Ready-made trips · Thailand
Bangkok in 5 days
The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, Chinatown's markets and gold shops, and a day among the temples of Ayutthaya.
- Length
- 5 days
- Best time
- November to February
- Pace
- Moderate
- Day trips
- Ayutthaya
Five days in Bangkok: The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun; Flowers, Gold and Chinatown, plus a day trip to Ayutthaya. Each full day is one of our own checked days, planned to be walked in order, with opening hours checked and lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.
Day by day
1First Evening in BangkokArrival
- When you arriveErawan ShrinePopular Hindu shrine.Tip: A genuinely significant Hindu shrine amid Bangkok's modern shopping district — a striking contrast between spiritual devotion and commerce.
Lunch nearby: Paragon Food Hall or Somtam Nua
Dinner: Paragon Food Hall or Somtam Nua
2Ayutthaya: Temples of the Old CapitalDay trip to Ayutthaya
- MorningWat MahathatBuddha head in tree roots.Tip: Famous for a genuine Buddha head embedded in tree roots — one of the most photographed and significant sites in Ayutthaya.
- EveningWat ChaiwatthanaramRiverside temple.Tip: A genuinely striking Khmer-style temple in Ayutthaya, especially atmospheric at sunset along the river.
Lunch nearby: Malakor
Dinner: Nai Ek Roll Noodles or T&K Seafood
3The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
- MorningGrand PalaceRoyal palace complex.Tip: Shoulders and knees must be covered; ignore anyone outside who says it is closed today — a classic scam.
- AfternoonWat PhoReclining Buddha temple.Tip: The massage school in the grounds gives the best-value traditional Thai massage in the city.
- If you have timeMuseum SiamA lively, hands-on museum of what it means to be Thai, in an old ministry building.Tip: Sanam Chai MRT station outside is itself worth a look, built like a throne hall.
Lunch nearby: Err or The Deck by Arun Residence
Dinner: Nai Ek Roll Noodles or Err
4Flowers, Gold and Chinatown
- MorningPak Khlong TalatBangkok’s round-the-clock flower market, busiest before dawn.Tip: Go early morning to see the garlands being threaded.
- AfternoonTalat NoiAn old riverside quarter of Chinese shophouses, street art and car-parts workshops.Tip: Look for the So Heng Tai mansion, a 200-year-old Chinese courtyard house.
- If you have timeWat TraimitThe temple of the Golden Buddha, a five-tonne statue of solid gold.Tip: The exhibition on the floor below tells how the gold was found under plaster in 1955.
Lunch nearby: Nai Ek Roll Noodles or T&K Seafood
Dinner: Ba Hao or Nai Ek Roll Noodles
5A Last Morning in SiamLast morning
- Before you leaveJim Thompson HouseThai silk museum.Tip: The genuine former home of an American who revitalized Thailand's silk industry before mysteriously disappearing — a good, atmospheric museum.
Lunch nearby: MBK Food Island or Inter Restaurant
Dinner: MBK Food Island or Inter Restaurant
Where to stay
Silom & Sathorn
Bangkok’s business district: rooftop bars, street food and easy BTS and MRT links.
Sala Daeng BTS and Si Lom MRT, both on the doorstep.
Sukhumvit
The long expat strip of hotels, restaurants and bars around Asok and Nana.
Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT; the Airport Rail Link at Makkasan.
Riverside
The Chao Phraya riverfront along Charoen Krung: grand hotels, river boats and the old town by water.
Saphan Taksin BTS and Sathorn pier; river boats up to the Grand Palace and Wat Arun.
Everything in the plan is ready to book
The full plan has a map of each day, directions between stops, opening hours, restaurant choices, hotels in these areas and tickets, tours and trains linked to book with the provider you choose.
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