The Best 7 Day Thailand Itinerary for an Unforgettable Trip
Looking to plan the perfect week for your trip? Here is the perfect 7 day Thailand Itinerary, with all the tips you’ll need for planning.
First of all, I am SO excited for you! Thailand is one of my favorite travel destinations and it absolutely worth all the hype it gets. You’ll find an abundance of things to do and see, incredible food, and friendly locals. Plus, it’s super affordable and can cater to all budgets. There is something for everyone in Thailand – you just have to find it 🙂
This post is all about the best 7 day Thailand Itinerary.
HOW TO PLAN A THAILAND ITINERARY
The first step to planning is asking yourself what you want out of your vacation in Thailand. Having a general sense of what you want to prioritize, whether it be eating good food or sightseeing, is a good place to start.
The itinerary below gives you a little taste of everything – experiencing the bustling city life of Bangkok, exploring the jungles of Chiang Mai, and relaxing on the beaches of Krabi. There are tons of other cities that are worth your time (and on my bucket list for next time), but these three provide a perfect balance of all the activities you can do.
Of course, feel free to take what you need from this itinerary and adjust accordingly based on your preferences. My personal travel mantra is to experience as much as I can, but also to be mindful and make space to be in the present. This Thailand itinerary strikes the perfect balance between activity and leisure.
Post You Might Like: The Ultimate Thailand Packing List for a Stress-Free Vacation
CAN YOU DO THAILAND IN A WEEK?
A week in Thailand will definitely feel quick! However, with a good Thailand itinerary and a bit of planning in advance, you can be sure to make the most of your time there.
GETTING TO THAILAND
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is the most convenient airport to fly into, so you should plan on starting and ending your trip in Bangkok (unless you don’t mind paying a little more for multi-city one-way flights vs a round-trip).
DETAILED 7 DAY THAILAND ITINERARY
DAYS 1 – 2: BANGKOK
Bangkok is a vibrant, bustling city with so much to see and do. If you wanted to, you could spend your entire week here and not run out of new activities. Don’t listen to anyone saying Bangkok can be done in a day. We definitely under-budgeted our time here and left wanting more.
This 7 day Thailand itinerary has two(ish) days planned for Bangkok to make time for other cities. If you’re a big city lover like me and can forego seeing beaches or jungle, opt to stay in Bangkok for a few more days!
DAY 1 – BANGKOK
Depending on when your flight lands, you might not have a lot of time for activities this first day. Carve out time to check into your stay and freshen up (especially if you had a long-haul flight). You may also have a bit of jet-lag, so you might want to take this first day slow.
WHAT TO DO:
#1: Familiarize yourself with Thailand: Walk around the area you’re staying, buy water bottles as tap water is not potable, figure out how to call taxis/tuk-tuks or where the nearest train station is. Take a moment to adjust!
#2: Plan dinner: Since you’re probably tired from traveling, I would have an idea of what you want to do for food the first night, so you don’t have to decide on the spot. My recommendations are to either:
- Explore and eat street food at a market nearby: Thai street food is iconic and where you can find some of the best bites in Thailand. However, make sure to read up on Bangkok Belly and how to avoid it.
- Make dinner reservations: Bangkok’s restaurant scene is quite robust – did you know it’s home to more than 30 Michelin star restaurants?
#3: Get drinks at a sky bar: If you’re not too tired (I couldn’t keep my eyes open past 9pm that first day), find one of Bangkok’s famous sky bars to leisurely sip drinks while looking at Bangkok’s stunning city skyline.
DAY 2 – BANGKOK
Day 2 will be your full-day opportunity to explore Bangkok! Here’s a list of fun things to do in Bangkok. Choose a few activities and make sure to carve out time to eat!
WHAT TO DO:
#1: Visit the Grand Palace: If this is your first time in Bangkok, this is a landmark you can’t miss. The Grand Palace showcases the city’s rich history and culture in its golden temples and stunning architecture. It is undoubtably the number one tourist attraction in Bangkok, so plan to go earlier in the day to help avoid crowds. When visiting more touristy areas, don’t get scammed (like we did…) and read up on the top Thailand scams here.
#2: Chatuchak Market: As Thailand’s largest market, Chatuchak is a beast to explore. With over 8,000 stalls, you’ll find delicious foods, clothing, trinkets, souvenirs, housewares, and so much more. You can easily spend a whole day here.
#3: Take a stroll in Lumphini Park: For a quick escape from the hustle of the big city, Lumphini Park is the perfect place for a nice walk surrounded by greenery.
#4: Bike the Bang Krachao Cycle Loop: If you want more time in greenery than Lumphini Park, Bang Krachao is Bangkok’s own hidden jungle oasis that feels like a rural village. Rent a bike to navigate the 7.7mi loop!
#5: Shop and eat at Asiatique: Combining two shopping experiences into one, Asiatique is a riverfront night market and mall. This is a perfect night spot to walk around and grab dinner at.
#6: Explore nightlife at Khao San Road: Khao San Road is well-known as the traveler hub of Bangkok and filled with lively bars, restaurants, and shops. If you’re looking for a party, good drinks and loud music, this is the place.
DAY 3 – 4: CHIANG MAI
Nestled in the mountains of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is the perfect intersection of city and nature. This 7 day Thailand itinerary has two days budgeted for Chiang Mai. Spend your first day in Chiang Mai walking along the shops and trying the foods of the city. On your second day, venture further out of the city and immerse yourself in Thailand’s beautiful jungles.
DAY 3 – CHIANG MAI
Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Getting to Chiang Mai from Bangkok is a quick one-hour flight. Check out of your stay in Bangkok in the morning and take an early flight to Chiang Mai. Spend the ac
WHAT TO DO:
#1: Explore the old city: Chiang Mai’s old city is incredibly walkable. Along its streets, you can easily find good restaurants, cute shops, and beautiful temples.
#2: Get a massage: Thai massages are very different from your traditional massage, as there is usually no oil involved and you keep your clothes on. Plus, they are super affordable 😉 Their focus is on applying deep pressure and include a wide range of movements. Getting a massage is an excellent way to relax and relieve any travel-related soreness!
#3: Find a place to eat khao soi: Khao soi is a delicious northern Thailand noodle dish that is made with a mouthwatering curry soup base. Every local we met in Chiang Mai said we had to have khao soi. Put this on your bucket list!
#4: Wander around a night market: Chiang Mai has a LOT of night bazaars, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one near you. Markets are always fun to grab food at, bargain for trinkets, or listen to live music at.
DAY 4 – CHIANG MAI
Chiang Mai is surrounded by lush mountains and jungles, so use your second day there to take advantage of that! The best way the best way to access activities beyond the city is to book a tour.
WHAT TO DO:
#1: An Ethical Elephant Sanctuary: Visiting an elephant sanctuary was the highlight of my trip to Thailand. It’s incredible to be in the presence of these gentle giants and see them feed and roam. We chose to visit Elephant Rescue Park and it was incredible. In addition, our tour included a trip to the Bua Tong Sticky Falls, a limestone waterfall that you can climb! Some other renowned elephant sanctuaries near Chiang Mai are Elephant Nature Park, Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary, and ChangChill.
#2: Doi Inthanon National Park: One of the most popular parks in Thailand, Doi Inthanon National Park has beautiful trails, waterfalls and temples. You can visit a Karen tribe and try delicious coffee or visit Thailand’s highest point in this park.
Post You Might Like: The Best Thailand Outfit Ideas
DAY 5 – 6: KRABI
Krabi is the perfect last location on your Thailand itinerary because you can unwind by spending time in nature and on the beaches.
DAY 5 – KRABI
Fly from Chiang Mai to Krabi
Flying from Chiang Mai to Krabi takes about two hours, so plan for a quick flight in the morning and afternoon activities in Krabi.
WHAT TO DO:
#1: Climb Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea): If you’re feeling energized and active, you can plan to climb the 1,260 steps to the top of Tiger Cave Temple. One of the most sacred temples in Krabi, the Tiger Cave Temple is known for its tiger paw prints in the cave, beautiful views at the summit, and impressive Buddha statues.
#2: Go to the beach to relax, paddleboard, or surf: Krabi is home of some of the most picturesque beaches, so grab your towel and spend some time soaking up the sun.
DAY 6 – KRABI
WHAT TO DO:
#1: Book a full-day island hopping tour: A visit to Krabi wouldn’t be complete without exploring its surrounding islands. Therefore, I highly recommend this island hopping tour because it includes four island stops, snorkeling, and hotel pickup/drop off! In addition, the tour guides were insightful, incredibly helpful and so friendly.
#2: Eat and shop at Ao Nang night market: After a long day of island hopping, head to the Ao Nang night market for delicious and quick street food.
DAY 7: BANGKOK
To wrap up this 7 day Thailand itinerary, make your way back to Bangkok.
Fly from Krabi to Bangkok
A flight from Krabi to Bangkok takes approximately 1.5 hours. Plan to leave Krabi early and spend your last day in Bangkok doing anything you missed during your first few days! For instance, we chose to conquer Chatuchak Market and get drinks on Khao San Road on our last day.
And that’s it – the perfect one-week Thailand itinerary! Undeniably, seven days in Thailand will fly by. Hopefully with this guide, you will check off the most important things on your bucket list.
This post is all about the perfect one-week Thailand itinerary.