On days when daily life is filled with deadlines and constant notifications from work chat groups, many office workers and city dwellers may be looking for a way to breathe fresh air but face a hurdle.“No leave days available and limited money in the bank.”Current traveler behavior data shows that the trend of traveling called Micro-cation or organizing short holiday trips is becoming very popular because it not only suits those with little time but also helps save expenses effectively.
Getting yourself out to change the atmosphere outside, even if it’s a one-day trip with a morning departure and evening return, can surprisingly reduce accumulated stress and boost positive energy to get back to work. Today, we have selected 4 nearby travel spots from Bangkok that promise great experiences even with limited budget and time.
Here is a list of nearby places to relax for city people, carefully chosen for easy travel, low cost, and to refresh your energy so that your tired daily life feels rejuvenated.
1. Take the train around the ancient capital (Ayutthaya). Slow life by suburban train forcity dwellerswho want a change of pace. Try buying a third-class ticket on the Bangkok-Ayutthaya train for just a few tens of baht, enjoy the natural breeze, and relax your mind. Upon arrival, rent a bicycle or take a tuk-tuk to visit temples, stop by riverside cafes—this is a healing trip that offers both peace and fun at the same time. Visit nine temples and enjoy roti sai mai (cotton candy roti).A trip to heal the soulby visiting nine temples and eating roti sai mai.
2. Take the bus to feel the sea breeze (Bangsaen, Chonburi). Recharge your energy with the sound of waves at Bangsaen if your body says“I want to face the sea.”Bangsaen is the best answer. It’s easy to get there by van or public bus from Ekkamai or Mo Chit bus terminals. Driving takes less than two hours. It’s recommended to relax in a deck chair in the late afternoon, watch the sunset at Sam Muk Hill, and recharge with fresh and affordable seafood.
3. Experience art therapy (Kudeejeen community). Feel the slow life at Kudeejeen community. You can take the MRT to Itsaraphap Station (Exit 2), then a local taxi or the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Saphan Phut Pier, followed by a short walk over the Phra Pok Klao Bridge to Thonburi side. It's best to visit on weekends from 09:00 to 16:00, when local bakeries and museums are fully open..
4. Breathe in fresh air for city lungs (Bang Kachao). An oasis near the city, this green area close to Bangkok is extremely easy to reach. Take the BTS to Bang Na Station, then a ferry from Wat Bang Na Nok Pier. You will enter a world without car horns, hearing only birds and rustling leaves—a perfect place to clear your mind on weekends.
Taking care of your mental health and healing trips don’t require long holidays or big budgets. The charm of short holiday trips lies in their simplicity and the chance to momentarily escape from computer screens and work burdens. Seeing a wide horizon, the vast sea, or even the smile of an elderly lady in an old community can transform an ordinary day into a special one filled with positive energy.