Thailand is a land of contrasts—ancient temples nestled beside neon-lit streets, tranquil islands just nautical miles from bustling cities, and an array of flavors that dance between sweet, spicy, and everything in between. Whether you’re chasing sunsets at the beach or nightlife in the city of Bangkok, this recommended Thailand itinerary will help you experience the best of Thailand without missing a beat or a beer!
When I set out to plan my Thailand itinerary, my goal was just that, experience the bustling city and the beauty of the islands. See the land of smiles and taste the amazing food. If this sounds like your type of vacation, read on to find out the perfect Thailand Itinerary!
How Long is this Thailand Itinerary?
This itinerary is about 8 days and is perfect for a first time visitor. You could easily spend months traveling the northern cultural centers, the electric city streets of Bangkok, and the pristine islands of Adamanian Sea and Thai Gulf, but for the purposes of this Thailand itinerary, we will focus on Bangkok and Phuket. Perfect for a first time visitor like myself, however, I enjoyed Thailand so much that I am sure to be back again and again to see more of this beautiful and fascinating country and culture.
When should I Plan my Trip to Thailand?
The best time to go to Thailand is November – February for the cooler and drier months, however, it will be popular with the tourists, so early bookings are recommended. I went at the end of March, which is the beginning of the hot months which last until May. While it was very humid, it was perfect for the beach and not too bad exploring the city. The rainy months tend to be June – October which tend to bring short, but intense rainfall which can put a damper on your beach or boat plans.
What should I Pack for Thailand?
Plan to bring your essentials for a beach vacation, but keep in mind that if you plan on visiting temples, your shoulders and knees must be covered. While Thailand is quite laid back and casual, breathable clothing is key. You may want to pack some fancier attire if you plan on visiting a skybar in Bangkok or any clubs in Phuket. The backpacking scene is big in Thailand, so my recommendation is mostly casual shorts, tee shirts, and comfortable sandals for walking around the markets and lively streets.
What to Eat?
The food in Thailand is delicious! Its the perfect harmony of spicy, sweet, and sour. It’s a symphony of flavors that come together and somehow just works. From the beloved pad Thai, to the tangy papaya salads, and aromatic bowl of tom yum soup. But don’t forget the vibrant red and green curries, drunken noodles, pad krapow gai, or delicious pad see ew and much, much more!
The Perfect Thailand Itinerary, Day by Day
Let’s start in Bangkok as I think that is probably the easiest city to fly into and a good introduction to Thai culture. I think 4 days are perfect for your first time to Bangkok, but it is a huge city, so you could easily add more time. There are several neighborhoods to stay in but I would recommend either Riverside or Silom/Sathon.
Riverside is where you will find luxury hotels near the Old Town, Grand Palace, Wat Po, and Wat Arun across the river. Silom/Sathon is a centrally located area in the business district in Bangkok. We stayed at the iconic Mahanakhon building in The Standard Hotel which was a funky and very cool hotel with lots of dining and drinking options. It’s about a 15 minute drive from the riverside, but there were always a line of tuk-tuks out in front of the hotel, which is arguably the fastest and funnest way to get around the city.
Here is my recommended Thailand itinerary for your 4 days in Bangkok:
Day 1: Bangkok
Visit the prerequisite temples including the Grand Palace with the emerald Buddha and Wat Pho with the reclining Buddha and for a traditional Thai massage. Have lunch with a view overlook the river at Sala Rattanakosin before crossing the river to Wat Arun. There is a ferry from Tha Chang to the Wat Arun Pier that departs every 15 minutes or so and costs less than $1. On your first evening, head out to an iconic skybar, like Lebua, which was featured in “The Hangover 2”.
Day 2: Floating Market
Book a tour or take a private taxi service, like Tommy Taxi to the Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Tommy Taxi orchestrated this day perfectly to see the train roll through before the crowds and then arranged a long tail boat through the floating market. This was my highlight of the trip and was an affordable way to do a private tour on your time. Upon return to Bangkok, head out for the evening and check out the street foods in Chinatown and Yaowarat road. When you get sick of the crowds, dip into HEX, a witchy themed speakeasy with great cocktails!
Day 3: Ayutthaya
Take the train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya and rent a bike to pedal through the Ancient Ruins of Siam. There is a bike rental shop right across for the train station and you can easily bike through several ruins without paying an entrance fee. However, it is worth entering one of the largest, Wat Mahathat and seeing the Buddha head entwined in tree roots after the Burmese army invaded the former capital in 1767. While you cycle up your appetite, be sure to try the boat noodles at one of the many restaurants like Pa Lek Boat Noodles. Back in Bangkok during the evening, check out Khao San Road which is a bit seedier, but offers many bars and restaurants in the back packing quarter. Try Madame Masur for dinner and people watching. This is also a great area to get a cheap Thai Massage.
Day 4: Learn to Cook
We have been going hard in Thailand, so let’s slow it down and have a relaxing morning at the hotel pool before heading out to a cooking class. We went to Tingly Thai and learned 4 recipes with an entertaining host. Bonus points for being walking distance from our hotel! Everyone gets their own station and wok, so we all got 4 servings of food and we were too full for dinner this night. But if you’re up for it, go bar hopping on Soi Nana street back in Chinatown.
Day 5: Phuket
Pack your bags and head for the beach – Phuket! The easiest way to travel from point a to b is a quick flight that will run you between $30 -$90 per seat. There is also an overnight train that is about 13 hours long which is a good budget option. I wanted to stay near the action, so we chose the Patong Beach/ Bangla Road area and there was a lot to do. We stayed at the Marriott Merlin Beach which has its own reef for snorkeling, but tons of kids. There are several options for staying around here from the luxurious Rosewood to the Absolute Hotel in the midst of the wild streets. This evening, just strolling Bangla Road will offer options for dinner, drinks, and any nightlife you are looking for.
Day 6: Boats and H*s
Pick your boat trip adventure to see the islands of shore from Phuket (which is also an island!). Racha and Coral islands are a very popular choice for snorkeling. While Phi Phi, Maya, and James Bond Island offers pristine white sand beaches and other worldly limestone karst towers.
Day 7: Freedom Beach
Freedom beach is calling. This is just a short drive or boat ride from Patong beach but feels secluded due to the steep embankment down to the beach area, which includes a bar and restaurant. Longtail boats are available from Patong, but equally fun is getting their by taxi and then taking a 4×4 pickup down the hill. This evening join the sunset society and have dinner and drinks at the amazing Treebay Clubhouse. After dinner, check out the nightlife in Kamala or Kata beach.
Day 8: R&R
What vacation would be complete without a relaxing day on the beach? One of the reasons I chose the Marriott was for the snorkeling, but they also offer some recreation activities like kayaking, stand up paddle boards, diving, yoga, and more. Like I said, the downside of this hotel is the swarms of screaming children which made this a poor choice for me. If you stay here and need a break, I suggest checking ou FUGA Beach Club and then enjoying dinner and drinks at Meg Khram Sunshine & Submarine Bar.
Unforgettable Thailand Itinerary
From the vibrant chaos of Bangkok to the serene shores of the southern islands, Thailand offers a journey that’s as diverse as it is unforgettable. Whether you’re here for a week or a month, this itinerary is just the beginning of what the Land of Smiles has to offer. Pack your curiosity, keep an open heart, and let Thailand leave its mark on your soul.
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