Seven days in Thailand, three stops. Two nights in Bangkok, including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Chinatown; a 900–1,500 baht flight north for two nights in Chiang Mai, where you'll visit the temples of the old city, Doi Suthep at dawn, spend an afternoon with rescued elephants, and experience the Sunday pedestrian zone; followed by a two-hour flight south for two nights in Phuket and a day trip by speedboat to Phi Phi. Each stop is listed below with departure time, price, and travel information. Budget: 16,000–24,000 baht per person for the week as a backpacker, 35,000–58,000 baht for mid-range travelers, before international flights.

Where you will sleep

3 stations, 6 nights. Each search begins with the data of the respective station and follows on from the previous one.

  • 1. Bangkok · 2 nights · Arrival Day 1: My recommendation: Hotel Clover Asoke, Sukhumvit Soi 16, just a few minutes' walk from the Sukhumvit MRT station. Check prices.
  • 2. Chiang Mai · 2 nights · Arrival on day 3. My recommendation: U Chiang Mai Hotel, located within the city moat on Rachadamnoen Road. Compare prices.
  • 3. Phuket · 2 nights · Arrival day 5 · My choice: Katathani Phuket Beach Resort on Kata Noi. Check prices · Hotels

    • Sponsored links: We may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Where to stay, starting in Bangkok

    This itinerary includes three overnight stays. Select your desired stopover, then the region, and search for accommodations for that leg of the journey using your travel dates. Filter for accommodations with free cancellation to reserve rooms along the route and decide later.

    Open Booking.com with your travel dates · also on Expedia · Trip.com

    Key Facts (2026)

    The route is: Bangkok (2 nights) → Chiang Mai (2) → Phuket (2), by plane

    The flight time from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 20 minutes, and from Chiang Mai to Phuket you can fly directly with AirAsia or VietJet in 2 hours – without changing planes in Bangkok. From Phuket, which has direct long-haul flights, you can either fly back or make a stopover in Bangkok. While the 12-hour overnight train journey north is a nice option, it's not recommended for a 10-day itinerary.

    Domestic flights cost between 900 and 1,500 Baht (Bangkok–Chiang Mai) and between 1,800 and 2,500 Baht (Chiang Mai–Phuket).

    Book 2–4 weeks in advance, hand luggage only. Checked baggage costs an additional 300–500 baht per flight segment. AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion use Don Mueang Airport (DMK) in Bangkok, while Thai Airways, VietJet, and Bangkok Airways use Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Therefore, check which airport is used before booking your airport transfer.

    The cost for 7 days is ฿16,000–24,000 for backpackers and ฿35,000–58,000 for mid-range travelers (per person).

    Approximately US$480–715 or US$1,040–1,730, including both flights, the elephant sanctuary, and the boat trip to Phi Phi. These three services cost between 7,000 and 9,000 baht, regardless of budget. A detailed price list is below.

    Travel between November and February and avoid Chiang Mai in March.

    All three locations experience cool and dry weather. In Phuket, the monsoon season lasts from May to October (red flags indicate warnings, and some boat trips to Phi Phi are cancelled). In Chiang Mai, the slash-and-burn season runs from mid-February to April, peaking in March. In 2026, the city recorded some of the worst air quality in the world. A monthly overview is provided below.

    Citizens from 60 countries have had free entry for 30 days since September 15, 2026.

    Thailand shortened the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days on September 15, 2026, and reduced the list of eligible nationalities from 93 to 60 countries. A 7-day stay is easily covered in both cases. Everyone must submit their Thailand Digital Arrival Card online up to three days before arrival.

    Pack only hand luggage and put everything for temples and boats in one bag.

    Two budget flights make checked baggage the biggest avoidable expense. Lightweight trousers and a long-sleeved shirt are recommended at every temple along the route, and a sarong serves as a beach towel, wrap, and airplane blanket. Reef-friendly sunscreen for day 6.

    Your 7 days at a glance

    Suvarnabhumi / Don Mueang → Hotel in Bangkok

    Sort out the first airport approach before you land.

    After a long-haul flight, the Airport Rail Link (45 ฿ to Phaya Thai, 26 minutes) is a good option if you only have one piece of luggage and plan to stay in a hotel near the BTS. Alternatively, a metered taxi will cost 400–600 ฿ including tolls and the 50 ฿ airport surcharge. A car pre-booked through 12Go (approximately 900–1,100 ฿ for a sedan) has a fixed price before you land, and you'll need three more transfers this week.

    Sponsored link. We may receive a small commission if you book – this will not incur any additional costs for you. Learn more.

    How this 7-day Thailand itinerary is structured

    Thailand's three main regions are each 700 km apart, so the weekly itinerary is dictated more by travel than by sightseeing. This plan includes two overnight stays in each region and two onward journeys, each with a morning flight that lands before lunch. This results in two half-days being lost at airports, leaving no full day for sightseeing. The north-to-south flight route follows the country's geography: Bangkok is the hub for long-haul flights, Chiang Mai is an hour further on, and Phuket offers its own long-haul flights for the return journey.

    At each destination, the daily itinerary is structured similarly to the guidebooks used as a template. Bangkok's old city is explored on foot and by ferry in a morning, while Chinatown, two MRT stops away, is visited on the first evening. The temples of Chiang Mai are explored in an afternoon within the city moat, allowing time for sunrise on Doi Suthep before the buses depart and an afternoon with elephants. Phuket offers a boat trip and a day at the beach. The order also takes the weekday calendar into account. Try to arrive in Chiang Mai on a Sunday to visit Walking Street and book the boat trip to Phi Phi the day before your flight so you have a backup plan in case of weather-related cancellations.

    For an eight-day stay, I recommend an extra night in Chiang Mai. This makes the stay feel the shortest. For six days, I would reduce Bangkok to one night and visit the old city on the morning of the second day before continuing north in the afternoon.

    Bangkok has two airports. Budget airlines to Chiang Mai (AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion) fly from Don Mueang, about an hour north of the city center, not from Suvarnabhumi. Check the three-digit code on your booking before your alarm goes off on the third day. This is the most common reason for losing a morning during a week in Thailand.

    Arrival in Bangkok, then Chinatown at night

    A relaxed arrival day with high reward potential. After arriving at the hotel, get a SIM card and discover the culinary diversity of Asia's most vibrant street food street. The Sukhumvit or Silom BTS stations, or the Riverside district, are good starting points. The temples you'll visit on the second day can be reached from Riverside by boat for 18 baht, and from Sukhumvit in 30 minutes by train and boat.

  • 11:00 AM: Lands at Suvarnabhumi Airport and transfers to the city. Costs: Airport Rail Link 45 ฿ · Taxi 400–600 ฿ · Grab 400–600 ฿. Travel time: 45–75 minutes. Purchase a SIM card before leaving the arrivals hall. Unlimited tourist SIM cards are available at the AIS and True booths: 499 ฿ for 8 days or 699 ฿ for 15 days. The purchase takes five minutes. Then, take the Airport Rail Link (Level B, 45 ฿, every 10–15 minutes) to Phaya Thai for the BTS station or the official taxi stand on Level 1. There, take a numbered ticket, insist on the meter being used, and expect a fare of 400–600 ฿ to Sukhumvit or Silom, including tolls. Ignore all taxi offers in the terminal. Next step: Check in, shower, and set aside time until 6:00 PM. Jet lag is worse if you sleep now.
  • 216:00 Check-in – Sukhumvit, Silom, or Riverside. Cost: Included. Allow approximately 1.5 hours. Ask at reception which airport your flight departs from on day three and when you will need a taxi. Afterward, you can explore the area on foot. The sois of Sukhumvit are the restaurant district. Silom is the old business district with its rooftop bars, and Riverside is quieter, more beautiful, and characterized by boat trips. All three districts are listed in the guidebook "Accommodation in Bangkok," which explains their respective advantages and disadvantages. Continue by MRT to Wat Mangkon (Sukhumvit Line → Blue Line, 20–25 minutes, 35–45 baht) or by Grab (120–180 baht) to Yaowarat Road.
  • 318:30 Yaowarat Road – Street food in Chinatown. Cost: 200–400 baht for a complete tour. Duration: 2 hours. The neon lights begin right at Exit 1 of the Wat Mangkon MRT station. Head east in this order: Kuay Jab (spicy noodle soup) at Nai Ek Roll Noodle, grilled seafood at T&K on the corner of Phadung Dao, followed by Kanom Buang crepes and Yaowarat toast. One dish per stall, 60–150 baht. It's quieter on Mondays as many stalls are closed. In that case, you can visit the successors to Sukhumvit Soi 38 in the Thong Lo area. Chinatown Night Market 4.5 (4002) Daily 4:00 PM–2:00 AM. Getting there: Take the MRT back from Wat Mangkon or a Grab from Charoen Krung (not from Yaowarat Road itself, as taxis refuse to use the meter after dark).
  • 421:00 Optional nightcap on a rooftop terrace. Cost: 350–700 baht per cocktail. Allow about 1 hour. Only if you're still up for it. The Octave at the Marriott in Thonglor is casual: three levels, no strict dress code, drinks 350–450 baht. The Sky Bar at the lebua is famous (64th floor, cocktails 1,300–1,500 baht plus service and tax, smart casual, no flip-flops or sportswear). It's starting at 8:30 tomorrow, so I'd recommend just one drink and then catching the BTS. Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar, 4.4 (6,165), $$$$, daily 5:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. Getting there: The BTS runs until midnight, and a Grab ride home from anywhere on this side of town costs 100–200 baht.

    • Are you arriving after 9:00 PM? Then have dinner at the hotel and start day 2 as planned. It's the only day of the week when a late start isn't possible, as the Grand Palace closes at 3:30 PM and it's significantly quieter at opening time.

    Millennium Hilton Bangkok

    Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

    The Peninsula Bangkok

    Restaurants & Food · Bangkok

    Thipsamai Padthai Pratoopee

    KUANG Seafood

    T & K Seafood

    The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and a sunset on a rooftop terrace in Bangkok's old town

    Thailand's three most important buildings are located on the Chao Phraya River, just two kilometers apart. Use this morning to visit them before the tour buses arrive at 9:30 a.m. and the heat sets in at 11:00 a.m. Three tickets (1,000 baht), a ferry crossing (5 baht), an air-conditioned afternoon, and then a view of the city from 300 meters high. The guidebook "3 Days in Bangkok" describes the same morning at a more leisurely pace if you have an extra day.

  • 108:30 The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew. Cost: 500 Baht (cash). Duration: 2 hours. Meet at the entrance on Na Phra Lan Road. First, Wat Phra Kaew with its 66 cm tall jade Emerald Buddha on its golden altar and the Ramakien murals that stretch for almost two kilometers around the cloister. Then, the palace halls. Long trousers or skirts with long sleeves will be checked at the entrance. The palace no longer rents robes. If someone outside tells you the palace is closed for a ceremony, they're trying Bangkok's oldest trick in the book. Just go to the entrance and look around. The Grand Palace: 4.6 (79,769 Baht). Daily 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Directions: Walk 10 minutes south along Maha Rat Road to the Wat Pho entrance on Thai Wang Road.
  • 9:45 PM Wat Pho & Reclining Buddha. Cost: 300 Baht (including a bottle of water). Duration: 1 hour. The 46-meter-long, gilded Reclining Buddha, the 108 bronze bowls (20 Baht in coins), and 91 chedis are located in a complex that housed Thailand's first university. The massage school on the east side offers an hour of Thai massage for approximately 480 Baht. Highly recommended if your legs are tired after the week. Wat Pho 4,7 (38,035 Baht). Daily 8:00 AM–7:30 PM. Directions: Take the Maha Rat Road exit. Tha Tien Pier is a 3-minute walk away.
  • 3:12 PM Lunch in Tha Tien, followed by the ferry. Cost: 80–250 baht; ferry 5 baht. Duration: 1 hour. In the alley behind the pier, you'll find noodle shops and Thai restaurants offering temple visitors fair prices. A plate costs 80–120 baht, a table by the river overlooking Wat Arun two to three times that. Afterward, the ferry crosses the river every few minutes (a separate boat, not to be confused with the orange express boat) for 5 baht. Tha Tien Pier 4.4 (604) Directions: Continue across the river for 3 minutes to the Wat Arun pier.
  • 413:15 Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. Cost: 200 Baht. Duration: 1 hour. The 70-meter-high prang, decorated with broken Chinese porcelain, can be climbed to the second terrace. From there, there is a classic view across the water back to Wat Pho and the palace. Sarongs cost 20 Baht at the entrance if you have changed. It is quieter now than in the morning when all the river tours arrive at once. Wat Arun 4,7 (45.132) Daily 8:00 AM–6:00 PM. Getting there: Continue by ferry (5 Baht), then a 5-minute walk to Sanam Chai MRT station or directly to the hotel pool.
  • 5:14:45 PM Afternoon break – Hotel pool or Museum Siam. Cost: Free – 100 Baht. Duration: 2 hours. You have walked six kilometers in 35°C heat. Museum Siam (100 Baht, closed Mondays), located next to Sanam Chai MRT station, is the best modern museum dedicated to Thai culture and offers a one-hour visit in air-conditioned rooms. Alternatively, you can use the hotel pool. In any case, drink two bottles of water. Continue by MRT from Sanam Chai to Si Lom, then one stop on the BTS to Chong Nonsi (30 minutes, 45 Baht) for Mahanakhon.
  • 6:17:30 Sunset from 300 meters – Mahanakhon SkyWalk or Rooftop Bar. Cost: 1,200 Baht (1,000 Baht before 3:30 pm) or a cocktail (350–700 Baht). Duration: 1.5 hours. Thailand's highest glass-bottomed observation deck is located on the 78th floor. Sunset tickets (3:30 pm to 7:00 pm) sell out quickly, so it's recommended to book the day before. Alternatively, instead of a ticket, you can enjoy a drink at the Vertigo Bar in the Banyan Tree or the Sky Bar at lebua, both within walking distance in Silom. Sunset is between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm, so you should get up at 5:45 pm. King Power Mahanakhon 4,7 (29892) Daily 10:00–00:00 Directions: Walk 10 minutes to the restaurant alleys of Silom or take the BTS to Thong Lo (5 stops) for Sukhumvit Road.
  • 7:19:45 Dinner in Silom or Sukhumvit. Cost: 300–1,200 baht per person. Allow approximately 2 hours. In Silom, you can find traditional dishes like curried crab from Somboon Seafood in Surawong or Khao Man Gai at the stalls on Convent Road for 70 baht. Sukhumvit, on the other hand, is more modern and, with its restaurant streets Thonglor and Ekkamai, offers everything from Isan barbecue specialties starting at 300 baht to tasting menus. It's best to pack your things tonight, as your flight is early tomorrow morning. Continue your journey by taking the BTS until midnight. Take a Grab (approximately 100–200 baht).

    • Before 11:00 AM, everything is outdoors; after that, everything is air-conditioned. That's the general rule for Bangkok every month, and reversing it is the biggest mistake first-time visitors make.

    Temples & Culture · Bangkok

    Golden Buddha (Wat Trai Mit)

    Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan

    Jim Thompson House Museum

    Sato San Rooftop Bar

    Red sky

    The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar Bangkok

    RONGROS

    Somboon Seafood Surawong

    Raan Jay Fai

    Where to stay in Bangkok

    Compare current hotel prices for the locations listed in this travel guide in Bangkok.

  • Compare prices on different websites.
  • Filter for free cancellation
  • Secure checkout on the partner site

    • Compare prices on Booking.com

    Or compare prices on Expedia or Trip.com.

    Sponsored – we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

    Fly to Chiang Mai to visit the temples of the old city, Khao Soi, and the Sunday pedestrian zone.

    A 75-minute flight and you're in a different country – cooler, more leisurely, and steeped in tradition. Everything today takes place within or around the moated old town, a 1.5 km² area that you can cross on foot in 20 minutes. If possible, arrive on a Sunday. The pedestrian zone starting at Tha Phae Gate offers the most beautiful evening in Northern Thailand.

  • 107:30 Flight Bangkok → Chiang Mai. Cost: 900–1,500 Baht (book 2–4 weeks in advance). Flight time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 4 hours door-to-door. Low-cost carriers fly from Don Mueang Airport. Therefore, allow 60–75 minutes travel time from the city center during the morning rush hour and 90 minutes at the airport. Thai Airways, VietJet, and Bangkok Airways fly to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Landing no later than 9:30 a.m. Chiang Mai Airport is 15 minutes from the Old City. The day begins upon arrival. A Grab ride from the airport to the Old City costs 150–250 Baht (15–20 minutes). The taxi fare at the airport is a flat rate of 160 Baht.
  • 9:30 PM: Check-in inside the city moat, near Tha Phae Gate. Cost: Included. Duration: 45 minutes. The eastern gate of the Old City is the starting point for everything. The pedestrian zone begins here, the night bazaar is 10 minutes east, and the temples are 10 minutes west. Stay within the city walls for these two nights, not in Nimman. The trendy neighborhood is only 100 baht away by Grab and is better explored than stayed in during a two-day visit. Book the Elephant Afternoon for Day 4 now, if you haven't already. Tha Phae Gate 4.4 (29,544 baht). Open 24 hours daily. Directions: Walk 10 minutes west along Ratchadamnoen Road.
  • 312:00 Khao Soi at Huen Phen. Price: 60–150 Baht per dish. Preparation time: 45 minutes. Khao Soi is a typical Chiang Mai dish: coconut curry with egg noodles, topped with crispy fried noodles, pickled mustard greens, and lime. Huen Phen, a family-run restaurant on Ratchamanka Road with 40 years of experience, is considered the go-to place for Khao Soi in the old city (the evening restaurant next door is run by the same family, but a bit fancier). We recommend pairing it with Sai Ua, the spicy northern Thai sausage, and Nam Prik Ong with vegetables. Huen Phen 4.0 (3882) Daily 5:00–10:00 PM. Directions: Walk 5 minutes west to Wat Phra Singh at the end of Ratchadamnoen Road.
  • 413:00 Wat Phra Singh Cost: 20–40 ฿ Duration: 45 minutes The city's most revered temple, located at the western end of the old city's main street, houses the Phra Singh Buddha in the small Viharn Lai Kham. Its 19th-century murals, depicting life at the Lanna court, are among the finest in the north. The gold-decorated chedi is illuminated at this time. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and shoes must be removed in the Viharn. Wat Phra Singh 4,7 (17570) Mon.–Sat. 5:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Sun. 5:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Directions: Walk back east for 10 minutes along Ratchadamnoen and then turn right onto Phra Pokklao Road.
  • 514:15 Wat Chedi Luang and a talk with a monk. Cost: 40 baht. Duration: 1 hour. A 600-year-old brick chedi, still standing 60 meters tall after the 1545 earthquake that ripped off its spire, this temple once housed the Emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok's Grand Palace. The City Column Shrine is in the corner (men only), and the tables for "monk talks" under the trees, where novices practice English from about 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, offer the most interesting half hour you'll spend in any temple in Thailand. Bring questions. Wat Chedi Luang 4,7 (18869) Daily 5:00 am–10:30 pm. Directions: Walk 5 minutes. The Old City massage parlors are concentrated on Ratchadamnoen and the adjacent alleyways.
  • 6:15:30 a.m.: Thai massage at Fah Lanna or the Women's Massage Center. Cost: 300–500 baht per hour; 900–1,500 baht at Fah Lanna. Duration: 1.5 hours. Massages in Chiang Mai offer the best value for money in the country. Fah Lanna's Old City branch is located in a garden setting with treatment pavilions. The Women's Massage Center on Ratchaphakhinai Road, run by former prisoners, trains women released from Chiang Mai prison and offers a very good hour-long massage for 250–350 baht. In both cases, you can relax while the Walking Street stalls are set up outside. Fah Lanna Spa – Old City: 4.5 (2,014 reviews). Open daily 12:00–9:00 p.m. Directions: Walk 5-10 minutes east to Tha Phae Gate, as the road is closed to traffic there.
  • 7:17 PM Sunday pedestrian zone – or night bazaar on other evenings. Cost: Free; 200–400 baht for food and shopping. Duration: 3 hours. Every Sunday from 4:00 PM to approximately 10:30 PM, Ratchadamnoen Road between Tha Phae Gate and Wat Phra Singh is closed to traffic and transforms into a kilometer-long street lined with countless stalls (hill tribe textiles, ceramics, handmade soap, designs by local designers). There are also food courts in the temple courtyards along the street (the one at Wat Phantao is particularly recommended). Arrive around 5:00 PM to enjoy the light and the spaciousness. It gets very crowded after 7:00 PM. On all other evenings, the night bazaar on Chang Klan Street (daily 5:00 PM–11:00 PM) is the larger, more touristy option, and on Saturdays there is a separate pedestrian zone on Wua Lai Street, 10 minutes south. Tha Phae Pedestrian Zone 4.5 (6835) Sun 5:00 PM–10:30 PM Directions: Next, walk 10 minutes north within the castle moat to the Chang Phuak Gate.
  • 8:21 PM The North Gate Jazz Co-op. Admission: Free; Beer 80–120 Baht. Duration: 1 hour. A garage-sized jazz bar by the North Gate with a nightly jam session that spills out onto the sidewalk and an audience comprised of half the city's musicians. Tuesdays are the big jam session, but any night is good. Go early, because it starts again at 6:00 AM the next morning. The North Gate Jazz Co-op. 4.7 (5,596) $$$$ Daily 7:00 PM–12:00 AM. Directions: Go back. Everything in the Old City is within a 15-minute walk.

    • The slash-and-burn season lasts from mid-February to April. During this time, farmers in the north burn their crop residues, and the air quality in Chiang Mai becomes hazardous to health (AQI over 150 on most days, even over 250 in March 2026). If your travel week falls within this period, I would recommend swapping Chiang Mai for Krabi or Koh Samui. The guidebook "10 Days in Thailand" describes the southern route.

    Hotels & Resorts·Chiang Mai

    Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

    U Chiang Mai Hotel

    Meliá Chiang Mai

    Temples & Culture · Chiang Mai

    Wat Lok Moli

    Wat Chiang Man

    Wat Sri Suphan – Silver Temple

    Markets & Shopping · Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

    Wua Lai pedestrian zone Saturday market

    Waroros Market

    Doi Suthep at dawn, the monks' path and an afternoon with elephants

    First, the mountain, while it's still cool and deserted. The elephants after lunch, as that's when the ethical afternoon programs take place. Doi Suthep opens at 6:00 a.m. and the buses arrive at 9:00 a.m. – so the two hours in between are the most beautiful part of the trip in the north. Be sure to book your stay at the reserve well in advance during peak season. The best accommodations are booked weeks ahead.

  • 10:00 AM: Red songthaew up to Doi Suthep. Cost: 40–50 baht per person in a shared taxi (300–500 baht for charter rides); temple: 30 baht. Travel time: 45 minutes. Red songthaews wait at Chang Phuak Gate and at the bottom of Huay Kaew Road near the zoo and university. They depart when full (10 people). Alternatively, you can charter a songthaew for the round trip. Grab offers the route for 250–350 baht each way. The road climbs 15 km through the national park. Dress warmly, as it is 8–10°C cooler at the top before sunrise. Onward: The songthaew stops at the bottom of the 306-step Naga Staircase. The cable car next to it costs 20–50 baht.
  • 206:45 Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Cost: 30 ฿ Duration: 1.25 hours The holiest temple in the north sits 1,000 meters above the city on the mountain of the same name. The gilded chedi is surrounded by bells, monks chant the morning prayer, and from the terrace, there is a sweeping view over the Chiang Mai plain, still shrouded in mist. Walk around the chedi three times clockwise, as the pilgrims do. The tourist buses arrive around 9:00 AM, and by then you'll already be on your way back. Doi Suthep Temple 4,7 (12029) Daily 5:00 AM–9:00 PM Getting there: Continue by songthaew (shared taxi) for 20 minutes back to the Wat Pha Lat junction (ask for "Wat Pha Lat") or walk down the monks' path from the temple in about 90 minutes.
  • 308:30 Wat Pha Lat and the Monks' Path. Cost: Temple free (donations appreciated); visitors report a 100 baht fee for foreign adults. Duration: 1.5 hours. Halfway up the mountain is a forest temple next to a waterfall, where monks used to rest on the pilgrimage route. Moss, stone nagas, a stream, and almost no one else around. From here, the Monks' Path, marked by orange robe strips tied to trees, descends 2 km to the back of Chiang Mai University (about 45 minutes). Walk down the path, not up, and then enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes near the trailhead. Wat Pha Lat 4,8 (8326) Daily 6:00–5:30 pm. Getting there: Take a Grab (100–150 baht, 15 minutes) back to the Old City to shower and have an early lunch before the 12:30 pm pickup.
  • 412:30 Afternoon program at an ethical elephant sanctuary. Cost: 1,600–2,500 ฿ (half-day); Elephant Nature Park (full-day): 3,500 ฿. Duration: 5–6 hours including transfers. Chiang Mai is home to Thailand's rescued elephants. The selection criteria are simple: no riding, no shows, no gimmicks, small groups. The Maerim Elephant Sanctuary (1,600 ฿) and the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (1,900 ฿) offer half-day afternoon programs with hotel pickup, centered around feeding time. Maerim picks up guests between 1:30 and 2:00 pm and returns them by 7:00 pm. The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary's half-day program also includes a mud bath and bathing, which World Animal Protection advises against. The Elephant Nature Park, the original rescue project in the Mae Taeng Valley, is a full-day excursion (3,500 ฿, 8:00 am pick-up, guided viewing) and my recommendation if you'd prefer to swap today's mountain trek for it. All prices include the one-hour drive north, lunch or snacks, and an English-speaking guide. Maerim Elephant Sanctuary 4,800 (1,962 ฿) Daily 8:30 am–5:00 pm. Getting there: Transfer to your hotel around 6:30 pm. It costs 100–150 ฿ to take a Grab to Nimman.
  • 519:30 Northern Thai Dinner in Nimman. Cost: 250–500 ฿ per person. Duration: 1.5 hours. Tong Tem Toh on Nimman Soi 13 is a Northern Thai institution. Housed in a teakwood building, the restaurant often has a waiting list, so it's best to get on the list right away and enjoy a drink in the alley. Order the Northern Thai appetizer platter (Sai ​​Ua, Nam Prik Noom with pork crackling, Hang Lay Burmese-style curry) and a Laab Kua. Afterward, the surrounding alleys invite you to stroll through the city's cafes and bars. Tong Tem Toh 4,2 (6686) Daily 8:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Getting there: Take a Grab back to the Old City (100–150 ฿). Pack tonight for your morning flight.

    • Cooking class instead of elephants? Chiang Mai boasts some of the best cooking classes in the country. Grandma's Home, Thai Akha Kitchen, and Smile Organic Farm—all recommended by guidebooks—offer half-day courses (1,000–1,500 baht) that include a market visit and a tour of the farm. A morning class is an excellent choice before a late afternoon excursion to Doi Suthep, which is also a great option for that day.

    Activities & Tours · Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

    Zabb E Lee Thai Cooking School

    Asian Panorama Thai Cooking School

    Restaurants & Food·Chiang Mai

    Han Teung Chiangmai

    Khoei Chiang Mai – Nordic Food (Chiang Mai Restaurant)

    Chai 'N' Thai @ Nimman

    Wellness & Spas · Chiang Mai

    Zira Spa

    Makkha Health & Spa Chiang Mai (Colonial Gardens)

    Oasis Spa (Lanna, Wat Prasing)

    Where to stay in Chiang Mai

    Compare current hotel prices for the locations listed in this travel guide in Chiang Mai.

    Fly to Phuket to Kata Noi Beach and Karon Viewpoint

    The direct flight south takes two hours, and the day is perfect for swimming. After landing, you'll continue to Kata in the quieter southwest of the island, where you can be in the water by early afternoon. Kata is the ideal base for both nights in Phuket, as it's located between the boat dock, the viewpoints, and the airport road. The guidebook "5 Days in Phuket" explains this choice in detail.

  • 110:50 Direct flight Chiang Mai → Phuket. Cost: 1,800–2,500 Baht (if booked early). Flight time: 2 hours 5 minutes. Thai AirAsia and Thai VietJet operate four to seven daily nonstop flights. The Thai VietJet flight at 10:50 a.m. lands around 12:50 p.m. Book the direct flight and not the one with a layover in Bangkok, as the flight time otherwise increases from two to six hours. Chiang Mai Airport is 15 minutes from the Old City and rarely takes more than an hour to arrive before a domestic flight. Onward travel: Taxi from the taxi rank (approx. 900–1,000 Baht including a 100 Baht airport surcharge), fixed-price taxi (1,000 Baht), Grab (approx. 1,000 Baht), or Smart Bus (100 Baht), which stops in Kata after approximately 1 hour 50 minutes.
  • 21:00 Transfer to Kata and check-in. Cost: See above; 45–60 minutes. Allow 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, ask at reception about two things: booking the Phi Phi speedboat for tomorrow (same operator, same price as booking directly, 7:00 AM pickup will be arranged) and the flag flying on the beach this week. Red means the swimming routes on days 5 and 7 will be moved to Nai Harn. The boat day remains the same. From there: Walk 10–15 minutes south along the coastal road or take a tuk-tuk to Kata Noi for 100 baht.
  • 314:30 Kata Noi Beach: Free; sun loungers 150–200 ฿. Duration: 2.5 hours. 800 meters of sandy beach in a bay enclosed by headlands. Therefore, it remains calm here, even when the surf is high in Kata and Karon. The water is clearest at the southern end, with sun loungers and two beach restaurants located at the north. From November to April, it is the safest and easiest place to swim on this coast. Kata Noi Beach: 4.6 (2,994) Getting there: Continue by Grab or tuk-tuk (150–200 ฿, 10 minutes) up the hill to the Karon viewpoint.
  • 417:30 Karon Viewpoint at golden hour. Cost: Free. Duration: 45 minutes. Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon lie like three shells on the coast, with the hills of Patong rising behind them. This is the quintessential postcard view of Phuket. Here, the sun sets behind the cape, not into the sea – a perfect stop for golden hour. Those who wish to continue can experience the sunset at Cape Promthep. Karon Viewpoint Phuket 4,6 (14,615). Open 24 hours daily. Getting there: Continue by Grab back to Kata (150–200 ฿).
  • 519:00 Dinner at the Kata Night Market. Cost: 150–400 Baht per person. Duration: 1.5 hours. Daily from 5:00 PM on Kata's main street. Grilled squid and shrimp (price by weight), Pad Thai and mango sticky rice for 60–120 Baht, and fruit shakes for 50 Baht are available. A whole grilled fish with a sea view on the beach road costs 350–500 Baht. Early start, pickup at 7:00 AM. Kata Night Market 4.3 (8,154 reviews). Daily 12:00 PM–11:00 PM. Getting there: On foot. Everything in Kata is within a 15-minute walk.

    • If the weather forecast for tomorrow is bad (monsoon season, May–October), ask at the hotel about an alternative in Phang Nga Bay. The sheltered bay with its sea caves and James Bond Island is almost always open, and I would say it's the more beautiful tour anyway, especially in rough seas.

    Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

    Thavorn Palm Beach Resort

    Club Med Phuket

    Karon Beach

    Kata Beach

    Nai Harn Beach

    Restaurants & Food · Phuket

    SIAM Phuket - Fish Restaurant

    Baan Thai Seafood Restaurant

    Kan Eang Restaurant

    Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach and Khai Island by speedboat

    The day that justifies the flight south. A speedboat whisks you to Phi Phi in 45–60 minutes, cruising past the limestone cliffs, lagoon, and bay featured in the film. You'll snorkel, have lunch on Phi Phi Don, and take one last swim off Khai Island. By 5:00 PM, you'll be back at Kata's beach road—with legs desperately in need of a massage.

  • 10:00 AM Pick-up at Chalong Pier. Cost: 2,500–3,000 Baht per person; 400 Baht National Park fee payable in cash at the pier. Allow approximately 1 hour (including check-in). Minivans pick you up in Kata between 7:00 and 7:30 AM and meet at the pier to receive wristbands, life jackets, and the park fee receipt. Take a seasickness tablet (30 Baht) from 7-Eleven before departure, as the first 20 minutes past Cape Panwa are the roughest. For a smoother ride, the stern of the boat is recommended; for photos, the bow. Meeting point: Chalong Pier. 4.5 (2,153) Daily 7:00 AM–9:00 PM. Getting there: Continue by speedboat 45–60 minutes southeast to Phi Phi Leh.
  • 209:00 Pileh Lagoon and Maya Bay Cost: Included Duration: 1.5 hours Pileh Lagoon is an enclosed lagoon on the east side of Phi Phi Leh. The jade-green water is surrounded by sixty-meter-high cliffs. There is no beach. You have to swim for 20 minutes before the boats arrive from Krabi. Maya Bay is located behind the headland. Boats anchor at the rear pier. You walk 300 meters across the island to the beach. Swimming is only possible up to your knees. The bay is closed to landings every year from August 1st to September 30th. During these months, the boat departs from the mouth of the bay, allowing time for Bamboo Island. Phi Phi Leh Bay 4.8 (8,597) Daily 7:00 AM–4:00 PM Directions Continue: 10 minutes around the island to Viking Cave and Monkey Beach.
  • 310:45 Viking Cave and Monkey Beach: Snorkeling. Cost: Included; mask and snorkel provided. Duration: 1 hour. The Viking Cave can be seen from the water. From the boat, you can see the scaffolding of the bird nest collectors; landing is not permitted. At Monkey Beach on Phi Phi Don, you can snorkel over shallow coral reefs and observe parrotfish and sergeant majors. The macaques must not be fed, as they bite. Continue: 15-minute boat ride to Tonsai Bay.
  • 412:00 Lunch on Phi Phi Don. Cost: Included (buffet); drinks 60–120 Baht. Duration: 1.25 hours. A Thai buffet at a beach restaurant in Tonsai, the islands' only village, followed by 30 minutes for a stroll through the pedestrian areas. Those wishing to stay overnight (which most do) will find relevant information in the Koh Phi Phi travel guide. After the day boats depart at 3:00 PM, the atmosphere is different and quieter. Koh Phi Phi Don 4.6 (930) Getting there: Continue by boat: 45 minutes back towards Phuket, with a stop on Khai Nok Island.
  • 5:14 PM Swimming at Khai Island. Cost: Included; sun loungers 100 Baht. Duration: 1 hour. This sandbar island lies 20 minutes off Phuket's east coast and offers clear, shallow water, shade under casuarina trees, and a resident school of fish that have learned what tourists bring with them. As every boat to Phi Phi stops here, it's often crowded, but it's the easiest swimming spot of the day. Use only reef-safe sunscreen. Checks will be carried out. Transfer: 20 minutes back to Chalong Pier, then by minivan to Kata (30 minutes).
  • 6:18 PM: 90-minute massage at Sansabai. Cost: 500–800 Baht for 90 minutes. Allow approximately 1.5 hours. Sansabai is Kata's most-reviewed massage parlor (40 therapists, air-conditioned rooms, walk-ins until 7:00 PM). After a six-hour speedboat ride and sunbathing, treat yourself to the extended option: 90 minutes of Thai massage or a one-hour oil massage and 30-minute foot massage. Say "Bao Bao" for gentle. Tip: 50–100 Baht. Sansabai Massage 24.9 (9,120 Baht). Daily 10:00 AM–10:30 PM. Directions: Afterward, walk a maximum of 10 minutes to the restaurant on the beachfront promenade.

    • Prefer exploring the island to the sea? The alternative for day 6 is day three from the guidebook "5 Days in Phuket": Wat Chalong, the Big Buddha (reopening in March 2026), lunch at One Chun, and Phuket Old Town. My tip: Plan the tour for a Sunday so you can visit the pedestrianized Lard Yai in the evening.

    Activities & Tours · Phuket

    Aussie Divers Phuket

    Sawanu Travel (Phuket branch)

    Scubadeep Phuket

    Coral island

    Koh Khai Nok

    Coconut Island (Koh Maphrao)

    Stay Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort

    Oasis Spa (Tropical Retreat Spa, Laguna)

    Oasis Spa (Sky Breeze Spa, Kata)

    Wat Chalong, the Great Buddha, seafood in Rawai and the flight home

    Your departure day should be coordinated with your flight. If you're flying in the afternoon or evening, you'll have time to visit the two temples above Chalong and enjoy a seafood lunch at the southern tip. For a morning flight, it's recommended to have a massage the evening before and fly directly after breakfast. Phuket offers direct long-haul flights, and if your flight connects with Bangkok, it will be treated as a single ticket at the airport.

  • 108:30 Wat Chalong. Admission: Free (donations appreciated). Duration: 45 minutes. Phuket's most important temple, 20 minutes from Kata, with its three-story chedi housing a Buddha relic, gilded statues of the monks who treated the wounded of the 1876 tin miners' uprising, and fireworks set off in the brick kiln in the courtyard. Sarongs can be rented at the entrance. Wat Chalong 4,6 (17334) Daily 7:00 AM–5:00 PM. How to get there: Continue by Grab (approx. 15 minutes, 120–150 baht) up Nakkerd Hill.
  • 209:45 The Big Buddha. Cost: Free (donations); sarongs free. Duration: 1 hour. The 45-meter-high white marble statue sits atop the ridge above Chalong and is visible from halfway across the island. It reopened on March 3, 2026, after the hill was closed for eighteen months following a landslide in 2024. To one side lies Chalong Bay, and to the other, Kata and Karon. After 11:00 AM, there is no shade, which is why you're here now. The dress code at the steps is strict: sleeveless tops are not allowed, even under a scarf. Big Buddha, Phuket. 4,6 (39141). Daily 6:00 AM–6:30 PM. How to get there: Continue by Grab (25 minutes, approx. 250–300 baht) south to the Rawai coast.
  • 311:30 Seafood by weight at the Rawai Fish Market. Cost: Seafood 300–1,500 baht per kg + 100 baht per kg preparation fee. Duration: 1.5 hours. Select shrimp, crab, squid, or a whole fish from the stalls on the beach side of the road, carry it to a restaurant across the street, and pay approximately 100 baht per kilo for grilling, steaming with lime, or frying with garlic. Two adults can eat very well for 800–1,200 baht. Cash payment on the market side. If time allows, you can take one last swim at Nai Harn Beach, 10 minutes west. Rawai Fish Market 4.4 (4656) Daily 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Getting there: Take a Grab or a pre-booked car to the airport. The journey from Rawai takes 75 minutes on a normal afternoon, but 90 minutes during peak season or in rainy weather.
  • 4:13:30 Transfer to Phuket Airport and return flight. Costs: Taxi 700–800 Baht · Grab 750–950 Baht · Pre-booked 800–1,200 Baht. Allow 75–90 minutes. International flights must arrive in Phuket 2.5 hours before departure. Flights via Bangkok are checked through on a single ticket, so allow plenty of time. Exchange any leftover Baht in Kata or Rawai rather than at the airport, as the exchange rate there is the worst on the island. The road north of Patong is one lane in each direction, and traffic slows down considerably after 3:00 PM. From Phuket, continue on to Krabi if you are not flying home immediately. The guidebook "10 Days in Thailand" describes how this week could be extended with three additional nights.

    • Morning flight? I would skip the temples, go swimming in Kata Noi at 7:00 am when it's empty, have breakfast, and leave Kata 2.5 hours before departure, plus the one-hour drive. The Big Buddha and Rawai are reason enough to come back.

    San Chao Jui Tui

    Chinpracha House

    Phuket Thai Hua Museum

    Freedom Beach

    Yanui Beach

    Patong Beach

    One Chun Café & Restaurant

    Siam Thai Restaurant

    Su Va Na

    Where to stay in Phuket

    Compare current hotel prices for the destinations in Phuket listed in this travel guide.

    Travel between and within the three cities, all fares (2026)

    Domestic fares are for economy class and should be booked 2-4 weeks in advance outside of Thai holidays; prices double during Songkran (April 13-15) and New Year's Day.

    Weather permitting in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket

    Important tips for 7 days in Thailand

    Book both domestic flights directly with the airline before your departure.

    AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion offer flights months in advance; booking 2–4 weeks in advance costs between 900 and 1,500 baht for flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and between 1,800 and 2,500 baht for direct flights from Chiang Mai to Phuket. Booking portals charge additional fees, and boarding passes from apps are lost. Baggage fees should be booked online – they cost only 300–500 baht there, whereas at the gate they cost over 1,000 baht.

    A Thai SIM card in the arrivals hall, even before anything else.

    At the AIS and True booths in Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can purchase tourist SIM cards with unlimited data: 499 baht for 8 days or 699 baht for 15 days. This allows you to use Grab, the MRT map, and ferry schedules for the rest of the week. Bring an unlocked phone. Alternatively, you can use an eSIM if you want to use the app before you arrive.

    One outfit covers every temple on the route.

    Lightweight trousers or a maxi skirt with a long-sleeved T-shirt are equally acceptable in the Grand Palace, on Doi Suthep, and at the Great Buddha. Sleeveless tops, however, are not permitted in the palace or at the Great Buddha, even under a scarf. Wearing slippers will save you ten minutes of waiting time at the temple entrances each day.

    Cash for temples, boats, markets and massages; cards for hotels and flights.

    Thai ATMs charge 250–350 baht per withdrawal with foreign cards, so withdraw the maximum amount each time. SuperRich in Bangkok and the exchange bureaus on Kata's main street are a few percent cheaper than the airports. Tipping is customary. Round up the fare for taxis, tip 50–100 baht for a massage, and 100–200 baht for a tour guide.

    Three scams are responsible for 90% of the problems, all in Bangkok.

    "The temple is closed today" (not true), the 20-baht tuk-tuk tour (the commission is waived), and the taxi with a broken meter (get out!). In Chiang Mai and Phuket, you'll only find overpriced tuk-tuks and the pushy tour operators on Bangla Road. Otherwise, Thailand is a safe country, and the guidebook "Is Thailand Safe?" contains the complete list.

    Two cities instead of three and other ways to redesign the week

    Three layovers in seven days are a classic for a first trip and work well because the flights are short. But it's not the only good travel week. Here are the most common alternatives and when they're best chosen.

    Two cities, either Bangkok + Phuket or Bangkok + Chiang Mai

    Skip the middle stop and use the two nights instead for one of the other destinations. Bangkok (3) + Phuket (4) includes boat trips to both Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay, as well as a visit to the old town, and is the ideal week for those whose trip is primarily focused on the sea. Bangkok (2) + Chiang Mai (5) is the culture and cuisine week, featuring a full day at Elephant Nature Park, a cooking class, Doi Inthanon, or the villages of Mae Kampong. This trip is especially recommended during the monsoon season in Phuket.

    Krabi or Koh Samui instead of Phuket

    Krabi's Railay and Ao Nang are closer to Phi Phi and the Hong Islands, offer smaller beaches, and lack Patong. The flight from Chiang Mai goes via Bangkok (4–5 hours). Koh Samui is the best choice from June to September, as the Gulf is dry then, while the Andaman coast experiences monsoon season. Bangkok Airways flies there from Chiang Mai in 2 hours. The guidebook "10 Days in Thailand" describes both options.

    Chiang Rai instead of Chiang Mai

    A destination worth a second visit, with the White Temple, the Golden Triangle, and a smaller, quieter city, though it involves a slightly longer flight and misses out on the evenings in Chiang Mai's old city. On a 10-day trip, I would plan to include an overnight stay there from Chiang Mai, if the itinerary allows, as the day trip takes 12 hours, including about seven hours of travel time. Therefore, it wouldn't make sense to include it as a northern stop on a 7-day trip.

    The train instead of the plane

    The Bangkok–Chiang Mai night train (6:40 PM → 7:15 AM, 941–1,041 baht for a 2nd class bed) offers an authentic Thailand experience and saves you a hotel night, but it costs you an evening in Bangkok and arrives too early for check-in. It's suitable for a 10-day trip, but not for this one. See the Bangkok–Chiang Mai travel guide for detailed information.

    With children, it's recommended to stick to the same itinerary but, instead of the Phi Phi speedboat trip, take a trip to the coral island (30 minutes from Chalong, calm waters), swap the sunrise on Doi Suthep for an 8:00 AM start, and replace the rooftop terrace in Bangkok with the glass-bottomed Mahanakhon, which is very popular with children and has no age restriction. Further tips can be found in the guidebook "Thailand with Children".

    7-day budget trip to Thailand (per person, 6 nights, all inclusive except international flights)

    Prices are in Thai Baht. International flights and travel insurance are not included. 1,000 Baht is approximately US$30 / British Pounds 22 / €27. The three main fixed costs – two flights, the nature reserve, and the boat – range between 7,000 and 9,000 Baht, depending on your budget.

    Do you require a different travel duration or more detailed information about a stopover?

    Two things need to be clarified this week.

    Or compare Nomad eSIM's Thailand tariffs with the code VISITTHAI15 for 15% off fixed data tariffs or Holafly's unlimited data from $11.90 for three days.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently asked questions about 7 days in Thailand.

    Plenty of time for a first impression of Thailand's three worlds: Bangkok's old town with its temples and Chinatown, Chiang Mai's mountain temples, elephants, and Walking Street, plus a boat trip from Phuket to Phi Phi – all with two short flights and no lost days due to layovers. There isn't enough time for a second island, a trekking tour, or a night train journey. Extend your stay by three nights at your favorite spot if you have ten days. The guidebook "10 Days in Thailand" offers precisely this itinerary with ample flexibility.

    Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok, street food in Chinatown. Day 2: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, ferry to Wat Arun, sunset from Mahanakhon. Day 3: Flight to Chiang Mai, Khao Soi, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, Sunday pedestrian zone. Day 4: Doi Suthep at dawn, monks' trail, afternoon at an elephant sanctuary. Day 5: Direct flight to Phuket, Kata Noi Beach, Karon viewpoint. Day 6: Phi Phi by speedboat. Day 7: Wat Chalong, Big Buddha and rawai seafood before the return flight.

    Three flights are ideal, as they take 75 minutes and 2 hours respectively, and both land before lunch. If you prefer less travel, choose two: Bangkok (3 nights) + Phuket (4 nights) for boat trips and the old city, or Bangkok (2 nights) + Chiang Mai (5 nights) for a day with elephants, a cooking class, and Doi Inthanon – the best week during the monsoon season in Phuket.

    For backpackers, the trip costs approximately 16,000–24,000 baht per person (US$480–715). This includes hostels, markets, two budget flights, a visit to the elephant sanctuary, and a boat trip to Phi Phi. In the mid-price range, with 3- to 4-star hotels, restaurants, and a spa, the cost is 35,000–58,000 baht (US$1,040–1,730). Five-star hotels with a private driver start at 106,000 baht (US$3,150). International flights are not included. The two flights, the elephant sanctuary visit, and the boat trip cost an additional 7,000–9,000 baht regardless of the trip price.

    Yes, it's doable for backpackers, and almost doable for middle-class travelers if you exclude the international flights. US$1,000 is roughly equivalent to 33,500 baht, which is just under the minimum price of 35,000 baht for this itinerary. A carefully planned version including 3-star hotels with pools, restaurant meals, both domestic flights, the afternoon with the elephants, the speedboat trip to Phi Phi, and one or two massages will therefore need to be shortened somewhat. Backpackers can travel for the same week for US$480–715.

    The best time to fly is for a week. Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes 75 minutes and costs 900–1,500 baht, while Chiang Mai to Phuket is a two-hour direct flight for 1,800–2,500 baht. Both flights land before lunchtime. The overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (6:40 p.m. → 7:15 a.m., 941–1,041 baht per berth) is worthwhile, but it will cost you an evening in Bangkok and you'll arrive before check-in. I would save this train journey for a 10-day stay.

    No. Nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the USA, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia, can enter visa-free. From September 15, 2026, the permitted stay will be reduced from 60 to 30 days, which is still more than a week. All travelers must apply for the digital entry card for Thailand online up to three days before arrival.

    These are different trips, which is why both are on the itinerary this week. Bangkok is the capital (Grand Palace, river, Chinatown, rooftop bars) – a pace that's rewarding in two days but exhausting in five. Chiang Mai, on the other hand, is a walled Lanna city at the foot of a mountain with 300 temples in a 1.5 km² area, elephant sanctuaries, Khao Soi, the Sunday market, and pleasantly cool evenings. If you have to choose between the two cities, pick Chiang Mai for its atmosphere and Bangkok for its size. The comparison between Bangkok and Chiang Mai will be broken down by traveler type.

    From November to February, all three destinations are cool and dry, and the sea off Phi Phi is calm. December and January are peak season, so book flights and the wildlife sanctuary well in advance. Avoid Chiang Mai from mid-February to April (due to slash-and-burn agriculture, with March being the worst) and Phuket from May to October (due to monsoon rains, red flags, and boat cancellations). During these months, consider Krabi as an alternative, or Koh Samui as an alternative to Chiang Mai.

    Only take hand luggage, as two budget flights charge 300–500 baht per piece. Pack light trousers or a maxi skirt and a long-sleeved top for the temples, swimwear and a sarong, comfortable shoes, a light layer of clothing for Doi Suthep at dawn and for the flight, reef-safe sunscreen for the boat trip, and a universal adapter (types A/B/C are used in Thailand). Everything else (toiletries, rain trousers, a rain poncho) is cheaper at a Thai 7-Eleven.

    Where you can stay during your trip

    Start with Bangkok (see below) – this guide also covers Chiang Mai and Phuket, all of which can be searched on their respective booking sites.

    Compare prices on Trip.com

    We may receive a commission for bookings made through these links – this will not incur any additional costs for you. Learn more.

    Discover more in this guide

    You might also like this

    2-week Thailand itinerary

    Capital city, night train, mountains, then along the Andaman coast island by island – thirteen nights, one way.

    10 days in Thailand – Itinerary

    Capital city, night train, mountains, then ferry to the Andaman coast – nine nights, one way, no return.

    5 days in Phuket

    Two days on a boat, one day of culture, two days at the beach – all in Kata, so nothing is more than an hour away.

    Thailand Honeymoon Guide and 10-Day Itinerary

    Villas with private pools, sunsets in a longtail boat, and evenings perfect for two.

    Thailand on a budget

    Thailand for less money, without sacrificing the best

    I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.

    Would you like this trip to be planned and booked for you?

    Tell me your travel dates, your budget, and who's coming with you. I'll then create a suitable itinerary, select hotels, and take care of ferry and flight connections between each stop. Once you're happy, I'll book the trip.

    Ready to create your travel itinerary?

    Use our free trip planner to save places, organize days, and share your trip.