Perfect 4 Day Bangkok Itinerary for Budget Travellers

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Many travelers give Bangkok mixed reviews. It is one of those cities that people either love or hate. It is a loud, hot, busy city that can overwhelm new travelers.

I remember when I first visited Bangkok, I also was not the biggest fan. It was my first time in Asia, and all the noises, smells, and chaos of the city were a bit overwhelming.

But after visiting Bangkok a few more times over the years, I have grown to appreciate it a lot more.

I think many people don’t like Bangkok because they come to Thailand for a relaxing beach holiday, and that is definitely not what you find in Bangkok.

But what you will find is tonnes of world-class street food, amazing restaurants, beautiful temples, and all at a very affordable price.

As with any big city, about 17 million people! Bangkok takes a little time to get used to. It’s only after a few days that you start to get a feel for what the city is truly about.

That’s why I have written this 4-day Bangkok Itinerary. I think this is the minimum amount of time you need to experience a few parts of the city and start to get a feel for it.

We focus on budget travel in our blog, so if you are not a big spender, this guide is for you!

Table of Contents show

Day One: Temples And Old Bangkok

On day one of your Bangkok itinerary, I recommend starting off with some of the city’s temples and palaces.

I know Temples and Palaces are not for everyone. I have to admit that I get bored visiting too many temples in a row.

But Bangkok has some particularly nice temples and palaces that are absolutely worth seeing. Even if you are not usually into this type of sightseeing, I think that you will be impressed.

TIP: Most temples and palaces in Bangkok have a dress code, so you must wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. You can pay for coverings at the entrance to the palaces or temples. What I did was put a pair of pants in my bag. I then put them on when I went into temples and took them off when I left.

The Grand Palace: Is It Worth The Price?

A collection of temples covered in gold plated decorations at the grand palace a great place to visit as part of a 4 day bangkok itinerary

Entry Fee: 500 Baht, 15 USD
Opening Hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

The Grand Palace has been the official home of the King of Thailand since 1782. It is one of the most visited attractions in all of Thailand, with over 8 million visitors each year. So expect crowds.

Inside, there is a large area full of beautifully decorated buildings and temples. I really enjoyed exploring the palace, but one thing to note is that it is quite expensive.

It costs 500 baht to enter, which can easily buy you multiple meals and a river cruise later in the day.

So my advice is that if you are on a tight budget, skip it and go to another cheaper temple on the list. But if you are not on a tight budget, it is worth visiting.

Wat Pho: Best Value Temple

Entry Fee: 200 Baht,

Wat Pho is probably my favorite temple in Bangkok, and it also happens to be the oldest. Built in the 1600s, it is older than the city of Bangkok.

My favorite part of Wat Pho is the reclining Buddha. This is a massive golden statue lying on its side, and it is incredible.

I was blown away by the sheer size of the statue the first time I saw it. It is one of those places where no pictures can do justice to how cool it looks in real life.

The statue is 15 meters high and 46 meters long, making it one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand.

Wat Pho is also the birthplace of Thai Massage, and you can book a massage on site after exploring if you want.

Wat Arun: Cheap Ferry, Unique Views

The wat arun temple in bangkok with a river in front of it and a boat full of people waiting to leave from the dock next to the water

Entrance Fee: 200 Baht

After visiting the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, you may be done with temples and palaces. But if you’re still up for one more, you can jump on the ferry across the river to Wat Arun.

Wat Arun is a unique temple covered in colorful ceramic tiles that is right across the river from Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, making it super easy to get to.

You can catch a ferry from the Tah Tian Ferry port for 5 baht, and they run frequently throughout the day.

What I enjoyed most about Wat Arun was all the details hidden in the ceramic tiles decorating the temple. Everywhere you look, there is something new to notice.

If you would like to learn some history while visiting the temples, you can do a Wat Arun and Wat Pho walking tour.

I have not taken the tour, but it could be a good idea if you are interested in history. Although the temples are nice to look at, there is not much information about what the temples mean or when they were built, etc.

So maybe when I am back in Bangkok, I will take the tour so I can find out!

TIP: All of the temples above can get very busy during the day, so it’s best to visit early in the morning. Bangkok also gets extremely hot, so I recommend exploring the temples either early or later in the day to avoid both the heat and the crowds.

Wat Suthat: A Quiet, Local, and Cheap Temple Alternative

Interior of Wat Suthat Thep Wararam Ratchaworamahawihan in Bangkok, featuring a large golden Buddha seated on an ornate altar, surrounded by mural-covered walls, golden chandeliers, and visitors kneeling in prayer on the red carpeted floor.

If you want to visit a beautiful temple that is quieter and far less crowded, I recommend visiting Wat Suthat Thep Wararam Ratchaworamahawihan.

It is just a short walk from the Grand Palace, but it offers you a totally different experience.

The temple is stunning, and when I visited, it was almost empty compared to the Grand Palace. What I liked about this temple was that there were many locals praying at the temple and going about their day; it gave it a much more authentic feel.

Another bonus, entry is only 40 baht, which makes it great if you are exploring Bangkok on a budget.

Museum Siam: A Fun Interactive Museum

Entrance Fee: 100 Baht
Opening Hours: 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday closed

After visiting a whole lot of temples and palaces, you will probably not feel like visiting a museum.

But I had to include the Museum Siam because it is a great little spot conveniently located near all the major temples.

The entry is affordable, and the museum contains some very interesting exhibits about the history and culture of Thailand.

It is just a small museum, but what I liked was that there were a lot of interactive exhibits. They made the museum much more engaging and fun.

We had a lot of fun exploring the museum. But I would say it is not a compulsory stop and just head there if you have extra time.

Khao San Road & Ram Buttri Alley

Khao San Road has an infamous reputation in Bangkok. For many years, it has been the Backpacker center of Bangkok, known for being loud, a little sleezy and mostly a place where people go to get drunk and party.

I remember on my first trip to Bangkok back in 2012, I was not impressed with Khao San Road. It was noisy, dirty, and overcrowded. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to stay there.

A green leady street with a motorbike parked on the side of the road and a man walking down the middle of the road near Khao San Road in Bangkok
Ram Buttri Alley

But on this trip, we discovered Ram Buttri Alley next to Khao San Road. It is much more chill with wide, tree-lined streets, and during the day, it has a very relaxed, almost beach-town vibe.

In this area, there are lots of nice restaurants, some good street food, and bars. After exploring the temples, it is a good place to sit down and grab a drink and something to eat.

We really enjoyed walking around Ram Buttri on our last trip because it almost had a holiday town vibe. Most of Bangkok has a bustling big-city atmosphere.

But Ram Buttri felt super chill even though it is touristy. I recommend just going for a walk and grabbing something to eat before heading for a boat cruise to finish off the evening.

Sunset Boat Cruise

If you are lucky and have clear skies, then one of the best ways to finish your first day in Bangkok is to take a sunset cruise down the river.

Most of the boats leave from near Khao San Road, and there are plenty of options to suit every budget.

💸 Cheapest Option: If you are a broke backpacker, you can hop on a regular water taxi for 15 baht and ride with the locals. They are loud and can be quite crowded, but it is the best way to experience the sunset like a local. We caught the river taxi a few times around sunset, but because it was the rainy season, we didn’t get the best views. Hopefully, you have better luck with the weather!

Colorful aerial view of Bangkok at sunset, with the Chao Phraya River winding through the city and the sky glowing orange and yellow under dramatic clouds, highlighting a mix of temples, rooftops, and modern buildings. Perfect visual for capturing the vibrant and diverse atmosphere of Thailand’s capital.
Sunset over the Chao Phraya River from the balcony of our Airbnb

🚤 The next level of comfort is to take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat. This is a hop-on hop-off boat that you can ride unlimited for 24 hours. It is a very convenient way to reach many of Bangkok’s top sights. It also has rooftop seating, which is perfect for watching the sunset.

🍽️ If you want to finish your day in a little more style, you can take a dinner cruise at sunset. For around 45 USD, you will get a full buffet dinner, unlimited beer, and a cabaret show, all while cruising down the river as the lights from the city come on. Which should be an awesome way to finish off your first day.

Day 2 Bangkok Itinerary: Chill Neighbourhoods, River Views And Bangkok After Dark

Day Two of this Bangkok itinerary will take you to contrasting areas of Bangkok. But, there are no temples or museums today!

Talat Noi: A Quieter Side of Bangkok

To start off your second day in Bangkok, head to Talat Noi, a calm and quirky corner of Bangkok. It is a good place to head if you want to get away from busy streets for a while.

Bangkok is known for bustling, hectic streets; Talat Noi is the opposite. It is filled with street art, colorful cafes, and a relaxed vibe. I liked walking around there because it is so different from the rest of Bangkok.

Bright, playful street art with cartoon cats and Thai text decorates a wall in Talat Noi, Bangkok, as scooters line the alley and locals stroll past small shops and colorful decorations.

Cafes In Talat Noi

If you want to visit a unique cafe in Talat Noi, I recommend heading to Mother Roaster Talat Noi. When you first arrive, this cafe looks like a junk shop with lots of old machinery scattered around. But if you head upstairs, there is a cool, quirky cafe that is a great spot for your morning coffee.

Another great cafe that you could also visit is the Hong Sieng Kong, which has awesome views of the river on its large balcony. If you are hungry, Hong Sieng is a better option because there are cakes and other food available.

Next to Hong Sieng Kong, there is also the newly opened Talad Noi Museum. This is a small free museum with exhibits on the history of the area.

Spend the morning cruising around, checking out the artwork and cafes before heading off into the more hectic parts of the city.

A woman walking down an alleyway covered in street art in Talat Noi Bangkok

River City: An Unexpected Art Stop

We ended up walking into River City after exploring Talat Noi, mostly because we thought it was a mall and we wanted some air conditioning.

From the outside, the building does not look like much; to me, it looks like a cheap casino. But once we were inside, we were surprised by what we found.

A shiny red statue of a red bear lying on its back with its legs in the air on top of a box with a mirror on top of it in an art gallery in river city bangkok

Inside are all types of shops selling furniture and artwork, as well as several free art galleries.

The exhibits were from a range of interesting styles and better than many paid art galleries I have visited around the world.

Why Stop Here? Free Galleries, Air Conditioning, On the way from Talat Noi to the river ferry.

A painting hanging on the wall with a spotlight of light on it the painting is of a painted duck head wearing glasses and a red ribbon on its head

Icon Siam: Bangkok’s Most Impressive Food Court

When we first started researching places to eat in Bangkok, we kept seeing recommendations for shopping mall food courts.

At first, we hated the idea because it sounded terrible to eat at a mall food court in the world capital of street food.

But all that changed after we visited Icon Siam.

When we arrived at the food court, we realised what all the fuss was about. The food court in the basement of Icon Siam is huge! packed with thousands of people and every type of Thai food you can imagine.

The food court was also beautifully decorated and just a fun place to walk around.

Even though the Icon Siam food court is the most visually impressive food court we have seen in Bangkok. I didn’t think that it had the best food.

That said, it is definitely worth checking out. I have never seen a food court like it anywhere else in the world.

After you have eaten at the food court in Icon Siam, I recommend heading to the viewing platform on the higher floors.

It is free to enter, and the views of the river and the city skyline are great.

FACT: Many of the stalls in Shopping Mall food courts were originally street vendors. The mall developers offered popular street vendors a stall so they could benefit from their popularity. So when you eat in food courts, it is authentic Bangkok street food.

A picture of a large brown river in the middle of bangkok with a boat driving down the middle of it and many buildings and skyscrapers in the background
The Icon Siam viewing platform

China Town

After visiting Icon Siam, you can take the river taxi to Chinatown. An area of Bangkok that could not feel more different.

Icon Siam is a hyper-modern shopping mall full of high-end retailers. While Chinatown is a hectic, bustling area that feels like it has not changed in decades.

Chinatown is a great place to try some of the best street food in Bangkok. From 5 pm onwards, a huge street food market sets up along the main road each evening.

The vibe here is one of my favorite things about Chinatown. It’s loud and lively and packed with so much delicious food to try.

I loved exploring the market by myself and trying whatever looked tasty. But if you would like a local to show you the best spots, you can always take a Chinatown food tour.

We took one with Magical Trip, and it was good fun. I really enjoyed the tour because we sampled a wide range of food in a short amount of time. By joining the tour, you also get access to tables in some restaurants that are only for food tours.

Joining a tour is more expensive than exploring on your own, but you will be stuffed! I am a big eater, and I could not finish all the food that we were given.

a tuk tuk parked on the side of the road in chinatown bangkok with many cars on the street behind it and many signs with chinese characters on them

China Town Day Vs Night

If you have time, it is worth visiting Chinatown during the day and at night.

  • Daytime – quieter with side alleys full of markets selling all types of interesting herbs, strange foods, and souvenirs.
  • Night Time – Everything revolves around the food market on the main road. The side alleys are all closed.

If you are in Chinatown during the day and want to visit a cafe I recommend Hufu Cafe. It is a quiet little cafe hidden down an alleyway away from the madness.

An alleyway in chinatown bangkok selling a wide range of interesting products in plastic bags

Day 3 Bangkok Itinerary: Markets, Green Space & a Local Night Experience

Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak Market is one of the most famous and largest markets in Bangkok. It has over 15,000 stalls and is supposedly the largest weekend market in the world.

Here you can buy practically anything you want, from street food to t-shirts, souvenirs, plants, pets, and more.

It is mainly known as a weekend market because many stalls only open on the weekend. But if you cannot make it on the weekend, there are still enough shops open during the week to justify a visit.

I am not much of a shopper, but I enjoyed getting lost in the market because there was such a wide variety of things for sale.

TIP: If you do not like crowds, make sure to get to the market early. It gets very crowded later in the day.

Shoppers walk through Chatuchak Market beneath colorful triangular flags strung across the street. Market stalls line both sides as people browse while holding umbrellas under a bright sky.

Chatuchak Park/ Queen Sirikit Park

After exploring Chatuchak Market, a good place to unwind is Chatuchak Park. On Google, there are two parks in the same area, Chatuchak and Queen Sirikit, but they are essentially one big park.

Bangkok is a very hectic city, so it is always nice to be able to go for a walk in a beautiful green space.

We were really impressed with how well-maintained Chatuchak Park was. There were plenty of beautiful ponds, walkways, and trees. It is a lovely park and almost empty during the day.

TIP 👀 Keep an eye out for monitor lizards. They are huge and one of our favorite parts of visiting Bangkok parks. We even saw two having a fight in Chatuchak Park!

Katharina stands on stone stepping pads crossing a calm pond in Chatuchak Park surrounded by lush green trees and plants. A small staircase and garden path rise from the water creating a peaceful park scene in Bangkok.

Siam Square

After Chatuchak, you can take the BTS to Siam Square, a hub for shopping and food. If you want to buy some souvenirs or get some delicious food, there are tonnes of options in this area.

Two of Bangkok’s most popular malls are here: MBK and Siam Paragon.

  • MBK is more budget-friendly and a good place to grab souvenirs it also has a pretty good food court
  • Siam Paragon is a super flash mall that is full of high-end stores. But it also has a very good food court that is surprisingly affordable.

I personally like MBK more. It is a better value for money. While Siam Paragon is full of high-end stores.

Even if you are not a big shopper, walking around this area of town is great to really feel the ‘buzz’ of Bangkok. It has that mix of bright lights, tuk-tuks, horns and street food that you can only find in Southeast Asia.

The MBK center at night

Siam Walking Street

Siam Walking Street is another area I really enjoyed, located on Siam Square Soi 7. This street has been closed to traffic since 2022 and often hosts events and live music on the weekends.

Walking in Bangkok can often be a cramped, hot experience on uneven footpaths. So I really enjoyed this area because it is one of the few true walking streets in the city.

Whenever we walked through, there was always live music or events on. It is another great area to just walk around and do some eating and shopping.

But if eating and shopping are not your thing, there are some pretty cool cultural attractions nearby as well.

  • The Bangkok Art and Culture Center: a free art gallery near Siam Square. It is not the most amazing gallery. But it is interesting and free, so why not check it out?
  • The Jim Thompson House: A popular historical house owned by an American businessman who lived in Bangkok in the 40s and 50s. I didn’t visit because it wasn’t up my alley. But it may be interesting for you.

Evening Entertainment: Watch A Muay Thai Fight Like A Local

If you want to experience some local culture while in Bangkok, catching a Muay Thai fight is one of the best ways to do it.

Muay Thai, or Thai kickboxing, isn’t for everyone. It is a brutal sport, so if you are not a fan of violence, you may want to skip this one.

But if you are a sports lover like me, I am sure you will love Muay Thai. It is a fast-paced sport that is never boring.

The best place to watch Muay Thai as a tourist is Rajadamnern Stadium. Fights are held here every night of the week, and the stadium is well organised for tourists.

At Rajadamnern Stadium, if you want to see more traditional Muay Thai fights, then go on Wednesday, Thursday, or Sunday. The other nights are shorter, more entertainment-style fights aimed at tourists.

A Muay Thai fight takes place in a boxing ring set up outside the MBK shopping center in Bangkok. Spectators gather around the ring as fighters compete under bright lights during a free public event.
Free fights at the MBK center

If you want the cheapest Muay Thai fight possible, there are also free fights at the MBK shopping center a couple of times a month. These fights will not be as high quality, but they are free and fun to check out. You can see the fight dates here.

We happened to be shopping at MBK when the free rights were on, and it was good fun. I was a little surprised because I thought the fights would be inside the mall. But they were just outside by the entrance.

It felt a little strange to watch guys beat the crap out of each other at the entrance to a shopping mall!

But it is a true Bangkok experience! There are not many other places in the world where you can head to the shopping mall and watch a free fight at the same time.

Another free option is to watch fights at the Channel 7D studio. These fights are held every Sunday afternoon and broadcast on Thai TV. There is a dress code; you have to wear long pants, closed shoes, and a collar. But as long as you follow the dress code, fights simply turn up and enjoy!

Day 4 Bangkok Itinerary: City Views And A Relaxed Farewell

Arabica Coffee

Day 4 of your itinerary starts off with a coffee and one of the best views of Bangkok.

Arabica Coffee is a popular chain in Bangkok. But this location is special because it is located on the 55th floor of the Empire Building, and the views are amazing.

Morning coffee at % Arabica Café in The Empire Tower, overlooking Bangkok’s skyline — a relaxing start to Day 4.

It has to have the best view of any cafe I have visited anywhere in the world.

During our visit, the only thing I didn’t like was that it is an Instagram hotspot, so there were posers everywhere taking a million photos.

But if you get there early, the Instagrammers will still be getting their outfits ready. Then you can enjoy the best view from a cafe I have seen anywhere in the world.

Prefer Something Quieter?

If you want a more low-key cafe, then I recommend heading to one of my favorite cafes in Bangkok, Monochrome Cafe. It does not have the view of Arabica, but the coffee is better, and it is a much more relaxing spot.

Lumpini and Benchakitti Park

After fuelling up on caffeine, you can explore Lumphini and Benchakitti Park, two of Bangkok’s best green spaces.

Lumbini Park is the most visited park in the city. It is one of the few large parks close to downtown, so it is popular with tourists and locals.

A large monitor lizard by the lake in Lumphini Park, a unique wildlife encounter in the heart of Bangkok.

Fun Fact: The land Lumphini Park is on used to belong to King Kama IV. But in 1925, he decided to donate it to the city for citizens to enjoy.

As with all Bangkok Parks, Lumphini is a great spot to see huge water monitor lizards. You can see them hanging around the edge of ponds or going for a swim. I am always impressed that there are these huge lizards in the middle of an enormous city.

Benchakitti Park (My Favorite)

While Lumphini Park is nice, my favorite is Benchakitti Park, which can be reached via the Benchakitti – Lumphini Sky Bridge.

The raised walkway links the two parks and gives you an aerial view of the surrounding neighbourhoods. I found it super interesting to look down into traditional Bangkok homes and streets that you otherwise would not see.

Once you arrive in Benchakkiti Park, you will find more elevated walkways over the top of a manmade wetland created in 2016. The land used to be a tobacco factory but now is a 720,000 square meter urban nature reserve.

The job they have done transforming the area is incredible. As you walk along the concrete paths over the wetlands, you would never have guessed it used to be a tobacco factory.

Elevated skywalk winding through lush green wetlands at Benjakitti Forest Park with the Bangkok city skyline and clouds in the background.
Katharina walks toward a circular white pier on a large lake at Benjakitti Park in Bangkok, with modern skyscrapers and a cloudy sky in the background.

Terminal 21 Shopping Mall (or a Local Restaurant)

After you have worked up an appetite exploring the parks, head over to Terminal 21 for lunch.

As I have said previously, I hated the idea of going to shopping malls for food in Bangkok. But the food court at Pier 21 is awesome, and there is plenty of cheap, authentic Thai food here.

We just picked random dishes at the food court, and all of them were delicious. At Terminal 21, it is hard to go wrong, so I recommend trying something new and exciting. The food is so cheap that if you don’t like it, you can just grab something else!

Don’t Want A Mall?

If going to a shopping mall food court is not your thing, then I recommend trying out Zong Keep Khao Soi. They serve delicious Khao Soi, which is one of my favourite Thai Dishes.

A steaming bowl of Thai-style wonton noodle soup served at Pier 21 food court in Terminal 21 Bangkok, featuring tender dumplings, sliced duck, egg noodles, leafy greens, and chopped scallions in a clear broth.

Mahanakhon SkyWalk

If you want to finish off your four days in Bangkok in style, then head to the Mahanakhon Skywalk.

This skyscraper is home to the highest viewpoint in Bangkok and is one of the most beautifully constructed skyscrapers I have ever seen.

While looking at the tower, I always felt like I was looking at an optical illusion because of the interesting pixelated design. It looks like cubes have been carved straight out of the tower.

The observation deck is at 314 meters, and there is a glass walkway and bar at the top. So you can relax with a drink and watch the sunset from the best view in town.

Tickets start from 40 USD so it is not cheap to go up, which is why we didn’t! But if you have the money, it looks like an awesome way to end your trip.

The MahaNakhon tower rises above a tree lined street in Bangkok with its distinctive pixelated glass facade. Smaller buildings and greenery frame the view beneath a cloudy sky showing the contrast between modern architecture and street level life.

Arriving In Bangkok

If this is your first time in Bangkok, getting from the airport to the city is very easy.

Best Option For Most Travellers: Train

The train takes about 30 minutes to reach Phaya Tai station, which is in downtown Bangkok. To pay for a ticket at the airport, you will need cash, so make sure to withdraw some before heading to the train.

We always take the train when we arrive because it is so convenient and cheap. Depending on traffic, it will also get you there faster, so I highly recommend it.

A ticket to downtown Bangkok costs 45 Thai Baht, or 1.40 USD.

Most Convenient Option: Grab

If you want the most convenient way, then take a grab. A grab should cost about 500 Thai Baht, 15 USD.

Just remember, traffic can be very bad in Bangkok. So a ride in could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The train avoids this problem.

Staying Near Khao San Road?

If you are going to Khao San Road, then another option is to take the S1 Shuttle Bus. This bus costs 60 Thai Baht. It is a useful bus because there are no train stations near Khao San Road.

How To Get Around Bangkok

Despite being a huge city, Bangkok is an easy and affordable city to get around.

The public transport is well organized, and Grab rides are cheap. So you will never be stranded.

Mrt/BTS

One of the best ways to get around Bangkok is to take the MRT or BTS. Some parts run underground while others run on elevated rails.

All of the trains are modern and have ice-cold air conditioning, so you can cool down after getting sweaty exploring town.

You can tap to pay on the MRT but not on the BTS. So remember to always have some cash ready for the BTS.

TIP : Remember to hold on to your token or card! You will need it to leave the station at the end of your journey.

RideSharing

The most convenient way to get around Bangkok is by taking a ride-share, and the most popular app to use in Bangkok is Grab.

Uber is also available but less common, so I recommend downloading Grab when you arrive.

It can often be quite hard to search for locations when you are using Grab. So just bear that in mind.

Using Grab in Bangkok is very affordable, and a ride across the whole city should cost you no more than a few dollars.

Tuk Tuk

The most classic way to get around Bangkok is to take a tuk-tuk. The tuk-tuks in Bangkok do look cool, and I think it is something that you have to do once as a tourist.

But I would not recommend using tuk-tuks as a primary form of transport while you are in Bangkok.

They are not very cheap or comfortable. Tuk-tuk drivers are likely to try to rip you off, and the seat in the back is quite cramped.

But is fun to do once, so just jump in for a ride, but do not use them regularly for transport.

Tuk tuks line a busy street in Bangkoks Chinatown as neon signs glow at dusk. Pedestrians and motorbikes move through traffic beneath colorful shop signs and evening lights.

River Taxi (Underrated and Cheap)

Depending on where you stay while you are in Bangkok, the River Taxi can be a great way to get around.

Journeys on the local river taxis vary depending on the length of your journey. We would take the river taxi from our condo to downtown, and it only cost 15 baht or 40 cents.

We liked to catch the river taxi because you were out in the open air and it is super cheap.

The boats can be quite loud and crowded, but we still preferred it over the trains because you could at least see outside.

So if you have accommodation near the river, I highly recommend trying the river taxi as transport. It is good fun and an easy way to get an insight into local life in Bangkok.

A red and white bangkok river taxi driving down a brown river in bangkok thailand

Where To Stay In Bangkok

Choosing where to stay in Bangkok can be confusing when you have never visited the city. It is a huge place, and different areas have very different atmospheres that you will either love or hate.

For a 4-day Bangkok trip, staying central makes everything easier.

Bangkok Map

A map shoing different areas of Bangkok that are good places to stay during a 4 day bangkok itinerary

Best Areas To Stay In Bangkok

Khao San Road, Yellow Circle best for backpackers and nightlife, is a good place to stay if you are a backpacker and want to be in a rowdy party area. The benefits of staying here are that it is close to the temples, and the river taxi is convenient for getting around town.


Chinatown, Purple Circlebest for street food – is a good place to stay if you want to be amongst the action and surrounded by street food. It is also very central. Just be warned that the streets are quite hectic and loud.


Siam, Green Squarebest central location. It is much more modern than Chinatown and Khao San Road. Very well connected to transport and shopping malls.


Sukhimvit, Blue Semi Circle, is one of the most popular areas for foreigners to stay in Bangkok. It has convenient access to the MRT and BTS and many modern hotels and shops.


Silom, Red Semi Circlebest for quiet nights – is kind of the financial center of Bangkok. So there are lots of fancy hotels and restaurants here. But it does mean it can be quite deserted at night because it is more of a business center. So you could like it if you want quiet streets at night.

These areas are the best places to stay because they are close to all the sights.

Bangkok Hotels

Surestay Plus by Best Western – is an excellent hotel in the Sukhumvit area with roof top pool an optional buffet breakfast for 60 USD per night.

Tiara Place – is a great option if you are on a budget. Rooms are only 24 USD and it has convenient access to the MRT.

Zensation The Residence – is a great option if you want your own apartment with a kitchen. Rooms start from $38.

Bangkok Hostels

Ti Thong Hostel – is a hostel that focuses on providing cultural activities for guests in dorms from 9 USD.

Revolution Khao San Road – is a hostel if you want to party but has excellent reviews. Dorms from 10 USD.

Here Hostel – is also located in the Khao San Road area. But has more of a laid-back vibe. Dorms from 10 USD.

Is 4 days enough in Bangkok?

Yes, 4 days is an ideal amount of time in Bangkok for first timers. It is just enough time to see the main sights and explore different neighbourhoods without feeling rushed. If you stay for less time, it will feel a little bit rushed.

What Is The Best Area To Stay In Bangkok For 4 Days?

The best area to stay in Bangkok is either Sukhumvit or Siam. Both have easy access to the BTS and MRT. This makes it easy to visit temples, shopping malls, and other neighbourhoods without long travel times. There are also plenty of hotels in these areas.

Is Bangkok Expensive For Budget Travellers?

No, Bangkok is still one of the best cities in the world for budget travellers. You can eat amazing street food for just a few dollars, and use public transport for even less. Although it does get more expensive every year, it is still very affordable.

What is the best way to get around Bangkok as a tourist?

The best way to get around Bangkok as a tourist is to use a mix of BTS/MRT trains, river taxis, and Grab. Trains are fast, affordable, and air-conditioned, so great for long distances. River taxis are super cheap and great for a local experience. Grab is best used when public transport is not an option. Use tuk-tuks as a one-off fun experience and not a regular means of transport.

I Hope You Enjoy Your 4 Days In Bangkok

I hope my 4-Day Bangkok Itinerary helps you have an awesome time in Bangkok. If it is your first time in Bangkok, this itinerary should give you a good mix of culture, food, and fun to really experience Bangkok.

If you are a coffee and food lover like me, make sure to check out our Bangkok Cafes and Bangkok Chinatown Food Articles.

We are heading back to Bangkok soon, so there will be more Bangkok content on the way!

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