What to Do if You Only Have 48 Hours to Visit Bangkok

Bangkok is a cultural melting pot where you can find historical places, elegant architecture, and a plethora of street food stalls and restaurants to try. Whether you’re planning for a weekend getaway or a short stopover, you can still make the most out of your stay even if you only have 48 hours in Bangkok.

Check out our recommended places that you can explore in two days.

Day 1

Morning

Option 1: Lumphini Park

For the first day of your 48 hours in Bangkok, you can take a morning exercise at Lumpini Park (or Lumphini Park) as early as 4:30 AM.

Home to a variety of flora and fauna, this is one of the biggest parks in Bangkok and it’s open to the public. Everyone can relax in the park, do aerobics, and participate in different leisure activities. Just don’t forget to practice social distancing.

Option 2: Chao Phraya River Express

If you’re into boat cruises, ride the Chao Phraya River Express and explore five cities and temples. The departure area is at Sathorn Pier and the cruise leaves at 7:45 AM (schedule may change without prior notice).

Afternoon

Option 1: Bangkok National Museum

Exhibiting the largest collection of local arts and artifacts of Thailand, Bangkok National Museum houses some of Asia’s most important prehistoric items. Upon your visit, you can see Chinese weapons, Thai Kingdom antiques, and Southeast Asian traditional musical instruments, among others.

On selected days, the museum offers free tours in different languages such as English, German, French, and Japanese.

Option 2: Wat Pho, The Temple of The Reclining Buddha

Also called the Wat Phra Chetuphon, the famous Reclining Buddha is located behind the well-respected Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It measures 15 meters in height and is 46 meters long. Visitors are encouraged to drop coins in one of the 108 bronze bowls for good luck. Before you enter the temple, you need to take off your shoes and make sure that you are wearing appropriate clothing (above-the-knee shorts and sleeveless tops are prohibited).

Evening

At night, you can explore Chinatown, which is said to be the biggest of its kind in the world. Aside from lovely temples, Bangkok's Chinatown is famous for its exotic street food spots, bargain items, and affordable Thai massage.

Day 2

Morning

Maeklong Railway Market

On your second day in Bangkok, you can hit the Maeklong Railway Market in the morning. As its name suggests, the market is located literally in the middle of the railroad.

It is one of the most famous markets in Thailand because of the trains that pass through, forcing vendors to pull aside their stuff and make way for the vehicle. creating a one-of-a-kind experience for tourists. Just like ordinary markets, Maeklong Railway has various kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, and seafood available.

Afternoon

Option 1: Bangkok’s Floating Market

To complete your market adventure in Bangkok, immerse yourself in the city’s floating market where you can indulge in local and traditional Thai dishes while riding on a long-tail boat. Aside from wet goods, Bangkok’s floating market also offers handmade t-shirts, home decorations, flowers, and other souvenir items.

Option 2: The Death Railway

Popularly called the Thailand-Burma Railway, this is a historical tour along the Bridge Over the River Kwai. According to stories, the Death Railway was built by World War II prisoners and Asian slaves who later died during the bridge construction.

Evening

Rooftop bars and Restaurants

To end your 48 hours of vacation in Bangkok, enjoy the night at the best sky bars and restaurants in the city. From luxurious lounges to alfresco bars, there are a bunch of options to get your first taste of Thai nightlife filled with cocktails and a memorable dinner.