Bangkok and Surroundings: Railway Market, River Kwai and Ayutthaya in

Three days exploring central Bangkok, then three day trips to Maeklong Railway Market, a night in Kanchanaburi on the River Kwai, and the ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

Stay in Sukhumvit. The first two days cover the city center. After that, you'll visit Maeklong Railway Market and Amphawa Floating Market, the Bridge over the River Kwai and Erawan Falls (with a night in Kanchanaburi), and Ayutthaya with Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. The excursions are concentrated over the middle four days. Each leg can be done by public transport or a day tour, which makes this itinerary a good fit for first-time visitors with a week off.

Amphawa Market is open only Friday to Sunday, and Erawan Falls stops admitting visitors at 15:30.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and Siam Shopping District

Bangkok（Siam Square & Siam Paragon、Erawan Shrine）

Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai, then BTS, about 45 minutes. Explore Siam on foot in the afternoon.

Stay: Sukhumvit

Day 2 · Old City Temples and Chinatown

Bangkok（Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew、Wat Pho、Wat Arun、Yaowarat Road (Chinatown)）

BTS to Saphan Taksin, then a Chao Phraya river express boat. Cross to Wat Arun by ferry, and take a taxi to Chinatown in the evening.

Visitors to the Grand Palace must wear long trousers or a long skirt and cover their shoulders.

Stay: Sukhumvit

Day 3 · Maeklong Railway and Amphawa Floating Market

Bangkok（Maeklong Railway Market、Amphawa Floating Market）

Hire a car or join a tour, about 1.5 hours to Maeklong. Watch the train arrive around 11 a.m., then head to Amphawa in the afternoon and return to the city in the evening.

Amphawa is open only Friday to Sunday. Check the latest train schedule locally.

Stay: Sukhumvit

Day 4 · Bridge over the River Kwai and War History Sites

Kanchanaburi & River Kwai（Kanchanaburi War Cemetery、Thailand–Burma Railway Centre、Bridge over the River Kwai）

Take an early morning train from Thonburi Station, about 3 hours, or a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal, about 2 hours, to Kanchanaburi.

Stay: Mae Nam Khwae Road (Town Centre)

Day 5 · Erawan Falls, Then Back to Bangkok

Kanchanaburi & River Kwai（Erawan Falls）

Take a bus or hire a car from Kanchanaburi, about 1.5 hours to Erawan Falls. In the afternoon, return to Kanchanaburi, then take a bus back to Bangkok, about 2 to 3 hours.

Arrive early when the park opens to avoid the crowds. Bring swimwear and non-slip shoes.

Stay: Sukhumvit

Day 6 · Ayutthaya Old Capital and Bang Pa-In Palace

Ayutthaya（Bang Pa-In Royal Palace、Wat Mahathat、Wat Phra Si Sanphet、Wat Chaiwatthanaram）

Hire a car or join a tour. It's about 1 hour north from Bangkok to Bang Pa-In, then on to the old city of Ayutthaya. Return to the city in the evening.

Bang Pa-In Summer Palace has a dress code. Cover your shoulders and wear knee-length clothing.

Stay: Sukhumvit

Day 7 · Chatuchak or ICONSIAM Before Departure

Bangkok（Chatuchak Weekend Market）

Go to Chatuchak on weekends. On weekdays, visit ICONSIAM instead. Then return to your hotel to collect your luggage and take the Airport Rail Link.

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