24 Hours In Bangkok | 5 Things You Must See!
Bangkok, Thailand
5 Things You Mjust See in 24 Hours
Arriving in Thailand For the Very First Time
Many travelers find themselves starting their journey in Southeast Asia by way of the great city of Bangkok, Thailand. In particular, they arrive directly at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), as this is where most find the cheapest round-trip tickets! Perfect for quick arrivals on one day in Bangkok stops.
My husband Michael and I flew into Bangkok with smiles on our faces as we started our honeymoon and our first adventure in Thailand! With the chaos of planning a wedding, graduating, and moving cities, we didn't have too much time to plan what we would do on the trip, let alone our first day in Bangkok. We just knew that we wanted to see as much of the city as possible with the little amount of time we had allotted there. And with that, we set off! We kept things flexible around a simple Bangkok one-day itinerary outline.
This is where online blogs (like the one you're reading) came in handy! They helped us map a concise Bangkok one-day tour without wasting precious time.
We were so excited to visit Thailand, we decided to film our honeymoon! If you want to see all the locations listed below, watch our new video! It highlights essential things to do and places to see in Bangkok when time is short.
Transport in Bangkok was chaotic at first. There are motorcycles and mopeds everywhere, apart from the classic tuk-tuks! You can expect to pay $3-4 to get a ride to just about anywhere, but beware of scams and "deals" where tuk-tuk drivers will take you to all of their friends' suit-tailor shops, where you could be stuck for hours. These quick rides keep sightseeing in Bangkok affordable if you plan smartly.
GETTING FROM BKK TO THE OLD CITY
No matter what time of the day you land at BKK, you will want to exchange some currency for Thai Baht. Most street vendors, shops, and transit only accept cash. You can find many places straight outside of security at BKK to exchange your money, so be sure to do a little shopping around before going to the first place you see. Next, buy a Thai SIM card for your cell phone. You'll thank yourself later when you're trying to find your way around the city! We chose AIS as our research said the speeds were excellent, and they had the most extensive coverage. Many streets are unmarked, and it can be extremely difficult to use a paper map to find your way around the twists and turns of the city. Google Maps might be your best friend this trip, especially when telling taxi and tuk-tuk drivers exactly where you need to go. This prep makes hopping between Bangkok sightseeing places far easier.
The countless over-priced taxi services located just beyond the doors of the airport aren't your only option. With your new SIM card, you can arrange a ride with Grab Taxi to your accommodation. Michael and I used Grab Taxi extensively while staying in Thailand. We found the rides to be comfortable, AIR CONDITIONED and the drivers knowledgeable and efficient in their navigating. The biggest perk is not needing to translate or explain where you are going, as the app works just like Über or Lyft, where you can enter your destination address before pickup, so there is no confusion! The drivers are navigating streets far more complicated than we are used to in the U.S., so that pickup times can be anywhere from 2 to 15 minutes, even in the heart of the city, but we found it to be our favorite mode of transportation from place to place. There are also tuk-tuks available, which are fun to try at least a time or two, but I wouldn't recommend taking one if you are traveling far distances. It’s also reliable for a Bangkok one-day itinerary, including transfers across town.
1. Take a Walk Down Khao San Road
An extremely popular part of the Old City and Bangkok in general, Khao San Road runs through the center of the Old City and is lined with many grungy hostels, cute cafes, street food carts, and more. This is a backpacker's gold mine, and thus is known for being overcrowded with expats and tourists. You'll find some of the most overpriced street food, clothing items, and souvenirs on the street - but it's a great area to visit, meet people, and stay if you like the free-spirited backpacker vibe. We found Khao San Road west of Chakrabongse Road to be a more laid-back, enjoyable place to walk, stay, or eat. East of Chakrabongse Road is more lively, shopping-centric, and a haven for tuk-tuk drivers to lure you into a ride around town. If you are a male, you will also get asked at least seven times if you want to buy a suit with a single pass. It remains one of the classic Bangkok must-see attractions for first-timers.
Michael & I stayed about a 10 to 15-minute walk from Khao San Road at Casa Nithra. We wanted to be in the Old City, but not overcome by the noise and bustle of Khao San. This little boutique hotel was extremely welcoming, clean, had delicious food, and a gorgeous pool complete with city views, a perfect base near many Bangkok places to see without the chaos.
You'll find tons to explore in Khao San, and it can easily take up a good portion of your day. But don't let that keep you. There is so much to explore in Bangkok, and Khao San is just a tiny piece. It should take up as little of your precious time as possible! Catch a tuk-tuk or taxi and make your way to the temples! Save time for temples and other must-see see in Bangkok highlights nearby.
2. Climb Up Golden Mountain Temple
If there's one place to get the best view of Bangkok, this is that place. Not only is the structure historically and religiously important, but the hike up its 318 steps gives one the meditative headspace to enjoy the view at the top truly. The temple itself is gorgeous, and as you'll see, there are many locals and tourists alike taking in its beauty, a classic must-see in Bangkok. This was one of our favorite temples that we visited. Everything from the many bells and gongs you can freely ring to the greenery surrounding the mountain, you may enjoy as you hike.
3. Take a Ride Down the Chao Phraya River
Lucky for us, Bangkok is built on a river, cutting the city into two. What better way to escape the heat than to make your way down to the Chao Phraya and take a ride to the other side? There are plenty of docks with boats running a regular, albeit structured, schedule can be difficult to find if you're trying to figure out when the next ship is arriving or departing. Be careful of scammers as you go, and make sure to depart from an official dock. You'll definitely appreciate experiencing the city from an entirely different perspective, for relaxed Bangkok sightseeing attractions by water.
Rides from one side to the other shouldn't cost any more than a couple of dollars. The one we used to transfer from one side to the other was even less than $1. There are long boats, larger boats, and some with covers available, depending on where you dock. We took a boat from Wat Arun back to the Old City near where the Flower Market is held, an easy hop between popular Bangkok sightseeing places that many visitors enjoy.
4. Marvel at Wat Arun Temple
You can see Wat Arun's great white Prang from a distance, and it is one of the structures that really make Bangkok's skyline along the riverside identifiable. Wat Arun is also known as the Temple of Dawn. Decorated with porcelain, emerald, and gold, the carvings and patterns on its striking spiky structure set it apart from the other wats around the Old City, securing its place among the top Bangkok must-see attractions for first timers.
There are many staircases around the base of the structure that you may freely explore. Visit earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid crowds. Look up exact hours and entry costs (usually just a few bucks) on Google Maps, especially if you’re prioritizing the best things to see in Bangkok during peak seasons.
5. Take Your Best Photos at Wat Phra Chetuphan (Wat Pho)
There are so many temples to visit around Bangkok, but Wat Pho (also known as Wat Po) is amongst the best. This is the famous Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Believe me, this place is awe-inspiring. Unlike Wat Arun, Wat Pho is covered in bright greens, blues, and burnt orange coloring. It also has beautifully shaped shrubs and statues carefully placed throughout the temple grounds, making it one of the top things to see in Bangkok for culture lovers.
Its main attraction, the Reclining Buddha, usually has a queue to access the temple, but it is well worth it. Walk amongst the colored prangs, burn incense, join those meditating, or take a seat at one of the many benches and enjoy the gorgeous architecture while checking off Bangkok's best places to see in the Old City.
There is Plenty More
This literally just skims the surface of everything that you must experience in a short amount of time in Bangkok. Not to mention the quintessential Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha! This small sample is just from what Michael and I were able to cover within our first day. We set out strong, wanting to see over 4 temples and multiple historic sites around the city, but as you may experience, it takes a while to get around, and A LOT of energy, even on a tight Bangkok one-day itinerary.
We can't wait to share more of the great places we visited in Bangkok and beyond. Thank you for reading! For more, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and check out our Instagram to see what's new, and keep planning for 24 hours in Bangkok highlights next time.
