Day 1: Best of Bangkok in 24 Hours
Grand Palace & Wat Pho
Start early at the Grand Palace (฿500), Thailand's most sacred site and former royal residence. The Emerald Buddha temple within the complex is breathtaking. Then walk five minutes to Wat Pho (฿300) to see the 46-metre reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. The temple also houses Thailand's first university and offers traditional Thai massages in the grounds (฿260/30min). Grab a Thai iced tea from a street vendor outside.
Khao San Road & Chao Phraya River
Tuk-tuk to Khao San Road (negotiate ฿60–80) for the quintessential backpacker experience: cheap eats, bucket drinks, and traveller energy. Pad thai from a street cart: ฿50. Then walk to Phra Arthit pier and take the Chao Phraya Express Boat (฿15–40) down the river, the cheapest sightseeing cruise in the city, passing Wat Arun's iconic spires along the way.
Wat Arun at Sunset & Yaowarat Night Food
Cross the river to Wat Arun (฿100). The Temple of Dawn is actually most stunning at sunset when the porcelain-encrusted spires glow golden. Climb the steep central prang for river views. Then take the boat back and MRT to Wat Mangkon station for Yaowarat (Chinatown), Bangkok's ultimate street food strip. Oyster omelettes, grilled seafood, mango sticky rice, and pad see ew from ฿40–80 per dish.
