You certainly won’t be bored during your visit to Bangkok, but we recommend spending at least one day getting out of the city and exploring the nearby attractions. For many travelers, the dilemma is a day trip from Bangkok to the beach, to the impressive temples of Ayutthaya or to any popular destination in the area. We will introduce you to some of the best places you can visit if you are taking a day trip from Bangkok.
Read about:
• ayutthaya
• Pattaya
• Ko Samet
• hua hin
Ayutthaya and its impressive temples
If you’ve already seen some of Bangkok’s beautiful temples, you might want no more. But the truth is that the temples of the ancient city of Ayutthaya have nothing to do with those in Bangkok. That’s why we recommend a day trip to this wonderful city.
Just 80 kilometers north of the busy streets of the capital city center, Ayutthaya is the perfect distance for a day trip away from Bangkok. The city was founded in 1350 by King U Thong, who came here to escape a smallpox epidemic and decided to declare himself the capital of his kingdom, making it the second capital of Siam. The city flourished and the population is estimated to have reached one million inhabitants around 1700, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time. Unfortunately, everything changed in 1767, when Burmese troops destroyed the city.
Fortunately for us, some of the ruins are still standing and have been preserved as Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see the impressive remains of temples and monasteries.
Take a day trip from Bangkok and enjoy all that this historic city has to offer. The atmosphere is completely different than in the capital, and getting lost among the ruined temples and monasteries gives you the opportunity to relax for a day. Some of the buildings still have the distinctive prang towers, the most impressive of which are Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, while the Buddhist temple of Wat Phanan Choeng is in good condition and can be visited.
There are many tour operators offering day trips from Bangkok to the temples of Ayutthaya, so you should have no problem finding a guide to take you. If you book a tour with a major tour operator, it is likely that you will go on a tour with a group of tourists and go to Ayutthaya by bus. This can be a good way to explore this ancient city, but you will definitely get more out of it if you hire a private guide who will book transportation and explore the city with you, as he will tell you interesting stories and answer your questions.
A day trip to the beach
Thailand is known, among other things, for its beaches. After spending a few days in the crowded and noisy streets of Bangkok, it’s nice to get out of the city to get some fresh air and relax for a day, and the beach can be the perfect place for this purpose.
If you want to go to one of those beautiful beaches with white sand and palm trees, which is what we usually think of every Thai beach, you will have to travel several hours to find it. Therefore, a trip from Bangkok to the beach can be a bit complicated if you only have one day. It is possible, but to be able to enjoy a full day at the beach, it is better to spend one or two nights at the destination.
So what are the options?
Pattaya
Pattaya is like a smaller version of Bangkok but with a beach. It has a rougher tourist side, which is reflected in the bars and nightlife, and has a reputation as a rather noisy destination. So if you like the bar scene in Bangkok and are looking for something similar by the beach, Pattaya is the place to go. The advantage is that it is the closest beach spot to the capital for a day trip from Bangkok. If you want to leave Bangkok in the morning and return in the evening, in this case you can do it.
However, nightlife is not for everyone. Pattaya is not what you’d expect from your typical beach destination, and while it’s only a few hours from Bangkok, it’s not ideal for a relaxing day at the beach.
Ko Samet
Koh Samet is the best option if you want to relax. The 2-3 hour drive from Bangkok is pleasant if a bit slow. Upon arrival in Rayong, you will take a short boat ride to cross to the island. But even so, you can take a day trip from Bangkok.
Koh Samet is the closest island to Bangkok with white sandy beaches and has long been a popular destination for locals looking to spend a weekend away from the city. Ironically, its proximity to Bangkok has not made it too crowded and still offers peace and relaxation, along with water sports such as snorkelling, windsurfing and diving, or a fun nightlife. The accommodation options on the island are reasonably priced if you want to stay more than a day.
hua hin
After Pattaya, Hua Hin is the most famous beach spot that can be accessed on a day trip from Bangkok. This coastal city, about 200 kilometers south of Bangkok, is also popular with Thais and offers a more modern atmosphere than Pattaya. Hua Hin has been attracting wealthy Thais since the 1920s, and the city has grown tremendously in a short time, but local officials are determined to keep the city welcoming, so while there are many beachfront hotels and resorts, it’s not an over-exploited destination . The beach is about 5 kilometers long, although it is not very wide. With its spectacular soft white sand, you can sunbathe, swim or snorkel.
There are several transportation options to get to Hua Hin on a day trip from Bangkok. It takes about 3.5 hours by bus, so it’s quite a long journey. If you decide to rent a car, you will arrive in less time. There is also a train that goes the route, but it takes so long to get out of Bangkok that the journey takes about 5 hours.
Hua Hin has plenty of lodging options if you plan to stay more than a day, from luxury hotels like the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin to affordable guesthouses.
Other tours from Bangkok
The temples of Ayutthaya and the beaches of Thailand are not the only places you can visit on a day trip from Bangkok. Floating markets are a popular out-of-town excursion, as are the elephant and tiger attractions, which you can even interact with on an elephant ride. Kanchanaburi, the Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai can be seen on a day trip from Bangkok. It all depends on whether you want to spend the day relaxing on the beach or if you want to continue exploring other places. You choose!