Bangkok 7-Day Itinerary

How this 7-day Bangkok plan works

Bangkok + Kanchanaburi or beach

Each day below is grouped geographically so you spend your time in Bangkok rather than in transit. BTS Skytrain and MRT subway cover the modern city — clean, air-conditioned, 15–60 THB per ride, Rabbit/MRT cards from any station. Chao Phraya Express Boat (16 THB) links Rattanakosin temples; the Blue Flag tourist boat (200 THB day pass) is the tourist version. Grab is honest; metered taxis are cheap when they run the meter. Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link reaches Phaya Thai in 26 min for 45 THB.

Day by day

• Day 1

  Day 1–4 — Bangkok highlights + Ayutthaya.

• Day 2

  Day 5 — Kanchanaburi (Bridge over River Kwai + Erawan waterfalls, 2h).

• Day 3

  Day 6 — Return + Chatuchak.

• Day 4

  Day 7 — Fly to Krabi/Phuket OR bus to Hua Hin beach.

Where to base yourself

• Sukhumvit (Asok/Thonglor/Ekkamai)

  BTS spine — international dining, mid-range to luxury hotels, best for first-time.

• Riverside (Charoen Krung)

  Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Four Seasons, Capella — palatial river hotels with sunset views.

• Silom / Sathorn

  Business district with rooftop bars (Vertigo, Sky Bar) and Lumpini Park.

• Rattanakosin (Old Town)

  Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun — temple walkability, boutique heritage stays.

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.