Tours / Itineraries

Bangkok, like so many big cities, has many different faces, "something for everyone," if you will. However, there are must-see sights in the city which almost every tourist will see. The itinerary below is our own personal opinion about what a short visit to Bangkok should include.

Individual day trips may be booked through Viator. Most hotels will have tour desks offering similar tours. The advantage to purchasing in advance is that you can be sure of what you're getting and don't have to know whether or not your selected hotel has a tour desk.

Bangkok - Three Days

Day 1

National Museum
Grand Palace
Canal Tour

Day 2

Wat Po
Golden Mount
Wat Traimitr

Day 3

Vimanmek Mansion
Wat Benjamabopit
Jim Thompson House

Options for extra days / trips outside Bangkok:

Ayuthaya Tour

Bang Sai
Bang Pa In
Ayuthaya

Lopburi

Lopburi
Saraburi

Walking Tours

There are parts of Bangkok just begging to be explored on foot. Indeed, there are even a few places that can't possibly be accessed by bus or even car. However, given the city's hot tropical climate, walking is not for everyone. Even those in good shape will need to take it easy and plan on a water break from time to time. The walks outlined here are designed to take about two hours, although in some cases there are optional extensions for those that want to keep going.

Needless to say, the best time to explore is in the early morning hours. Most temples on these tours will be open at 8:00 a.m. or earlier. Markets will sometimes be in full swing as early as 4:00 a.m.

Khao San Road & Democracy Monument

In the area between Sanam Luang and the old northern perimeter wall of the city are a number of interesting sights, as well as the backpacker mecca of Khao San Road. Even if you're not staying in the Khao San area, you can easily visit these sights on a walking tour starting at the Banglampuu Pier.

Golden Mount to Giant Swing

Some of Bangkok's quirkiest, and infrequently visited, sights are all along a route running down the eastern wall of the old royal precinct. This walk takes you to the Golden Mount, the Loha Prasat, Monk's Bowl Village and then on to the Giant Swing.

Chinatown

Bangkok's Chinatown is home to several markets, where one can find just about anything for sale. Set close by the river, the district is easy to access by river boat -- much easier than getting there by car. Consisting of many narrow lanes, Chinatown can really only be explored on foot.

Ratanakosin Island

There's more to the royal city than the Grand Palace. This walking tour takes in many of the lesser known, but no less interesting, sights.

Thonburi

The often ignored west bank of the Chaophraya river has some interesting temples and other places, some of which pre-date the founding of Bangkok.