We loved exploring Bangkok, and even though we spent more than enough time in the Thailand Capital, it was sufficient to craft the perfect guide. This deep Bangkok one day itinerary is studied to not overwhelm visitors, jumping from place to place.
Doesn’t matter if you are spending just a layover in Bangkok and want to visit the most interesting sights; following the route, you will be able to get the best of Bangkok in 24 hours or so.
The key to making a one day Bangkok itinerary happen is to prioritise the main landmarks, add a pinch of relaxation time between activities, and use smart public transportation. While crafting a Bangkok 24 hours itinerary, we left some space to personalise the trips following our own choices.
The suggested itinerary combines major sights, temples, a river cruise, street food and local culture. Full of energy, you will start from the Grand Palace, the cherry on the cake of a trip to Bangkok, pass on a river cruise, jump to Chinatown, and end at an unmissable local food night market.
Best time to visit Bangkok
Bangkok is a fantastic destination, and for many is the first touch point with southeast Asia. The capital of Thailand is perfect for visiting throughout the year. However, some parts of the year might be hotter or wetter than others. When we say hotter, it means that the average temperature in Bangkok could reach 40 °C.
Usually, the best time to visit Bangkok is from November to February. This time of the year, temperatures can dip as low as 22 to 25 degrees at night, making a trip to Bangkok advisable, as it is easier and better to walk around through the day. This is also well known as the dry season in Bangkok, and it’s when most travellers visit the city. Instead, the rainy season comes from July to October, with temperatures between 26°C and 34°C.
In our opinion, the time of the year to avoid visiting Bangkok is between March and June, which is the Hot Season, and the temperature can quickly go up to 40°C because of the pollution.
Bangkok Seasons and temperature brief:
Things to know before travelling to Bangkok
Thailand Visa
Travelling to Thailand has become incredibly simple. You can enter Thailand without a visa if you have a passport from the EU, the UK, or the US as of 2023.
A visa may be obtained upon arrival, and we can assure you of up to 30 days of staying in Thailand. This information is as of April 2023. Be aware that you need proof of an outbound flight from Thailand to be eligible for the visa on arrival.
We provided evidence that we were crossing the Laos border from Chiang Rai and the lodging, and Singapore Airlines accepted it. If you plan to stay longer in Thailand and need more than a 30 days visa on arrival, you can extend when staying in the territory; the cost is only $30 for extra 30 days. You will need passport photos, so remember to bring them.
The majority of the shops and markets accept only cash
If this is your first time in Thailand, you should be aware that most stores and marketplaces only accept cash. We advise you to use the ATM’s maximum withdrawal amount out of caution. You will only have to pay the fees once in this way. The cost is typically approximately 220 TBH. You can retrieve cash at Krungsri Bank (Yellow ones), which allows you to get up to 30K Baht at the same fee.
TIP | No minimum purchase amount is required at the local 7-Eleven, which accepts cards. You might find other places accepting cards; however, they sometimes charge 3% extras.
Book your travel insurance
Don’t travel anywhere without travel insurance, no matter your journey. Before travelling to Thailand, make sure you book your travel insurance. You never know what it can happen during your journey, and having insurance is having peace of mind. We have the full year with HeyMondo, and we love it.
Hey Mondo | COVID-19 coverage, medical expenses and total travel costs. A fantastic app with 24-hour medical care and no extra charges. You can save 5% on your insurance by booking through our link.
SafetyWing | COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and insurance can be purchased while travelling for digital nomads.
How to go from Bangkok airport to the city centre
How to get around Bangkok in 24 hours
Things to see on our Bangkok one day itinerary
Breakdown of your 24 hours in Bangkok
Best things to do in Bangkok in 24 hours | Bangkok MAP
We have created a map highlighting all the best things to do in Bangkok in 24 hours. The map will guide you through the main sights of the Thailand Capital, and it’s easy to customise if you want to add or cut off some of our suggested landmarks.
Bangkok One Day Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary for spending one day in Bangkok:
Bangkok One Day Itinerary highlights
Your Morning itinerary in Bangkok | 24 Hours in Bangkok
We crafted the perfect itinerary to give you a glimpse of the city in 24 hours. Bangkok is vast, and taking a tuk-tuk first thing in the morning will help you to wake up. The trip through Bangkok will let you absorb the traditions and identity of Thailand’s Capital. In the morning, you will discover The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew symbols and the most instagrammable places in Bangkok.
Before we pass to the second part of the day, the transition will be with a run on the Chao Phraya River on board a cruise. Check out Bangkok from a different point of view while reaching Wat Arun, the most impressive temple in Bangkok, in our opinion.
Tuk-tuk ride of Bangkok’s main sights
We booked a fantastic tuk-tuk ride in Bangkok and had the best time. Book your tour here, roam around the fantastic city, and discover many fun facts and things about Bangkok.
Bangkok Grand Palace
The Grand Palace, Bangkok, is one of the city’s most popular attractions, and even though we place it early in the morning, it might be crowded. We could have included the Grand Palace in our one-day Bangkok Itinerary; however, you should know a few things before visiting this iconic landmark.
The Grand Palace is open daily between 8.30 am – 3.30 pm – the earlier you arrive, the better it is to avoid crowds. Tickets cost 500 THB (£12 | $15 | €14), and you can buy them at the palace. The ticket also includes entrance to the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles and Wat Phra Kaew. There are strict rules to enter, and we will include some info below.
GRAND PALACE ESSENTIAL INFO | The Grand Palace is not just another temple; there are some rules that you must follow and remember before your visit:
- You must wear long trousers/a long skirt
- Shoulders must be covered with a shirt
- Scarves over sleeveless blouses ARE NOT ALLOWED
- Crop tops or sleeveless shirts ARE NOT ALLOWED
Wat Phra Kaew (Included in the Grand Palace Ticket)
Wat Phra Kaew is in the same complex as the Grand Palace and deserves a visit together with the main sight. The temple is the most important in the country and must be included in a 24-hour guide to Bangkok.
Wat Phra Kaew is mainly recognised as the temple of the Emerald Buddha, as it includes the statue in the emerald of Buddha symbolising legitimacy and prosperity.
Chao Phraya Riverboat
After the Temple of Emerald Buddha, within 10 minutes of walking, you can reach the pier to get on the river cruise. Although the scenic and affordable trip will allow you to see Bangkok from a different perspective, hopping on and off the boat is the most efficient way to tackle Bangkok traffic.
You can reach Wat Arun with a short boat ride from Tha Chang river pier. Later, you will take the boat to Chinatown from Wat Arun, so keep your ticket handy.
Wat Arun | Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan
In our opinion, the most impressive temple in Bangkok, Wat Arun, is unmissable. We included this through our guide to the best photo spots in Bangkok for a reason, the fine details, the gardens, and the view over the Chao Phraya River are unique.
Often referred to as the Temple of the Dawn is perfect for a visit at sunset; however, if you have just 24 hours in Bangkok, you should squeeze in a while going down the river between the attractions.
The temple is made of colourful ceramic tiles. Tales wants the temple to be made of 1 million tiles saved from a shipwreck.
Arriving at Wat Arun on a riverboat is the easiest way to access the temple. If you are just on the other side, it’s also good to know that there is easy transport between the river banks that costs only 5 Baht per person, and the crossing takes less than 5 minutes from Tha Tien Pier.
ENTRANCE FEE | 100 THB
Visit Wat Pho
Crossing the Chao Phraya River from Wat Arun, you can get to Tha Tien Pier. The boat service is the most convenient way to get between the two river banks, connecting Wat Arun to Wat Pho. The largest temple in Bangkok is about 5 minutes from the pier and contains Thailand’s largest hoard of Buddha images.
Even though Wat Arun was the most impressive for us, we loved Wat Pho reclining Buddha more. In fact, the temple hosts a 15-metre tall and 46-metre long Buddha, which is a 50 ft per 150 ft statue, totally covered in gold. The entrance to the temple costs 200 THB (£5 | $6 | €5.5), and it is open between 8 am to 6.30 pm.
Having just one day in Bangkok, you should plan to spend at least one hour in the complex.
Reach Chinatown and grab some Lunch
Our Bangkok quick visit took us to the most iconic places in the city, and one of them, without a doubt, is China Town. The folkloristic place in the heart of Bangkok is perfect for travellers looking to delve into food, culture and traditions. Taking the boat from Tha Tien Pier, nearby Wat Pho is easy to reach China Town within 20/25 minutes on board a hop-on, hop-off river cruise.
China Town was also the place of our choice for a quick lunch, touring Bangkok on a typical hot and humid day. You can either plan to go on with street food or stop by the wonderful eateries in ChinaTown. We also suggest checking out for a drink or two at Jack’s Bar, with a perfect view over the river and chill for a bit before continuing your Bangkok one day itinerary.
Discover the colourful streets of Talat Noi (China Town)
Our dearest friend Dave showed us around on our first day in Bangkok, and we headed to China Town. We were surprised to find, through the heart of Chinatown, such awesome Instagram spots in Bangkok. Talat Noi is the best place for street art in Bangkok and is still relatively unknown to tourists. Also, consider stopping here to grab some authentic Chinese food, spring rolls and noodles.
However, we invite you to explore Chinatown fully. If you love photography like us, you will be surprised by the number of photogenic spots in Talat Noi. This corner of the Thailand Capital was a fantastic discovery, and we place it high on the list of Instagram places in Bangkok.
Take a relaxing Thai massage
Our Bangkok one day itinerary is almost to the end, and whether you are leaving the city to hop on the next flight or on a train to reach the next destination, a Thai massage can relax you as much as you need.
Thai Massages are among the things we most hate while having but most love after. Finally, you will relax and enjoy a peaceful 60/90 minute well-cared massage by a professional masseuse.
Squeezing a couple of hours dedicated to yourself can improve your trip. Consider having a Thai massage if these are just 24 hours in Bangkok while tripping somewhere else.
King Power Mahanakhon | Rooftop Bar in Bangkok
We will leave you just the best memories from Bangkok. Crafting this itinerary was hard to squeeze in the best activities in such a short time. However, the last thing you can do in Bangkok is to enjoy the view from an advantaged viewpoint. So our place of choice is the King Power Mahanakhon Rooftop Bar. The wonderful, new building is in the heart of Bangkok, and the view from the over 300 metres tall building is without comparison.
The Kind Power Mahanakhon is the second-highest building in Bangkok and offers an incredible view of the city. The building also hosts a fantastic sky bar, and you must visit it for just 24 hours in Bangkok. However, the skywalk is the most impressive feature of the building, making this one of the most popular in Bangkok. Of course, it goes without saying that sunset is the ideal time to visit this rooftop bar. I think it is simply one of the most breathtaking scenes to see as the city grows darker and the sky takes on distinctive hues.
Other things to see in Bangkok in one day if you have spare time
If you have spare time in Bangkok, we suggest you squeeze in some other places. Among the sightseeing attractions, there is Khao SanRoad, the busiest hub for backpackers worldwide. The strip of road is tranquil during the day and becomes the wildest stage at night, with bars and clubs open for parties.
The first time we visited Bangkok, we stayed behind Khao SanRoad, as it was cheaper for accommodation. We had wild nights but also productive days while staying at the bars. The area offers a wide choice of eateries that will give you peace of mind staying just a day in Bangkok.
You will stay in Bangkok too short to get out of town; check out to see one of the many shopping centres in the Sukhumvit area or Siam. The most impressive we have seen are Siam 2 and Central World. However, if you are taking our advice to hop on hop off on a river cruise, you can also stop at Iconsiam shopping Mall, which is included in the pass and spend some time through the fashion boutique and high-end stores.
Bangkok Flower Market
The Pak Khlong Flower Market is a pure floral heaven. You will see local shops with some of the best flower decorations ever. Thanks to their cute composition, you will get many spots for your Instagram pictures in Bangkok. If you want to make the most of it and don’t stress out, try to reach the flower market in the morning when the temperature is still acceptable.
Just in front of the flower market, you can enter an authentic street in Bangkok, roaming around the vegetable market. I will say this was quite an experience to get some pretty street photos of local life.
Asiatique RiverFront Mall Bangkok
Asiatique Bangkok Riverfront Mall is a large open-air shopping centre, mostly reachable by ferry. The mall is active day and night, offering a fantastic night market, open from 4 pm daily. It has more than 1,500 stores and eateries, a Ferris wheel, an open-air theatre, and several other entertainment alternatives.
The mall’s wooden structures and emphasis on regional crafts and trinkets are meant to evoke a rural Thai hamlet.
Other Sights in Bangkok to explore in 24 hours
Wat Saket, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat and Wat Ratchanadda. Alternatively, you can take a canal tour, visit Wat Suthat and Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple) and also take a stroll along Khao San road.
Planning to stay longer? Where to stay in Bangkok
If you plan to stay in Bangkok overnight or need a place to lay on and relax after a hard-touring day, we suggest you check into the Siam and Sukhumvit areas. The two main places in the centre of Bangkok are perfect for finding accommodation. With a wide range of hotels, hostels and homestays, Sukhumvit and Siam are the perfect areas to stay in Bangkok for tourists.
Siam is a shopping and entertainment hub, and Sukhumvit is known for its nightlife and international dining options. Both areas have convenient access to public transportation, having BTS (SkyTrain) and MRT at short distances and with many stops.
Other popular areas to stay in Bangkok include Silom, known for its business district and nightlife, and Khao San, popular among backpackers and budget travellers. We stayed around these areas multiple times while visiting Bangkok, and everyone had pros and cons. While Bangkok is very extended, these are the places of choice when looking for accommodations in Bangkok.
Where to stay in Bangkok
KHAO SAN ROAD/AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION
If it’s your first time in Bangkok, this is the right place for you. Located 5 minutes away from Khao San Road, this affordable accommodation offers all the comforts that you need while in Bangkok.
The best luxury stay in Bangkok with an amazing infinity pool and incredible view of the city!
Bangkok One Day Itinerary highlights
Are you planning to visit Bangkok soon?
Before you travel to Bangkok, we have some recommendations for you:
PHOTOGRAPHY | Do you enjoy our photography? Check out our guide to the most instagrammable spots in Bangkok. We toured the city, searching for the most photogenic places, sunset spots and best temples to snap memories to take back home. Check out our inspiring guide!
CHIANG MAI | Check out our inspiring guide about the best things to do in Chiang Mai. We roamed around the old town and surroundings in search of the best spot to experience the real Thai Northern Life. Check out our Chiang Mai Guide.
Q&A One day in Bangkok
Is one day enough to explore Bangkok?
One day in Bangkok is too short a time to explore the main sights. So you must make wise choices to avoid losing time in transport and matching distances between the locations you prioritise exploring. Using wisely a mix of transport with the SkyTrain, BTS, MRT and ferries on the river, you can tackle traffic and explore more in just one day in Bangkok.
How much baht do you need a day?
It’s not easy to budget Bangkok for a day, as you can easily go over budget, take too much private transport, and eat at fancy places. However, the manageable budget for Bangkok for a day, excluding accommodation, is about 1000 THB, which can give you an excellent breakfast for 100 THB, 250 THB for a nice meal and water for walking around.
Is Bangkok a walkable city?
Bangkok isn’t a walkable city, it’s chaotic, and you will have a hard time just crossing the street. You will see crowds and many people running around exploring popular places, mainly among the shopping centres. Also, the distances in Bangkok are enormous, making it only possible to tour the city by taking public and private transport.
What can you do in Bangkok for a few hours?
If you have just a few hours in Bangkok, you should prioritise what you would like to visit. For cultural places, check into Wat Arun, Grand Palace and Wat Pho, the most iconic temples in Bangkok. If you want to experience the nightlife, check out Chinatown or Khao SanRoad. For an overview of Bangkok and lifetime memories, check out the rooftop bar at King Power Mahanakhon.
WHERE TO GO NEXT?
Every time is good to travel and have new experiences. If you’re travelling around Asia, check out some other inspiring guides:
THAILAND
Most instagrammable places in Bangkok
Chiang Mai Travel Guide
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai
Itinerary 3 days in Chiang Mai
Most instagrammable places in Phuket
How to spend 3 days in Phuket
Is Phuket worth visiting?
ASIA INSPIRATION
Sri Lanka Bucket List
Cruising in Indonesia
Best water sports in Phuket
Phuket Instagram Spots
Best places to visit in Asia
Elephant Safari in Sri Lanka
