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4 days in Bangkok really made this city hold a special place in our hearts. After celebrating our wedding in Vietnam, we flew to Bangkok to kick off our newlywed adventure. Bangkok’s vibrant energy, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences made it the perfect way to begin our honeymoon.
Bangkok is a dynamic city where tradition meets modernity at every turn. Known for its ornate temples, bustling street markets, world-class cuisine, and lively nightlife, Bangkok offers an unforgettable mix of cultural richness and urban energy. From the dazzling Grand Palace and historic temples like Wat Pho, to cutting-edge skyscrapers like the Mahanakhon Tower, the city blends the old and the new in spectacular fashion. Here we chronicle 4 day itinerary in Bangkok and provide the best tips to get the most of your journey.
Hot Tips To Share
- Get an eSIM to avoid costly data roaming charges. We went with Gigago, easy to setup using the airport WiFi.
- Respecting the dress code is essential when visiting Bangkok’s temples, explicitly requiring your shoulders and knees to be covered. They do sell garments at the entrances for those that do forget (myself included!)
- Negotiate the price before getting into a tuk tuk. It is a lot more expensive than a GrabTaxi but it is a unique experience.
- Bangkok has an efficient and clean subway system. However, we used GrabTaxi almost everywhere we went. It is very cheap and the air conditioning helps in the heat.
- Bangkok traffic can grind to a standstill. Factor in extra travel time when making reservations.
Our Average Spends
We exchanged £400 spending money for the two of us across 4 days in Bangkok. For a rough idea on spending:
- Breakfast/Lunch at restaurants – THB250
- Dinner at markets/restaurants (including a couple drinks) – THB500
- Massages – THB500 per person/60 mins
- Tuk Tuk ride – THB100 (for 10 mins)
The Perfect 4 Day Itinerary in Bangkok
Day 1 – Arrival in Bangkok. Rooftop bar drinks.
We landed at 7pm flying from Hanoi and experienced a bit of a hiccup upon arrival. Sherry left her passport in the plane’s seat pocket and only realised it as we approached the immigration gates. Thankfully, the airline left it at the gate we arrived into and we gratefully recovered it.
Whilst we waited for our baggage, we ordered an eSIM from Gigago. Since we had lost some time, we debated whether to head to our hotel first or go straight to dinner. Furthermore, our stomachs growled their objections and we were glad to find Magic Food Point on the first floor. Open 24 hours, it is a great place to refill no matter what time you arrive.
We loaded up a food court card and ordered at the many stalls. It didn’t take long to get our first taste of Thai food and it hit the spot. Afterwards, we made our way to the hotel and checked in. We’d recommend our hotel—conveniently next to BTS and MRT stations, yet tucked away enough to avoid the city noise. With supermarkets and food options nearby, it was good base for our trip. The only downside was having to pay the deposit in cash. Before turning in, we went to the hotel rooftop bar for some drinks to enjoy our first night in Bangkok.
Day 2 – Visit Grand Palace, Best Pad Thai for Lunch and Dinner at Baan Tepa
To start our day, we grabbed breakfast at some restaurants nearby on the way to Silom MRT station. While checking the MRT map at the station, a local approached us and struck up a conversation. Eventually, he mentioned that the Grand Palace was closed for lunch! To save the day, he suggested a tuk tuk and boat ride along Chao Phraya to reach Grand Palace quickly. He said we’d see Big Buddha and arrive right outside the palace just as it was reopening after lunch. His offer was THB2000, which seemed steep, so we declined and took the metro to Sanam Chai Station instead. The Grand Palace doesn’t close for lunch—this is a common tourist scam, so be cautious when approached by strangers.
What we didn’t account for was Bangkok’s heat and humidity. Undeniably, walking in 40 degree heat at noon was not the brightest idea even for just 15 minutes. There is little shade along the way from Sanam Chai station to the Palace and we had to stop many times for water breaks. Although, the tuk tuk rides looked inviting, we eventually made it to the entrance. Dripping in sweat, we noticed the dress code and I had to purchase trousers (there are change rooms available).
The Grand Palace showcases stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and golden Buddha statues that reflect centuries of tradition. Once inside, there was no respite from the heat as we sought refuge under shade and drifted towards the pedestal fans scattered around. Nevertheless, we made our way to see the Emerald Buddha. Interestingly, the King of Thailand changes the Emerald Buddha’s ceremonial costume three times a year, with each outfit valued at approximately US$3.8 million!
The reclining Buddha is located 700m south of the Grand Palace. However, exhausted from the heat, we decided to head for the safe haven of air conditioning and ordered a GrabTaxi to Iconsiam for lunch. Sherry had bookmarked Thipsamai, the oldest pad thai restaurant in Thailand. Since 1939, Thipsamai has served its famous Superb Pad Thai, featuring rich shrimp oil and stir-fried noodles wrapped in a signature egg casing. It was as delicious as it was theatrical. You should also order their signature orange juice, goes down a treat with the yummy Pad Thai 🤤. Afterwards, we grabbed some ice cream and then spent the rest of the afternoon browsing the luxury shops.
We had dinner at 2 Michelin star Baan Tepa to look forward to in the evening. In the interim, we searched for a Thai massage place and came across Perception Blind Massage, a 15 minute walk from our hotel. The concept hires and trains visually impaired masseuses, a cause we were happy to support. The rooms were dimly lit to heighten focus and sensory awareness, emphasising the sensation of touch. The massage left us feeling incredibly relaxed, and by the time we finished, the weather had cooled enough for a comfortable walk back to get ready for dinner. We definitely recommend getting as many massages as possible during your stay!
We had never dined at a 2 Michelin-starred restaurant before, but Thailand’s affordability gave us the perfect opportunity to experience world-class cuisine without breaking the bank. The dishes were beautifully crafted and the service, impeccable! Sherry’s favourite was the river prawn whilst mine was the squid ink ‘dong dang’ noodles. The bill came to be £250 for two, a bargain for the quality of food served!
Day 3 – Explore the Markets and Sunset Views at Mahanakhon Skywalk
For day 3 of this 4 day itinerary in Bangkok, we headed to Heng Chun Seng for lunch to enjoy flavourful stewed beef hot pot. This local favourite delivers tender cuts of beef simmered in a deeply aromatic broth packed with herbs and spices. Even in 43 degree heat, it was popular. We lined up and waited patiently for a table. Thankfully, we were eventually seated in the air conditioned section and finally ready to order.
The eagerly awaited hot pot was brought out to us steaming hot. Careful not to burn our tongues in excitement, each spoonful instantly reminded us of home comforts. Particularly satisfied with the meal, we took a GrabTaxi to explore Chatuchak Weekend Market and hunt for souvenirs. With over 15000 stalls spread across 34 acres, you could easily spend the whole day shopping for bargains. We grabbed some Tiger Balm ointment and bought coconut ice cream to help cool down. We came across Feel Good Massage (now closed) and, noticing it was air-conditioned, decided to get a relaxing 30-minute foot massage, which was much needed after a whole day of walking around!
With a sunset booking at Mahanakhon Skywalk, we explored the market before it was time to go. Standing at 314 meters with 78 floors, Mahanakhon Tower ranks among the tallest skyscrapers in Bangkok and offers a thrilling way to see the city from above. Our tickets were bought in advanced here, and we highly recommend you book in advance to skip the queue. Alighting the lift a floor below the terrace, we order an iced latte at the Other Cafe (now closed).
With unbeatable 360-degree panoramic views of Bangkok’s skyline, it was stunning. They had a bar and DJ to set the vibe with the crowd perched upon the steps awaiting sunset. Its Skywalk—a glass-floor platform that lets you look straight down to the streets below, is an attraction not for the faint hearted. Not comfortable with heights, Sherry faced her fears to take some incredible photos. Once we got over the excitement of the Skywalk, we explored the 360 views. With the river running through the city, the backdrop reminded us of London. In fact, I loved the experience so much that I picked up a miniature Mahanakhon Tower keychain to take home.
After safely arriving back on ground, we went to Jodd Fairs night market to explore the stalls. After walking around and working up an appetite, we headed to Maekhlong Noodles and Leng Zaab to have their eye-catching volcano ribs. Piled high and drenched in a spicy, tangy sauce, these fall-off-the-bone pork ribs deliver a bold taste explosion that lives up to the hype. To start, you can choose from multiple portion sizes to suit your appetite, and they even provide plastic gloves so you can dig in care-free. Afterwards, we leisurely walked around the market in search of mango sticky rice before finally calling it a night and heading back.
Day 4 – Shopping & Eating at Terminal 21 and Explore Khao San Road
Still buzzing from our visit to Mahanakhon Tower, we then made our way to % Arabica, located on the 55th floor of the Empire Tower. Although finding the entrance to the lift proved a bit tricky, once we reached the café, we were rewarded with a stunning view—Mahanakhon Tower rising beautifully against the backdrop of Bangkok’s vibrant skyline. After enjoying our coffees, we took the BTS Skytrain from Saint Louis to Asok station and headed for Pier 21.
Pier 21 is a popular food court inside Terminal 21 shopping centre and offers an unbeatable way to eat like a local without breaking the bank. Using a prepaid court card, you can order from dozens of authentic Thai food stalls serving everything from boat noodles to papaya salad. Portions are small, but the incredibly low prices make it easy to sample a variety of dishes. We enjoyed three main courses and a mango sticky rice—all for just £4! Loaded up too much on the prepaid card? It was easy enough to get a refund.
We explored the shopping mall to work off our meal. Searching for a massage parlour, we discovered Healthy Massage Sukhumvit 19 – a 2 minute walk from the shopping centre. Being the last day in Bangkok, we couldn’t pass the opportunity to fit one last massage in. Feeling relaxed after having our knots released we made our way to Khao San Road to check out the famous backpacking hub of the world.
This bustling street buzzes with bars, restaurants, shops, and street vendors, making it a perfect spot to soak up Bangkok’s lively atmosphere especially at night. While walking from the nearest station, we spotted a few tuk tuks parked along the road and decided to negotiate a fare to take us the rest of the way. It was only a short ride but for THB100, we got to experience zooming through the streets in these nimble carriers. Cheap way to move around? Certainly not, but it’s an experience worth having at least once!
It may have been because we arrived there in the early evening, but it wasn’t as busy as we’d expected. Reading through forums, Khao San Road may have lost its unique appeal as more and more foreign bars have muscled their way in blaring loud music to attract crowds and one up each other. The vibe was reminiscent of early doors at a night club, and the scene may have picked up closer to midnight but with a flight to the Maldives early the next day, we weren’t planning to find out.
I had bookmarked a restaurant called The Family because I’d read that their Pad See Ew was delicious. It was a 15 minute walk from Khao San Road so once we had done exploring, we set forth for dinner. The Family restaurant offers a relaxed riverside dining experience with big, flavourful portions at unbeatable prices. With outdoor seating right along the riverbank, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy authentic Thai cuisine in a more laid-back setting. We ordered a feast—one we could just about finish—and the total bill came to just £12! The Pad See Ew was yummy and definitely lived up to our expectations. The table of four next to us had a look at how full our table was and proceeded to point at dishes to order with the waiter.
For our last activity, we went to Vertigo Moon and Bar rooftop to enjoy panoramic views and refreshing cocktails. We had to get up at 4am for the flight to Male the next day, so thankfully the bar was a 10 minute walk to our hotel. The views and ambience was spectacular with creative cocktails with Thai ingredients and touches. For those seeking a memorable night out with a unique perspective of Bangkok, the city’s rooftop bars are an unforgettable experience.
Our hotel helped book a taxi to arrive at 5am. We had agreed the price and it had to be paid in cash. Despite the early flight, we managed a few hours sleep and were looking forward to the second part of our honeymoon in the Maldives ahead.
Four days in Bangkok may fly by, but this vibrant city leaves a lasting impression. From sacred temples and bustling markets to rooftop bars and street food feasts, Bangkok offers a perfect mix of culture, adventure, and indulgence. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, there’s always something new to uncover in the Thai capital. We hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your time—happy travels and see you in the next city!
