Perfect Thailand Itinerary
Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It draws tourists from far and wide because of its beautiful beaches, sparkling turquoise water, ornate temples, and amazing food. Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect Thailand itinerary.
Thailand’s Weather
Northern Thailand Weather
When to visit is one of the most important things to consider when planning a trip to Thailand. It has a tropical climate so it can be very hot and humid.
High travel season is between November and March when it is cooler, dryer and less humid. Average temperatures can vary by season but tend to hover around 30 degrees Celsius/86 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Low season runs from June to October coinciding with monsoon season and heavy rainfall. The humidity is also high during this season making temperatures feel even hotter.
Weather in the Islands
In the southern are of Thailand, the climate differs between the western and eastern coasts. April and October are the wettest months for the western Andaman Coast, however, the eastern islands such as Koh Samui on Thailand’s Gulf Coast experience more rain from September to December.
November to April is the optimal travel times for the west coast islands(Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe) and December to March for the east coast islands (Koh Samui).
When to visit?
For two reasons I would recommend traveling to Thailand in early November. First, November is the beginning of the high season so temperatures start cooling down and there’s less rain than in September and October, which are considered shoulder season.
Although I normally recommend traveling during the shoulder season to save money, in Thailand I would recommend traveling during high season. In Thailand, the cooler temperatures and less rain are worth a little extra money. However, traveling in Thailand is less expensive than most popular countries in the world, so the high season is still cheaper than most destinations.
The most important reason to travel in November is Yi Peng, most commonly known as the Floating Lantern Festival held in Chiang Mai. This festival occurs during the full moon in November so time your trip accordingly. To find out more about this amazing festival check out the 20 Absolute Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai.
where should i go?
The must-sees for a two week Thailand itinerary include Chiang Mai, Krabi Province and the southern islands along the Andaman Sea as well as Bangkok.
Do I really need two weeks to visit Thailand?
There is so much to see in Thailand, I would recommend seeing it in no less than 2 weeks, especially if you are flying 12+ hours to get there. For us, traveling to Thailand takes around 24 hours. When it takes that long to get to a destination, we want to get the most of our trip. A two week Thailand itinerary provides you the opportunity to see the most popular areas including the northern regions and the southern islands as well as allows time for exploring and relaxing.
I don't have two weeks, now what?
If you are limited to 10-12 days then I would fly into Chiang Mai, stay for 3-4 days and then fly down to the southern islands for the remainder of your trip.
is it difficult to travel within thailand?
The answer is no. It is easy to travel throughout Thailand. Domestic flights from northern Thailand are relatively inexpensive and will reduce an 18-hour drive from Chiang Mai to southern Thailand down to a 1.5-hour flight. We’ve flown AirAsia and Thai Airways and have been happy with both. Depending on the time of year a one-way ticket from Chiang Mai to Krabi can range from $60-120 USD.
thailand itinerary - where to go first
I would recommend Chiang Mai, Krabi Province and the southern Islandsand then Bangkok. Here’s the reason why. Chiang Mai is full of charm, has a welcoming laid back feel and is easy to explore on foot. It is exactly what we wanted my first impression of Thailand to be. Many people are tempted to fly into Bangkok but I would advise against this. Bangkok is a huge city and although it has attractions worth seeing, it is not what I wanted my first few days in Thailand to be like. A perfect Thailand itinerary includes 3-4 days of sightseeing in Chiang Mai, 5-7 days on the islands with a more relaxed pace, and then finish off with 2-3 days in Bangkok.
Thailand Itinerary ~ Chiang Mai (Days 1-4)
How Many Days in Chiang Mai?
If you are visiting multiple places on your trip, then I would recommend 3-4 days in Chiang Mai. We have been able to see everything we wanted in that period of time. Chiang Mai has a nice combination of day and night attractions so it takes fewer days to see the highlights.
Chiang Mai Highlights
The highlights of Chiang Mai include:
- Yi Peng/Floating Lantern Festival
- Night Markets and Bazaars
- Elephant Rescues/Sanctuaries
- Cooking Classes
- Food Tours
- Temples
- Massages
For more details on these sights and where to stay in Chiang Mai see, 20 Absolute Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
How Many Days in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is an easy city to fly into and a great place to start your trip to Thailand. It offers a rich history, delicious food, welcoming people and some of the best mango sticky rice I’ve ever tasted.
Thailand Itinerary ~ Ao Nang and Krabi Province (Days 5-11)
Tourists from around the world are drawn to the beautiful beaches, sparkling turquoise water, sheer limestone cliffs, and iconic long-tail boats in southern Thailand. Ao Nang, in the Krabi Province, and the beautiful islands are must-sees on your Thailand itinerary.
How Long in the Krabi Province and Southern Islands?
In my opinion, this is where the bulk of your time should be spent so you have time to visit or stay on various islands. I would recommend 5-7 days, which provides time to explore and relax. If you are less interested in the beach and the islands, then you can extend your time in either Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
Krabi Province and Southern Island Highlights
- Island Hopping
- Railay Beach Rock Climbing
- Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
- Tiger Cave Temple
- Emerald Pool
- Kayaking through the mangroves
- Tha Pom Klong Song Nam Park
- Thai Massage
Thailand has many amazing islands along the Andaman coastline. You could spend a whole trip just hopping between the islands. The most popular islands in this area are Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, and Koh Similan. For more details on these sights and where to stay in Ao Nang and Krabi Province see, 15 Most Amazing Things to Do in Krabi, Thailand.
How to Get to Krabi Province?
The closest airport in the area is the Krabi International Airport (KBV). From the airport, it is a 30-minute drive to Ao Nang. Ao Nang has many lodging options and is a main access point to the southern islands. You can reach the Krabi region by car, taxi/shuttle, bus, ferry, or plane depending on where you are traveling from. As noted, it is definitely worth the money to fly to this region in lieu of a 12-18 hour drive.
Thailand Itinerary ~ Bangkok (Days 12-14)
How Long in Bangkok?
Bangkok has many sights worth seeing but I would recommend 2-3 days. We were able to see everything we wanted in two days although we did not visit attractions outside of the city. If you want to take a day trip to the city of Ayutthaya to see the popular temple I would plan on three days, as it is 50 miles (80km) outside of Bangkok.
Bangkok Highlights
- Floating Market
- Train Market
- Weekend Market
- Grand Palace
- Asiatique
- Temples
- Flower Market
- Khao San Road
- River and Canal Tours
For more details on these sights and where to stay in Bangkok see, 15 Amazing Things to Do in Bangkok, Thailand.
Why Aren’t Other Popular Places on Your Thailand Itinerary?
What about Phuket?
Many people are drawn to Phuket for its beaches, food, and party atmosphere. We’ve been to Phuket and can attest to the fact that it has some beautiful beaches and resorts. However, I believe there are much better places to spend your time! Phuket’s popularity also draws tourists, lots and lots of tourists. I would prefer to spend time in other areas that offer similar attractions but with fewer people. I would recommend skipping Phuket and instead spend time in the southern islands along the Andaman Sea.
Why Not the Gulf Islands like Koh Samui?
Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island within the Gulf of Thailand. It is known for its beautiful beaches, amazing marine life, and luxury resorts. The best time to visit is December to March so depending on when you plan to travel, the east coast islands could replace those along the Andaman Sea.
Should I Go to Chiang Rai?
Chiang Rai is a 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai. It is known for its mountain trekking opportunities, night market, and delicious northern-style food. Chiang Rai is also associated with the popular “Golden Triangle,” which refers to the view of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar’s intersecting borders. The Golden Triangle is approximately 40 miles (70 km) from Chiang Rai. Many people visit it as a day trip from Chiang Mai, although I believe there are better attractions to see in and around Chiang Mai. With so much to see in Thailand, if you are limited to two weeks or less, I would skip Chiang Rai and instead spend additional time in Chiang Mai.
More About Thailand
If you want to learn more about what to wear, travel essentials, helpful tips, and accommodations check out 25 Essential Thailand Travel Tips I Wish I’d Known Sooner.
Add Thailand to Your Bucket List
Thailand is our absolute favorite place to visit. We continue to push ourselves to visit new places in lieu of going back to Thailand. Friends, you must book this trip! You won’t regret it!
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Hi! I wanted to get your advice.
We’ll be traveling to Thailand in April (2020). First couple days in Bangkok and then down to Krabi and the islands. We plan on flying down to Krabi. Would you advise booking our flight before we leave the states or wait until we are in Thailand?
Thanks for your input!
Hi Julie, that’s a great question. I like to book ahead of time so I have a greater selection of days, times and prices. You will love the islands. Happy Travels!
It sounds great. We hope to go to Thailand next year so this will come in handy. Thank you.
Thailand is amazing! You’ll love it! Let me know if you have any questions when you start planning.