The Best Weekend Getaways from Bangkok

Whether you're a traveler based in Bangkok, here for a business trip, or an expat living in Bangkok, there are many weekend getaway options that are quite close to the city.

Here are the best destinations - both for travelers and locals alike!

While you can get to these places with public transportation, having a car to drive around can be very convenient. Buses run on schedule and in some region, it's not that frequent. 

I'd recommend renting one. Check out your car rental options here

Pattaya 

One of the favorite getaway destination for locals and very popular among tourists visiting Bangkok! Pattaya offers a wonderful beach vacation experience only 2 hours away from Bangkok. 

There are plenty of activities and things to do in Pattaya - from swimming in the sea, sunbathing in the beach, to visiting a zoo! There are lots of seafood restaurants that offer fresh seafood. In fact, as you walk along the beach, there'll be people selling fresh seafood for you too!  Pattaya is no doubt my number one getaway from Bangkok! 

If you're looking for a place to stay, there are many fantastic hotels and resorts at various price range. For solo travelers who'd like to keep the budget under $100 a night, you can see some great hotel choices here. 

Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is a very short drive away from Bangkok, only about one hour away. It's rich in history and is home to beautiful and breathtaking temple ruins of the ancient time. You can walk around or rent a bicycle to check out the Ayutthaya Historical Park. There are plenty of Thai restaurants in the area. Ayutthaya lobsters are not to be missed!

If you have more than a few days there, many temples that offer meditation programs that you can join; it will be one of the most rewarding experiences in your travels. I'd recommend Maheyong Temple for this retreat.  

Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many activities you can do here: trekking, hiking, bicycling along the bike trails, kayaking, just to name a few! For those who want a nice change from the beach vacation, Khao Yai will offer you the beauty of nature that you'll want to come back for more! 

There are many resorts and hotels that offer great relaxation amidst the beautiful mountains surrounding you. Some of them has themes that replicate foreign countries, and not to be missed if you're looking for instagrammable moments! 

Hua Hin

A beach vacation option just a few hours away from Bangkok. Hua Hin is another popular weekend getaway for locals. It features gorgeous beaches with white sand, many shopping places with lots of photo opportunities. The night market offers plenty of local shopping and delicious local street food. 

There are many hotels and resorts in areas. You can be sure that there are lots of options for relaxing and rejuvenating stay! 

Kanchanaburi 

Kanchanaburi is a weekend getaway that offers you both nature and history. The "Death Railway" was infamous for using and torturing thousands of prisoners and workers to build the railway during the second world war. There are also museums where you can learn more about these events. 

History aside, Kanchanaburi is a perfect weekend getaway from Bangkok. It's around 3 hours drive - or you can also take the train too. There are many natural sites for you to visit such as the Erawan National Park, where you can easily spend the whole day hiking the trail, relaxing and swimming in the waterfall which makes for a perfect pool! 

Suan Phueng

Suan Phueng is another one of my favorite weekend getaways. It's less well-known among tourists, but there are many activities to do here! 

It's famous for its sheep and alpaca farms, where you can feed and play with them. There are beautiful water falls  which are a hidden gen because not that many tourists are aware of their existence. It's a perfect quiet getaway from the busy city of Bangkok!  

The hotels and resorts in this area are definitely very beautiful and interesting. They are a travel destination in themselves - with resorts built to themes of famous European destinations. These resorts are so beautiful that many Thai couples visit these places to have their wedding photos taken!