Best Day Trips from Bangkok
This magnificent capital city is the most populated area in Thailand and also one of the most visited. In fact, it is such a popular destination they have two major international airports to service all the tourists and professionals passing through Bangkok.
You will find plenty inside the city to keep you busy but after a taste of what Thailand has to offer you are going to want to start exploring all the fabulous places that make the best day trips from Bangkok. From vibrant streets to serene temples and a little splash of everything in between, you will want to immerse yourself in Thai culture.
There are so many wonderful places near Bangkok that could easily be reached and explored in a day that gives you a deeper sense of the county, its culture, and its breathtaking beauty. While Bangkok itself is exciting, sometimes the slower pace of the smaller villages will help you get over your sensory overload and help you appreciate all you are experiencing.
Store your bags with Bounce in Bangkok to travel light from one exceptional destination to another. After you have spent time meandering through quiet temples, tasting the delicious food at Chatuchak Market, and visiting the best museums in Bangkok, check out these terrific day trips to venture beyond the city. You'll be glad you did!
How to get out of Bangkok
When visiting a country, you are not very familiar with it is always best to rely on public transportation, and learning how to get around Bangkok will save you a lot of headaches. When planning day trips from Bangkok, look at train and bus routes before you consider hiring a taxi or minivan or even driving yourself. Public transport is usually cheaper than hiring a taxi or minivan or even renting a car.
With several train stations and bus stations crisscrossing Bangkok, you can rest assured that there will be a train or bus going into the area you are hoping to visit. Bus tours are very common from Bangkok and your tour guide will take care of all transportation issues and stops throughout the tour, leaving you with the only task of enjoying the ride.
From Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Only about one and a half hours outside of Bangkok, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is one of the most famous floating markets in the country. You will definitely be on sensory overload when you spend time exploring this market with local vendors decking their long tail boats out in vibrant, colorful décor, and offering a huge array of products.
Most vendors offer trinkets, fresh produce, cut flowers, and souvenirs of all shapes and sizes. Local food vendors also offer local dishes. Your taste buds will thank you when you visit here. Tourists tend to flock to this floating market, so it does get crowded pretty quickly.
Come early in the morning before the tourists start arriving, This allows you to see the true nature of the market before the tourists converge and the vendors start catering to them. You will get to see how the vendors set up their boats, see some of their best offerings, and in some instances get a chance to chat and haggle.
Once you have spent time exploring the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market you can easily drive, or take a bus, to the Amphawa Floating Market which is only about 15 minutes away.
How to get to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Public buses are the cheapest way to reach Damnoen Saduak. Hop on the bus in Bangkok at the Southern Bus Terminal and then hop off near the market. You will need to hire a boat to reach the floating market.
From Bangkok to Ayutthaya
Thailand was once known as the Kingdom of Siam and Ayutthaya was the ancient capital city of Siam until 1767. Today, this ancient city lies in ruins, but still has several standing structures and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the day strolling through the ruins of this once majestic city.
The ruins hold many secrets about the past and as you meander through the city you will find stone ruins of temples, Buddha statues, palaces, and other fascinating sites. There are three main temples that are still mostly intact that have become very popular tourist spots: Wat Mahathat, Wat Na Phra Mane, and Wat Lokayasutharam.
The city is quite large so you will be walking quite a bit as you spend the day poking your head into the various places. Hire a tuk-tuk to drive you around for an hour or so when you get too tired strolling through these ancient ruins, or if you are an active person, rent a bicycle and see the sights of the Ayutthaya Historical Park that way.
How to get to Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is only about a two-hour train ride from Bangkok, it will take a lot longer by car. You can also book a guided tour through an established tour company in Bangkok for the true day trip experience, so you do not miss anything significant when you visit Ayutthaya.
From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
This less touristy town has two things that make it one of the best day trips from Bangkok: The Death Railway and the Bridge on the River Kwai. Both of these landmarks were built during World War II. There are several other amazing monuments near Kanchanaburi that were built during WWII.
The Death Railway, or the Thai Burma Railway, was constructed by several Prisoners of War and Japanese army laborers who were occupying Thailand at that time. Tourists can hop on the train and take a slow countryside journey along the Death Railway. Bring your camera for some fantastic photos of the Thai countryside.
The steel bridge that crosses the River Kwai was also built during World War II by prisoners of war. River Kwai Bridge has become a rather famous bridge and the perfect place to snap breathtaking photos. After strolling across the bridge, check out the many temples and museums in Kanchanaburi to learn more about the local culture and history of the area.
How to get to Kanchanaburi
It is about a two-hour trip from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. You can take the train, minibus, or hire a taxi. The easiest method of transportation to Kanchanaburi is by train. You can sit back in the comfort of the train and watch the scenery go by.
From Bangkok to Erawan National Park
Founded in 1975, the Erawan National Park is considered one of the best-hidden gems of Thailand. It is not well-known by tourists therefore its natural beauty has not been disturbed by large crowds. When you plan a day trip to Erawan National Park, make sure Erawan Falls is on your itinerary.
This seven-tier waterfall is breathtaking with sapphire-colored natural pools at the base. Bring your swimsuit as you can dive into the fresh pools for a little swimming. Hike along the walking trails that are located around Erawan Falls. You can bring a picnic but you cannot bring any food past the waterfall’s second tier.
You will also want to check out the Ta Duang Cave featuring ancient rock paintings. Stop by the Tha Thung Na Village with its unbelievably beautiful pottery. There is an entry fee into the park and you can even rent a bicycle at the entrance if you wish.
How to get to Erawan National Park
It is quickest to drive to the Erawan National Park, which will take about three hours. You can hire a minivan to take you to the park, but this will take you just over four hours. By train will take almost six hours. Luckily, the scenery along the way is breathtaking but since it is such a long trip, you may want to make this a weekend trip so you can see more of the park.
From Bangkok to Pattaya
Most likely Pattaya is the closest beach to Bangkok and is an easy day trip when you are in need of some sand and sunshine. This seaside city is a wonderful ocean getaway that was once a tiny fishing village. Recently, it has exploded into a tourist town with bars, cafes, restaurants, and hotels.
Stretch out on Jomtien Beach and dip your toes in the sea. Stop by the Wat Phra Yai and the Sanctuary of Truth, two traditional and beautiful temples that are the best place to sit and meditate in the peacefulness of the area. Pattaya Beach is one of the absolute best day trips.
How to get to Pattaya
Pattaya is about an hour and a half from Bangkok by public bus. You can hire a taxi to take you there but the public bus will be much cheaper and buses leave Bangkok for Pattaya every two hours. Be sure to bring along your swimsuit and beach towel as well as your sunscreen.
From Bangkok to Floating Vineyards in Samut Sakhon
Southeast Asia is not really known for its wineries or vineyards but there are actually a few that are nearby and are terrific destinations for day trips from Bangkok. Along the Chao Phraya River Delta in Samut Sakhon there are a few Floating Vineyards.
These Floating Vineyards are really just normal vineyards that look like they are floating because, between each row of grapes, there are deep irrigation canals. The fertile soil gets a lot of rain so the vineyards have to be careful to maintain the vines and keep them from falling into the water.
It really is a cool sight, seeing the canopy of the grape vines over the irrigation canals. The grapes are harvested by workers floating down the canals in wooden boats and handpicking the grapes. It is wonderful to visit during harvest season to see how they work along the canals picking the grapes.
How to get to Samut Sakhon
Taking the train to Samut Sakhon from Bangkok is the cheaper choice but will take about an hour to get there. You can book a taxi that will take you directly to the floating vineyards, which is about a 35-minute drive. Driving yourself is also an option so you can take your time and visit places along the way.
From Bangkok to Wat Saman Rattanaram
You do not want to miss the opportunity to see the biggest reclining Ganesh statue in Thailand. For those not familiar with eastern religions, Ganesh is the Hindu god that took on the form of the elephant. This particular statue has Ganesh painted bright pink and stands 52 feet tall and 72 feet long.
The Wat Saman Rattanaram is a fantastic way to showcase the relationship in Thailand between the Buddhist and Hindu faiths. Even though Ganesh is Hindu, the temple complex offers shops and street markets filled with Buddhist and Hindu trinkets and relics.
Spend the day exploring the temple complex, meditating, and shopping. There are even a few cafes to grab a bite to eat and rest after spending time at Wat Saman Rattanaram.
How to get to Wat Saman Rattanaram
It is a two-hour ride from the Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal to Chachoengsao, the temple complex located just outside this small town. You can take a taxi or drive yourself if you are comfortable navigating through Thailand.
From Bangkok to Mueang Boran
While there are plenty of great things to see when you explore Bangkok, a day trip out of the city will give you a chance to get away from the crowds and enjoy learning more about the history of Thailand. The ancient city of Mueang Boran is in the province of Samut Prakan and is filled with culture and history.
Mueang Boran is kind of like an open-air museum with its collection of buildings and several monuments where you can learn about Thailand’s religion, architecture, and history. You can take a tour through the ruined palaces and temples of the city and check out the different statues showcasing different yoga poses.
The Erawan Museum is located here with its exhibits of traditional Thai furniture, textiles, and art. The three-headed elephant statue is a must-see. Take a stroll through King Rama IX Park and the lake located there. There is an admission fee to Mueang Boran.
How to get to Mueang Boran
Public transportation is most likely the easiest way to reach this ancient city. By bus, it will take about an hour and a half, but by BTS it will only take about an hour. A taxi would be the quickest but can be pricey.
Unique Day Trips from Bangkok
After dining and shopping, Bangkok day trips are a wonderful way to get out of the city and see more of Thailand. From ancient ruins to man-made islands to floating markets, you will find a lot of marvelous things to see and do.
Sample delicious street food, visit a summer palace, or tour the Jeath War Museum. Southeast Asia is filled with wonder. Take a day trip or a half-day tour of many of these must-see places.
