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Perfect Two Weeks In Thailand Itinerary | UPDATED 2024

Perfect Two Weeks In Thailand Itinerary | UPDATED 2024

We have helped many people plan their Thailand trip, and two weeks in Thailand is the perfect amount of time.

We have spent nearly two years living and traveling in Thailand. We have visited just about all of the highlights and know which places are worth it and which ones to skip if you only have two weeks.

Thailand is a long flight from the Western world, and two weeks in Thailand is what you really need to experience a little bit of everything that this great country has to offer.

There are so many things to do in Thailand you could easily spend months or years as we have.

To have the best trip, you’ll need to move around the country to see bustling Bangkok, amazing beaches in the south, and culture in the north – here’s our perfect two-week Thailand Itinerary.

*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Thailand, check prices on Booking.com. We’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.*

Related Article: Must-Know Thailand Travel Tips


The Perfect 2-Week Thailand Itinerary

Tuk Tuk parked in Chinatown one of the best places to stay in Bangkok

3 Days In Bangkok

A logical place to start your tour of Thailand is the main hub of the region and the country’s capital, Bangkok. 3 days in Bangkok is the right amount of time for most people to explore, eat, and take in the sights.

Make sure to find the ornately decorated Grand Palace and the beautiful Wat Pho. At night, explore the lively Sukhumvit area of town or head to Khao San Road for a taste of Bangkok’s international party scene.

Don’t miss:
– Ride in a Tuk Tuk, the colorful three-wheeled local taxi, for a uniquely Bangkok experience
– Walkthrough Bangkok’s red-light district at night

Off the beaten path:
– Check out the Pak Khlong Talat flower market outside of China-Town
– Head to a quiet and cheap rooftop to watch the sunset over the city, our favorite Red Sky

For a full list of activities and a detailed itinerary, check out our 3 days in Bangkok guide.

  • Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok Affordable Luxury on Sukhumvit Check Prices Booking.com
  • Maduzi Hotel Boutique Hotel on Sukhumvit – Check Prices Booking.com
  • Lub’d Hostel Budget Siam Hotel/Luxury Hostel Check Prices Booking.com
  • W Bangkok Luxury Silom Hotel Check Prices Booking.com

Related Article: Complete Guide Where To Stay in Bangkok

person walking on Sunrise Beach in Koh Lipe

One Week On The Thai Islands

After the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, hop on a quick flight down south to relax on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Thailand has over 300 islands, and you are sure to find a few to your liking.

We recommend spending a week on the beaches to relax and explore this varied and beautiful aspect of Thailand. Most islands take about a day’s travel from the mainland, so plan accordingly when outlining your two weeks in Thailand.

Related Article: Koh Lipe Thailand Guide

A few islands will have airports, making travel quicker and easier. But, generally speaking, the harder the island is to get to, the less crowded and more beautiful it will be. As tempting as it may be to try and see as many islands as possible during your two weeks in Thailand, try and stick to just one or two.

Pushing to fulfill a schedule will end up eating into your time and enjoyment of your trip. Below is a list of our favorite islands and what to expect from each to help you narrow down where you want to spend your time.

Longtail boat daytrip near Koh Phi Phi Island photo from our Honeymoon
Just look at that scenery! Koh Phi Phi and the surrounding islands are some of the most dramatic in all of Thailand!

Ko Phi Phi

Made famous from the 1990’s movie ‘The Beach’, the island is next to the movie’s filming location. The island itself has white sand beaches surrounded by high limestone cliffs. The setting is idyllic. However, the current situation on the island is not.

Over the years, Koh Phi Phi has turned into a crowded party island. There is only a thin strip of land where the majority of hotels, restaurants, and bars are located. The island’s large draw and limited space can be a letdown if you are expecting the undiscovered beach from the movie.

However, it’s still a beautiful place as long as you know what you are signing up for. To get to Koh Phi Phi, take a flight from Thailand to Phuket or Krabi and then a ferry from there.

Best for: Younger travelers interested in parties and drinking
What to expect: Crowds with average beaches and water with some trash
Don’t Miss: Beachside green and red curries, sunsets on the beach, hike up to the lookout points of the island

Sunrise Beach of Koh Lipe - Best beach in Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe

For a less visited and possibly the most beautiful island in Thailand, headway down south for the crystal clear waters of Koh Lipe. The island is one of our favorite places in the world to date.

Koh Lipe is just the right combination for us with its tasty Thai food, great beaches, and fewer people. Head over to Koh Adang and hike up to the viewpoint for an amazing view of Koh Lipe.

It is more difficult to get to, but it is still reachable in one day. Daily flights connect to Pak Bara in the south, where ferries are available to the island. If you are looking for another island to tie into your Thai island hopping, it’s best to head to Koh Lanta, the next closest island in the Andaman Sea.

Related Article: Thailand Island Hopping Guide

Best for: Travelers 25 and up. There is not a huge party scene on the island; there are many bars, but it’s a quieter island, and only a handful will be open past 11 pm.
What to expect: Koh Lipe is not a backpacker island. It’s gaining in popularity and is targeting the mid-range market with many small boutique hotels. There are conservation efforts in place to keep the beaches clean, and they seem to be working.
Don’t Miss: Sunset/sunrise from the beach it’s free and stunning almost every day. Excellent southern Thai dishes and seafood. Stonehenge is the best dive site in Koh Lipe.

  • Salisa Resort Sunrise BeachCheck Prices Booking.com
  • Serendipity Resort Sunrise Beach Check Prices booking.com
  • The Cliff Lipe Resort Sunset Beach Check Prices On booking.com 
  • Bundhaya Resort Pattaya Beach Check Prices On booking.com

In general, I would avoid beach towns on the mainland or large islands like Phuket. Some can be great, but overall, the smaller islands are prettier and less crowded.

For more on Koh Lipe make sure to check out our Koh Lipe Ultimate Guide.

white temple of Chiang Rai at sun set - day trips near Chiang Mai - Northern thailand

4 Days Of Culture

Step away from the beach and head north for a look into Thai culture. Visit the ancient 800-year-old city of Chiang Mai. Home to over 300 temples, we’ve trimmed it down to our top 10 temples in Chiang Mai.

Known as the Culture Capital of the North, Chiang Mai holds within its crumbling brick walls temples that date back to the 1200s. The city of Chiang Mai is markedly different than the rest of Thailand.

Chaing Mai has a good mix of new and old while having a very trendy, university city, vibe. It’s a must for any trip and a great stop for two weeks in Thailand. There are a ton of things to do in Chiang Mai. You’ll be glad to have a least 4 days in Northern Thailand.

We’ve lived in Chiang Mai on and off for over 3 years. It is our home away from home, living in Chiang Mai is just like being at home. We’ve spent Christmas in Thailand three times, and two of those were in Chiang Mai. This past Christmas, we got Christmas gifts that will last a lifetime. We both got Sak Yant tattoos to protect us while traveling. Yes, we got tattooed by a monk in Thailand!

For the craziest and wettest festival plan your visit so you’ll be in Chiang Mai to ring in the Thai New Year, where the Songkran Chiang Mai festival is in full effect. Every April 13-15th, the city turns into the world’s largest squirt gunfight!

Food in the north is different than the southern dishes found on the beaches. Make sure to sample widely!

Recommended Chiang Mai Hotels:

Don’t Miss:  The weekend night markets on Saturday and Sunday nights. Try the Northern Thai favorites like Essan sausages spiced with lemongrass and chilies, Khao Soi a spicy soup with crispy fried noodles, and much more. Be sure to take a trip up to the famous Doi Su Thep Temple on the hill overlooking Chiang Mai. If you visit in November, try and line your dates up with the Yee Ping Festival aka Chiang Mai lantern festival.

Related Article: Chiang Mai Lantern Festival 

An alternative to Chiang Mai would be to head over to one of Thailand’s former capitals, Sukothai to see the amazing temples and statues of Sukhothai.


Related Article

Have you been to Thailand? Did you spend more than or less than two weeks in Thailand?

two weeks in thailand pin infographic

James Carroll

Thursday 27th of December 2018

We are planning on taking our honeymoon to Thailand in 2019 and this guide seems perfect! However our wedding is at the end of May, and we would like to go on the honeymoon right after, which would be right at the beginning of the rainy season. How big of a deal is that, would it be fine to follow a similar itinerary as this or would it be better to wait until a different time?

Thanks! James

Adam

Monday 4th of February 2019

Hey James - I don't think that is a deal breaker for me - rainy season in Thailand doesn't mean it's going to rain all day every day. You can expect 1-2 hours of rain most days - usually in the afternoon. Sometimes more sometimes less. It will also be low season for travel which has its pros and cons. On the plus side everywhere will be much less busy and the prices lower. On the downside, there are fewer transportation options to some islands, but this is generally not a huge problem - just takes more planning. We just traveled in January and just about got rained out while on the islands - which normally shouldn't happen in Thailand, but weather patterns are changing slightly and even dry seasons around the world can be less predictable. As long as you know that there is a chance for rain in May and plan some activities to fit you should still be able to have a great trip to Thailand. No matter the time of year we like the itinerary outlined here, but make sure it ticks all of your boxes. Happy planning!

carla lindblom

Thursday 23rd of August 2018

Hello, I have been planning our trip for several months now and one part yet remains to be a mystery! I have recently stumbled across your blog and love it. My daughter (23) and I will be traveling to Thailand in November we will stay 3 nights in Bangkok and then are going to chiang mai for 5 nights for the lantern festival then we are undecided we have 4 nights left in Thailand before we head to India and are debating between Phuket or Krabi or Koh Lanta? multiple blogs have told me to stay away from Phuket what would you suggest we do and can you recommend a place to stay. We love beaches, snorkeling, relaxing and some adventurous activity. We would like to stay at a nice place that does not take a whole day to get there. I need desperate help want to firm up this week.

Looking for suggestions.

Thanks

Hannah Lukaszewicz

Saturday 25th of August 2018

3 nights in Bangkok is perfect, make sure to check out our 3 Days in Bangkok guide https://www.gettingstamped.com/3-days-in-bangkok/ and our where to stay in Bangkok guide. Do you know what you want to all do & see in Chiang Mai? I think 5 days is a little much there, we lived in Chiang Mai twice each at 6 months at a time. Also, the lantern festival, do you have tickets to the organized event? If not, I wouldn't bother going up to Chiang Mai for that.

I agree with others avoid Phuket, we never recommend going there. We haven't been to Koh Lanta so we can't say, either way, lots of our friends love it. I think Koh Lanta is the best bet out of the 3 islands you listed. We love Koh Lipe thats where we always go.

You'll have a blast wherever you go!

Alyssa Geisenfeld

Wednesday 8th of August 2018

Thank you so much for this amazing guide! I will be traveling to Thailand from September 3rd- September 15th. 6 of those days will be dedicated to island hopping. I've read that I should avoid the western islands and focus on the gulf islands because of the weather (Koh Phangan, Koh Samui etc.). I've also been told that the western islands are more expensive. The things that are most important to me are hidden beaches (want to do lots of snorkeling and boat tours), dramatic scenery, great food, and relatively reasonable prices. We have flights booked to fly into/ out of Surat Thani but nothing else really planned. Any direction you could provide?

Adam

Wednesday 22nd of August 2018

I would not miss Koh Tao especially if you like diving or snorkeling and the scenery is good too. Make sure you plan properly for Koh Phangan it can get quite full around the full moon, personally, I would avoid this island during the party, it's a mess. Koh Samui is a big and developed island, so there is less hidden gems here. I would focus on the smaller islands and take day trips from there to see the more unique things. Safe Travels and enjoy Thailand!

Emily

Wednesday 18th of July 2018

Hello,

We are five people close to 30s, not very adventurus i would say. We want to explore the country but also relax as much as possible. We are visiting Thai in August 2018 (12/8-24/8). We have 13 days in total as we arrive in the morning an leave at the evening.

I was planning to stay in Bangkok for 3 days (12-14) and then leave for the islands. Stay in Phuket for 4 nights (14-18) and then Krabi for another 3 or four nights (18-22). Then head back to bangkok for the last 2 days and depart from there.

I 've read so much about Chiang Mai but i don't want to rush and waist my days travelling.

I would really like to hear your thoughts and recomdations.

Thank you.

Dijen

Friday 27th of July 2018

hello

I am also traveling the same dates as you guys are for your trip to Thailand.

Adam

Thursday 19th of July 2018

We love Bangkok and always suggest people spend 3-4 nights in Bangkok especially if it is your first stop on the trip, as you will be jetlagged. Make sure to check out our 3 days in Bangkok and where to stay in Bangkok article. We personally would skip Phuket for sure and maybe stick to Krabi and Koh Lanta instead. Note that you are traveling during monsoon season so the ferries will not be running to the islands and it may be rainy. Another island option would be Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan (spelt wrong). We have a Thailand island hoping guide you might want to check out and see which island is best for your group.

We have lived in Chiang Mai on and off for 2 years, we love the city BUT never did the touristy things. The city is gorgeous and much different than BKK. If you are templed out I would skip it for another time. If you want to go to Elephant Nature Park (the only elephant activity you should do in Thailand is this one it is the only legit one) or want to see the white temple in Chiang Rai. It is a 90 min flight from BKK to Chiang Mai and usually under $40 on Thai, Air Asia, or Smile.

Let us know if you have any other questions for traveling Thailand.

Nancy

Wednesday 11th of July 2018

Hi! thanks for the great info (I'm still overwhelmed!) We are planning 2 weeks in Thailand in January 2019. After some research and talking with people, we had decided on roughly this same itinerary. We are 3 adventurous 50-something year old girls who love adventure, culture and beauty and we'd like to get a nice sampling of what Thailand has to offer but are looking forward to the islands and beaches the most! We were planning to visit Koh Phi Phi but after reading over the information here, we are now thinking of skipping that island and perhaps heading straight to Koh Lipe. It looks like getting their is a fairly smooth trip from Bangkok. Afterward, we plan to head to Chiang Man for 4 days then home thru Bangkok. My question is...should we fly in and out of Hat Yai? Since we are skipping Koh Phi Phi now, should we include another island destination? or does that complicate things. I like the idea of not spending too much time going from place to place but is 7 days too long on Koh Lipe?

Adam

Wednesday 11th of July 2018

Glad you found our website! I would def recommend skipping Koh Phi Phi and head to Koh Lipe instead. Yes, you would fly in and out of Hat Yai. Air Asia offers flight, boat, and airport shuttles to both Chiang Mai and Bangkok. That is the smoothest way to get there. I would then rent a private longtail when you are in Koh Lipe for a day or two, they are usually under 1500 baht a day (under $50 USD). Just go to Sunrise Beach and there is a boat taxi stand and you can talk with the guys there. Let us know if you have any Bangkok,Koh Lipe, or Chiang Mai (we've lived here for over a year) questions. Safe travels to Thailand.