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
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.
Recommended Bangkok Hotels We’ve Personally Stayed In
- 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
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.
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
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.
Recommended Koh Lipe Hotels
- 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.
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:
- 99 Heritage Hote Booking.com
- The Dhara Dhevi Hotel Chiang Mai Booking.com
- Phusanfah Resort Booking.com
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?
