How many days should you spend in Thailand?
One week or ten days? Work out how to split your time between Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the coast, allowing for the days you’ll spend travelling between them.
Thailand itineraries for 7, 10 and 14 days
- 7 days. Allow three days for Bangkok and four for Krabi, including the transfer on your first Krabi day. If you would rather spend time inland, swap Krabi for Chiang Mai.
- 10 days. Split your time into three days in Bangkok, three in Chiang Mai and four in Krabi. Keep transfer days light, with one short outing at most.
- 14 days. Allow four days each for Bangkok and Chiang Mai and six for the coast. Leave one coastal day open for the weather and your group’s pace.
Travelling with friends
Start by comparing everyone’s arrival and departure times. Agree on room sharing, a budget per person and the activities you want to do together. That makes it easier to choose a route that suits the whole group.
Allow time between stops
On a one-week trip, two bases give you time to settle in. With ten days, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and one coastal base make a varied itinerary. If beaches and boat trips are your priority, spend more time on the coast and skip the northern leg.
Two weeks give you room for a second coastal base, an island stay or a day trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Combining the Andaman coast with the Gulf islands adds travel time, so weigh that against having several days in one place.
Arrival and departure days
What should you plan for arrival day?
A short neighbourhood walk or dinner can fit if you arrive early enough. Allow time for luggage, the transfer and hotel check-in before booking anything that starts at a fixed time.
Should you spend your last night in Bangkok?
If you fly home from Bangkok and need a ferry to leave your island, spending the final night in the city gives you a buffer. For flights from another airport, plan the last stop around that departure instead.
Read the Thailand travel guide or compare where to stay in Thailand.
Share your dates, group size and priorities. We can help you decide how many stops fit comfortably.
Plan your trip ↗Trip photos
