Thailand Travel Guide
Priya Nair· Asia Editor
Updated September 12, 2026 · 9 min read
Thailand is Southeast Asia's great all-rounder: Bangkok's temples and street food, the north's mountains and cafés, and two island coasts that trade seasons — Phuket's Andaman (Nov–Apr) against Samui's Gulf (Jan–Sep). Budgets run $50–70/day at the mid tier.
The classic route: Bangkok (3) → Chiang Mai (3) → islands (3–4). Internal flights cost $30–60 and save the day-long buses.
Turn this guide into a personalized itinerary
Bangkok · dates and preferences pre-filled — adjust anything, then generate your day-by-day plan.
Plan your Thailand trip with AI →Where to Go
Bangkok is the necessary city. Chiang Mai is the north's moated old city and cooking schools. The islands split by season: Krabi, Phuket and Koh Lanta on the Andaman side; Samui, Phangan and Tao on the Gulf.
- Classic: Bangkok 3 → Chiang Mai 3 → Krabi 3.
- Beach-first: Bangkok 2 → Samui 5.
- Culture-first: Bangkok 2 → Chiang Mai 4 → Sukhothai 1.
The Two-Coast Season Split
The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Lanta) is dry November–April. The Gulf (Samui, Phangan, Tao) is dry January–September. There is always a dry coast — pick by month.
Temple Etiquette
Covered shoulders and knees at every temple; shoes off at entrances; never point feet at Buddha images. Scarves solve everything.
The Classic Route
City, north, islands.
Day 1 · Bangkok — temples
The Grand Palace trio at opening.
Day 2 · Bangkok — markets
Chatuchak, Yaowarat after dark.
Day 3 · Bangkok — canals
The khlongs by longtail; fly north.
Day 4 · Chiang Mai — old city
Temples, khao soi, the bazaar.
Day 5 · Chiang Mai — elephants
The ethical sanctuary day.
Day 6 · Fly to Krabi or Samui
Beach arrival, seafood dinner.
Day 7 · Islands
The four-island or marine-park day.
Day 8 · Islands — slow
Hammock, swim, massage.
Day 9 · Islands — farewell
The sunset and the flight home.
Practical planning info
Money
- Bangkok ~$50/day, Chiang Mai ~$45, islands ~$65 at planning figures.
- Street food $1–3; massages $10.
When
- November–February suits both coasts.
- April is the hottest month; the burning season hazes the north.
Frequently asked questions
Phuket or Samui?
Phuket for the range and the excursions; Samui for the calmer rhythm. The season decides for you.
Is Thailand cheap?
Yes — $50–70/day at the mid tier, with street food at $1–3.
How many days for Thailand?
A week does Bangkok plus one region; ten days does the classic city-north-islands arc.
Ready to plan your Bangkok trip?
Use this guide as your starting point — the AI planner builds a day-by-day itinerary around your dates and interests.
Plan your Thailand trip with AI →Keep reading
The street-food capital's curriculum: woks, boat noodles, Yaowarat and the mango sticky rice.
5 min read
Singapore has no bad month, only wetter and drier ones — February–April leads, monsoon season is manageable, and the heat never leaves.
5 min read
Five days of Bangkok: the temples, the canals, Ayutthaya's ruins, and every evening at street level.
6 min read