2 days in Bangkok: an itinerary day by day
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 1 of 8 free; 7 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 2 days, 9:30 to 16:38 each day
- Start and finish
- Wat Arun → Lumphini Park
- On foot
- ≈ 18 min in total
- Transport
- 4 rides, ≈ 1 h 23 min
- Lunch
- around 11:40
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- November to February. Save the rooftop for a clear evening.
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Bangkok09:30–16:38 · 4 places · 7 h 10 min
Wat Arun
· 1 h · ≈ 200 baht
- 10 min on foot
Wat Pho
· 1 h · ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 8 min on foot
Grand Palace
· 2 h 30 min · 500 baht; children under 120 cm free
- 20 min · transport or taxi
Golden Mount
· 1 h · Climb ≈ 100 baht
Day 2 · Bangkok09:30–15:43 · 4 places · 6 h 10 min
Jim Thompson House
· 1 h · 250 baht; ages 10–21 150; under 10 free
- 21 min · transport or taxi
Wat Traimit
· 40 min · Hall ≈ 40 baht, museum ≈ 100
- 22 min · transport or taxi
Mahanakhon SkyWalk
· 1 h 15 min · 500–1,200 baht depending on time
- Lunch · 1 h
- 20 min · transport or taxi
Lumphini Park
· 1 h 15 min · Free
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
1 of 8 are free; 7 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Wat Arun | 51 | 1 h | ≈ 200 baht |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Wat Pho | 50 | 1 h | ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free |
| 3 | Grand Palace | 49 | 2 h 30 min | 500 baht; children under 120 cm free |
| 4 | Golden Mount | 37 | 1 h | climb ≈ 100 baht |
| 5 | Jim Thompson House | 38 | 1 h | 250 baht; ages 10–21 150; under 10 free |
| 6 | Wat Traimit | 36 | 40 min | hall ≈ 40 baht, museum ≈ 100 |
| 7 | Mahanakhon SkyWalk | 37 | 1 h 15 min | 500–1,200 baht depending on time |
| 8 | Lumphini Park | 36 | 1 h 15 min | Free |
| Total | 9 h 40 min | 1 of 8 free |
Tips for each stop
Day 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
Wat Pho. The 46 m Reclining Buddha and a Thai massage school inside the temple. About 300 baht, under 120 cm free.
- 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
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.
Day 2
- 5
Jim Thompson House. Six 19th-century teak houses on a canal. 250 baht; the main house is guided only.
- 6
Wat Traimit. The 5.5-tonne Golden Buddha, the largest solid-gold statue. About 40 baht, at the gate of Chinatown.
- 7
Mahanakhon SkyWalk. Thailand's highest observation deck: a rooftop and glass floor 310 m up. 500–1,200 baht, more at sunset.
- 8
Lumphini Park. Bangkok's first park, with a boating lake and wild monitor lizards. Free, 4:30–21:00.
Who this route is for
- A weekend in Bangkok
- A first trip without tours
- Temples and the skyline
- Floating markets out of town are a separate trip
- Chatuchak is weekends only — in the 3-day itinerary
November to February. Save the rooftop for a clear evening.
How the two days work
Day one is the one-day Bangkok itinerary on Rattanakosin Island. Day two runs between Chinatown and the business district: Wat Traimit by MRT Hua Lamphong, the Thompson house by BTS National Stadium, Lumphini and Mahanakhon in Silom.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
The Mahanakhon SkyWalk
The indoor observatory is on level 74; the rooftop and the Glass Tray floor are on 78. Tickets run from 500 to 1,200 baht, more towards sunset. Open until midnight, last entry 23:00. No backpacks, tripods or food. The cheaper option is Baiyoke Sky: 450 baht with a drink.
Chinatown in the evening
Yaowarat Road starts at Wat Traimit. After dark it fills with street food — a good dinner stop if you move the rooftop to another evening.
Is 2 days in Bangkok enough?
For the highlights, yes. At weekends add Chatuchak Market by MRT Kamphaeng Phet — it is on day three of the 3-day itinerary, together with Baiyoke Sky and Pratunam.
How to do it right
- The Jim Thompson House is guided only; bags over 20 cm go into lockers.
- Arrive at Mahanakhon 40–60 minutes before sunset.
- 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.
- A Rabbit card — or a contactless foreign bank card — works on the BTS and MRT.
Questions
What to do with 2 days in Bangkok?
Day one: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, the Golden Mount. Day two: Wat Traimit, the Jim Thompson House, Lumphini and Mahanakhon.
Is 2 days in Bangkok enough?
For the main sights, yes. Chatuchak, floating markets and Ayutthaya need more days.
How much is the Mahanakhon SkyWalk?
From 500 to 1,200 baht depending on the time slot.
Where is the Golden Buddha?
At Wat Traimit at the entrance to Chinatown; the hall is about 40 baht.
Do I need a guide for the Jim Thompson House?
Yes — the main house is guided only, and tours are included in the 250 baht ticket.
Is Lumphini Park free?
Yes, open 4:30–21:00.
How much does it cost?
Day one about 1,100 baht in tickets, day two 790–1,490 baht, plus transport.
Is it good with kids?
Yes: under-10s are free at the Thompson house, and kids love the lizards in Lumphini.
How do I get around?
MRT and BTS, river boats and Grab or Bolt.
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
- Mahanakhon SkyWalk and Jim Thompson House official websites
- BTS and MRT network maps
