Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
Pack your bags and head to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. Once you board, settle in for the journey ahead as Thailand's street food, temples, and beaches await on the other side.
- Day 2
Bangkok
You'll land in Bangkok and check into your hotel. The city's energy is constant, so jump right in by hitting the Night Market, walking through Yaowarat Road in Chinatown or catching Khao San Road. Track down authentic pad Thai and mango sticky rice from street vendors. If it's the weekend, Chatuchak Market should be on your list.
Optional Activities
- Explore Night Market
- Wander Yaowarat Road in Chinatown
- Visit Khao San Road
- Browse Chatuchak Market (weekends)
Landmarks Night Market Yaowarat Road Khao San Road Chatuchak Market - Day 3
Bangkok
Wake up early to see Bangkok's major temples and markets. The Grand Palace with its gold roofs comes first, then you'll head to Wat Pho to see the massive reclining Buddha. After that, climb over 300 steps up to Wat Saket's golden dome for views across the city, then wander the Flower Market's colorful stalls.
Optional Activities
- Visit Grand Palace
- Explore Wat Pho
- Climb Wat Saket
- Explore Flower Market
Landmarks Grand Palace Wat Pho Wat Saket Flower Market - Day 4
Bangkok
You're checking out Bangkok's most known markets today. Start at Maeklong Railway Market where vendors move their stalls as trains pass right through the middle. From there, travel to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market where traders sell from boats along the waterways.
Optional Activities
- Full day tour to Mae Klong Train Market & Damnoen Saduak Market
Landmarks Maeklong Railway Market Damnoen Saduak Floating Market - Day 5
Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Spend the morning finishing off any last things you wanted to do in Bangkok. Later in the afternoon, get to Don Mueang station and board an overnight train heading to Chiang Mai. You'll settle into your sleeping compartment and watch Thailand roll past outside your window as you drift off.
- Day 6
Chiang Mai
The train pulls into Chiang Mai in the morning. After checking into your hotel, explore the old town with its city walls and moat surrounding it. Walk through the alleyways where cafes and restaurants line the streets, finding temples like the historic Wat Chedi Luang and the golden Wat Phra Singh.
Optional Activities
- Explore old town with city walls and moat
- Visit Wat Chedi Luang
- Visit Wat Phra Singh
Landmarks Wat Chedi Luang Wat Phra Singh - Day 7
Chiang Mai
Rent a scooter and ride into the mountains surrounding Chiang Mai for incredible views of the city below. You'll head to the famous Bua Thong sticky waterfall and actually climb it yourself, since the limestone surface keeps you from slipping. It's an unusual experience you won't find many places.
Optional Activities
- Rent scooter
- Visit Bua Thong waterfall
- Climb sticky waterfall
Landmarks Bua Thong Waterfall - Day 8
Chiang Mai
Today you're visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most important temple in Chiang Mai, which sits high on Doi Suthep Mountain in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Climb 309 steps flanked by giant naga snakes to reach the golden temple complex, then take in the views over the city and jungle from the top.
Optional Activities
- Hire scooter to reach temple
- Take taxi to temple
- Entrance to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
Landmarks Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Doi Suthep-Pui National Park - Day 9
Chiang Mai
Check out Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in the city, where you'll see golden stupas, elephant statues, and beautiful murals surrounded by lush plants. Later, spend time exploring Chiang Mai's cafe and coworking culture. Walk around the alleyways near Ratvithi Road or pop into trendy cafes in the Nimman district.
Optional Activities
- Visit Wat Chiang Man
- Explore cafes around Ratvithi Road
- Explore Nimman district
Landmarks Wat Chiang Man Ratvithi Road Nimman District - Day 10
Chiang Mai to Krabi
You're flying from Chiang Mai to Krabi today. When you land, steep cliffs, palm trees, and bright blue water greet you. The pace here is different and slower. After checking into your hotel, you can relax right away or head straight to the beach.
- Day 11
Krabi
Relax at Ao Nang Beach with its palm trees, longtail boats, and dramatic rock faces towering above. The water's warm and inviting for swimming. If you want more activity, hike the Monkey Trail at the beach's eastern end, going through stairs and jungle to reach a viewpoint showing turquoise water and islands offshore.
Optional Activities
- Swim at Ao Nang Beach
- Hike Monkey Trail
Landmarks Ao Nang Beach Monkey Trail - Day 12
Krabi
Take a boat to Railay Beach, which you can only reach by water. You'll find crystal-clear water, steep cliffs, and a quiet, hidden vibe. After swimming, go up the steep red trail to the viewpoint between Railay East and Phra Nang Cave Beach. The green-blue waters and palm-lined rocks make every sweaty step worth it.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Railay Beach
- Swim at Railay Beach
- Hike to Railay viewpoint
Landmarks Railay Beach Phra Nang Cave Beach - Day 13
Krabi to Phuket
You're leaving Krabi's beaches and rocky cliffs for Phuket, Thailand's cultural melting pot. Walk through the old town with its colorful colonial buildings and Chinese influences. Check out Thalang Road with its decorated villas, temples, and shrines, then head to Lock Tien Food Center when hunger hits.
Optional Activities
- Explore old town on Thalang Road
- Visit temples and shrines
- Eat at Lock Tien Food Center
Landmarks Thalang Road Lock Tien Food Center - Day 14
Phuket
Phuket's a serious food destination, so spend today exploring the old town's colorful alleyways and central market. Look for rice steamed in banana leaves, naan, coconut pork, unusual fruits, and sweet treats. The market feels like a sensory explosion. Try a Phuket-style crepe to cap off your food exploration.
Optional Activities
- Food tour through Phuket
- Explore central market
Landmarks Phuket Central Market - Day 15
Phuket
Wander through Phuket's old town discovering side streets, street art, and small details you might have missed. Pop into local cafes, restaurants, artist studios, and print shops. Visit B Cat Cafe for coffee and cake surrounded by around 30 friendly cats, or check out the Phuket Thai Hua Museum for local history. Queen Sirikit Park with its golden dragon statue is another nice spot to relax.
Optional Activities
- Visit B Cat Cafe
- Explore Phuket Thai Hua Museum
- Relax in Queen Sirikit Park
Landmarks B Cat Cafe Phuket Thai Hua Museum Queen Sirikit Park - Day 16
Phuket
Patong Beach is your destination today with its turquoise water and golden sand delivering exactly what you imagined Thailand to be. Use Grab to get there from Phuket Town easily. If you want something quieter, arrange a longtail boat to Freedom Beach for uninterrupted relaxation and a beach bistro to refuel.
Optional Activities
- Visit Patong Beach
- Take longtail boat to Freedom Beach
Landmarks Patong Beach Freedom Beach - Day 17
Departure
It's time to head to the airport for your flight home. Take one last look at the palm trees, temples, and beautiful beaches. You'll feel a bit sad saying goodbye, but a smile will cross your face knowing you're taking these memories with you.
- Day 18
Arrival
You're back home now and ready to tell everyone about Thailand. The trip's finished, but what you experienced and learned there will stay with you for a long time.
