Bangkok in 7 days — the ultimate week (with Ayutthaya)

Bangkok in 7 days — the complete plan

Seven days is the definitive Bangkok trip. You get everything a 5-day plan gives plus a full Ayutthaya day (train up, boat back), a proper Chinatown food tour with expert commentary, and enough down-time that nobody in the group melts. It's the pace we recommend for honeymoons, big-birthday trips, and anyone flying long-haul who wants their air-miles to earn out. Seven days is also the point at which Bangkok stops being an itinerary and starts being a city — you'll pick a favourite coffee shop, a favourite laundry, a favourite som tam stall.

The transport strategy layers up. The Old City still needs ferries and taxis. BTS + MRT cover Days 2, 3 and 5. Day 4 is a private or shared van to Damnoen Saduak. Day 6 is train to Ayutthaya (฿20 third-class from Hua Lamphong, or the more comfortable ฿245 second-class) with a river-boat return. A Rabbit card + MRT card + Chao Phraya Tourist Boat pass (used on Days 1 and 7) is the winning combination. Book Ayutthaya train seats a day ahead in high season — see /bangkok-to-ayutthaya for full options.

Time your 7 days for November–February. Loy Krathong (November full moon) is magical on the river — see /bangkok-in-november. December combines cool weather with Christmas markets and NYE fireworks (see /bangkok-in-december). April is Songkran (13–15) — plan around it via /bangkok-in-april. Extending to 10 days lets you add Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin — see our /10-day plan, /bangkok-to-kanchanaburi and /bangkok-to-hua-hin. Read /what-to-pack (rainy-season gear, temple dress code, adapters) and /safety-tips (the gem-shop scam still runs weekly, and Hua Lamphong pickpockets target train-boarders).

Day-by-day plan