Detailed 4-Day Self-Guided Travel Itinerary: Bangkok - Pattaya

The most pleasant time to visit Bangkok is from November to February, as this is the coolest period of the year. So why hesitate? Grab your backpack and explore Bangkok – Pattaya on your own! Remember to book hotels and transportation about a month before your journey begins!

Detailed 4-Day Self-Guided Travel Itinerary: Bangkok - Pattaya

Getting to Bangkok

The most convenient way to reach Bangkok is by air. Airlines like Air Asia, Vietjet Air, and Vietnam Airlines offer flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Bangkok, with round-trip ticket prices ranging from 3 to 6 million VND.

Bangkok has two airports, Suvanarbhumi and Don Muang. All airlines, including Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, land at Suvanarbhumi. Only Air Asia lands at Don Muang.

Getting from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the City Center

• Airport Rail Link

The Airport Rail Link connects Suvarnabhumi Airport to the center of Bangkok, providing a fast, affordable, and convenient option for travelers with minimal luggage. Exiting customs, head to basement level B1 to purchase tickets at the counter or the Airport Rail Link's self-service ticket machines. The trains operate from 6 am to midnight, with two lines: SA Express and SA City Line.

• Taxi

For those traveling in groups or with substantial luggage, taxis are a suitable option. The fare includes a 50 THB airport taxi service fee, a 90 THB expressway fee, plus the metered distance. On average, the total fare ranges from 300 to 400 THB.

Getting from Don Muang Airport to the City Center

• Taxi

Similar to Suvarnabhumi Airport, you'll need to pay a 50 THB airport taxi service fee, a 90 THB expressway fee, plus the metered distance. The total fare ranges from 300 – 350 THB.

• Airport Bus

For a more budget-friendly option, you can take the airport bus (refer to the guide or ask staff to locate the bus station). There are 4 bus routes for you to choose from, depending on your destination:

Route 4: Don Muang – Silom.

Route 10: Don Muang – Victory Monument (Khaosan Road area) – Southern Region Bus Terminal (connecting to provinces in the southern region).

Route 13: Don Muang – Sukhumvit Road – Eastern Region Bus Terminal (also known as Ekamai Bus Terminal, where you can catch buses to Pattaya).

Route 29: Don Muang – Victory Monument (Khaosan Road area) – Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong – Chinatown area).

• Combine Budget Bus and Skytrain

From the airport terminal, walk outside and cross the street to catch bus number 29 to Mochit station (the nearest station to the airport). Then, use the Skytrain system to reach your destination.

Hotel Accommodation

Depending on your travel purpose, whether it's shopping or exploration, find a suitable hotel room. After determining your travel purpose, you can search for rooms on the Mytour website at affordable prices. However, keep in mind that some areas in Bangkok, like Sukhumvit, are quite extensive. Therefore, check the hotel map in which area you're staying to avoid excessive transportation costs. It's advisable to choose places near markets or supermarkets for easy access to food and essential items.

Currency

– Thailand's currency is the baht (1 USD is approximately 38-40 baht). Exchange money at secure currency exchange counters, avoiding self-service exchanges in public places to prevent scams.

– Currency drafts and commonly used traveler's checks can easily be exchanged for cash at hotels, travel shops, all provincial banks, shopping centers, and authorized exchange counters. Traveler's checks are easiest to exchange at banks (passport required). Exchange rates at banks and authorized counters are generally higher than those at hotels and convenience stores.

– Thailand imposes no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency brought into the country. Travelers can take foreign currency out of Thailand but not exceeding the declared amount in the customs declaration upon entry. Each traveler leaving Thailand is not allowed to carry more than 50,000 baht in Thai currency.

Mobile SIM

You can easily find 5 mobile networks in Thailand: AIS, DTAC, TRUE MOVE, TOT3G, and MYBYCAT, with the first 3 being the most popular. Prices vary, ranging from as low as 49 baht to 299 baht. Regarding 3G services, all networks provide them, differing only in usage preferences. For a 4-day stay in Bangkok, consider DTAC's 49 baht plan for unlimited usage. Top up with an additional 50 baht if needed.

You can easily purchase a SIM card in Bangkok from convenience stores like 7-Eleven or at the airport. Remember to bring your passport for registration in some cases.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Vietnam – Bangkok

– 3:00 PM: Arrive in Bangkok, go through immigration.

– 4:00 PM: Transfer to the hotel, check-in, and take a rest.

– 5:00 PM: Begin exploring the capital of Thailand with a journey along the Chao Phraya River, the famous and large river in Bangkok. Enjoy the sunset over the river.

9:00 PM: Explore Khao San Road, a bustling area known for its vibrant nightlife and the largest backpacker hub in Southeast Asia. While taking a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River, request the boatman to stop at Phra Arthit pier. Avoid boats with yellow flags as they don't stop at Phra Arthit. From here, ask anyone for directions to Khao San; it's only a 2-minute walk.

Over the past decade, these streets have been a haven for street food at very affordable prices and a popular accommodation choice for many 'backpacker' tourists from Europe and the Americas. Thai youth also frequent Khao San for a lively night atmosphere with tourists or to enjoy a cold and inexpensive beer. You can visit the small Blues bar at 13 Samsen Road for live music.

11:00 PM: Return to the hotel for rest.

Day 2: Bangkok – Pattaya

6:30 AM: Depart for Pattaya from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai). The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours by bus, equipped with air conditioning, departing every 30 minutes from Ekamai between 5:00 AM and 11:00 PM.

Alternatively, you can reach Pattaya by bus departing from the Bangkok Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet II Road, with a frequency of every 30 minutes and operating from 4:30 AM to 8:00 PM daily.

9:00 AM: In Pattaya, purchase tickets for a canoe trip to Coral Island. On the island, enjoy beach time, savor seafood, and partake in various water sports such as snorkeling, windsurfing, and parasailing.

2:00 PM: Explore and capture photos at the '3D Art in Paradise' Museum – Amazing Art, featuring unique themed artwork. The museum is located at Moo 9, 78/34 Pattaya Sai 2 Rd, in the central Pattaya area.

4:00 PM: Visit a sheep farm, which resembles a zoo. Here, tourists can interact with and feed animals such as rabbits, turtles, sheep, pythons, or parrots. You can purchase food from caretakers to directly feed the animals. The farm is located in Nong Pla Lai, Pattaya (open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM).

If planning to stay longer in Pattaya, enjoy local cuisine and explore the Walking Street, often referred to as the Khaosan of Bangkok. You can also watch the Alcazar show – a performance by transgender artists on Pattaya Road 2.

Alternatively, return to Bangkok and stay overnight.

Day 3: Bangkok

9:00 AM: Before venturing into the large shopping centers scattered throughout Bangkok, explore the Chatuchak Weekend Market located in the outskirts to the north. The most convenient and economical way to reach Chatuchak is by taking the elevated train and stopping at Mo Chit station. Here, you can find everything from a myriad of clothing items, dresses, to various accessories like sunglasses, bracelets, necklaces, rings, and hair ties.

12:00 PM: From Chatuchak, head to the nearby Or Tor Kor market and enjoy lunch. In front of this market, you'll find stalls selling fresh and clean fruits. Behind the market, near the parking lot, there's a store specializing in Thai specialties, including Som Tam (green papaya salad) and grilled chicken.

1:30 PM: After a morning of shopping and culinary exploration, it's time for some relaxation. Bangkok offers hundreds of massage places, from 5-star spas to affordable foot massage parlors, allowing you to choose according to your preferences.

3:30 PM: Take time to visit the Grand Palace. Standing in front of this magnificent palace, you'll be amazed by the ancient and majestic architecture. The palace consists of three main areas: the Royal Palace, the Royal Office, and various temples. Notably, you can admire the 24-carat gold leaves on the glittering temple spires.

6:00 PM: The Sky Bar on the top floor of the Atop State Tower (Silom Road) is the ideal place to enjoy a panoramic view of the beautifully lit Bangkok. Noteworthy are the outdoor circular stairs leading to the bar. The bar is open from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM the next day. Keep in mind to dress appropriately, as casual attire such as shorts or flip-flops is not allowed. Also, carefully review the menu before ordering, as prices here are relatively high, with 320 baht for a beer or 2,900 baht for a glass of champagne.

9:30 PM: Spacious and bustling, these are the words travelers favor for Bangkok's Chinatown. Located on Yaowarat Road in the Samphanthawong district and part of Charoen Rung Road in the city center, visitors will be immersed in a shopping paradise with diverse goods such as clothing, electronics, souvenirs, antiques, musical instruments, and more.

11:00 PM: Return to the hotel for a rest.

Day 4: Bangkok – Vietnam

9:00 AM: Visit Wat Saket, also known as the Golden Mount, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. The temple is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and remember to dress modestly when visiting any temple in Thailand. On the way down, grab a bowl of noodles from the food stalls outside the temple gate to satisfy your hunger for the journey ahead.

10:30 AM: From the Golden Mount, a 5-minute walk will take you to the Saen Saeb Canal boat pier to Pratunam, Bangkok's shopping hub. The boat fare is less than 20 baht per person. Make sure to inform the boat driver or fellow passengers when you reach your destination, as there are no announcements. From Pratunam, head straight to the Ratchaprasong Skywalk, the elevated walkway connecting the city's major shopping centers. Your task now is simple: shop, shop, and shop.

2:30 PM: Return to the hotel, check out, and head to the airport for your flight back to Vietnam.

By Tieu Lam

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour