Itinerary Ideas for Traveling in Thailand

Looking for itinerary ideas for Thailand and not sure where to start? Don’t worry—this guide has you covered. These epic Thailand itineraries, spanning 10 days to 15 days and for up to 1 month traveling within Thailand, showcase the best places to visit and suit every type of traveler. As a local tour operator, we are more than happy to share our extensive knowledge to help you plan the ultimate Thai adventure.

How Long to Spend in Thailand? Itinerary Ideas by Duration

Planning a trip to Thailand can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to determining how many days are truly necessary to explore this diverse and vibrant country. From the golden temples of Bangkok and the cultural charm of Chiang Mai to the dreamy islands of the south, Thailand offers something for every kind of traveler.

If your question is “How many days are enough to travel to Thailand?” – Well, it’s the million-dollar question!

Obviously, the more days you have, the more complete your route through Thailand will be, as you won’t be short of attractions to add to it, and you’ll also feel like you’ve made better use of your time after traveling halfway around the world to get here.

However, we understand that not everyone has that many vacation days or that you might not feel like spending that much time away from home. So, without going into too much detail, we’d suggest that at least 15 days in Thailand is recommended. This way, you can get a good idea of ​​what the country has to offer in terms of culture, nature, and beaches.

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What to do in Thailand in 15 days: route and tips

Without further ado, here is what we believe to be the best route through Thailand in 15 days:

• Days 1 and 2: Bangkok
• Day 3: Ayutthaya and trip to Chiang Mai
• Days 4 and 5: Chiang Mai
• Day 6: Chiang Rai
• Day 7: Drive from Chiang Rai to Krabi
• Days 8, 9, and 10: Krabi
• Days 11 and 12: Phi Phi
• Day 13: Travel from Phi Phi to Bangkok
• Days 14 and 15: Bangkok

Now we’re going to tell you in detail what you could do each day

Days 1 and 2: Bangkok

Hello, Thailand! Your gateway will be the mammoth yet exciting Bangkok, possibly one of the most interesting cities in all of Southeast Asia, where exotic markets, palaces, temples, backpacker neighborhoods, skyscrapers with luxurious rooftops, boat trips, and a multitude of other activities await you.

In our Things to do in Bangkok, Thailand blog, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip there, but we recommend you don’t miss the following spots:

Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Lumpini Park, Chinatown, and Chatuchak Market. Don’t miss a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River and a dinner (or party) outing on Khaosan Road. All of these are great ways to start your adventure.

Day 3: Ayutthaya and trip to Chiang Mai

We leave Bangkok to discover the city of Ayutthaya, located just 80 kilometers from the capital and declared a World Heritage Site. Founded in 1350, it was, for almost three centuries, one of the most important sites in the Kingdom of Siam and one of the most sacred sites for Buddhism.

Here you’ll find a multitude of spectacular temples, as well as the much-photographed Buddha head among the branches of the tree at Wat Maha That. You can explore the area by bike or by hiring a tuk-tuk, whichever you prefer.

From Bangkok to Ayutthaya, the trip takes approximately a couple of hours, and you can easily travel by train. Although it’s possible to book a round-trip tour, our recommendation for this 15-day Thailand itinerary is to get up early, leave your backpacks in the lockers, explore the city, and then take the bus or overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Since the trip takes between 9 and 11 hours, you’ll be able to rest, save money, and arrive the next morning to continue your journey. Another idea is to return to Bangkok and catch a flight to Chiang Mai, as there are several low-cost airlines.

Days 4 and 5: Chiang Mai

The second largest city in the country and one of the most beautiful to visit, couldn’t be missed on this 15-day route through Thailand.

Here you’ll find some of Siam’s most revered temples, such as Doi Suthep and Wat Phra Singh, numerous night markets filled with street stalls and handicrafts, and the opportunity to take excursions that will take you to villages or beautiful landscapes of rice paddies or tropical jungles. In our Things to do in Chiang Mai, Thailand blog, you’ll find everything you need to plan this part of your adventure.

Two days is the minimum we recommend to explore the city, although, of course, you could stay much longer. In fact, it’s a favorite among digital nomads in Thailand, due to its pleasant climate, cultural offerings, and easy access to affordable accommodation.

We couldn’t help but mention that you’ll be offered the option of taking an elephant-watching excursion almost anywhere in Chiang Mai. Please note, there are many fake sanctuaries, and it’s our obligation as travelers to educate ourselves before going.

• Check out What to do in Chiang Mai

Day 6: Chiang Rai

About a three-hour bus ride from Chiang Mai is what’s considered its “little sister,” where you can also visit some of the country’s most famous temples. The White Temple, or Wat Rong Khun, is, for many travelers, one of the main attractions of their 15-day Thailand itinerary. Add to that the increasingly well-known and photogenic Blue Temple and Black Temple, and you’ll make for a truly productive day.

The ideal route to see the three most important points of Chiang Rai is:

First, the White Temple, then the Black house, and finally the Blue Temple. We recommend this route because the Blue Temple is quite close to the bus stop. It’s best to leave it for last and see how long it takes, so you don’t run the risk of missing the bus.

One day is enough to see the must-sees, there’s no spend a night in Chiang Rai. However, take the bus early to make the most of the day.

Day 7: Flight from Chiang Rai to Krabi

Transfer day! We’re heading from north to south on this itinerary through Thailand. To do so, it’s best to search for flights from Chiang Rai to Krabi. Although you may have to stop over in Bangkok, you can find them (if you book in advance) for around €45, and in less than 5 hours, you’ll reach one of the most idyllic places in the country.

Days 8, 9, and 10: Krabi

Looking for the best beaches in Thailand? You’ll find some of the most spectacular beaches in Krabi province, we promise. Krabi itself isn’t very attractive, so we recommend that you base yourself in Ao Nang or, better yet, Railay on this 15-day tour of Thailand.

While you could certainly stay much longer, 3 days will give you time to enjoy the beaches of Railay and take one of the many long-tail (traditional) boat trips to the neighboring islands. The two most recommended are the Hong Islands and the Four Islands.

Days 11 and 12: Phi Phi

If you don’t want to leave Thailand without seeing Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The Beach,” we recommend devoting two days of your itinerary to the famous Phi Phi, possibly the most famous of the Thai islands.

Getting there is as easy as taking one of the ferries from Krabi to Phi Phi, and within an hour, you can be exploring the archipelago. On the first day, you can explore the various beaches on Koh Phi Phi Don, the only inhabited beach, and on the second day, you must take a tour that visits at least Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Bamboo Island. If your budget allows, it’s much better to book a private tour, as Phi Phi is no secret and crowds are guaranteed.

By the way, if you’re looking to party, take advantage of Phi Phi nights! It’s one of the liveliest places in Thailand.

• Check out Bamboo Island, Koh Phi Phi

Day 13: Travel from Phi Phi to Bangkok

It’s time to retrace our steps, but the 15-day route through Thailand continues.

To get from Phi Phi to Bangkok, the best way is to take the boat back to Krabi and then take a flight to the city. There are buses, but it takes so many hours that we don’t think it’s worth it.

Since this tour will take you around 5 hours, including waiting times and other things, you might want to take advantage of the afternoon to see some parts of Bangkok you might have missed at the beginning of the tour.

Days 14 and 15: Bangkok

We’ve left a 2-day buffer in case you end up having to return home on the 15th. Depending on what you visit during the first 2 days of the route, you could explore a Bangkok market or even take a trip to Kanchanaburi, 2-3 hours from the capital and an interesting place both for seeing the famous “Death Railway” and for the Erawan Park waterfalls.

As you can see, on this 15-day route through Thailand, you’ll have made the most of what this country has to offer. A possible alternative if you’re planning to visit during our summer months (July-August) is to visit the Gulf of Thailand instead of the Andaman Sea. That is, instead of going to Krabi and Phi Phi, take a route to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, two wonderful islands that won’t disappoint either.

Map of the route through Thailand: 15 days

Alternatives to these routes through Thailand

Of course, these aren’t the only routes through Thailand; the possibilities are endless! We’re talking about a country of considerable size, with many islands, but also miles of coastline and, of course, inland destinations that will help you better understand Thailand’s cultural and natural richness.

When planning a trip, it’s always important to read a lot and see which places best suit your tastes, the number of days you have available, and your connections. Therefore, although we’ve suggested some routes through Thailand, it’s crucial to tailor them to your trip.

Below, we’ll give you more options if you have more or fewer days to travel.

10-Day ideas for Thailand Itinerary

If you’re short on time and looking for a 10-day Thailand itinerary, consider something like this:

• Days 1 and 2: Bangkok
• Day 3: Ayutthaya and trip to Chiang Mai
• Days 4 and 5: Chiang Mai
• Day 6: Drive from Chiang Mai to Krabi
• Days 7, 8 and 9: Krabi (Railay)
• Day 10: Return to Bangkok

If it’s a European summer, you might want to swap Railay for Koh Tao, where it usually rains less at this time of year.

Itinerary ideas for traveling in Thailand for 1 month

A one-month itinerary for Thailand can already cover quite a few more places, including several that are often off the beaten path. We’re thinking you could do something like this:

• Days 1 and 2: Bangkok
• Day 3: Ayutthaya and trip to Sukhothai
• Day 4: Sukhothai and trip to Chiang Mai
• Days 5, 6, and 7: Chiang Mai
• Days 8 and 9: Pai
• Days 10 and 11: Chiang Rai
• Day 12: Travel from Chiang Rai to Phuket
• Days 13 and 14: Phuket
• Days 15 and 16: Phi Phi Islands
• Days 17 and 18: Railay
• Days 19 and 20: Koh Lanta
• Days 21, 22, and 23: Koh Lipe
• Day 24: Travel from Koh Lipe to Koh Phangan
• Days 25 and 26: Koh Phangan
• Days 27, 2,8 and 29: Koh Tao
• Day 30: Return to Bangkok

Of course, this is completely adaptable. You could skip an island and spend a few days in Kanchanaburi or even Khao Yai National Park, where it’s not uncommon to encounter elephants in the wild.

Bottom line: Thailand itinerary ideas

Thailand is a country that welcomes every kind of traveler, whether you’re in search of rich culture, tropical beaches, vibrant cities, or peaceful mountain retreats. How many days are “enough” truly depends on what you want to experience, but whether it’s a short getaway or an extended journey, each day in Thailand offers something unforgettable. The key is to plan with intention, focus on what matters most to you, and leave a little room for spontaneity. No matter how long you stay, Thailand is sure to leave you wanting to return for more.