Bangkok – 5 Temples in 1 Day, A DIY Travel Guide

Photography by Iza Sanchez

Buddhism is an important part of Thailand culture. This reflects in thousands of Buddhist temples across the country. If you only had a day or two to spend in Bangkok, choosing which temples to visit can turn into a rigorous mental drill. Below is a guide to help you narrow down your list, plus some great tips for your temple adventure.

What to Wear

First off, take note that Thailand like most Asian countries is conservative, and in places of worship, wearing clothes that reveal too much skin is considered disrespectful. Therefore, wear long pants and put on something with sleeves.

At the Grand Palace a girl beside me wasn’t allowed inside because she wore ripped jeans. If you find yourself in a similar situation, go to the shops outside the gates They sell cheap boho pants which are stylish and look good on both men and women. As for footwear, comfortable, flat shoes are ideal since you’ll be walking the whole day.

Beat the Heat

It’s hot in Thailand with temperatures ranging from 29°C to 36°C. Thus, make sure you have these items in your backpack: sunblock, a summer hat, shades, and a water bottle, (There are water refilling stations in most of the temples).

Start out Early

As the saying goes, “the early bird catches the worm,” so start out as early as you can. I left my hostel in Khaosan around 7a.m. and because it was going to be a full day of exploring, I had a quick but heavy breakfast, you should too.

Commute with Ease

A commuter boat on the Chao Phraya River

Riding long-tail boats is a fantastic way to get around in Bangkok. Most people start their day at the Grand Palace and the easiest way to get there is by boat. Look for a pier close to your hostel. I stayed in Khaosan and the closest was Phra Athit Pier— just 10 minutes away by foot.

The boats arrive every 5 to 8 minutes. The fare is fixed at 15 Baht. Get off at Tha Chang Pier and you’ll find yourself standing outside the walls of the palace.

By metro rail or BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit), get off at Hua Lamphong station which is around 4 kilometers from the Grand Palace. Then, take a taxi which will cost roughly 60 to 80 Baht.

Temple Overview and Admission Fees

The three must-see temples in Bangkok are Wat Phra Kaew, (located inside the Grand Palace), its neighbor Wat Pho, and finally Wat Arun. You can see all three in one day. But, with some will power and dexterity you could manage to squeeze in one or two more temples into your agenda.

Operating Hours

The temples are generally open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Others are open up to 6 p.m. The Grand Palace closes at 3 p.m.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

At the Grand Palace, buy your ticket inside the compound. The admission fee is 500 Baht. Admission fees to lower level temples are cheaper. When you’re at the vicinity be wary of scammers who might approach you and make all sorts of offers. If you encounter anyone who encourages you to visit a jewelry store, get away as quickly as you can.

Wat Phra Kaew inside the Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful architectural structures you might ever see. It’s known to be the most sacred temple in Thailand but, I do wonder how locals are able to worship there in peace with the mob of tourists that visit everyday.

From Wat Phra Kaew, walk toward the palace which is the king’s residence. It’s another architectural masterpiece. I spent about two hours at the Grand Palace obsessively photo documenting everything, but you can explore the entire site in just about an hour.

Wat Pho

Wat Pho is the second most popular temple and home to the largest, golden reclining Buddha in Thailand. It’s located south of the Grand Palace, so essentially it should be your next stop. However, to exit the Grand Palace you’d have to walk back to the main entrance before you can head off to Wat Pho.

While on a map the two temples look close, the walk can feel like eternity when you’re getting baked under the sun. Also, when google maps tells you it’ll take 10 minutes, it actually means 20. So, if you can manage to find a tuk tuk driver who agrees to take you to Wat Pho for 10 to 20 Baht, that’s a good deal.

The admission fee to Wat Pho is 100 Baht. The compound is huge, equivalent to an 8-hectare farm. Inside the compound you’ll find colorful stupas of all sizes, impressive statues, well manicured gardens, and hundreds of Buddha statues from various eras.

Wat Arun

Image via Wikimedia Commons by Manoonp

Once you’re done at Wat Pho, you can walk to Tha Tien Pier and get across the river to Wat Arun by ferry. The fare only costs 4 Baht. Wat Arun known as the “Temple of Dawn, ” was built in the 17th century. It’s famous for its towering spires which visitors are allowed to climb. You can relax by the riverside and freely walk around the beautiful compound, but if you’d like to enter the gated temple, there’s a minimal admission fee of 50 Baht. The temple is open until 6:00 pm.

Check out these Bangkok travel guides for more info on the coolest attractions and things to do in the city

Wat Kalayanamitr

Image via Wikimedia Commons

From Wat Arun drop in at a nearby temple called Wat Kalayanamitr, again you can walk there, but if it’s too hot ride a tuk-tuk or a cab (always negotiate fares with tuk tuk drivers). Wat Kalayanamitr also sits by the riverbank. It houses one of the largest golden Buddha statues in Bangkok, and is frequented by locals more than tourists. Hence, it’s a good place to observe and appreciate local religious customs. Visitors can join in prayers and make offerings.

Wat Benchamabophit

Finally, swing by Wat Benchamabophit known as the “Marble Temple.” It is located on the east side of the Chao Phraya river. How to get there? – Take a cab or tuk tuk. The cab fares range from 80 to 100 Baht within the city. While tuk tuk fares cost usually 100 Baht/person/trip. If you are a group of 2-3 it’s cheaper to take a cab. However, if you want to experience a 20-minute, open-air tour of the city, go for a tuk-tuk.

Wat Benchamabophit is also known as the Marble Temple. Its red gilded roof and majestic frame always caught my eyes when I traveled along Nakhon Pathom Road. The temple was made from marble exported all the way from Italy in 1899. It houses dozens of Buddha statues lined around an immaculately white courtyard. You can walk freely around the compound and its lovely gardens, but if you’d like to enter the main temple there’s a minimal admission fee of 20 Baht.

It was late in the afternoon when I went to Wat Benchamabophit. There were few people and I really enjoyed the quiet and serene ambiance, a stark contrast to the busy temples I visited earlier that day.

At last, cap off your day by splurging on a delectable Thai dish at a nice restaurant, (I recommend Tom Kha Kai – Chicken in Coconut Soup). Then, let your tired feet take you to a spa where you can enjoy a soothing Thai massage as you dream of your adventures for the next day.

Check out these Bangkok travel guides for more info on the coolest attractions and things to do in the city

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