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One day in Bangkok: an itinerary in the best order

The central prang of Wat Arun with its four smaller prangs, seen from the river with ferry boats in the foregroundThe four great tiled chedis of the kings at Wat Pho, lit up against a pink and blue evening skyThe Grand Palace and the spires of Wat Phra Kaew seen across the Chao Phraya River at sunset, long exposure

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
0 of 4 free; 4 paid — see “Cost”
Duration
7 h 10 min · 09:30–16:38
Start and finish
Wat Arun → Golden Mount
On foot
≈ 18 min in total
Transport
1 ride, ≈ 20 min
Lunch
around 11:40
With kids
fine: short walks
Best time
November to February: drier and less hot. On rainy days the temples still work and the walks are short.

The plan, stop by stop

Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.

Bangkok09:30–16:38 · 4 places · 7 h 10 min

  1. Wat Arun

    · 1 h · ≈ 200 baht

  2. 10 min on foot

  3. Wat Pho

    · 1 h · ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free

  4. Lunch · 1 h
  5. 8 min on foot

  6. Grand Palace

    · 2 h 30 min · 500 baht; children under 120 cm free

  7. 20 min · transport or taxi

  8. Golden Mount

    · 1 h · Climb ≈ 100 baht

Go · start

Add nearby

Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.

What the route costs

0 of 4 are free; 4 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.

1Wat Arun511 h≈ 200 baht
2Wat Pho501 h≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free
3Grand Palace492 h 30 min500 baht; children under 120 cm free
4Golden Mount371 hclimb ≈ 100 baht
Total5 h 30 min0 of 4 free

Tips for each stop

  1. 1

    Wat Arun. The Temple of Dawn with its 70 m prang covered in coloured porcelain. About 200 baht; the ferry from Tha Tien takes 3 minutes.

  2. 2

    Wat Pho. The 46 m Reclining Buddha and a Thai massage school inside the temple. About 300 baht, under 120 cm free.

  3. 3

    Grand Palace. Home of Thailand's kings since 1782, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. 500 baht; tickets sold only until 15:30, strict dress code.

  4. 4

    Golden Mount. An artificial hill with a golden stupa: about 300 steps up a gentle spiral and a view over the old city. About 100 baht.

Who this route is for

Good for
  • First time in Bangkok with one day
  • A layover or a day before the beach
  • On foot and by ferry, no tour
Not for
  • Chatuchak is weekends only
  • Rooftops and Chinatown are day two
Best time

November to February: drier and less hot. On rainy days the temples still work and the walks are short.

What to do in Bangkok in one day

The three great temples are close together: Wat Pho is 1 km south of the palace and Wat Arun faces Wat Pho across the river. Cross over in the morning while the prang is quiet; the palace comes after lunch but before 15:30, when the ticket office closes.

Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.

Grand Palace dress code

No vests, shorts, mini-skirts, ripped or tight trousers — shoulders and knees must be covered. The audio guide costs 200 baht with a passport or card as deposit. Children under 120 cm go free.

Getting around

Reach the temples by Chao Phraya river boat — Tha Chang pier for the palace, Tha Tien for Wat Pho — or by MRT to Sanam Chai. A cross-river ferry to Wat Arun costs a few baht in cash. For the Golden Mount take a Grab or the Saen Saep canal boat.

Is one day in Bangkok enough?

For the temples, yes. In the evening add the Mahanakhon SkyWalk on level 78. Wat Traimit with the Golden Buddha and the Jim Thompson House are in the 2-day itinerary; at weekends there is Chatuchak Market.

How to do it right

  • Be at the palace before 15:30: no tickets after that.
  • Ignore anyone outside the palace who says it is closed today and offers a tuk-tuk — check at the gate yourself.
  • Temples want shoulders and knees covered — no vests or shorts; shoes come off at the door of the halls. Sarongs are often lent at the gate or for a deposit.
  • Thailand uses the baht (THB). Temples, markets, longtails and songthaews want cash; Grab and Bolt are the easiest taxis.
  • Bring water and an umbrella: hot days, and daily downpours in the rainy season.

Questions

What can you do in Bangkok in one day?

Wat Arun, Wat Pho with the Reclining Buddha, the Grand Palace and the Golden Mount.

Can you see Bangkok without a tour?

Yes: the temples are close together, linked by short walks and a ferry, with tickets at the gate.

How much is the Grand Palace?

500 baht, under 120 cm free; tickets from 8:30 to 15:30.

How do I get to Wat Arun?

By ferry from Tha Tien pier next to Wat Pho — 3 minutes, a few baht in cash.

What should I wear to the Grand Palace?

Shoulders and knees covered: no vests, shorts or mini-skirts.

How much does the day cost?

Palace 500, Wat Pho about 300, Wat Arun about 200, Golden Mount about 100 baht, plus ferry and taxis.

How long does the Grand Palace take?

2–3 hours including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Is it good with kids?

Yes: short walks, and under-120 cm children are free at the palace and Wat Pho.

When is the best time to visit?

November to February. March to May is very hot; June to October is rainy.

What currency is used in Thailand?

Thailand uses the baht (THB). Temples, markets, longtails and songthaews want cash; Grab and Bolt are the easiest taxis.

Sources and fact-check

  • Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
  • Bureau of the Royal Household: Grand Palace visitor rules
  • Wikipedia: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Grand Palace
YesGo editorial team ·
How we checkedThe order, time at each stop and transfers are worked out by the YesGo planner from the places' coordinates and visit times. Prices, hours and closing days come from the place pages; many temple hours and prices are unofficial, and the place pages say so.

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