Bangkok in 5 Days: Itinerary with a Day Trip, Transit, Dress Code and Scam Tips

How Bangkok is laid out

Bangkok splits roughly into two zones. The old town along the Chao Phraya River holds the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, and has limited rail access, so you get around by boat and taxi. The modern center of Siam, Sukhumvit and Silom is served by the BTS Skytrain and the MRT subway.

For a first visit, stay near a BTS station in Sukhumvit (around Asok or Phrom Phong) or Silom, or near Saphan Taksin, where the BTS meets the river boat pier. Traffic in Bangkok is notoriously heavy, so being a short walk from a station makes a bigger difference than almost anything else about your hotel.

Days 1-2: Arrive, then the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun

From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link runs to Phaya Thai in about 25 to 30 minutes for about 45 baht (about 1.40 USD). If you land late or carry a lot of luggage, a pre-booked transfer or the official airport taxi rank is less stressful. Keep day one light: a night market or a rooftop view near your hotel is plenty.

Day two is for the old town. Go to the Grand Palace as early as possible to beat the heat and the tour groups; entry is about 500 baht. Walk ten minutes to Wat Pho and its reclining Buddha, then take the small cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier to Wat Arun for a few baht. Watching Wat Arun from the riverbank around sunset is a highlight.

Day 3: Day trip to Ayutthaya or a floating market

Ayutthaya, the former royal capital, is a sprawling park of temple ruins about 1.5 to 2 hours from Bangkok by train or minivan. Once there, most visitors hire a tuk-tuk for a few hours or rent a bicycle, because the ruins are spread out and walking between them at midday is exhausting.

If you prefer markets, the classic combination is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market plus the Maeklong Railway Market, where vendors pull back their stalls as trains pass. Both are awkward to reach by public transport, so many travelers join a half-day or full-day tour. Floating markets are liveliest early in the morning.

• Ayutthaya: best for history lovers; bring a hat and water
• Floating market plus railway market: best for photos and atmosphere; very early start
• Doing both in one day means five-plus hours in a vehicle, which is not recommended

Day 4: Chatuchak, Siam malls and a rooftop evening

If your trip includes a weekend, spend the morning at Chatuchak Weekend Market (MRT Kamphaeng Phet or BTS Mo Chit). It is enormous, and two or three hours disappear quickly. In the afternoon, take the BTS to Siam and cool down in the big malls.

On a weekday, swap Chatuchak for the Jim Thompson House or a walk in Lumphini Park. In the evening, pick a rooftop bar or a night market. Many rooftop venues enforce a dress code and refuse flip-flops or sleeveless tops, so check before you go.

Day 5: Massage and departure

A Thai or foot massage is the classic final-morning activity; at ordinary neighborhood shops an hour typically costs about 300 to 500 baht (about 9 to 15 USD). Leave for the airport with plenty of margin and avoid the evening rush, roughly 4 to 7 p.m., when roads can gridlock.

Getting around: BTS, MRT, boats and ride-hailing

The BTS and MRT are separate systems with separate fares. Contactless Visa and Mastercard payment at the gates now works on many lines, which is convenient, but coverage can differ by line, so check the signs at the station. A single ride generally costs about 17 to 60 baht.

On the river, the orange-flag Chao Phraya Express Boat is cheap (around 16 baht) and ideal for old-town sightseeing. Some taxi drivers refuse to use the meter, so ride-hailing apps such as Grab or Bolt, which show the fare up front, are the easiest way to avoid haggling.

Temple dress code and scams to avoid

The Grand Palace and major temples require covered shoulders and knees. Sleeveless tops, short shorts, ripped jeans and very tight leggings can get you turned away. Lightweight long trousers or a long skirt and a thin shirt will keep you comfortable all day.

The best-known scam starts near the Grand Palace with a friendly stranger claiming the palace is closed today and suggesting another temple tour instead. It usually ends with a cheap tuk-tuk ride to a gem shop or tailor. If someone approaches you uninvited to change your plans, politely decline and check opening status at the official entrance yourself.

• Meter refusals: confirm the meter is on before you get in, or take the next taxi
• Very cheap tuk-tuk tours: often a detour into high-pressure shopping
• Exchange rates: city-center money changers usually beat airport counters

Budget: 5 days per person

Figures use roughly 33 to 36 baht per US dollar and exclude flights. A mid-range hotel near a BTS station costs about 1,500 to 3,000 baht per night for the room.

• Transit (BTS, MRT, boats, Grab): about 200 to 400 baht per day
• Food: about 500 to 1,200 baht per day; local dishes are about 60 to 150 baht
• Admissions (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun): about 1,000 baht combined
• Day tour: about 1,000 to 2,500 baht depending on inclusions
• Total excluding accommodation: about 5,000 to 9,000 baht (about 145 to 260 USD)

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