Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Natalia
With so many great things to see and do in and around Bangkok, coming up with a 2, 3, 4, 5 or even 7 day itinerary can be hard. This vibrant and busy city is home to beautiful temples, towering skyscrapers, peaceful parks, lively night markets, and much more. Having spent over 3 months in the city ourselves, we recommend allowing at least four days and three nights for your Bangkok itinerary if you want to see the best this bustling metropolis has to offer. Try to time your trip over a weekend if possible, as some of the best markets in the city only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Find out the best spots to visit in and around the city with this four day Bangkok itinerary.
Make sure to check our our list of essential Bangkok travel apps to help make the most of your trip!
How to get to Bangkok
To start with this 4 day Bangkok itinerary the first thing you need to figure out is how to get there. The primary international gateway is Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), handling a majority of international and long-haul flights. This modern airport connects Bangkok with cities across the globe, making it a hub for travelers coming in from far and wide.
For those traveling from neighboring Asian countries, Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is often the preferred choice. This airport primarily handles flights from other Asian destinations and some domestic routes. It’s a popular choice for budget and regional airlines, offering a convenient alternative for travelers within Asia.
Besides air travel, Bangkok is also well-connected by land. The city’s extensive train and bus networks offer convenient and affordable options for those traveling domestically.
By Train: Thailand’s railway network is extensive, with regular services to Bangkok from various parts of the country. Train travel offers a scenic and leisurely way to reach the city, with routes passing through picturesque landscapes and rural areas. Bangkok’s main railway station, Hua Lamphong, is the central hub for train travel, connecting the city to major destinations like Chiang Mai, Nong Khai, and Hat Yai.
By Bus: For those preferring road travel, buses are a viable option. Bangkok’s bus system is comprehensive, with several long-distance bus terminals such as Mo Chit, Ekkamai, and Southern Bus Terminal. These terminals serve routes from all over Thailand, providing frequent services to and from Bangkok.
For ease and convenience, consider booking your transport to Bangkok online. Platforms like 12GoAsia offer a user-friendly way to reserve bus and train tickets, often at competitive prices. This is especially handy for planning your journey in advance and securing your preferred travel dates and times.
Click here to book your transport to Bangkok on the 12GoAsia website!
The Ultimate Four Day Bangkok Itinerary
Day 1
River Cruise
Start day one of your four day Bangkok itinerary with a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River. The river runs through the heart of the city, and offers great views of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
If you’re on a budget take one of the public boats along the river, which costs just 16 baht per person on the orange line boat. It’s easiest to board at Sathorn Pier due to the nearby Saphan Taksin MRT Station, and the orange line boat will take you all the way up to Nonthaburi Pier – passing sights like Wat Arun Temple, Rama VIII Bridge, and more on the way.
The other option is to take a hop on hop off boat trip along the Chao Phraya River, which costs just 150 baht per person. This option allows you to use the boat as many times as you want throughout the day without paying more, and stops at several points of interest along the river – including Wat Arun Temple, the Grand Palace, and Phra Arthit Pier (near the famous Khaosan Road).
Tickets for the hop on hop off boat trip can be booked online through Klook, and in some cases they offer a discount so it works out even cheaper! Booking in advance also saves the hassle of having to buy your ticket in person and means you can pay using card instead of cash.
Click here to book a hop on hop off boat trip along the Chao Phraya River through Klook!
If you do get the hop on hop off boat ticket then make sure to disembark at some of the different stops to see the attractions. The only attraction we specifically include on this Bangkok itinerary is Wat Arun, but you should have time to stop elsewhere too if you like.
Wat Arun
One spot not to be missed on your Bangkok itinerary is the beautiful Wat Arun temple. It’s one of the city’s most famous temples, and is a spectacular work of architecture.
Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the temple towers above its surroundings. The temple’s main spire is the focal point at 70 metres tall, and is surrounded by four smaller spires – one in each corner. Each spire is covered in intricate and colourful ceramics and mosaics, which only adds to the temple’s beauty.
During your visit make sure to climb up the temple’s stairs, which gives you a lovely view over the river and parts of Bangkok. Wat Arun is one of the few Buddhist temples that you are actually allowed to climb, so be sure to take this opportunity to do so.
Make sure you are wearing culturally appropriate clothing during your visit, otherwise you may be denied access to the temple. It’s best to have a top that covers your shoulders and trousers or a long skirt, but if not then you can rent a sarong for a small fee in order to access the temple.
If you are taking the hop on hop off boat then make sure to get off at this stop, and if you opted for the public boat we recommend going further down the river first and then stopping here on your return boat journey.
Entrance fee to Wat Arun is 100 baht.
Lumphini Park
Your next stop in this 4 day day Bangkok itinerary is Lumphini Park, which is one of the nicest green areas in the city. It was the first public park in Thailand and offers a break from Bangkok’s busy city streets, making it a lovely place to go for a stroll.
One of the main features of the park is its large artificial lake, which can be seen from the park’s many pathways. As you walk around the lake you will get some great views of the contrast between this beautiful green area and the city’s high rise buildings in the background.
Lumphini Park is home to some interesting wildlife, most notably large monitor lizards which can be seen sunbathing by the edge of the lake or swimming in its waters. There are also a number of bird species in the park, so keep an eye out as you walk around.
This is one of our favourite spots in Bangkok, as it’s a lovely spot to wander along the various pathways or simply sit and take it all in. If you want you can even rent a pedalo to take a boat trip on the park’s artificial lake!
Jodd Fairs Night Market
Finish off your first day in Bangkok with a trip to the lively Jodd Fairs Night Market. The city is known for its many night markets, which are great places to grab some street food and shop for clothing, souvenirs, and more!
Jodd Fairs Night Market is conveniently located less than a 5 minute walk away from the Phra Ram 9 MRT station. It’s home to over 700 different stalls, and there is a range of food on offer including Thai curries, skewered meats, and Korean dishes, as well as a range of other international dishes.
One of the best things about this night market in particular is the large seating area by the bars at the front of the market. It’s the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere whilst enjoying some food and a drink or two!
We recommend wandering through the market and then enjoying a few drinks to round off your first day in Bangkok. There is often live music by the front of the market, which adds to the lively atmosphere.
Make sure to check out our guide to the Jodd Fairs Night Market for more information on getting there, the different kind of stalls, and tips for visiting!
Day 2
The second day of your four day Bangkok itinerary involves a visit to two of the biggest floating markets in Thailand. Amphawa Floating Market is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays – so if your second day in Bangkok doesn’t fall on one of these days then you may need to switch some of the days round a bit to make this itinerary suit your schedule.
All of your stops on this day are outside of Bangkok itself, so it’s easiest to either arrange a taxi for the day or book a tour. A taxi should cost around 2,500 baht for the day (up to 9 hours), but make sure to agree a price in advance.
We recommend booking through Taxi for Tour, as they offer a fair price and a great taxi service. The easiest way to contact them is either via their Facebook page or via Line messenger – which is on our list of the best apps to use when travelling Thailand!
Alternatively, you can book a tour online through Get Your Guide – but unfortunately you will have to choose between the two floating markets. The advantage of doing this is that you will have a guide for your trip, so you will get more insight into the history of the markets and their various stalls.
A tour to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market costs just 1,000 baht via Get Your Guide, and includes a paddleboat trip through the market as well as a trip to the Maeklong Railway Market.. As this market is open every day of the week this tour is possible even if your trip doesn’t fall on a weekend.
Click here to book a tour to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market on the Get Your Guide website!
Trips to the Amphawa Floating Market are only possible on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and also include a stop at the Maeklong Railway Market. These tours cost 1,500 baht per person, and also include a night boat tour to see fireflies.
Click here to book a tour of Amphawa Floating Market through Get Your Guide!
If you do book a tour then you won’t be able to follow this day of the itinerary as no tour visits all three spots. We recommend arranging a taxi if possible, but sometimes tours are a more convenient option if you don’t mind missing one of the floating markets!
Maeklong Railway Market
Start your day with a visit to the Maeklong Railway Market, which is around an 80 kilometre drive from central Bangkok. This unique market has stalls set up alongside a train track, and so when a train comes through the vendors have to retract their stalls and goods to make way for the train to pass.
It’s an impressive sight to see the vendors quickly move their stall shade covers and goods, and it’s become almost second nature to them. Trains come through the market a few times a day, and your driver will know what time trains are due so that you can time your visit accordingly.
When there isn’t a train passing through, it’s a lively and busy market with plenty to offer. As you wander along the train tracks you will see a variety of stalls offering everything from fresh meat and produce to clothing and souvenirs.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Your next stop should be the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which is around a 20 minute drive away. It’s one of the most famous floating markets in Thailand, and as a result does feel quite touristy – but it’s still a good spot to visit! Some of the stalls can be a little overpriced due to the market being a popular tourist attraction, so make sure to haggle to get the best possible price.
Situated on the canal of the same name, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is home to a number of floating stalls. Vendors offer a selection of local dishes and fresh produce from boats along the canal, which can be accessed from walkways along the edge of the canal.
Not all of the stalls at the market are floating though, and as you wander along the walkways you will pass a number of shops and stalls at the side of the canal. The stalls on land tend to have a bit more variety, offering a mix of souvenirs, clothing, food, and more!
In our experience, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market has the most floating stalls of the floating markets in and around Bangkok. The market looks somewhat like how you would imagine a floating market to look, although this is partly because it’s also possible to take boat trips through the market – which adds to the number of boats in the canal!
It’s worth taking a boat trip during your visit, and you should expect to pay around 100-200 baht per person for a paddle boat trip, and slightly more if you want to take a motorised boat. If you are quoted much higher than this then you are being ripped off, and unfortunately it’s quite common for tourists to be scammed here and tricked into paying excessive amounts for boat trips.
One of the most common ways tourists are scammed is their taxi driver will drop them off a short distance from the market, where boat tours are offered for a much higher price – sometimes up to 3,000 baht. They will assure you this is the price and attempt to trick you into paying for this, and then they will take a commission from the operator if you pay this price.
The taxi company we have recommended above didn’t try this with us, but it’s still important to be aware of this scam so that you can avoid falling victim to it!
Amphawa Floating Market
The final stop on the second day of your four days in Bangkok is the Amphawa Floating Market. It’s one of the most charming floating markets in Thailand, and is around a 15-minute drive from the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
Amphawa Floating Market is less touristy than Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, but is becoming a popular spot to visit. There are less boat stalls at the market, but there is still lots to explore with a number of shops, stalls, and small restaurants located alongside the Mae Klong River.
The Amphawa Floating Market opens from around midday until approximately 9pm, with the market being at its liveliest in the late afternoon and evening. For this reason it’s best to make sure the market is the last stop on your day trip, as that way you will see it at its best.
As well as the main floating market area, there are several stalls that run away from the river and along the road. Expect to find similar goods and produce as at other markets, but with so many different shops and stalls there are a number of different and unique items on sale here too.
Boat trips are also available at Amphawa Floating Market, with prices starting at around 50 per person to join a group tour or 500 baht for a private boat. If you have the time then you may want to do this, but make sure you leave plenty of time to wander around the stalls of the market itself.
Once you’ve finished up at the market it’s time to head back into Bangkok, at which point we suggest having a chilled evening after a busy day.
Day 3
Chatuchak Weekend Market
The penultimate day of this four day Bangkok itinerary starts at the Chatuchak Weekend Market. As the name suggests, it’s only open on weekends – so if day three of your trip isn’t on the weekend then you may need to switch it with another day.
Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the largest markets in the world, and is home to thousands of stalls offering a variety of goods and services. You can find everything from clothing to souvenirs to electronics to decorations and much more.
With so many stalls, the market can feel like a bit of a maze at times. We recommend spending at least two hours wandering through the different stalls, allowing yourself to get lost amongst the stalls and discover the variety of goods on offer. Like most markets in Thailand, the Chatuchak Weekend Market has a wide range of street food available too.
If you’re feeling a bit tired then it’s also possible to get massages at a number of different massage stalls in the market. It’s a great way to give your feet a break and relax before continuing your four day Bangkok itinerary.
Chatuchak Weekend Market is easily accessible via MRT, with both Chatuchak Park Station and Kamphaeng Phet Station located just a short walk from the market. Alternatively you can get to the market via taxi, which will take around half an hour from central Bangkok.
Taling Chan Floating Market
The next stop on your 4 day Bangkok itinerary is the Taling Chan Floating Market, giving you the chance to explore one of the floating markets in Bangkok itself. To get there take the MRT Blue Line to Bang Khun Non Station from either Chatuchak Park Station or Kamphaeng Phet Station.
There are no MRT stops within easy walking distance of Taling Chan Floating Market, but thankfully a free shuttle bus runs from outside exit 3 of Bang Khun Non Station. This free shuttle bus visits four different floating markets, as well as a couple of other spots, and the Taling Chan Floating Market is the second stop on the route.
It’s got a more local feel to it than the Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa floating markets, and the majority of stalls at the market aren’t actually floating. Despite this, it’s still a great market to visit and has plenty to offer in terms of great food, as well as a range of other goods and produce.
Check out our guide to the Taling Chan Floating Market for more information ahead of your visit!
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
Next up is the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market – our favourite floating market in Bangkok and the first one we ever visited. The free shuttle bus also stops here, so get back on where it dropped you off and then Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market will be the second stop.
There are plenty of stalls to explore at the market, selling a wide variety of food and goods. It’s also possible to take a boat trip along the canals, which is a great way to see the market from a different perspective. These boat trips should cost no more than 100 baht, so be sure not to overpay!
If you want to visit even more floating marks then the free shuttle bus also visits Wat Saphan Floating Market and Song Khlong Floating Market – both of which are smaller and quieter. Song Khlong Floating Market is the first stop on the shuttle bus when departing from Bang Khun Non Station, and Wat Saphan Floating Market is the last stop before you arrive back at the MRT station.
Rooftop Bar
After a day of exploring a number of Bangkok’s markets, it’s time to relax and enjoy brilliant views of the city from a rooftop bar. Try to arrive at least an hour before sunset if you can, as that way you can enjoy views of the city both during the day and night – and if you’re lucky you’ll get a beautiful sunset too!
There are plenty of rooftop bars to choose from in Bangkok, many offering wonderful views of the city centre. Some of the best rooftop bars in Bangkok are found in and around Sukhumvit – one of the city’s liveliest neighbourhoods.
Our personal recommendation for a rooftop bar is the CHAR rooftop bar, which is located on the top floor of Hotel Indigo. The bar is open from 5pm until midnight every night, and offers a beautiful view of the Bangkok skyline – best enjoyed with a cocktail or two!
Rooftop bars in Bangkok are more expensive as you pay a premium for the wonderful views, but thankfully some offer happy hour deals. CHAR rooftop bar has a happy hour from 5pm until 7pm, with a selection of drinks deals including 2 for 1 on some cocktails.
Some of the other top rooftop bars in Bangkok include Aire Bar, Red Square Rooftop Bar, and Tichuca. All of these bars offer some lovely views of the city, and Tichuca has a unique ornamental tree that lights up different colours at night. Like we said, there are plenty of bars to choose from though – so which bar to pick partly depends where you’re staying and what you’re looking for.
One of the most famous rooftop bars in Bangkok is the Sky Bar at Lebua, which features in the Hangover 2. It’s now one of the most expensive rooftop bars in the city, so we personally recommend heading elsewhere. That being said, the views are impressive if you don’t mind paying more for your drinks.
Day 4
Benjakitti Park
Kick off the final day of your four day Bangkok itinerary with a visit to Benjakitti Park, a green oasis in the middle of the city. Covering over 20 acres, the park has a large artificial lake and a forest area which are great places for a relaxing walk.
After a few days of exploring some of the busiest spots in Bangkok, a stroll through the park is likely to be a welcome change. It’s one of the quieter spots in the city, and in our experience tends to be quieter than the nearby Lumphini Park.
There are various walkways around the park, whether it’s around the lake or through the forest area. We recommend walking along the raised walkways over the wetland area in the forest park, where it’s possible to see some interesting birdlife as you walk.
It’s up to you how long you spend here (and it partly depends on the heat!), but we recommend spending at least an hour walking around the park if you’re up for it!
Pier 21 in Terminal 21 Mall
After you’ve finished your stroll through the park, we recommend taking a tuk tuk or taxi to the Terminal 21 Mall. It’s a unique mall, with each floor designed to encompass elements of famous cities around the world, including Rome, London, and San Francisco.
On the top floor of the mall you will find the Pier 21 food court, which is a great spot to grab some lunch. It may seem like a weird inclusion on your Bangkok itinerary, but food courts are a cheap and convenient place to grab lunch – and are frequented by many locals.
The Pier 21 food court is one of the best in the city, offering a range of local Thai dishes at very cheap prices. Some dishes are less than 40 baht, so it’s a great spot for a cheap lunch – and the food is good quality too.
Before ordering, make sure to head to a cashier to exchange cash for one of the food court cards (essentially a prepaid debit card). It’s not possible to pay by card or cash at the stalls themselves, so you need to get one of these cards before you can pay for your food.
It’s worth topping up around 100-200 baht per person to make sure you have enough money for whatever you choose to order. Once you’ve ordered, if there is a balance leftover on your card then return to the cashier and they will refund any money leftover.
Mahanakhon Skywalk
Next up it’s time to take a trip to the King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk for incredible views of Bangkok. The skyscraper is home to Thailand’s highest observation deck at 314 metres, and offers stunning panoramic views of the city from both indoor and outdoor viewing areas.
During your time in Bangkok you will have probably noticed the King Power Mahanakhon building, which has a very unique design. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the game Tetris, and has several indents in the building that make it instantly recognisable in the city skyline.
Head up to the viewing areas to enjoy some wonderful views of Bangkok from above. The outdoor viewing area on the 78th floor has a suspended glass floor that allows you to see the city below your feet – but it may feel a little too scary for some!
Take your time here to enjoy the incredible views and soak in the city skyline. It’s best to kill some time after lunch before heading here, that way you can time your visit so that you arrive around an hour before sunset – as this way you can enjoy the views both during the day and after it gets dark!
The King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk is one of the best places to watch sunset in Bangkok, as you watch night fall over the city from its highest vantage point. As well as the viewing areas, there is a Skybar on the 76th floor as well as augmented reality experiences and more!
Tickets to the King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk start from 900 baht per person, and can be booked online in advance through Klook. It’s worth booking your ticket online in advance to skip the queues, and often the tickets online are discounted so you actually end up paying less too – so why wait to book?!
Click here to book your tickets for the Mahanakhon Skywalk on the Klook website!
The One Ratchada Night Market
The final stop of your four day Bangkok itinerary is the One Ratchada Night Market. It’s another lively night market, with plenty of great food on offer including a variety of local dishes and skewered meats, as well as unique options like waffle burgers!
With a great variety of food on offer, it can be hard to decide exactly what you want to go for. Thankfully most of the stalls are fairly cheap, so you can try a selection of different dishes if you can’t make your mind up!
Like other night markets, there are a number of stalls selling clothing, souvenirs, electronics, and other goods. It’s worth walking around as much of the market as possible, as you never know when you’ll find something you want to buy.
The One Ratchada Night Market stays open until midnight, and there are a number of bars close by to the market too. We suggest having a drink or two to relax as you come to the end of your Bangkok itinerary!
If you fancy a more lively last night then another option is to head to the famous Khaosan Road, which is home to a number of bars and some of the best nightlife in Bangkok.
Where to stay in Bangkok
Budget
Chan Cha La 99 Hostel
The Chan Cha La 99 Hostel is one of the best budget accommodation options in Bangkok. It’s conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the Bang Chak BTS Station – which means you can easily get around the city cheaply using public transport.
Consistently rated as one of the best places to stay in the city, the property offers private air conditioned rooms from just 550 baht per night. The owner of the hostel is extremely helpful and friendly too, which helps to ensure you have a wonderful stay!
Click here to book a stay at the great value Chan Cha La 99 Hostel!
Mid-Range
ibis Styles Sukhumvit 4
The ibis Styles Sukhumvit 4 Hotel offers good quality accommodation in an excellent location. It’s in one of the most vibrant parts of the city, with lots of restaurants and bars nearby, as well as being 5 minutes walk from Nana BTS Station.
One of the highlights of staying at the property is the fantastic rooftop pool, which has lovely views of the city. Prices at the ibis Styles Sukhumvit 4 Hotel start from around 2,600 baht per night.
Click here to book a stay at the wonderful ibis Styles Sukhumvit 4 on Booking.com!
Treat Yourself!
Sindhorn Midtown Hotel
The 5-star Sindhorn Midtown Hotel is one of the top luxury hotels in Bangkok, boasting an amazing rooftop pool overlooking the city skyline. Offering spacious and comfortable rooms, the hotel also boasts its own fitness centre, sauna, restaurant, and bar.
To top if off, the hotel is brilliantly located just 5 minutes walk from Chit Lom BTS Station and around 10-15 minutes walk from Lumphini Park. Prices at the hotel start from just 5,400 baht per night, which is great value considering the high standard of accommodation.
Click here to book a stay at the amazing Sindhorn Midtown Hotel on the Booking.com website!
Alternatively, VRBO have some fantastic accommodation options if you want to rent a property instead of staying at a hotel during your 4 day Bangkok itinerary! Click here to see the amazing options on the VRBO website!
Looking for other places to visit in Thailand? Check out the best things to do in Koh Phi Phi and the best things to do in Khao Sok!
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