3 Days In Bangkok For Solo Travellers
Bangkok is a city that unites and divides. This +9 million bustling city is the getaway to more Thailand and Southeast Asia destinations and the perfect stopover on extended trips to Australia and New Zealand. I spent three days in Bangkok, and here are my suggestions on the best things to do while visiting Thailand’s capital city on a solo trip at 50 plus.
What to do Solo in 3 days in Bangkok
Explore China Town
Starting your trip in Bangkok from Chinatown is a must, as this is the city’s pulsing heart. Get there by MRT to Huan Lamphong, walk to the main Chinatown Gate at the Odean Traffic Circle, and stroll through the maze of lanes and small streets.
Don’t miss out on Ratchawong Road as one of the top street markets, selling accessories, sarongs, textiles and more. Open till 5.00 pm. Walk down to the pier to catch an express boat to your next destination along the Chao Phraya River. This is only four stops to the Grand Palace.
Grand Palace
Bangkok is known for its many temples that pepper the city and are literally at every corner, from small stand-alone temples to vast areas. There are dozens of them in town. You should not miss out on the Grand Palace, the most significant area, which includes the Emerald Buddha and the nearby Sanam Luang City Park, which hosts all royal events. Most of the times are overcrowded, and long queues await you. So if you want to see this Bangkok temple, you must arrive early in the morning. One temple you should also visit is the reclining Buddha, Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho.

Lumphini Park
While Bangkok is a city with one of the worst traffic congestions in the world, it has green areas to help you detox and places where you can relax from the road traffic. Lumphini is only a few stops away from the city centre by MRT. Walk around and find a sweet spot at the lake where you can sit on the grass and enjoy the view of the city.

Sukhumvit – Shop and Relax
Sukhumvit is the commercial area of Bangkok with a high concentration of hotel chains, company headquarters, shopping malls and excellent restaurants. Moreover, it’s a hub for SPA. While in Bangkok, massages are available at each corner in touristy places, many hotels in Bangkok provide onsite SPA to Massages. This was my de-stress treat in Bangkok. I booked Urban Retreat Massages through a local website and had one of the best massages ever.

Terminal 21 Shopping Mall
Bangkok boasts many shopping malls, and they are indeed great places to hide away from the crowds and chill out for a few hours on a hot day. I have visited a few malls on my trip to Bangkok, and my favourite is Terminal 21 in Sukhumvit. It’s easy to get there by MRT Sukhumvit or BTS Asok. From various local shops to international brands, a vast offer of restaurants, coffee shops and markets, you can spend hours there. If you have time, you can plan your day by visiting the nearby EMQuartier and Emporioium, within walking distance from Terminal 21.
Stroll At City Markets
City markets in Bangkok are the main attraction for overseas visitors. From day and night markets to weekend markets to floating markets, where fresh food is sold and cooked on boats and stalls floating on the river. This is the best way to spend a whole Saturday in Bangkok. Here are my picks:
Bangkok Floating Markets
Make sure your trip to Bangkok includes a Saturday so you cannot miss out on the floating markets, a highlight in Bangkok on weekends. However, the largest and most popular markets are far away from the city, approximately 100km south-west. But if you don’t fancy to travel that distance, there are some smaller markets in town too.
I visited Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market on the Saturday morning, while this is a small one, I find this is a little jewel, as this is known among the locals-only and has only a few floating stalls on the inlet of the Chao Pharay River. It is worth visiting if you like quiet markets. If you are in this area, you can get a taxi to the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market and the Taling Chang Floating Market, which offers boat river tours, too.

Chatuchak Markets
Chatuchak is one of the largest markets I have ever visited. With +8000 stalls on 35 acres, this Bangkok weekend market is the highlight for visitors and locals alike. While it will take 3-4 hours to visit, some shops are in covered areas with onsite aircon, and most of the remaining stalls are lining the street between the MRT Chatuchak Park (MRT) and Mo Chit Station (BTS).
Be prepared to take water with you. You will browse any merchandise, from local fashion artists and general clothing to furniture, arts, antiques, books, ceramics, handicrafts and any food. It is an experience you should not miss out on and a chance to buy some artisan and local products in Bangkok.

Khaosan Road and Night Market
A trip to Bangkok is incomplete if you are not strolling along the famous Khaosan Road and Night Market with food stalls. Although this is the most renowned road among travellers, I think the nearby night markets are quiet and have more exciting stalls and restaurants.

Where To Stay in Bangkok Solo
Bangkok is one of those cities that create an instant love-it-or-hate-it feeling. While the city may not have many attractions, it welcomes people, and the vibe is contagious. My three days in Bangkok were short, but I’m sure I’ll be back for more explorations of amazing Thailand. I stayed for the first four days in an Airbnb guest house. The place was in the commercial district of Terminal 21, a bit far from Bangkok’s city centre. When I returned from my trip to Kanchanaburi, I stayed centrally located at the Phra Nakhon Poshtel. A luxury sort of hostel with private rooms, and I loved it.
The best budget place to stay in Bangkok 👉 Phra Nakhon Poshtel
The best Boutique Hotel is the 👉 Amber Boutique Silom in Bangkok

Read More:
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A Solo Trip To Penang Malaysia
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Go Back to Rocky Travel & Tours For Over 50
Article was first published in December 2019, last updated in January 2024.
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