You’re about to travel to Thailand, and there’s nothing to worry about as you have plenty of time to relax and explore this beautiful country. But when you only have 2 days, meticulous planning is essential to have the best possible experience. Justfly would like to share some tips on a 48-hour itinerary in Bangkok for your reference!

Wat Arun at golden sunset

Below is my personal experience during my Bangkok itinerary 2 days: My field trip to Bangkok for 48 hours. I hope my experiences will be helpful for your upcoming trip to Thailand’s modern and vibrant capital.

Day 1 in Bangkok

Morning: City tour on the Chao Phraya River by boat

Chao Phraya River

This is a popular activity for many tourists visiting the Thai capital. Exploring Bangkok by boat is both inexpensive and enjoyable. The Chao Phraya River is the city’s lifeline, formed from a total of four different branches. Those exploring the City of Angels on the river will find a fascinating mix of towering luxury hotels interspersed with historical temples and thatched-roof shacks where many Thai people live – a picturesque beauty rarely found elsewhere.

I exploring the city on the Chao Phraya River by boat | Bangkok itinerary 2 days

The Chao Phraya River, also known as the River of Kings, is also a major source of income for many people in Central Thailand. There are five different public boat routes to serve the transportation needs of both locals and tourists. These boats operate from 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM, and to board a boat, you need to pay attention to the color of the flag displayed on the boat.

| Bangkok itinerary 2 days

chao phraya green flag express boat 2

Another very interesting activity when exploring by boat is that you can spot many catfish (Pangasius gigas and basa) here; they are very large because the river is owned by the royal family, so all fishing is prohibited. According to locals, if you encounter fish and feed them bread, it will bring good luck to your whole family. So before boarding the boat, remember to prepare some loaves of bread so that if you see any, you can feed them to bring good luck to your family!

Afternoon: Visiting Temples

Wat Pho | Bangkok itinerary 2 days

Thailand is the land of golden temples, so you can’t miss visiting the temples when you come to this country. Luckily for tourists, many of the most famous and beautiful temples are located close together, making it very convenient to visit them in one afternoon. These temples are mostly located along the Chao Phraya River, so tourists can travel by speedboat.

First, you can’t miss Wat Pho – the largest temple in Bangkok with an area of ​​up to 80,000 square meters. The highlight of this temple is its full-body seated Buddha statue covered in gold and mother-of-pearl in the eyes. The statue is 46 meters long and 15 meters high.

wat-pho-bangkok
Wat Pho

Wat Pho, Bangkoc,Thailand

Next is Wat Phra Kaew – the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located within the grounds of the Grand Palace, where important national ceremonies are held. The temple is famous for its emerald Buddha statue – one of the most sacred symbols of Thailand. This temple is only open until 3:30 PM, so please keep that in mind when visiting.

Wat Phra Kaew in Grand Palace. One of the top places to visit in Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew in Grand Palace. One of the top places to visit in Bangkok, Thailand
grand palace and what phra kaew bangkok itinerary what to do in bangkok for 3 days (1)
Wat Phra Kaew | Bangkok itinerary 2 days

Next, you can visit Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mountain Temple. This temple has a 58-meter-high golden stupa that houses Buddha relics. From the Golden Mountain Temple, visitors will have a magnificent view of the city. After visiting these temples, if you still have time, you can visit other temples in the city with hidden beauty such as Wat Arun, Wat Suthat, Wat Ratchanatdaram, and Wat Traimit…

Evening: Dinner on Yaowarat Road

Yaowarat Road, Chinatown, Bangkok at night @bangkok.go.th

Yaowarat Road, known as Bangkok’s Chinatown, is famous for its delicious and diverse food. You can enjoy both sweet and savory dishes to your liking. Popular sweet dishes here include soft bread with fillings, Patonggo – a smaller, more compact type of pepper bun served with pandan leaf sauce or other toppings depending on your preference, Thai toast, and Thai milk tea…

Dinner at Yaowarat Road

After the sweets, move on to savory dishes such as seafood (shrimp, clams, snails…) which are delicious and inexpensive. Or dishes like Pad Thai and oyster omelets, or more upscale options like bird’s nest soup and shark fin soup…. In general, from five-star meals to simple street food, Yaowarat Road is sure to satisfy all food lovers who visit.

Bangkok itinerary 2 days: Day 2 in Bangkok

Morning: Stroll through the park

As you know, Thailand is not only famous for its golden temples or bustling shopping malls. Thailand is also famous for its many green parks. Bangkok boasts 32 parks of varying sizes, offering recreation and attracting tourists every year.

Lumpini park

The most famous and popular park is probably Lumpini Park, strategically located near major hotels, subway lines, and elevated trains. Visiting Lumpini, you’ll be amazed by the fresh air and ample shade. Many types of trees are planted here, such as orchid gardens and palm groves, combined with a large artificial lake and lush green grass, making the place even more beautiful.

| Bangkok itinerary 2 days

While strolling around here, you can easily spot some slinky reptiles crawling onto the lake to sunbathe or squirrels dancing in the treetops… Besides Lumpini, several other parks are also places you can visit, such as Stewakiti Park, King Rama IX Park, and Wachirabenchatat Park…

Afternoon: Shopping at the markets

If you are lucky enough to visit Bangkok on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, you will have the opportunity to experience one of the most noteworthy weekend markets in the city; the Chatuchak Weekend Market in East Bangkok, equipped with numerous stalls, over 15,000 vendors, offering everything from clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, essential oils, souvenirs, jewelry, and antiques…

Chatuchak Market

| Bangkok itinerary 2 days

At Chatuchak Market, you can bargain freely, so don’t hesitate to haggle to get beautiful and inexpensive items! And the more you buy, the cheaper the price; you’ll get wholesale prices for 3-5 items.

Asiatique the Riverfront is famous for its architecture similar to a European market in the heart of Bangkok. @bangkok.com
Asiatique – Super popular riverside entertainment complex in Bangkok. Credit: Expedia

You also have the option of visiting other markets such as Asiatique Night Market – a famous market known for its high-quality goods. The market is open from 5 PM to midnight. Asiatique Market is not only a bustling shopping area but also an entertainment center with amusement parks and food stalls. Other interesting markets in Bangkok include JJ Green Night Market, Pak Khlong (Flower Market), Rod Fai Train Market, and Liab Duan Night Market.

Evening: Enjoy cocktails at a rooftop bar

Drink cocktails at a rooftop bar | Bangkok itinerary 2 days

To end your memorable trip, there’s no better vantage point than a rooftop bar to once again admire this beautiful city at night. From bars along the Chao Phraya River to those boasting stunning views like the 77-story, 314-meter-tall MahaNakhon, also known as the Pixel Tower.

The best sky bar in Bangkok Octave Rooftop Bar – Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit (12)
Great spot to watch sunset
Top 10 sky bar in Bangkok Speakeasy – Hotel Muse (1)
| best rooftop bar bangkok

Anyone who visits MahaNakhon agrees that ending their 48 hours in Bangkok at a rooftop bar is the best way to do it. Other rooftop restaurants and bars in the city include Inside Eleven, Cloud 47, Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge, and Park Society.

Mahanakhon Skywalk, Bangkok

So, two days or 48 hours in Bangkok are filled with fun and memorable experiences. With 48 hours, you can fully experience activities and go shopping at many famous tourist spots in Bangkok. Join Justfly to make your trip even more enjoyable!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Bangkok you can refer to

royal palace bangkok
Royal palace Bangkok

Are you finding more Bangkok travel guide: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out our Bangkok travel blog — The fullest Bangkok travel guide blog for a budget trip to Bangkok (BKK).