How many days should I spend in Bangkok?
A common question from friends and acquaintances who go to Thailand for the first time is: 'How many days should I stay Bangkok Spending time?'. Ultimately, of course, people want to go to the beaches, but the cosmopolitan city of Bangkok is a 'must see'. There is so much to see in Krung Thep that you have to make a choice.
How many days you in Bangkok of course also depends on your interests and schedule. If you are only interested in the main tourist attractions, you can visit them in 2-3 days. But if you want to see and do more, such as visiting museums, experiencing the nightlife and tasting the delicious food, it is recommended to stay in Bangkok for at least 4-5 days.
It is also important to consider any day trips or excursions you would like to take outside of Bangkok, such as visiting the historic city Ayutthaya or the floating markets near Bangkok. Basically, it all depends on your personal preferences and schedule.
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What should you keep in mind when you visit Bangkok?
When you visit Bangkok as a tourist, there are several things you should take into account to make your stay as pleasant as possible. First of all, it is important to pay attention to your clothes. In Thailand, respecting local customs and traditions very important. Therefore, wearing clothes that cover your shoulders, knees and back when visiting temples and other religious sites is highly recommended.
The traffic in Bangkok is notorious for its bustle and chaos. Therefore, be careful when crossing the street, never rely on zebra crossings or pedestrian crossings because Thai people usually don't stop. Preferably opt for taxis or tuk-tuks if you are not an experienced driver and avoid motobike taxis.
Thai cuisine is delicious and definitely worth a try, but be careful when choosing eateries. Hygiene is important, so don't drink tap water and avoid raw or uncooked food.
Bangkok is generally safe for this tourists, it is still wise to keep a close eye on your belongings and to be alert in busy tourist areas. Avoid walking alone in remote areas at night to avoid problems.
Although the official language of Thailand is Thai, many people speak English, especially in tourist areas. Learn some basic expressions in Thai and English to communicate more easily and better understand the locals.
The climate in Bangkok is tropical and warm all year round. Therefore, wear light, breathable clothing and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Using sunscreen and a hat or cap is also recommended to protect yourself from the sun. The sun power is very strong in Thailand and can easily reach sun power 13. This means that without protection you can burn in the sun after just 10 minutes. Burnt skin increases the risk of skin cancer.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you make the most of your stay in Bankk and discover all that this beautiful city has to offer.
Tips for 2-3 days in Bangkok
In 2-3 days in Bangkok you can visit some of the main tourist attractions and highlights of the city. Here are some suggestions:
- Visit it Grand Palace – This is the most important tourist attraction from Bangkok, and you can spend a morning or afternoon here admiring the beautiful temples and architecture.
- View Wat phra kaew – This temple is located in the Grand Palace complex and houses the famous Emerald Buddha.
- Discover Wat Pho – Another famous temple in Bangkok known for its giant reclining Buddha.
- Take a boat trip across the Chao Phraya River – This is a fun way to see the city from a different perspective and see some of the sights not visible from the road.
- Visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market - This is the largest market of Thailand, with thousands of stalls selling everything from souvenirs and clothes to food and antiques.
- Taste it delicious food – Bangkok is known for its streetfood and restaurants, so try some local dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum soup or Massaman curry.
- Explore the neighborhood Chinatown – This is a bustling one Chinese neighborhood full of shops, markets and restaurants. It is especially nice to come here at night when the streets are lit up with lanterns.
- Enter the night market Patpong - This is a popular market for tourists with a wide variety of products including souvenirs, clothing and electronics. There are also many bars and clubs nearby if you want to go out at night.
These are just some suggestions of what to do in 2-3 days in Bangkok, but there are many more sights and activities to enjoy!
Tips for 4-5 days in Bangkok
If you have 4-5 days in Bangkok and want to explore places outside the well-known tourist areas, here are some suggestions for activities:
- Explore the give way of Bangkok – There are many interesting and different districts to explore in Bangkok such as Thon Buri, Nonthaburi and Bang Krachao. These neighborhoods have a unique character and offer a glimpse into the daily life of the local population.
- make a bicycle tour - Bikes walking the streets of Bangkok is a fun way to explore the city and discover places you might not see otherwise. There are several companies that offer bike tours, such as Co van Kessel and Grasshopper Adventures.
- Visit local marketand – In Bangkok there are many local markets where you can taste local food, buy souvenirs and experience the local culture. Some recommended markets are Gold Tor Kor Market, Khlong Toei Market and Pak Klong Talad.
- Live a Muay Thaimatch at – Muay Thai is Thailand's national martial art and there are many competitions you can attend. One of the most popular venues is the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.
- Visit art galleries – Bangkok has a thriving art scene and there are many art galleries to visit. Some recommended galleries are H Gallery, Numthong Gallery and BACC (Bangkok Art and Culture Center).
- Taste streetfood off the beaten track – Bangkok has a wide variety of street food and there are many stalls that are not found in the well-known tourist spots. For example, try the stalls in the streets of Bangrak and Chinatown.
- Visit local temples – Bangkok has more than just the famous tourist temples. For example, visit Wat Saket, Wat Benchamabophit or Wat Suthat. These temples are lesser known, but just as beautiful and offer a peaceful place to relax.
- Go to rooftop bars – Bangkok has a lot rooftop bars with a beautiful view of the city. Some recommended bars are Octave Rooftop Bar, The Rooftop Bar at The Speakeasy Hotel, and Sky Bar at Lebua.
These are just a few suggestions for activities to do in Bangkok outside of the well-known tourist spots. There is much more to discover in the city, so let yourself be surprised and enjoy your time in Bangkok!
Think that 3 days is enough for your first time, it also depends a bit on the time you think you will spend in Thailand. But have fun in advance
You can stay in Bangkok for a whole month and not be bored for a single day. How long you stay in a city is what Wim writes: it depends on how long you want to spend in Thailand. But to have a nice impression of the city, two to three days seem to me to be enough.
I used to come a few times a year for years because of my work in Bangkok and it was always one of the nicest layovers I could have.
But since I live in Thailand, I only visit the city sporadically. The last time, when we flew to Kuala Lumpur for a few days, we drove to Bangkok a day early to see a nice temple and when I have to be at the embassy, I usually stay there for a day. Always fun. But the best part is going back home (at Hua Hin)!
That is of course something different for everyone. Some people are tired of the city after a day. Another wants to stay there for 3 weeks. Where are the interests in terms of culture, museums, temples, shops, night life. Markets etc. etc. You can only check that for yourself. If you are really a nature lover you will soon have seen it in a city. As a tour guide I have a lot of experience with travelers. Similarly with a group that only wanted to go to the swimming pool. Visit to Malacca, a historical city that usually attracts a lot of interest.
I soon heard from this group. When do we go to the hotel, want to swim, have we seen that old mess by now. So in the end if you read carefully what you want to see, you can best decide for yourself how long you want to stay in Bangkok. Have fun and have a good trip
How long depends of course on your total period, but I would definitely take 2 to 3 full days to get a good idea, you should definitely see Chinatown, Temples and Royal Palace, etc. If you stay for a month you can easily stay 4-5 days.