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 full of fantastic locations. It’s fairly a giant nation although, so if you wish to pattern all it has to supply inside a number of weeks, you’ll need to observe a very good route.

In this instance itinerary, I’ll run you thru among the widespread locations in Thailand. It’s a traditional Thailand itinerary combining cultural, nature, and seashore highlights.

This itinerary is good 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 personal changes primarily based 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 place to begin as most guests fly in to right here.

Just one observe of warning: when 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 plenty of site visitors. There are plenty of smells and sounds. I’ve heard fairly a number of travellers say they didn’t very similar to it, particularly simply after getting off a protracted flight.

I truly assume Bangkok is superb, 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 your jet lag, acclimatize to the climate, and take your first dive into the unimaginable 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 solution to see an area aspect 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 wherein to get to know Bangkok.

2. Bangkok > Sukhothai (1 day)

It’s time to see some historic temples!

There are two massive complexes of temple ruins in Thailand: Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. Ayutthaya is just 2 hours from Bangkok however tends to be filled 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 practice to Sukhothai (about 8 hours). I just like the practice myself because it’s good to look at the landscapes by 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 practice to Chiang Mai. You will save a while by touring principally at evening, and the sleeper practice 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 means extra relaxed than Bangkok. It’s additionally very low-cost, with among the best-value lodging round.

You can see easy methods to get to Chiang Mai right here.

You in all probability gained’t wrestle to fill your time, as there are many issues to do in Chiang Mai. Be positive 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 often 1 or 2 days however could 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 number 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, think about 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 full of 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 scorching springs, waterfalls, and a small canyon close by.

If the vibe of Pai will not be your factor, then the city of Chiang Dao makes for a very good different. It has a quieter ambiance and varied small-scale sights. It’s a beautiful place to expertise some jungle and mountain surroundings.

Another enjoyable journey is to lease motorbikes and experience a loop by the thinly populated Mae Hong Son space. Along the best way, you may 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 one more good base for temple visits, trekking, and bicycle rides across the space. It’s a pleasant add-on if in case you 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 practice again down once more, or if you wish to velocity 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 struggle, discover Chatuchak Weekend Market, or take a meals tour.

And now that you simply’re not jet-lagged and nonetheless contemporary off the aircraft, you would possibly need to examine the Bangkok nightlife extra carefully as nicely.

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

7. Bangkok > Krabi (2 days)

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

Alternatively, you may fly to Surat Thani with AirAsia, which additionally affords all-in-one tickets with floor switch providers to Krabi or the islands.

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

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’re feeling it’s too busy round these elements, think about escaping to the islands like Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Jum, and so forth.

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

Wean your self off the seashore (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 may e book such excursions last-minute in Krabi, with varied 2 and 3-day adventures inside the nationwide park on provide. If you favor to pre-book on-line and see the opinions 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 may have the time, it’s price going for the 3-day possibility. This often contains 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 status for over-the-top-parties which, whereas not inescapable, do give the island a unique 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 ambiance. Koh Phi Phi has possibly gotten a bit too widespread, whereas Koh Lanta has more room and extra issues to see across the island.

Since the development of a bridge, you may simply attain Koh Lanta by minivan from Krabi. You also can take a ferry from Krabi, which is a bit of slower, but in addition a bit of extra scenic.

Alternatively, you would 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 get together island in Thailand. Not to be pigeonholed, it additionally has an exquisite quiet aspect that’s a lot much less recognized. It’s one other nice island to spend a number of days.

11. Koh Phangan > Koh Tao (2 days)

Koh Tao will not be solely a lovely island in its personal proper, but it surely additionally occurs to be the scuba diving capital of Thailand.

If you’ve ever wished to offer it a strive (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 ambiance.

12. Koh Tao > Bangkok (remaining days)

Take the ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui, from the place you may get a fast flight again to Bangkok. If you may have time left (and didn’t prolong your keep at any of the stops, which chances are high you probably did), you may 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 would 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 right period of time for exploring all the most important sights in Thailand.

If you may have 3 weeks, then observe the sections on Bangkok and northern Thailand, however then decide both the Andaman or the Gulf Coast in your final week on the seashores and islands.

If you may have 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 intend your personal itinerary?

Thailand has a lot to supply which you could simply make your personal plans and even improvise throughout your journey. Since transportation in Thailand is very easy and lodging so accessible, it’s simple to determine to remain longer, take aspect 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 introduced right here and utilizing them as a template. Research completely different locations, see how varied locations join on the map, and create a route primarily based on what locations appear to curiosity you most.

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

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

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

I get plenty of emails from individuals trying to craft an ideal 6-day whirlwind Thailand itinerary, however I haven’t traveled on this means 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 doable inside only a few days. The logistics of a one-week journey additionally get much more valuable with much less room for errors or delays, making it tougher to suggest a ‘perfect’ route.

If you’re feeling there’s plenty of strain in your one-week Thailand journey to see or do as a lot as you may, then it could make sense to e book an organized tour.

What is the very best time to journey in Thailand?

If you’re in Thailand for a short while and wish the climate to be ‘perfect,’ you might want to go within the vacationer excessive season of November to February. But exterior 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 unique 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 at all times loads of choices. Essentially all locations you’d ever need to go to as a vacationer are related by public bus, practice, or handy native excursions.

To know easy methods to get from A to B in Thailand (and to e book bus or practice tickets on-line), I like to recommend utilizing the native reserving platform 12Go Asia.

What are the very best locations for first-timers?

Honestly, there are such a lot of locations in Thailand which might be 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 widespread locations. You can learn extra about Thailand journey locations right here.

Beyond Thailand

Planning to journey the broader Southeast Asia area?

If you observe the primary elements of this route, you may 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 may simply prolong 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 Southeast Asia, you’ll want to see my Southeast Asia itinerary recommendation.