8 Unforgettable Bangkok Day Trips
Have a few extra days in Bangkok? Make sure to plan some of these incredible Bangkok day trips!
If you’re searching for a city with great nightlife, amazing food, and rich culture, Bangkok checks off all these boxes. Most travelers add Bangkok to their Southeast Asia bucket list, and it doesn’t disappoint.
Even though Bangkok boasts some of Thailand’s best food and cultural attractions, you should still carve time out in your itinerary to take a few Bangkok day trips. Even if you’re pressed for time, try adding a day or two to your schedule to make some of these unforgettable Bangkok day tours.
Most of the day trips in this guide are to nearby towns or provinces. Each area of Thailand is known for something different, so visiting other areas allows you to see more of the culture and get to know local people.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.
Visiting Bangkok
As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is the cultural and foodie center of the country. You’ll never get bored wandering around the city, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells.
After following your Bangkok itinerary, you might be ready for some day trips. Thailand is a huge country, but some of the best places to visit are just a few hours’ drive from Bangkok.
Day trips from Bangkok can be on a guided tour, or you can take a minibus or another form of public transport.
Here are the best day tours from Bangkok not to miss:
- Hit the beach and nightclubs in Pattaya
- See one of Thailand’s biggest Catholic churches in Chanthaburi
- Visit the female-only monastery in Nakhon Pathom
- Buy some local produce at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- See the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi
- Meet locals at the Amphawa Floating Market
- Have a unique experience at the Maeklong Railway Market
- See the oldest Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya
1. Pattaya
Although Pattaya is a great day trip, it’s really more of a weekend getaway from Bangkok. The city is known for two main things—nightlife and beaches.
One of the reasons Pattaya is so popular among tourists and ex-pats is the huge club and bar scene. If you’re not into nightlife, you can spend your days lounging on the beach and getting a tan.
My favorite beach in Pattaya is Jomtien Beach. There are also tons of cheap hostels nearby, so it’s an extremely affordable area.
If you like snorkeling, head to Tien Beach. It’s the only place in the area for snorkeling.
Many people go on a short hike to Phra Tamnak Mountain. At the top of the hill, there is a small Buddhist temple. The hilltop also has some of the best views of the city below.
For a day trip to Pattaya from Bangkok, I recommend taking a guided tour. If you decide to go for the weekend or longer, you can take a bus or minivan from the city. Every bus station in Bangkok has a minivan going to Pattaya, so it’s pretty easy to get there.
2. Chanthaburi
This district is about 3.5 hours from Bangkok, but I recommend going the distance if you have time. You can also spend the night here and then head back to Bangkok in the morning.
I lived as a teacher in Chanthaburi for a long time, so it’s one of my favorite areas of Thailand!
Here are the best places to spend your day:
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: This church is free to enter, and it is stunning inside. It’s one of the biggest cathedrals in the country. Chanthaburi also has a huge Catholic population despite the majority of the country being Buddhist.
- Chanthaboon Waterfront: Along the Chanthaburi River, there is a spectacular waterfront district full of cute cafes and little restaurants- both local and Thai options.
- Namtok Phlio National Park: This is one of the best places to get out in nature. There is a beautiful waterfall and a few small walking trails that take you into the forest. At the center of the park, there is a memorial for Queen Phra Nang Chao Sunanthakumarirat, where her ashes are buried.
3. Nakhon Pathom
If you’re looking for one of the shortest trips from Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom is the perfect one, as it’s only 45 minutes away. It’s definitely worth traveling to for a few reasons.
Here you can see the tallest golden stupa in the world. It also has the only female Buddhist monastery in Thailand called Wat Songdhammakalyani. In Thailand, only men can officially become monks, but this monastery shows how women are also fighting for their rights in Thailand. Touring it is an amazing experience.
Before heading back to Bangkok, make sure you tour the Sanam Chandra Palace. It’s a beautiful castle built in 1907. It’s set on a huge lake surrounded by flower gardens.
Definitely make sure you tour both inside and the gardens, as they are both impressive.
4. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Floating markets used to be the main way people in Thailand bought vegetables and fruits. Nowadays, formal markets have been built in interior places, and there are street markets as well.
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is one of the only places in Thailand where local people still come and do their shopping on the water.
There are many different ways to get to the Damnoen Saduak market, but taking a guided tour is the best option. This way, you don’t have to take public transport, and you can take a boat tour of the markets with your guide.
The guide will take you along the waterways, where you can see all the local goods. You’ll even see traditional wooden homes built on stilts.
Once you reach the end of the market, there are also some stalls on the land that sell great souvenirs and gifts.
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located at Damnoen Saduak, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand. It’s open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
5. Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is a large district, so it makes for one of the best weekend trips from Bangkok.
Make sure not to miss these great places in Kanchanaburi:
- Seeing the River Kwai is a must. You can see the famous Death Railway Bridge built during World War II and see some of the memorials built in honor of those that died building it.
- Wat Tham Khao Pun is another main attraction here. It’s called the sunken temple because it was fully submerged under water when a hydroelectric dam was built in the 1980s.
- There are also a number of different memorial museums to visit here, including the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
- Ride the Death Railway. Even though the railway bridge was never finished, you can still take a train journey across a certain section of it. It’s a slow-speed train, and the tour takes about two hours.
6. Amphawa Floating Market
If you don’t want to go to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the Amphawa Floating Market is a perfect alternative because it’s less busy and not as touristy. It’s much smaller, though.
Almost everyone in the market is local, so the prices are usually more reasonable as well. I like to bring a Thai friend with me if they’re available so they can ensure the prices are fair.
On the weekend, they also have a market where you can buy ready-made food like pad thai. Grab a few things to try, and then head to one of the tables by the water for a great view and even better food.
The Amphawa Floating Market is located at CXG3+2X5, Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand. It’s closed on Mondays through Wednesdays, open 24 hours on Thursdays, and open every other day from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
7. Maeklong Railway Market
For a truly interesting experience, head to this market along the Maeklong Railway. This is still a very active trainway, but the locals have set up a fully functioning market right along the tracks.
As a train gets close to approaching, all the vendors grab their umbrellas and produce and scurry to a safe place.
Once you blink your eyes, the vendors are back on the tracks selling their items again as usual.
Although there isn’t anything particularly unique to buy here, seeing the way the vendors move back and forth on the tracks is really unique.
The Maeklong Railway Market is located at ตลาดแม่กลอง แม่กลอง Mueang Samut Songkhram District, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand. It’s open every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
8. Ayutthaya
A day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok is a must. It’s the top spot to visit, especially for those that want to get to know the history of Thailand. It has some of the country’s largest and oldest temples, so you can also learn about the country’s Buddhist roots.
Although there are many temples to check out, the most popular one is the Wat Phukhao Thong temple. The temple complex of Wat Maha That is also extremely famous as it’s known to have a big Buddha statue surrounded by tree roots.
Ayutthaya is one of the best Bangkok day trips, not only because of its temples but because it’s super easy to get there from Bangkok. It only takes an hour and 20 minutes on the train, and the train departs from Bangkok several times an hour.
Top Things to Do in Bangkok
Exploring Bangkok either before or after your day trips is a must and is probably the main reason you came to Thailand!
Here are the top things to do around Bangkok:
- Take a tuk-tuk tour. Tuks-tuks are little three-wheeled rickshaws that are the perfect way to get around Bangkok. Although you can take a walking tour, tuk-tuk tours are more fun and also allow you to get around the city faster.
- Get a Thai massage. Many people opt to get one of these fabulous massages while in Bangkok because it’s a perfect way to relax. Although you can get them all over the city, the massages offered inside spas and hotels tend to be the best.
- Wat Pho is a must because it’s the oldest temple in the city. The main attraction is the huge reclining Buddha. There is also a separate Buddha gallery with 394 golden Buddhas.
- The Grand Palace is another place you have to visit to learn more about the history and culture of Thailand. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is stunning, with a jade statue of Buddha that dates all the way back to 1434.
- Visit Lumphini Park if you have time and you want to see one of the only green spaces in the city. It’s a great place for a picnic. Since there are a few playgrounds, it’s also a nice place to bring the kids.
- Go Shopping. There are many places in Bangkok where you can go shopping for souvenirs, local goods, and basically anything you can think of. The best places for shopping are in the Siam district, where there are malls and markets.
How to Get to Bangkok
The easiest and fastest way to get to Bangkok is to fly to Suvarnabhumi Airport. It’s a huge airport with daily flights from just about any destination in the world.
If you’re coming from places outside of Asia, you’re bound to have a layover or two, but reaching Bangkok’s airport is super easy.
When to Visit Bangkok
One thing to remember is that Bangkok has hot and humid weather all year round. Get ready to sweat no matter the time of year you’re coming.
Avoiding the rain is key, as it can really damper your time in Bangkok and other places around the country.
Late November and early December are my favorite times to go to Bangkok because the weather is a little cooler, and there is no rain. November to February is the dry season, so you can come anytime during these months.
Don’t Miss These Fantastic Bangkok Day Trips!
If you’re heading to Thailand, which of these amazing Bangkok day trips do you plan to do first?
One of the best things about Thailand is that it’s full of large cities but also has plenty of nature just close by. After checking out some nature parks and nearby towns, I also recommend checking out at least one floating market.
I hope this guide helps you plan the perfect itinerary for your Bangkok day trips!
You Might Also Like
- 20 Things to Know Before You Go to Thailand
- Top Things to do on a Chiang Mai Itinerary
- Tok Sen Massage—a Northern Thailand Experience
- Top Temples to Visit in Chiang Rai
- Best Thailand Animal Sanctuary—Elephant Nature Park
- The Best 2-Day Itinerary in Bangkok
- Why You Should Visit Lumphini Park in Bangkok
- Krabi Sunset Cruises—Best Thailand Cruise
- My Thai Paradise—Ban Sainai Resort in Krabi
- The Best Places to Visit in Thailand
- Where to Stay in Bangkok—Best Areas & Accommodation
- 8 Incredible Things to Do in Bangkok
- Living in Bangkok—Expat Guide
- Living in Chanthaburi—Expat Guide
Like it? Pin it!
