The 14 Best Day-Trips and Weekend Getaways from Bangkok

Just a few hours from Bangkok is the seaside town of Hua Hin. With gorgeous beaches, fantastic shopping centres and beautiful temples, Hua Hin is perfect for those wanting a break from the big city without isolating themselves too much. A bustling night market means there’s no shortage of evening entertainment, and the food will cost less than you may be used to paying in Bangkok. Though easily reachable by car, arriving via a train from Bangkok provides the opportunity to see Hua Hin’s beautiful railway station, which is well-known throughout the country.

A Unesco World Heritage Site, Khao Yai is one of Thailand’s most beautiful national parks. There’s a ton a things to do here, and a weekend might not be enough time to fully enjoy it. From bike trails to trekking, kayaking to waterfalls, Khao Yai is a fine example of Thailand’s diverse and wonderful natural beauty. A number of animals reside in the park, from tigers to elephants and deer, and it’s a welcome change of scenery from the concrete jungle that is Bangkok.

Only an hour from Bangkok is Thailand’s former capital, Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya is home to some of the most beautiful temples in all of Thailand; the Khmer architecture features imposing prangs, ornate carvings and haunting sights, such as the image of the Buddha’s head among fig roots. Cycling around the Ayutthaya Historical Park is a great way to see the temples, and there are other temples on the outskirts of the city that are well worth a look too. Make sure you try the local specialty, kuay tiao ruea, a noodle soup that’s available all over and tastes out of this world.

150km from Bangkok is Kanchanburi, famous throughout the world for its role in the “Death Railway”, and featuring in the Oscar-winning Bridge on the River Kwai. The infamous Death Railway saw thousands of Allied prisoners and Asian workers toiling under horrible conditions to create a railway to Laos during the Second World War. There are a number of museums dedicated to these events, and it’s still possible to arrive into Kanchanaburi by train. Historical events aside, Kanchanaburi is home to some great natural sites, such as the Erawan National Park, where you can lose yourself in the sounds of the forest while relaxing in a natural pool.

With its palm tree-lined beaches, soft white sand and clear water, Ko Samet is a great choice for a weekend getaway from Bangkok. Taking about 3-4 hours to get there, it’s well worth the journey. With a number of beaches spread around, you can enjoy the island however you want to: Haad Sai Kaew has nighttime entertainment, DJs and fire shows for those who want to dance the night away, while other beaches cater to a more relaxed crowd.

This combination is for market-lovers. First, take a local train to the Maeklong Train Market, one of the most popular shopping destinations where vendors hug the sides of the railway tracks and sell all sorts of Thai goods. From here, you can take a boat to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the most popular floating market in Thailand where you can fill up on pad thai and mango sticky rice. If you’re looking to take this trip on your own, try catching a minivan at the Victory Monument station, but it’s much easier to book a tour. Recommended by Paul Feinstein

The city of Pattaya is along the coast, southeast of Bangkok, and this day trip is perfect for those who love water sports and beaches. After a 2.5-hour journey to Pattaya, you can embark via speedboat to Koh Larn, an island where you can jet-ski, parasail, snorkel or catch some rays on the white-sand beach. Don’t miss a scenic tour of Pattaya City, which is 150 kilometres (93 miles) south of Bangkok. Taking a bus, minivan or car can get you there relatively quickly, but you can also take the train from Hua Lamphong station. Recommended by Paul Feinstein

Few tourists know about this, but you can bike ride straight out of Bangkok and right into a jungle. You’ll pedal through jungle-covered pathways around schools, temples and villages. Bang Krachao is an island southeast of the city encircled by the Chao Phraya River. Considered the green lung of the city, the island is accessible by boat. Take the Skytrain to Bang Wa, and then catch a taxi to the pier. You can then take a boat to the island, where you’ll be able to spot bike rentals on arrival. Recommended by Paul Feinstein

Another island formed by the Chao Phraya River, Koh Kret is north of Bangkok and the historic home of the Mon people – a tribe which is among the oldest in Thailand and known for its pottery skills. By taking a trip here, you can visit the weekend market and the historic pottery-making village while also touring temples and sampling street food. The best and easiest way to get to Koh Kret is to hop on the Chao Phraya express boat (which departs from any riverside station) to Nonthaburi, where you then need to hire a smaller boat to take you to the island. Recommended by Paul Feinstein

Getting out of the city is a great way to experience the true essence of Thailand, and a day trip to the stunning countryside of Nakhon Nayok is the best way to do it. You can stop for fruit at a morning market or take an ox-cart ride through idyllic rice paddies. You’ll see where local fruits like mangosteen, rambutan and durian are grown. While here, consider taking a Thai cooking class and visiting Khun Dan Prakarn Chon Dam, a massive concrete dam. 1.5 hours northeast of Bangkok, Nakhon Nayok is accessible by train or bus, which is cheaper and faster than the train. You can catch a ride from the Mo Chit bus station almost every hour. Recommended by Paul Feinstein

About 90 km (56 mi) east of Bangkok is Chachoengsao, a multicultural town with historic markets and beautiful temples. On a day-long adventure you can sample goods at the Khlong Suan Market, visit ancient temples and go for a cruise along the Bang Pakong River. You can sample some freshly extracted palm juice at Palm Sap Village. The cheapest way to get to Chachoengsao is by train, which takes about 1.5 hours. Hop on at Phaya Thai station to Lat Krabang, where you’ll change trains and go from Lat Krabang to Chachoengsao. Recommended by Paul Feinstein

With flights of just an hour from Bangkok, Krabi is a perfect destination for a weekend away. In the south of Thailand there’s a distinct change of pace from life in Bangkok, and an increase in spice when it comes to the food. Krabi is home to a number of gorgeous beaches, such as Railway and Ao Nang, and the island of Koh Phi Phi and its famous Maya Bay makes for a great day trip.

More lively than Krabi and around the same distance by air from Bangkok, Phuket is a great weekend getaway for someone hoping to let their hair down and enjoy some of the best beaches in the country. Bangla Walking Street has plenty going on, from huge clubs to more intimate pubs, and a number of foreign and Thai restaurants serving high-quality cuisine if you prefer a glass of wine to a bucket of Sangsom. In Phuket there are a number of beaches on which you could either nurse a hangover or soak up the sun. Patong beach can be noisy and crowded, so for more beautiful and peaceful beaches make sure to visit Layan, Kata and Karon beaches.

Chiang Mai is only a 75 minute flight from Bangkok. It’s considerably cooler than the scorching capital city as it’s located in the mountains, also meaning there’s an abundance of trekking options and mountain views to enjoy. With a fantastic night market and a number of great coffee shops to visit, this is a great place to recharge your batteries. If you want to do a little more exploring, Chiang Raiand Pai are just a few hours away.

Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world – and for good reason. Its picture-perfect beaches, bustling cities and peaceful temples make it a haven of discovery for anyone looking for something new and unique from their travels, while its own amazing and diverse cuisine is equally as enticing. Here are some of the best ways to get to know this magnificent and special country.