3 Days in Bangkok: Scooter Rides, Food Tours, and River Cruises

Bangkok is a big, fast-moving city that hits you with an incredible mix of sounds, smells, and lights the moment you arrive. You definitely will not get bored here.

As the third stop on my 3-week solo trip for my 50th birthday, Bangkok delivered exactly the kind of vibrant chaos I was looking for. Navigating the streets and eating the local food is a true adventure.

If you are planning a trip to Thailand, here is how I spent three action-packed days in Bangkok, including the best ways to get around and the tours you absolutely need to book.

Arrival and Where I Stayed

I will admit I felt a little overwhelmed arriving at the airport. I could not quite figure out the MRT transit system right away, so I opted for a taxi. It was not my first choice, but after a travel day, I just wanted to get to my room.

I checked into Urban House. It was a fantastic find. I booked it for around $60 a night, and it provided a great, quiet oasis in the middle of a very loud city.

Getting Around: The Thrill of the Grab Scooter

Traffic in Bangkok is legendary. Getting into a regular car or taxi during rush hour is a bad idea. The fastest way to get anywhere is by using a motorbike sharing app called Grab.

Booking my first Grab ride was an unexpected highlight of the trip. As an avid motorcycle rider back home in Canada, I am used to wearing full safety gear. Hopping onto the back of a scooter in my shorts with no helmet and weaving in and out of heavy Bangkok traffic felt completely exhilarating. It is something I would never do back home, but it is the ultimate way to experience the pulse of the city.

Eating Through the City

You cannot visit Bangkok without diving headfirst into the street food culture.

On my first full day, I booked the Old Siam Bangkok Food Tour. This was an incredible experience because we navigated all over the city using a water taxi, a public bus, and a tuk-tuk just to find the best local spots. There were so many tastings that by the end of the tour, I could not eat another bite even if I wanted to. I highly recommend it.

On my last day, I also checked out the massive new mall called Iconsiam. I am not a big shopper, but the food court inside is huge and absolutely worth the trip just for the food alone.

Temples, Bikes, and River Cruises

Bangkok has a great mix of historic temples and modern entertainment. I spent a morning exploring some cool local temples on my own before booking a few guided experiences to see the rest of the city.

Chinatown by Bike: I booked the Experience Real Bangkok by Bike Tour. Riding bicycles through the narrow alleyways of Chinatown and along the Chao Phraya River gave me a great ground-level view of daily life.
The Dinner Cruise: I had a free evening and decided to book a last-minute Bangkok Carnival Dinner Cruise. While a river cruise with a buffet and performances is definitely well-suited for a couple or a group, I still had a lot of fun and met new friends. Seeing Wat Arun glowing in the dark from the water was spectacular.

2 Things I Noticed About Bangkok

The Local Cats: I did not see any stray animals in Tokyo or Singapore, but Bangkok has a lot of street cats. Interestingly, almost all of them have very short, stubby tails!
The Heat: Bangkok is incredibly hot. You will be sweating from the moment you step outside. I highly recommend packing a reusable cooling towel like this one in your day bag to drape around your neck while you explore the temples.

Would you be brave enough to weave through Bangkok traffic on the back of a scooter? Let me know over on our Facebook page!