2026 Bangkok Itinerary for First Timers — 3 to 6 days with Pattaya, Ayutthaya & more

What’s the perfect Bangkok Itinerary? Having traveled to Thailand’s capital city many times for more than a decade, I’m sharing this 3 to 5 days itinerary perfect for first-timers who want to experience Old Bangkok tourist spots as well as the modern attractions of the city.

@detouristahq

what’s the perfect BANGKOK ITINERARY? SAVE this & maximize your trip to THAILAND ❤️ updated with 2026 prices for 3 to 5 days. 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕-𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚! DAY 1: BANGKOK OLD CITY 📍 Wat Arun (฿200) + costume rental (฿200) 📍 Grand Palace (฿500) 📍 Wat Pho Reclining Buddha (฿300) 📍 Museum Siam (฿100) 📍 Sunset with Wat Arun view 📍 Wat Pho Pier + Soi Tha Suphan (FREE) 📍 Tyme Rooftop (฿1.4K/table consumable) 📍 ICONSIAM (FREE) comment “BANGKOK ITINERARY” and I’ll send you the Google Maps pins & more detailed travel tips👇 DAY 2: SIAM, MAHANAKHON & RIVER CRUISE 📍 Pratunam Market (FREE) 📍 Platinum Mall or Decembers’ (FREE) 📍 LV Cafe (FREE) 📍 Siam Paragon (FREE). Lunch at Gourmet Eats 📍 Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (FREE) / Jim Thompson House Museum (฿250) 📍 Mahanakhon Skywalk or Cafe with a view of the Pixel Building 📍 Chao Phraya River Cruise (Sunset ฿800) DAY 3: ANCIENT CITY + CHINATOWN 📍 Ancient City + Erawan Museum (฿600 combo ticket) 📍 Chinatown (FREE) DAY 4: PATTAYA DAY TOUR 📍 Sanctuary of Truth (฿450) 📍 Jomtien Beach (FREE) 📍 Khao Chi Chan Buddha (FREE) 📍 Nongnooch Pattaya Garden (฿380) ✨ Transport from Bangkok: ฿3.9K/car DAY 5: AYUTTHAYA DAY TOUR 📍 Bang Pa-In Palace (฿100) 📍 Wat Chaiwatthanaram (฿50) 📍 Wat Phra Si Sanphet (฿50) 📍 Wat Mahathat (฿50) 📍 Wat Chai Mongkhon (฿40) 📍 join-in tour: (฿1.5K) DAY 6: FLOATING + TRAIN MARKET DAY TOUR 📍 join-in tour: (฿840) 📍 Maeklong Railway Market (FREE) 📍 Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (FREE) see more: 🔎 Detourista Travel Creator // 2026 Thailand itinerary, best places to visit, tourist spots, recommended hotels, budget temple tours, hidden gems, best time to go for first-timers #bangkokDetourista #AmazingThailand #ThaiYoNa #songkran2026 #thailand

♬ original sound – Detourista | travel creator – Detourista | travel creator

watch, save & share this on: Tiktok / Instagram / Facebook / Threads. Follow Detourista Travel Creator (@detouristahq) for more travel inspiration!

How to Plan Your Trip

Since this is a DIY itinerary, you’ll definitely need Google Maps and an mobile data eSIM for navigation. Tap ‘Save location’ below to add these pins to your map for easy planning. For getting around Bangkok, I recommend Grab or Bolt for hassle-free rides, the BTS Skytrain/MRT to bypass traffic on longer distances, and the Chao Phraya river ferry for a cheap, scenic way to see the city.

Thailand eSIM mobile data/internet

BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Agoda, Klook, Airalo.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

To maximize this itinerary, I recommend stay within these areas/neighborhoods:

✅ Siam — book a hotel near these train stations: Ratchathewi BTS, Phaya Thai BTS, Siam BTS, or Chit Lom BTS, National Stadium BTS.
✅ Silom / Bangrak — book a hotel near these Sala Daeng BTS station and Si Lom MRT station.
✅ Old Bangkok Riverside — book a hotel near Sam Yot MRT station and Tha Tien Pier.

pro-tip: use the “Filters” feature and select the neightborhood listed above to narrow down your picks. To easily find the best hotels, set your max budget and sort the results by Top Guest Reviews. Tap below to search hotels & compare prices on these legit booking apps:

BOOK HERE

Trip.comAgoda Klook Traveloka AirAsia MOVE Booking.com

DAY 1: OLD BANGKOK + CHAO PHRAYA RIVER

8AM Wat Arun — entrance: THB 200/adult. Ferries to Wat Arun depart from Tha Tien Pier. To get here, book a Grab, ride the subway to Sanam Chai MRT station or walk if your hotel is nearby. Arrive at 8am opening time for less crowds & to avoid the midday heat. Costume rentals start at THB 150 for men / THB 200 for women. Look for the shop “Unique Costumes” near the roadside entrance. Save location.

9:30AM Grand Palace — entrance: THB 500/adult. BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Klook, Trip.com. Arrive before midday to beat the heat & crowds. If Wat Arun is not your priority, you can visit Grand Palace first. Tha Tien to Grand Palace entrance is a doable 1km walk but if it’s too hot, do yourself a favor and book a Grab instead. Save location.

12:30AM Lunch — Lots of local food and affordable options at Tha Tien Market area. Save location.

2PM Wat Pho Reclining Buddha — entrance: THB 300/adult. This is the birthplace of traditional Thai Massage. It’s the perfect place to get a foot massage. Save location.

3:30PM Museum Siam — entrance: THB 100/adult. Enjoy the interesting (and airconditioned!) galleries while waiting for sunset. Save location.

5PM Sunset with Wat Arun view — this is my absolute fave experience in Bangkok! sunset time is usually 6PM in Bangkok. Google “Bangkok Sunset Time” to plan ahead & arrive 1 hour early. Reco rooftop bars/restaurants with a view overlooking Wat Arun & Chao Phraya River.

📍 Wat Pho Pier — FREE. Save location.
📍 Tyme Rooftop — Bar seating: one order per person minimum. Table with view: THB 1,400 per table (fully consumable). INN A DAY 5th Floor. Save location.
📍 The Deck by Arun Residence — Save location.
📍 Sala Rattanakosin — Save location.
📍 Eagle Nest — Save location.
📍 Soi Tha Suphan — FREE. Save location.

7PM ICONSIAM — FREE entrance. Connected to Old Bangkok piers by public river ferry. Don’t miss the nightly fountain show at 7PM, 8PM & 9PM. For dinner, go to Sooksiam Floating Market foodcourt. Don’t miss the scenic view from the 7th floor terrace, passing the 15-meter indoor waterfall. Save location.

DAY 2: SIAM SHOPPING + MODERN BANGKOK

9AM Pratunam area — home to the best bargains on fashion, souvenirs (pasalubong) & Thai must-haves. A few hours is not enough to fully explore the area, focus on your top picks for now. Think of this as a ‘scouting trip’ to see what’s available. Then, come back later during your free time.

✨ Pratunam Market — FREE entrance. Where to go for the cheapest bargains in Bangkok. Opens as early as 4AM for wholesale buyers. Main indoor shops open at 9-10AM. Save location.
✨ Platinum Fashion Mall — FREE entrance. Ultimate go-to for affordable wholesale fashion & Thai essentials. Save location.
✨ December’s — FREE entrance. Located next door to Platinum. You can find better options for trendy ladies clothes here. Save location.

11AM Siam area — home to Bangkok’s iconic mega malls. Again, prioritize the highlights because there’s a lot to see and do here.

✨ LV The Place Bangkok — FREE. No entrance fee for the Visionary Journeys exhibit but you’ll need to reserve your time slot in advance. Reserve Here. Save location.
✨ Siam Paragon foodcourt — FREE entrance. Eat lunch at the Gourmet Eats foodcourt. Here, you’ll find stalls from many of Bangkok’s famous Michelin rated restaurants. Save location.
✨ Bangkok Art & Culture Center — FREE. Don’t miss the colorful BANGKOK sign in front of BACC. Save location.

3:30PM Mahanakhon Skywalk — entrance: THB 1000/adult. BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Agoda, Klook, Trip.com. Save location

✨ % Arabica at Empire Tower — if you just want to chill & enjoy a view facing the iconic Mahanakhon “Pixel” Building. This aesthetic cafe is located on the 55th floor of the Empire Building. Use the elevator to “EA Gallery” to access the 55th floor. No entrance fee. Drinks from THB 120 to 185.

7:30PM Chao Phraya River Cruise — dinner cruise: THB 1,200. BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Klook, Agoda. Choose either departure pier: ICONSIAM or Asiatique. If you want to skip Mahanakhon Skywalk, the sunset cruise departs 5:30PM and is actually cheaper at THB 850.

DAY 3: ANCIENT CITY + STREET FOOD

Travel time to The Ancient City is 40 minutes to 1 hour by Grab, so aim to depart Bangkok around 8AM.

9AM Ancient City — entrance fee: THB 380; combo ticket (Ancient City + Erawan Museum): THB 600. BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Agoda, Klook, Trip.com. Go at opening hour to avoid the midday heat. It’s a massive open area and although walkable, I suggest rent a golf cart or bike to get around. Save location

2PM Erawan Museum — around 20 minutes away from Ancient City by Grab. Save location

5:30PM Chinatown — FREE entrance. Go to Yaowarat Rd for street food, old city vibes & neon lights at night. Talat Noi + Soi Nana for artsy vibes. Photo stop at The Giant Swing and Wat Mangkon temple. Save location

OPTIONAL: Khao San Road at night

DAY 4: PATTAYA DAY TOUR

Travel time to Pattaya is around 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours from Bangkok, so leave by around 7am or earlier.

9:30AM Sanctuary of Truth — entrance: THB 450. Make your first stop here to avoid the bigger crowds later in the day. Opens at 8AM. BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Agoda, Klook, Trip.com. Save location

12NN Lunch.

📍 Pupen Seafood — found right along Jomtien Beach. Save location.

2PM Khao Chi Chan Buddha — FREE. Save location

2:30PM Nongnooch Pattaya Garden — entrance: THB 380. BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Agoda, Trip.com, Klook. Save location

To achieve this itinerary we hired private transport to take us to and around Pattaya from Bangkok.

Pattaya Private Car with Driver — 12 hours from Bangkok: THB 3,860 per car (3 pax). BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Trip.com, Klook. To stay within the 12 hours limit, aim to depart from Pattaya around 4:30PM to arrive in Bangkok around 7PM. Since Nong Nooch is massive, we opted to stay past 5 PM and pay the additional hourly rate to maximize our visit.

You can also book a hassle-free package tour with guide:

Pattaya Day Joiner Tour from Bangkok — THB 3,857/pax minimum of 2 pax. BOOK HERE.

DAY 5: AYUTTHAYA DAY TOUR

Travel time to Ayutthaya is around 1 hour from Bangkok. Aim to depart at around 7am.

8AM Bang Pa-In Palace — entrance: THB 100. Save location.

9:30AM Wat Mahathat — entrance: THB 80. Go straight to the iconic Buddha head wrapped in tree roots. Save location.

10:30AM Wat Chaiwatthanaram — entrance: THB 80. Probably the most impressive temple ruins in Ayutthaya. It’s a 15 minute drive away from the main temple area. Save location.

12NN Lunch

✨ Boran — Located near Wat Wat Ratchaburana. Traiditional Thai wooden vibe. Great taste & food presentation. Save location.

1:30PM explore Ayutthaya — pick among these options depending on how much time/energy you have left:

✨ Kum Khun Phaan / Bueng Phra Ram Park — FREE. Nice photo area at the wooden pavilions with a view of the pond filled with lotuses. Save location
✨ Wat Lokaya Sutha — FREE. Home to the iconic reclining Buddha of Ayutthata. Save location
✨ Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit — FREE. Houses a massive golden sitting Buddha. Save location
✨ Wat Phra Si Sanphet — THB 50. Located right beside Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit. Save location
✨ Wat Ratchaburana — THB 80. Save location
✨ Wat Yai Chai Mongkol Worawihan — THB 40. Save location

To achieve this itinerary we hired private transport to take us to and around Ayutthata from Bangkok. If you’re taking the 8 hours charter, aim to depart Ayutthata around 3PM.

Ayutthaya Private Car with Driver — 8 hours from Bangkok: THB 2,838 per car (3 pax). BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Klook (TTD Global)

Ayutthaya Day Joiner Tour from Bangkok — THB 1,065/pax & up. BOOK HERE. Compare rates on Agoda, Klook, Trip.com.

4PM onwards — Free time for souvenir shopping and pasalubong

DAY 6: FLOATING + TRAIN MARKET DAY TOUR

In case you are staying longer in Bangkok.

7:30AM Bangkok departure
9:00AM Damnoen Saduak Floating Market — (FREE). Save location
12NN Lunch
2PM Maeklong Railway Market — (FREE). Save location
5PM Bangkok arrival

Floating Market + Train Market Joiner Tour from Bangkok — THB 798 BOOK HERE.

If you found this post helpful, follow me for more travel inspiration on:
✅ Facebook
✅ Instagram
✅ Tiktok
✅ Threads

see also: Bangkok Hotel Reco, Detailed Bangkok Itinerary Guide, Bangkok Tourist Spots. see all guides on: Bangkok, Thailand.