On our
family trip to Thailand, we booked 3 days to stay in the capital city fo
Thailand, Bangkok. Bangkok, with his with more than 9 million inhabitants was
always a city that fueled our curiosity and, after searching the best area to
stay, we booked our hotel in the "old Bangkok" area (see here the best way to get from Don Mueang Airport -DMK to Khao San Road).
The reason
for this choice was the proximity to our main sightseeing choices in the city,
namely the temples area, but also the be in the center of the agitation that we
are used to see. Allied to this factor, it also had the added advantage of
being in an area rich in restoration and, with several offers at the level of
tour operators, because there was a tour that we wanted to realize and, about
which we will speak later.
Our stay
actually consisted of 3 nights but only 2 full days to get to know the city,
because the first day we arrived at the hotel at 6pm, so we could only enjoy a
bit of that night and, after the third night at the hotel, was just eating
breakfast and traveling to Krabi, our second destination of our family trip to
Thailand.
Two days
and three nights are not enough to get to know the city of Bangkok but we have
tried to organize our stay to get to know and make the most of what this
gigantic and vibrant city has to offer.
In this
way, we made the following itinerary for our family trip, which we will share
with you in the hope that it will help you to organize your trip.
Day 1 in Bangkok
1- Grand
Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha).
2- Wat Pho
Temple of the Reclining Buddha
3-Wat Arun
(Temple of the Dawn)
4- Saranrom
Park
5- Wat
Ratchapradit
6- Wat
Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan
7- Wat
Ratchanatdaram Woravihara (Loha Prasat)
8- Wat
Intharawihan - Grand Buda
9- Khaosan
Road and Rambuttri Road
You can see
here out itinerary on google maps and, the description of our day:
1- Grand
Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha).
Our first
destination started with the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, were you can see
the Emerald Buddha).
To that
end, we started our day with a delicious breakfast at our Korbua House Hotel.
Then, after a quick but exciting and fun tuk tuk ride, we arrived at the Grand
Palace.
The
entrance to the Gran Palace cost 500 BAHT and, children over 1m20 pay but, we
did not seem too picky about it as our son was about 1m30 in height and they
did not charge entry.
However, we
leave the strong suggestion that you wear light clothing to cover your knees
(well below your knees) and shoulders, otherwise you will have to buy pieces of
clothing to cover. In our case, despite the knees covered, we were forced to
get some pants for 200 BAHT.
This is a
must visit for anyone visiting Bangkok and, after going there, will know why.
The whole space is beautiful, perfect and, even though the Emereld Buddha is
small, it is extremely beautiful. The visit to the Emerald Buddha is included
in the Grand Palace ticket.
The opening
hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and you can access more information
through its official website (here).
Another advice that we want to give to you didn't happen properly with us, but we read several testimonies of those who went through it. And what we wanted to let you know is, when when approaching the Grand Palace, if you are approached by people who tell you that it will be closed on that day, and they will trie to recomend you to other temples or attractions, don't believe what you are told, follow the normal path to your destination. It's just schemes to seek you to paid attractions or to shops. Do not worry about security, no one is aggressive but, it's a scheme that will make you waste time (and maybe money). See here on this map where you can enter to the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
Another advice that we want to give to you didn't happen properly with us, but we read several testimonies of those who went through it. And what we wanted to let you know is, when when approaching the Grand Palace, if you are approached by people who tell you that it will be closed on that day, and they will trie to recomend you to other temples or attractions, don't believe what you are told, follow the normal path to your destination. It's just schemes to seek you to paid attractions or to shops. Do not worry about security, no one is aggressive but, it's a scheme that will make you waste time (and maybe money). See here on this map where you can enter to the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
2- Wat Pho
Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Another of
Bangkok's signature images is the Reclining Buddha, and to get there you do not
have to walk too much (5 minute wak, less than half a kilometer).
The
entrance is fast despite being able to find queue and, the ticket of visit (100
BAHT adult, in relation to the children verified the same situation as in the
Grand Palace) will entitle to a bottle of fresh water which in the heat of
Bangkok, is always welcome.
3-Wat Arun
(Temple of the Dawn)
Then we
went to Wat Arun temple, which is on the other side of the Chao Praya River
(see here how you can get to Wat Arun from Wat Pho).
The
entrance fee is 50 BAHT per person and is worth doing, as it is perhaps the
most beautiful Buddhist temple in Bangkok and the perfect place to watch the
sunset, it is said. This was not our case, because we arrived very early and we
still had plans for that day. Make sure the climb is great but rewarded by the
view.
4- Saranrom
Park
After the
temple visit, we took the boat to the other side of the Chao Praya river to
visit the Saranrom Park. The walk is not great (just over half a mile) and this
is a great place to rest and watch as locals take time to relax and exercise.
It also has a very good playground and, for a family trip, is a perfect place
for your children to play freely.
This park
was also famous for having several "lizard varano" but, as many were
taken to "a sanctuary", as accidents with cyclists and corridors were
causing accidents, which could harm the lizards and thus to protect them, we
could not see them (we would see later, next to our hotel).
5- Wat
Ratchapradit
Right next
to the park, we took the opportunity to visit the Wat Ratchapradit temple and,
although little famous, this is a beautiful temple, free admission, worth
visiting and you will love the time you spend there. Quieter, fewer people, and
a great tranquility and peace that will gladly leave you there. Admission
is free.
6- Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan
Our day was
already big, but our tour of the temples was not over yet. Although we may
think that after many temples, they can be very similar, each of them ends up
having its beauty and, even though it is closer to the end of the day, this one
has not without its charm, in fact, much charm and peace, because it also does
not own many people when compared to other temples in Bangkok.
7- Wat Ratchanatdaram Woravihara (Loha Prasat)
This is a Buddhist Temple a bit different from the rest but we just saw its exterior. The entrance
is 20 BAHT.
8- Wat Intharawihan - Grand Buda
For our
last visit to a temple, we returned to take a Tuk Tuk, this time towards Wat
Indra Viharn, to see the statue 32 meters high of the Grand Buddha. Unfortunately
the statue was being refurbished and you could not see its beauty but it will
certainly be something to visit on your trip to Bangkok.
Towards the
end of the day, we again picked up a tuk tuk, which left us by Khao San Road,
where we took a stroll along this street, as well as Rambuttri Road, where we
took advantage of dinner as well as book the tour for our next day.
9- Khaosan Road and Rambuttri Road
9- Khaosan Road and Rambuttri Road
This was
undoubtedly an intense and long day and, It was only possible to achieve all
our goals because we we woke up early and we use tuk tuks to maximize the time
and allow us some rest. In addition, in a family trip, your children will love
these moments that, although frantic, are not without safety.
If you have more
time in Bangkok, we recommend that the itinerary of this day be realized in two
days but as we had not this time since we had plans for the second day, we had
to accelerate this process. See here for our second day in Bangkok. We hope our
tips help you organize your family trip to Bangkok. Do not forget to leave your
comments and advice as well as to explore further our Non Stop Family blog.
If you want to see our second day in Bangkok, click here.
If you want to see our second day in Bangkok, click here.
