9 Best Day Trips from Bangkok

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Looking for the best day trips from Bangkok? Check out this list of top recommendations by travel experts.

Although there’s plenty to keep you busy in Bangkok, taking a day trip out of the city can be a great way to escape the sometimes overwhelming rhythm of the Thai capital and to explore more of Thailand.

So I asked fellow travel bloggers about their favorite places and experiences outside Bangkok. The result is this comprehensive list of suggestions and pro travel tips.

If you’re planning to take a day tour from Bangkok, this article covers everything you need to know, from the best destinations to how to get there and things to do.

 

Best day trips from Bangkok:

Maeklong Railway Market

Recommended by Helen from Destination>Differentville

Located about 80km outside Bangkok, Maeklong Railway Market is one of those places you can’t quite believe exists.

Most of the day it’s a simple market set up along a railway track, selling fruit, vegetables, fish and household goods to the locals.

But eight times a day, at the sound of a loud horn, the stallholders stop what they are doing, lift up their goods and pull in the umbrellas that shade them and their stock from the sun as an absolutely massive train goes straight through the middle of it.

I’d seen pictures of this – and video – but you really can’t appreciate how big the train is or how close it comes until you’re standing on the edge of the rail track with it thundering past your nose. The girl next to me actually whimpered.

Once the train has left Maeklong, you can wander around the market a bit more or, if it’s the weekend, take a taxi or local transport to the nearby Amphawa floating market.

Getting to Maeklong is most commonly done via a tour or on a minibus from central Bangkok.

In my opinion, though, the most fun way to get to Maeklong is by train which you can do from Wongwian Yai station in Bangkok.

This takes about 2,5 hours but lets you travel through the market yourself. Once you get off, you have enough time to head to the tracks to watch the train pass back out again.

You can then jump on a minibus back to Bangkok, nerves jangling, but amazing memories firmly in place.

Suggested tour: Book a guided tour from Bangkok to Maeklong Railway Market and nearby Amphawa floating market here.

 

Lop Buri

Recommended by Maire from Temples and Treehouses

Lop Buri is a small, sleepy town with a major claim to fame: it’s home to a huge number of monkeys!

You’ll see them everywhere, crossing the roads in packs, peering down from lampposts and jumping between rooftops.

Scattered around the town center, you’ll find beautiful ruined Khmer temples, some dating from the 12th and 13th centuries — and all of them overrun with monkeys.

These monkeys have traditionally been revered by locals and they definitely seem to rule the town.

Each year in November, Lop Buri even holds a monkey festival, serving up a food buffet on tables for the monkeys, and it’s a famous Thai event.

The monkeys can actually be quite scary and aggressive.

In the most famous temple of Phra Prang Sam Yot, also known as the monkey temple, the monkeys run and jump at tourists and try to snatch their belongings.

One monkey actually leaped onto my back and I couldn’t shake him off! That said, visiting was a fun and quirky experience that I definitely enjoyed.

You can visit Lop Buri by train or bus from Bangkok.

The trip takes around three hours. It’s on the same train line as Ayutthaya, so if you time it carefully it could be possible to take in both in one day trip.

Suggested tour: You can book a private guided tour to Ayutthaya and Lopburi Monkey Temple, including hotel pick-up and lunch, here.

 

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Recommended by Mervin from Pinoy Adventurista

For me, if there’s one floating market that is worth visiting on a day tour from Bangkok, that would be the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Located at about 100 km southwest of Bangkok, in Damnoen Saduak District in Ratchaburi Province, it is one of the oldest and most popular floating markets in Thailand.

Visited by many foreign and local tourists, it is an awesome place for great photo opportunities, taste the local food, and to have an insight into the floating market culture of Thailand.

What I enjoyed most about our visit was the longtail boat that toured us around for a ride along the narrow canals of the floating market.

It was interesting to see small wooden boats with small kitchens selling local food and drinks. You can grab some snack while on the boat exploring the huge market.

Experiencing the iconic floating markets of Damnoen Saduak is definitely a must when visiting Thailand. Don’t miss it on your next trip to Bangkok.

Suggested tour: Book your Damnoen Saduak Floating Market tour here.

 

Ayutthaya

Recommended by Sarah from ASocialNomad

With regular trains and minivans from Bangkok to this ancient capital of Siam, Ayutthaya is the perfect day trip from Bangkok.

It takes just 90 minutes to get to Ayutthaya from Thailand’s current capital and it’s not expensive either.

You can take a train from Hua Lamphong station for just 20 THB, or alternatively take a minivan from the Victory Monument.

Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam between 1350 and 1767 and it’s been a UNESCO World site since 1991.

It’s an easy city to visit as a day trip. You can take a tour on foot, by tuk-tuk or by renting a bike.

The most famous thing to see is Wat Phra Mahathat, home of the famous sandstone Buddha head tangled in the tree roots.

My favorite temple of the original 400 built here is Wat Ratchaburana, which has a stunning underground crypt, accessed by climbing up the glorious Prang.

There are also great foodie opportunities in Ayutthaya, with all varieties of Thai food on offer, but before leaving you should find some Roti Sai Mai, a specialty found only here.

It’s a rice pancake stuffed with cotton candy/ spun sugar with both made in lurid colors. It’s unique, I’ll give it that!

Suggested tour: This Ayutthaya city tour includes transfers from Bangkok, English speaking guide, lunch, and a chance to wear the traditional chut thai.

 

Wat Bang Phra

Recommended by Cazzy from Dream Big, Travel Far

If you’re looking for a day tour from Bangkok that will leave you with a permanent (literally) memory, then a visit to Wat Bang Phra should be on your list.

Wat Bang Phra is the famous spot in Thailand where you can get the iconic Sak Yant tattoo and only 45 minutes outside Bangkok.

The experience itself is a surreal one as you find yourself in a room with many locals also getting tattoos.

There is no speaking, no cost (other than a gift donation to the monk), and you patiently sit in line waiting your turn.

Even when you get your tattoo, it’s not a case of describing what you would like done. It’s a standard Sak Yant and done freehand, which is actually pretty impressive.

It’s probably the cheapest tattoo you’ll ever get and also a great experience.

Even if you’re not getting a tattoo, Wat Bang Phra is still a beautiful temple to visit and very peaceful.

You can easily get there with an uber or a taxi and you can negotiate a price with the driver to wait for you and bring you back.

Do try to arrive as early as possible to get ahead of the queues, but you’ll probably find yourself waiting in line for a couple of hours.

Suggested tour: Book a Wat Bang Phra tour with an experienced English speaking guide, including the opportunity to get a holy tattoo and blessing from a Buddhist monk.

 

Khao Yai National Park

Recommended by Inna from the Executive Thrillseeker

Khao Yai is the third largest and, perhaps, the most popular national park in Thailand.

It is located 200 km north-east of Bangkok on an area of more than 2 thousand square kilometers of untouched jungle.

In 2005, the park was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

About 67 mammal species reside in Khao Yai Park, including bears, elephants, and even tigers. However, it is unlikely that you will see tigers, even the park staff hardly see them.

Besides that, there is a numerous amount of bird species and plants.

There are lots of hiking trails with a total length of more than 50 km and all the trails are marked.

The most popular one is the 5-kilometer route number 5, leading through the forest and the field to the observation tower located near the lake.

If you follow the path number 3, you will see birds and monkeys along the way.

Haew Narok waterfall is located about 6 km from the entrance to the park. This 150-meter high waterfall is a truly magnificent sight and is the most popular waterfall to visit.

Haew Suwat waterfall is also one of the places where the movie The Beach with Leonardo Dicaprio has been filmed.

In the evenings, excursion cars leave for a night safari. Tickets are sold beforehand at the ticket office at the entrance. If you choose to go for a night safari, do take warm clothes with you.

You can take a minivan, bus or train from Bangkok to Pak Chong.

Buses and minivans depart from Mo Chit Bus Station, trains from Hua Lampong Train Station. When you reach Pak Chong, take a songthaew to the national park.

If you have a chance, rent a scooter to get there as it is the most convenient way and helpful when exploring the park as the territory is huge.

I rented a scooter in Bangkok, but you can rent one in Pak Chong too.

Suggested tour: Book your Khao Yai National Park custom made tour from Bangkok here.

 

Kanchanaburi

Recommended by Roslie from Coastlines to Skylines

For a unique day trip from Bangkok, I suggest looking into Kanchanaburi.

Located about two hours west of the capital, this town has a dark history that’s thoughtfully reflected in its many historical monuments.

It’s also home to some of the natural wonders that Thailand is so well known for.

Here are some of Kanchanaburi’s highlights:

Death Railway Bridge – This impressive bridge is part of the Thailand Burma Railway, which tragically cost thousands of imprisoned construction workers their lives when it was destroyed by Allied bombs in WII.

You can now freely explore the bridge, while cheerful food and souvenir stands greet you at the entrance.

JEATH War Museum – This open-air cultural museum holds writing and artwork by former prisoners of war who were sentenced to help build the Death Railway.

The photos are stark, and depict the harsh living conditions, along with artifacts and personal effects, even an unexploded Allied bomb.

Allied War Cemetery – Almost 7 thousand soldiers (mostly British and Australian) are buried in this immaculate cemetery, which is worth a tour just for its sheer and humbling size.

Check the register at the front if you’re looking for the grave of a loved one.

Erawan Falls – These 7 waterfalls encompass the best of Thailand’s natural wonders.

Nestled in a national park amongst lush evergreens, the magnificent falls are joined by placid turquoise pools and an array of wildlife, including wild boar and elephants.

There are plenty of walking trails and caves, making it the perfect place to spend a serene afternoon.

Aside from its historically-rich past, Kanchanaburi is full of exotic wonders and is less tourist-driven than Bangkok.

For a unique day trip, it’s a must.

Suggested tour: This Kanchanaburi full day tour from Bangkok covers most of the highlights, hotel pick-up, and lunch.

 

Lam Phaya Floating Market

Recommended by Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan

In Thailand, lots of markets are referred to as “floating markets”, but not all of them live up to the name.

Lam Phaya is one that truly is a floating market and takes places along the town’s canals.

This is a major agricultural area, so there are plenty of produce boats about, making for a picturesque scene and plenty of good photo opportunities.

In many cases, it’s the farmers themselves who sell their fruits and vegetables at the market.

In addition, you can also buy cooked food at some of the market stalls. Popular dishes include grilled fish as well as spicy salads and other vegan Thai dishes.

While you’re there, take a peek inside the free museum, which has displays about the local way of life, including pottery and agricultural tools.

Motorboat trips leave six times per day from the market and make a stop at the famous tattoo temple, Wat Bang Phra, where Angelina Jolie got tattooed by a monk.

But if you miss the boat departure times, local boatmen will be happy to take you on a private rowboat trip.

You won’t get as far as you would in a motorized boat, but you can visit a local Buddhist shrine and view the stilt houses built over the water.

The easiest way to get to the Lam Phaya from Bangkok by public transport is with the van service that leaves from next to the Central Pinklao Mall.

The trip takes about 45 minutes and costs 60 baht. Vans leave every hour from 7 am to 5 pm.

Another option is to take a bus to Nakhon Pathom and then change to a minibus, which will stop right in front of Lam Phaya temple.

 

Koh Larn Island

Recommended by Allan from Live Less Ordinary

For many people, the last place they would ever want to go on a day trip from Bangkok is Pattaya, a coastal Thai city famed for its sleaze.

But the city is also the closest coastal resort to Bangkok, and, traveling just a short distance further by boat, brings you to the serene and sandy shores of Koh Larn.

This is by far the easiest accessed island from Bangkok on a day-trip. However, it will take roughly 3 hours there, and 3 hours back, so it may be worth considering an overnight stay on the island.

Otherwise, an early start and late return still give a decent half-day to laze around and soak up the sun on the island’s different beaches.

To travel from Bangkok to Koh Larn, it first takes a 2-hour journey to Pattaya. Regular buses and minivans leave Bangkok’s ‘Eastern’ Bus Station (next to Ekamai Skytrain Station) to Bali Hai Pier.

The Bali Hai Pier is located just next to Pattaya’s notorious Walking Street, so it’s easy to find if the buses don’t go directly there.

Boats to Koh Larn leave regularly from the pier, with two options; either speed boat (15 minutes journey time at 300 Baht pp) or by the Koh Larn Ferry (45 minutes journey time at 30 Baht pp).

You can then walk or rent a bike or motorbike from the pier, to explore the various beaches of the island.

Suggested tour: Take a Koh Larn Island tour from Bangkok with snorkeling and water sliding experience. Other fun options include parasailing, banana boat, and jet ski.

 

From floating markets to historical cities, from lush nature to idyllic beaches, this list of the best day trips from Bangkok according to travel bloggers has got you covered. Which one will you choose?

 

Have you taken a day trip from Bangkok? What would you add to this list of day tours from Bangkok? Share in the comments section below!

 

Read more:

• Bangkok 4 days itinerary for 1st timers
• A perfect Thailand 2 week itinerary
• What to do in Koh Samui
• The best Chiang Mai 4 day itinerary

 

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