Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew พระบรมมหาราชวัง
Visit the royal complex and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Check the palace dress code before leaving.
View attraction detailsBangkok Travel Guide
Use the Chao Phraya River as a guide to Bangkok’s historic center, then leave time for a market or a street food dinner.
Before you go
When to go and how long to stay
Allow three or four days. Pair the riverside temples on one morning and save an indoor stop for the hottest part of the day.
Entry documents
Check the visa or exemption for your passport before booking. If you are entering Thailand with a non-Thai passport, complete the official Thailand Digital Arrival Card when required within the submission window before arrival. Save the confirmation and accommodation address.
Getting to the city
From Suvarnabhumi (BKK), take Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai for BTS or Makkasan for the MRT connection at Phetchaburi. From Don Mueang (DMK), the Red Line connects toward Krung Thep Aphiwat, or use a designated taxi rank.
Krung Thep Aphiwat handles many long-distance trains. Some trains still use Hua Lamphong, so check the departure station on your ticket. BKK and DMK are separate airports.
Getting around
Use BTS and MRT for cross-town trips and river boats for suitable stops on the Chao Phraya. Ticketing differs across systems; keep cash or check the payment method before joining the gate queue.
Payments and mobile data
Carry small baht notes for markets, river boats and small vendors. Set up mobile data before leaving the airport, and save your hotel address in Thai. Bring something that covers shoulders and knees for temple visits.
Where to stay
Sukhumvit near BTS or MRT fits rail travel. Riverside lodging works well for the temples if it is near a pier, while the Old Town suits early visits on foot.
Things to do in Bangkok
What to eat in Bangkok
Pad Thai ผัดไทย
Stir fried rice noodles with tamarind, egg and crunchy toppings. Lime and chili let you adjust the flavor at the table.
Photo: Edgardo W. Olivera from Montevideo, Uruguay · CC BY 2.0 ↗A day in Bangkok
Visit the Grand Palace first, cross the river to Wat Arun, and finish the day with noodles or other street food.