The Perfect Bangkok 4 Day Itinerary For First Timers (+ Map )

I didn’t know much about Bangkok before visiting. I had heard stories of its grittiness and seedy bars, but I was not prepared for the real Bangkok! Like many other backpackers, Bangkok was the first place I visited in South East Asia. I was overwhelmed and speechless. The noises, the traffic, the smells, the tuk-tuks, the food, this city attacked all of my senses at once, and it didn’t stop. People either love Bangkok or hate it. Usually when someone tells me they hate it here, their itinerary tends to be concentrated around Khaosan Road, with no day trips, no Chinatown and no rooftop bars. BIG mistake! This Bangkok 4 day itinerary for first-timers has the ultimate things to do to get to know and love the city.

Bangkok may be known for its tall modern skyscrapers, but it actually dates back centuries. Founded in 1782 as the capital of Siam, Bangkok was built around ancient canals that connected Thailand to the rest of the world.

A typical day exploring Bangkok perfectly captures this contrast: you’ll wander small sois (alleys) past street vendors, ancient shophouses and temples, then turn a corner to find yourself on wide streets lined with glass skyscrapers, upscale rooftop bars and mega malls.

My Bangkok tour itinerary is a helpful guide for first-timers, but I also hope that returning travellers find something new here. I’ve shared my favourite things to do, optimised by proximity, and included some of my favourite restaurants where I’ve actually visited. I hope you enjoy this itinerary as much as I did, so go ahead, steal this ultimate 4 day itinerary in Bangkok for first-timers.

This is a long itinerary, so check out the table of contents below to jump to parts that interest you!

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Best Time To Visit Bangkok

Bangkok has three distinct seasons, each offering different experiences. I’ve visited during all three, and while each has challenges, they’re all manageable with proper planning.

Cool Season (November – February): Bangkok’s winter isn’t typical winter, temperatures average 28°C (82°F) with lower humidity and minimal rainfall. This is the most comfortable time for sightseeing, especially if you’re not used to Southeast Asian climate.

Hot Season (March – June): Temperatures reach 40°C (104°F) with high humidity, making all-day outdoor activities challenging. Heavy showers and thunderstorms frequently occur at night. April also brings Songkran Festival, Thailand’s famous water fight celebration, which I recommended experiencing once once in your life.

Rainy Season (July – October): Hot weather (35°C/95°F) with short, heavy downpours, usually mornings or evenings. Cheapest accommodation and fewer crowds, but September has the highest flooding risk. Perfect for budget travellers who don’t mind flexible plans.

No matter what the season, Bangkok is hot. I advise packing light clothes, a rain jacket and a compact umbrella.

Where To Stay In Bangkok As A First-Timer

Bangkok has 50 districts, the challenge is not finding a place to stay, but actually choosing the part of the city you want to stay. The good news is that accommodation is mostly affordable in Bangkok, you can find many nice rooms for as little as 970 baht ($30/€25/£22) per night, bargain!

I wrote a more detailed guide on where to stay in Bangkok, however for someone with 4 days in Bangkok I suggest the following areas:

1. Khaosan is an excellent base, even if you do not want to party! You are well connected to the tourist boat, buses and walking distance from many temples and historical sites. Find hotels in Khaosan.
2. Silom is well connected by both MRT & BTS, you can get just about anywhere with ease. It has many good restaurants, cafes, and even an LGBTQ area. Lumpini Park and MahaNakhon Sky Building is here. Find hotels in Silom.
3. Sukhumvit is on the BTS line making it an ideal location to explore the city. It is a modern area with lots of rooftop bars and trendy restaurants. Find hotels in Sukhumvit.
4. Siam is where all the large shopping centres such as Siam Paragon, MBK, and Central World, along with rooftop bars and restaurants for all tastes. Find hotels in Siam.
5. Chinatown is every foodies dream! It is lively area throughout night and day, and has plenty of affordable accommodation options. Find hotels in Chinatown.

Recommended Hotels In Bangkok

$ THEE Bangkok Hotel – cosy and stylish rooms in the heart of Sukhumvit. Close to BTS green line which makes getting around so easy. The hotel has a gym onsite. An American breakfast is also included in the rate. Check availability.

$$ Chillax Heritage Hotel – clean, had a rooftop pool and close to some great restaurants! Perfect for travellers wanting to experience Khaosan Road but also have a peaceful room to retreat to. Check availability.

$$$ Pathumwan Princess Hotel – direct access to MBK centre, and the BTS station. Although it is expensive it has incredible facilities, such as a rooftop running track, infinity pool, large modern gym, and spa. Check availability.

Getting To Bangkok

Bangkok has two major airports: the main one where most long-haul flights land is Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), while Don Mueang Airport (DMK) has many domestic and low cost carriers. Both airports are well connected to the city by rail.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport To Bangkok City: Located 31.5 km from the city, the easiest way to get to the city is by taking the Airport Rail Link 7 stops (23 minutes) to Phaya Thai, then transfer to the BTS. Cost: 45 baht ($1.40/€1.20/£1.05).

From Don Mueang Airport To Bangkok City: Don Mueang is located slightly closer to Bangkok city at 23 km away. You can take the red line 7 stops (17 minutes) to its final destination Bang Sue Station or 6 stops to Mo Chit Station to transfer to the BTS. Cost: 42 baht ($1.30/€1.10/£1).

Both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airport trains run between the hours of 05:30 and 00:00.

Getting Around Bangkok

Bangkok is well serviced by public transport, but it is notorious for its traffic! It is not rare to be sitting in traffic for over an hour when you are only travelling a few kilometres! These are the best modes of transport during your Bangkok 4 day itinerary.

Boat

• Blue Flag Tourist Boat: a ferry style boat that covers major attractions like Khaosan Road, Chinatown, IconSiam, Wat Arun, The Grand Palace. You can purchase tickets on the boat, or online. It costs 30 baht ($.95/€.80/£.70) for a single ticket and departs every 30 minutes.
• Chao Phraya Express: local boat, it’s a large longtail-style boat, and is much cheaper. It will take you to all the popular attractions that the Blue Flag Tourist Boat does.

Rail

• BTS (Skytrain): monorail, that travels through the city on an elevated platform, avoiding all the traffic! Single tickets on the BTS start at 16 baht ($.50/€.42/£.37) and one day unlimited travels costs 140 baht ($4.39/€3.75/£3.25).
• MRT: the underground, there are two lines the blue and purple, you will most likely be using the blue line while in Bangkok as this is the busiest line. Like the BTS, the MRT also avoids Bangkok traffic. Ticket prices start at 16 baht ($.50/€.42/£.37) for a single trip.

Other

• Tuk-Tuks: If you are feeling brave then a tuk-tuk is great for short distances, but can work out expensive. Prepare to haggle with your driver who will start with an extortionate fare.
• Taxi: Comfortable but stuck in traffic. Use the Grab app for reliable booking

How Much Money Do I Need For 4 Days In Bangkok?

Bangkok is a city for all budgets, I know that’s not a simple answer but it’s the truth.

• Budget travellers can easily spend under 1,000 baht ($31/€27/£23) per day by eating in local restaurants where a meal costs 40-80 baht, using public transport exclusively.
• Mid-range travellers spending between 2,000 ($62/€53/£46) to 4,000 baht ($125/€106/£92) daily can mix local restaurants with tourist restaurants, take occasional taxis, and splurge on rooftop cocktails.
• Luxury travellers dropping 8,000+ baht ($250/€213/£185) daily can afford fine dining experiences, private drivers, and exclusive tours.

The beauty of Bangkok is you can have an incredible experience at any spending level, a 50 baht bowl of street pad thai can be just as memorable as a 2,000 baht tasting menu.

4 Day Bangkok Itinerary For First Timers

4 Day Bangkok Itinerary Map

4 Day Bangkok Itinerary Day 1: Temples, Grand Palace, IconSiam, Khaosan Road

Weather note: Today involves lots of outdoor walking and temple visits, start early during hot season (March-June). Rainy season visitors should carry umbrellas and have IconSiam as backup indoor option.

Day 1 of this 4 day Bangkok itinerary for first-timers is all about discovering the city’s past. Today, you will visit some of Bangkok’s best Buddhist temples that are a must on any Bangkok tour itinerary.

Temples play a crucial role in Thai culture, as locals visit them to pray for good health, fortune, and wealth. Bangkok alone is home to over 400 temples.

There are specific rules regarding acceptable clothing when visiting temples. Ladies are required to cover their shoulders and knees, while men need to wear shorts below the knee. Cover-ups are available in most temples, usually for a small fee.

Everything on Day 1 of this itinerary can be reached using the Blue Flag tourist boat.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun, also known as Temple of the Dawn, is one of Bangkok’s most beautiful and scenic temples. Located on the Chao Phraya River, its standout feature is the 70-meter-high central spire (Phra Prang), which is covered in small pieces of colourful glass and Chinese porcelain that sparkles in sunlight.

You can climb partway up the spire, explore the ordination hall, count Buddha statues in the courtyard, or, for something truly special, get blessed by a monk!

Entrance to Wat Arun is 100 Baht ($3/€2.70/£2.30) and includes a small bottle of water.

Wat Pho

Just across the river from Wat Arun is Wat Pho, home to the iconic 46-metre reclining Buddha. As one of the largest reclining Buddha’s in the word, its scale is genuinely impressive. Make sure to check his feet which are inscribed with mother of pearl.

It gets busy with photo queues, but you can participate in the tradition of donating coins into 180 bowls surrounding the Buddha as you walk around.

In addition to being a temple complex, Wat Pho has a massage school onsite! Massages start at 260 baht ($8/€7/£6) for 30 minutes.

Entrance to Wat Pho costs 200 baht ($6.30/€5.35/£4.65).

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. However, I was surprised to learn that no royal family members actually live here; the current King of Thailand resides in Germany! So, although you won’t spot any royalty, you will see a lot of cool things!

Starting with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, thought to be one of the most celebrated Buddhas in all of Thailand! This Buddha statue has been carved from jade stone. Along with the emerald Buddha, other highlights not to be missed are a replica of Angkor Wat and a masked drama ‘Khon Performance’ at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater.

4. ICONSIAM

You’ve spent the first half of the day soaking up the this cities culture, now we are going to change things up and go to one of the best shopping centres in Bangkok: IconSiam.

Easily reached on the Blue Flag tourist boat, there are over 7,000 shops, 100 restaurants, a basement level floating street food market, and incredible views from the rooftop.

There’s a mix of everything here: luxury brands, western high street stores like Zara and H&M, Thai brands, homeware, cute coffee shops, and small stalls selling local items.

If you are not looking to shop I still recommend you visit IconSiam. Aside from the 7,000 shops here are some highlights:

What not to miss at ICONSIAM

5. Experience The Craziness Of Khaosan Road

No 4 days in Bangkok is complete without a night on Khao San Road! Frequented by backpackers, it’s known for its crazy bars, unusual street food, knock-off designer clothing, and not to mention the ping pong shows, it really is insane.

You’ll walk through clouds of smoke, feel bass thumping in your chest, and encounter street vendors selling everything imaginable.

See it for what it is, a very lively place with cheap drinks where you can meet fellow backpackers and go on a pub crawl. If you are feeling extra adventurous you can also try scorpions, maggots, and other creepy crawlies; this is where those cheap drinks come in handy!

Safety tip: Stay aware of your surroundings, don’t leave drinks unattended, and be cautious of overly friendly strangers offering “special deals.”

To get to Khaosan from IconSiam you can take the Blue Flag boat to Ratchawong Pier. It’s just a 10 minute journey.

4 Day Bangkok Itinerary Day 2: Lumpini Park, Terminal 21, Korean Town, KingPower Skywalk & Nightlife

Weather note: Mostly indoor activities with brief park visit. Evening involves rooftop bars which are perfect for cool season.

Today is all about discovering Bangkoks longest road, Sukhumvit. You are going to shop in 9 different countries, make friends with some wild lizards, walk on a glass platform on Thailands tallest building, AND, have a night out!

Sound fun? Lets kick off day 2 of our 4 day itinerary Bangkok.

1. Explore The World In Terminal 21

Fancy gazing at the fountains in Rome in the morning, walking through Istanbul’s bazaars at lunch, and by dinner go star spotting in Hollywood? Well in Terminal 21 you can do that, kind of!

Terminal 21 is an airport-themed shopping mall, with each of its 9 stories representing a different destination, including Rome, London, Istanbul, Tokyo, San Francisco, the Caribbean, and Hollywood! Departure gates are located at the escalators, passports serve as shopping guides, and even the toilets are themed.

My tip is to check out every bathroom, each floor has a different theme.

The range of shops are diverse from classic Western brads like H&M to smaller boutiques and souvenir shops.

There are 3 large shopping centres nearby Siam Paragon, MBK, and Central world. They are all worth visiting but sadly we can’t fit everything into this 4 day Bangkok tour itinerary. I included Terminal 21 because I think it is such a unique place, unlike any other mall I have visited, but you can always start your day in one of the other three! They are all so cool!

2. Korea Town

Just a 5 minute walk from Terminal 21, is Korean town. Even if you do not want to eat Korean food, it is a nice place to stop by to take a few photos.

Korean food is really having its moment. I feel I cannot go on TikTok without seeing someone post about Buddak noodles and spicy Korean chicken. Personally, I love Korean food; it’s decadent and delicious, so I knew I had to visit Korean town (also called Little Korea) in Bangkok!

Korean town is in a small multi level plaza, there are a small number of Korean shops, but really it is mostly amazing restaurants, 18 of them to be exact!! It really comes alive at night!

I am still dreaming of the dishes from Doo Rae, and New Mong.

From Korea Town you can take the green BTS from Nana Station to Chit Lom and then walk for 20 minutes to Lumphini Park.

3. Meet The Residents Of Lumphini Park

Once of the more unique things to do during your 4 days in Bangkok is to visit the locals of Lumphini Park. Home to an estimated 400 water monitors, some of which are huge while others are tiny. You don’t really expect to find these creatures in the heart of a city as large as Bangkok.

These lizards may appear intimidating, but they generally prefer to keep to themselves as they slowly move through the park. However, it’s important to keep a safe distance as they are wild animals that may not respond well if provoked. You’ll mostly find them by the lake.

Located between Silom and Sukhumvit, Lumphini Park offers a peaceful respite away from the liveliness of the city. If it weren’t for the skyline, you could easily forget you are in one of the busiest cities in the world.

Along with the water monitors, the park is home to snakes (which I did not spot), turtles, and many birds.

From Lumphini Park head to Sala Daeng BTS and take the green line 1 stop to Chong Nonsi. From here it’s a 3 minute walk to the next stop of the day.

4. King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk

At 320 meters, King Power Mahanakhon is Thailand’s tallest building and Bangkok’s most popular attraction. You may even spot it from the neighbourhoods of Silom and Sathorn, it looks like it was built from blocks of lego.

On the 74th floor you get an indoor 360-degree view across Bangkok, along with interactive displays which point out some prominent city landmarks.

The best part of the Mahanakhon building is the outdoor skywalk. This is a glass platform that hangs 320 metres directly over Bangkok’s busy streets, where you can walk and take photos.

Before stepping onto the skywalk, you will be required to wear blue shoe covers and put phones away. They are really strict on the phone rule; you cannot even hold it in your hand.

Once you are on the skywalk, it’s not that scary. It takes a while to get used to, but it’s ok; the views are incredible. Security will be happy to take your photo.

Aside from the skywalk, there are comfy yellow seats to take in the view and a bar; sometimes, there is a DJ.

Tickets for King Power Mahanakhon sky tower costs 1,400 baht ($42/€36/£31) for daytime tickets, and 1,600 baht ($50/€43/£37) for sunset tickets. Click here to book online.

5. Bangkok’s Modern Nightlife Scene

Bangkok has an amazing nightlife, from upscale rooftop bars, 5 star restaurants to go go bars and erm, adult shows! There is something to fit all tastes and interests.

If you fancy a quieter night a trip to the cinema is always fun in Bangkok. The cinemas here are, like everything else in this city, totally extra and very cool! Western movies are in English with Thai subtitles, seats are comfy, and it’s exceptionally clean. Check out this post for an insight into Bangkok’s luxury cinemas.

4 Day Bangkok Itinerary Day 3: Bangkok’s Green Lung + Chinatown

Weather note: Outdoor cycling morning, covered street food evening. Avoid cycling during rainy season afternoons (storms typically 2-4 PM). Hot season: start cycling by 8 AM.

1. Cycle Bang Krachao (Bangkok’s Green Lung)

Affectionally known as Bangkok’s green lung due to its shape on the map, and its natural surrounds that offer some respite from the city away from the smog of the city centre. You could say that Bang Krachao is a bit of a “hidden gem” in Bangkok! It feel a million miles away from Bangkok!

Getting here is a bit of adventure involving lorries, alleys, and a small long tail boat, but more on that later!

On Bang Krachao the absolute best thing to do is rent a bike and cycle through the mangroves. You can rent a bike as soon as you get off the boat from, M-Bike. It is so much fun just getting lost on the tiny elevated paths amongst the lush landscape. You will be sharing these paths with locals on motorbikes so pull in when it is safe to let them pass you.

You can cycle out to Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market along with temples Mahadevalai Ganesha and Wat Bang Nam Phueng Nok. There are many cute cafes and restaurants too.

1. Getting To Bang Krachao

The following is the easiest way to get to Bang Krachao:

1. Firstly, you need to get to Wat Khlong Toei Nok Pier. The closest MRT station is Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, from there you can get a 10 minute taxi to the pier.
   
   You will need to be dropped at the 7/11 (click this for Google Map location).
   
2. Now you are at 7/11, turn right down a small road with a temple, and continue down that road for about 5 minutes.
   
3. You have reached the pier! Make sure you have cash to cover the 40 baht ($1.25/€1/£.90) return boat fee.

2. Eat Your Way Around Chinatown

After a peaceful morning exploring the peaceful mangroves of Bang Krachao, the pace is a lot faster in Bangkok’s most exciting neighbourhood, Chinatown!

I happen to think this is the best area in Bangkok city; it is crazy, endearing, intimidating, and welcoming all in one. No Bangkok itinerary is complete without a visit to Chinatown.

By day, it is a bustling market selling everything and anything; by night, it is the best street food market bursting with energy, flavours, and sounds!

My best tip for Chinatown is to visit on a weekday. Chinatown is never quiet, but it sees fewer crowds Monday to Thursday. The weekends can be hectic and difficult to actually order your food! It is also a task to get from one end of the street to the other due to the sheer number of people.

I wrote a detailed guide on the 15+ Chinatown best things to do in Chinatown here.

Let me share a few tips for you to navigate Chinatown, and have the best time! I have a feeling that Chinatown will even be your favourite part of this 4 day Bangkok itinerary!

Talat Noi

Imagine my surprise bumping into my first crush as I got out of the taxi to explore Talat Noi. Mr Jason McAteer was just lurking on the corner of a street. Well, him and some other iconic Liverpool FC players, thats right, it was a Liverpool mural! Random!

Thats not the only street art you will see in Talat Noi. This ancient Chinese Thai neighbourhood is full of colourful artwork.

Aside from the street art, walking around Talat Noi feels like you have stepped backed a few decades, there are no skyscrapers here, just old buildings, and locals serving up some tasty food and tea!

Songwat

Songwat is a small but colourful 1.2 km street that is lined with aesthetic cafes, hipster bars, and Michelin restaurants, which are all located inside Chinese-style buildings. It wasn’t always like this though, in 2022 an initiative by local entrepreneurs breathed new life into the area. It’s one of the coolest streets in Bangkok.

In terms of where to visit along Songwat, I recommend the pulled pork poutine from Bad Poutine, an iced chocolate drink from Choch, and a coffee from Local Boys.

– Best Things To Eat in Chinatown –

From 4 PM Yaowarat road turns into the best food market in Bangkok, there is a lot of smoke, different and sometimes unusual smells and flavours, but everything is delicious.

If you do not know where to start, below are a few places that will get your appetite going.

• Gyozas from Mali Gyoza, located in front of Deksomboon.
• Roasted Duck & noodles from Hua Seng Hong Restaurant
• Pork Noodles from Nai Ek Roll Noodle
• Fish Ball Soup from Yoo Fishball
• K Dogs from Misterhotdog
• Traditional Chinese Dessert from Sweettime, I highly recommend pandan noodle in palm sugar and coconut milk.
• Coconut Ice cream from any vendor, they are all good!!

– Best rooftop bar in Chinatown –

Watch the sun go down on a comfy bean bag in Gen Z bar, located on the rooftop of Grand China hotel. This is the perfect place to unwind with a cocktail in hand in-between all your food tastings in Chinatown.

I strongly recommend coming here for sunset, where you can see many of the cities famous temples lighting up.

4 Day Bangkok Itinerary Day 4: Ayutthaya

For the final day in Bangkok, we are going to escape the city. Just 80 kilometres north of Bangkok city, is Ayutthaya: a UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the capital of Siam and one of the world’s largest cities.

What I love about Ayutthaya is how different it feels from Bangkok, instead of skyscrapers and traffic, you’re cycling between 400-year-old temple ruins with overgrown trees that are literally swallowing Buddha heads!

The scale of these ruins is genuinely mind-blowing when you realise this place had over a million residents back in the 1700s, that is more than London or Paris at the time!

Getting To Ayutthaya

You can either do it yourself or join a tour with a guide, which will pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at the end of the day. This is a great option for those looking for the easiest way to get to Ayutthaya, and even includes a buffet lunch.

If you are doing it yourself that the best way to get to Ayutthaya is by train from Bang Sue Grand Station to Ayutthaya Station. The following trains go here:

When you arrive in Ayutthaya you will then need to take a short boat ride from Ayutthaya Pier to the other side. From here it’s a 15 minute walk along Bang Ian Road to the entrance. There are many nice cafes and restaurants here but you will also get constantly approached by tuk-tuk drivers.

You can hire a tuk-tuk for the day for around 900 baht ($28/€24/£21) and it feels like having your own personal tour guide.

What To See In Ayutthaya

Getting Around Ayutthaya

The main temples are spread across an island formed by three rivers, so you’ll need transport:

• Bicycle: Best option, rent near the train station for 50 baht ($1.60/€1.30/£1.20) per day
• Tuk-tuk: 250 baht ($8/€6.70/£6) per hour (you can negotiate rates)
• Private car with driver: Most convenient for day trips

Important: You will notice you can pay for a ride on an elephant in Ayutthaya. Please do not do this, it’s so cruel for the elephant and they are not treated well. You can read more about how unethical this “tourist attraction” is here.

Plan for 4-6 hours total if you want to see the main temples properly, and definitely start early, an 8 AM departure from Bangkok is ideal to beat both crowds and heat.

Evening Cruise

Depending on what time you visited Ayutthaya and arrive back in Bangkok, an evening dinner cruise is the best way to unwind after a packed 4 days in Bangkok.

Most cruises last for 2 hours and include a buffet dinner along with live performers.

You will cruise along the Chao Phraya River passing by many of Bangkok’s iconic landmarks lit at night, such as Wat Arun.

Prices typically start from 750 baht and can go up to 3,000 baht for higher end cruises.

You have come to the end of this 4 day Bangkok itinerary, why not check out some frequently asked questions to help you get ready for your trip!

4 Days In Bangkok – Rainy Day Alternatives

Where To Eat In Bangkok

These are my top restaurants in Bangkok that I recommend to everyone.

Bangkok FAQ

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