon SkyWalk: THB 1,200 (about ₹3,400). Prices are adult tickets, converted to rupees and rounded; check the official site before booking.
What should you wear to the Grand Palace?
Cover your shoulders and legs: no sleeveless tops, shorts or short skirts. Long trousers or a long skirt and a top with sleeves are fine; clothes can also be borrowed near the entrance.
How do you get around Bangkok?
Use the BTS Skytrain and MRT for most trips, and Chao Phraya river boats for the old city and temples. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap, but traffic can be slow at rush hour.
Where to Eat in Bangkok
Kodtalay The Riverfront Seafood Buffet - ★4.9-11, 3 Soi Charoen Krung 58, Khwaeng Yan Nawa, Khet Sathon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120, Thailand
Maidreamin MBK เมดดรีมมิน เอ็มบีเค - ★4.9 - MBK Center 7th FL., #A3-A4 444 Phaya Thai Rd, Khwaeng Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand