Bangkok & Pattaya Escape
Five days pairing Bangkok's golden temples and river life with the beaches and islands of Pattaya — the Grand Palace, the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and the riverside spire of Wat Arun, then a boat out to the clear water of Coral Island — with transfers, hotels and guided sightseeing handled from arrival to departure.
Thailand's two easiest highlights, back to back
Bangkok and Pattaya sit close enough together that you don't have to choose between temples and the coast — this five-day itinerary gives you both without the logistics. It's built for travellers who want the country's signature sights covered properly, then a couple of unhurried beach days to close out the trip.
You'll spend your Bangkok days inside the Grand Palace complex, at the feet of the 46-metre reclining Buddha in Wat Pho, and crossing the Chao Phraya River to the porcelain-clad spire of Wat Arun — Bangkok's most photographed skyline. From there, a road transfer brings you to Pattaya, your base for a boat trip out to Coral Island's white sand and clear water, plus free time to enjoy the beach at your own pace.
Airport transfers, centrally located accommodation, daily breakfast and the guided sightseeing above are arranged for you. Prefer it fully private, want an extra night on the island, or would rather swap a day for Ayutthaya's ruins? Every element here can be tailored — this itinerary is the starting point, not the ceiling.
What you'll actually see
The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha
Built in 1782 as the official residence of the Kings of Siam, the Grand Palace complex houses Wat Phra Kaew — Thailand's most sacred temple, home to the revered Emerald Buddha and some of the country's finest royal architecture.
Wat Pho's reclining Buddha
Bangkok's oldest and largest temple complex holds a 46-metre-long, gold-covered reclining Buddha, its feet inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Wat Pho is also considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, still taught here today.
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn
A short public-boat ride across the Chao Phraya River brings you to Wat Arun's dazzling porcelain-clad spire, standing 70 metres over the water — one of the most photographed skylines in Southeast Asia.
Coral Island's clear water
Just 7 km off Pattaya, Koh Larn — known as Coral Island — offers white sand and turquoise water at Tawaen Beach, reachable by a short ferry or speedboat crossing for a day of swimming, sun and fresh seafood.
Your 5-day itinerary
Two full sightseeing days in Bangkok, then a straightforward transfer into beach time in Pattaya, with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located Bangkok hotel. Settle in, then ease into the city at your own pace — a river-view dinner or a first walk along a night market is a good way to start.
A guided day through Bangkok's most famous sights: the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the 46-metre reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and a public-boat crossing of the Chao Phraya River to the riverside spire of Wat Arun. Dress modestly — long sleeves and covered knees are required for the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
After breakfast, a road transfer takes you from Bangkok to Pattaya — typically around two hours, traffic dependent. Check in to your beachside hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon settling into Pattaya Beach: swim, relax, or simply enjoy having the sea back in view.
A short transfer to Bali Hai Pier, then a ferry crossing to Koh Larn — better known as Coral Island — around 7 km off the Pattaya coast. Spend the day on Tawaen Beach's white sand and clear, turquoise water, with time for swimming, sunbathing and fresh seafood by the shore before the return crossing to Pattaya in the late afternoon.
Enjoy a final breakfast and, depending on your flight, a little free time by the beach or for last-minute shopping. You're then transferred back toward Bangkok for your onward journey — or, if you'd like to extend, we can add nights in Pattaya or link this trip to islands further south or a wider Thailand itinerary.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of activities, sightseeing and transfer times is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to flight schedules, tides, weather, ferry timetables and local conditions.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 4 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers where applicable
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to visit
Bangkok and Pattaya are warm and tropical year-round, with a wetter monsoon season roughly June to October. The cooler, drier months from November to February are generally the most comfortable for sightseeing and beach days alike.
Currency
The Thai Baht (THB / ฿). Cards are widely accepted in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; carry cash for street food, markets, ferries and small vendors on Koh Larn.
Temple dress code
The Grand Palace and Wat Pho enforce a modest dress code: shoulders and knees covered, no sandals with ankle straps left loose, no sheer fabrics. Bring a light cover-up even in the heat — sarongs are available to rent at the gate if needed.
Getting to Coral Island
Koh Larn is reached by ferry or speedboat from Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya, a crossing of roughly 20–45 minutes depending on the boat. Bring a dry bag for phones and cameras, and expect some queueing at the pier during peak season.
What to pack
Light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes for temple days, swimwear and a rash guard for the beach, sun protection, insect repellent and a modest cover-up for temple visits.
Visas & documents
Entry requirements depend on your passport. Many nationalities can enter Thailand visa-free for short tourist stays, but please check based on your own nationality before you travel — we're happy to point you to the right official source.
Bangkok to Pattaya, in five days
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Good to have answered
Is the US$699 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 5-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels, daily breakfast, airport and listed intercity transfers, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance. The final figure depends on your travel dates, hotel choice, group size and whether you'd like it private, so we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
How long is the transfer between Bangkok and Pattaya?
By road, it's typically around two hours depending on traffic and time of day. Your transfer is arranged for you as part of the package, so there's nothing to book or navigate yourself.
Are international flights included?
No — international flights aren't included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote. Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports are both well connected internationally; we can advise on convenient routings and arrange your airport transfers to match your flights.
Can this itinerary be customised or run privately?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add nights in Pattaya, upgrade the hotels, swap in a day trip to Ayutthaya's ruins, or extend into a wider Thailand or Southeast Asia trip. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
What should we wear for the temple visits?
The Grand Palace and Wat Pho enforce a modest dress code for all visitors — shoulders and knees covered, no sheer fabrics, and no sandals with the strap behind the heel. Bring a light long-sleeve layer or sarong even on a hot day; a few rental options exist at the gate but it's easier to come prepared.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
It depends on your nationality. Many travellers can enter Thailand visa-free for short tourist stays, but requirements do change. Please verify based on your own passport before you travel — we're glad to point you to the right official source.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your Bangkok & Pattaya escape
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-in quote — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.