Neil Aronson (Updated Nov 2024) Here are some of the most popular day trips travelers recommend taking when visiting Bangkok Thailand. In a city of over 10 million and lots of things to do while visiting Bangkok. However it is also great to get out of the city and explore some amazing places within a short drive. You can explore ancient ruins, wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, and unique shopping experiences.
Bangkok Thailand is often used by travelers as a jumping off point for travel to other parts of Thailand, such as Chiang Mai in the north, or the many fantastic islands and beaches to the south. As a result, many people do not have too much time to venture out beyond the city. This article is meant to help you figure out where you can and should go if you have a couple days to explore the region.
The biggest challenge for most tourist is probably figuring out how to get to whichever of the day trips they want to go on when visiting Bangkok.. There are many options, from driving yourself, taking a tour or eco tour, public transportation, and more. Some resources are listed below.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a waterfall tour to scuba diving and jungle trekking,
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
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Day Trips:
Ayutthaya
One of the best day trips while visiting Bangkok is to Ayutthaya, the original ancient capital of Thailand and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ayutthaya is located about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok and can be easily reached by train or bus from Bangkok through 12Go. There are also many organized tours on Viator.
Founded c. 1350, Ayutthaya became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. It was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century. However many of the original buildings and sights remain.
Here’s why Ayutthaya makes for one of the best day trips to learn about Thai history and culture.
Historical Significance: Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam for over 400 years and was one of the world’s largest urban areas during its heyday. One of the best day trips to see impressive ruins, ancient temples, and historical sites that offer a glimpse into Thailand’s rich cultural heritage.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet: This temple was the holiest site in Ayutthaya and served as the royal temple of the Kingdom. It features three large stupas that were once covered in gold, offering a breathtaking sight.
Wat Mahathat: Known for its iconic Buddha head entwined within the roots of a tree, Wat Mahathat is one of Ayutthaya’s most photographed sites. The temple complex also contains numerous ruins and prangs (reliquary towers).
Wat Chaiwatthanaram: This riverside temple is renowned for its picturesque setting and well-preserved architecture. It’s a great place to explore and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace: Located just outside Ayutthaya, this beautiful palace complex served as the summer residence of Thai kings. Visitors can explore the various pavilions, gardens, and lakes within the palace grounds.
Bridge Over River Kwai
Another of the best day trips to learn not only about Thai history, but western history as well is a visit to the River Kwai. This is a very popular sight to see for those visiting Bangkok.
A visit to the infamous bridge built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II, as well as a war cemetery containing the graves of those who died while building the bridge and the notorious Death Railway. See a replica of a prisoner of war camp then embark on a train journey along a stretch of the -Death Railway.
The easiest way to do this is on a tour.
Unique Shopping Experience
These two experience and favorite day trips seem like they are put there for tourists, since they are so unique. However they are a real tradition and have been going on for decades. The best way to experience these two while visiting Bangkok is by tour. A simple drive from Bangkok.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Located east of the city, these are two of the most famously photograhed places. Going by tour is the best option. Damnoen Saduak is the most popular floating market in Thailand.
This famous floating market is located 100km (62 miles) southwest of the city. It’s a maze of narrow canals (called khlongs), crossed by small wooden boats mainly paddled by female vendors wearing traditional farmers’ shirts and conical straw hats. A must see when visiting Bangkok.
Mae Klong Railway Market Tour
Close by is Talad Rom Hoop, also known as ‘Train Umbrella Market’, for a unique market experience and one of the classic day trips while visiting Bangkok. The market literally sits on the railway track and every day customers and shopkeepers make way for the Bangkok-Maeklong train to pass.
- What it’s known for: A unique attraction where a train passes through the middle of the market a few times a day.
- What to see: Vendors move their goods out of the way of the train, and then put them back once the train has passed.
- What to buy: Fresh produce, seafood, meats, dried food, and other goods.
- Where to find it: Located near Mae Klong Railway Station, Mueng District, Samut Songkhram Province.
Pattaya City
One of the most popular day trips for those visiting Bangkok is doing south the Pattaya. The city and its beaches and attractions are an easy drive for those visiting Bangkok of less than two hours. Getting there is also fairly easy with lots of public transportation options from 12Go. Taking a tour with Viator is a great way to enjoy these day trips without the hassle of driving yourself.
Pattaya city offers many attractions you can do if just going for the day. There are some great beaches in the city, as well as several islands off shore that are great for snorkeling and day trips. Visiting some of the best shopping areas in Thailand, and some amazing temples.
Visit the famous Pattaya Floating Market. With over 400 shop and boat vendors, which is a unique shopping experience. My wife took me here just after it opened in 2010. However it was October and poring rain. Enjoy Thai food, desserts and specialty items from all over Thailand.
Enjoy the beaches at Pattaya city with swimming and para-sailing. Or if you are looking for a island and snorkeling trip they can be booked through Viator. Two nearby island of Koh Phai and Koh Lan are just a short boat ride from the beach.
Visit the Sanctuary of Truth museum and Wat Phra Yai. The museum structure is a hybrid of a temple and a castle that is themed on the Ayutthaya Kingdom and of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. The building is notably constructed entirely out of wood, and is still under construction.
Khao Yai National Park
For those looking to visit a national park while visiting Bangkok, this is one of your best options. Khao Yai National Park is present in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex in Thailand. It is spread across 2,168-km² area with rainforest, Khao Rom (1000-ft AMSL) and rolling hills. This is a great park to explore by cycling, forest hiking, and jeep safari.
Full of nature and wildlife, it is easy to spot many birds, animals, and reptiles on your safari. It is advisable to go for hiking and trekking in the permitted places only. A week-long adventure is necessary to see all of the Sai Yok National Park attractions.
Established in 1962 as Thailand’s first national park, it is the third largest national park in Thailand. Making it one of the best places for nature and wildlife. It is situated mainly in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Khao Yai extends into Prachinburi, Saraburi and Nakhon Nayok provinces. The main checkpoint of the park is 180 km from Bangkok.
The rainy season is from May to October with high humidity and with the most rainfall in September. The rest of the year is quite dry. November to February are the winter months with cooler weather and average temperatures of 22 °C during the day and down to 9-10 °C during the night.
What You Can Do
The main activities in the park are hiking, nature and wildlife viewing, visiting waterfalls & viewpoints and camping. The visitor center area is a good spot to get some quick information and starting day trips.
There are two main campsites in the park; Lam Ta Khong Campsite and Pha Kluai Mai Campsite. Tents and sleeping gear can be rented from each campsite and can’t be booked in advance.
There are seven official trails of which most must be accompanied by either a guide or a ranger (if available). Guides can be arranged via various tour operators (or this website), rangers must be arranged earliest in the morning for availability. The shortest trail is a 800 m long circular trail behind the visitor center, the longest one is the 8 km, an one way trail that starts behind the visitor center and ends at Haew Suwat Waterfall.
Getting There
A single taxi trip from any hotel/airport in Bangkok to a hotel north of Khao Yai costs from 2,200 Baht up. The trip takes around 2h 15 mins to 2h 30 mins in good traffic. It is not possible to enter the park by foot from the checkpoint. The visitor center is around 14 km further in and other popular attractions are much further inside the park.
Viator would be the best option for nature and wildlife, for those who don’t have their own transportation.
