1 Day in Bangkok: What to Do on a Long Layover

If you’re connecting through Bangkok, a long layover is a great way to see one of the best cities in the world. We’ve been to Bangkok many times, and on our last trip we had an overnight layover at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) with time to explore some of our favorite things. But you must plan for the traffic. The drive from BKK into the city can take 40 to 90 minutes each way, or even longer during rush hour. So a Bangkok layover works best as an overnight or a long 8-hour-plus stop. We’ll show you how to spend 1 day in Bangkok with the perfect itinerary, including what to do and where to stay in the city or near the airport for an early flight.

How to Get From Suvarnabhumi Airport to the City Center

We recommend taking a Grab, which is the Uber of Southeast Asia. Download the app before you land. It’s usually cheaper than the airport taxis, and you don’t have to negotiate a fare at the taxi stand. The ride into central Bangkok takes 40 to 90 minutes (or more) depending on traffic and where you’re staying, so plan for that in both directions. There’s also the Airport Rail Link if you’d rather avoid the road, but with only 1 day in Bangkok, we prefer a Grab for door-to-door ease.

Bangkok’s traffic is the main reason we only leave the airport with 8+ hours or an overnight layover. With less time than that, you can end up spending most of your layover stressed out in the car. We’ve also flown into Don Mueang (DMK), the city’s other airport, and the drive took about the same in traffic, so neither airport gets you around Bangkok traffic.

How Much Time Do You Need for a Bangkok Layover?

It depends on your connection. With an 8-hour daytime layover, you can get into the old town, see a couple of temples, sample some amazing Thai cuisine, and get back in time, though it’s a bit tight. An overnight layover in Bangkok is our favorite option. You can check into a hotel, experience the liveliness at night, sleep a bit, and see the city fresh in the morning without rushing. If your layover is under 6 hours, we’d book a comfortable airport hotel and save Bangkok for a longer trip.

Food stall with Michelin awards 2018 and 2019 in a busy market. — Sample your way through Chinatown

Where to Stay Near Suvarnabhumi Airport for an Early Flight

If your onward flight is early, a hotel by Suvarnabhumi Airport is the easiest option. There are plenty of them, most have pools, and many cost well under $100 a night. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport because you can technically walk from the terminal and it was cheap on points. The walk turned out to be long and went through some strange, empty parts of the airport, so we took the shuttle back the next morning instead. Our advice is to pick an airport hotel that fits your loyalty, points program, or budget and has a free shuttle to the terminal.

What to Do with 1 Day in Bangkok

Start in the old town and branch out as time allows. Bangkok’s biggest sights are close together along the river, so you see the best of Bangkok without crossing the city and losing time to traffic. If you only have an 8-hour daytime layover, stick to the temples below. With an overnight layover in Bangkok, you can explore Chinatown at night and a rooftop bar as well.

Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha

Start at Wat Pho, home to the enormous gold Reclining Buddha. It’s one of the most impressive sights in the city. If you stay at a riverside hotel, it may be in a short walking distance. It was for us at the Hotel Riva Arun Bangkok.

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is a short walk from Wat Pho. It’s the former royal residence and the most famous landmark in Bangkok. The dress code is strict, so cover your shoulders and knees or you’ll have to rent a cover-up at the gate.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun is located across the Chao Phraya River and lights up beautifully at night. You can admire it from the old town side or take the quick ferry across to climb it. If you’re short on time, we think the view is great from the old town side. If you have more time, take a water taxi over to explore it.

Chinatown (Yaowarat)

If you have an evening, Yaowarat is one of the best street food scenes in the world. It’s crowded, loud, and intense, but you can easily find some amazing local dishes for a few dollars. We loved the mango sticky rice, but the savory dishes are just as good. You don’t need a guide here, just follow the local crowd.

Khaosan Road and Soi Ram Buttri

If you have an evening to explore Bangkok, Khaosan Road and the slightly quieter Soi Ram Buttri next to it come alive at night. This is the old backpacker area, and it has gotten a lot nicer over the years since my first trip back in 2012. You’ll find restaurants and bars for every kind of traveler in this area.

👉 For a longer trip to Bangkok exploring markets, river boats, rooftop bars, and a day with a local chef, see our complete 3 days in Bangkok itinerary.

Where to Stay in the City for an Overnight Bangkok Layover

If you can stay in town overnight, our favorite hotel in Bangkok is Hotel Riva Arun. It’s located right on the Chao Phraya River in the old town, so you get a real feel for historic Bangkok even on a short stay. We splurged on a room with a big balcony overlooking the river and Wat Arun, and you could see the Grand Palace from the rooftop restaurant. Watching Wat Arun light up from the balcony at night was the best part of the stay.

It’s not cheap by Bangkok standards, but it’s a great value for what you get compared to a similar hotel in most major cities. It’s well worth it for a quick overnight trip if you want the hotel to be a true part of the experience.

1 Day in Bangkok: Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Bangkok layover worth it?

Yes, if you have an overnight or at least 8 hours. The drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport into the city takes at least 40 to 90 minutes each way, so a short layover isn’t worth leaving the airport. With more time, the old town temples and Chinatown street food make Bangkok one of the best layover cities in Asia.

How do you get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city center?

A Grab is the easiest and usually cheapest way into town, and you skip negotiating with taxi drivers. Download the app before you land. The ride takes 40 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. There’s also the Airport Rail Link if you’d rather avoid the road, but we prefer a Grab for door-to-door service.

Should you stay at an airport hotel or in the city?

If you have an overnight layover and want to experience Bangkok properly, stay in the old town near the river. But build in extra time for traffic on the way back to the airport. If your flight is early, stay at a Suvarnabhumi Airport hotel with a free shuttle for the morning.

What’s the difference between Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK)?

Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is Bangkok’s main international airport and handles most long-haul flights. Don Mueang (DMK) is the older airport, which is used mostly by budget carriers like AirAsia. Both take about the same time to reach the city because of Bangkok traffic, though BKK can be a little more intense in terms of traffic and just the size of the airport.

Is there luggage storage at Suvarnabhumi Airport?

Yes. Suvarnabhumi Airport has left-luggage counters in the terminal where you can store bags by the hour or the day. It’s useful if you want to head into the city without your suitcase. Rates depend on the size of the bag and how long you leave it.