How to Spend 4 Days in Bangkok – Perfect Itinerary

If you’re travelling to Thailand, undoubtedly your adventure will start in Bangkok. Or perhaps it will finish there. Either way, I am quite sure Bangkok will be on your itinerary. And it absolutely should be! I didn’t expect much from it, but I was amazed how clean, modern, beautiful and exciting it was! While you can spend a month in Bangkok only, you can also do a lot in just a few days (I know we’re all limited with time and money!). In this 4 Days Bangkok Itinerary I will share with you how to spend the best 4 days in the Thai capital.

The itinerary includes the most important cultural & historical sights alongside hidden gems, best cafes & rooftop bars, street food markets and exciting day trips you can take from Bangkok.

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How to get to Bangkok

There are 2 airports in Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport.

If you’re travelling internationally, especially from Europe and the US, most likely you will land at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is the biggest airport in Bangkok mainly operating international flights. There are some domestic flights operating to/from Suvarnabhumi too.

If you’re arriving in Bangkok from another city in Thailand or another South/Southeast Asian country, most likely you will land at Don Mueang Airport. In general low-budget airlines fly to and from Don Mueang.

As an example, my flight from London to Bangkok landed at Suvarnabhumi, but when I was flying from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and then returned to Bangkok from Krabi, both times I was at the Don Mueang Airport.

📖 Read my Thailand 2-Week Itinerary: A Perfect Guide for Your First Time in Thailand to help you plan your trip to Thailand.

Once you’re out of the airport, you can either order a Grab (Southeast Asian Uber) to get you to your hotel or you can book a private transfer ahead and have someone wait for you:

• Private transfer to/from Suvarnabhumi Airport
• Private transfer to/from Don Mueang Airport

How to get around Bangkok

The best, easiest and most convenient way to get around Bangkok is with tuk-tuks.

Basically, the traffic in Bangkok is chaotic, especially at peak hours. The advantage with tuk-tuks is that they’re small enough, so they can break the lines, go into them and practically ignore all the traffic rules to get you to your destination. 🤣

You can order a tuk-tuk on Grab or you can just stop one on the street if you see it’s empty.

The other option is to use taxis, especially if you want to have a little bit of A/C on. The principle is the same as with tuk-tuks: either stop one on the street or book your ride on Grab.

💡IMPORTANT: If you’re stopping a taxi or tuk-tuk on the street, agree on the price BEFORE you get into the car/rickshaw, so that no one can try to scam you later on. We did it every time when we stopped it and not once were tried to be scammed.

P. S. A tipping is not required, but is expected, especially because the drive can be very cheap anyway, so giving them a couple of more pounds/dollars is not going to hurt you, but can significantly mean to your driver.

Another option is to use public transport, especially BTS Skytrain. You can buy the ticket at the station.

I personally didn’t use the BTS Skytrain because oftentimes it was faster with tuk-tuks and let’s be honest, it’s way more fun! But, I know of people who prefer the skytrain whenever possible, so it’s really everyone’s personal choice.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Firstly, let me say that Bangkok is quite spread out, so no matter where you’re staying, you won’t be close to everything you’d love to see, so using public transport or tuk-tuks/taxis is inevitable.

My most important tip to you is to book a hotel that has the outdoor swimming pool! It is so hot and humid in Bangkok, trust me when I say that you’d love to refresh. My go-to is to book a hotel that has the infinity pool because the views in Bangkok are on par with NYC!

📖 I have a detailed blog post covering Top 11 Bangkok Hotels with Infinity Pool for The Best Views, so have a look.

When to visit Bangkok

Thailand has 2 distinct seasons: dry & rainy season.

We talked with locals quite a lot about it and here are conclusions:

• February – April: officially Thailand winter is over, but the monsoon season hasn’t started yet, which means plenty of sun, hot temperatures up to 37 C or 98 (with March being the hottest month according to many locals) and no rain. In April Thais celebrate Songkran Festival, which is their New Year. You can expect to be splashed on the streets with water or even participate in it.

📖 Read my 43 Unique Things to do in Thailand for Any Kind of Traveller for other unusual and unique experiences you can have in Thailand.

• May – September: pretty much a monsoon period. With that, most locals said that this part of the year is very enjoyable because there are not that many tourists then, so if you are visiting a lot of things will be cheaper (flights, accommodation, tours). Most of them told us that it only rains for 3h in the morning and then the rest of the day is sunny.

• October – January: mainly considered as Thailand’s winter time, but it is never that cold in Thailand! The prices might be more expensive during Christmas and New Years Eve. Also in November during the Thai Lantern Festival.

How many days is ideal in Bangkok

Firstly, Bangkok is a city where you can spend months easily. Even live there. But obviously that’s not realistic for most of us.

For all of us who are limited with time, I’d say 5-6 days is ideal for Bangkok to be able to see it all, do some day trips, but also not feel rushed.

However, with 4 days in Bangkok you can pretty much do all of the above if you organise yourself well and don’t mind a couple of busy days.

Everything less than 4 days is not enough and wouldn’t make much sense, unless you’ve been there before and don’t need to see it all again.

Day 1 in Bangkok

On your first day in Bangkok, the focus is on the main temples and sights in Bangkok.

Grand Palace

Grand Palace is a former royal residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. It is a walled-complex of different buildings. Today the Grand Palace is mainly being used by the royal family for various royal ceremonies and events.

It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok, so expect crowds at all times. You can expect less people in the early morning, but in general it’s going to be busy there.

Grand Palace is divided into 3 parts: Outer Court with The Emerald Buddha Temple (separate section on it below), Middle Court and Inner Court (not accessible to the public).

Middle Court has the most beautiful buildings and is very photogenic, but sadly, I found it hard to enjoy because of the crowds.

However, I still recommend you to visit the Grand Palace due to its cultural and historical significance to Thailand.

Just remember that there’s a dress code, meaning that you have to cover your shoulders and knees (both men and women). You need to pay for the ticket, which is currently about 500 baht (£11).

Wat Phra Kaew

The reason why I separated Wat Phra Kaew from the Grand Palace even though it’s the same complex is because of its cultural and spiritual significance.

Inside the temple you will find a statue of the famous Emerald Buddha, a statue which is carved of green jasper (not the emerald despite the name) and dating back from the 15th century. It is clothed in gold and has seasonal costumes, which are changed ceremonially three times a year.

The Emerald Buddha is 48 cm (19 in) wide at the lap, and 66 cm (26 in) high. The Temple of Emerald Buddha is the spiritual heart of Bangkok and the Thai Kingdom.

It is not allowed to take any photos inside, but I couldn’t resist. 🙈
Also, you can’t come close to the statue, only the royal family is allowed to.

While the temple is really beautiful inside, it is not my favourite in Bangkok. Plus, just like the overall Grand Palace complex, it was not that enjoyable due to the crowds.

The price is covered within the entrance fee for the Grand Palace and of course, the same dressing code applies.

Wat Pho

Just a short walk from Grand Palace and you will reach Wat Pho.

Also known as The Reclining Buddha, it is one of the most interesting temples in Bangkok you can visit because of the reclining statue of Buddha which is 46 metres (150 ft) long. This is making it one of the largest Buddha statues in the world! His feet are only 3 m (9 ft) long…

The whole statue is plated in gold, which is really impressive.

The entrance fee is 300 baht (£7) and you can buy it on the spot.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn is alongside the Grand Palace and Wat Pho one of the most popular temples and sights in Bangkok and therefore it’s very busy there too.

💡FUN FACT: The Emerald Buddha was initially enshrined at Wat Arun before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew in the 18th century.

The spire (Prang) of Wat Arun is where Buddha’s relics are kept. Its architecture is considered one of the greatest and most beautiful stupas of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. Prang is 82 m (270 feet) in height, the highest in Bangkok.

Wat Arun is a truly beautiful temple, definitely my favourite in Bangkok, so make sure to visit!

There are also beautiful views of the Chao Phraya riverside from the temple. The entrance fee is 200 baht (£4.5) and of course, you must dress accordingly.

💡Speaking of dressing, you can also rent traditional clothes in the nearby shops. They can do your hair and make up. I skipped it last time because it was so humid and I was already sweat (😅), but I would love to do it the next time.

To get to Wat Arun from Wat Pho, you must cross the bridge and get on the other side of the river. There are ferries that go every 20 minutes. They cost about £1 (yep, that’s correct!) and the total ride is about 15 min.

🫶 While you can sightsee everything here on your own, if you’d like to learn more and have a guide to take care of everything for you, this is the top tour in Bangkok for all the main sights.

Recommended Restaurant

I recommend Pad Thai La Cuisine next to Wat Pho. When you see an old grandma making Pad Thai, you know it’s gonna be good!

Day 2 in Bangkok

Day 2 is another temple sightseeing day (in the first half of the day), but the main difference from day 1 is that these temples are hidden gems: very peaceful and definitely not crowded (some not at all).

The other half of the day is reserved for experiencing Bangkok from the top and then exploring the night market.

Wat Ratchabophit

This was my favourite temple in Bangkok crowds-wise.

We were literally ALONE there. I think we may have spotted a tourist or two and that was IT.

It was truly enjoyable to just walk peacefully, enjoy the architecture, all the details. To sit inside and admire its interior. To clear up your mind from all the thoughts.

The best part? It is completely FREE to visit.

Wat Suthat

Wat Suthat is one of the most important and one of the oldest temples of Bangkok. It is one of the six temples in Thailand of the highest grade of the first class Royal temples.

It is also one of the largest in Bangkok covering 10 acres.

It was also very peaceful there and free to visit.

Wat Ratchanatdaram

Also called the Loha Prasat or the Iron Palace because 37 spires of the temple have a metallic finish giving the entire structure a metal-like look. The spires represent 37 Bodhipakkhiya Dharma in Buddhism.

It was the least impressive if you ask me, but I loved the walled messages of Buddha in the main hall + the views from the top were nice too.

It is worth stopping by if you have extra time.

Wat Saket

It’s a pretty cool temple that has a bit different ambience than the other ones.

Firstly, it is on the hill, therefore the Golden Mount Temple name. That also means you have to climb 344 steps to the top. Rest assured, they made the trail so beautiful, scenic and tranquil, you will actually enjoy it. The temple grounds are also very interactive because you can play with the gong and other musical instruments. Actually, almost everyone is doing it, so while you’re climbing to the top, you are constantly listening to the bells and music the instruments produce, which makes the experience quite mystical and spiritual.

King Power Mahanakhon

Bangkok has an incredible city skyline, so you don’t want to miss seeing the views from the top! 🤩

The best skydeck in Bangkok is King Power aka Mahanakhon. What I really loved about it is that there is a big outdoor skydeck on 2 stories, so the great views are inevitable.

There’s also a restaurant (reservation is required) and a bar where you can get the drinks while enjoying the views.

However, the most unique and unusual experience at Mahanakhon is to do the skywalk. Practically, there’s a glass-floor with Bangkok underneath you. It’s a cool experience that will fuel you with adrenaline. The best part? It is included in the general ticket.

And speaking of tickets, they are timed, so you have to buy them in advance. The good thing is that there’s an open window frame, so for example my time to enter was between 4 pm and 6 pm which gave me enough time to make it on time without feeling pressured I may miss my slot.

💡MY TIP: To experience the skyline in different day times (day, sunset, night), the best is to buy an afternoon ticket an hour before the sunset.

Khao San Road Night Market

Night markets in Thailand are extremely popular and a great way to experience the local life in the evenings.

Bangkok has some of the best night markets with the most popular one being the Khao San Night Market.

People are selling different things there, but the best part is the food! There are many street food vendors, restaurants, bars, clubs, all buzzing with energy.

You can also try some exotic and unusual food there, like the crocodile meat, worms and scorpions.

Watch me trying a scorpion:

Day 3 in Bangkok

Day 3 in this Bangkok 4 Days Itinerary is more relaxed and hedonistic compared to the first 2.

Pool Time

You’ve probably refreshed in your hotel pool at least once on the first 2 days, but now is the time to truly relax and enjoy your morning time by the pool.

For me, it was a great start to the day: relaxing, swimming, reading a book and enjoying Bangkok views from my hotel infinity pool.

🫶 This is 137 Pillars Suite, highly recommending!

Chinatown

The biggest Chinatown in the world is in Bangkok.

And honestly, the vibe is totally different compared to other parts of the city. We went there for lunch. And I recommend you to do the same because the food there is omg, so delicious!

This is the restaurant we went to:

Accidentally we stumbled across a Chinese Temple while searching where to eat. We were left in awe. Make sure to check Wat Mangkon Kamalawat when in Chinatown, it’s such a great place.

Unicorn Cafe

And now is the time for coffee and cakes!

Bangkok has a lot of pretty cool themed-cafes, but on top of my bucket list was the Unicorn Cafe. I probably don’t need to explain to you the name. 😅

Surprisingly, the coffee was really good and waffles too.

P. S. It is closed on Mondays.

Lumpini Park

Just a short 20 minute walk from Unicorn Cafe is Lumphini Park which got its name after Buddha’s birth place in Nepal, Lumbini.

It was once a royal park, but in the early 20s it was declared a public space, similar to the royal parks in London.

It’s a really nice green oasis in the city where you do yoga, some acrobatic dance or simply relax.

Cocktails at Lebua

And the perfect way to end this nice relaxing day is to have cocktails at the most famous rooftop bar in Bangkok – Lebua.

It’s a filming location of Hangover II and therefore is an extremely popular place. You don’t need a reservation for drinks, but you do need if you want to have dinner there too.

Just bear in mind: this place is expensive A LOT!

Cocktails range from £50+ (the highest I paid there was £75 for one cocktail!).
A lot of people would call me crazy for spending that much on a cocktail, but honestly, I don’t think of it that way. For me, it was the whole experience because the views from Lebua are the best in town, the ambience was so lovely and romantic and there was a live jazz band.

Day 4 in Bangkok

Day 4 in Bangkok is all about doing a day trip. While you can easily spend a couple of days in most of these locations, visiting them as a day trip from Bangkok is also pretty doable, especially when you’re limited on time.

Railway & Floating Market

This is the easiest and most fun and unusual day trip from Bangkok.

🫶 I booked this joint tour of both Railway & Floating Market and cannot recommend it more to you guys! Truly unique experience!

Railway Market, officially called MaeKlong Railway Market, is unique because vendors put their shops on the railway. When the train is arriving at the station that is next to the market, the vendors are taking all of their stuff from the railway, so the train can pass. Once it does, they put everything back and that goes for several times a day every day.

The train arrives each day at 8:30 am, 11:15 am, 2:30 pm and 5:40 pm. You need to be there around 30 min before, so you can explore the market and then find a safe space to see the train coming.

Because the Railway Market is about 1h drive from Bangkok, I highly recommend you to get a guided tour because the local guide knows exactly when to leave, so that you can be on time at the market. Later you can board that same train for another perspective to see how it looks from the train.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a completely different experience though! It’s totally chilled and laid back. I recommend you to hop on a boat and shop that way. You can buy literally anything: food, drinks, souvenirs, clothes. We got ourselves beers and just enjoyed the sail. Really cool and unique.

Later you can walk the market too and if feeling adventurous, you can even hold some dangerous animals like snakes and slow loris.

We also had lunch at the Floating Market, so it’s a great lunch-break stop too.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ex-capital of Thailand that was attacked and razed by the Burmese army in 1767 who burned the city to the ground and forced the inhabitants to abandon the city. The city was never rebuilt in the same location and remains known today as an extensive archaeological site.  

You can explore it on your own. That way take a train or van to Ayutthaya and then once there hire a tuk-tuk driver. Remember to agree on the tuk-tuk price before you hop on it.

The more convenient way is to join a guided tour from Bangkok. That way you can also learn more about the site from your guide.

The Bridge on the River Kwai & Death Railway

The Bridge on the River Kwai got famous after a movie with the same name The Bridge on the River Kwai which got 7 Oscars and numerous awards.

The real Bridge over the River Kwai is Bridge 277 of the Burma-Siam Railway, which got the nickname of Death Railway due to its tragic history in WW2. The Burma-Siam Railway was 402 km (250 miles) of railway constructed by Allied prisoners of war alongside forced Asian labourers. It is estimated that about 60,000 Allied prisoners worked on the construction of the bridge alongside 200,000 forced civilians. Approximately 16,000 prisoners and 90,000 forced labourers died during its construction from October 1942 to October 1943.

The surviving sections stand as monuments to the men who suffered so much to build them.

You can join a guided Historical Day Tour to River Kwai to learn more about this tragic historical event.

Or, you can also do it on a self-guided tour. Just take a train/bus or van/taxi to Kanchanaburi. From there you have a 20 minute short walk The Bridge and Railway or you can take a tuk-tuk.

Ancient City

Ancient City is an interesting day trip from Bangkok. It’s also one of the most convenient ones to do.

Ancient City, or Muang Boran, has an interesting concept which was realised by an architect named Lek Viriyaphant. They wanted to preserve and show Thailand’s rich and beautiful culture and history through centuries.

There, you will find replicas on Thailand’s main historical sites, like the Grand Palace, Temples in Ayutthaya, even a replica of Erawan Museum.

You can get there by taking the BTS Skytrain to Kheha Station. From there, it’s 10 minutes to Ancient City by taxi or tuk-tuk.

You can also book a hotel transfer to Ancient City + Entrance Ticket. Just bear in mind that the transfer is per one way only, you’d have to return to Bangkok on your own.

Pattaya

If you’re craving a beach day and you’re in Bangkok, Pattaya is the great choice to spend a day at the beach, relaxing, swimming and sipping cocktails. For an even better experience, you can go to Koh Larn, also known as Coral Island, from Pattaya (40 min ferry ride).

You can reach Pattaya from Bangkok with a bus or van.

Alternatively, you can book this guided tour for more convenience.

And here you go, your perfect 4 Days Bangkok Itinerary! Have fun because Bangkok is great! 🤩

Is Bangkok worth visiting

Bangkok is a truly amazing city! It is so diverse in its offering, that every kind of traveller would find something to do. It has gorgeous temples and other historical sights, amazing views, and a lot of local markets with great street food. You can chill or you can party. Everyone will find something to do there.

My suggestion is to start your trip in the capital city of Thailand, but either way Bangkok is very much worth visiting and should be on everyone’s bucket list.

I can’t wait to be back. ❤️

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