Bangkok 5-Day Itinerary

How this 5-day Bangkok plan works

Five days adds a full day trip to Ayutthaya or the Amphawa floating market and enough breathing room to slow down in one neighbourhood, usually Chinatown or Ari, rather than moving between sights every hour.

Bangkok + Ayutthaya + spa

Where to base yourself for this plan

A Sukhumvit or Silom BTS-line hotel remains the most practical base for five nights, keeping every day except the temple and day-trip mornings within walking distance of a station.

Day 1: Old City and the river

Focus: Rattanakosin

• Morning

  Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew at opening.

• Afternoon

  Wat Pho, then the ferry to Wat Arun.

• Evening

  Riverside dinner or a sunset boat back to Sathorn.

• Getting between them

  MRT to Sanam Chai, then river boats and ferries for the day.

Day 2: Siam and Chinatown

Focus: Siam, then Yaowarat

• Morning

  Jim Thompson House, then the Siam malls.

• Afternoon

  MRT to Chinatown for gold shops and back-lane wandering.

• Evening

  Street food along Yaowarat Road.

• Getting between them

  BTS to Siam, then MRT connections to Chinatown.

Day 3: Ayutthaya day trip

Focus: 80 km north

• Morning

  Early SRT train from Krung Thep Aphiwat station to Ayutthaya, arriving in under two hours.

• Afternoon

  Hire a bicycle or tuk-tuk to cover Wat Mahathat's tree-wrapped Buddha head, Wat Chaiwatthanaram and the other spread-out ruins.

• Evening

  Train or minivan back to Bangkok in time for a low-key dinner near your hotel.

• Getting between them

  SRT intercity train each way, about 1.5–2 hours depending on service.

Day 4: Markets and neighbourhood day

Focus: Chatuchak or Ari

• Morning

  Chatuchak Weekend Market if the dates align, or a slower morning of cafés and independent shops in Ari on weekdays.

• Afternoon

  Rest through the heat, or add a cooking class — several run afternoon sessions aimed at visitors.

• Evening

  Muay Thai at Rajadamnern or Lumpinee stadium if a fight night falls on your visit.

• Getting between them

  BTS Sukhumvit line to Mo Chit (Chatuchak) or Ari.

Day 5: City views and departure prep

Focus: Silom / Sathorn

• Morning

  Traditional Thai massage, or a return visit to any market stalls that ran out of time earlier.

• Afternoon

  Iconsiam by boat shuttle from Sathorn pier for a final round of shopping and river views.

• Evening

  Rooftop bar for a last sunset over the skyline before packing.

• Getting between them

  Sathorn pier boat shuttle to Iconsiam; BTS Silom line for the rest of the day.

Adapting this plan

Swap the Ayutthaya day for Amphawa floating market and Maeklong Railway Market if you prefer a shorter half-day trip with more market atmosphere and less ruin-walking in the heat. Families with young children should split the temple day into a shorter morning and treat the afternoon as pool time — the Grand Palace complex has very little shade.

Best time to run this itinerary

November–February is cool and dry (25–32°C) — peak season, book 3+ months ahead. March–May is hot (35–40°C). June–October is the green season with short afternoon downpours and the best hotel rates. Loy Krathong (November) and Songkran (mid-April) are the marquee festivals.

Before you go

• Buy a Rabbit card at any BTS station — S$50 works pay-as-you-go for BTS + Skywalk connections.

• Wear long trousers and cover shoulders at all temples — sarong rentals available for 20 THB.

• Ignore anyone at the Grand Palace saying it's 'closed today' — that's the gem-shop scam.