2 Days in Bangkok – A Packed 2 Day Travel Plan

Searching for a 2 days in Bangkok itinerary? I’ve got you covered!!

After living in Bangkok for months, I can easily say that a 2 day Bangkok itinerary is rather tight. Bangkok is big and bursting with life all round. There’s countless things to do in Bangkok both during the day and night.

However, spending 2 days in Bangkok is just about enough time to cover some of the basics – culture, food, nightlife and possibly even do a day tour outside the city. Consider your 2 days in Bangkok as an introduction to the ‘City of Angels’.

This 2 days in Bangkok travel plan (or itinerary, call it what you like) covers those things you shouldn’t miss in Bangkok. It’s going to be a fun 2 days packed with early morning temples all the way to evening street food, river cruises, rooftop bars and trips outside the city.

Is 2 days in Bangkok enough time?

The short answer is no. There is just way too many things to do in Bangkok that 2 days just won’t suffice.

The longer answer is that for anyone visiting Bangkok for the first time, 2 or possibly 3 days is perfect. Bangkok is big and chaotic with so many things going on that it’s common for first timers to feel overwhelmed. 2 or 3 days, I think is the right balance to get to know the city before it can be too much to handle. In 2 days you’ll get to see Bangkok’s gorgeous temples, malls, street-food and rooftops. Basically get a real feel of the vibrant city. You will need to compromise on some things however as you’ll find out later on.

Related → Best time to visit Bangkok

Where to stay

For the purpose of this 2 day Bangkok itinerary, the best places to stay will be either Banglamphu or Silom and Sathorn. I have also included a few hotel suggestions to suit any budget.

I recommend staying in either of these areas because they are located close to most of the activities on this 2 day Bangkok itinerary. Below is a quick overview

2 Days in Bangkok Travel Plan

Day 1

Plan: The Grand Palace → Wat Pho → Wat Arun → Michelin restaurant → Icon Siam → Rooftop bar → Chinatown → Nightlife

Morning: Get an early start and leave your hotel by 7:00 or 7:30 AM. Visit either Wat Arun or the Grand Palace first, as both open at 8:00 AM and are least crowded then. If you want to see the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, do so after the Grand Palace since they are nearby. Wat Arun is across the Chao Phraya River, with regular ferries from Tha Tian Pier.

Afternoon: After your morning stroll around the cultural sites, head to Patonggo Cafe, a Michelin Guide favorite. Enjoy their delicious pork dishes with gravy and rice for under $3. Next, walk 10 minutes to Phra Arthit Pier and take the ferry to Icon Siam Mall. It’s the nicest mall in Bangkok and perfect for escaping the midday heat. The views from Icon Siam are breathtaking, offering a stunning panorama of the city.

Evening: Experience Bangkok’s stunning sunsets from a chic rooftop bar. The Lebua Sky Bar offers a breathtaking view of the Chao Phraya River snaking through the city, while the Mahanakhon Skybar atop Bangkok’s tallest building is another great option. Note that cocktails start at around $25 and reservations are essential.

After sunset, head to Yaowarat Road in Chinatown for some of the best street food in Bangkok. Explore various stalls and try anything that catches your eye. Seeing a long line often means that place has something good.

If you want to experience Bangkok’s wild nightlife, go to Khaosan road for cheap beers, buckets of booze if you like, and very loud music. Another option is Patpong around the Silom area. There’s a small street market and a mix of bars and go-go bars.

Day 2

Day 2 requires some compromising. You have several options for this day including floating markets and the famous train market, Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi and the death railway. I would suggest doing any of these by tour because it will save a lot of time planning all the logistics in a place you’re not familiar with. Below is an overview for the 3 options.

Evening: Take a relaxing all-inclusive dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya river. Most boats depart from either Asiatique or Icon Siam just before sunset. It’s a popular activity in Bangkok so booking in advance is always a good idea. Choose the classy →Manohra dinner cruise on-board a restored rice barge. Or the →Chao Phraya Princess cruise for something more affordable.

If you’re in Bangkok between Thursday and Sunday, visit the Srinagarindra train night market. It’s lively and has a nice mix of food stalls selling various cuisine along with stands selling a wide range of goods from clothes to souvenirs. This market is slightly out of the city centre.

Alternatively you may want a change of atmosphere from all the markets and similarities. In that case go to Thonglor. Bangkok’s trendy neighborhood with lots of cool bars, and nice Japanese restaurants.

The bottom line

This Bangkok 2 days travel plan covers the basic things to do in Bangkok. And while 2 days in Bangkok is rather limited, it is still good enough to get a feel of this vibrant and bustling city.

If you’re still planning your Thailand itinerary, below are some further details and information.

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