Looking to spend 2 weeks exploring Thailand? You’re in the right place!
Vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, tropical beaches, delicious food, rich history and friendly locals- Thailand has it all! From the bustling city of Bangkok to the gorgeous waters of Koh Phi Phi and the historic ruins of Ayutthaya, there is truly something for everyone in this amazing country.
It’s no secret that I absolutely loved my time in Thailand. It was a place that simultaneously felt like a world I’d never seen and the closest thing to home.
With so many amazing locations to choose from, planning a trip to Thailand can be a difficult affair. Luckily for you, I have curated the perfect Thailand itinerary for the ultimate holiday. This travel plan covers a little bit of everything, so you can truly experience the diversity this country has to offer.
Things you Need to Know Before you Travel to Thailand
Basic Facts
Currency: Thai Baht (THB/฿)
Language: Thai. Key phrases include:
- Hello: Sawadee Ka
- Thank you: Kap khun krap/ka
Visa Requirements: If you are an Australian, like me, then you can visit Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days. Make sure you check your countries’ visa requirements before travelling to Thailand.
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit Thailand is during the dry season, which is from November to March. I visited in February, and the weather was lovely! It did not rain even once, and every day was sunny and warm. On top of the perfect weather, travelling in February allowed me to attend the Chiang Mai Flower Festival!
The downside of travelling in the dry season is that it is also the high season, so it can get crowded in the popular tourist destinations (particularly in the South!). I did not find the crowds to be too much of an issue, except in Phuket, where the beaches were flooded with people.
If you really want to avoid the crowds, travelling in the shoulder seasons (April to June, or October) is a good alternative.
Cost of Travel in Thailand
One of the amazing things about Thailand is that it can suit any travel budget: from budget backpacking to a luxury escape, you can easily travel to Thailand at any price.
Accommodation starts from $5AUD (aka 115 THB, $3.30USD, 3 euros or 2.6GBP) for a hostel bed and can be up to several hundred dollars for a luxury 5-star resort. Around $75-$120 per night can get you a lovely 3/4 star hotel with a private room in a good location.
Your average restaurant meal can be found from $4-8 AUD (approx 100-200 THB!), and street food is even cheaper. There are also more expensive restaurant options for a finer dining experience.
Overall, travelling in Thailand is incredibly flexible and can be either quite cheap or expensive, depending on your budget and preferences.
Thailand Itinerary
Now, on to the itinerary!
Days 1-3: Bangkok
A trip to Thailand would not be complete without spending some time in its vibrant and chaotic capital. There is a plethora of things to do in this larger-than-life mega-city, including shopping, temples, markets and more!
Things to Do Bangkok
Here are some notable places to visit in Bangkok:
Temples
- The Grand Palace: A stunning building complex built in 1782, containing royal halls and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. If there is one place you visit in Bangkok, let it be this.
- Wat Pho: Just a short walk away from the Grand Palace, this temple is home to the 46-meter-long, golden, reclining Buddha.
- Wat Arun: An amazing temple known for its towering central spire. Take a short ferry from near Wat Pho to reach Wat Arun.
- Want to visit more temples?: Visit Wat Saket, Wat Traimit, Wat Suthat Thepwararam or any of the other amazing temples in Bangkok
Exploring the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
Markets
- Chatuchak Weekend Market: The world’s largest weekend market, containing over 8,000 stores selling all sorts of goods and food.
- Jodd Fairs Night Market: Buy some delicious street food from this newly-opened night market near Phra Ram 9 MRT Station.
- Asiatique the Riverfront: A great market to visit if you are staying in Riverside.
- Chinatown: Head here to find delicious street food and vibrant culture!
Shopping
- Siam Paragon: Luxury megamall with Thailand’s largest cinema.
- ICONSIAM: Perfect to visit if you are staying in Riverside.
- Terminal 21: Shopping centre with an around-the-world theme. Terminal 21 contains the best food court for a fun and cheap way to try local foods.
The entrance to Siam Paragon & view from outside Terminal 21
Other Things to Do
- Visit Lumphini Park, where you can spot water monitor lizards,or Banchattikki Park, to escape the city chaos.
- Visit a museum, such as the National Museum Bangkok or Jim Thompson House Museum to learn something new!
- Take a day trip to Ayutthaya Historic City. I would highly recommend this as a day trip from Thailand; it is absolutely awe-inspiring.
- Have a drink at one of the many rooftop bars in Bangkok.
The Ayutthaya Historic Ruins
For a more detailed itinerary of things to do in Bangkok, see my 3-4 days in Bangkok Itinerary (COMING SOON)
Days 4-7: Chiang Mai
After immersing yourself in the colourful chaos of Bangkok, head north to Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is, in my opinion, the best place to visit in Thailand and a must-stop on any first-timers itinerary. Stay in or near the old town (a one square km area of town enclosed by the old city walls) and simply enjoy the amazing food and vibrant culture Chiang Mai has to offer.
Things to Do Chiang Mai
Here are some notable things to do in Chiang Mai:
Temples: There are more than 300 temples in Chiang Mai. Some of my favourites include:
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan
- Wat Suan Dok
- Wat Sri Suphan
Take a day trip to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: This mountainside temple is a bit outside of town, but is well worth the trek. Not only is the temple itself stunning, but the sweeping views of the city below are lovely.
Explore the Old Town: A lot of the temples, shopping and great food is found in the Chiang Mai Old Town and you could easily spend a whole day (or two!) walking around this area of the city.
Markets: There are a great variety of markets to visit in Chiang Mai. I would recommend the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is open every night. If you are visiting on a Sunday, you must go to the Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market!
Tha Phae Gate: This historic landmark dates back to ancient times. While I will admit this site is a bit touristy, it is still cool to see.
What to eat
Try some of the best food on offer in Thailand: If you are coming to Thailand for the food, then Chiang Mai is undoubtedly THE place to be. It had the best food out of any place I went to on my trip, from the northern thai dish Khao Soi to the classic Pad Thai, Chiang Mai excelled.
For the best places to eat in Chiang Mai, see my list of 10 best places to eat in Chiang Mai (COMING SOON)
Try delicious coffee at one of Chiang Mai’s many great coffee shops!: For all my coffee lovers out there, Chiang Mai has a very cool emerging coffee scene. As an Australian and someone who has worked as a barista, good coffee is very important to me.
For a list of some of the best coffee shops in Chiang Mai, see my 10 best coffee shops in Chiang Mai (COMING SOON)
Days 8-9: Phuket
After a busy week of exploring, you’re well overdue for a splash of relaxation, and where better to do it, than by the pristine waters of Phuket? I’ll be honest, Phuket was not my favourite place in Thailand: it was overcrowded, hot and comparatively expensive. It is definitely still worth visiting, as there are some amazing things to do! However, I strongly recommend that 2 days in Phuket is enough.
Things to Do Phuket
Beaches: A great thing to do at Phuket is to simply relax. Put on some sunscreen, and either rent a chair or lie on your towel in the sand at any of the beaches, such as Kata, Karon or Freedom Beach
Saturday Night Market: If you are in Phuket on a Saturday, you have to head over to the old town for the bustling Saturday night market. Try the dumplings and doughnuts! They are delicious, trust me.
Take a day trip: When I was in Phuket, I took a day trip to Coral Island. It was way less crowded than the beaches on Phuket Island, and the waters were STUNNING! You could also visit Phang Nga Bay or Racha Island or the Similian Islands.
Days 10-12: Koh Phi Phi (The Phi Phi Islands)
Get up bright and early and take the ferry or speed boat from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, and get ready for a jam-packed couple of days. The beautiful Koh Phi Phi is characterised by limestone cliffs, white sand and bright blue waters. I would recommend doing 3 things during your time in Koh Phi Phi.
Things to Do Koh Phi Phi
Complete a full-day Koh Phi Phi Tour: See sites such as the famous Maya Bay, Viking Cave, Pileh Lagoon and Monkey Beach. You can take a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket. However, it involves 1-2 hours transfer each way, leaving less time for the actual site-seeing and making for a very busy and long day. It is best to go to Koh Phi Phi and travel around the island the next day.
Go Scuba-Diving: Koh Phi Phi has some of the best scuba diving in the world. There are amazing scuba spots in Koh Phi Phi, whether you are a certified advanced diver or have never tried scuba diving in your life. My first-time scuba diving was in Koh Phi Phi- and now I can’t help but recommend it to everyone I come across.
Enjoy the Island Night Life: It’s no secret that Koh Phi Phi is a party island. Grab a 300 baht cocktail bucket and head to one of the many bars, or go watch the fire show at Ibiza Bar.
Day 13-14: Ao Nang, Krabi
Finish your trip back on the mainland, in the oceanside town of Ao Nang. This is the perfect place to end your trip to Thailand because it is just a one-hour ferry from Koh Phi Phi and there is an airport in Krabi. It is absolutely gorgeous, with more of those gorgeous limestone cliffs associated with Southern Thailand.
Things to Do Ao Nang
- Visit Railay Beach: This beach is only accessible via boat! Head from Ao Nang Beach by longtail boat and enjoy!
- Visit the Emerald Pool: There are many day tours to the Emerald Pool and nearby Hot Springs. You can book a tour here
- Go on the 4-Island Tour: Visit the nearby islands of Koh Poda, Koh Tub, Koh Mor and Koh Gai on an epic day trip. You can book a tour here
- Climb the 1260-step staircase to Wat Tham Suea (the Tiger Cave Temple).
That’s a Wrap!
So there you have it! A 2-week Thailand itinerary that gives you an all-around experience of the very best of Thailand! I hope this itinerary has given you some guidance.
For more information on things to do in Thailand, see my other posts (COMING SOON)