Want to know what to do in Bangkok Thailand?  This epic 3-day travel guide is a detailed itinerary showing you where to eat the best food in Bangkok, what attractions to see, where to stay, where to grab a drink at rooftop bars, the best street food, best markets, and so much more.  Are you planning to visit Bangkok, Thailand?  This guide will share it all! 

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok Thailand Travel Guide | 3 Day Itinerary

Thailand is the vibrant beating heart of South East Asia.  World renowned as a backpackers paradise, it's got something to offer everyone, regardless of age or travel style.  

Whether you're a new nomad in your early twenties, an experienced traveler in your 30s, a young family, or a recent retiree,  Thailand and its many regions have something that will appeal to whatever stage of life you find yourself in. 

I recently visited Thailand with my wife in May of 2023 after having last been in Thailand as a 20-somethings backpacker in 2013.   On my first trip in 2013, I only visited Bangkok as part of a whistle-stop around-the-world trip recording videos for a travel filmmaking contest I won called "The Biggest Baddest Bucket List".   

That brief taste of Bangkok left me wanting more, but it took me more than a decade to get back and follow that desire. 

I returned in May 2023 and spent nearly a month exploring the country,  digging deep to find the best destinations, local experiences, must-try cuisines from restaurants and street vendors, and documenting the adventure on my YouTube channel.  You can watch my full vlog series here.  This will supplement this travel itinerary guide. 

The Ultimate Thailand Travel Experience | Three Weeks Traveling South East Asia's Best Vacation Destination

In this guide, I distill the best of my experiences into an unforgettable three-day adventure highlighting the best of Bangkok Thailand in one easy-to-follow itinerary. 

So take solace in the fact that this guide has been vetted and experienced by myself and my wife, and that all the locations and destinations I recommend are here because I believe you'll enjoy them as much as I did. 

With that in mind, let's dive into the itinerary, but before we do, here is some practical information to help orient you for your Thailand adventure.

Practical Information about Visiting Thailand.

The best time to visit Thailand is during the cooler dry season, which typically runs from November to February. This period offers pleasant weather with lower humidity and is ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Culture and History: Explore ancient temples, palaces, and historical sites.

Beautiful Beaches: Enjoy pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and water sports.

Cuisine: Savor delicious Thai dishes, street food, and vibrant food markets.

Adventure: Engage in trekking, diving, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities.

Natural Beauty: Discover lush jungles, waterfalls, and scenic landscapes.

Shopping: Shop for traditional crafts, textiles, and modern goods.

Wellness: Experience spa treatments, yoga, and wellness retreats.

Festivals: Attend vibrant festivals like Songkran (Thai New Year) and Loy Krathong ( the festival of the lights -best celebrated 

Pad Thai: Stir-fried noodles with shrimp or chicken, tamarind sauce, and peanuts.

Tom Yum Goong: Spicy and sour shrimp soup with lemongrass and lime leaves.

Som Tum: Spicy green papaya salad with lime, chili, and fish sauce.

Massaman Curry: A rich, Muslim-influenced curry with beef or chicken.

Khao Pad: Thai fried rice with vegetables, egg, and a choice of meat.

Mango Sticky Rice: Sweet dessert made with glutinous rice, mango, and coconut milk.

Thailand is not an expensive destination, although if you're looking for luxury, you can find it at quite an affordable price. 

But if you're trying to make your money go the furthest it can, then here are a few extra tips to get more bang for your baht. 

Local Street Food: Eating at street stalls and local eateries is often cheaper and a great way to experience authentic Thai cuisine.  Just make sure to avoid stalls that are not being frequented by other locals, you want to make sure they are hygienic and popular, that's the best way to avoid getting Bangkok Belly. 

Public Transportation: Use buses, tuk-tuks, and local transport options instead of taxis to save on travel costs.  The most time and cost-friendly option is to download the ride-hailing app "Grab" which is like Thailand's version of Uber.  It works in all the main cities and is the best way to get around reliably and affordably.

Negotiate Prices: Bargain at markets and negotiate prices for souvenirs and goods.  Don't take the first price offer as the last.  A bit of friendly bargaining goes a long way. 

Budget Accommodations: Opt for guesthouses or hostels instead of luxury hotels for cost savings.  We liked to stay at a nicer hotel (usually between $50-75 USD per night for a few nights, then stay at a guest house $20-40 USD per night for a few nights, then back to a nicer hotel.  That way we spread our costs and aren't shelling out for a pricier hotel every night. 

Bangkok Hotels

Travel Insurance: Invest in travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses.  Make sure you read what you're covered for and what you aren't and keep that in mind during your trip.

You can shop great travel insurance here.

Great Thailand Travel Insurance

Time Zone: Thailand follows Indochina Time (ICT), which is UTC+7.

Geography: Thailand is located in Southeast Asia and shares borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. The country is known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, jungles, plains, and coastlines. 

Packing Essentials: Light Clothing: Pack lightweight and breathable clothing suitable for the tropical climate. Swimwear: Don't forget swimwear for beach destinations. Sun Protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat are essential. Insect Repellent: Particularly important if you plan to visit jungles or rural areas.  You can see everything I packed by watching the video below. 

My Thailand Carry On Packing Guide

Adapter: Thailand uses Type A, B, and C electrical outlets. Consider bringing an adapter. 

Comfortable Footwear: You really only need a comfortable pair of walking shoes for sightseeing and sandals for the beach and everything else.  I was in sandals 90% of the trip.

Exchange Rate: The exchange rate is approximately 1 US Dollar (USD) to 32-36 Thai Baht (THB).  I'd recommend downloading the app Currency Converter which will give you up-to-date prices.

Additionally, ATMs are widely available in Thailand, making it easy to withdraw local currency as needed during your visit.  Be aware though that the ATMs charge a withdrawal fee of between $5-10 USD ON TOP OF YOUR BANKS FEES.   

Thailand still functions as a mostly cash economy, especially street food vendors and small shops, so it's worthwhile Thai Baht on you.  I'd recommend taking out a few hundred dollars at a time to try and minimize the ATM fees (which can be high).

  Just make sure you have a secure area to store your cash (keep it on you but not in a large wad,  keep small bills accessible, and break larger bills when you can).   

I recommend using credit cards to book your hotels and accommodations, and to do so a while in advance to get the best prices.   I use the Chase United Mileage Explorer card which gives me airline miles for all my purchases as well as two free airport lounge passes and covers my Global Entry/TSA Precheck Fees.  If you're interested, you can apply here.

United Credit Cards | Chase.com

I like to book my first hotel for arrival, then give myself some flexibility moving forward to book as I go for the later stages of the trip,  but that's just the way I prefer to travel,  it's totally fine to book everything before you go if that's your preference. 

Additionally I'd recommend getting a SIM card for Thailand,  you can get an E-Sim here that works in Thailand and gives you data, calls, and texts.  Or if your phone doesn't have an E-SIM option, just grab one upon arrival in the airport.  Then download the Grab app, link it to your credit card or debit card, and you're off!

Thailand eSIM, from $9.9 | World’s first eSIM store · Airalo

Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand,  is known as "The Venice of the East" due to the fact that the city is criss crossed by a network of canals, all linking up to the main Chao Phraya River which bisects the city and connects it to the Gulf of Thailand further downstream. 

It was founded on 21 April 1782 by King Rama I, the city has grown from a small fishing village to a bustling metropolis of over 14 million people. 

Deciding how to spend your time here is almost as much of a challenge as weaving through the traffic on the back of a motorcycle taxi ( a nerve racking yet exhilarating adventure in itself),

There is a lot to see, do and eat here, so I've done my best to bring the best of Bangkok into a diverse and eclectic two-day itinerary, with lots of options for you to mix and match to spend your time.  Let's get started, shall we?

Morning: Arrive to Bangkok International Airport (BKK),  go through customs, get your luggage, and get a GRAB from the airport to your hotel.

You can also get to Bangkok by public transport.   You can take Public Buses which run 24 hrs a day, cost 35 baht, and run on 11 different routes leaving from the Arrivals Hall.  

You can also catch the elevated train on the City Line, which stops at six different stops along the way from the airport to the city center.   

The City Line station is located on the Basement level at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). The Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link connects to the MRT subway at Makkasan Station (MRT Petchaburi Station) and the BTS Skytrain at Phayathai Station in Bangkok city center.  Making it easy for users to get to their final destination by subway or overhead Skytrain.

Check in at your hotel and get showered up.  Take a moment to rest after a long journey to Thailand.

We stayed at this hotel and absolutely loved it.  It was clean, modern, affordable and had a great modern gym, an office space, as well as a pool.  The best part though was it was right next to a very local market that was such a pleasure to explore.

As well as having an awesome marketplace, which is ideal for buying fresh fruit as well as other delicious local meals,  there are plenty of great local restaurants within walking distance.   The area is especially popular for it's beef noodle soup.

The ultimate two-week Thailand Itinerary.  From bustling Bangkok to cultural Chiang Mai and the chilled out Southern Islands.  Paradise is calling… let’s go!

Thailand

Two Weeks in Thailand | Travel Itinerary

YANH Ratchawat Hotel

Book A Private Guided Tour Here

The Grand Palace

Ratchawat Market

Rai Tiam Tan Noodle

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan

Groundwork Specialty Coffee & Workplace

Cascade Bar

The One Ratchada

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Bangkok Airport Rail Link. Fastest & cheapest transport from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city centre. ✔️ Ticket price 45 Baht. ✔️ Journey time 26 minutes. ✔️

Bangkok Thailand Travel Guide | 3 Day Itinerary

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