Thailand’s popularity as a travel destination is soaring.
And it makes sense–Thailand really has it all. What initially drew me to Thailand was the ancient Buddhist history and colorful, vibrant, enchanting culture. I wanted to see shining temples and crumbling ancient ruins, colorfully-cloaked monks and smoldering incense.
What I actually encountered during my 2 weeks in Thailand was all of that, plus so much more!
That said, while mapping out my itinerary I did run into a few problems. Although Thailand isn’t massive geographically (it’s about the size of Texas) it sure feels like it when you begin planning your trip there.
I’ll tell you firsthand, there are so many sacrifices that have to be made when creating your itinerary in this country.
Do I want to spend more time in region A, or region B? In region A, should I go to city X, Y, or Z? In region B, should I spend 6 nights on Island F, or split my nights so that I have 3 on Island G and 3 on Island H? Will I even like this place? Will I like it more than this other place? Is it worth the 12 hour bus ride to get there?!
If you’ve ever tried to plan a trip to Thailand, I’m sure that you can relate. And that’s only the beginning!
Seriously, there are SO many culturally amazing and diverse places to see and explore in Thailand. Obviously this is true for many countries, but planning my trip to Thailand proved to be particularly tedious.
I think it’s pretty common for travelers to think that they don’t have enough time to visit Thailand, especially since 2 weeks seems to be a very popular trip length here.
Maybe you’re an American using your only 2 weeks of vacation for the year, or maybe you’re backpacking Southeast Asia and spending 2 weeks in Thailand as part of a bigger trip. Both of these scenarios are pretty common, and may leave you feeling overwhelmed when it comes to planning and prioritizing.
Luckily, there’s definitely a bit of a formula for planning a trip to Thailand–no matter your time-frame–and it can be easily applied within a 2 week window!
So, allow me to break it down for you: This guide allows for 12 full days in Thailand, not including travel days, across 3 major regions. It highlights the best of the best the country has to offer, ensuring that you’re able to see as much diversity as possible within your 2 weeks.
So, without further ado…
1. Bangkok
Bangkok, the gateway to Southeast Asia. Unless you’ve ended up on a very strange flight route, you’ll most definitely be starting your Thailand travels from this bustling city.
Depending on what you’ve heard, you may be tempted to skip Bangkok. Don’t.
I repeat: Do not skip over Bangkok. It’s truly essential to getting the full Thai experience!
The Bangkok Experience:
Street food, ridiculously ornate temples, tuk tuks rides, river boats, insane drivers, city skylines, and backpacker bars. There is a constant confusing and memorable aroma of incense, Thai food, exhaust smoke, and garbage (you’ll get used to it!)
How Long to Stay: 3 Full Days
Depending on your itinerary, it’s okay to split them up; i.e. 2 days in Bangkok when you arrive, and 1 day right before you leave. This may even work best with your flight schedule.
Where to Stay:
- Old City: This is my favorite area of Bangkok, as it’s walking distance from all of the many of the must-see historic sights like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It ranges between charming and trashy–you can expect to find the full extent of the latter on Khao San Road, the popular backpacker hub in this region. I stayed on nearby Soi Rambuttri (less than a 5 minute walk from Khao San) which retains the chill backpacker vibe without so much of the yuckiness. Another plus: The street food is really good in this area! We stayed at Wild Orchid Villa and paid 800 baht (24 USD) per night for an en-suite room with A/C.
- Sukhumvit: This is a similarly popular backpacker hotpot, and I enjoyed it equally as much. It has a different vibe than Old City and is closer to different types of attractions (the Sky Train, city parks, shopping, etc.) Within this area, I highly recommend Suk 11 Hostel, which is right in the midst of some of the most popular expat and backpacker bars. We paid 963 baht per night (29 USD) for an en-suite room with very strong A/C.
- Other regions: These are the only 2 neighborhoods that I’ve stayed in (and I would stay in them both again), but there are others! I fell in love with Thonburi (across the river from Old City, on the same side as Wat Arun) and think it would be a great place to stay, although it’s a bit out of the way. There’s also Riverside, which is another historic and scenic area, and Siam, the shopping district.
What to Do:
I previously put together a pretty lengthy post on how to spend 3 days in Bangkok; check it out here for a full list of ideas.
2. Northern Thailand
After exploring Bangkok’s hectic city streets, dive head-first into the Thai culture in scenic and colorful Northern Thailand.
The Northern Thailand Experience:
Lush green mountains, rolling mist, phenomenal weather, winding rivers, waterfalls, trekking, elephants, ultra cheap prices, outdoor cafes, great coffee and tea, temples galore.
How Long to Stay: 4 or 5 Full Days
Make sure to have at least 1 full day with no plans here. A lot of activities may be full-day adventures, so plan to have one day to just explore your city of choice.
Where to Stay:
There are three popular choices that stand out for this region of the country: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Pai.
I recommend Chiang Mai, as it’s the biggest city and there’s a lot to do. It’s very cheap and chilled-out, and easy to escape from the city during the day if that’s what you’re after, but with plenty of great food and entertainment options to return to at night.
There’s also something like 300 temples in Chiang Mai, which is great if you’re a temple-fiend like me. Many of them are located within the Old City, which is a fabulous area for exploring and a great home-base for your time in Chiang Mai. It’s all too easy to fall in love with this city!
If you’re looking for great budget accommodation in Chiang Mai, I highly recommend Top Garden Boutique Guesthouse. This is one of my favorite hotels in Chiang Mai, and we paid only 650 baht (19 USD) when we stayed here in January. The owners were so incredibly nice, and able to offer a lot of useful suggestions and guidance. They won’t steer you wrong!
2018 Update: It appears my recommended guesthouse is no longer in business. How sad! 🙁 However, I originally found this bed & breakfast simply by scouring options on Booking.com – there are tons of options to choose from, and I find that the reviews on this site are typically very accurate and trustworthy.
What to Do:
- Full or half day Thai cooking class (mine was on a gorgeous organic farm!)
- Full day at Elephant Nature Park
- Trekking/hiking–plenty of options, from a few hours to multi-day
- Exploring the local temples
- Rent a motorbike for the day and get out the city
- Visiting Huay Hung Tao lake if you’re based in Chiang Mai
- Exploring this gorgeous terracotta garden
- Relax with a massage for crazy-cheap prices
- Zip-lining
- Shopping the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
3. The Islands
The Thai Islands should absolutely be saved for last on your itinerary, as it’s the perfect region to wind down from your travels and spend a little time relaxing after your adventure-packed journey.
There is a wholeee lot to choose from in this region, but just follow your gut and you’ll likely be more than happy with your choice!
The Thai Islands Experience:
Emerald colored waters, colorful longtail boats, beach-front bars, sweltering heat, island huts, palm trees and jungles, sandy beaches, inflated prices, and tropical drinks.
How Long to Stay: 4 or 5 Full Days
Plan a few adventurous days, but save a day or two for just relaxing as well!
Where to Stay:
Ah, the million dollar question: Which island is best for me?
It’s a difficult question to answer, as there are so many different directions you could take. This list sums up some of the most popular islands better than I ever could–it helped me a lot, so I recommend checking it out if you’re stuck.
The best advice I can give you is to take everyone else’s opinion with a grain of salt. I promise you, this is solid advice!
I really wanted to visit Koh Phi Phi and thought it seemed incredibly beautiful, but I was a bit put off by it after reading some negative reviews stating that the island was “ruined” or “smelled bad” or “littered with garbage.”
After deciding to visit Koh Phi Phi for myself, I’m pretty sure that these reviewers never made it further than the town center!
Is Koh Phi Phi really a ruined island?? In my opinion, that’s an easy “no”! But, there still may be a better island for someone else. Do some research and trust your instincts–you know best what you’re going to like and what you’re not.
I really enjoyed our stay at Viking Nature Resort. We spent a few nights in the Tree Hut right on the beach, and paid 2500 baht or $75 per night (yes, this accommodation was quite pricey compared to our previous hotels–and there’s no A/C, only a simple fan).
We also spent a few nights in a Traditional hut, and paid 1500 baht or $45 per night.
The tree hut is so so so much nicer, and if I could do it again I’d fork up the additional money for the tree hut for all of the nights we spent on Phi Phi. I would describe the traditional hut as “tolerable”–it’s a place for you to sleep and shower, but trust me when I stay it’s not a place that you’ll want to just hang out in.
What to Do:
- Rent a longtail boat for some island hopping
- Rent a kayak and explore the outer edges of the island
- Hiking
- Have a lazy beach day…or two…or three
- Cliff jumping
- Rock climbing
- Yoga classes
And that’s a wrap!
Assuming you have 2 full weeks in the country, you will easily be able to fit all of this in.
Just keep your interests in mind when you begin your planning, and I promise you, this country will deliver an amazing time no matter what you choose!
While I tried to cover as many of Thailand’s highlights as possible, I definitely recommend bringing along a good guidebook (if nothing else, you’ll have plenty to read about on the plane!). My top recommendations are Lonely Planet Thailand 
and Fodor’s Thailand with Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia & Laos 
.
What do you think of this guide? Have you been to Thailand, or would you like to go? How would you adjust this schedule for a 2-week time-frame?
*This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help keep this blog running. Thanks!*
This is PERFECT!! I’m in the middle of planning a 2 week trip to Thailand in December of this year. These are great tips, bookmarking this page!
Thanks Sara! Have a blast on your trip 🙂
Hello! I loved your post and found it so helpful! We are planning to go in about a month. I loved your photos though what kind of camera did you use for your travels? I’m on the fence about buying a GoPro
Hi Nicki! I use an Olympus Tough TG‑3, although there are newer models of that camera available now. It’s not quite as hardy as a GoPro but it is waterproof!
Hi Sara,
I just saw your comment and I am planning a trip this December, How was your trip last year? Did you follow this itinerary?
Any tips or advice is appreciated! 🙂
Hi Samantha,
Just saw you comment, Just a fellow back packer. I am also planning a trip this december, Let me know if you want to collabrate.
I am a lone traveller and looking for friendly people.
Hello Everyone !
Whats the best way to travel between Bangkok, The Islands and Chiang Mai ? I was going to rent a car but it’s a LOT of driving ?
I am also loving this page!! I think we will be going for two to two and a half weeks in December. I was thinking I’d like to add Vietnam to the agenda if possible as I have always wanted to go… i was wondering where (if anywhere) would you recommend trimming from the Thailand itinerary?
thanks so much!!
Wow, you hit the nail on the head with the whole struggling to decide where to go thing. I’ve spent weeks stalking Trip Advisor forums and reading blog posts trying to decide where to go! So, this is a super helpful guide–it seems like the Bangkok to North to South route is probably the way to go. So, would you say Old City is your favorite recommended area to stay? I totally can’t decide! But, it seems like its closest to the things I want to see. Would you recommend staying on Khao San at all or not? I’m 21 and will be with 2 other girls! Thanks!
Haha, you sound like me with the TA forums! And yes, in Bangkok if I could only stay in one area again, I think it would be that one! Honestly transportation in Bangkok is quite cheap so it’s not hard to get around, I just liked the vibe of that area and the fact that I can walk to the Grand Palace and other sights. As for staying on Khao San, it totally depends on whether you want the party atmosphere or not. That street is kind of dead during the day, but the partying goes strong until way after midnight. It’s really not for me, and even if you DO want to party you could still stay on Soi Rambuttri and walk over to check out the party. That’s probably what I’d recommend–I loved Soi Rambuttri!
Nice guide!
Thanks!
Oh my goodness, this looks beautiful!! Sorry if this is too prying, but what would you say the price range would be for a trip like this? We’re currently trying to gather information on a possible trip to either Thailand or Taiwan sometime next summer.
Haha no worries, it’s not too prying! We spent 2 weeks in Thailand in January, and although I’m not sure of the exact final cost it was somewhere around $2800. Honestly it could be done for less–we paid almost $1500 for our flight, so that was half our cost. January is peak tourist season, so flying in and out of the same airports during June or July could have probably saved us up to $500 or $600 (its just rainier and hotter during the summer, but I think that could be cool!) Our accommodation and food were usually super cheap (around $40 per day for the two together). We splurged on certain activities like Elephant Nature Park which was $80 or so and renting a longtail boat on the island for a few hours, which I think was around $70–so those things added up. The North is the cheapest and the South is the most expensive, with Bangkok being somewhere in the middle, so it depends on how you split your time too. Hope this helps!
We are planning a trip next January, and I’m so glad that I came across your blog because it is exactly what I was looking for. We want to get a taste of everything. How did you travel between each area–Bangkok to the northern part then down to the islands? Did you book your hostel rooms prior to your trip or did you just find a place to stay while you were there?
Hi Caitlin! I did book my rooms in advance, which I would recommend since January is a very popular time of year to visit Thailand, and the hotels you’re hoping for may get booked up if you don’t! Also, we flew between all of our locations (+ ferry for the islands) since bus and train rides can easily take 8+ hours. On a longer trip we may have done that, but for this amount of time I recommend flying (although a night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai *could* be a fun experience). Flights are fairly cheap as well!
Is that $2800 per person or for a couple?
A freind and I are going in February so I’m trying to make sure all finances will be in place.
Thanks!!
Hey Catherine, I believe we each spent $2800, which includes our flights from Houston to Bangkok which were around $1500 each, leaving a bit more than $1000 for food, activities, and accommodation per person for the 2 weeks. Honestly $1500 is a crazy expensive flight price for this route, but we were going during peak season and probably didn’t book our airfare far enough in advance. Hope that helps!
Helping plan a honeymoon trip for April and I am so happy to come across this thoughtfully made guide. Awesome! Wondering if there is a particular site you used to book the little flights within Thailand or did you just call the airline? TIA!
If I remember correctly, I just booked them directly on the airline website. If that doesn’t work, I recommend giving them a call!
Reblogged this on The Adventures of Weather & Ratt and commented:
Fantastic guide to Thailand!
What I actually encountered in Thailand was…a new (Thai) boyfriend, who might be joining me on my travels at some point! Haha, crazy. 😉
More seriously, that’s a great guide Kelly. It’s a shame to have only 2 weeks to visit Thailand, but I agree with your breakdown of how to spend that time. My only suggestions would be to cut down the time in Bangkok to 2 days (but that’s only because I’m not a huge fan of the city, I know others love it!) and to add a stop or two in Ayutthaya and/or Sukhothai on the way up North. Both are stunning and under-visited cultural centres and they are on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai railway line, so they can also help to break up the journey.
I have written a post on Ayutthaya on my blog… and Sukhothai is supposed to be even better!
http://www.camilleinwonderlands.com
Haha, that’s awesome!! And that’s a great point, you could definitely use that 3rd day in Bangkok to make a stop in Ayutthaya on your way up to Chiang Mai. I actually was one of those people who ended up loving Bangkok more than I expected, so for me I’d still be happy to spend 3 days there. But Ayutthaya would be a perfect alternative!
Hi Kelly!
A very very nice review about Thailand. I had exactly the same expectations like you before going to Thailand. Once I was there I realized that it’s so much more beautiful as I thought it would be.
Thanks for sharing your tips! 🙂
Hi Uelito! I agree, Thailand is such a beautiful place. I’d love to go back!
Perfect post. Although I hate Bangkok’s craziness, it’s kinda unavoidable.
Haha yep, you’ve either got to just go with it or learn or love it!
Hey Kelly!
Love your blog and am so happy you have a Thailand bit. I’ll be there for three week starting next Monday. We start in Chiang Mai and… that’s all we know for now.
Our return flight is out of Bangkok – would you recommend we go from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (for a few days) and then island hop, or sandwich island hopping in between Chiang Mai and Bangkok?
Hope to hear from you soon!
xx
Hi! That’s awesome, three weeks is a great amount of time and you’re going to have a blast! I think it’s always nice to have some island/beach time at the end of a long trip (you can relax more, get a nice tan to go home with 🙂 ) so for me, I’d probably do Chiang Mai, Bangkok, islands, and then back to Bangkok for a day/night before going home.
Of course, there’s really nothing wrong with the other way either, that’s just my preference!
Hey! Great thinking. Bangkok looks beautiful, but we’re most excited about Chiang Mai and the islands so that route fits with us. Thanks for the input!
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I’ve been googling all day and this must be the most helpful post of all the internets, thank you so much!
Happy to help!
This seems like great advice, thank you very much. I’m a scuba diver — do you think I’d be sad to miss out on northern thailand and head directly south to the islands?
Hi Sadie! I think it really just depends on what you want–if you’re craving scuba diving and island time more than time up north, just follow your heart and do it! While I think that this is a good guide for someone who wants to get a taste of multiple regions in Thailand, if there’s something specific you want to experience/see/do, there’s no need to go to the places that don’t interest you. For me, I reallyyy loved northern Thailand, so it’s hard to really say one way or the other.
How did you get from the northern region down to the islands? Did it take a full day of travel?
Hi Mallory! I just took a flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket. Around 2 hours and I believe about $150 USD. But yes, I imagine it would take 12+ hours if you decided to do ground transportation.
What airline did you use to travel between cities in Thailand? Thinking of usin Asia air but reviews are hit or miss.
We did use Air Asia – I know there can be a problem with delays sometimes, but we took 3 Air Asia flights and they were all on time and the quality of the flight experience was fine. In other words, I would use them again!
I will be going to Thailand and Bali in May this year. Do you have any “ultimate packing guide” that you could offer? We will be in Thailand for 2 weeks and Bali for 1 week. Thanks in advance!
I’m currently in the early phases of planning time in Thailand in a couple months, and I can’t imagine a more perfect starting point than this guide. Thanks much!
That’s great to hear! I’m sure you’ll have a blast, let me know if you want any more tips or ideas!
Thanks for this! I love this itinerary. Just a question if I may. Did you fly back home from Bangkok or did you use another airport? X
Keep this blog you just got yourself a follower!
Thanks so much! I did fly home from Bangkok, since most of the flights from other airports such as Phuket would stop in Bangkok anyways.
Thanks for this! I love this itinerary. Just a question if I may. Did you fly back home from Bangkok or did you use another airport? X
Keep up this blog you just got yourself a follower!
Great guide……my GF and I are Planning a trip end of July, I’m def going to base the tempo of the trip off of this guide.
I do have a question about traveling between areas. How did you travel from Bankok to Chiang mai,and Chiang Mai to the islands, and how long does it take?
I traveled by plane, which only took 1-4 hours depending on the locations. Buses and trains are available as well, but most between these destinations will take 10+ hours. So for shorter trips I definitely recommend flying!
thank you so much for your guide! I am currently planning our honeymoon and your post is the best I have found so far!
Question, which country would you recommend to spend 4-5 days after/before Thailand? I was thinking of Vietnam but would love to have your input!
Thank you
Thanks Carole! Vietnam would be a good choice, but Siem Reap (to see Angkor Wat) or somewhere else in Cambodia could also be a good fit, since it’s a bit closer than Vietnam. Have fun!
Anybody have general info / insight into traveling from region to region within the country? What are the best modes of transportation?
Also, if a person were to try and fit in Cambodia for a brief visit, would you recommend adding it to the back end of the trip?
Thanks in advance
This was so helpful! By far the best advice I have seen online so far! I just have a few quick questions. When you traveled from Bangkok to other places, I know you said you took flights but did you book in advance? Also, do you have any advice as far as packing? I’ve seen some people blog saying to take a large back pack since it is easier for transportation, but I would love your input. Lastly, if we are trying to attend a full moon party, do you have any advice??
Hey Megan! We did book flights in advance, but only about 2-4 weeks in advance if I remember correctly. And I did bring a large backpack–it definitely makes it easier for transporting along the many uneven streets, as well as on the islands. I haven’t ever attended a full moon party, but I do know that you’ll need to book accommodation well in advance because it fills up fast. Hope that helps, have fun!
Hi, your blog is fantastic! I’m planning a 2 week holiday to Thailand in December with my boyfriend. Neither of us have been there before so we’re really looking forward to this adventure.
Can you please let me know which airlines you flew with in Thailand?
Thanks
We used Air Asia for all of our internal flights, and used Korean Airlines to get there from the US. December will be a great time to go to Thailand, have fun and safe travels!
Hello! Thank do you for this wonderful guide! I am curious, what types of clothes did you pack when you went? Are sleeveless shirts OK? I am going in july and know it’ll be hot!
Sleeveless shirts are fine for the most part, if you’re going into temples your shoulders and knees will need to be covered, but if you’re just walking around the cities or beaches you can definitely wear shorts or tank tops or dresses. Have fun!
Kelly, this is such a great post! Have you ever done a Thailand budgeting post or do you plan on doing one? I love how you have laid out what your two weeks in Thailand can look like, but when it comes to money and budgeting how much everything will cost when in Thailand, I’m a little lost as I have only ever travelled to Europe before :s
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First of all Thank you for the tips I will be leaving to Thailand at the end of July so this post was great!
Quick questions through what website did you book your hotel? is it better to book them ahead of time or once we arrive?
Also, how did you book your tours? and where?
Thanks for the help!
I typically book my hotels directly on each hotel website, unless I’m booking a hostel (then I go through Hostelworld). July isn’t a super busy tourism season in Thailand, so you should be okay booking when you arrive. But if there’s somewhere specific you want to stay, then I’d recommend booking in advance.
Same thing for any tours (like Elephant Nature Park)–I just book directly on each website. I’d definitely recommend booking most of those in advance, though. Have fun!
I’m assuming you flew in between the different areas? If so, is there a particular website that is best to book from? Do you recommend doing this ahead of time before arrival?
Nevermind about my previous comment, I see other comments left about it, thanks!
Hi Kelly,
Really great read!
Sorry if it is covered somewhere else but – what did you take with you on a trip like this?
Thanks
Alex
Hi Kelly
Wow what an amazing itinerary!
Can I just ask how was the Viking hotel in koh phi phi? Was it in a good location to get to restaurants etc?
Thanks 🙂
The location definitely wasn’t the most convenient…however, I still liked staying in this area because it was much quieter and less polluted than other areas of the island. If you stay in the center of town you’ll have way more food and bar options, but it’s so much more crowded and noisy. If I remember correctly, there were 2 or 3 restaurants that were walking distance (10 minutes or less) that were all pretty good. Have fun!
Hi Kelly,
THank you for the post! Extremely helpful. We are traveling in April of next year.
I had a question about the hotel in ko phi phi? How far from the beach is? Easy access? Also is there a particular beach area that you would recommend?
Thank you again !
It’s directly on the beach! The room that we stayed in (the elevated tree hut) actually had the tide come up under the hut during high tide, which was pretty cool. There were many other beaches that you could walk to within less than 10 minutes as well. I really enjoyed Long Beach, but my favorite beach on the whole island was Loh Moo Dee beach.
Hi. I was wondering how you got from Bangkok to Chiang mai, and how much it cost you? I know there’s a train from Bangkok, but how much was it. And how did you get from Bangkok to the islands?
Kelly,
THANK YOU for providing this thorough information. You’ve further inspired me to travel here! Without sounding silly, do you think this is a “safe” spot to travel to at this point? Should my boyfriend and I hesitate if we’re looking for a travel destination this upcoming December?
Recommendations are welcome, thank you!!
I definitely think of Thailand as a safe place to travel to! As always, take precautions and be aware of your surroundings, but Thailand is a primarily-Buddhist country which made me feel very safe and secure!
Thanks for your response! Quick question. After flying into Bangkok, was your first destination Wild Orchard Villa once you landed? Did you grab a TukTuk/taxi upon arrival? We are thinking of staying at Wild Orchard as well for our first destination this December. Trying to map out the transportation routes to get a feel for the layout. THANK YOU!
Yes it was – we actually landed around 11pm, which I recommend avoiding if you can! It was fine, there were still TONS of people out and about but it would have made it easier had it been daytime, obviously. Our tuk tuk driver actually had a hard time finding Wild Orchid, we ended up just getting out somewhere in the area and popping into another hostel to ask for directions. It’s down a quiet street right off of Soi Rambuttri (which is basically right off of Khao San, the main drag) but it was still somewhat difficult to locate the first time.
This is so helpful! Do you think two weeks is actually enough time to visit Thailand? Or will I feel like I missed a ton?
I think it’s enough to see the highlights for sure! Honestly, Thailand is a place that you could probably spend months in and not run out of things to do (like most places, really), but you will definitely have an amazing time with 2 weeks to travel there.
WOW Kelly- Awesome advice, thank you for taking the time to answer everyones questions. Very helpful. So I was in Thailand in 1999 for 2 weeks but just stayed in Koh Samui and Bangkok (from what I can remember), for the millennium and we did Koh Samui and Ko pan Yang (sp?) for the full moon party on New years eve. Now 17 years later I am taking my fiancé and we are leaving this Saturday. Kind of a last minute trip. It will be 14 days with 12 days on the ground. It sounds like you liked the Wild Orchid in Bangkok, which is where we land at 12:10pm. I have heard about various hotels but if you highly recommend it I will book it. I was planning on starting North, flying to Chang Mai (2-3 days) to see the elephants and tiger sanctuaries. We were advised to go to Pai for 3-4 days by a buddy and explore on a moped. Did you go to LOD (a cave I think)? Also he recommended the floating hotel on the river Oui (sp?) We are then thinking of flying from Chang Mai to Phuket. I really want to see Ko Phi Phi, Krabi, and possibly revisit Koh Samui since my fiancé has never been. Couple of questions. Where would you recommend staying in each of these places? Is Krabi near Phuket or do you fly to Koh Samui to get there. I was told to go diving at Koh Tao and go to Erwra Falls?
I guess if you could help with the approximate numbers of days in each place since you are recommending hotel reservations. Since we will be there from Dec 17-31st and this is high season it doesn’t sound like my original plan of winging it while we were there so we weren’t locked into staying longer or shorter than need be in each place. I hope this makes sense. Then we will fly out from the south, spend the night in Bangkok and head home.
Again, any hotels, length of stay and any absolute not to be missed would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you again, David
i am planning our honeymoon and this was the most helpful thing i have read in weeks! thank you so much for writing this! xxx molly
Ahh awesome, Thailand is an incredible honeymoon destination. Have a blast!!
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for this site, really useful and we are basically following the itinerary word for word for our 2 weeks in Thailand!
I know it is different for everybody, but personally would you recommend 4 days in CM and 6 on islands (we have decided on koh lanta and koh phi phi) or 5 in CM and 5 on the islands? It’s hard to know which to choose!
Also if you have been to both the above islands, is either better than the other?
Thanks!
Alex
Hmm, it’s definitely a hard decision, but in your case I think I’d recommend 4 days in Chiang Mai and 6 for the islands, especially if you want to visit both islands. I actually have not been to Koh Lanta but I’ve heard amazing things about it, and it sounds to me like Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta are quite different. From what I understand Koh Lanta is more chilled out and quiet, and attracts less tourists than Phi Phi. But I’ve heard Phi Phi has the better beaches (and they definitely were amazing!) and Koh Lanta is a bit flatter, so it doesn’t have the same amazing cliffs. I don’t think you can go wrong either way!
Hey there wonderful blog! Any plans on visiting the beautiful continent of Africa? You can’t miss that one!
I would absolutely love to one day! There are many African countries that are on my bucket list for sure…maybe 2017 will be the year, who knows? 🙂
Hello! Thanks for sharing your trip to Thailand. We are looking to go in June-July. Do you recommend going at this time. I am a teacher so its convenient for me to travel during the summer months. Also would you say that Thailand is a safe travel destination?
Thanks so much!
Hi Meaghan! It’s hard to say, because I have never been to Thailand in June or July. But I have traveled to other destinations during the “off season” and it has always been a good experience! The weather may not be as good as in January or other times of the year, but it’s often much cheaper. Also, I felt very safe while in Thailand but as always just be cautious of pick pockets and while out and about at night. Have fun!!
I lived in Malaysia off-and-on for awhile, and I could never tell much of a difference between winters and summers. I find Bangkok and KL weather similar (inland cities in humid climate), so I don’t think I’d worry too much.
Hello! thank you for sharing, this is so helpful, I am planning to go to Thailand with my mom, it is actually a surprise for her birthday and I have been planning this for 1 years, but I am still looking for options and things to do there. I am so excited! I just can’t wait.
Jessica recently posted…How to Invest in Cambodia: Asia’s Best Frontier Market
What a sweet surprise for your mom, I love that idea! I hope you guys have an amazing trip! 🙂
Hey kelly, I have two weeks coming up spanning from the end of june to early july. Any idea how the weather might be in thailand around this time?
Hello, I was wondering if by chance you remember the name of the tree top hotel you stayed at?
And I was also wondering how did you get from city to city of the ones you mentioned?
Thank you!
Kelly,
I am completely inspired by your blog and travel experiences.
I do have a question for you though.
Lets say I visited Bangkok and flew into Chiang Mai. I am in Chiang Mai for a few days and I am ready to mosey on over to Koh Phi Phi to visit and also make a stop to Pileh Bay, staying in the area for 3-4 days. How would I go about getting to Koh Phi Phi and how many days would it take for me to get to Koh Phi Phi and average costs? Also, when leaving back to the states, would I need to fly back into Bangkok from Koh Phi Phi or could I fly out of Koh Phi Phi?
Thanks girrrll 🙂
Hi!
Great guide for a two week jaunt. Just one comment about phi phi, “they never left the main town” with reference to it being ruined… that is what’s ruined it. There was no main pier, no shops, to get onto the island you’d have to jump into the water from the boat and wade through with luggage over your shoulders, the best bits were the entire island. So essentially is it ruined…
Wish you could have seen it before!
Totally agree! Obviously I never saw the island before it was developed, but I ended up spending all of my time outside of town on the far ends of the island and it was honestly paradise. The main town was the only bit I didn’t like. I wish I could see it the way it used to be too – I’m sure I would have loved it even more.
I am really happy you talked about not skipping Bangkok! So many people just land in BKK and head out ASAP! I agree with you 100% Bangkok has a lot more to offer then most know and is a must see!
I ended up totally loving Bangkok! I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it at first, but it really surprised me. It’s such an interesting city!
I’m getting married in June of 2018 and will be planning my honeymoon for the last week in June and 1st week in July. I would LOVE to go to Thailand and Cambodia. Will the weather ruin it for me though? I’d be fine with a short shower once a day but am scared of non stop rain.
Thanks!
I’ve actually never visited Thailand during the summer months so I can’t speak to the weather there, but it was a bit rainy during my honeymoon in Croatia and it didn’t ruin it at all!
i am planning our honeymoon and this was the most helpful thing i have read in weeks!
thank you so much for writing this!
New title suggestion: “How to be a Lonely Planet W4nker in Thailand”.
Wow this post was SO helpful!!!!! I came back from my trip and was so thankful I read this first 🙂
That’s awesome to hear, thank you!!
Heading to Thailand next week! So happy I came across this!
Hope you have an amazing time! 🙂
You seen tourist fun, I did that and got lucky was invited to all night under hotel parties VIP style Partied like a Rock Star for sure was with Royalty. James Bond Island, Elephant ride through Rubber Tree Plantation, Free Diving was awesome. The People Amazing I was treated Like A KING, Food was fabulous was truly like going to another planet, Loved Thailand. Took a week to recuperate the sleep deprivation as I made 2-weeks into 3-weeks, how don’t stop having fun. My favorite is Phuket and Islands!
Sounds like you had an epic trip, happy travels! 🙂
Thank you for your article! We have read a bunch of different ones but keep coming back to yours! We just booked our tickets and are leaving the beginning of March for 17 days (including travel days and one bonus day in Tokyo on our connect flight back to Canada! Can’t wait. This has been on my bucket list forever and my 23 year old son has been a couple times and raves about it!
That is so exciting, I hope you have an amazing time! Happy travels!!
Thank you! Helped a lot by planning our trip ❤️❤️😊