Let's start from a premise: seeing Bangkok well in two days is almost impossible.
Overview of what to see in Bangkok in two / three days ...
Considered some excursion towards the Damnoen Saduak floating market , the visit to Ayutthaya rather than Lopburi o Kanchanaburi, it would be better to keep Bangkok as a base for at least 5 days.
Not all itineraries are the same: budget and timing lead to book a trip by making choices. If you want to concentrate what is strictly necessary e visit Bangkok in 2 days you may be able to do it. Certainly forget to return to the hotel every 5 minutes for whatever reason, you leave in the morning backpacking and come back in the evening, otherwise you waste more time traveling than visiting the city. However, should it seem like a tight schedule, you might as well reschedule Bangkok in three days.
By strictly necessary I mean visiting the sites of greatest interest such as Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Aroun, Wat Phra Khew, Wat Saket, the House of Jim Thompson and why not even a tour of the MBK. These are just some of the many Wat (temples) in Bangkok, there are many others that I have not mentioned but which are a must visit if you have the opportunity.
If you want to stock up on Buddhas and temples you are in the right place, as indeed all of Thailand, Chiang Mai including. My aim, however, is to give you a 2-day full immersion itinerary. As my usual, I will inform you of the "logistics" part rather than the historical / cultural part because there are much more competent blogs to give you information on the matter, among other things the various travel guides on Bangkok they already do a great job on their own.
What tour to do in Bangkok?
Just a few months ago, a pass for Bangkok was created that allows you to fully experience the city in all its characteristics, and among these there is also a one-hour Thai massage. This is the Bangkok Unlimited Attractions Pass (click to view pass) . including Thai cooking lessons, a food tour and also plenty of activities to do in Pattaya.
Where to sleep in Bangkok?
Before telling you about everything there is to visit in Bangkok, I wanted to recommend a hotel which is very suitable for visiting the city. Being within walking distance of the Airport City Link final stop guarantees you a lot of flexibility both on arrival and departure. The rooms of the Bangkok City Hotel they are spotless, I found myself very well.
Council: get a room on the higher floors because the view is truly phenomenal.
WILL YOU STOP A FEW DAYS TO SEE THE BEAUTIFUL BUT CHAOTIC BANGKOK? HERE ARE SOME POST THAT IS FOR YOU
- Practical guide to taking a taxi in Bangkok
- Go to Ayutthaya by train from Bangkok
How to visit and what to see in Bangkok?
Visit the most representative places of Bangkok in two days it's possible, I'll give you my itinerary, maybe it can help you.
Little tip: if you want to try some tours to discover the city -> discover all the itineraries here .
If Bangkok is the first destination to see on your trip, you will have to go to the city from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The most convenient way is theAirport City Link which just shuttles between the city and the airport with some intermediate stops. There are two "lines", one City Line which takes you directly to the opposite terminus or Phaya Thai, and one express line which makes far fewer stops but does not reach Phaya Thai.
At the airport you have to buy the "ticket" for the Airport City Link, there are special machines. I put the quotes because it actually is a yellow token which works with an electronic mechanism, just place it at the entrance to the turnstiles and they open to let you through. Do not miss it because you will still need it, you will have to put it back in the big "piggy banks" of the exit turnstiles. The cost of the ticket for the single route is 45 baht (2015 prices) and the ride lasts, if I'm not mistaken, 30 minutes. I can't tell you for sure because I forgot to check; on the way I was tired from the many hours of flight and the time zone.
Once you have exited a Phaya Thai you will immerse yourself in the everyday life of Bangkok, definitely theimpact is quite challenging. In the midst of an immense heat / humidity, among the chaos of Bangkok traffic, you will be inebriated by a concentration of smells of cooking food and the smell of sewage. At first it may be a bit nauseating but you will see that over time, this Bangkok feature will fascinate you, at least so it happened to me.
A few tens of meters from the exit of the Phaya Thai Airport City Link stop you will have the opportunity to get on the BTS Sukhumvit and then reach your destination, in case you want to take a taxi you will be spoiled for choice, indeed it is more correct to say that in most cases they will choose you. By the way you can read my article on like taking a taxi in Bangkok.
If, on the other hand, you want to use a more personalized service -> request HERE a direct transfer between the airport and your hotel .
“What to see in Bangkok in two days” itinerary: day 1
An obligatory stop on your itinerary in Bangkok can only be the Grand Palace complex including Wat Phra Khew and the neighbor Wat Pho.
Small premises: to visit the various temples rules apply that must be respected. Keep your shoulders and legs covered. In this regard, try to arrive prepared by bringing some garments with which you can cover yourself. In any case, at the Grand Palace they can also rent you wide trousers if you don't have any of your own available.
The itinerary that I propose combines in addition to visiting the temples also the possibility of taking a boat ride on the Chao Phraya river. There will be some walking, as in all the rest of theitinerary to do in Thailand which I told you about in another post. So nice comfortable shoes !! I always travel with mine Salomon SpeedCross 3 , I could not do without, I do miles and miles and I never suffer. Spectacular!
Aside from this digression, let's get started: take the BTS Silom and get off at Saphan Taskin, practically it is the stop before the river. At that point take exit 2 (if I'm not mistaken), follow the signs for the Sathorn Pier. In 1 minute you will find yourself in front of the ticket office for the boat, among other things right next to it there is also an exchange office if you need it.
Su this other blog you will find information on timetables and lines.
The piers to which you must get off are the Tha Chang for the Grand Palace or the Tha Tien for the Wat Pho. The journey on the river is characteristic but among its peculiarities there is certainly not cleanliness, unfortunately it is full of everything but on the other hand Bangkok is also this.
I recommend that you start with seeing the Grand Palace. You will reach Wat Pho later on foot as they are no more than 10 minutes away. Once you get off the boat, go towards the walls of the Grand Palace and keep them to the right until you reach the entrance: it is impossible not to see it given the amount of people entering and exiting all the time.
At the Grand Palace you can enter until 15.30 pm but once inside you can visit it until 16.30 pm, after this time the guardians begin to let people flow towards the exit using the whistles. The entrance ticket costs 500 baht.
Be careful: on the way to the entrance on foot, it is possible that some tuk-tuk driver will stop you and be a little "nice" trying to be kind towards you, will want to empathize and therefore will ask you where you come from, if it is the first time you are in Bangkok, what have you visited, etc. He basically tries to become your best Thai friend.
What is the purpose? Well, at some point, if you go in the afternoon, it will tell you that you will not be able to see the Grand Palace because it will already be closed and there will be no more possibility to visit it. He will invite you to come back the next day but in the meantime he proposes to take you to see some particular places in Bangkok. I guess it's superfluous to tell you to avoid getting hooked. He will tell you a half lie to be able to take you wherever he wants such as in the various shops where they earn if they bring customers. The whole world is country guys, keep your head on your shoulders and don't get caught up in the euphoria and lightheartedness of traveling.
Inside the Grand Palace you can also see the Wat phra kaew where the tiny Emerald Buddha is located.
In Thailand you will see many Buddhas: giants, reclining, tiny, covered in gold, crumbling, in stone, on the pillow, without a pillow, with eyes closed, open or with pointed ears, in short, you will see so many that in a while they will also make them for biscuit-shaped breakfast to be dipped in milk. With all due respect for religious symbols it is just a joke to emphasize the Buddhist culture, which, by the way, opening a little parenthesis, I really appreciate.
I have seen a lot and a lot people believer. Although many are rituals that have their foundations but then are also exploited for the tourist (see lighting candles and various incenses), it was nice to see how people knelt barefoot in complete adoration to the various Buddhas. The silent procession of the various people who come to pray is sometimes almost overwhelming. Although we were not believers, when we have visited Chiang Mai, in a much quieter environment than in Bangkok, we happened to feel the need to be part of that silence and so we sat for several tens of minutes feeling a deep sense of tranquility.
Let's go back to our itinerary of what to see in two or three days in Bangkok.
Be aware that the visit to the Grand Palace takes you some time, it is giant and if you want to walk around it slow mode I think you have to dedicate at least 2/3 hours to it.
After your visit to the Grand Palace you can head and finally see Wat Pho. The ticket costs 100 baht including a ticket that allows you to collect a free bottle of water inside the complex. Considering the heat, a nice bottle of fresh water never hurts!
At Wat Pho you can admire the reclining Buddha, 46 meters long by 15 high, truly majestic and particular. Wat Pho is not only made up of this Wat, indeed in our path we found a monk who was telling a parable (at least I suppose!). In addition, Wat Pho is famous for having one of the prince massage schools in Thailand where tourists can get massages from "students" who are learning the art. The cost is around 250 baht for an hour if I'm not mistaken, very cheap compared to what we are used to paying in the West.
One tip: many tourists decide to get a massage at this school, so you may have to wait up to an hour before your turn comes, so take note.
Between Grand Palace and Wat Pho you will have already occupied more than half a day, you just have to visit the Wat Arun which is on the opposite bank of the river, practically almost opposite the pier for Wat Pho. To reach it, just go to Tha Tien and take the barge that takes you to the other side.
For lack of time I have not been able to do it but many blogs recommend rent a long tail for as long as you want and be taken to the canals of Thonburi, which allows you to see a piece of Bangkok that is still authentic.
The day is coming to an end and the advice I give you is to go straight to Khao San Road to see how the street comes alive the more it turns towards the evening. Khao San Road is one of the hubs of Bangkok's nightlife. The street is closed to traffic and there are food stalls everywhere.
Take your time, go around the various shops while "hunger rises" by negotiating the items you want to buy, then, when hunger has risen enough, find the street food stall that inspires you most, spend two pennies and you will a platter of whatever you want. With a nice Chang beer in hand, sit on the side, perhaps on a sidewalk to stay in the "street" theme, and satisfy your appetite enjoying the non-stop coming and going of people.
Khao San Road it's nothing special, it is a street like the others that is closed and comes alive in the evening, but in its simplicity it is fascinating.
“What to see in Bangkok in two days” itinerary: day 2
I guess I don't even have to tell you: wake up early! Breakfast and go (if you can, be real Asians and eat noodles with onions)!
Today the house of Jim Thompson, Wat Saket, Chinatown, the MBK and then everything you can make us stay.
Remember that then you must also go home possibly with your own legs and maybe not crawling. This is to tell you that if you keep a too frantic pace, you may risk not fully enjoying what you are going to see. So definitely make the most of your day, but remember that a well done stage is better than two bad ones, you will also have a good reason to return to Bangkok if you haven't seen something.
To visit the Jim Thompson's house you have to take the BTS Silom to the National Stadium terminus. From the terminus, a 5-minute walk takes you to the museum. It is in fact a museum with a cost of 150 baht including a guide which can be in English rather than French. In two words, it is the home of this American businessman who had come to live in Thailand and had found his fortune in the silk trade. The house is made entirely of teak, is built in the style of stilts to find shelter during the various floods and is also set within a beautiful garden.
So pay yours at the entrance 150 baht each and they will ask you to indicate if you want to be part of the group with an English guide or a French guide. Once chosen, they will give you a note on which they will write you the time when the guided tour will start. In the meantime, you can take a nice tour of the garden and appreciate all the species of plants and animals that are present.
The house is very beautiful, Jim Thompson had really good taste, the colors are warm and the teak itself contributes a lot. The visit continues along all the rooms and the guide continues to tell you everything about every aspect of the house.
To understand something you will need a good dose of luck. You have to hope that the guide that happens to you is one of those who speaks English with all the necessary letters and that he does not lose the various Rs and the various doubles along the way as happens to practically all English-speaking Thai people. If you are unlucky, as in my case, you will find yourself understanding less than 50% of what has been explained. The guide proceeds quickly and you are always in limbo between pausing to see a detail of the house well rather than running after the guide to avoid losing those few words that you will be able to understand. However, the story of Jim thompson and his house is quite interesting.
About an hour and a half will pass between the guided tour and the visit of the garden independently.
Then you can pop into Chinatown or the Wat Saket, or the mountain of gold.
Admission fee and then up steps to the top where you can see some glimpses of Bangkok from above. It is nothing special but a ride is very happy.
At the end of the various visits do not forget to see another piece of Bangkok that is not much about the past but represents one of the inconsistencies of this city. Bangkok is an alternation of poor and dilapidated areas where tall skyscrapers rise, areas where there are various Wat and commercial areas with enormous structures where you can find just about everything. This is the case of the Siam Square area with its shopping centers such as the Siam Paragon rather than the MBK. If you have time, give it a visit, you will certainly find some opportunities.
Finally, I miss telling you what to see on the second night. In Bangkok in recent years the Sky Bar. These are chic bars that are built on the top of the largest skyscrapers and allow you to dine or even have a drink in a very special atmosphere.
One of the best Sky Bars, for some the best, it is the Sirocco, located on the 64th floor (I think) of the Lebua State Tower. It became famous thanks to the movie "The Hangover 2" where it was used to make some very spectacular shots of the film. In reality this is a very expensive restaurant where you can possibly think of having dinner if you want to impress someone. In addition to the restaurant there is also a circular bar from which you have a beautiful view over the city.
To reach the Sirocco del Lebua it is enough take the BTS Silom to Saphan Taskin (the stop where you also got off the ferry on the Chao River). It is not very far, it takes about 5 minutes to walk from the BTS stop.
Once you arrive at Lebua, enter and walk all the way through the Hall until you find a queue. It is not difficult to find it, that's why I explain it to you like this.
The hall will be deserted because all the shops will already be closed and so you will not struggle to see the mass of people who want to go up to Sirocco. For those who want to have dinner, reservations are required, but if you just want to drop by for a drink there is only a restriction on how you are dressed. They require a dress code. We do not mean a "jacket and tie". Women simply have to wear normal clothing without flip-flops, men too. A shirt, a pair of jeans and shoes possibly not phosphorescent.
At the top you will find a breathtaking view, an unusual coolness that goes hand in hand with the prices of cocktails, which are also not usual for Bangkok. Forget the European prices too, they are higher. Taking a normal beer I managed to spend a good 400 baht plus taxes if I remember correctly. In any case, lots and lots of money, perhaps exaggerated but as soon as you turn around you realize that it is still worth it.
You look at Bangkok from the other and it looks like another city. Nothing stinks, no smog, it looks like a motionless and modern city given the number of skyscrapers. The BTS and the course of the Chao River are clearly visible. Nothing to say, a nice experience that I recommend to everyone. The restaurant is exclusive but if you were to celebrate a particular occasion it could be a good location.
If I remember correctly the bar is open until 1.00 in the morning. Considering that it is outdoors, be careful that if it rains it will probably remain closed. If the drizzle is light and occasional, it remains open (personal experience).
Back on the ground and off the elevator which looks more like a jet than an elevator. The "journey" is 60 floors in about 10 seconds. In a matter of seconds you are immersed again in the real Bangkok and savor its true characteristics.
To return to the hotel you will probably need to use a taxi:
Caution: in the evening they are less inclined to turn on the meter because the metro closes at 23.00 pm and therefore they play a little on it. In this regard, read the post on like taking a taxi in Bangkok. I recommend, if this itinerary seems too short, to visit Bangkok in three days.
