🗺️ Two days in Bangkok: how to get from the airport and what to see

Two days in Bangkok fly by faster than you expect. The sights are scattered across different neighborhoods, and between them you sit in traffic. To see the main things, you need a clear order of trips and transportation.

Below is a ready-made two-day plan: how to get from the airport, where to stay, what to see on day one and day two, and how to get around the city. One ticket to the Grand Palace covers the palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the textile museum, so you don't pay separately for the temple.

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How to get from the airport to the city center

💡 In short:

From Suvarnabhumi to the center, the most convenient option is the Airport Rail Link train.
It runs without traffic and stops near metro stations.
Buy your ticket from the machine on the platform, and in a taxi ask the driver to turn on the meter.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is connected to the city by the Airport Rail Link. Trains run on a single line with all stops and arrive at the Phaya Thai and Makkasan metro stations. From there you can reach hotels without transferring to a taxi.

You buy your ticket with cash from the machine on the platform. Card payment also works. If you arrived with a suitcase, stay close to the exit: during rush hour the car gets crowded with luggage.

A taxi from the airport costs more. Toll sections of the expressway are added to the meter. Ask the driver to turn on the meter right away, otherwise the trip will cost noticeably more. At night the train no longer runs, and only a taxi or a pre-booked transfer remains.

Regular buses also run from the airport, but in traffic they lose any advantage over the train. If someone is picking you up, confirm the meeting point in advance: the exits are always crowded.

Where to stay

Bangkok's neighborhoods differ noticeably in atmosphere and prices. First choose a neighborhood that fits your plan, and only then compare hotels.

Pratunam

Pratunam is located next to major shopping malls. It's convenient to stay here if you came for shopping: everything is within walking distance, and the metro connects the area to the rest of the city. Chinatown with its markets is also nearby. In the evening the area comes alive, but the residential streets remain quiet.

Khao San Road

Khao San Road is chosen by those who save on accommodation. Expensive hotels are hard to find here, but nightlife and cheap food are close by. It's noisy almost until morning, so get a room facing the courtyard. You can walk to the main temples.

Silom

Silom is home to the main business centers and the city's most expensive hotels. The area works well if you value quiet and service. From here it's easy to reach the palace by metro and boat.

Among Bangkok hotels, consider a few options.

Oriental Residence Bangkok

A luxury hotel in the embassy district. The location is convenient: a large shopping mall is nearby, and you can walk to the metro station in a few minutes. The hotel has a pool and fitness center, and after shopping it's nice to relax in the lounge area. The rooms offer city views. Prices are above average for the area, so book in advance.

Compare prices for Oriental Residence Bangkok

Smart Suites

A practical option for those who don't overpay. The metro and a store are nearby, the rooms are quiet and clean, so families with children often stay here. The setting is simple, without frills, but everything you need is at hand. For a short trip, that's enough.

Rooms at Smart Suites on Trip.com

Bangkok City Hotel

A relatively new hotel in central Bangkok. The metro is nearby, making it easy to reach the main attractions. Prices are lower than at the city's luxury hotels. Book rooms in advance: during high season, availability is limited.

Prices at Bangkok City Hotel

As you can see, the neighborhood and hotel should be chosen to fit your plan: walking through the old city or shopping in the center.

How to get around the city

Bangkok is big, and how much you manage to see in a day depends on how you get around.

Metro and skytrain

The BTS and MRT systems connect the center, shopping districts, and the airport. There is no single ticket between them, so pay for transfers separately. Trains run fast and without traffic.

River boats

In the old city, the fastest way to get around is by express boat on the Chao Phraya River. This way you can reach the palace, temples, and piers without traffic. Buy your ticket at the pier from the conductor.

Taxis and tuk-tuks

Taxis in Bangkok are inexpensive by European standards, but during rush hour you'll be stuck. Ask the driver to turn on the meter. Tuk-tuks are more expensive than taxis, but they work well for short trips around the old city.

Day one

Dedicate the first day to the historic center. The palace and the main temples are close to each other, and you can walk or take a boat between them.

Grand Palace

The Grand Palace stands on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, in the very center of the old city. The entrance ticket for foreigners is paid and includes the palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Buy your ticket at the entrance or online. Entry is allowed only once, so don't leave the complex until you finish your visit.

The dress code is strict: shoulders and knees must be covered. Sleeveless tops, short shorts, ripped and tight pants are not allowed. If your clothes don't meet the requirements, rent a sarong or pants at the entrance for an extra fee. Arrive at opening time: there are fewer people in the morning, and by midday the sun is hard to bear.

The most convenient way is to take an express boat on the river to Tha Chang pier. A second option: take the metro to Sanam Chai station, then walk or take a bus. Nearby is Wat Pho with its famous reclining Buddha statue.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is located on the palace grounds, so you don't need a separate ticket. The statue is not made of emerald but of green jadeite. The king holds religious ceremonies here. The gallery walls around the temple are painted with scenes from the Buddha's life, from birth to nirvana. You can spend a long time studying the murals, so allow at least an hour for the temple.

Main temple of Wat Phra Kaew with golden chedis

Temple of the Golden Buddha

The Temple of the Golden Buddha stands in Chinatown, on Yaowarat Road. The Buddha statue is cast from pure gold and weighs several tons. Upstairs there is a museum with the history of its discovery; entry there is separate. Buy your ticket on site, there are almost never long lines here.

Crocodile farm

If you want a change of pace after the temples, head to the crocodile farm in Samut Prakan. It is south of the city and easy to reach by taxi. The farm has been operating since the last century and houses tens of thousands of crocodiles. The main draw is the reptile show, but there are also elephants, a snake farm, tigers with monkeys, and a small zoo. Allow several hours for your visit, and a photo with a crocodile or monkey is included in most tour programs.

Crocodile handler putting his head into a crocodile's mouth

© Thomas Depenbusch (Depi) from Chanthaburi, Thailand, Germany · CC BYPhoto: Thomas Depenbusch (Depi) from Chanthaburi, Thailand, Germany, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Sirocco restaurant

In the evening, go up to the Sirocco restaurant on the rooftop of the Lebua at State Tower. It offers a panoramic view of the city, and after sunset the lights make the experience even more striking. The place is expensive and has a dress code, so book a table in advance. Check the minimum spend on site: it varies by season.

Bangkok skyline at sunset from Lebua rooftop

Central World shopping mall

You can end the day with shopping at Central World and the neighboring malls. They have clothing, shoes, books, banks, and cafes, so it is easy to spend half a day there. The large malls close late in the evening. Do not get carried away with shopping: save souvenirs for the last day so you do not have to carry them around for the whole trip.

Get back to your hotel early: on the second day, amusement parks on the outskirts are waiting for you, and getting there takes time.

Tours and tickets in Bangkok

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Day one route on the map

To save you time putting the points together, we marked day one on the map. Build your route from the palace to the temples and on to the shopping malls.

Bangkok route - day 1

Places on the map

1Grand Palace One ticket covers the palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the textile museum
2Temple of the Emerald Buddha Inside the palace grounds, a statue carved from green jadeite, a gallery with murals
3Wat Pho Next to the palace, famous for its statue of the Reclining Buddha
4Temple of the Golden Buddha In Chinatown on Yaowarat Road, a statue of pure gold, a museum upstairs
5Crocodile Farm In Samut Prakan south of the city: a reptile show, elephants, a zoo
6Sirocco Restaurant On the roof of the Lebua at State Tower skyscraper, city panorama and dress code
7Central World A mall for last-minute shopping, open until late evening

Day two

Spend the second day away from the historic center: the amusement parks are on the outskirts, and getting there takes time.

Siam Amazing Park

A water park and amusement park in one place, northeast of the center. It has water slides, a huge wave pool, and roller coasters. Buy your ticket online in advance: it is cheaper than at the ticket office, and you avoid standing in line. Check current rates on the park's official website. Lunch is included in some ticket options.

For extreme slides, leave your things in a locker and take off your flip-flops. They are easy to lose on the spirals. If you are afraid of heights, start with the family rides and save the "Giant Drop" for last.

Dream World Park

An alternative to the water park for families with children: Dream World with carousels, shows, and a "snow town." Sledding down a hill, snowball fights, and meeting Santa Claus are available year-round. You can get there by taxi or with a hotel transfer, so plan your trip in advance. Check tickets and opening hours on the official Dream World website.

Hurricane ride with bright sign in the park

That is how the second day in Bangkok ends. If you want to continue your trip around Thailand, plan your transfer to the islands in advance.

Day two route on the map

The map below shows both parks for day two. Choose one of them, because Dream World serves as an alternative to the water park.

Bangkok route - day 2

Places on the map

1Siam Amazing Park Water park and amusement park northeast of the center, cheaper tickets online
2Dream World Park for families with children: carousels, shows and a snow city

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to enter the Grand Palace?

Entry to the palace for foreigners is paid, and one ticket covers the palace itself, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the textile museum. Buy your ticket at the entrance or online and arrive at opening time to get in without a long line. Check the current price on the palace's official website before your trip, and aim for the morning: it is hot and crowded in the afternoon.

How do I get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the center?

The fastest way is the Airport Rail Link train: it avoids traffic and stops near metro stations. You buy a ticket from a machine on the platform. A taxi is more convenient with luggage but more expensive, so ask the driver to turn on the meter.

Is two days enough for Bangkok?

Yes, if you split the city into two parts in advance. On the first day, see the historic center with the palace and temples; on the second, head to the amusement parks. The key is to plan travel between areas so you do not get stuck in traffic.

What should I wear to visit temples?

Shoulders and knees must be covered, otherwise you will not be allowed inside.

Where should a tourist stay in Bangkok?

For shopping, choose Pratunam; for a budget trip, Khao San Road; for business meetings, Silom. Pick an area based on your plans and check the distance to the nearest metro station.

In short: what to book

If you are short on time, book a hotel in Pratunam or Silom: from there it is convenient to reach both the palace and the shopping malls. If you are traveling with children, save the second day for the parks and choose a hotel near the metro. Buy your palace ticket online in advance, and book a table at Sirocco before your trip.

Check Bangkok hotel prices on Trip.com, and tickets and tours on GetYourGuide.

What to do in Bangkok in 2 days: route, transport and hotels