Are you looking for a 4-day Bangkok itinerary that covers all the good spots at a decent price? How about touring the city at a steady pace where you can relax and soak in the sights and sounds of this beautiful capital city of Thailand? Sounds like something up your alley? Then you are at the right place to get the best insights for the ultimate holiday. It took me a long time to finally pay a visit to one of the most visited cities in Southeast Asia, but I am glad that I finally did it because this place is filled with adventure!
In fact, 4 days isn’t enough to explore Bangkok as there are plenty of restaurants, museums, bars, and attractions to check out. In this 4-day Bangkok itinerary, I’ll dive deep into everything you need to know to get the most out of your relaxing vacation!
This guest post was written by Anna from The Amateur Climber.
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Best Time to Spend 4 Days in Bangkok
The best time to visit Bangkok is during its cooler season between November and February. You will experience clearer skies as it has passed the monsoon season and explore the outdoors day and night in pleasant weather. However, this is also peak season for Bangkok as it coincides with the December and January holidays. If you prefer a quiet vacation, travel to Bangkok during the monsoon season between July to October. You will be able to enjoy certain outdoor activities early in the morning before the downpour while having ample time to explore indoors.
Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok
- Sukhumvit: a popular area for tourists to stay in. You will get a range of affordable hotels to choose from, offering a luxurious stay. Most of the hotels are located close to massage centers, cafes, and convenience stores.
- Khao San Road: for the budget-friendly traveler, this location has multiple backpackers’ hostels along with street food stalls and an active nightlife. If you enjoy temple-hopping, this is the spot!
- Siam: Siam is associated with a shopaholic’s paradise as you will find various malls located adjacent to one another. From shopping wholesale at Platinum Wholesale Mall to luxury shopping at Siam Paragon, expect to bring home full luggage bags!
Getting Around in Bangkok
- e-Hailing: If you are familiar with Uber and Lyft, the Thai equivalent is Bolt and Grab. While it can be convenient, it can be costly especially during peak hours (unless you are sharing it with friends). In addition, most drivers do not speak English which can be an obstacle when you are communicating your pick-up point. If you are solo traveling in Bangkok, try e-hailing a motorbike! You can reach your destination faster!
- Taxi: You can hail a multi-colored taxi but be prepared to bargain for a good price as most taxis do not use a meter.
- Tuk Tuk: These rickshaws are a common sight around town but are usually a tourist trap. You may get a good price if there is less traffic congestion. Personally, it is more of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- BTS: Connected to Suvarnabhumi Airport, the BTS Skytrain brings you around central Bangkok and to most of the city’s main attractions such as shopping malls.
- MRT: This underground train connects popular tourist areas such as Sukhumvit to older tourist attractions such as The Grand Palace and Chinatown.
The Ultimate 4-Day Bangkok Itinerary
Day 1: Food Trip and Bars!
What most people don’t take into account is the potential travel fatigue after arriving in Bangkok. Although I was excited to wander around the city, I did need a place to relax along with my luggage. If your accommodation isn’t ready for check-in, you can check off some of the best-rated dishes in town. Have lunch at Thong Smith Boat Noodles for some delicious Thai beef broth and shaved ice dessert at After You Dessert Cafe. There are a few branches so choose one that is the nearest to you!
After checking in, visit TheCOMMONS, a modern open-aired establishment with unique food stalls and artisanal products. It is also less touristy so you can have some breathing space as you move around in this ThongLor foodie spot.
At night, it is time to hit the bars. Your trip to Bangkok isn’t complete without a visit to the top Instagrammable rooftop bar, Tichuana. Arrive early before 5 am for the best seats of a sunset skyline. Make sure you have a meal before coming to this spot as they only serve snacks for the night.
Day 2: Temple-Hopping At Bangkok Old Town
After a refreshing breakfast, begin your journey to The Grand Palace. I recommend dressing modestly (no shorts or sleeveless dress) despite the heat as most of the attractions on Day 2 are on religious grounds.
Purchase your ticket at The Grand Palace, and you will get a three-in-one deal: The Grand Palace, Temple of The Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), and the Queen Museum of Arts and Fashion. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowd and explore at your own pace with the views of each building, representing Thailand’s history and religious culture. It is still a working palace that carries out royal events so there will be days where the museum is closed to the public (check their website for more information). It costs 500 baht ($13) to enter The Grand Palace.
Then, head over to Wat Arun, a smaller Buddhist temple that is just across The Grand Palace. You will find plenty of tourists dressing up in Thai traditional clothing as it is less crowded and there are multiple picturesque angles around the temple grounds. You can climb up to the second level of the temple for a better view. The ticket for Wat Arun costs 200 baht ($5) to enter.
Note: beware of tuk-tuk scammers and expensive boat rides to Wat Arun. You can walk to Tha Tien pier and take a ferry to Wat Arun for only 5 baht ($ 0.14).
If you have ample time, you can also explore Chinatown, a 14-minute drive from The Grand Palace. It’s one of the best districts to visit in Bangkok and offers plenty of food choices including Michelin-starred restaurants, massage parlors, and souvenir shops.
Day 3: Markets Galore!
It’s time to visit the famous Thai streets and markets so put on your best running shoes and be ready to move around! Many travel guides will recommend you to visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market as it has the longest and straightest canal in Thailand and is open daily. However, this place can feel like a tourist trap with an abundance of noisy speed boats and only a handful of vendors selling items from their boats.
Instead, I recommend visiting the Taling Chan Floating Market. Although available on weekends, you can get a similar experience and order local Thai food from the boat vendors. And since you are visiting the floating market on a weekend, you can also drop by Chatuchak Weekend Market for an extensive shopping experience with over 8,000 stores of apparel, handicrafts, antiques, and many more.
Finally, end your night at Thonglor Street, a hipster entertainment area where you will find a community of expats and locals chilling out. From high-end restaurants to speakeasy bars, the options are endless. You can check out Lost In Thaislation, a Japanese-inspired bar that serves deconstructed Thai food in the form of drinks!
Day 4: Self-Love With Relaxing Activities
Your final day of this 4-day Bangkok itinerary should be relaxing. Take the time to purchase snacks to bring home such as Tao Kae Noi seaweed at shopping malls and eat to your heart’s content at Terminal 21’s food court, Pier 21. Reward yourself after a long trip with the most affordable massages. They are easily found near hotel accommodations. Most massage parlors cost between 200 to 300 Baht ($ 5 to $ 8) for a one-hour massage. You definitely want this on your Thailand bucket list, your body will thank you!
Final Thoughts on the 4-Day Bangkok Itinerary
Bangkok is truly a paradise and I don’t blame you if you want to extend your stay by the end of your trip! If you would like to explore outside of Bangkok, check out my 10-day itinerary in Thailand (you don’t want to miss the beaches!).
Don’t forget to save this 4-day Bangkok itinerary for your next adventure!
