2 Days in Bangkok: My Two-Day Itinerary for First-Timers

With 2 days in Bangkok, spend day one on the riverside temples, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, then watch the sunset from a rooftop and end with a Thai massage. Spend day two at Jim Thompson House, on a Chao Phraya river boat, in the malls around Siam, and eating street food before a night out on Sukhumvit 11. That is the two-day plan I followed. Start early, as the heat builds fast and the Grand Palace stops selling tickets at 3:30pm, and cover your shoulders and knees for the temples.

When people think of Thailand, they usually picture pristine beaches and exotic islands, and I can’t blame them. Thailand has some of the best islands in the world, like Koh Lanta or Koh Kood. But Thailand is not all about beaches. Bangkok rarely fails to captivate its visitors, with its energy, its ancient temples, its markets and its street food. This is my two-day Bangkok itinerary: what I saw, what I ate, and what I would tell a friend going for the first time.

2 Days in Bangkok Itinerary: Day 1

If you are from a colder country and Bangkok is your first stop in Thailand, take the first day slowly, because the heat of Bangkok can be brutal.

Wat Arun

There are countless temples in Bangkok, but Wat Arun is the best value for money, in my opinion. It stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, and I took a public boat across the river to reach it. Entry costs 200 baht for foreign visitors, and it is open from 8am to 6pm.

“Arun” means “dawn”, so Wat Arun is the Temple of Dawn, and it looks especially beautiful early in the morning. A temple has stood here since at least the 17th century, and the famous central prang (tower) was built in the early 19th century.

The towers, known as prangs, are covered in colourful mosaics made from porcelain and pieces of china. There are intricate designs everywhere you look.

The main attraction of Wat Arun is the towering central prang, which dominates the riverbank. It is thought to represent Mount Meru, the sacred mountain at the centre of the universe in Buddhist and Hindu cosmology.

Look carefully and you will find four smaller prangs surrounding the central one, each with its own intricate decoration.

You can ascend the stairs to get a better view of the temples from various viewpoints. When there are a lot of tourists, space may be limited, but if you have patience, you will have it all to yourself.

So, the best way to explore the temple is to climb the steps, take in the view, and then come back down, because it looks quite different from the top than from the ground. You will find some fantastic sculptures on the walls as well.

Inside the temple, there is a hall. The main attraction is a Big Buddha statue. You will find the Buddha in deep thought.

There are several smaller statues in front of the Buddha. If you look closely, you will notice that the ordination hall is filled with murals of Buddhas of all ages.

To my surprise, among the golden Buddha statues, I found one that was entirely green. He wore a separate crown and had several ornaments on his body; it was as if he were visiting Earth from another planet.

Wat Arun also has a large courtyard, ideal for taking photos with the temple in the background, and a good place to rest after exploring. You will also find colourful murals on the walls.

If you have seen Wat Arun during the day, try to see it again at night from across the river. When it is lit up, the whole temple glitters and the gold looks fantastic.

Grand Palace

The Grand Palace really is grand. If you want to see the beauty of traditional Thai architecture, you will love this place. King Rama I began building it in 1782, when he made Bangkok the capital.

Tickets: 500 baht for foreign visitors, including Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. It opens at 8:30am; the ticket office closes at 3:30pm and the grounds at 4:30pm. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and you can rent a cover-up at the entrance. Ignore anyone outside who tells you the palace is closed today; it is a well-known scam to steer you onto a tuk-tuk tour of shops. Walk straight to the official entrance instead.

The old name of Thailand was Siam, and the Grand Palace was the residence of the Kings of Siam. The king, the royal court and the government were based here until the early 20th century.

You can simply wander around the complex, but do not miss the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), home to the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. If you still have energy, Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is right next door (300 baht, open 8am to 7:30pm), but it is an optional extra; two big temple visits in the heat is plenty for most people. Like Wat Arun, the palace walls look lovely when they are lit up at night.

Enjoy the Bangkok Skyline

After a day of walking around Wat Arun and the Grand Palace in the heat, it is time to enjoy the skyline. You have plenty of rooftop bars to choose from, but the most spectacular view is from the King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk, Thailand’s tallest observation deck and one of the best places to watch the sunset in Bangkok. Tickets cost 1,000 baht before 3:30pm and 1,200 baht from 3:30pm to 7pm, so the sunset slot costs more. It is open from 10am to midnight, and the view depends on the weather.

Get a Thai Massage

Even if you dislike the idea of someone else touching you, try a Thai massage while you are in Thailand. It is so rejuvenating that I wanted to go again and again. Choose a proper massage shop or spa with clear prices rather than anywhere that feels dodgy. Thai massage can be intense, so if it is your first time, start with a foot or neck massage.

2 Days in Bangkok Itinerary: Day 2

Jim Thompson House

Jim Thompson was an American businessman who made Thai silk famous around the world, before he mysteriously disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. His home is now a museum, and it is a lovely place to learn about Thai silk and craftsmanship and to see his art collection. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm, the house is visited on a guided tour, and tickets cost 250 baht.

But that is not the only reason to visit. The museum is a group of interconnected teak houses surrounded by gardens, and the architecture mixes Thai and Western styles beautifully.

The garden has ponds and decorative statues, with flowers and even frogs. It takes you straight into nature in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.

Boat Trip on the Chao Phraya River

The Chao Phraya River is the lifeline of Bangkok, carrying people and goods through the city like an artery. Take a public boat or a river cruise at least once. It has two advantages: you get a break from walking in the heat, and you get panoramic views of the city.

Many of Bangkok’s most famous landmarks line the river, including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and luxury hotels and restaurants with riverside views. If you would rather spend one of your evenings on the water instead of on a rooftop, a dinner cruise is an easy alternative; departure piers and times depend on the operator.

Shopping and an IMAX Film

Bangkok has some wonderful shopping centres where you can buy almost anything, and it is fun to compare them with the street stalls. If you need a break from the heat, an IMAX film is an optional extra I enjoyed; the best IMAX in Bangkok is at Paragon Cineplex in Siam Paragon.

The Street Food of Bangkok

Give yourself a couple of hours for Bangkok’s street food, which is excellent. My favourite was grilled chicken, and not just the meat and wings, but also gizzard, liver and skin. There was pork too.

It is not only grilled meat: you will find tempura, waffles and cutlets as well.

Tom Yum Goong was my favourite dish: a hot and sour soup with lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves, with prawns or fish. If you can handle spice, do not miss it. Try Pe Aor, near Phetchaburi Road, for a bowl of Tom Yum Goong noodles; expect a queue and check the opening hours before you go.

Nightlife on Sukhumvit 11

Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s main districts, and Sukhumvit 11 (Soi 11) is a street off Sukhumvit Road. If you like a party, you will not want to leave this colourful, lively strip of bars, restaurants, clubs and live music. Get off at Nana BTS station and walk a few minutes. Go after sunset to see it at its best. If bars are not your thing, Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road is the other classic Bangkok night out, packed with street food stalls.

Getting Around Bangkok in 2 Days

• BTS Skytrain and MRT: the fastest way across the city, avoiding the traffic. The BTS and MRT are separate systems, so check which tickets and cards each accepts.
• River boats: the small cross-river ferries (such as Tha Tien to Wat Arun) are different from the Chao Phraya Express Boat, which runs up and down the river with its own routes and fares.
• Grab: useful for trips the trains and boats do not cover, but traffic can be slow, so avoid long cross-city rides at rush hour.

Where to Stay for 2 Days in Bangkok

Bangkok’s public transport is efficient, so for a short stay, book a hotel near a BTS or MRT station and you can reach most places quickly. You can buy a BTS Rabbit card before you go.

Otherwise, here are a few picks to get started:

• Ibis Styles Sukhumvit: near a BTS station and good value for money.
• Grand Mercure Bangkok Atrium: a big hotel with a fantastic breakfast buffet; I found it good value too.
• Siam Subway Hostel and Cafe: a great hostel, a stone’s throw from Sam Yot MRT station.
• Peaceful House: a good choice if you are travelling in a group.
• For luxury: Kimpton Maa-Lai, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, and Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit.

2 Days in Bangkok FAQs

Where Next?

Done with Bangkok? Head south to Krabi for the islands, or turn these two days into a longer trip around Thailand.