Thailand Itinerary for two to 4 Weeks (North + South Highlights)

From the jungle-clad mountains within the north to the beach-lined islands within the south, Thailand is simply stuffed with great locations. It’s fairly a giant nation although, so if you wish to pattern all it has to supply inside a couple of weeks, you’ll wish to comply with route.

In this instance itinerary, I’ll run you thru a number of the common locations in Thailand. It’s a basic Thailand itinerary combining cultural, nature, and seaside highlights.

This itinerary is right for backpackers or anybody touring independently and in search of a mixture of journey and leisure.

I encourage utilizing it as a place to begin and making your individual changes based mostly in your pursuits and time accessible.

Example Itineraries

Part I: Bangkok to northern Thailand

1. Bangkok (half or 1 day)

The capital Bangkok is an apparent start line as most guests fly in to right here.

Just one be aware of warning: should you haven’t been to a metropolis fairly like Bangkok earlier than, it may be a little bit of a shock to the senses!

It’s a really busy metropolis with numerous site visitors. There are numerous smells and sounds. I’ve heard fairly a couple of travellers say they didn’t very similar to it, particularly simply after getting off an extended flight.

I really suppose Bangkok is wonderful, however some discover it simpler to understand on a second go to. That’s why I like to recommend making a quick preliminary cease, then exploring it extra deeply on the finish of your Thailand journey.

Use your first (half) day to get by way of your jet lag, acclimatize to the climate, and take your first dive into the unbelievable Thai delicacies. You can try some sights just like the temples of Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho, or possibly go to the vacationer district round Khao San Road (cheesy however enjoyable).

The first time I visited Bangkok I went on a bicycle and boat tour. This was a very chilled-out option to see a neighborhood facet of Bangkok with out an excessive amount of stress. I explored the extra chaotic areas, like Chinatown, on my second keep, and I assumed this was a pleasant order through which to get to know Bangkok.

2. Bangkok > Sukhothai (1 day)

It’s time to see some historical temples!

There are two massive complexes of temple ruins in Thailand: Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. Ayutthaya is barely 2 hours from Bangkok however tends to be stuffed with day-trippers and it’s additionally inside a metropolis. I like Sukhothai because it’s in a extra open house.

From Bangkok, take a bus or prepare to Sukhothai (about 8 hours). I just like the prepare myself because it’s good to look at the landscapes by way of the window. You’ll get a pleasant preview of rural Thailand.

Spend a day exploring the temple ruins of Sukhothai, then keep the evening there or head on straight on to Chiang Mai.

Alternatively, take a day journey from Bangkok to Ayutthaya after which take the 12+ hour in a single day prepare to Chiang Mai. You will save a while by touring largely at evening, and the sleeper prepare counts as a enjoyable journey expertise as nicely. It’s a bit extra time-efficient than breaking apart this journey with a cease at Sukhothai.

3. Sukhothai > Chiang Mai (3+ days)

Chiang Mai could also be Thailand’s second-biggest metropolis, but it surely’s approach extra relaxed than Bangkok. It’s additionally very low-cost, with a number of the best-value lodging round.

You can see tips on how to get to Chiang Mai right here.

You most likely gained’t wrestle to fill your time, as there are many issues to do in Chiang Mai. Be certain to walk the evening markets, go on day journeys within the space, go to the Elephant Nature Park, go on a Thai cooking course, or go on a hill tribe trek (these are normally 1 or 2 days however will be longer).

Chiang Mai could be very easygoing and there’s a lot to do right here, which is why I believe it’s good to dedicate at the least a couple of days right here.

Most travellers I communicate to like Chiang Mai and use it as a springboard for exploring the north of Thailand.

4. Chiang Mai > Pai or Chiang Dao (3+ days)

Where to go subsequent from Chiang Mai?

Well, there are a number of choices.

If you’re a backpacker trying to have some enjoyable, contemplate a cease within the small mountain city of Pai. It’s a cool little city among the many rice fields and forest hills, and it’s stuffed with cozy hipster cafés and eating places. The hostels in Pai are good enjoyable, although different vacationers could take a liking to its many riverside bungalows and boutique guesthouses. It’s a touristy place, possibly not ‘authentically Thai’, but it surely’s enjoyable. Pai has sizzling springs, waterfalls, and a small canyon close by.

If the vibe of Pai just isn’t your factor, then the city of Chiang Dao makes for different. It has a quieter environment and varied small-scale sights. It’s a stunning place to expertise some jungle and mountain surroundings.

Another enjoyable journey is to lease motorbikes and journey a loop by way of the thinly populated Mae Hong Son space. Along the best way, you’ll be able to go to the epic Tham Lod Cave, or keep the evening within the Cave Lodge the place native spelunkers will present you a lot secret caves.

5. (Optional) Chiang Rai (2 days)

Chiang Rai is a smaller metropolis than Chiang Mai and makes for an additional good base for temple visits, trekking, and bicycle rides across the space. It’s a pleasant add-on you probably have a while accessible! There are some good issues to do in Chiang Rai province, reminiscent of making a day-trip to the hilltop city of Mae Salong.

Part II: Bangkok & Andaman Coast

6. Northern Thailand > again to Bangkok (2 days)

From the north, dip again down into central Thailand. You may take the prepare again down once more, or if you wish to pace issues up a bit, take a home flight with a price range provider reminiscent of AirAsia.

After so many stress-free days in Chiang Mai and Pai, you’re in a greater state to dive deeper into chaotic Bangkok. You may go to the floating markets, see a Muay Thai battle, discover Chatuchak Weekend Market, or take a meals tour.

And now that you just’re now not jet-lagged and nonetheless contemporary off the airplane, you would possibly wish to examine the Bangkok nightlife extra intently as nicely.

This time contemplate staying in an space that isn’t close to the cheesy Khao San Road or the opposite ordinary hotspots; for example, attempt the native Ari neighborhood or try these different Bangkok neighborhoods.

7. Bangkok > Krabi (2 days)

It’s time to go to the seaside! Take a prepare to Surat Thani, and from there journey onwards to Krabi.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to fly to Surat Thani with AirAsia, which additionally provides all-in-one tickets with floor switch companies to Krabi or the islands.

You can keep in Krabi city, however higher but, keep in Ao Nang as this may put you proper alongside (or very close to) the seaside. While more and more busy and dear, you could wish to go to close by Railay Beach as nicely. It’s the well-known Thai seaside that has tall karst cliffs on both facet. Speaking of cliffs: Krabi is famed for mountain climbing, so should you’ve all the time wished to take a mountain climbing course, now could be your likelihood.

By the best way, the native authorities have begun utilizing a ticketing system to manage customer numbers to Railay, and longtail boats are additionally now solely allowed to dock in a single space (it is a good factor). Again, Krabi can get very crowded, particularly in excessive season, however lots of people do love the surroundings so much. If you are feeling it’s too busy round these elements, contemplate escaping to the islands like Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Jum, and so on.

8. Krabi > Khao Sok National Park (3 days)

Wean your self off the seaside (there’ll be extra of that quickly!) for an exhilarating jungle tour.

You can go to Khao Sok National Park independently, but it surely’s simpler (and arguably higher) to take an organized tour.

If you’re on a price range then you’ll be able to guide such excursions last-minute in Krabi, with varied 2 and 3-day adventures inside the nationwide park on supply. If you favor to pre-book on-line and see the critiques for the completely different tour variations that exist, then view Khao Sok excursions at GetYourGuide or see Khao Sok tour choices on Viator.

If you’ve the time, it’s price going for the 3-day possibility. This normally consists of wildlife recognizing, kayaking on Cheow Larn Lake, and sleeping an evening within the jungle.

9. Krabi > Koh Lanta (3 days)

While the island of Koh Phi Phi is probably the most well-known on the Andaman coast, it’s additionally simply the busiest and most costly. It additionally has a popularity for over-the-top-parties which, whereas not inescapable, do give the island a special vibe than others.

You may nonetheless make a fast cease there, however I like to recommend going to Koh Lanta as an alternative for a extra relaxed environment. Koh Phi Phi has possibly gotten a bit too common, whereas Koh Lanta has more room and extra issues to see across the island.

Since the development of a bridge, you’ll be able to simply attain Koh Lanta by minivan from Krabi. You also can take a ferry from Krabi, which is a little bit slower, but additionally a little bit extra scenic.

Alternatively, you might go to one of many less-visited smaller islands like Koh Kradan, Koh Jum or Koh Lipe, although a few of these are a bit additional away.

Part III: The Gulf Coast

10. Krabi > Koh Phangan (2 days)

Famed for the Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan is the largest celebration island in Thailand. Not to be pigeonholed, it additionally has a beautiful quiet facet that’s a lot much less recognized. It’s one other nice island to spend a couple of days.

11. Koh Phangan > Koh Tao (2 days)

Koh Tao just isn’t solely an attractive island in its personal proper, but it surely additionally occurs to be the scuba diving capital of Thailand.

If you’ve ever wished to present it a attempt (or do the 4-day Open Water certification course), you couldn’t ask for a greater place to do it. It’s a comparatively small island, and whereas very developed, it has maintained a comfortable environment.

12. Koh Tao > Bangkok (remaining days)

Take the ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui, from the place you will get a fast flight again to Bangkok. If you’ve time left (and didn’t lengthen your keep at any of the stops, which likelihood is you probably did), you’ll be able to then proceed to discover Bangkok or take day journeys within the space. Consider going to Kanchanaburi or Khao Yai National Park to cap off your Thailand itinerary.

Alternatively, you might skip the Gulf Coast and head east as an alternative. From Bangkok pop right down to the small city of Trat, then take a ferry to Koh Chang or Koh Kood. These islands are (nonetheless) considerably much less densely developed and make for an attention-grabbing different possibility. 

Itinerary planning suggestions

How to shorten the route

The above itinerary is meant for 4 weeks if you wish to do all of it. I believe a month is definitely the proper period of time for exploring all the foremost sights in Thailand.

If you’ve 3 weeks, then comply with the sections on Bangkok and northern Thailand, however then choose both the Andaman or the Gulf Coast to your final week on the seashores and islands.

If you’ve 2 weeks, then do Bangkok, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai in week one. From there, fly right down to one of many southern coasts for per week of nature and seashores.

How can you propose your individual itinerary?

Thailand has a lot to supply which you could simply make your individual plans and even improvise throughout your journey. Since transportation in Thailand is really easy and lodging so accessible, it’s simple to resolve to remain longer, take facet excursions, and even completely alter your plans.

Still, it’s good to have at the least a tough plan, particularly if it’s your first time in Thailand otherwise you’re new to touring on this a part of the world.

I like to recommend trying out a number of Thailand itineraries reminiscent of those offered right here and utilizing them as a template. Research completely different locations, see how varied locations join on the map, and create a route based mostly on what locations appear to curiosity you most.

When I first travelled in Thailand, I adopted a typical itinerary just about 70% of the best way, however made varied tweaks based mostly by myself journey targets.

How can you propose a one-week journey in Thailand?

Is one week sufficient to see Thailand? To be sincere, I don’t know!

I get numerous emails from individuals making an attempt to craft an ideal 6-day whirlwind Thailand itinerary, however I haven’t traveled on this approach myself.

I’ve spent at the least a few weeks on every of my journeys to Thailand, so I used to be not within the mindset that I needed to see as a lot as potential inside only a few days. The logistics of a one-week journey additionally get much more treasured with much less room for errors or delays, making it tougher to suggest a ‘perfect’ route.

If you are feeling there’s numerous stress in your one-week Thailand journey to see or do as a lot as you’ll be able to, then it might make sense to guide an organized tour.

What is the perfect time to journey in Thailand?

If you’re in Thailand for a short while and want the climate to be ‘perfect,’ you could want to go within the vacationer excessive season of November to February. But outdoors of those months, you’ll produce other benefits reminiscent of decrease prices, extra accessible lodging, and fewer crowds.

Keep in thoughts there’s a wet season in Thailand. Broadly talking, the rainiest months are from September to October. The monsoon has a special size on every coast although: roughly May to October on the west coast and September till December on the east coast.

How are you able to get round in Thailand?

Don’t fear an excessive amount of about journey logistics as there are all the time loads of choices. Essentially all locations you’d ever wish to go to as a vacationer are related by public bus, prepare, or handy native excursions.

To know tips on how to get from A to B in Thailand (and to guide bus or prepare tickets on-line), I like to recommend utilizing the native reserving platform 12Go Asia.

What are the perfect locations for first-timers?

Honestly, there are such a lot of locations in Thailand which are nice whether or not it’s your first go to or your tenth. But Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya islands like Koh Phangan, and the resorts on Phuket are extremely common locations. You can learn extra about Thailand journey locations right here.

Beyond Thailand

Planning to journey the broader Southeast Asia area?

If you comply with the primary elements of this route, you’ll be able to join this seamlessly to Laos by way of Chiang Rai and the border at Huay Xai. You can enter Laos both by bus or the so-called sluggish boat.

Will you find yourself within the south of Thailand? Then you’ll be able to simply lengthen your journey to Malaysia or Indonesia.

Some vacationers skip Ayutthaya and Sukhothai and as an alternative journey from Bangkok to Siem Reap in Cambodia to see the temples of Angkor Wat.

If you’re planning a visit by way of Southeast Asia, make sure to see my Southeast Asia itinerary recommendation.