Our trip to Thailand was our first time ever backpacking in Asia. And it turned out that this was a really good choice. Thailand is a very beginner friendly country to travel to. The public transportation is easy to navigate, you can eat your heart out at hip cafés, cost of living is cheap, and most importantly the country is full of ancient ruins and temples as well as pristine beaches and waterfalls. Thailand really has it al. In this blogpost we’ll take you along on our 3-week journey through this beautiful country, sharing our itinerary, travel tips, and highlights from each destination.
Best Time to Travel
People often joke that Thailand has three seasons: Hot, Really Hot, and Wet.
- 🌤️ The Hot season (November to March): This is generally the best season to visit Thailand, with temperatures ranging between 25 and 35 degrees. This is the best time to visit beaches on the west coast of Thailand like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Similan Islands, and Krabi. However, travelling to Thailand tends to be more expensive these months and there are more tourists.
- ☀️ The really hot season (April to June): During these months, temperatures soar, often reaching above 35 degrees Celsius. This season can be challenging for those not accustomed to intense heat. While it may be less ideal for extensive outdoor activities, it’s a great time to enjoy indoor attractions, such as museums, temples, and shopping centers. Additionally, the visitor numbers tend to decrease, which can mean less crowded sights and potentially lower prices for accommodations and flights.
- 🌦️ The wet season (July to October): Typically regarded as the worst time to visit Thailand, these months bring frequent rainfall and high humidity. However, the rain usually arrives in short, heavy bursts rather than continuous downpours, allowing time to enjoy outdoor activities between showers. Another advantage of traveling during the wet season is that there are fewer tourists, and travel is cheaper.
We visited thailand in June and July, so we got to experience both heat as well as some rain. However, it was manageable and luckily did not significantly hinder our activities. For us the lower prices and fewer crowds outweighed the hot and rainy weather we experienced most of the trip.
How long should you visit?
The ideal length of your stay in Thailand depends on what you want to see and do. We spent three weeks in Thailand, which allowed us to experience the highlights of both the north and the south without feeling too rushed. However, we had to make some tough decisions beforehand, as there were many incredible places we simply couldn’t fit into our itinerary.
If, like us, you plan to visit both the northern and southern regions of Thailand, three weeks is a reasonable amount of time. In the north, you can explore cultural hubs like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, with their rich history, temples, and mountains. In the south, you can enjoy the stunning beaches and islands, such as Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui.
To help you plan your trip, take a look at our itinerary below, which balances the must-see attractions and offers a mix of cultural, natural, and urban experiences. And remember, there really aren’t any wrong decisions when composing your itinerary, as Thailand is brimming with beauty and fascinating experiences at every turn.
Transportation
🚌 In and around cities: In the cities, buses are easy to use, providing an efficient way to get from a to b. For trips outside the city, Grab taxis are quite affordable and readily available, offering a convenient alternative when public transport isn’t suitable.
🚉 From city to city: Throughout our journey, we found train travel to be both a convenient and budget-friendly way of transport, allowing us to soak in the scenic views while effortlessly moving from one city to the next. Especially the nighttrain from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was an experience not to be missed.
We did however underestimate how long it takes to travel between cities. Thailand is a big country! Since we only had three weeks, we also took a domestic flight from north to south. But, if you’re on a budget and have the time, public transport is definitely the way to go.
Itinerary Overview
To simplify your journey and help you make the most of your adventure, we’ve crafted a well-rounded three-week itinerary that takes you from the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya to the pristine beaches of Ko Samui. Our itinerary covers all the top spots to visit, and the best part is that you can customize it to fit your schedule, budget and interests.
1. Bangkok
Day 1 – 3
✈️ Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport
The starting point of our adventure is Bangkok, the chaotic capital city of Thailand. You could well spend a full week in this city without getting bored. Try streetfood in China Town, explore one of over 400 temples in the capital, walk through the lively Khao San road or visit a floating market. Plenty to do and see! We spent 6 days in total in Bangkok, 3 days at the beginning of our trip, and 3 days at the end. In our opinion, just enough to see the main sites and districts.
2. Ayutthaya
Day 4
🚅 2.5 hours by train from Bangkok
Just a short train ride from Bangkok, Ayutthaya offers a fascinating day trip into the history of Thailand. Founded in 1350, it was the prosperous capital of the Kingdom of Siam until its destruction by the Burmese army in 1767. Today, the extensive ruins, including decapitated Buddha statues, serve as a haunting reminder of its former glory.
The best way to explore the temple complexes is by renting a bicycle. Providing you with all the time you need to go from temple to temple and immerse yourself in the rich history of this former capital city. If you don’t mind waking up early, you can easily see Ayutthaya in a daytrip. For more information and tips, check our dedicated blogpost about Ayutthaya.
3. Kanchanaburi
Day 5 – 7
🚅 3 hours and 45 minutes by train from Bangkok
Next, head to Kanchanaburi, a small but picturesque town most visited for it’s history and surrounding nature. Visit the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai, pay your respects at the war cemeteries, and embark on a scenic train ride along the Death Railway. For outdoor enthusiasts, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Erawan National Park and its stunning waterfalls. Definitely check out this blog post for some hidden gems that you shouldn’t miss in Kanchanaburi.
4. Chiang Mai
Day 7 – 11
🚅 Take the night train from Bangkok
From Kanchanaburi, we made our way north to Chiang Mai, a larger city full of hip backpacker-friendly cafés. While we didn’t find the city itself to be too interesting, there is plenty to do in the city making it worth spending a couple days here: sign up for a traditional cooking class, experience a Thai massage, and definitely explore the night markets. We also visited an elephant sanctuary nearby Chiang Mai, one of the most unique experiences on this trip.
💡 Tip: If you have extra time: add a couple of days to the beautiful Chiang Rai to your itinerary.
5. Krabi
Day 11 – 13
✈️ 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai
Leaving northern Thailand behind, we took a flight south to Krabi. The nature and beaches at Krabi are straight out of a tropical dream, with towering limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Spend your days island hopping and snorkeling, or go canooing through the mangroves. While the city is a bit touristy, there are plenty of cozy spots to enjoy dinner and even listen to some live music. Don’t forget to catch a fiery sunset at Railay Beach, a truly magical experience.
6. Koh Samui
Day 13 – 19
🚐 + 🚢 4.5 hours from Krabi
From Krabi, we booked a van to drive us to the harbour on the east-side of Thailand. Here we took the ferry to Koh Samui, an idyllic island where you can wind down and relax after 2 weeks of exploring Thailand. Stroll the palm-lined shores, swim under one of Koh Samui’s spectacular waterfalls, and endulge in a spa day. If you have some energy left, visit one of the colourful temples on the island or climb to one of the panoramic viewpoints the island has to offer. Not to be missed is a snorkling day trip to Koh Tao where you can spot beautiful coral reefs, tropical fish, turtles, rays and more!
7. Bangkok
Day 19 – 21
✈️ 1.5 hours from Koh Samui
Return to Bangkok in time as the weather, especially during the rainy season, can be unpredictable and may cause delays in ferries and flights. Having explored the cultural side of Bangkok at the beginning of this itinerary, we spent our last days in Bangkok to see the modern part of the city. Head to one of the big malls, or visit a rooftop bar.
💡 Tip: Got some energy left? A hidden gem near Bangkok is Wat Samphran. This unique temple is a tall building that is encircled by an enourmous spiraling dragon!
