How a private day trip from Bangkok works
You book a car with a driver for the day, usually about 8 to 10 hours. The driver collects you from your hotel, takes you to each stop on your plan, waits while you visit, and brings you back. Pickup from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang is also possible if you want to go straight from a flight.
It is a car and driver, not a guided Bangkok tour. There is no tour guide on board, and entry tickets, boat rides, park fees and meals are not included. You pay those yourself on site, which also means you choose how long to spend at each place. If you think the day will run longer than planned, agree the extra time when you book.
Bangkok day trip prices at a glance
Prices are per vehicle for the whole day, not per person. The base price is the starting rate; bigger cars cost more.
| Day trip | From | Sedan (3) | SUV (6) | Van (10) | Alphard (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok city tour | ฿2,750 | ฿2,850 | ฿3,350 | ฿4,700 | ฿7,050 |
| Floating market tour | ฿3,200 | ฿3,300 | ฿3,900 | ฿5,450 | ฿7,800 |
| Ayutthaya | ฿3,200 | ฿3,300 | ฿3,900 | ฿5,450 | ฿7,800 |
| Kanchanaburi | ฿4,650 | ฿4,750 | ฿5,600 | ฿7,850 | ฿10,100 |
| Pattaya | ฿4,650 | ฿4,750 | ฿5,600 | ฿7,850 | ฿10,100 |
| Khao Yai | ฿5,100 | ฿5,200 | ฿6,150 | ฿8,600 | ฿10,800 |
Price per vehicle for a day of about 8 to 10 hours with the driver waiting. Entry tickets, boats, guides and meals are not included.
The six trips in short
- Bangkok city tour. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown and an evening at Asiatique, without haggling with taxis between them. Best for a first visit or a hot day.
- Floating market tour. Damnoen Saduak in the morning, the train passing through Maeklong Railway Market, and Amphawa on weekend evenings. About 1.5 hours each way.
- Ayutthaya tour from Bangkok. The old Siamese capital, about 1 to 1.5 hours north, with temple ruins spread too far apart to walk. A car between temples makes the heat bearable. See Ayutthaya.
- Kanchanaburi day trip. The Bridge on the River Kwai, the war cemetery and Erawan Waterfall. About 2.5 to 3 hours each way, so start early.
- Pattaya day trip. Beaches, the Sanctuary of Truth and viewpoints on the coast, around 2 hours each way. See Pattaya.
- Khao Yai. Forest, waterfalls, vineyards and cafes in Khao Yai, around 2.5 to 3 hours each way. The longest day of the six.
Which day trip from Bangkok should you pick?
Families with small children usually enjoy the floating markets or a city tour most, because the drives are short. Couples who already know Bangkok tend to love Kanchanaburi and Khao Yai. If you have only one free day and have never been to Thailand, Ayutthaya gives the best return for the time in the car.
| If you want | Pick | Drive each way (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Temples and history close by | Ayutthaya | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Markets, food and photos | Floating markets | About 1.5 hours |
| War history and nature | Kanchanaburi | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| Sea and a relaxed day | Pattaya | About 2 hours |
| Cooler air, nature, wineries | Khao Yai | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| The famous sights without the hassle | City tour | Within Bangkok |
Drive times depend heavily on Bangkok traffic and the time you leave.
Timing and traffic tips from local drivers
- Leave by 07:00 for Kanchanaburi, Khao Yai and the floating markets. An hour later can cost you two hours in the day.
- Weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons are the heaviest traffic times coming back into Bangkok.
- Most temples and markets are busiest from about 10:00 to 14:00. Arrive early or late if you can.
- Opening hours change for holidays and royal ceremonies. Check the day before, especially for the Grand Palace.
- Carry small notes for tickets, boats and food stalls. Some counters only take cash.
Dress, tickets and what you pay on the day
Temples in Bangkok and Ayutthaya expect shoulders and knees covered, and the Grand Palace is strict about it. Bring a light layer even if you plan to wear shorts elsewhere.
Entry tickets and boat rides are paid on site to the operator. As a rough guide, the Grand Palace is about ฿500, Wat Pho about ฿300, Ayutthaya temples about ฿50 each and a shared or private boat at Damnoen Saduak can run from several hundred to over ฿1,000 depending on the boat and how long you stay. These prices change, so check before you go.
Booking your Bangkok private tour
Tell us the date, pickup point, number of people and the stops you want. We confirm the vehicle and the day price before you travel. If you want to mix trips, such as the floating markets in the morning and Bangkok in the afternoon, include the full plan and we will tell you whether it fits in a day. For longer hire inside the city, read our private driver guide.
Questions
What are the best day trips from Bangkok?+
Ayutthaya, the floating markets, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya and Khao Yai are the classic five, plus a city tour of Bangkok's main sights. Each one fits into a day of about 8 to 10 hours by private car.
How much is a private day trip from Bangkok?+
Our prices start at ฿2,750 for a city tour and ฿3,200 for Ayutthaya, per vehicle for the day. Longer trips such as Kanchanaburi start at ฿4,650.
Is a guide included?+
No. You get a private car and driver for the day. The driver takes you between stops and waits, but does not guide you inside temples or museums.
Are entry tickets and boat rides included?+
No. Tickets, boat rides, national park fees and meals are paid by you on site. That keeps the price clear and lets you decide what to visit.
Can the day run longer than 10 hours?+
Yes, if you agree the extra time when you book. Tell us if you want to stay for sunset or an evening market.
Can I combine two destinations in one Bangkok day trip?+
Often yes. The floating markets with Maeklong, or Ayutthaya with Bang Pa-In, fit easily. Kanchanaburi with Ayutthaya is too much for one day.
Can you pick us up from the airport?+
Yes. We can collect you at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang and start the day trip from there, as long as the timing works with your flight.
