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Bangkok: temples and the river

A suggested itinerary based in Bangkok. Allow 2 days.

A suggested route for your own trip, inspired by the Journal’s locations. It is not a record of Andy’s personal itinerary.

Allow2 daysBaseBangkokRoute4 planned stages

Editorially reviewed 16 September 2026 · confirm live access before travelling.

Bangkok — photograph from Andy’s Journal

Your suggested route

The times below are suggested allowances, not live opening hours or transport schedules. Adjust the order for your arrival time, bookings and conditions.

  1. Day 1 · Morning · Grand Palace

    Start with the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, allowing two to three hours for entry, the grounds and a considered visit. Check official opening arrangements and clothing requirements before leaving. Keep this as the morning’s main attraction rather than combining several temple appointments.

  2. Day 1 · Afternoon · Wat Pho and the river

    Have lunch around the old-city riverfront, then visit Wat Pho for about 90 minutes. If energy allows, use the appropriate ferry crossing for Wat Arun; otherwise enjoy the river from the bank. Finish with dinner nearby instead of crossing Bangkok in rush-hour traffic.

  3. Day 2 · Morning · Talat Noi

    Begin with breakfast and a slow walk in Talat Noi, noticing the working streets, shrines and older buildings. Allow two hours with a café stop. Ask before photographing people inside workshops and keep access clear for residents and deliveries.

  4. Day 2 · Afternoon and evening · Chinatown

    Rest during the hottest part of the day, then explore Yaowarat and nearby streets as food businesses open. Choose a few dishes across a manageable area rather than chasing a long list of famous stalls. Return by a planned transport route after dinner.

Where to pause for food

Use an old-city restaurant for a seated first lunch. In Chinatown, pick a noodle dish, a cooked savoury plate and a dessert according to appetite and current queues. Ask prices before ordering seafood sold by weight. Carry water and make room for an air-conditioned break.

Getting around

Combine MRT, river services and short walks; use taxis for gaps where helpful. Check the correct pier and service before boarding. Allow substantial buffers for road travel, and choose accommodation near rail or a useful river connection.

For a shorter day or different weather

Skip Wat Arun if the first two temple visits fill the day. In rain, replace the Talat Noi walk with a museum or longer indoor meal. A skyline bar can replace the second evening, with a booking and dress-code check, rather than being another obligation.

Before you go

Check palace access directly and buy through the official channel. Verify temple clothing requirements and individual opening hours. These days are grouped geographically; Ayutthaya and Maeklong deserve separate excursions.

Visitor information and further planning

Use these destination, attraction and operator resources to check current access and arrangements before booking.

Places from the Journal

Explore the original Instagram posts from this destination.

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