Quick answer
Spend day one on Wat Pho, Wat Arun and a river dinner cruise, day two on the Grand Palace, Siam's malls and Chinatown by night, and day three at Safari World or, on a weekend, Chatuchak market, ending at the Mahanakhon SkyWalk. Mid-range land costs start around ₹19,000 per person for three nights, excluding flights.
The route
- Suvarnabhumi Airport
- Riverside temples
- Grand Palace and Chinatown
- Safari World or Chatuchak
- Airport
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive, riverside temples and a dinner cruise
Morning: Land at Suvarnabhumi, take a pre-booked transfer (45–60 minutes) and freshen up at the hotel.
Afternoon: Wat Pho for the 46 m reclining Buddha and a foot massage at the temple school, then the ferry across to Wat Arun.
Evening: Chao Phraya dinner cruise from ICONSIAM, with the Grand Palace and Wat Arun floodlit along the way.
Stay: Bangkok (Sukhumvit, Siam or Pratunam)
If your flight lands early, store your bags and start with ICONSIAM, which opens at 10 am and has a good food court.
- 2
Day 2
Grand Palace, malls and Chinatown
Morning: Be at the Grand Palace for 8:30 am opening to see Wat Phra Kaew before the tour groups.
Afternoon: Jim Thompson House, then Siam Paragon, CentralWorld or MBK. SEA LIFE Ocean World is under Siam Paragon if you have children.
Evening: Yaowarat (Chinatown) for street food and lights. Vegetarian jay shops sit alongside the seafood stalls.
Stay: Bangkok
Chinatown's street stalls largely close on Mondays; swap with day 3 if needed.
- 3
Day 3
Safari World or Chatuchak, then a skyline view
Morning: Families: Safari World's drive-through safari and Marine Park shows. On Saturday or Sunday, shoppers should head to Chatuchak Weekend Market instead.
Afternoon: Continue at Safari World until about 4 pm, or move from Chatuchak to Pratunam and Platinum Fashion Mall.
Evening: Mahanakhon SkyWalk at sunset, then dinner and a late-night flight home or a fourth night.
Stay: Bangkok, or fly home late
Keep at least three hours between leaving the city and a night departure; Bangkok's evening traffic is heavy.
Is three days enough for Bangkok?
For a first visit, yes. This plan covers the three great temples, a river cruise, one big family attraction or Chatuchak, the main malls and Chinatown. It suits a long-weekend trip from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai or Bengaluru, all of which have non-stop flights of roughly two and a half to four and a half hours.
How should you adjust it?
- Travelling on a weekend? Put Chatuchak on Saturday or Sunday; it is closed on weekdays.
- With seniors? Replace Safari World with Ayutthaya by private car or a slower mall day.
- Have a fourth day? Add Ayutthaya or Damnoen Saduak with the Maeklong railway market. Our things to do in Bangkok list has more options.
- Want a beach too? Add two nights in Pattaya, two hours away, or follow the 7-day Thailand itinerary.
What does the land cost include?
The ₹19,000 per person figure assumes three nights in a 4★ hotel with breakfast, twin sharing, private airport transfers, a guided temple tour with entry tickets, Safari World with lunch and the dinner cruise. Other meals, the SkyWalk, shopping and international flights are extra.
Use the BTS Skytrain and MRT metro whenever you can. They are air-conditioned, cheap and avoid Bangkok's traffic.
Choose your base with our guide to where to stay in Bangkok, and read the Bangkok food guide for vegetarian, Jain and Indian options. Indian passport holders can stay 30 days visa-free; check the Thailand visa guide for the TDAC arrival card.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do Bangkok and Pattaya in 3 days?
Which area should I stay in for a 3-day Bangkok trip?
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
