Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Bangkok?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Bangkok?
Most visitors spend two to seven days in Bangkok when visiting. The high energy capital city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, the food, and the nightlife.
Bangkok is the colorful capital city of Thailand. It is filled with temples and religious sights as well as shopping centers and markets. There is a network of canals and the Chao Phraya River is filled with boats. The city has many high end hotels as well as backpacker meccas and everything in between.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Bangkok? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Bangkok?
One week provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Bangkok at your own pace to browse through museums, discover the big city activities, taste delicious cuisine, and dance the night away. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend a week in Bangkok
When visiting Bangkok, you can't miss the Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
The delicious food of Bangkok is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this capital city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The city has many colorful markets, street food vendors, and a range of restaurants from casual to high end. The aroma and beautiful flavors of local dishes are a big part of the experience in this city. Dishes that you must try include Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong (shrimp soup), and Gaeng Daeng (red curry). Many foods are very spicy so make sure you order with "no spice" if that is your preference.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bangkok Street Food Tour with Hotel Pick-up & Dinner ($77)
- Thai cooking class experience in Bangkok with Tingly Thai cooking school ($35)
- Bangkok History Temples Markets and Food Tasting ($49)
Public transit in Bangkok is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the capital city quite easily. The Skytrain and Metro are the most efficient way to get around. The city's crazy traffic can make buses and taxis a bit frustrating, but tuk tuks are also a fun option.
Bangkok is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. The city is filled with golden temples and beautiful statues of Buddha. Famous landmarks include the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and the Temple of the Golden Buddha.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bangkok Lunch Cruise Day Tour：Grand Palace, Wat Arun & Wat Paknam ($71)
- Private Mysterious Bangkok & Grand Palace, Tuk Tuk, Boat & Lunch ($159)
- Bangkok’s Grand Palace, Best Three Temples & Iconic Attractions ($122)
This capital city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Cheap drinks, late nights, and crazy parties make this city a favorite for backpackers and young party-goers. Head to Khao San Road for the biggest crowds and crazy parties. Nana Plaza is another option with a three story building that is filled with bars and clubs.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bangkok After Dark: Pub Crawl Adventure ($30)
- Bangkok Pub Crawl ($18)
With its diverse attractions, Bangkok awaits with plentiful neighborhoods, attractions, and activities. Set aside a day to explore the city's historical and cultural sites as well as the special neighborhoods that give the city its own personality. This colorful city is filled with energy and activity. There are diverse neighborhoods with cosmopolitan malls, traditional food markets, and beautiful temples.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Excursion to Ayutthaya, UNESCO World Heritage site with Boat Tour ($150)
- Bangkok Tour by Boat and Bike ($82)
- Bangkok Lunch Cruise Day Tour：Grand Palace, Wat Arun & Wat Paknam ($71)
Bangkok is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The temples and energy are what give this impressive city it's own form of beauty.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Excursion to Ayutthaya, UNESCO World Heritage site with Boat Tour ($150)
- Bangkok Tour by Boat and Bike ($82)
- Private Mysterious Bangkok & Grand Palace, Tuk Tuk, Boat & Lunch ($159)
Shopping in Bangkok is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Shopping options range from modern malls to more traditional markets. The malls offer bargain prices for technology and gadgets while the markets offer fabric, food, local goods, and a unique experience. The city also has nearby floating markets as well as night markets, which let you experience a different side to the culture.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bangkok Shopping, Massage & Food Tasting : Shore Excursion from Khlong Toei Port ($137)
- Shore Excursion from Bangkok Port- Shopping Massage Food Tasting ($229)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
After you've explored most of Bangkok, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Day Trip to Bangkok Floating Market & Maeklong Railway ($23)
- Nakhon Nayok adventure full day trip with lunch ($117)
- Private Tour: Ayutthaya Day Trip from Bangkok ($228)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Bangkok.
Bangkok is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Bangkok offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Bangkok.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Bangkok?
With two weeks at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Bangkok has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Bangkok as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, and the food at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
The Marble Palace, Bangkok
How to spend 2 weeks in Bangkok
With 2 weeks in Bangkok, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the capital city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time perusing the musuems, experiencing the city's neighborhoods, dining at local restaurants, hopping around the bars and clubs, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this capital city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Day Trip to Bangkok Floating Market & Maeklong Railway ($23)
- Nakhon Nayok adventure full day trip with lunch ($117)
- Private Tour: Ayutthaya Day Trip from Bangkok ($228)
- Amazing Ayutthaya Day Trip from Bangkok ($173)
- River Kwai Day Trip from Bangkok ($63)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Bangkok, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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