Wat Arun at sunset with a royal barge and its oarsmen on the Chao Phraya River in the foreground
  1. Home
  2. Destinations
  3. Thailand
  4. Bangkok
  5. 2 day itinerary

Bangkok in 2 days

  • 2 days
  • 8.3 km on foot
  • 16 stops
  • Audio guide

Two days let you see Bangkok for what it really is: a city born on the water. Day one runs from the temples of Rattanakosin to the canals of Thonburi and down the river to Chinatown; day two tells the story of how the capital began and ends among Jim Thompson's silks and the malls of Siam. There's time to sit down for lunch and hide from the midday heat.

Day 1Temples, canals and Chinatown

Start as the Grand Palace opens with “Bangkok highlights”, which takes in Wat Pho and crosses by ferry to Wat Arun. Have pad thai at Thipsamai, then head back to the river at Tha Chang pier: that's where the longtail boats leave for the canals of Thonburi, a smart move in the hottest hours because there's always a breeze on the water. Afterwards, the express boat carries you downriver to Si Phraya. At dusk, “Spirits, dragons and a hidden Buddha” runs from Talat Noi to the Golden Buddha of Wat Traimit and ends in Yaowarat, with kuay jab at Nai Ek for dinner.

  1. Morning

    Bangkok highlights: from the Emerald Buddha to the Temple of Dawn

    Mixed · 2.1 km · 2 h

    1. Grand Palace and Wat Phra KaewThe residence of the Chakri kings and the temple of the Emerald Buddha, behind a white wall.
    2. Wat PhoThe temple of the giant Reclining Buddha, which was also Siam's first public school.
    3. Museum SiamA former Italian-designed ministry turned into a museum about what it means to be Thai.
    4. Tha Tien PierA pier with a century-old market and a legend of giants who flattened everything.
    5. Wat Arun, the Temple of DawnThe porcelain tower that welcomes everyone arriving by river.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  2. Lunch

    Try Pad thai at Thipsamai (Phad Thai Pratu Phi). 313-315 Maha Chai Road, Phra Nakhon

  3. Afternoon

    Longtail boat through the Thonburi khlongs

    Thonburi was the capital before Bangkok, and it still has its canals: wooden houses on stilts, neighbourhood temples and families who live facing the water. Longtail boats leave from the piers near the Grand Palace; agree on the price and length of the trip before you get in.

    Directions

    Chao Phraya Express Boat

    Bangkok's river bus, hopping from pier to pier past temples, old warehouses and skyscrapers. From Tha Chang, the orange-flag line drops you at Si Phraya, a short walk from Talat Noi. It's cheap, and far more pleasant than sitting in traffic.

    Directions

  4. Early evening

    Spirits, dragons and a hidden Buddha: secret Chinatown

    Mysteries & legends · 2.4 km · 1 h 50 min

    1. Talat Noi and its spiritsA riverside neighbourhood where every house has its invisible guardian.
    2. Wat Traimit and the Golden BuddhaThe solid gold statue nobody knew was gold until it fell.
    3. Leng Buai Ia ShrineA Chinese shrine that claims to be the oldest in the country, with a date nobody has been able to prove.
    4. Wat Mangkon KamalawatThe Dragon Lotus Temple, the great home of Chinese Buddhism in Bangkok.
    5. Sampeng LaneChinatown's original street, a trading corridor that hasn't stopped bustling since 1782.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  5. Dinner

    Try Kuay jab (guay jub) at Nai Ek Roll Noodles. 442 Soi Yaowarat 9, Samphanthawong

Day 2Ramparts, silk and skyscrapers

Set off early on “From 1782 to 1932”: the City Pillar Shrine, the vast royal field of Sanam Luang, Phra Sumen Fort by the river, Khao San Road and the Democracy Monument, then up the Golden Mount before the sun gets fierce. At the foot of the hill, on Maha Chai Road, Jay Fai serves her famous crab omelette; go early or check her opening days first. In the afternoon, the Saen Saep canal boat leaves from nearby Phan Fa pier and drops you right by Jim Thompson House. Finish in Siam, with air conditioning and shopping.

  1. Morning

    From 1782 to 1932: the birth of Bangkok and modern Siam

    History · 3.8 km · 2 h 30 min

    1. City Pillar Shrine (Lak Mueang)The exact spot where Bangkok began, one April dawn in 1782.
    2. Sanam LuangThe great royal field where Bangkok celebrates, bids farewell to its kings and, for years, did its weekend shopping.
    3. Phra Sumen FortOne of only two forts still standing from the city walls built by Rama I.
    4. Khao San RoadThe street of milled rice that became the backpacker capital of the world.
    5. Democracy MonumentA monument full of hidden numbers that commemorates 24 June 1932.
    6. Golden Mount (Wat Saket)A hill born of an architectural failure, with the best view over the old town.

    Start the audio guide See the route

  2. Lunch

    Try Jay Fai's crab omelette at Raan Jay Fai. 327 Maha Chai Road, Phra Nakhon

  3. Afternoon

    Jim Thompson House

    The American who revived the Thai silk industry brought several traditional teak houses together here, filled with Southeast Asian art and set in a lush garden beside a canal. He vanished in Malaysia in 1967 and the mystery has never been solved. Visits to the house are guided.

    Directions

    Siam and MBK

    Modern Bangkok in a few steps: Siam Paragon, Siam Center and the streets of Siam Square, with MBK across the road, the old favourite for electronics, clothes and souvenirs at good prices. It's a few minutes' walk from Jim Thompson House and well served by the BTS.

    Directions

The map

Bangkok in 2 days, on the map

Each route’s stops are numbered in order; the stars are the extra sights.

Mixed Mysteries & legends History Extra sight

Loading the map…

Before you go

Tips for Bangkok in 2 days

  • Canal boat trips are arranged at the river piers: agree on the price, duration and stops in advance. Ignore anyone offering a “cheap” tuk-tuk tour that somehow ends at a gem shop.
  • Jay Fai only opens a few days a week and the queues are often long; Thipsamai has a closing day too. Check their hours and, if they don't fit, swap the order of your meals.
  • If you've still got energy on the second night, a rooftop like Sky Bar at Lebua in Silom usually has the best sunset view over the river. It usually asks for smart-casual clothes, so no flip-flops.

Questions

Bangkok in 2 days: your questions

Is 2 days in Bangkok enough?

For the historic centre, the river, Chinatown and a first taste of modern Bangkok, yes. You'll miss Chatuchak Market, Lumphini Park and day trips to Ayutthaya or the floating markets; if those appeal, add a third day.

How far will I walk in 2 days?

The routes add up to about 8.3 km: 4.5 km on day one (2.1 km in the morning and 2.4 km at dusk) and 3.8 km on day two. The river boats and the Saen Saep canal boat save you a good chunk of the journeys between areas.

Is a canal boat trip worth it?

Yes: it's the best way to see what Bangkok was like before the big roads, with houses on the water and neighbourhood temples. If you're after a floating market, bear in mind that the best-known ones, such as Damnoen Saduak, are outside the city.

Other itineraries for 2 days

Bangkok

More or less time?

1 day itinerary 3 day itinerary All about Bangkok