Bangkok is what’s known among demographers as a “primate city.” A city so much larger than in any in its country that it comprises nearly all the country’s cultural and economic currency—see also Paris, Seoul and Buenos Aires. Not every country has a primate city, but in those that do, its influence is profound.
As a traveler, I’ve found that it’s often hard to pull myself away from Bangkok (and from Paris, Seoul and Buenos Aires, though though is not the place to discuss those cities). If I’m honest, I could remain in Bangkok (and in certain central districts of Bangkok) for weeks or even months without getting crowd.
Still, one must sometimes escape from Thailand’s “City of Angels”—and not just by leaving it behind entirely to head north or to the islands. I’m talking about day trips from Bangkok, my favorites of which I’ll outline below.
Why You Need to Escape from Bangkok (Even if You Love It)
There are two factors that make Bangkok day trips more difficult to take than they should be—the first is Bangkok itself. Unless you’re one of those people who simply hates the city, Bangkok has a way of wrapping itself around you like a warm blanket. The thought of leaving the city for any reason is stressful, even if it’s just for the day (rather than flying to Chiang Mai or Phuket).
The second factor is that many excursions from Bangkok are cumbersome to do completely on your own. With the exceptions of Ayutthaya and Pattaya, you’ll need either to hire a taxi for the day, or to try your luck using the Grab application, i.e. Thailand’s answer to Uber. This is not a huge deal—hiring a car and driver is cheap in Thailand—but its limits your freedom and flexibility, which for some travelers (me included) makes day tripping less attraction.
The Best Day Trips from Bangkok
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is a destination I didn’t care much for until pretty recently. If you come for the day from Bangkok and don’t simply go by private car, make sure and either hire a tuk-tuk (and driver) for the day, and rent your own bike. The city is simply too vast to explore on foot, or to depend on waiting for a Grab. Likewise, I also recommend making a side trip to Bang Pa’in Palace, if you can.
Ang Thong
When it comes to day tours from Bangkok, Ang Thong is much less common a choice than Ayutthaya, even though it’s only about an hour north of Ayutthaya by car. To be sure, there’s only one major destination people visit here, which is the giant Buddha of Wat Muang Ang Thong. However, if you’re already headed all the way up north, you might as well stop here.
Bangkok’s floating markets
Like Ayuthaya and ancient cities to Bangkok’s north, the “floating” markets west of the city take many forms. The most iconic option is Damoan Saduak Floating Market, whose appearance is postcard-perfect. Heading further west to Amphawa, meanwhile, offers a slightly more authentic experience (though, I warn you, the nearby Maekhlong Railway Market is anything but real).
Pattaya and Koh Larn
If you’re looking for day trips from Bangkok that give you some beach time, you’ll want to board a bus or minivan from Ekkamai Bus Terminal to Pattaya. While Pattaya itself isn’t only a beach destination (and, I’m happy to report, has also somewhat transcended being a sex tourism hub), the nicest beaches near here are actual just offshore on Koh Larn, aka Coral Island.
TIP: Other beach destinations, such as Koh Samet (which often gets compared to Koh Larn) and the islands of Trat, are a bit too far from Bangkok to be considered as day trips. You’ll really want to spend a night in these places.
Wat Phra Dhammakaya, aka the “UFO Temple”
For a complete wild card, open your Grab application and type in Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Located near Don Mueang Airport and owned by the controversial Dhammakaya sect of Theravada Buddhism (which is known, among many Thais, as a cult), this unique temple has literally thousands of Buddha images, as is sometimes known as the “UFO Temple” due to its bizarre shape.
Can You Go to the Beach on a Day Trip from Bangkok?
Technically speaking, you can go to the beach on a day trip from Bangkok. The easiest way to do this would be to choose a mainland beach, such as Bang Saen Beach or one of Pattaya’s beaches. If you want a slightly nicer beach, you’ll need to head to an outlying island, such as Koh Larn (accessible from Pattaya’s Bali Hai pier in ~30 minutes) or even Koh Samet.
The real issue, when it comes to beach excursions from Bangkok, is that none of them really live up to the truly excellent beaches you find elsewhere in Thailand. Unless you are planning only to visit Bangkok—in other words, you won’t have time to visit any other destinations in Thailand—I’d suggest taking dedicated beach trips in southern Thailand, be those on the “Andaman side” to the west of the Thai mainland, or the “Gulf side” to the east.
Other FAQ About Side Trips from Bangkok
Are there day trips from Bangkok?
Many fantastic day trip destinations sit just an hour or two from Bangkok. These include the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, the Ang Thong Big Buddha, floating markets at Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak and the Wat Phra Dhammakhaya “UFO Temple.” You can even technically hit the beach for a day from Bangkok, albeit with varying levels of satisfaction.
What is the closest beach island to Bangkok?
If you want to visit an island for the day from Bangkok, you have two basic choices: Koh Larn, which is just a short ferry ride from Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya; and Koh Samet, which is further to the south and east in Rayong province. All other beach destinations require at least one overnight stay.
Can you island hop from Bangkok?
You cannot realistically island hop from Bangkok. Rather, you’ll need to fly from Bangkok to Krabi and get a transfer to Koh Lanta, the island where frequent scheduled speedboats in multiple directions makes it Thailand’s best base for island hopping.
The Bottom Line
This list of day trips from Bangkok isn’t exhaustive, but it does include what I consider to be the best options. On the mainstream side of things, destinations like the ancient city of Ayutthaya and the floating market at Damnoen Saduak are the most accessible and satisfying. Some travelers, however, may spice up their trips to Ayutthaya with side excursions to Bang Pa’in Palace or the Ang Thong Big Buddha; others will hit beaches near Pattaya, or even visit the bizarre “UFO Temple” near Don Mueang Airport. Need personalized help making your next Thailand trip unforgettable? Consider hiring me to plan it!
