Thailand Itinerary
For years, Thailand has remained a top choice among travelers—and for good reason. This Southeast Asian gem offers something for everyone, catering to all kinds of interests and preferences. On top of that, Thailands excellent infrastructure, makes it incredibly easy to explore the country.
In this post, I’ve put together my 3‑week Thailand itinerary, with detailed information about each destination, costs, and other essential tips.
Since most international flights land in Bangkok, it makes sense to begin your Thailand itinerary here. My own 3‑week journey through Thailand started in Bangkok, and I’ve described it in detail in the following post. From Bangkok, my itinerary took me south to the coast and some beautiful islands, before wrapping up with the cultural highlight of Chiang Mai.
My route is just a suggestion and can, of course, be adjusted in terms of duration and order to suit your preferences. It’s meant to serve as inspiration for your own Thailand adventure.
Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok
Bangkok is a great starting and ending point for a Thailand itinerary, and it was also the beginning of my journey. Early in the morning on the first day of our trip, we landed in Bangkok and made our way to our accommodation. After a brief settling in, we set out to explore the city right away.
A half-day like this is perfect for exploring the neighborhood around your accommodation, taking a trip to the Chatuchak Weekend Market (if it’s the weekend), or visiting your first temple.
Day 2: Explore Bangkok
If it’s your first time in Bangkok, make sure to explore some of the city’s “typical” sights and attractions. You definitely shouldn’t miss the famous Wat Arun Temple and the Grand Palace. A visit to Chinatown is also a must-do, offering a vibrant mix of culture, food, and history.
You also have to try Bangkok’s incredible street food. After a day of sightseeing, unwind with a refreshing drink on one of the many rooftop bars that offer stunning views of the city. All detailed information about the highlights you can find in my Bangkok guide.
Recommended length of stay: 2–4 nights
My length of stay: 2 nights
Day 3: Bangkok to Phuket
Depending on your flight departure to Phuket you might still have the chance to spend the day in Bangkok. During my trip this was the case and the flight just went in the late afternoon. Therefore we used the morning to explore more sights in Bangkok and to visit another temple.
In the evening, we arrived in Phuket. It took about 40 minutes by Uber from the airport to Phuket Town, where we stayed for the night.
Day 4–5: Phuket
To explore the Phuket Peninsula at its best, we rented a scooter. For me, it’s the easiest and most flexible way to get around Thailand.
Besides the countless beaches, Phuket also offers some cultural attractions. One of them is the Big Buddha. The visit is definitely worth it, if only for the amazing views of the surrounding area. But the old town of Phuket Town shouldn’t be underestimated either, and in my opinion, it’s especially beautiful in the evening.
Recommended length of stay: 3–4 nights
My length of stay: 3 nights
All information about Phuket: Attractions and Places
Day 6: Phuket to Koh Yao Noi
From the Phuket Peninsula, we took a boat to the lesser-known island of Koh Yao Noi, located in the Andaman Sea. So far, it has been untouched by mass tourism, just like its neighboring island, Koh Yao Yai.
The island is quite small, with a “main road” that almost circles the entire island. Compared to other islands, it doesn’t have the most stunning beaches. However, Koh Yao Noi makes up for it with its authenticity.
Day 7–8: Koh Yao Noi
Make the most of your first full day on Koh Yao Noi by exploring the island with a scooter. Start your day with a delicious breakfast, for example at the Green Coffee House, and then head out to discover the island and its beaches. The two main beaches are Pasai Beach and Klong Jark Beach.
On your second day on Koh Yao Noi you should take a half-day trip to Hong Island. Tours can be booked all over the island and are definitely worth it. They usually last about 4 hours and include several stops.
Recommended stay: 3 nights
My length of stay: 3 nights
More information: Koh Yao Noi Travel Guide
Day 8: Koh Yao Noi — Koh Phi Phi
From Koh Yao Noi, we continue by boat to the famous party island of Koh Phi Phi. The island is not only known for its party scene, but also for its beautiful beaches and as a starting point for Maya Bay. And no matter what you are looking for, the island has something for everyone.
In the afternoon after our arrival and check-in at our accommodation, we first explored the main village, Ton Sai Village.
Day 9 & 10: Koh Phi Phi
Make sure you spend the next few days exploring Koh Phi Phi and the surrounding islands. A trip and tour to Maya Bay is a must. It’s best to go there as early as possible so that the bay is still nice and quiet and the beach is not yet crowded with visitors.
But Koh Phi Phi itself also has a lot to offer, especially of course the beautiful beaches which, depending on the location of your accommodation, can be reached on foot, by boat or if you fancy a bit of activity, you can simply hike through the jungle, as we did.
Recommended length of stay: 3–4 nights
My length of stay: 3 nights
Good to know: All tips for your visit of Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay
Day 11 : Koh Phi Phi — Krabi
The journey through Thailand now continues northwards, but first it’s back to the mainland, to Krabi to be precise. Depending on when your onward journey is planned, you may have a day or at least half a day to explore Krabi.
We reached Krabi in the late afternoon and used the rest of the day to stroll around the town in the evening and cool off in the hotel pool.
Recommended length of stay: non
My stay: 1 night
Day 12: Krabi — Chiang Mai
As our flight to Chiang Mai didn’t leave until the evening, we used the day in Krabi to hire bikes from the hotel and ride to Noppharat Thara Beach. Personally, I wasn’t at all convinced by Krabi, it was far too touristy for me. But I’m sure that we didn’t see everything and that there are still some great places to visit.
From Krabi and the beach, we then headed north. The second largest city in Thailand awaits: Chiang Mai. This is also considered the cultural center of the country, as there are over 300 temples in the city.
Day 13–15: Chiang Mai
Although Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand, the historic city center within the city walls is quite compact and easy to explore on foot. It is best to stroll through the streets, as you will inevitably pass the many temples. Among the most interesting and worth seeing are Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.
But besides temples, Chiang Mai has much more to offer. In the evening, you can feast on the local street food at one of the night markets or treat yourself to a massage.
An trip to the surrounding mountains is also highly recommended. And be sure to visit the two temples outside Wat Pha Lat, which is somewhat hidden in the forest, and of course Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, from where you have a great view of Chiang Mai.
If you travel to Chiang Mai in November, you might be lucky enough to experience the fantastic Loy Krathon festival of lights. A real highlight and a wonderful spectacle when the whole city is on its feet, parades parade through the streets and the lights float down the river.
Read more: Chiang Mai Travel Guide
Day 16: Chiang Mai — Bangkok
After spending some wonderful days in Chiang Mai, we headed back to Bangkok. As we wanted to spend as much time as possible with friends, we opted for the quick and comfortable return journey by plane.
Day 17 & 18: Bangkok
The last two days in Bangkok were very relaxed as we had already been here several times. For this reason, we simply relaxed at the hotel pool and only visited a few less known temples such as Wat Benchamabophit and Wat Saket at sunset.
Read more Bangkok Highlights
Day 19: Leaving Bangkok
The day of departure marks the end of an incredibly exciting and varied trip through Thailand. A trip that could not have been more varied, with beautiful islands and great experiences in Chiang Mai.
Costs of Traveling Thailand: an Overview
But now let’s be real: How much does a round trip through Thailand cost? I’m making no secret of it here, which is why I’m listing all my expenses for the trip below.
I wasn’t just traveling with my boyfriend on this trip, we were also accompanied by two friends. All in all, there were four of us on the road for the entire three weeks of this trip. Some cost items are therefore lower than they would otherwise be, as we were able to divide cab costs etc. by four.
I also stayed loyal to my level of travel in Thailand. It wasn’t classic, low-budget backpacking, but it definitely wasn’t an expensive, high-end luxury vacation either. We always stayed in the mid-range price range and booked double rooms with private bathrooms.
| Reisekosten Thailand 3 Wochen | Kosten für 2 Personen | Kosten pro Person |
|---|---|---|
| Flüge | 2.076,95 € | 1.038,48 € |
| Hin- und Rückflug MUC — BBK | 1.790,02 € | 895,01 € |
| Flug Bangkok — Phuket | 74,80 € | 37,40 € |
| Flug Krabi — Chiang Mai | 70,71 € | 35,36 € |
| Flug Chiang Mai — Bangkok | 141,42 € | 70,71 € |
| Unterkünfte | 524,41 € | 262,20 € |
| Transport (Taxi, Roller, Boot, Öffis etc.) | 166,83 € | 83,42 € |
| Restaurants/ Cafés | 462,46 € | 231,23 € |
| Aktivitäten (Ausflüge, Eintrittsgelder, etc.) | 272,55 € | 136,28 € |
| Sonstiges (Sim-Karte, Reinigung…) | 27,89 € | 13,45 € |
Best time to travel Thailand
The best time to travel around Thailand is from November to March. During this time, temperatures are pleasant at between 25°C and 32°C and little rain is to be expected. This makes exploring the many temples, national parks and islands particularly pleasant. However, this is also the high season in Thailand, so the tourist resorts can be very crowded. For travelers who prefer things a little quieter, the months of April to October are a good option, although you should expect occasional rain showers.
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