Wondering how to spend one day in Bangkok? Look no further and keep reading.
Bangkok is not only a gorgeous busy city but also one of the most beautiful honeymoon destinations in Thailand. From gorgeous temples, ornate buildings to a thriving cultural scene, vivid nightlife, and cheap shopping; the capital city of Thailand has something for all ages.
Don’t have much time to explore this magical city? No worry. Here is my perfect 24-hour Bangkok itinerary that will help you to visit the best of Bangkok in a day. Bonus: Some very helpful travel tips to save time and money.
Table of Contents
When to visit Bangkok
November to March is the peak season in Thailand. Although Bangkok is hot and humid throughout the year, the best time to visit Bangkok is December to February when the weather is pleasant and charming and the sky remains clear.
July and August are the monsoon months in Bangkok. Tourists generally avoid this season. If you are a budget traveler or want to save some bucks, my suggestion would be to visit Bangkok in the shoulder season(September-October) when you can get some amazing hotel and flight deals.
How to Get to Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) and Don Mueang airport(DMK) are the two main airports that are well connected with the rest of the world. Bus and train services are also available to reach Bangkok from any part of Thailand.
Mo Chit, Sai Tai, and Ekkamai are three major bus terminals in Bangkok. If you prefer train service, you have to reach Hua Lamphong railway station, the main rail station in Bangkok.
Getting around Bangkok
Bangkok is the busiest city in Thailand where heavy traffic is quite normal. There are different modes of transport options available to get around Bangkok including Bangkok MRT, BTS Skytrain, Taxis, Motorcycle taxis, Grab, and the infamous Tuk-tuk.
Grab Taxi is highly recommended for first-timers. BTS and MRT are also reliable and convenient transport modes. Try to avoid local taxis and tuk-tuk if you are new in Thailand, else you might get scammed.
One Day in Bangkok Accommodation
Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in Thailand. You will find here an abundance of hotels, hostels, and Airbnb for all budget levels. Most tourists prefer to stay near the popular Khao San Road or along Sukhumvit Road which is filled with malls, restaurants, and bars. Public transportation is also easy and convenient to go for local sightseeing. Cheap hostels, mid-range affordable hotels to luxury resorts, you will find all types of accommodations in this region.
If you are a backpacker or budget traveler, Mad Monkey Bangkok can be an ideal hostel for you. They are located just off the famous Khao San Road. Rooms and dorms both are available at very affordable prices. They also have a swimming pool where you can cool down to beat the heat.
If budget is not a factor, I will recommend staying in Westin Grande Sukhumvit which is a one-minute walk to Sukhumvit MRT Subway station and Asoke BTS Skytrain. The rooms are spacious and are fitted with all modern amenities. It also features an outdoor pool, a spa center, and a gym.
Where to Eat in Bangkok
Bangkok is famous for its delicious street foods. You should not miss the local Thai dishes during your one-day Bangkok trip. Not only tourists but even the locals are also extremely fond of Bangkok street foods. Pad Thai, coconut icecream and Look Chin Ping are very delicious and must-try street food in Bangkok.
These are not only affordable but delicious also.
If you cannot rely on street food, there are lots of European, and western restaurants in Bangkok that serve western and Indian cuisines as well as fantastic local Thai dishes. Gastro 1/6 is an excellent choice for English breakfast and lunch. It is pricey but serves the best western dishes in a beautiful outdoor garden.
Best Things to do in Bangkok in One Day
Bangkok is a large city in Thailand and it has plenty of things and attractions to offer its visitors. You may ask a question – “Is one day in Bangkok enough?” I wouldn’t say that one day is perfect to explore Bangkok, but if you are running out of time or have only one day in hand, then also you can visit the best of Bangkok if you have proper planning.
You shouldn’t expect to explore the entire Bangkok in one day. Here I have made a list of the best things to do in Bangkok in such a manner that you would get a mix of it all.
The Grand Palace
The most popular landmark and a must-see thing in Bangkok are the Grand Palace. It was once the residence of Thai kings for over 150 years, now this stands as an ornate building. It is basically a huge complex that contains several impressive buildings. It may take a whole day to discover 36 points of this complex. If you have only one day in Bangkok, you can see the major highlights within 1-2 hours.
However, the most gorgeous temple at Grand Palace is Wat Phra Kaew which is also known as the ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’. This is the most sacred temple in Thailand and very popular among locals and tourists.
Entrance Fee: 500 TBH per person
Tips: It opens at 8:30 am daily. Try to reach here as early as possible to beat the heat and the crowd. Dress modestly while visiting this sacred place.
Wat Pho
Wat Pho, popularly known as ‘Temple of the Reclining Buddha’ is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok. It is located right behind the temple of the Emerald Buddha. Wat Pho is famous for its giant 46-meter long gold-plated statue of reclining Buddha. You will also see countless golden Buddha statues inside the temple.
Wat Pho is also renowned for being the first public university in Thailand and the center for traditional massage and medicine. You must take a look around the rest of the temple complex. After exploring the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, try a traditional Thai massage to relax your muscles.
Visit Wat Arun
You can easily add Wat Arun to your one-day Bangkok itinerary due to its close proximity to the Grand Palace. It is located on the other side of the Praya Chao river. You have to cross the river by Chao Praya River Boat Express that runs frequently from 6 am to 8 pm. You can get a glance at the 82 meters prang while crossing the river.
The exterior of the temple is nicely decorated with white porcelain. It looks more beautiful at night when the golden light reflects on the Chao Praya River.
Entrance Fee: 50 THB.
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Wang Lang Market
Want to get the raw taste of Thai culture? Visit Wang Lang Market, a hidden gem in Bangkok where you can see very few tourists. The market is located across the Chao Phraya river. In this local Thai market, vendors sell food, clothing, household goods, electronics, and many more things.
If you visit Wat Arun, I will highly recommend visiting this local market. Especially if you are a foodie traveler, you can taste various delicious Thai street foods at a very cheap price. Be prepared for a huge crowd and narrow space.
Discover Khao San Road
One of the most popular tourist hotspots in Bangkok is Khao San Road which is filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. From cheap garments, books, electronic products to antiques, trinkets, and unique showpieces, you will find everything in this popular street. Hangout here with your friends and families and buy whatever you want, but don’t forget to taste the street foods.
One Day in Bangkok Travel Tips
- Suvarnabhumi airport (BKK) is the busiest one but Don Mueang airport(DMK) is better for low flight fare and quick visa on arrival service due to less crowd.
- Book your accommodation 3-4 months before your journey to avail of cheap deals.
- Show respect in Thai temples and administrative buildings. Dress modestly while visiting any religious place in Bangkok. You must cover your shoulders and knees inside the temples. Wear long pants or trousers and full sleeve shirts.
- Never Never Never get into a local taxi or tuk-tuk before negotiating the fare. Better avoid these two transport modes.
- 7-Eleven stores are there at every corner in Bangkok. You can buy snacks, cooked foods, packaged drinking water, and many more at a reasonable price.
Guest author: Trijit Mallick from BudgetTravelBuff.
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