Find out what is the perfect 2 days in Bangkok itinerary to ensure you have the ultimate time in Thailand’s capital city. Let’s talk about the best things to do, restaurants, where to stay, and more for your 48 hours in Bangkok!
Bangkok is a city you will no doubt pass through throughout your Thailand adventures. Whether you are using it for your starting point or just traveling through on your way to explore more of the country. It has so many different things to do here which could honestly keep you entertained for weeks. Whether that is checking out the markets, the temples or simply getting lost amongst the bustling streets.
I have actually spent a reasonable amount of time in Bangkok over individual trips to Thailand. All up I have probably spent between 2 to 3 weeks in this city. That is why I have written this best 2 days in Bangkok itinerary so you can make the most out of your time with your 48 hours in Bangkok.
From where to stay, where to eat, and what to do. I have included everything you could ever want to know and need to know in your Bangkok itinerary.
2 Days In Bangkok Itinerary: Make The Most Out Of 48 Hours
- Day 1 Of Your 2 Days In Bangkok Itinerary
- Day 2 Of Your 2 Days In Bangkok Itinerary
- Travel Tips For Your 2 Days In Bangkok
Day One Of Your 2 Days In Bangkok Itinerary
Morning- The Grand Palace & Wat Po
There is no better way to start your 48 hours in Bangkok itinerary than starting off with some of the best sights in the city, The Grand Palace and Wat Po. Though before we get discovering, best to start with a delicious breakfast to give you enough energy to last the Bangkok heat. If you like you can either get breakfast nearby your Khao San Road accommodation otherwise there are a couple of options at the Grand Palace area.
Elefin Coffee is an excellent and delicious choice just an 8-minute walk from The Grand Palace. This is a spot for any coffee lovers and they offer both Thai and Western breakfast options. Another choice is checking out Black Bear Bake which is just down the road from Elefin Coffee. This is a beautifully decorated cafe that also serves an assortment of baked goods and desserts. Both spots open around 7.30 am which is perfect as you’ll want to get up early to explore before the tourist crowds start forming.
After some yummy eats to get you fueled up make your way to the incredible Grand Palace. It opens from 8.30 am each day until 3.30 pm. The best idea is to visit early though to beat all the crowds, seriously it can get insane when the tour buses start arriving at 10.30 am! Make sure you are dressed appropriately as well with your shoulders and knees covered up.
The entrance fee will set you back $16.70 / 500 THB which is quite pricey compared to some other spots in Thailand. Though this is an iconic place with incredible architecture making the price worth it. You will want to spend between 2 to 3 hours exploring the Grand Palace which also includes Wat Phra Kaew which is on the same grounds.
After The Grand Palace, you can simply head across the street to visit Wat Phra Chetuphon, also known as Wat Po. The entry fee here is $2.60 / 100 THB which is a lot more reasonable. The reason Wat Po is one of the most popular temples to visit while backpacking Bangkok is that this is where you will find the famous reclining Buddha. Reaching 45 meters in length and 15 meters high it sure is a sight to see.
Afternoon- River Cruise & Wat Arun
Stop for lunch nearby at one of the eateries which have an incredible view over the river to our next stop Wat Arun. Some of the top choices include The Deck Restaurant, Bitter Deck Restaurant, or Sala Rattanakosin Eatery And Bar. They are more pricey than a lot of other restaurants you may find around Bangkok. Though this is because they are in a popular area around the Grand Palace and have such an incredible view. You will want to budget between $15.00 to $20.00 per person for the meal. Though don’t worry this is the most expensive spot we will be eating at!
With a full belly make your way over to the Tha Tien Pier which is only a couple of minutes’ walk away. Once here buy a ferry ticket which will cost you around $0.10 / 3 THB. The journey only takes a couple of minutes to get you across to the other side of the river where you will hop of basically right next to Wat Arun.
Wat Arun costs $1.34 / 40 THB to enter and you will need to wear appropriate covered clothing. Though this should be no problem as you will be would have been to temples in the morning. A scarf is highly recommended for female travelers to cover the shoulders and you can easily take it off and on whether you are in a temple or not.
Wat Arun is certainly one of the most popular temples to visit while in Bangkok as it is extremely picturesque and is a popular Instagram spot.
From here you can either choose to head back to your hotel and hid from the midday heat or you could partake in a hop on hop off boat tour down the Chao Praya River.
Evening – A Drink With A View
One of the best things to do in Bangkok is checking out some of the incredible SkyBars. Made famous by the Hangover 2 film, these Skybars offer some of the best views in the city and definitely need to be added to your Bangkok itinerary.
If you are a big Hangover 2 fan then you will definitely need to visit the Sky Bar at Lebua Bangkok. This is where some parts of the movie were filmed and is one of the best Skybars in Bangkok. It has a huge outdoor area providing plenty of space to relax and enjoy the views over the city. Another choice is Vertigo at Banyan Tree Bangkok. They have a delicious drink and food menu so you can enjoy an evening with some of the top cuisines in the city. 61 floors off the ground the views from up here are sweeping.
Another great option is visiting CHAR Bangkok. I was staying in this hotel during a recent visit and couldn’t miss checking out their impressive Skybar, CHAR. There are insane views across the Bangkok skyline and over the nearby parks. These views are not usually seen by travelers on a budget. Though I recommend everyone backpacking Bangkok puts on their best clothes and make their way to one of the incredible Skybars to see the city as you’ve never done so before.
When it comes to visiting a Skybar it is best to book in advance and wear the best clothes you have. That means no jandals and elephant pants. Arrive at the Skybar just before sunset so you can see the sky change color and watch it reflect from the impressive glass buildings. It is not the cheapest way to spend an evening. Even a basic soda will set you back $6.00+ so perhaps you may not want to stay too long. Though if you can afford it, I definitely recommend splurging out and having an incredible dinner surrounded by the city lights.
Now, time to get a little bit of rest before an adventurous day tomorrow on our 2 days in Bangkok itinerary.
Day 2 Of Your 2 Days In Bangkok Itinerary
Morning- Floating Market
Grab breakfast either at your hotel or close nearby. If you’re staying nearby the Khao San Road area there are too many fabulous places around. They generally cater to hoards of tourists so aren’t too bothered by quality. Though if you aren’t a meat-eater Mango Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant is definitely worth checking out. They have some delicious smoothie bowls. Green House Restaurant is another good breakfast spot that always seems to be busy, no matter what time of the day it is.
Next up is to check out one of the most popular things to do in Bangkok, a visit to the Floating Market. Officially named Damnoen Saduak. There are a few different floating markets around Bangkok, but Damnoen Saduak is the main one. You have 2 different options for visiting Damnoen Saduak, either on a tour or you can take your own public transport to get there.
Tour: There are so many tours of Damnoen Saduak available in Bangkok you honestly will be overwhelmed with options. Though I recommend booking on Get Your Guide. The Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market is one of the most popular tours and one which I have actually booked myself. For $34.00 you get a full day of activities visiting both these markets and checking out a different side of Bangkok away from all the city highrises.
DIY Self Guided: The second option is doing it yourself. This will definitely be the cheaper option of the two, though it’ll take a lot more effort on your part. To get to Damnoen Saduak Market you will first need to get to the Southern Bus Terminal. Once there you will be able to get a one-way bus to Damnoen Saduak District. The ticket costs $2.00 / 60 THB. It is a bit of a journey and can take up to 2 hours so make sure you keep this morning of your 2 day Bangkok itinerary free. Once you have arrived, it is a quick 2-kilometer walk to the market where you can then hire a boat. Do not listen to the people standing outside saying you can’t walk it, you definitely can!
Whichever way you decide to do it, a visit to Damnoen Saduak is a must activity for your 2 days in Bangkok itinerary. It’s something unique to Bangkok which is a highlight for many travelers.
Afternoon- Train Market
Test out some yummy meals at Damnoen Saduak market. There is a heap of things to try here and will give you enough energy to keep exploring for the rest of the day.
Once you are done at Damnoen Saduak Market our next stop is the famous train market called Maeklong Railway Market. What makes this market unique is the fact it is set up on top of railway tracks. As a result, when the train passes by it’s like a perfectly timed dance where the locals quickly pull down their stalls and move things out of the way for the train to safely pass.
If you have booked yourself on a tour then you’ll have no problem getting between Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong Railway Market. Though if you have decided to do it yourself then you will need to navigate between these 2 locations. The easiest way to do this will be to take a taxi. I highly recommend using Grab as it will help a lot to prevent you from the notorious meter scams in Bangkok. The cost of the taxi should be between $10.00 to $15.00. If you are traveling with friends or you have met some people at the floating market it will help cut costs by splitting the charge.
The train passes through 8 times per day. You will need to time your visit around one of these times; 6.20 am, 8.30 am, 9 am, 11.10 am, 11.30 am, 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm, or 5.40 pm. The train doesn’t always run perfectly on time so prepare for it to come through a few minutes on either side of the stated time. Either way, you will hear it coming!
There is a minivan that departs Maeklong Railway Market each hour and will take you to Mo Chit Bus Station. The price for this is $2.34 / 70 THB. Depending on whether you are ready to head to Khao San Road now or if you would like to go back to your hotel for a couple of hours rest will change where you go next.
You can take another bus or taxi from Mo Chit Bus Station to your accommodation. Though if you are ready to get to Khao San Road the easiest way to do so will be to catch a Grab taxi. I recommend waiting for other travelers to come past and organize a ride together. As you are at one of the main bus stations in Bangkok there will be plenty of travelers around. The total price of the taxi will be around $6.00 to $10.00 depending on your haggling skills..
Evening- Khao San Road
Welcome to the backpacker mecca of Bangkok, Khao San Road. This is the place for all the weird and wonderful. I recommend grabbing dinner here and just having a walk around.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, though rather than eating on Khao San Road itself I recommend moving one street over to Rambuttri Alley. Though if you are looking for streetfood you will want to head a few streets over again and look for a stall where the locals are eating. Honestly, the street food on Khao San Road is pretty poor quality compared to the rest of the country.
After dinner grab a beer and join the crazy. If you are up for it feel free to spend the rest of your night partying away and the Thailand night. This is definitely the party place to be for travelers so you will fit right in!
Add To Your Bangkok Itinerary?
If you happen to be staying longer than 2 days in Bangkok then there are plenty of other things to add to your Bangkok itinerary:
Ayutthaya: If you have time to take a day trip to Ayutthaya I highly recommend this. You can easily take the train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya and explore the temples by bus, bike, or boat.
Lumpini Park: If you are looking for a break from this bustling city and then definitely head to Lumpini Park. Here you will find jogging trails, gym equipment, and even boats to hire. You can even find a bit of inner-city wildlife here in terms of birds and the infamous monitor lizards.
Food Tour: If you are a bit of a foodie like me what better way to discover a new city! I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for tours. The top choice is Bangkok by Night Tuk Tuk Tour: Markets, Temples & Food which encompasses an assortment of Bangkok highlights.
Airplane Graveyard: The famous airplane graveyard in Bangkok has become a famous Instagram spot in recent years. Near to the Ramkamhaeng Station in Bangkok, you will find a field of abandoned airplanes. Be aware that locals patrol the area and will ask you to pay an entry fee.
Chatuchak Weekend Market: This is Thailand’s biggest market boasting over 15,000 stalls! It is also open from Wednesday to Friday, but during the weekend is where this place truly transforms with countless stalls selling anything and everything.
Travel Tips For Your 2 Days In Bangkok
Where To Stay In Bangkok?
There are multiple different areas of Bangkok which are popular with travelers. Though the main ones here Khao San Road, Silom, Siam, and Sukhumvit. Khao San Road is perfect for first-time travelers coming to Bangkok or those just looking to party. I do not recommend for ANYONE to stay on actual Khao San Road. There is constant noise from the street below and because that’s automatically where travelers book there is no standard for accommodation as no matter what the room gets filled.
For a more “normal” experience of Bangkok, I recommend you stay in Silom, Siam, or Sukhumvit. These are more modern parts of the city and definitely a lot more low key. My favorite here is Hotel Indigo Wireless Road.
I have stayed in both and I prefer to stay in the Khao San Road area. Well not on the actual street itself, but within the area. A 5 or so minute walk away.
In terms of hostels on Khao San Road, the list seems to be never-ending. Seriously there are hundreds! Though check out my guide on the best hostels around Khao San Road for the best stay.
Here are my top picks for the backpacking Bangkok travel guide:
A super social hostel with a pool. The perfect place to stay for backpackers. BOOK NOW |
A favorite with travelers. A hostel with all the amenities, from $16.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
Ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai Colorful accommodation with a decent pool and onsite restaurant. From $55.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
Affordable and modern private rooms from $40.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
Staying Safe In Bangkok
Bangkok is as safe as any other large city around the globe. The only real crime you need to be worried about is petty theft. Though simply use your common sense. Don’t use your phone along a busy street and carry your valuables in a cross the body bag. The number one thing is always to get the taxi to use a meter. If you are concerned about getting scammed in a taxi then use Grab. This is an app that can be downloaded on your phone. Simply just don’t drink the water out of the tap.
Where To After Your 2 Days In Bangkok Itinerary?
North: Heading up north will take you inland and to beautiful countryside sights. An overnight journey will get you from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. For those looking to immerse themselves in the country definitely take the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai. It is quite the experience and who can say no to train travel.
South: Alternatively, you can end back down South towards the incredible beaches. About halfway down the country on the east side are the islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui. First travel from Bangkok to Koh Tao and then from there the rest of the islands will be extremely accessible to navigate between.
Any Questions? Let me know in the comments!
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Very useful . Thank you