Thailand can be an incredible place to visit with your family — it has a rich cultural heritage, an ample amount of activities to keep the kids entertained, and it’s a haven for foodies!
Bangkok has actually been our ‘home base’ for the past 16 years, so we’ve had the chance to experience nearly every corner of this concrete jungle — all with our 3 little girls in tow!
We believe a 3 day in Bangkok trip is just the right amount of time to leisurely explore city’s top attractions and Bangkok’s best sightseeing spots.
This 3 Day in Bangkok Itinerary for Families includes:
- The Best Things to Do in Bangkok with Kids
- Great Family Hotels in Bangkok
- Where to Eat in Bangkok that even you’re Picky Eaters Won’t Complain
- How to Get Around this huge City with your Family
- The Best Time to Visit Bangkok
- Tips on Traveling in Thailand with Kids
Check out this Bangkok Hotel Guide with the most kid-friendly places to stay for your upcoming family vacation to Thailand!
1st Day in Bangkok with Kids
DAY ONE: Explore Wat Arun
For your first morning exploring this culturally rich city, we believe Wat Arun, aka Temple of the Dawn, is an iconic landmark in Bangkok that is a MUST SEE!
- Make it fun for the kids by playing dress up and renting a Thai cultural outfit there for just 200 baht (about $6 USD). What an epic family photo you’ll get!
- Boredom Buster: play this ‘Photography Game’ idea where you try to find shapes and letters in the architecture and take a photo of them. For example, take a picture of a steeple that looks like the letter A.
HOW TO GET THERE:
- Hopefully you picked one of the family hotels in Bangkok next to a BTS Sky Train Station or an MRT Subway Station. If you havent picked a hotel yet, check out my recommendations of ‘The Best Hotels in Bangkok for Families.’
- Take the BTS Sky Train to Saphan Taksin Station (Exit 1).
- Walk down the stairs following the signs that say ‘Cross-River Pier’ and go left over the bridge following the signs that say ‘Buy Tickets’ to get the Hop-On-Hop-Off river taxi tickets that will take you to the Wat Arun Pier for 30 baht (about $0.80 cents) for just a single trip ticket.
- You could also buy a Hop-On-Hop-Off River Taxi All Day Pass for 125 baht (about $4.10 USD) if you want to explore more than just one landmark along the river.
- If you do want to just spend a day or two checking out all of the main tourist attractions along the river, be sure to have a look at our blog post providing a Hop-on-Hop-off River Boat Taxi itnerary.
COST: 200 baht entrance fee (about $5.70 USD)
Free for kids under 120cm (4 feet tall).
TIPS FOR TRAVELING IN THAILAND WITH KIDS:
- Wat Arun is open 8:30am-6:00pm. The line usually takes about 2-5 minutes to buy tickets at the counter, which is pretty much just straight down the lane when you walk off the boat.
- Do remember to dress appropriately because this is an honored temple for the Thai people, so pants/skirts below the knees and shirts with sleeves are required. They also sell sarongs at the Ticket Counter if you forget.
- A great hotel to stay near Wat Pho and the Grand Palace is the Shangri-La Bangkok Hotel, which has worldwide recognition for being family-friendly.
Our Favorite Travel Resources for Exploring Asia
- The Best Deals on Hotels in Thailand: Agoda.com
- Most Family-friendly Airline: Qatar Airlines
- Renting a Car: EconomyBookings.com
- Getting around (ferry, train, flights, bus, transfers): 12go.com
- Booking an Activity or Tour in Asia: Klook.com
- Travel Insurance: VisitorsCoverage.com
- Internet and Cell Phone Service: Airalo
BEST FAMILY HOTEL ON THE RIVER:
SHANGRI-LA BANGKOK
- Forbes voted the Shangri-La Bangkok as the ‘Best Hotel in Bangkok for Families’
- Get the Family Fun Experience Package that includes airport transfer, a 2 hour sightseeing boat tour on the Chao Praya River, and a family suite.
- Enjoy the luxurious pool overlooking the Chao Praya River
- Expansive breakfast buffet
- Only 220 meters to Saphan Taksin BTS Sky Train Station
- Very easy to take the river taxis
Our Top 3 Recommendations for Great Family Hotels in Bangkok:
- For 5 Star Luxury and Quintessential Thai Charm: Siam Kempinski is the place to go all out — they even have kid-sized robes in the hotel room! (From US$390/night)
- One of the most charming vacation homes in Bangkok is this family-friendly AirBNB home with a playroom full of toys, a soaking tub for mom to relax, and a lounging sofa and Smart TV for a fun movie night with the fam (From US$160/night)
- One of the best all-around family hotels in Bangkok is Novotel Living Bangkok with its awesome pool with slide and a cool kids club with activities for small kids all the way to to teens right next a co-working space for parents. Not to mention two kids up to age 16 stay free! (From US $98/night)
DISCOUNT TIP:
I recommend getting your Ancient City tickets in advance from Klook to save nearly 50%!
Evening of Day One: Khao San Road
- HOW TO GET THERE: Take a TukTuk ride from the Grand Palace to ‘Khao San Road.’ It will probably be a bit pricy at 200-300 baht depending on the discretion of the driver and your bargaining skills.
- Since Tuk Tuks are usually only available in tourist attraction areas, this is a great time to experience the fun of a Tuk Tuk.
- Tuk Tuks can usually sit a family of 3-4 easily, but we’ve actually ridden in a Tuk Tuk with 8 of us all crammed in! It’s up to your comfort level — and also the driver’s willingness.
- Stroll along Khao San Road to find some good souvenirs, yummy street food like Pad Thai or fresh-off-the-BBQ Kebabs, browse the used bookstores, or get a relaxing foot massage.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING IN THAILAND WITH KIDS:
- Use the MuvMi app to book an electric TukTuk, which is good on the environment and also helps save you from getting scammed. The Bangkok TukTuk drivers are notorious for charging ridiculous prices and also for lying to tourists that they are not in the right location then taking them to some scam tour package place where they get a commission.
- Don’t stay too late at Khao San Road because many of the bar girls come out to attract male customers starting around 8:30pm.
- If eating street food, use your discretion. I recommend only eating street food that is being cooked right at the time of ordering and not any food that has already been pre-cooked (unless it is with ingredients that don’t go bad such as the fried banana fritters that are so yumm!).
BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAMILY HOTEL IN BANGKOK:
JASMINE GRAND RESIDENCE
With 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites that have a living room, dining area, kitchenette, washing machine, etc. for only about $55-$110 USD!
The delicious buffet breakfast, the friendly reception who are ready to help you 24 hours a day in a foreign country, and the epic swimming pool with a slide, fountains, and kiddie area make this a great choice!
2nd Day in Bangkok with Kids
Day Two Morning: Children’s Discovery Museum
With this 3 Day in Bangkok Itinerary for Families, it’s important to give the kids a chance to be active and have fun! That’s why I think the Children’s Discovery Museum is the perfect place to go for your 2nd Day in Bangkok with all its interactive exhibits and engaging activities.
HOW TO GET THERE: It’s just an 8 minute walk from the Chatuchak BTS Sky Train Station
WHAT TO DO:
- Climb up in the treehouse playground and the large net area
- Next, go to the very back building on the right to the Pretend Play Areas.
- On the 1st floor is for toddlers age 0-3 years old. They can jump on foam lily pads, walk over a soft rainbow bridge, or pick carrots in the foam garden.
- On the 2nd floor, the older kids age 3-6 can fix a car in a mechanic shop, buy fruit at a market, or be a pilot in a big airplane.
- If you have older kids, head to the building on the left instead of the right.
- 1st floor has an interactive science exhibit area.
- Kids can walk through a dinosaur mouth to go outside to dig for dinosaur fossils and bones.
- On the 2nd floor is some robotic exhibit that we didn’t even have time to go in.
- The 3rd floor, kids can make a fort out of large lego blocks, play dress up on a mock-up stage, and plan out a miniature city (this was my girl’s favorite activity there)!
- We usually save the Splash Pad for last so be sure to bring a small towel and extra change of clothes.
Other fun activities that we didn’t even have time to explore:
- A 4D cinema experience (but only in the Thai language)
- Science Lab
- Art Studio
- Library
- Playground in the very back
COST: FREE!
TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM IN BANGKOK:
- Bring one of your passports or IDs to ‘register’ your family and get wristbands for each family member.
- You can take food, snacks and drinks inside (but there is no cafe or restaurant on the premises).
- They do have a mall right across the street that has lots of food options.
TRANSPORTATION TIP FOR BANGKOK:
Get a BTS Sky Train Pass called a ‘Rabbit Card‘.
This card has multiple benefits:
- It’s pre-loaded with 200 Thai Baht (about $7 USD)
- Saves time
- No queueing for individual tickets
- Automatically deducts the trip fare from the card
- Can easily top up
- Use for long-term or multi-day trips around Bangkok
*Recommended: Buy 1 Rabbit Card per person above 90cm tall (3 feet). Kids under 90 cm ride for free.
Day Two Afternoon: Lunch and Souvenir Shopping
After playing at the Children’s Discovery Museum, walk across the street to Mixt Mall and eat lunch at their food court on the 3rd floor. It’s a haven for all kinds of yummy Thai dishes with menus in English. If you need some new clothes, shoes, or souvenirs, this is a great place to shop too!
Day Two Evening: Urban Hike Up Golden Mount
For incredible views of the Bangkok Skyline, take an urban hike up to the top of Golden Mount Temple, aka Wat Saket.
- The kids will enjoy the challenge of walking up the 344 steps and then getting to ring the bells at the top.
- For dinner, take a stroll to Krua Pa & Ma Restaurant for an authentic Thai meal. If you’re feeling adventurous and can handle a little spice, I recommend the Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Coconut Shrimp Soup) or the Papaya Salad. Both are the most popular food choices amongst the locals. Your kids will probably be happy with the Chicken Fried Rice or Garlic Chicken and Rice dish.
COST: 100 baht at the door — not really any queues or long lines
TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO THE GOLDEN MOUNT TEMPLE:
- Be sure to dress appropriately (long pants/skirt past the knees & shirts with sleeves).
- Go at sunset for the most stellar views of the Bangkok skyline!
Day 3 in Bangkok Itinerary for Families
Day 3 Morning/Afternoon: Visit the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is probably the most famous landmark in Bangkok and just across the river from Wat Arun.
The Grand Palace was previously the residence for kings in Thailand from 1782 to 1925. It is currently where many royal and religious ceremonies take place. It is also where the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is located, which is regarded as the most sacred buddhist temple in all of Thailand. The shiny, golden architecture will mesmerize your kids and will not soon be forgotten!
HOW TO GET THERE: From Saphan Taksin Pier, go to the Wat Arun Pier, and then take the ferry across to the Tah Tian Pier (for about 5 baht or $0.15 cents). Then the Grand Palace is just a short stroll away from the pier. Follow signs for the Grand Palace.
COST: 500 baht (about $15 USD)
FREE for kids under 120cm (nearly 4 feet)
Unfortunately, there is not yet a way to book tickets online in advance from the Grand Palace itself, but thankfully the lines aren’t too long.
If you do want to make sure you aren’t wasting any time in line and you’d like a guided walking tour in English to learn even more historical and cultural information, then I recommend this one: Half Day Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Walking Tour in English.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO THE GRAND PALACE WITH KIDS:
- Grab lunch at The Deck, very near the Tha Tien Pier. It has stunning views of Wat Arun along the river, and the kids will enjoy watching all the boats and barges pass-by.
- Boredom Buster for Kids : If the kids are getting a little bored walking around, try playing a game of i-Spy. Example: I spy the color gold. I spy a black bird. I spy a monk. I spy a person with red hair.
- Be sure to dress appropriately because the Grand Palace is highly revered by Thais. Dress in pants or a skirt that goes past the knees and in a shirt that has sleeves and doesn’t reveal your belly.
- Beware of pick-pockets in this area. We usually wear our backpack on our front, put our wallets and passports deep inside a pocket, and put our phones in our front pocket. This is my
favorite sling bag for travel. I’ve taken this little satchel with me to Thailand, France, Italy, Japan, the US, etc. I like that it’s small, yet still can fit my travel umbrella, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, chapstick, passport, and mula. It’s really perfect for any international travel with kids or just the day-to-day back home.
Day 3 Evening: River Dinner Cruise
- Watch the incredible Multimedia Water Fountain Show outside at Icon Siam with its vibrant display of lights and music. It currently runs at 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm.
- There is almost always some festival or show going on out there too, usually revolving around a Thai or Chinese holiday. The Chinese New Year Dragon Show here is one of those shows that imprints in your memory for a lifetime. It was truly that incredible! Check the Lunar calendar for exact dates.
- One of our family’s favorite memories was doing a Chao Praya River Dinner Cruise getting to see all the magnificent sites all lit up along the river under the twinkling lights of the city.
COST: about 600 – 2500 baht/adult (about $18-$80 USD)
Kids 4 and under are usually free
Kids 5-12 usually have a slightly discounted rate
TIPS:
- I found the BEST price for the Meridian Chao Praya River Dinner Cruise here on Klook! We’ve personally gone on this Meridian Dinner Cruise twice already with our three little girls, and we really enjoyed it both times!
- If you can, do the SunSet Dinner Cruise time (usually offered only on the weekends). It’s not only a better time for kids and their early dinner and bedtime routine, but it’s also the cheaper option.
- The Live Music Entertainment upstairs is usually lively and upbeat as well as being an open-air seating area. The Live Music Entertainment downstairs is usually mellow and laidback and usually has windows and a/c instead of being open-air seating. Choose which option suits your family best. We always sit upstairs as close to the live music and entertainment as possible, which helps keep our kids entertained easier!
- You can make a special request to the singers on-board by simply writing a favorite song on a napkin and handing it to the Singers at anytime during the cruise. If they know that song, they’ll probably sing it!
- Most cruises usually have a short Thai Traditional Dance show.
- If it’s the birthday month of someone in your family, let them know and they do a special birthday song and cake!
- We had great success pre-booking the Meridian Dinner Cruise tickets online twice already! They offer a discount, and I actually don’t know if they even have an actual ticket counter to buy them in person.
Hey there, we're Brittany and Witt!
MOST LUXURIOUS FAMILY HOTEL:
SIAM KEMPINSKI HOTEL BANGKOK
If you're looking for a kid-friendly luxury hotel in Bangkok with 5 star accommodations, then Siam Kempinski is our top choice!
Between the massive swimming pool, the fun Kids Club room, the cute child-size robes and slippers, and the exquisite breakfast buffet, luxury is at every turn.
Disclaimer: All recommendations in this post are my own opinions. But as an Amazon Associate and Travel Payouts member, I get a small commission from qualifying purchases.
This helps us keep sharing helpful travel content. Thank you for your support!
Thailand has a tropical climate, which means it is mostly hot and humid year round.
Temps range from about 75’F (22’C) to 100’F (40’C), but mostly stay in the high 80s (low 30’Cs).
Thailand generally has two seasons: wet and dry.
The Wet Season
- heavily influenced by the monsoon winds
- typically lands between June to September
- Doesn’t typically rain all day
- Short bursts of heavy rainfall
INSIDER TIPS FOR TRAVELING THAILAND DURING RAINY SEASON:
- Pack shoes that can get wet, quick drying clothes, and a poncho or umbrella.
- Wear mosquito spray at dusk because of the small risk of Dengue Fever and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
The Dry Season
- generally between November to April
- Has mostly clear, sunny days
- Can be quite hot
- This is also ‘Burning Season’ for local farmers, and the air pollution can be quite high in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and other farming towns.
*Do note that May and October are shoulder months. The days could be either dry or wet. It just depends if the monsoon season comes early that year or late.
That being said, the very best time to visit Thailand with kids is between December to February. But our family lives here year-round and love every season!
Most Family-friendly Airlines
FLIGHT TIP: We’ve personally had the best experience flying to Thailand with our family on Qatar Airlines and also Japan Airlines. Both were child-friendly airline options.
- Families with small children could board early
- Automatically got bulk-head seating when we traveled with an infant
- Could pre-select kid-friendly meals
- They have great entertainment options for the littles
- They had ‘grab-n-go’ snacks available throughout the whole flight
- The best part : more legroom than the other international flights for families that we’ve taken
Best Family Hotels in Bangkok
Where to Stay in Bangkok for families?
LUXURY STAY IN BANGKOK:
If you’re not on a specific budget, I’d highly recommend staying at the Shangri-La Bangkok Hotel, which was voted the most kid-friendly hotel in Bangkok.
MID-RANGE HOTEL IN BANGKOK:
If you’re like our family, you want a great stay at a reasonable price. Thus, I’d highly recommend staying at the Novotel Living Bangkok Sukhumvit because up to 2 kids aged 16 and under can stay free.
BANGKOK BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAMILY HOTEL:
We also really love the Jasmine Grand Residence because it has our favorite swimming pool in all of Bangkok along with 1-3 bedroom suites for just $75-$150 USD. Such a steal!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY AIRBNB HOMES:
One of the most charming vacation homes in Bangkok was this AirBNB Home near the main Sukhumvit Road. With a play room full of toys, 2 lounge spaces with Smart TVs for movie nights, and a soaking tub for mom, this is a perfect place to stay in Bangkok for families.
HOTEL TIP: Here are 10 must know tips before booking your stay in Bangkok.
More Tips for Traveling to Thailand with Kids
*ACCOMODATION TIP: If you haven’t booked a place to stay yet, be sure to read these ‘Must Read Tips’ BEFORE booking any place to stay in Bangkok.
*TRANSPORTATION TIP: Also you can buy a BTS Sky Train Pre-filled Card that makes it easy to get on and off the BTS Sky Trains with an easy tap. No need to wait in the long queues to buy individual tickets.
*MONEY TIP: Take Thai baht with you because most vendors do not take credit card. Also, beware of pick-pocketers in all the tourist areas. Simply keep your phone, wallet, backpack or purse on your front side.
*BAG TIP: This is my favorite sling bag for travel because it’s small and light, keeps my valuables up front, and can easily still hold a small travel umbrella, my sunglasses, my passport, chapstick, and mula. I have taken this sling bag with me to Thailand, USA, Japan, France, Italy — literally all around the world!
Other Blog Posts that might help you with your upcoming family trip to Bangkok:
If you’d like to visit the most famous landmarks in person, this is an epic One Day in Bangkok Itinerary with kids on the Hop on Hop off River Taxi.
The Best Things to Do in Bangkok with Kids with recommendations to the best cultural activities, museums, kid-friendly restaurants, indoor playgrounds, and what to do on a rainy day in Bangkok.
The Best Family-friendly Temples in Bangkok with helpful info like how to get there, opening hours, entrance fees, and how to keep the kids entertained while visiting.
Don’t forget to read up on the recently updated Tourist Visa measures.
Internet Service while in Thailand is a Must
You’ll need to stay connected while traveling in Thailand — for GPS Maps, researching the best island hopping tour packages, or letting the kids have some downtime watching Bluey on YouTube.
Don’t do the T-Mobile or AT&T International Roaming plans for about $10 per day — save that money for a nice restaurant or fun activity!
E-SIM: I highly recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo to have great internet service all over Thailand. They are actually using the same local providers that AT&T, T-mobile and Verizon will use.
I have personally used Airalo many times traveling all over the world, and it works great and is SUPER easy to install.
To use your Airalo eSIM, you simply buy a package then scan the QR code from your email to install and activate the eSIM.
The packages run from only $4.50 for 1 GB of data to $35 USD for Unlimited Data in Thailand.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING THAILAND WITH KIDS: If you let your kids watch YouTube, Netflix, etc, then I recommend getting the Unlimited Data. But if you’re not video streaming, then 50 GB of data is enough to browse the internet, use Google Maps, and stay in touch with friends back home.
PHYSICAL SIM CARD: You could also pick up a physical SIM card at the airport upon arrival, at any mall, which would have a TRUE shop, DTAC shop, and/or AIS shop, or even some 7-Elevens have them. Just ask! You would need your passport on hand. The physical SIM + a prepaid service card would cost about 999 baht (~$30 USD), but it usually comes with 30GB of Data. So Airalo is a much better deal.
TIP #2: If you plan to use a physical SIM card, then be sure to contact your local phone provider (such as AT&T or Verizon) before traveling overseas to check that your phone is already unlocked. They can usually do this for you over the phone.
Best Family Hotels in Bangkok by BTS Skytrain: Luxury Stays to Budget-friendly Hotels for Families
Discover the best family hotels in Bangkok near the BTS Skytrain, from luxury family resorts to budget-friendly stays. Explore convenient, kid-friendly hotels with easy access to Bangkok attractions, shopping, and dining.
Best Tips Before Booking a Hotel in Bangkok and Traveling to Thailand with Kids
Discover the best tips before booking a hotel and traveling to Thailand with kids. Learn family travel tips, kid-friendly hotels, safety advice, and how to plan the perfect Thailand family vacation.