Bangkok is a city of contrasts—ancient temples sit next to futuristic shopping malls, street food stalls serve Michelin-rated dishes, and the city’s energy is both chaotic and intoxicating. If you get FOMO, this itinerary is for you. With six days in Bangkok, consider yourself lucky—you’ll have just enough time to soak in the culture, indulge in all the Thai food your stomach can handle, and experience the city’s best sights. This itinerary is for those who want to pack in EVERYTHING and not miss a thing!
But if you’re looking for a version focused on the best sites and what we thought was truly worth it, I’ll also be putting together another blog, ‘How to Spend (the best) 4 Days in Bangkok,’ which takes out the activities that we would recommend skipping if you’re short on time.
Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blogs on Japan, Indonesia, or the Philippines!
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you.
TLDR 🫣
Bangkok is a whirlwind of street food, golden temples, chaotic markets, and rooftop bars—a city that never sleeps and always feeds you.
Itinerary
Day 1: Chatuchak weekend market, the Grand Palace & Khao San Road madness
Day 2: Temple-hopping & a Chinatown feast
Day 3: Floating market, train market & street food gems (Day trip)
Day 4: Ayutthaya day trip & Bangkok nightlife (Day trip)
Day 5: Mall madness & shopping spree
Day 6: Rooftop bars & relaxation
Pro Tips:
- Use the Chao Phraya Express Boat instead of taxis—it’s faster and cheaper.
- Try street food —it’s often better and way cheaper than at restaurants!
- Check out all the places we ate at during our Chinatown Foodie tour.
Top Awards:
- Best Experience: Chinatown food tour 🍜
- Best Eats: Khao Soi from a random street stall
- Best "Bang for Your Buck" Hotel: Silom Forest Exclusive Residence, cheap and close to the MRT
- Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase).
HOW TO GET AROUND
Bangkok’s traffic is legendary, so the key to getting around is to avoid being stuck in it. Here are your best options:
BTS Skytrain & MRT (Subway): The most efficient way to travel. Fares start at 16 THB ($0.50 USD), and an all-day pass costs around 140 THB ($4 USD).
Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber): Convenient but pricier due to traffic. Short trips cost around 100-200 THB ($3-$6 USD). Pro Tip: Order at least 15 minutes in advance. We found that it took up to 20-25 minutes for our ride to be accepted!
Taxis: Use only metered taxis to avoid getting overcharged.
Tuk-Tuks: Fun but not the cheapest. Always negotiate before hopping in (expect to pay 100-300 THB per ride, depending on the distance).
Boats: The Chao Phraya Express Boat (16 THB) is a great way to get to the temples while avoiding traffic.
Pro Tip: Bangkok is humid, so carry a portable fan and drink plenty of Thai iced tea to stay cool! We name drop the BEST chain store for Thai iced tea below!
WHERE TO STAY
We stayed at Silom Forest Exclusive Residence, and it was the perfect budget-friendly home base. Located in the Silom district, it was close to BTS stations and super easy to get around. The rooms were modern, spacious, and affordable (starting at around 1,200 THB or $35 USD per night). Plus, Silom itself is a great mix of local vibes and city convenience!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Markets, Temples & Khao San Road Madness
Start your adventure with a visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market, the world’s largest weekend market with over 15,000 stalls. You can find everything from clothes and souvenirs to vintage vinyl records.
Grab some breakfast here—a plate of bbq pork with rice and a fried egg + pad thai (170 THB total) and a mango smoothie (80 THB).
Pro Tip: Come early to beat the heat and crowds. Bring cash and bargain!
Next, visit The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). One of Bangkok’s most iconic sites, entrance is 500 THB ($14 USD), and you’ll see the famous Emerald Buddha, a small (like SUPER small) but sacred jade statue dressed in gold robes. Note: there are no photos allowed of this sacred statue!
Fun fact: There’s only one person who can touch the Emerald Buddha and that’s the king. The king will change the robes once per season.
The palace itself is a dazzling display of Thai craftsmanship, with golden stupas, intricate murals, and enough bling to make royalty jealous.
Pro Tip: Wear modest clothing—no shorts or tank tops, or you’ll have to rent a sarong!
The Grand Palace is really GRAND, like HUGE. We recommend spending at least 2-3 hours here!
There’s even this lovely grass area that you can explore on the other side of the main temple and golden stupas
After all that walking, treat yourself at Shewa Spa. Massages start at just 180 THB, and you can even get an eyelash lift or a facial for under 800 THB. Their Thai massage will have you twisted like a pretzel, but in the best way possible. We did a foot and leg scrub, and a full thai massage. Then, Ryan got a hair cut and I got my eyelashes lift. The total price came up to around $100 CAD for 3 hours of work. I fully expect prices will go up!
End your night with a visit to Khao San Road. It’s backpacker central—think street food, cheap beer, and questionable life decisions. Grab a bowl of Pad Thai and wash it down with a Singha beer from a super small tent restaurant on the street. We recommend Nana’s. If you’re feeling adventurous, try deep-fried scorpions (I didn’t, but hey, go for it!).
And dance your heart away at one of the many bars that blast music til 3 or 4 am.
Day 2: Temple-Hopping & a Chinatown Feast
Start with a walk or a Grab to the first temple, and you might spot a Starbucks with a shrine outside—something so iconic about Thai culture meeting Western Starbucks.
Or if you’re like us and can’t say no to local drinks, grab a coconut from the side of the road for only 30 baht.
Your first temple of the day is Wat Yan Nawa, a unique temple shaped like a Chinese junk boat. It’s a lesser-known gem but worth visiting for a peaceful start to the day. Plus, it’s free!
Next up, take a boat ride on the Chao Phraya Express Boat – Orange (16 THB per person) to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), known for its iconic spire covered in colorful porcelain that sparkles in the sunlight. Climbing the steep steps is a workout, but the view is worth it!
Entrance set us back by 100THB per person.
Continue by boat to the next temple, Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). The boat ride/ferry was only 5 THB per person! When you step off the ferry, grab some local Thai dishes by the river. We ordered from Je Muay Thai Food, not really for the dishes, but because it was beautiful sitting riverside. Two mains and one thai iced tea set us back 260 THB.
When you’re finished, head to Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). Home to a giant 46-meter-long golden Buddha representing Buddha entering Nirvana, this temple also houses Thailand’s first massage school—get a traditional Thai massage here if you have time! Entry to Wat Pho costs 300 THB per person.
The rest of the temples grounds are just as beautiful, so don’t forget to take your time and explore!
After a long day of walking, you’re going to want to rest with a nice cold drink. Thankfully for you, this chain is quite popular in Bangkok. Head to Cha Tra Mue, for some iconic Thai tea ($2 CAD). Of all the places we’ve visited, this chain has the most consistent Thai iced tea and you can customize your sugar levels and even add boba! Cha Tra Mue would be almost a daily stop for us from here on out.
For dinner, join a Chinatown Food Tour, which is a MUST in Bangkok! We booked our experience through Airbnb but then later learned you could also book it through GetYourGuide. It cost about $44 CAD per person, so Pro Tip: Save your stomach space and come HUNGRY because all food is included in the price of this tour! Also, we met so many fantastic travellers and really got to see the best of Chinatown through the eyes of our two local tour guides. Thankfully, we jotted down most of the store names within this 3 hour tour so you can visit these without having to dish out $$$$.
Highlights are bolded and include:
-Chicken and pork satay from an alleyway set up with plastic tables nearby “I’m Chinatown”
–Michelin-rated shrimp dumplings (this was my favourite thing we ate) from “Jok One Table”
-Yellow curry with some sort of lap cheong (sausage) variation from “Khao Gaeng Jek Pui (Je Chie)”
-Jackfruit (cheapest jackfruit we found in all of Southeast Asia at 40 baht for half a kilo, de-seeded!) from a random cart in the middle of the street (sorry, no name)
-Soup noodles with BBQ pork from “Yaowaraj Restaurant”… or was it noodles with roasted duck from “Mr.Liuw Roasted Duck”…. or did we eventually eat both? We can’t remember as we were getting really full by now
–Coconut ice cream from a place called “Coconut ice cream” and served in a literal coconut
–Mango sticky rice from “ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วงBywilaiwan(ถนนทรงสวัสดิ์)” and
-Deep-fried dough fritters with pandan sauce from “Pa Tong Go Savoey”
I wish I could tell you how much each dish would cost you, but all our food was included in the tour price. However, it will certainly be cheaper than $44 CAD per person! When you’re finished, you will be STUFFED so splurge and take a Grab back home.
Day 3: Floating Market & Street Food
This day’s market tour was booked via GetYourGuide and one of the top things to do in many travel blogs. It costs us $34 CAD per person. Well, we hate to break it to you, but we just didn’t think it was worth it. If you’re short on time, we’d recommend skipping it. If you think you might get FOMO and have a day to spare, then here’s what to expect…
Start your day with a visit to the Maeklong Railway Market, also known as the Train Market. Some blogs will say it’s a unique and exciting experience that you won’t find anywhere else, but we did this in Hanoi, Vietnam and loved it so much more!
The Maeklong Railway Market is situated right along an active railway track. This market is set up on both sides of the train line, with vendors selling everything from fresh produce to clothes and souvenirs. Every time a train comes through (which is usually about 8 times a day), the entire market must quickly move back from the tracks to avoid being hit. The vendors know exactly when the train is coming, so they pull back their tarps and move their goods to safety just seconds before the train passes by—talk about precision!
When the train passes, it’s incredibly close, and you’ll feel like you could reach out and touch it. After the train moves through, the market immediately sets itself back up, and life continues as usual. The experience is a mix of excitement and amazement as you witness the delicate balance between commerce and transportation. We found that it was most entertaining watching stupid tourists get yelled at for being too close to the train tracks when it was almost time for the train to pass. The guy in the tropical shirt was told to move many times as he’d get hit.
But the market itself is also a fantastic place to pick up some fresh Thai snacks, souvenirs, and local produce. We bought a scarf for 70 THB/$3 CAD. Be sure to grab a traditional Thai mango sticky rice (80 THB) from one of the vendors as you watch the hustle and bustle unfold around you.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the time, as you don’t want to miss the trains! When you hear the whistle, make sure to stop, take it all in, and get ready for the train to come through.
Next, you’ll visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. A classic, overly touristic spot, where vendors paddle wooden boats filled with fruits, snacks, and souvenirs. It’s colourful and lively, but also a bit of a tourist trap in our opinion.
While transportation and a guide are included in the tour, the souvenirs and lunch are not. We grabbed some local dishes from the Floating market – nothing spectacular. There are tons of restaurants that share communal seating, so each one will try to get you to sit in their section. Ryan ordered the shrimp pad thai while I had Holy Basil Stir Fry (pad kra pao) from a place called Thailife Thai. These two dishes cost only 150 THB.
For those wondering, it gets its name because the dish is made with holy basil (often called bai kra pao in Thai), which is a variety of basil with a spicy, peppery flavor and a slightly peppery, aromatic scent. It’s different from the sweet basil typically found in Italian cuisine. The dish is stir-fried with garlic, chili, and your choice of protein—usually minced pork, chicken, or beef—and served with a side of steamed rice and a fried egg on top.
Then, it was time to head back to Bangkok. We got dropped off close by Wat Tramit, so we decided to enjoy the peaceful temple right with the sun hidden behind the clouds.
Afterward, grab some Thai iced tea from Cha Tra Mue (yes, again! It’s seriously that good) and some local street food before making your way to Lumpini Park.
Relax as you watch the massive monitor lizards roam around like tiny dinosaurs. You might also spot a cat too!
Later, visit Patpong Night Market for souvenirs and… well other things if you’re interested and still have the energy.
Finish the night with a shared bowl of Khao Soi (northern Thai coconut curry noodles) from a local vendor. This bowl cost us only 70 THB and it was DELICIOUS and oh so spicy! There wasn’t a restaurant name or even indoor seating. It looked like it was sold outside of someone’s home.
Khao Soi is a rich, flavorful noodle dish with a coconut milk-based broth and crispy noodles on top. It’s comfort food at its finest!
Day 4: Ayutthaya Day Trip
We did another “must do” day trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya from GetYourGuide. This one cost $52 CAD per person. While we enjoyed this tour more than the previous day’s Floating market tour (less touristy), it still didn’t feel like it was essential to understand Bangkok. If you’re looking for ruins, save your visit for Cambodia’s Angkor Wat complex for the iconic history and sites. However, if you have a day to spare and don’t want FOMO, this is what to expect on this day tour…
Start your day with a visit to the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, which is on the way to Ayutthaya. It a blend of Thai, Chinese, and European architecture as you stroll through the picturesque pavilions and manicured gardens. Enjoy feeding the turtle and fish friends in the pond.
After the palace, we stopped over at a smaller floating market—Ayothaya Floating Market—which was less touristy. It way smaller and you aren’t shopping in the boat as vendors paddle to you. Instead, the vendors are set up in floating huts along the border of the pond.
Here, we tried boat noodles for the first time! Boat noodles, or Kuay Teow Ruea (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ), are a legendary Thai dish known for their rich, bold flavors, intensely savory broth, and small portion sizes—making them perfect for ordering multiple bowls in one sitting. What sets them apart from regular noodle soup is their deep, slightly thickened broth, which is typically made with soy sauce, spices, pork or beef, and a small amount of pigs’ or cow’s blood mixed in. The blood gives the broth its signature richness, adding extra depth and umami. Two bowls and coffee cost us 95 THB total.
These noodles are usually served in small bowls—sometimes just a few bites per bowl—so diners often stack up multiple empty bowls after a meal. A typical serving includes rice noodles, slices of beef or pork, crispy pork rinds, and fresh herbs, all swimming in the aromatic broth.
Then head to the Ancient Ayutthaya Ruins, the main point of this tour and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Don’t miss the Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Mahathat, one of the most iconic images of Thailand.
We thought it was beautiful, but didn’t scream “This is Thailand” to us. As we mentioned, we got to see the grandeur of the ruins and understand the history when we visited Cambodia. Thus, if you’re short on time, this is one of those tours that can be skipped to save you money and time.
For a dinner with a cause, head to Cabbage & Condoms, one of Bangkok’s most unique restaurants. The quirky name comes from its mission—promoting sexual health awareness and supporting local development projects. But don’t worry, the only thing you’ll be wrapping up here is a delicious meal! The menu is packed with classic Thai dishes like green curry, spicy papaya salad, and garlic pepper prawns, all served in a lush, lantern-lit garden. We ordered beer, chicken wings, and pad thai. It was pricier than we imagined, setting us back $31 CAD!
Instead of mints, you’ll get free condoms with your bill—because, well, safe dining and safe everything else!
After dinner, take a walk on Bangkok’s wild side with a visit to Soi Cowboy, one of the city’s most famous red-light districts. Named after an American cowboy-hat-wearing expat who opened the first bar here in the 1970s, this short street is a neon-lit spectacle packed with go-go bars, loud music, and an electric atmosphere. Even if you’re not planning to step inside a bar, it’s worth a stroll just to soak in the over-the-top lights and energy—because few places in Bangkok scream “nightlife” quite like Soi Cowboy.
Day 5: Mall Madness & Shopping Spree
This day is all about shopping. Let’s be real – you can’t come to Bangkok and not get a few things! For us, as long-term travelers, we need to stock up on some essentials too. These are the things we bought at MBK Center, Siam Center, and CentralWorld malls:
-Waterproof cell phone case and bag (for Songkran and those southern islands)
-Sunscreen (195 baht for 180 ml, Mizumi – our favourite sunscreen)
-Motion sickness pills (the ferry to the southern islands can get choppy)
-Mini lock for laptop zipper
-Maybe another pair of elephant pants because why not
-Floss (we ran out)
-Bug spray (pro tip: you’re North American bug spray brands like “OFF” don’t work on the bugs here. We recommend getting the local bug spray)
-Mangos (fresh and dried because again, why not)
Start with MBK Center, a massive mall where you’ll find a wide selection of items, including Watsons and Tops. Watsons is a pharmacy chain, and Tops is a grocery store that carries both local and international products. There’s also small stores (market) outside the malls too!
Next, it’s time for a lunch break! We visited Jaydang Samyang red for their Michelin-rated spicy food. Papaya salad, chicken, bbq pork, larb, and rice set us back only $13 CAD!
Next, head to Siam Center and Siam Discovery, two shopping malls with a more upscale vibe. Don’t forget to stop by CentralWorld, where you can get a tourist discount card and freebies that are usable across Thailand.
End the day with a visit to Asiatique The Riverfront, a vibrant outdoor mall along the Chao Phraya River, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. We took a boat to get there!
It’s unique because it combines traditional Thai shopping with a modern riverside experience, offering a perfect place to relax after a day of shopping.
We passed by a restaurant that was cooking frog legs and I found this sign so amusing: “Eat me please”. Said no frog ever.
But I bought this elephant tote bag aka my beach bag from here on out. It also fits my 13 inch laptop easily. This baby only cost me $2.50 CAD!
Day 6: Relax & Celebrate
Start your final day with another cheap facial, massage, and/or street food.. because let me tell you.. you’re going to miss it when you’re gone. An hour long facial only cost $33 CAD.
This small little stall had some of the most delicious shrimp pad thai we’ve ever tasted for only 60 THB. It’s not on google maps.
Then, some last-minute shopping at Siam Center and Siam Paragon, two malls that have everything from high-end fashion to quirky local stores. Look at these dog rings below! Out of my budget, but really hilarious.
You can also have lunch at the mall. We got this GIANT plate of pad thai to share! This X-Large Pad Thai cost 155 THB only.
For a celebratory drink, head to Tichuca Rooftop Bar (also known as Jellyfish Sky Bar). With its stunning views of the Bangkok skyline and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and toast to an unforgettable trip. The unique part about Tichuca is the tropical vibe, complete with palm trees and an exotic, jungle-like ambiance. We ordered fries and drinks for about $27 CAD (so pretty pricey). But you’re not there for the food, you’re there for the views.
Finish your trip with dinner at a local noodle shop, where you can savor one last bowl of delicious Thai noodles before saying Sawadee ka, Bangkok! 🇹🇭 We visited Bamee Kon Sae Lee (Thonglo) and ordered these soup noodles and a drink for only 155 THB total!
TOTAL COST for 6 Full Days in Bangkok (Approximate CAD for 2 people):
SIM Cards (for the entire 5 weeks we spent in Thailand): $43
Activities (temples, massages, excursions, day tours, tips): $546
Accommodations (7 nights): $381
Food: $259
Transportation (Grabs, BTS): $113
Souvenirs (clothes, tote bag): $36
TOTAL: $1376 (Roughly $98 per person, per day)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Bangkok is an experience—loud, chaotic, vibrant, and full of surprises at every corner. Whether you’re temple-hopping, feasting on street food, or taking a boat down the Chao Phraya, this city has a way of pulling you in. After six packed days, we left feeling exhausted but in the best way possible—our bellies full, our feet sore, and already plotting our next trip back. If you have less time, check out our upcoming ‘How to Spend (the best) 4 Days in Bangkok’ guide for a more curated experience. But if you’re here for the adventure? This 6-day itinerary has everything you need to experience Bangkok to the fullest. 🚀
Feel free to ask us questions in the comments! Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blogs on Japan, Indonesia, or the Philippines!
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