Blog

5 Do-It-Yourself Day Trips from Bangkok

You have only 1 or 2 days in Bangkok, want to get away from the city, but have your hotel rooms booked in Bangkok already? Simple… make a day trip from Bangkok! Below, we list several day trips that you can easily make from the city with no rush. Each takes less than 2-hour travel time and you can try different modes of Thai public transportation! For your convenience, follow our suggested itineraries. They’ll give you ideas of how to spend your days at leisure pace.

Also, check these blogs to get more ideas for day trips from Bangkok.

5 Do-It-Yourself Short Train Trips from Bangkok

5 Tropical Beach Paradises & Islands Near Bangkok

To experience local ways of life and authentic Thai culture, let a Thai culture expert like Smiling Tuk Tuk guide you. Our tours are catered to your interests, whether you love to experience Thai village lives, eat local food, or explore beautiful nature, we have all figured out for you.

#1 Best Day Trip from Bangkok

Ayutthaya Historical Park

Wat Chaiwatthanaram Temple in Ayutthaya Historical Park

ONE WAY TRAVEL TIME: 1.45 hour by train

Thanks to its proximity to Bangkok, Ayutthaya Historical Park can be reached by car in 1.5 hour. But you may consider a train if you don’t have a private ride. Trains leave from Hua Lamphong, Bangkok’s main railway station, every hour. Once arrived at Ayutthaya Railway Station, you can hire a Tuk Tuk or a taxi to the historical park which is 5 km away. We recommend you rent a motorbike or a bicycle at shops opposite to the station if you plan to return to Bangkok on a train.

There are plenty of things to do in Ayutthaya once you arrive. You can keep yourself busy all day in the historical park. Or do the park in the morning and visit another attraction in the afternoon. The choices of other attractions include floating market, elephant camps, and museums.

SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR THIS DAY TRIP

***If you’re looking for an easier way to do Ayutthaya in one day with a professional and fun tour guide, check out our Historic Ayutthaya Food & Sightseeing Day Tour.

#2 Best Day Trip from Bangkok

Koh Kret

ONE WAY TRAVEL TIME: 1 hour by Chao Phraya Express boat

Did you know there’s an island in Chao Phraya river near Bangkok? This man-made island, formed by digging a canal, is a relaxing getaway from the bustling Bangkok metropolis. It has a surprising upcountry feel. A day on the island will offer you lots of green, history, and culture of the Mon ethnic people who still keep their traditions alive. You may explore the island’s main attractions on foot or by bicycle. There’s a small road going around the island, connected by networks of alleys. You’ll being riding past homes, temples, small neighborhood shops, restaurants, gardens, and orchards.

On weekends, the strip of houses and shops near Poramaiyikawat Temple turns into a market. The villagers offer plenty of traditional Thai home-made snacks and desserts the island is famous for, handicrafts, pottery, and fashion items. Deep fried flowers are among the rare Thai snacks you should try. At family-run potter factories around the island, you can make your own clay pots to bring home. Home stays are available if you fall in love with the island and have yet wanted to return to Bangkok. It’s a good chance to spot one fireflies or two!

SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR THIS DAY TRIP (for Saturdays and Sundays)

#3 Best Day Trip from Bangkok

Ancient City

Pavilion Of The Enlightened in the Ancient City

ONE WAY TRAVEL TIME: 1.5 hour by bus

The Ancient City is the land of 320 acres dotted with 120 replicas of Thai landmarks and religious monuments from the pre-historic era to the Rattanakosin kingdom (1806). You’ll get to see and take photos with iconic pagodas, palaces, temples, bell towers, pavilions, Buddha images and shrines in Thai famous historical eras. There is also an old floating market village where you can feel atmosphere of rural life in ancient time.

To explore the Ancient City, you can rent a golf cart but bicycles are available for free at the entrance. The property opens daily from 9am to 7pm. Admission: ฿600/adult and ฿350/child if you book online. Check website for more info. 

Though you can easily spend a full day at Ancient City, you may combine it with Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm & Zoo which is on the way. Plan to be there for a crocodile wrestling show (available every hour from 9 to 4). Visit website for more info. 

SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR THIS DAY TRIP

#4 Best Day Trip from Bangkok

Amphawa Floating Markets

Twilight at Amphawa Floating Market

ONE WAY TRAVEL TIME: about 2 hours by minibus

There are at least 5 floating markets around Bangkok. Amphawa is an afternoon and evening market which is all about fish and seafood. Boat vendors will grill fresh crabs, prawns, fish, and squids and serve them hot from the boats. And you eat them sitting low-rise stools or steps right on the canal banks. On the ground, more vendors and stalls serve delicious local dishes and snacks like fish cake, Pad Thai, and traditional Thai desserts. Shopping is also a big affair in Amphawa. You’ll never run out of Thai hand-made cute souvenirs to look for. Old wooden houses have been turned into museums to exhibits tales of the past.

Once you head this way, you should also make a stop at Maeklong Railway Market. The market sits on an active train track. The vendors’ awnings are drawn apart to let a train through and resume their usual positions as soon as the train passes. After witnessing this amazing scene, you should explore the market itself. The sights, smells, noises, and bustling crowd of this wet seafood market is unique to Thailand.

SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR THIS DAY TRIP

In Amphawa, minibuses depart for Bangkok on Phrachaset Road just east of the town centre. The last one leaves at 8pm.

***To make your Amphawa floating market visit seamless, come with us on the Popular & Underrated Floating Market Tour. The tour takes you to 3 floating markets including Amphawa. En-route are Maeklong Railway Market and The Temple in a Tree.

#5 Best Day Trip from Bangkok

Koh Lan, Pattaya

ONE WAY TRAVEL TIME: 2 hours by mini-van and ferry

Koh Lan is one of a few islands near Bangkok and definitely an easy day trip from Bangkok. Pattaya is a famous beach destination closest to the city but if you want the azure water and fine sand, you have to hop on a ferry to Koh Lan island. The island is heavily covered with vegetations. Its 6 main beaches offer plenty of water sport activities. You can parasail, jet ski, ride a banana boat, or simply relax on a beach chair. Hire a motorbike and go around the island to find your favorite beach. Tien beach is the smallest on the island. Nuan is another quiet beach and is home to wild monkeys. The island is popular more popular to Thais than foreigners. Go on a week day. It promises to be empty.

GETTING TO KOH LAN

Take a mini-van from Ekamai Bus Station to Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya (฿130). Mini-vans leave every hour. At the pier, the ferry to Koh Lan takes 30-40 minutes. The ferry leaves to Koh Lan every 1.5 to 2 hours. The last ferry back to Pattaya is at 6.30pm.

Like this blog? Pin it and share it with your friends!