Bangkok, Thailand
Plan a trip to Bangkok
Temples, canals, and the best street food in the world at almost any budget. Traffic is the enemy, so plan around the river and the elevated trains.
- Food trips
- First-timers
- Group trips
- Nightlife
Free to run, and you keep editing after. Add who's coming or a pace like “slow mornings” to shape the result.
Bangkok at a glance
Most trips run 3 to 5 days. This page covers the 4 stops worth anchoring a plan around, 3 neighborhoods to base yourself in, and what the timing looks like across the year — then you can turn any of it into a mapped Bangkok itinerary you can edit and share.
- How long
- 3–5 days
- When to go
- November to February is cool and dry, and the peak season. March to May is very hot, often above 95°F. The rainy season runs June to October with short, heavy afternoon storms.
- Getting around
- The BTS Skytrain and MRT avoid the traffic entirely. River boats cover the old town. Use metered taxis or a rideshare app and insist on the meter.
What to build the plan around
- 1
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Go at 8:30am opening. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and the dress code is enforced.
- 2
Wat Pho
The reclining Buddha, next door to the palace, and a traditional massage school on site.
- 3
Chao Phraya river boats
The orange-flag express boat is cheap and beats any taxi along the river.
- 4
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Fifteen thousand stalls, weekends only. Go early and accept that you'll get lost.
Where to stay in Bangkok
- Riverside / Old Town
- Closest to the temples, connected by boat, quieter at night.
- Sukhumvit (Asok to Thong Lo)
- On the BTS line, best restaurants and rooftop bars, most hotel choice.
- Ari
- Residential and local, excellent food, one BTS line from the center.
Bangkok planning questions
- How many days do you need in Bangkok?
- 3 to 5 days. Three days covers the temples, the markets, and two dinners worth remembering. Five gives you Ayutthaya and a floating market morning.
- What is the best time to visit Bangkok?
- November to February is cool and dry, and the peak season. March to May is very hot, often above 95°F. The rainy season runs June to October with short, heavy afternoon storms.
- Where should I stay in Bangkok?
- Three areas cover most trips — Riverside / Old Town (closest to the temples, connected by boat, quieter at night); Sukhumvit (Asok to Thong Lo) (on the bts line, best restaurants and rooftop bars, most hotel choice); Ari (residential and local, excellent food, one bts line from the center). Pick based on whether you'd rather walk to dinner or pay less per night.
- How do you get around Bangkok?
- The BTS Skytrain and MRT avoid the traffic entirely. River boats cover the old town. Use metered taxis or a rideshare app and insist on the meter.
- What should I see first in Bangkok?
- Start with Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Chao Phraya river boats. Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew is the one to schedule first: go at 8:30am opening. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and the dress code is enforced.
- Can I build a Bangkok itinerary automatically?
- Yes. Describe the trip — length, pace, who's coming — and Arriv builds a Bangkok itinerary with real, mapped venues you can reorder or replace. It's free to run, and you only sign in to save it or share it with your group.