Bangkok rewards a slow plan. The old royal quarter on the east bank of the Chao Phraya holds the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and, across the water, Wat Arun, all within a short walk and a ferry ride of each other. Beyond that you have markets, Chinatown’s food street, river boats, parks and day trips to floating markets, Ayutthaya or Pattaya. This guide sorts the main things to do in Bangkok by area, with official hours and fees where the sites publish them.
Know before you go
- Grand Palace: daily 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, tickets sold 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, 500 baht for foreigners including Wat Phra Kaew (Royal Grand Palace site).
- Wat Pho: daily 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM, 300 baht, free for children under 120 cm (Wat Pho site).
- Wat Arun: daily 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, 200 baht for foreigners according to a Thai government guide; check at the gate.
- Chatuchak: the full market opens on Saturday and Sunday.
- Dress code: covered shoulders and no short shorts or mini skirts at temples and the palace.
- Getting around: BTS Skytrain, MRT and river boats are the easiest way to skip road traffic.
- Last checked: 2 November 2026.
In this Article
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
The Grand Palace has been the official residence of the kings of Siam, and later Thailand, since 1782, according to the Bureau of the Royal Household. Inside the same walls is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Emerald Buddha has three costumes, one for each season (summer, rainy season and winter), which are changed during the year.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Open | Daily, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Ticket sales | 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM |
| Foreigner ticket | 500 baht, includes Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles |
| Where to buy | At the entrance gate or online through the official site |
The palace lists clothes that are not allowed: sleeveless shirts, vests, bike pants, mini skirts and similar. Wear trousers or a long skirt and a shirt with sleeves. Go when the gates open, before the tour groups and the midday heat.
Touts outside sometimes tell visitors the palace is closed for the day and offer a tuk-tuk tour instead. Walk to the main gate and check for yourself.
Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha
Wat Pho sits next to the Grand Palace, on Sanam Chai and Maharaj roads. Its best-known sight is the huge gilded Reclining Buddha. The temple is open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM, so it works well as an afternoon stop after the palace. Entry costs 300 baht, and children under 120 cm go in free.
The temple asks visitors to dress politely: no shorts, trousers are fine, and shoes come off before you enter any sacred building. Wat Pho is also known as a centre for traditional Thai massage, and you can book a massage within the temple grounds.
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn
Wat Arun stands on the west bank, facing Wat Pho across the river. A short cross-river ferry runs from Tha Tien pier near Wat Pho. Its central prang is covered in pieces of coloured porcelain, and the steep steps take you part of the way up.
A Thai government guide lists Wat Arun as open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with entry at 200 baht for foreigners and free for Thais. Other sources give lower fees, so carry some cash and check the price at the gate. The temple is lit after dark, and the view from the east bank at sunset is one of the best known in the city.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak, in the north of the city, is one of the largest weekend markets anywhere, with more than 15,000 stalls in 26 sections according to the market’s information site. The whole market is open on Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. On Wednesday and Thursday only the plant section opens.
Go early, before the alleys get hot and crowded. Wear light clothes, carry water and agree a meeting point with your group, as it is easy to lose each other. The market is next to MRT Chatuchak Park and BTS Mo Chit stations.
Chinatown and Yaowarat Road
Yaowarat Road is the main street of Bangkok’s Chinatown. It gets busy after dark, when the neon signs come on and food stalls line the pavements. Most visitors come in the evening to eat their way along the road. Vegetarians should ask before ordering, as many dishes use meat or seafood stock.
The MRT Wat Mangkon station is the closest stop. During Chinese New Year, Yaowarat is the centre of the city’s celebrations.
A ride on the Chao Phraya
River boats are a practical way to move between the old city and the hotels along the river, and they skip the road traffic. The Chao Phraya Express Boat lines use flags of different colours, and the Orange Flag line runs a regular service between Nonthaburi in the north and the city piers. Sathorn pier connects with BTS Saphan Taksin station.
Check the current routes and fares at the pier, since lines and fares change. In the evening, dinner cruises leave from piers along the river, run by private companies.
Lumphini Park and city views
Lumphini Park is the big green space in the middle of the business district, next to MRT Silom and Lumphini stations and BTS Sala Daeng. Early morning and evening are the best times, when locals come to jog and do tai chi by the lakes. Look for the large monitor lizards that live in and around the water.
For views of the skyline, the city has rooftop bars and observation decks on several hotels and towers. Most have a dress code and set entry times, so check before you go.
Things to do in Bangkok with kids
With children, plan short mornings outdoors and air-conditioned afternoons. The temples suit children who are happy to walk, and Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha tends to impress them. A river boat ride is an easy win. Lumphini Park has open space and lizards to spot.
Bangkok also has large indoor attractions in its malls, such as an aquarium and other family attractions, plus Safari World on the edge of the city. Check current timings and ticket prices on the official sites before you book; prices often change and some are cheaper online.
Day trips from Bangkok
- Damnoen Saduak floating market: about 95 km south-west by road, so roughly one and a half hours each way. Go early in the morning.
- Ayutthaya: the old capital, about 80 km north. Trains run from Bangkok, and the ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Pattaya: about 150 km south-east, around two hours by road. Many travellers pair Bangkok and Pattaya in one trip.
Road times depend heavily on traffic, so leave early. If you are planning a longer trip, our 7 day Thailand itinerary combines Bangkok with Phuket and Krabi.
Getting around Bangkok
The BTS Skytrain and the MRT cover most of the central areas, and both connect with the airport rail link to Suvarnabhumi. Taxis are metered; ask the driver to use the meter. Grab and other ride apps work in the city. Tuk-tuks are fun for a short ride, but agree the price first.
Before you go
Indian passport holders should check the current entry rules before booking. Our guide to the Thailand visa for Indians covers the documents and fees.
FAQ
### What are the top things to do in Bangkok for a first visit? See the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun on one day, then spend another on Chatuchak (at the weekend), Chinatown in the evening and a ride on the river.
### How many days do you need in Bangkok? Three days is enough for the main temples, a market, Chinatown and one day trip. Add a day if you want to shop or see more of the city at a slow pace.
### What is the Grand Palace ticket price? 500 baht for foreigners, according to the official site. It includes Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles.
### Is Chatuchak market open every day? The whole market is open on Saturday and Sunday. On Wednesday and Thursday only the plant section opens.
### What should I wear to temples in Bangkok? Cover your shoulders and knees. The Grand Palace does not allow sleeveless tops, mini skirts or bike pants, and Wat Pho asks for no shorts.
### Can I do Bangkok and Pattaya in one trip? Yes. Pattaya is about 150 km from central Bangkok, so many people add two or three nights there.
Official resources: The Grand Palace; Wat Pho; Thailand.go.th: Wat Arun
Photo credits
Featured image: Original image: Ninara from Helsinki, Finland. Edit: TSP / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: Jonashtand / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha: TomaszSwatowski / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn: KOSIN SUKHUM / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Chatuchak Weekend Market: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Chinatown and Yaowarat Road: Ninara from Helsinki, Finland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; A ride on the Chao Phraya: Slleong / Wikimedia Commons, CC0; Lumphini Park and city views: Terence Ong / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5; Lumphini Park and city views: Azreey / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Day trips from Bangkok: Andrew Ly nineteen / Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
