5 Things to Do in Bangkok for First-Time Travelers
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Only 72 hours in Bangkok? I’ve been there, sweaty and totally overwhelmed by the options for what I could see, do, and experience in the short time I would have in Bangkok.
From the second I stepped outside the Bangkok Airport, the heat, chaos, and traffic hit me all at once. I was slightly jet-lagged and totally unprepared for how much I would fall in love with this city. For three days in Bangkok, I explored malls, bargained at market stalls, ate excellent street food, and wandered through ancient temples. By the end of my trip, I was planning my return.
In this post, I am sharing five of the best things to do in Bangkok for first-time travelers with only 72 hours in the city. These are budget-friendly, culture-packed experiences I personally tried and recommend to anyone looking to get the most out of their short trip.
5 Things to Do During Your 3 Days in Bangkok
1. Experience a Traditional Thai Massage in Bangkok
During the first hour of my 72 hours in Bangkok, I got my first massage. You will find massage spots all over Bangkok. I found my first place just two blocks from my hotel. After that experience, I went back nearly every day of my trip.
For my first massage, I booked a traditional Thai massage and did not realize what I was in for; it is not your typical “lie down and relax” type. A Thai massage involves deep stretching, with the masseuse gently moving your body into different poses. It’s part massage, part yoga, and totally worth trying.
When I arrived, they offered me hot tea and a hot cloth, then washed my feet before leading me upstairs to change and begin my 1-hour massage, which cost $25. I left feeling so relaxed after it and knew I needed to get one daily. For the rest of the week, I tried different styles, including foot massages.
2. Mae Klong Railway Market Tour Experience
With only 24 of my 72 hours in Bangkok remaining, I joined a half-day tour to the Mae Klong Railway market and the floating market. I was not sure what to expect: a train driving through a market sounded exciting, but it was way more than that.
It takes about 90 minutes to get to the Railway Market from the city, so I recommend packing water and snacks or eating breakfast.
When I arrived at the market, I was immediately drawn in. There were vendors lined up on both sides of the train tracks, selling everything from food to handmade jewelry, clothing, and bags. With the hour I had to explore, I managed to find the most beautiful silver bangle that I had to snag.
At the end of the market, I found the best smoothie place I have ever been to. As the whistle blows, announcing the train’s arrival, the market transforms, and vendors close their awnings to let the train pass. There is no formal boarding process, so as the train came to a stop, those on the first were able to grab seats.
As the train starts to take off, if you look out at the windows, you see the markets start to come back to life, vendors opening their awnings to the next group of bargain hunters.
3. Visit a Bangkok Floating Market
This was the second stop on our combined tour, which you can book here. After a quick bathroom break, we climbed into the long-tail boats that would carry us through the heart of the floating market.
Gliding slowly along the narrow canals, I watched as venrods paddled to us whenever we signaled to them that we wanted to purchase something from them. Their boats were overflowing with grilled meats, woven hats, bright fabrics, seasonings, and even animals.
There are even spots along the route with photo ops featuring a live snake and a monkey dressed in a tiny shirt (not really my thing, but definitely something you do not see every day).
I recommend grabbing snacks and drinks either while at the floating market or when you have time to walk the stalls that aren’t along the river.
After the market, I made the 90-minute drive back to Bangkok. I was tired from the day, but I really enjoyed my time at the markets. You must include this tour during your 3 days in Bangkok!
4. Explore Bangkok’s Best Temples (With Tips on What to Wear and When to go)
After the market tour and lunch at the mall, I headed to check out the temples. In hindsight, I wish I had done this earlier in the day because by the time I got to the temples, some had already started to close.
The temples are literally jaw-dropping, from the intricate carvings to the many statues surrounding the temples. I wish I had done a tour so that I could learn more of the history, because honestly, I needed to know how they were built.
When planning time at the temples, keep in mind that they are not all next to each other, and you will need to take a ferry and/or a cab to reach some of them if you are trying to see them all in one day. I took the ferry over as I explored the ones that were open in the afternoon.
Since I was coming straight from the market, I needed to borrow scarves to cover my shoulders while visiting the temples. Your knees and shoulders must be covered when visiting the temples.
5. Explore Bangkok’s best Markets: Jodd Fair + Chatuchak Weekend Market
If you are a shopper or just a wanderer, then Bangkok’s markets will keep you busy for days. After checking into my hotel room, I made a beeline for the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, and I feel like I could have stayed there forever, but I had to remind myself I only have 72 hours in Bangkok.
This place is massive, with over 15,000 stalls. I barely scratched the surface and still found gorgeous handmade jewelry, original art, and a great coconut smoothie so good I went back for seconds. I purchased some jewelry and customized passport covers for my niece and nephews.
If you want a full breakdown on what to eat and buy, I have shared more in my Chatuchak Weekend Market review, but the vibe alone makes it worth a visit.
I also headed to Jodd Fairs market. This market is smaller than Chatuchak and sells clothes, food, and some fun surprises. They had massive amounts of seafood, trendy clothing booths, and opportunities to purchase fried insects if you are feeling brave. I had mango sticky rice cause I was a little nervous.
If you have time to do both markets during your 72 hours in Bangkok, I highly suggest setting aside time for both. Chatuchak is the perfect place for daytime treasure hunting, while Jodd Fairs makes a great low-key stop to grab dinner and listen to live music.
Things to do in Bangkok for First Timers
There are so many things to do in Bangkok, but if you only have 72 hours, these five experiences were the perfect introduction to the city during my 3 days in Bangkok. Each one offered a mix of culture, food, and local energy without completely overwhelming me.
If you are planning your own 3-day Bangkok itinerary, I hope this guide helps you make the most of your trip while still giving yourself time to breathe, rest, and really experience the city. Bangkok has a way of pulling you in, and I am already planning my next visit.
If you want to book your trip using points and miles, check out Can you really book a Trip to Thailand for $500?
If you are heading to Phuket and want to know what excursion to include, check out 7 Things to do in Phuket.
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Comment below on what activities you would add to this list.
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I can certainly understand being jetlagged in Bangkok. Luckily we had been in SE Asia for awhile before we got to Bangkok. But a massage is a good way to relieve some travel stress at all time. Sadly we missed the floating markets when we visited. A good reason to return!
Those Bangkok excursions sound like the perfect cure for jet lag! The mix of adventure and relaxation is exactly what I need to recharge and explore the city. Thanks for sharing these great ideas!
Looks a great way to spend a few days in Thailand. I would not have thought to get a massage but now I can’t think of a better way to alleviate jet lag!
Bangkok is one of my favourite cities in the world. I miss Thai messages so much! This post makes me long for Thailand.
Such fun things to do, to get through jetlag. Although I would probably fall asleep during the massage.