What was meant to be a bestie trip abroad to explore Thailand before heading to another friend’s vow renewal turned into an unforgettable Mother-Daughter getaway immersing ourselves for 3 glorious days in Bangkok. And also a celebration of my first year as a full time influencer! At first when my friend backed out, details on that are over on this vlog, I was stuck. I was really looking forward to spending this time in Thailand but I never planned on doing our 3-week Thailand itinerary alone. Although the universe has a funny way of putting you on the path you need to be on, even if it wasn’t a part of the plan. Like I mentioned this trip actually sprung about because we FINALLY had an opportunity to experience our best friend Eden’s home country of Cebu to celebrate her 1o year vow renewal where it all began. So not only would I be alone in Thailand, I also would have to cover the cost for that and Cebu myself.  Which also was something I hadn’t planned to do. As soon as my mom found out that I might miss out on an amazing experience without hesitation she booked a flight to join me. We spent 3 days exploring the richness of Bangkok before heading to see the beauty of Phuket together for a week before leaving me to face my fears by spending a full week abroad as a solo female traveler.

While our time in Bangkok was brief, there’s a reason so many people cross oceans to this travel destination. And I get to share it from a truly magical perspective because a college friend of my grandfather personally showed us around. Having lived in Bangkok his whole life, over 70 years, Ronnie’s first hand knowledge gave a true local perspective to this beautiful place that you just can’t buy! So I hope you find this 3 Day Bangkok Travel Guide helpful whether you’re planning your own dream trip or just looking to experience Bangkok from the comfort of your home.

Bookmark this detailed Bangkok travel guide then share it in the group chat to see who’d be down to go!

Must Know Before You Go to Thailand

Getting to Thailand from the US: coming from the Midwest, What up doe from the D in case you didn’t know, I booked my flight from Chicago to Bangkok with a layover in Istanbul as that was the most affordable option. Having flown Turkish Air before to get to Bali, I’m a fan of their airline because I can check two bags for free and I just love the Istanbul Airport. To me it’s one of the best if you have a long layover because a lot of the stores stay open late AND they have tons of places to lounge. Also your girl is a Chase Sapphire Reserved card holder which was really necessary for this trip. The Priority Pass membership let me and my mom to take advantage of two different lounges in Istanbul so we were able to rest comfortably and get plenty to eat without spending a dime! It also got me access to all kinds of great lounges during my whole 5 week trip which came in super helpful going from Phuket to Cebu.

Visa/Entry Requirements: getting into Thailand as a US citizen all you need your passport! As long as you’re staying less than 30 days no VISA is required.

Language: the official language is Thai and this is the FIRST time I ever ran into a huge language barrier while traveling. English is not widely spoken by locals. To avoid any misunderstandings be sure you have the Google Translate app downloaded, don’t forget to also download the language so if you don’t have cell coverage you can use still use the app! Also find an app that also translates pictures to use on store signs and menus too! I personally loved -.

Currency: Bangkok uses the Thai Baht and right now the USD goes a long way! $1 is roughly 36 Baht meaning my $6+ lattes in the US were barely $4 at some places. Similar to Indonesia you will need to have plenty of cash on hand. A lot of taxis and stores only accept cash or cards from local banks. Thailand does have PromptPay which is their version of CashApp, however you need a local bank to use this. Now IF you happen to forget your debit card, which I MAYYYYY have done, you can easily Western Union yourself cash as long as you have your passport if you can’t find a bank that will let you use your credit card to get cash out. Another easy way to avoid this issue is to request your credit card pin at least 10 days before you leave so you’re able to use the cash advance option at the ATM.

Best time to visit: to avoid the rain November-February is THE time to visit Bangkok. We arrived in late May and ran into very little issues with rainy days ruining our plans. Although part of that was thanks to Ronnie! As for the temperatures it is HOT in Thailand getting up 80-100 degrees F and that sun definitely hits different! Even on the cloudy days you WILL get sun sick if you aren’t careful so plan accordingly.

Sim Cards: This is the first trip I ever purchased an international sim card and I gotta say it was worth it! Most people use their carrier’s international plan but is SO overpriced and sometimes the coverage is non-existant as my dad and I learned in Iceland. The most important thing is to figure out is if your phone needs a physical sim or if you can buy an e-sim. If you go into your phone’s setting to the “About Phone” area there should be a “SIM” option that lets you know, or you an easily call your phone provider. If you need a physical sim you can get it at the airport, which is not as overpriced as people claim. For e-sims I was able to buy my e-sim from here and have it working within 15 minutes. NOW a warning, you will need to make sure your primary number, AKA your US number, is off with the e-sim so you don’t get double charged but the instructions talk about how to avoid this.

How to Get Around Thailand: getting around Thailand can be tricky because it’s a LOT bigger than most people realize. While certain areas are walk-able,  many must-see attractions will require some transportation. Thankfully it’s a lot easier to do now with Grab which is their version of Uber. It even gives you the option to pay with card or cash! Taxis and TukTuks are also an option you’ll just need to be prepared to negotiate because they WILL overcharge you as a foreigner and that back and forth can be difficult if you don’t speak Thai. For Bangkok specifically the Sky Train is very reliable to get to and from certain points. For the brave of heart, US citizens are able to drive abroad with an International Drivers license that you can get at AAA, however be warned the driving in Bangkok is some of the craziest I have seen so it may not be worth the stress to rent a car here.

What to Do in Bangkok

I’ve read SOOO many blogs with multi week Thailand itineraries that say there really isn’t much to do in Bangkok but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Both my mom and I agreed we really wish we had spend at least another day here. The reason I say this is because a lot of the things listed below aren’t close together so you end up spending more time in car or TukTuk than actually EXPLORING! From beautiful historic sites to shopping, food and the nightlife Bangkok has a lot to offer and it would truly be a shame for you to miss out because you rushed it as we did. Here are just some of the things you must do during your time in Bangkok-and that’s coming from Ronnie himself who INSISTED on taking us to experience these amazing places:

1. Explore the Wats: Wat Aron, What Pho, The Grand Palace-  So many try to rush these with a one day excursion which I think just isn’t enough time to truly understand the artistry that’s gone into the making of these gorgeous temples. Of all the temples the Grand Palace is the most expensive at $14 which make these the perfect budget friendly option for any itinerary. A morning or afternoon with a delicious latte strolling around the grounds is enough to leave you in awe. What made our experience more memorable was Ronnie sharing the many stories of Buddha, the meanings of the poses as well as walking us through the different offerings to show our gratitude and ask for a blessing.
2. Eat Your Way Through Chinatown.  During the day Chinatown is great for photos, at night the streets fill with locals and travelers, the aroma of noodles fill the air, you can hear sizzling with every step as the stall vendors cook their dishes. And the best part, you could sp
3. Shop at the Most Iconic Malls. Immerse yourself in a transformative experience where you cleanse yourself of bad energy, gain alignment and quickly m
4. Explore the Night and Weekend Markets. Imme
5. Shop at the Most Iconic Malls. Imme

Day Trips toTake from Bangkok

One of the great things about staying in Bangkok is that there are so many unique experiences you can try as easy day trips from the city. Here are the few we chose to do with our limited time:

• Ayutthaya- known as the second capitol of Thailand, theres so much historical richness in this city. Only a short hour drive there are beautiful Wats included  where you’re able to another reclining Buddha. There are also several amazing ruins in their Ancient City Wat which is where the famous Buddha in the tree statue resides.
• Maeklong Railway Market + Damnoen Saduak Floating Market- this is one if the most ICONIC experiences to have! I won’t lie it is kind of a long day however it was so worth it to ride the train in then be able watch it go along with floating along the river and buying food from the different boats. We personally booked our excursion through Viator because you’re able to get free cancellations all the way up until the day before as well as the pay later feature makes it stress free in case you have a change of plans.

Where to Eat in Bangkok

While you see a lot of people talking about how inexpensive the food is in Thailand, trying to navigate where to eat here can be a bit tricky. It’s a huge travel hub for Europeans, Chinese, Indians and Japanese so you’ve got a lot of variety. The biggest draw, which I’m sure you’ve seen on TikTok, is he inexpensive street food! Although the hard part with that is finding the stalls that are cooking it fresh. This is where the language barrier made things a little complicated. A lot of the food looks good but is also already cooked and sitting out. There were places I wanted to try but didn’t know how to ask them to make it fresh. PLUS if you have dietary restrictions or allergies it will be a little difficult to communicate that. However please DO NOT let that keep you from being adventurous! I tried all kinds of things and didn’t have any issues with taste, or bodily functions if you know what I mean. Here are some of the street foods I recommend you try:

• Pad Thai: I know this us obvious BUT definitely it is worth it when you find a place that cooks it fresh on the spot!
• Curry:
• Duck Rolls: Personally I’m a huge fan of duck but in the US its usually not done well, however in Thailand they are PROs at well seasoned duck and my favorite thing was being able to get 4 or 5 duck rolls for $2!
• Dim Sum and Bao: when I tell you the dim sum in Thailand was some of the best! It’s so hard to find in the US so every chance I get to indulge I do!
• Thai Pancakes: there are two different styles that they serve: a flatter crispy pancake with toppings inside then a thicker style that has a custard like filling. Both are definitely worth trying.
• Sticky Mango Rice: personally I was on the fence about this one because mango and rice just wasn’t making sense to but as soooooon as I tried it, I became obsessed. My favorite was at a stall in Icon Siam that had flavored rice and served it with coconut ice cream with the toasted peanuts, it’s a must try!
• Any kind of noodle soup: I had a duck noodle dish at the BKK airport that was flavorful dish that I’ve ever had at an airport restaurant.

Now if you aren’t adventurous or you want to have a true sit down experience here are some places I recommend plus what to order:

• Baan Khanitha: This was highly recommended by Ronnie as a nice authentic Thai place that locals love to visit and I totally understand why! Everything was delicious. One thing you HAVE to order is the miang kham which is a flavorful explosion served in a beautiful lotus petal! Of course their green curry was to do die for as well.
• Icon Siam: whether you want to enjoy street food or finer dining not only does this mall offer a high end shopping experience the food here was endless! This is the perfect option if you have picky eaters or a large group because there really is so much to choose from!
• Laoteng: for my dim sum and bao lovers this was an amazing gem located in Chinatown! Not only was the dim sum to die for they had cut animal and veggie shapes plus their drink menu was out of this world with floral mocktails and cocktails!

What to Pack for Bali

I have a video with everything I wore in Thailand especially because I was there in late May through early June so dressing for the hotter weather definitely was a challenge. Here’s a condensed list of my travel essentials that I never go abroad without that you’ll definitely want to make sure you bring to Bangkok:

• Bug Spray and Sunscreen- thank me later for reminding you!
• Swim suits– with our rooftop pool I definitely was going for a morning swim so pack at least ONE swimsuit even if your itinerary is just for Bangkok.
• Matching Sets- as your probably noticed that’s what I wore pretty much the entire time in Bangkok-like Bali a lot of temples require you to be covered so this was the easiest option to wear all day that also looked chic while protecting myself from the sun.
• Oversized Button Up– honestly I always pack a white button up because it’s so versatile! If you want to have your shoulders out most of the day or you decide to wear shorts you can throw this in your bag and easily style it to cover you up to go inside the temples.
• Bucket hat- like I mentioned that sun just hits different so don’t rely on just your sunscreen, pack a wide brim hat or bucket hat to protect yourself also!
• Walking shoes/sandals- for the adventurer plan to be on your feet a lot so bring comfortable shoes or sandals that you can walk around in all day.
• Rain Coat/Poncho– even in the dry season pack a rain coat to  protect you while checking out the sites in case it rains randomly.

If you want some outfit ideas to inspire your packing list for Bali, then keep your eye out for my post on everything I wore in Bali coming Thursday!

Shop My Packing List

Bangkok really did surprise me because like I said A LOT of people downplay what there is to do. So I hope this Bangkok itinerary showed you just how incredible this travel destination is. I also know it can feel overwhelming and scary as a woman, especially of color, to travel to certain places because you don’t know how you’ll be treated. I won’t lie, I was photographed quite often BUT I felt not only safe but welcomed in all the spaces I visited while in Thailand. To get a more interactive experience of my time watch my Bangkok Travel Vlog. It will give you a more intimate look at the places I shared plus what I’m like to travel with! See the other destinations I’ve visited and loved as a woman of color in my other travel blog posts. Bookmark this detailed Bangkok travel guide then share it in the group chat to see who’d be down to go!

Don't Miss a Look!  Get Every Outfit Delivered Straight to your Inbox by Clicking the Button Below!

Follow

Save

Save

Save