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Ready to plan an unforgettable three days in Bangkok? You’ve landed in the right spot!
This vibrant, non-stop city has golden temples, buzzing markets, canal rides, and some of the best street food on the planet. With so much to do (and eat!), it can be hard to know where to begin. But don’t worry, we’ve crafted the ultimate three-day itinerary to help you experience the best of Bangkok without feeling overwhelmed.
After multiple visits, we’ve pieced together a mix of can’t-miss sights, unique local experiences, and plenty of flexibility to make it your own. From longtail boats to tuk-tuks, this itinerary will help you make every moment count. So grab your sunglasses and let’s dive in!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did was this tuk-tuk night tour of Bangkok! We stopped by bustling night markets, tried amazing food, saw temples lit up, and loved every second of being in a tuk-tuk.
Check out the 3,000+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Itinerary Overview
Bangkok is one of Southeast Asia’s biggest cities, not just in size, but in population. This can be intimidating when it comes to getting around if you’ve never been on this side of the world before, but don’t worry, because it’s not nearly as overwhelming as it seems. Instead of using Uber, Thailand has Grab, a very similar style of rideshare app you can use to book cars and tuk tuk’s. To make your life easier, download the app before you arrive and get payment to your credit or debit card set up beforehand so you’re all set when you touch down.
Oh, and a very important note: do not try to get a Grab from the airport to your hotel when you land. We have had to wait over an hour each time we tried to do this in the heat and pollution (and incredibly tired!) of the underground parking lot, and it was a nightmare. Taking a ride back to the airport is generally fine, but when you first arrive, I highly suggest booking a private shuttle like this one to save yourself time and a stressful start to your visit. Private shuttles are cheap, on time, and make your life so much easier!
Let’s take a look at what you can expect from an epic three days in Bangkok:
Day 1: Spend the day going to Bangkok’s best sites on a fully customizable private tour and then later that evening, enjoy a sunset cruise with a 3-course Thai dinner or this budget friendly dinner cruise before toasting to your first day at Sky Bar.
Day 2: Start day two with a longtail boat cruise through the canals, and then wander the city at your own pace for a few hours before eating and sightseeing your way through the city on a nighttime tuk tuk tour.
Day 3: On the final day, you have the choice of either visiting Bangkok’s most iconic markets or heading out of the city to explore the ruins of Ayutthaya. In the evening, take a tour of the city’s street food scene or head to JODD FAIRS Rama 9 to eat and explore at your own pace.
Day 1
Morning/Afternoon – Full-day introduction to Bangkok tour
This full-day private tour is all about seeing Bangkok your way. It’s a fully customizable, private experience that uses public transport and walking to get you from place to place.
While you can technically start the tour anytime, we recommend booking for no later than 8 am to leave time to relax before tonight’s dinner cruise. It’s a full 8 hours, so the tour should wrap up around 5 pm. The guide will meet you at your hotel as long as you’re staying near a public transit stop, so grab some breakfast before you meet up!
You’ll plan your route with your guide, who’s full of local insight and ready with suggestions if you’re not sure where to start. Hit the big sights like Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, or Khao San Road, or go off the beaten path with options like the Ancient City (a sprawling, open-air museum on its own island) or even a stop at a snake farm.
One spot we absolutely recommend is the Jim Thompson House. This central Bangkok museum tells the story of the American businessman who helped revive Thailand’s silk industry—then vanished mysteriously. The house itself is beautiful, and the history makes it worth the visit.
Bangkok can feel a bit chaotic, so having a knowledgeable guide to help you navigate is honestly a game-changer, and for a private tour, it’s surprisingly affordable.
We loved how easy it was to tailor the day to exactly what we were in the mood for, and our guide made every stop feel effortless and fun. It’s clear we’re not the only ones who loved it—check out THOUSANDS of five-star reviews here to see why this is one of the top-rated tours in Bangkok.
One important thing to note is that it can often take 45 minutes or more to get around Bangkok, especially during peak rush hour. Be sure to tell your tour guide that you need to be back at your hotel by 5 pm sharp so you have enough time to make it to your evening cruise!
Secure your date for this private tour here before it sells out!
Dinner – Unwind with a luxury dining cruise
Ending the day with a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River? Yes, please! This luxury dining experience felt like something out of a movie—sailing past temples, palaces, and Bangkok’s glittering skyline at night. The boat itself is a fully restored antique rice barge, and cruising on one felt like such a unique nod to Thai history.
This is one of the few true luxury cruises in Bangkok, so it’s quite popular. So popular in fact, that we couldn’t even book it! It’s on a small, intimate boat, and seating is limited. Be sure to book your tour well in advance, or you’ll miss out as we did.
We recommend booking the 6:30 pm or 8 pm time slots, just pick whichever lines up best with your appetite after a full day out.
And the food? Next-level. We’re all about street food, but this cruise boasts fine Thai dining at its absolute best. I’m talking Wagyu beef noodles, grilled prawns, and mango sticky rice to finish it off.
The best way to get to the pier from most areas in Bangkok is by taxi. You can book one through your hotel, or download Grab, which are the local version of Uber. Give yourself more time than you think—traffic in Bangkok is no joke during rush hour.
This is one of those rare experiences that feels both luxurious and authentic, and the perfect way to wind down after a day of exploring.
Book this dinner cruise in advance here to secure your spot!
Alternate cruise option
Since the luxury cruise wasn’t available for us to book, we went for this budget-friendly dinner cruise instead! It wasn’t the 5-star experience as the other cruise, but it’s still a solid alternative and gives you a chance to see Bangkok from the water.
Instead of a plated dinner, you can enjoy a Thai buffet, spread with various types of curries, fish, and other Thai staples. If you need a break from Thai food, they also have Western classics like pasta and salads.
The highlight of this dinner cruise was the entertainment! As we ate and cruised, there was a traditional Thai dance performance that was impressive and a unique cultural experience. After the performance, the DJ onboard kept the energy upbeat and lively.
The cruise lasts for 2 hours and takes off at 7:30 pm. We think this is a fantastic alternative if the luxury cruise is sold out, or if you’re looking for a more affordable dinner cruise.
Check your travel dates and reserve this dinner cruise here!
Evening – Toast to your first day in Bangkok
If you aren’t ready to call it a night and feel like getting one of the most iconic views of Bangkok around, head to Sky Bar. It’s about a 10-20 minute Grab ride away, depending on which cruise you took, but absolutely worth the trip. This is the famous bar from Hangover 2 (grab a picture to show you were there!), and even if you have no idea what that movie is, the view is easily the best in the city, especially at night.
There is no cost to go up to the rooftop, but when you get there, you’ll be in a kind of waiting area with okay views. If you want to walk out to the open air bar and get the really good views, you’ll have to buy a drink first. Drinks are about 1,300 THB ($41 USD), but we think it’s absolutely worth it to come up for about an hour or so. And considering the “entrance ticket” is a cocktail, we think it could be worse!
Related Read: Don’t wait too long to book a hotel! Our where to stay in Bangkok guide breaks it down so you get the best hotel and area.
Day 2
Breakfast – Kope Hya Tai Kee Na Saranrom
Kick off your second day in Bangkok with breakfast at Kope Hya Tai Kee, a local favorite blending Western and Thai morning staples. Think buttery toast alongside kaya jam, soft-boiled eggs, and strong local coffee, with a few surprises thrown in. It’s a cozy mix of familiar comfort and regional flavor, and a solid step up from your standard hotel buffet.
The café opens at 7 am, but we recommend aiming to arrive around 8 am to give yourself time to enjoy the meal without rushing. It’s best to grab a taxi here, and from the restaurant, it’s just an easy 11-minute walk to the canal tour meeting point. Fuel up—you’ve got a unique ride ahead.
Morning – Cruise the canals of Bangkok on a long-tail boat
Once you’ve finished breakfast, it’s the perfect time to head out on this classic canal tour. We found the 9:30 am slot to be ideal. It’s early enough to dodge the midday heat and finishes up around 11:30 am, giving you the rest of the day to roam.
Cruising through the city’s “klongs” was a refreshing change from the busy streets. The pace slows down on the water, and it almost feels like you’re drifting through a different city entirely.
Our guide took us through several neighborhoods, pointing out historic temples and homes, including Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, where a massive 92-meter bronze Buddha towers over the skyline. We also made a stop at the Artist’s House, a charming canalside home-turned-gallery filled with Thai art, quirky sculptures, and even a little café for drinks and snacks.
The boat had a shaded canopy, so we could just relax and take it all in without roasting in the sun. It was the perfect setup for sightseeing—comfortable, breezy, and just slow enough to let the whole experience sink in.
This tour combined history, local life, and hidden corners of the city in a way that felt effortless. It was one of the most peaceful and culturally rich experiences of our trip—and judging by the THOUSANDS of glowing reviews here, it’s safe to say it’s a standout favorite for many travelers.
Book this unique canal tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
Lunch – Nara Thai Cuisine
Nara Thai Cuisine was one of the best authentic Thai meals we had while in Bangkok – I’m not kidding! Even though it’s a chain restaurant, we were impressed by the flavors and service. This afternoon, we have a few options on what you can do, but we think starting with visiting one of Bangkok’s mega malls and enjoying lunch at Nara is a must.
Whether you visit IconSIAM or CentralWorld (more on these below), you can enjoy Nara Thai Cuisine. Everything is reasonably priced and there are photos on the menu, so you can get a better feel of what you’re ordering.
Afternoon – Your choice!
The early afternoon in Bangkok can be hot and humid, especially if you’ve been out exploring all morning. So instead of packing in more outdoor sightseeing, we’ve put together a few chill options to help you recharge before tonight’s tuk-tuk tour. Whether you want to browse boutiques, get a dose of culture, or just totally zen out, there’s something here to match your vibe.
Shop ‘til you drop
ICONSIAM is one of Bangkok’s most iconic shopping destinations—quite literally. You might’ve spotted it during last night’s dinner cruise or on the canal tour this morning. This massive riverside complex has everything from luxury brands to local designers, plus cafés, food stalls, and some seriously over-the-top decor. It’s just a 10-minute taxi ride from the end of the tour, and you can spend a few hours wandering through or simply stop for a quick visit.
Perhaps even more famous (and bigger!) is CentralWorld Shopping Complex. This is a 30-minute Grab ride from the morning tour, and it is the definition of Southeast Asia megamalls. You can find anything you need here, and it’s simply fun to walk around and marvel at the sheer size of this mall!
Get a professional Thai massage
Nothing says “reset” like a traditional Thai massage, and Let’s Relax Spa is one of the best places to get one. This professional and highly rated spa offers a wide menu of treatments, but we went for the three hour Thai and foot massage. Even if you only have one hour for a Thai massage, that will be enough to loosen you up and have you feeling like new.
Let’s Relax Spa is actually a chain and there are lots of locations around the city. Though Bangkok has a notorious reputation of seedy massage parlors, this chain was very professional, clean, and made us feel comfortable and relaxed.
There are locations next to IconSIAM mall, in CentralWorld mall, and just a short Grab away from the end of the morning tour, so you can get to any of them easily.
Discover Bangkok’s art scene
If you’re more into galleries than Gucci, head downtown to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). This contemporary space is one of the city’s leading creative hubs, featuring rotating exhibits from Thai and international artists across photography, painting, sculpture, and more.
It’s free to enter, open until 8 pm, and a great way to escape the afternoon heat while still soaking up something uniquely Bangkok. Best part? It’s only 10 minutes by taxi from the lunch stop.
Dinner/Evening – Explore Bangkok at night on a tuk-tuk tour
There’s no better way to wrap up the day than this nighttime tuk-tuk tour. It’s easily one of the most fun and memorable things we did in Bangkok. The 4-hour tour kicks off around 6 p.m., depending on which option you choose, and it’s the perfect time to explore as the city cools down and starts to glow.
Tuk-tuks are a classic Thai experience, and ours didn’t disappoint. It came decked out with colorful lights and music, adding to the energy as we zipped through the streets.
With a guide leading the way, we covered a ton of ground without the stress of navigating, stopping at some of Bangkok’s most iconic sights like Wat Arun, which looks absolutely magical lit up at night, and the Pak Khlong Talat flower market, buzzing with color and life even after dark.
One of the best parts? Dinner is included, and it’s basically a progressive feast. We started with snacks and Thai tea in Wongwian Yai, had a sit-down meal at a local restaurant (our prawn pad thai hit the spot), and finished things off with dessert while wandering through one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world.
If you only book one tour in Bangkok, make it this one! It was such a blast, and the mix of food, sights, and stories gave us a full taste of the city, without the midday heat or endless walking. It runs nightly except Mondays, and it’s the perfect way to experience Bangkok at its most vibrant.
Book this top-rated tour here, before it sells out!
Related Read: If you have some more time to spare, check out some more of our favorite things to do in Bangkok here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Day 3
Morning/Afternoon – Your choice of day tour
For your final full day in Bangkok, it’s all about choosing your own adventure. We’ve included two fantastic day tour options, depending on what kind of experience you’re after. If you want big energy, bustling markets, and a true Thai bucket list moment, the railway and floating markets tour is the way to go. Prefer something a bit quieter, rich in history and spiritual significance? Then head to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Both tours include hotel pickup, so be sure to grab breakfast beforehand. Either one is a brilliant way to round out your Bangkok itinerary!
Explore Bangkok’s famous and traditional markets
Some of Bangkok’s most iconic markets are just outside the city, and visiting them on your own can be a bit of a mission. That’s why we loved this guided tour to the Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market—it’s the perfect mix of chaos, charm, and once-in-a-lifetime photo ops.
This six-hour adventure kicks off between 6 am and 10 am, depending on which tour you choose, but we found the 8:20 am time slot worked well for our day, and trust us—it’s worth getting up for.
The private tour option is absolutely the way to go if you’re looking for a smoother, more personalized experience. With hotel pickup, train tickets, a long-tail boat ride, and your own English-speaking guide included, everything is handled for you.
Riding the train into Maeklong was wild—in the best way. The market operates right on the tracks, and vendors pull back their goods just moments before the train rolls through. Exploring the market with our guide, Kwan, made it way easier to take it all in (and way more fun, too).
Afterward, we boarded a long-tail boat and cruised through the famous floating market, soaking up the colors, smells, and sounds along the canal.
Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but in a way that’s completely entertaining and unforgettable. There’s something surreal about watching a train barrel through a working market or buying snacks from a boat drifting past. It’s chaotic, colorful, and completely different from anything else we’ve done in Bangkok!
Read THOUSANDS of five-star reviews and book this market tour here!
Visit Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site
If you’re craving something quieter and more meaningful, this private full-day tour to Ayutthaya is the perfect escape. It’s an easy day trip from Bangkok, with pickup from your hotel at 7 am, 8 am, or 9 a.m., depending on what suits you.
The tour lasts about 7 to 8 hours, making it a full but comfortably paced day. With your own guide and driver, it’s a flexible and stress-free way to explore one of Thailand’s most important historical sites.
Our guide, Oan, was an absolute gem. He was warm, punctual, and incredibly knowledgeable. Throughout the day, he shared detailed stories at each temple we visited, from Wat Yai Chai Mongkol to Wat Mahathat, where you can see the iconic Buddha head entwined in tree roots. He also kept us refreshed with ice-cold drinks and towels after each stop, which was a blessing in the heat.
One of our favorite parts of the tour was the private long-tail boat ride around Ayutthaya Historical Park, offering a unique view of ancient temples, riverside life, and lush greenery. We also visited a local market for snacks and souvenirs and enjoyed lunch at an authentic Thai restaurant (not included, but very reasonably priced).
This tour is rich with culture, peaceful temples, and meaningful stories—it’s less about the crowds and more about connecting with Thailand’s heritage. We finished the day feeling more grounded, more informed, and completely in love with this historic city!
Book this unforgettable day trip to Ayutthaya here!
Related Read: Looking for more ancient ruins? Continue traveling to Cambodia and take a tour of the Angkor Wat Temples – it’s another world-famous sight!
Dinner/Evening – Chinatown food tour or night market? Your choice!
We’ve got one more fun night planned for you! Whether you want to explore on your own or wander around Chinatown’s maze-like backstreets with a local guide, you have a tasty night ahead of you. Here are two great options to cap off your final night in the city.
Chinatown backstreet food tour
If there’s one thing we love to do in a new city, it’s take a food tour! Bangkok is famous for both its street food and its huge Chinatown area, so booking this street food tour just made sense to us!
I recommend booking this tour for 5 pm, which will give you enough time to wrap up your full-day adventure and have a brief turnaround at your hotel before heading out again. It’s your last night in Bangkok – so make the most of it!
Chinatown is one of the most exciting areas of Bangkok to explore, but as it’s a big area with tons of street food options, we wouldn’t have known where to start without the help of our guide, Nood. She taught us that Bangkok’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in the world, and she talked us through the peaks and troughs of its history as we explored.
But the thing we loved the most about this tour was how much food we got to eat! It felt like the food tastings just never ended, as we tried everything from satay chicken and mango sticky rice to Michelin-starred donuts – yes, really! Nood even took us to food stalls that the Thai royal family has been known to patronize, so we really did eat like kings.
Since this is a small group tour, it was easy to keep up with our guide and get to know our fellow travelers as we all stuffed ourselves with delicious Thai and Chinese food.
This tour meets up at a central point in Chinatown, so you can easily catch a Grab or take the MTR to get there. It will wrap up around 9 pm, leaving you with a new perspective of Bangkok and full of memories (and food!).
Check out the 1,700+ 5-star reviews and book this top-rated tour here.
JODD FAIRS Rama 9
If you’d rather have a relaxed evening, exploring on your own, JODD FAIRS Rama 9 is your go-to. This lively night market runs every night of the week, making it one of the most dependable spots in Bangkok for a fun evening out. It’s got a bit of everything: street food, pop-up bars, vintage clothing, handmade crafts, and people-watching for days.
Dinner here is casual, fast, and flavor-packed—think grilled skewers, noodles, Thai milk tea, mango sticky rice, and just about anything you can imagine on a stick or in a plastic cup. It’s more of a “grab and stroll” kind of night, perfect if you want to wander, snack, and soak up the local scene.
While you can take the metro line, we recommend a taxi for simplicity. It’s inexpensive and drops you right at the entrance. Just bring your appetite and maybe some extra room in your bag for a few last-minute souvenirs.
Related Read: Looking for a beach destination? Check out our favorite things to do in Phuket, Thailand (including the beach!).
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is a diverse city, so you can truly find a great place to stay no matter what your vibe or budget is! I know how overwhelming it can be to figure out where to stay in a new city, so I’ve done the hard work for you and picked out my top three options.
Luxury – $$$
Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is truly a luxury stay! Each room has a balcony and is suite style. You can enjoy the outdoor pool in the beautiful Bangkok sun or the terrace, the onsite restaurant, and bar. It’s located in the heart of the city, so you’re never far from the action.
Rooms start around $350 USD and go up from there. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Bangkok, and it was perfect for our trip. The location in Siam was a winner – close to CentralWorld mall and right next to the train line, which saved us a ton of time compared to using Grab.
The hotel itself was clean and comfortable. It’s nice to rely on a chain hotel like the Holiday Inn for standard comfort, no matter where in the world you are! We loved having a pool, because Bangkok seems to be hot almost year-round. The daily breakfast was also a plus, so we could refuel before taking off for the day.
It was quite affordable for our stay, averaging around $200 USD per night. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
CHERN Bangkok is a popular hotel/hostel, located in Old Bangkok and walkable to the Royal Palace and Kohsan Road, but without the party atmosphere. They offer private rooms or small dorms for up to 4 people, so this is great if you’re traveling with a group. The design is modern and well-kept, and you can enjoy the pool or the local restaurants around the hostel.
Rooms range from about $45 to $95 USD, depending on how many people you’re traveling with. Check rates and book this stay on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all the hotels in Bangkok here!
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Bangkok is loud, chaotic, vibrant, and a quintessential Southeast Asian city – we absolutely love it! There is so much to do in this city, and we think three days is the perfect amount of time to explore Bangkok. This itinerary hits the highlights, so follow it closely and you’ll see so much during your quick visit!
Before you go, check out all of our Southeast Asia blogs here! Whether you’re continuing your travels through Thailand or heading to Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali, or beyond, we have guides to help you plan an epic trip. Here are a few related blogs to get you started – cheers!
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