9 Best Day Trips from Bangkok: Temples, Markets & More

Thailand was one of my favorite countries to visit while living in Asia, and I’ve been lucky to spend quite a bit of time in Bangkok. The city has more than enough to keep you busy for days, but some of the most rewarding experiences are just outside the capital. Whether you’re into historic temples, floating markets, or offbeat small towns, there are plenty of easy day trips from Bangkok that show a different side of Thailand.

In this guide, I’ve teamed up with other travelers to share the best Bangkok day trips—mixing my own favorites with their top recommendations—plus practical tips to help you plan. You’ll find the big highlights, like Ayutthaya and Pattaya, along with less touristy spots that are worth the extra effort.

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Best Day Trips from Bangkok

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is one of the best day trips from Bangkok and a must if you’re interested in history. Once the second capital of Siam, the city flourished until it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. While the wooden palaces were lost to fire, many brick temples and monasteries remain, making Ayutthaya one of Thailand’s most fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The historical park is huge with dozens of ruins, so you won’t see everything in one day. But a few temples really stand out. Wat Phra Mahathat is the most famous, with the Buddha head wrapped in tree roots, while Wat Ratchaburana has intricate carvings and great views from its prang. Wat Phra Si Sanphet, once part of the royal palace, is another highlight. And if you can, save Wat Chaiwatthanaram for sunset—the riverside setting is hard to beat.

Ayutthaya is about an hour’s drive from Bangkok. The easiest way to visit is by booking a private driver or joining a guided day tour, which makes it simple to cover more ground. Trains also run from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station and take about two hours. Once you’re there, rent a bicycle or grab a tuk-tuk to get between the temples, since they sit far apart.

Erawan Museum

Erawan Museum is about an hour south of Bangkok in Samut Prakan. It’s sometimes confused with Erawan Falls in Kanchanaburi, but the two are very different. The museum is best known for its enormous three-headed elephant statue that sits on top of a pink temple.

The exterior is striking, but the real surprise is inside. The staircases feature dragons and mythical figures, and above them, a stained-glass dome represents earth, fire, wind, and water. You can take the elevator up into the elephant itself, where a blue worship room lined with Buddha statues awaits. Below, an exhibition displays artifacts, ceramics, and religious treasures.

Outside, the gardens are full of tropical plants, waterfalls, and playful elephant statues that trumpet when you walk past. There’s also a small restaurant and a souvenir shop if you want a break.

Entry costs 400 baht, which isn’t cheap, but if you book tickets online, it’s a better value and also includes entry to the nearby Ancient City. To get here, ride the BTS Skytrain to Chang Erawan Station on the green line, then hop in a Grab taxi for the short ride to the museum. Since it’s also one of the most Instagrammable spots in Bangkok, make sure to dress modestly—knees and shoulders covered—as it’s still a religious site.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

No Bangkok trip feels complete without visiting a floating market, and Damnoen Saduak is the most famous of them all. It’s about 1.5 hours southwest of the city, and you’ll spend your time cruising through narrow canals on a long-tail boat. Vendors line the waterways selling souvenirs, handicrafts, and plenty of food—mango sticky rice, pad Thai, coconut ice cream—all served right to your boat.

I’ve been to Damnoen Saduak twice, and while it’s still a fun experience, it has become more touristy over the years. You’ll get great photos and a glimpse of canal life, but it doesn’t feel as authentic as it once did. Expect boatmen to stop at almost every stall, which gets a bit annoying, and vendors often push prices higher than they should be. If you do want to buy something, be ready to haggle.

If you visit independently, you’ll also need to pay extra for a boat ride. Prices vary by pier, but don’t pay more than about 500 baht per person—anything higher is a rip-off. To avoid the hassle, the easiest option is to join a guided day tour from Bangkok, which covers transport and includes a boat ride through the market.

Maeklong Railway Market

The Maeklong Railway Market, more commonly known as just the Bangkok Train Market, is another great excursion from Bangkok not to miss.

Located less than 1 hour’s drive from the city, Maeklong is a cool market set up along a railway track. Dozens of local vendors sell various products from fruit and veg to freshly caught fish, meat and even souvenirs along the narrow railway track. 

However, what makes really makes Maeklong such a unique attraction is that every time the train approaches, vendors need to pick up and move their goods off the tracks. Once the train passes, vendors place all the goods back. It’s quite a spectacle. Everything happens rather quickly, and it’s amazing how quickly vendors return their goods to their previous positions.

Maeklong is quite a popular tourist attraction outside Bangkok, so joining an organized day trip is quite easy. Alternatively, you can also arrange a private driver there and create your itinerary for the day. The market is open from 6 am to 6 pm, but timing your visit is key, as the train only comes at 8.30 am, 11.30 am, 2.30 pm and 5.40 pm. If you can, stick around until the train returns (30 minutes after arrival) for even more photo ops. 

Lopburi

Recommended by PlacesofJuma.

If you’re looking for an unusual day trip from Bangkok, a really great destination is the small town of Lopburi, also known as the City of Monkeys. You can reach this place by train, private charter, or—most conveniently—on a guided tour.

Lopburi is well-known for the Prang Sam Yod temple, where thousands of monkeys live. During a tour, you can discover numerous playful monkeys that are up to mischief around the temple. Many tourists feed the macaques, but this is not really recommended. When visiting, you should also hide all your valuables well. Even glasses can be interesting for monkeys.

As a special feature, there is even a big monkey festival once a year. During this celebration, locals build a massive buffet in honor of the many macaques – a unique spectacle one can hardly imagine.

But there is more in Lopburi. You should definitely visit the historic old town, where there are no monkeys, but other fascinating temples off the typical tourist routes. Another great stop is the market, where you can taste all kinds of Thai cuisine. 

Koh Kret Island

Recommended by Allan from Live Less Ordinary.

Located just north of Bangkok, Koh Kret is a small island in the Chao Phraya River, best known for its pottery villages and unique Burmese Mon heritage. Traditions were introduced by refugees trading in terracotta-ware jugs and bowls, and to this day, the old teak homes of the island continues to house the old kilns.

Koh Kret is a relatively small island easily explored on foot, with main attractions close to the arrival pier. For the more adventurous, rent a bicycle and follow the waymarked circular path covering the wider attractions. The island is surprisingly peaceful, serene, and green, given its proximity to big city life. 

Weekdays are quieter on Koh Kret when many of the eateries and Thai street food stalls close. Many museum exhibits and the local Chit brewery only open on the weekends too.

To get to Koh Kret, take a taxi from central Bangkok to the Koh Kret Pier is roughly 200 Baht. But you can find cheaper taxis from either Bang Sue MRT or the Nonthaburi Pier. 

Pattaya

Recommended by Vidyut from Triplyzer.

Located by the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations. 

You can directly get from Suvarnabhumi airport to Pattaya by bus, catch a bus from Mo Chit, or arrange a private driver to take you. There are also some great guided tours on offer that you can book. The 150 km distance takes just under 3 hours.

Your one perfect day in Pattaya must include Pattaya Beach, Sanctuary of Truth, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, and the walking street.

Start with the Sanctuary of Truth, a beautiful wooden monument situated near the ocean focusing on the importance of moral values. Then head to the lively Pattaya beach, a favorite spot for the sunseekers. If you like water sports, you can also enjoy activities such as jet skiing and a banana boat ride here.

Nong Nooch is a huge garden covering an area of 200 hectares. It features manicured gardens and a variety of tropical plants – including a wide variety of orchids. Take a stroll on the lively walking street, dotted with lots of eateries, bars, and entertainment options – the perfect place to wrap your day in Pattaya.

Kanchanaburi

Recommended by Sarah, A Social Nomad.

Kanchanaburi is just two hours from Thailand’s capital, making it a perfect day trip from Bangkok. 

Many visitors visit Kanchanaburi specifically to see the World War II sites, like Hellfire Pass, the Commonwealth Graveyard, and the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. The train line from Bangkok’s Thonburi station to the current end of the “Death Railway” that once ran through Burma, now Myanmar. All day tours from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi will visit the bridge. 

Several museums here also give immense detail on the railway, which was built by slave laborers and allied prisoners of war. There are also several National Parks close to Kanchanaburi – and it’s easy to visit Erawan National Park on a day trip to Kanchanaburi – where you can chase waterfalls, explore caves, and dip into glorious turquoise pools. 

Ang Thong

Recommended by Paul from Paulmarina.

A real off-beat Bangkok day trip away from the tourist crowds is to visit the beautiful province of Ang Thong, located to the north of Bangkok. It’s known as the golden rice basin of Thailand because the region is the largest rice producer in Thailand. 

The Ang Thong Buddhas and Temples are the main attraction in this very rural area of the country. The largest Buddha sits right between vibrant green rice fields and the Wat Muang temple. This temple is also known as the crystal temple. Beautiful mirrors decorate the inner rooms, creating a special ambiance and light. The garden area is the Buddhist version of hell, with tall and life-sized figurines telling Buddhist mythology. 

One can visit another 200 temples in the area, but the most unique sanctuary is the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand. He is dressed with a massive bright orange tunica, and the toes are decorated with pieces of gold paper by devotees. The drive from Bangkok to Ang Thong takes about 1.5 hrs, making it a perfect day trip to learn more about the rural areas of Thailand.

Other Popular Day Tours from Bangkok

Which Bangkok Day Trip Will You Choose? 

That’s my roundup of the best day trips from Bangkok. From ancient temples to floating markets and even beaches, there’s a lot to see just beyond the city.

Which Bangkok day trip would you choose first—or is there one I should add to the list? Share your tips in the comments, I’d love to hear them. And if you’re still planning your time in Thailand, don’t miss my Bangkok itinerary for more ideas on what to do in the city before or after your day trips.

Pin it for later!