Where to go on a day trip from Bangkok? 6 Amazing Places

Got extra time and want ideas for a day trips from Bangkok?

Bangkok never stops bubbling with life – in its alleys with street food vendors, the charming neighborhoods near Khaosan, vibrant shopping malls and the streets in Chinatown spiked with some of Bangkok’s best local cuisine.

While Bangkok has loads of things to offer, I urge you to explore beyond the city walls. Just outside the bustling city, there’s amazing places to visit from Bangkok and can be done as day trip. From ancient cities, cities with gruesome WWII history, national parks, floating markets and unbelievable train markets, there is a lot of things to do from Bangkok.

Why do day trips from Bangkok?

Bangkok’s main highlights such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho can be covered in 1 day. Trying the street food can easily fit in too. And visiting a skybar and possibly even Chinatown can be done in the evening. Bangkok is a bustling city and many tourists and travelers visiting for the first time may find it overwhelming.

So for anyone planning to spend 2 days in Bangkok or more, I would suggest that on your second day and beyond you explore what lies outside the city. This way you’ll see more things and still experience Bangkok at night, which is when the city truly comes to life.

The gorgeous temples in Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi’s historic death railway can easily be reached and the main highlights don’t require more than a few hours. There’s other places like Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the unreal railway market at Maeklong. Both done as a day trip.

Visiting the nearby places on a day trip and going back to Bangkok will be easier to fit in more places as opposed to spending a night in each place. Also, nighttime is much more fun in Bangkok as these places can be rather sleepy at night.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Properly choosing a hotel is an important decision. I’ve written a complete article about this subject, but personally I find Silom and Sathorn to be the most convenient, specifically the areas near the Saphan Taksin BTS station. There is affordable places like Oriental Heritage Residence and the boho furnished SO Zen Hotel. There’s the skytrain that goes to Siam, a river shuttle service to the gorgeous Icon Siam mall, and getting to the temples is easy via the public boats since most temples are on or near the Chao Phraya river bank.

There is no shortage of high end hotels such as riverfront properties Shangri-La Bangkok and the chic Salil Hotel Riverside. And if budget is not an issue, the Mandarin Oriental.

What are the best day trips from Bangkok

I think the best day trips from Bangkok are Ayutthaya because it takes under 90 minutes to get there which allows enough time to explore and really enjoy the temples. Another day trip which is offered as a tour combines the floating market and Maeklong railway market.

If you’re comfortable traveling longer distances, another place of interest near Bangkok is Kanchanaburi (Bridge over the river Kwai). Khao Yai National Park can also be considered. Reaching these places takes over 2 hours and for Kanchanaburi around 3 hours. Just be prepared that a lot of time is going to be spent traveling. For Kanchanaburi, consider spending a night in a floating hotel.

Also read → Where to eat street food in Bangkok

Where to go for a day trip from Bangkok

Here’s a list of recommended day trips from Bangkok. If you’re pressed for time or prefer not to deal with the hassle of planning all the logistics, you can book any of these excursions as tours. I’ve included links to book each tour, which can save you time and might even be more cost-effective than arranging everything on your own.

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is the old capital city of Thailand and is one of the most accessible places to visit as a day trip from Bangkok. It takes around 90 minutes to get there and its a contrasting change of scenery. Ayutthaya is home to countless temples and ruins offering a glimpse into the past. Wander the streets and temple hop, some temples have trees growing out them with roots tangled around the walls and buddhas. It truly is an interesting place. Getting to Ayutthaya can be done by train or minivan.

Another option is to do a day tour. This way you’ll cover more ground because the temples are scattered around.

→Ayutthaya full day tour

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Floating markets are synonymous with Thailand and rather popular with tourists too. Unfortunately, some popular floating markets like Damnoen Saduak Floating Market have become such a huge tourist attraction that over time the authenticity is slowly being lost. It’s still interesting to visit and locals still go shopping at these markets with their little boats.

Basically these floating markets are like any other market, expect on the river. Negotiate a price with a boatman to take you through the canals, stop for a bite. Some food is actually cooked on the boats bobbing with every boat passing by. Overall, its a unique experience to do outside of Bangkok.

→ Maeklong and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market full day tour

Maeklong Railway Market

The Maeklong Railway Market is nothing short of amazing. Almost unbelievable to witness the whole thing unfold, literally. This is that market that went viral on social media a few years ago. The market is set up directly on the railway track. Being there and seeing the tracks lined with fresh produce and tents completely covering the tracks, its hard to believe how a train will pass. As the train approaches, the market unfolds. The produce is reeled in, tents moved. Some produce is left in the middle of the tracks and the train slowly inches forward blaring its horn as people squeeze aside.

→ Maeklong and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market full day tour

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi’s vast landscapes in east Thailand have a lot to offer. From lush landscapes, enchanted waterfalls, floating river hotels and it’s dark WWII history. The bridge over The Bridge Over The River Kwai and the atrocities of how it was built by POW’s (prisoners of war) is the main draw. You can even ride the infamous death railway tracks. I also spent a night on a floating hotel. A unique experience that I can highly recommend if you have a day to spare.

→ Kanchanaburi day tour

Khao Yai National Park

About 2 hours north east of Bangkok. The months after rainy season, between November and February are the best. The landscapes and jungle will be lush and green and waterfalls flowing. Some shorter treks through the jungle can be done independently but longer treks require a guide. Unless you’re an experienced in trekking through jungle, it is best to hire a guide. The guide will also spot out the wild such as birds, elephants, monkeys and possibly even deers.

→ Khao Yai National Park day tour

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Pattaya

Pattaya is one of the closest beaches to Bangkok. It sort of makes sense to go there as a day trip from Bangkok, although not for the beach. The beach isn’t the nicest and the water is far from inviting. However you can escape Bangkok’s bustling chaos. The Sanctuary of Truth is a must-visit, a stunning temple with intricate wooden carvings. Stroll along the walking street famous for its nightlife but not as seedy during the day. There’s loads of restaurants and bars and places to hang out and relax.

→ Pattaya day tour

Conclusion

The best places to visit as a day trip from Bangkok should be within reasonable distance. It doesn’t make sense to visit a place that takes half the day to reach unless you plan spending the night there. That is why I recommend Ayutthaya or doing a floating market and railway market tour.

Kanchanaburi can also be considered. But I highly suggest looking into spending at least 1 night there in a floating hotel. It is one of the best experiences I have had in Thailand. Imagine falling asleep in wooden room gently bobbing on the river in the middle thick jungle.

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