Perfect 2 Week Thailand Itinerary For First Timers
Are you wondering how to spend the perfect 2 weeks in Thailand? You’ve come to the right place.
Thailand is a southeastern Asian country that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Not only is it surprisingly cheap, but it has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, amazing food, and such a friendly and hospitable culture. I spent 3 weeks exploring, from the southern coast of Krabi, to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north.
This article will cover exactly which regions to stay in, tips for getting around, and all of the must-see places.
Ready to plan an unforgettable 2 weeks in Thailand? Let’s dive right in!
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2 Week Thailand Itinerary
Thailand has three main regions to explore, the capital Bangkok, tropical southern coast, and northern mountainous region and city of Chiang Mai. With two weeks, you’ll have the perfect amount of time to stay in all three regions. But if you prefer a more laid back trip, I’d definitely stick to two, which is what I did.
Bangkok is the large capital city with skyscrapers, lively night markets, and the famous Khao San Road for backpackers. I opted out of visiting Bangkok on this trip, but if you want to shop, try street food, and go on interesting day trips to the ancient capitals, it’s well worth a visit.
Southern Thailand consists of Phuket and Krabi along the coast, and the two most popular islands, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui.
It’s arguably the most gorgeous area of the country, with idyllic white sand beaches, towering limestone cliffs, and lush tropical rainforest.
The Phi Phi islands are off the coast of Phuket/Krabi in the west, whereas Koh Samui is off the eastern coast, and has its own dedicated airport. If you want to get sun, relax on the beach, and enjoy tropical island vibes, you can’t miss visiting southern Thailand.
I flew into Phuket, and flew out of Krabi’s airport to get to Chiang Mai. These airports are very convenient to use, and have regular flights to Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
The northern region of Thailand is mountainous and consists of the second most populous city, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai 3 hours to the north.
Chiang Mai is a laid back city with a rich Buddhist culture, hundreds of temples, lively street markets, cheap cafes, and many incredible day trip opportunities.
Chiang Rai is a relaxed city nestled in the countryside with the famous blue and white temples, that’s near the Golden Triangle (intersection between Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand!).
If you love nature, temple-hopping, and learning about new cultures, you will definitely want to add Northern Thailand into your itinerary.
Here is my suggested 2 week itinerary for first time visitors.
Week One – Southern Thailand
Start your trip off by relaxing, and soaking up the tropical vibes of southern Thailand. You can fly into either Krabi, Phuket, or Koh Samui if you plan on staying on that island. Phuket is on the westernmost peninsula, and a 3 hour drive, or 2 hour ferry from Krabi.
I recommend flying into Krabi, and staying in the region, as there’s much more to see and do. Phuket has more luxury beach resorts, beach towns, and an old town with unique Sino-Portuguese architecture.
I stayed in Phuket’s old town for one night, and it has many cute cafes and souvenir shops, but it’s around a 30 minute drive from any of the beaches. If you’re staying in Phuket, you’ll want to stay in one of the beach towns.
In my experience, there wasn’t much to see in Phuket, and it’s really catered towards beachgoers. After spending a night in Phuket, I hopped on a 3.5 hour bus ride (300 baht/~$10) to Krabi.
Krabi is a tropical province surrounded by jungle with towering limestone cliffs, and white sand beaches. It doesn’t have as many luxurious beach hotels as Phuket, but it has plenty of good options.
It’s the perfect base for exploring southern Thailand, and the airport is less than a 30 minute drive from town. Krabi consists of the touristy Aonang beach, Railay Beach, and Krabi town.
Aonang Beach is a long white sand beach lined with restaurants, vendors, and island-hopping tour booths.
Railay Beach is a stunning white sand beach fringed by limestone cliffs that’s located on a peninsula. You can get to it by hopping on a short longtail boat ride from Aonang that only costs 100 baht (~$3/roundtrip).
Krabi town is the main town that’s next to a river, and a 30 minute drive from Aonang. It has limited hotel options and is not near any beach. It has cheap hotels, but the best places to stay are in Aonang, Railay Beach, or Koh Phi Phi Don of the Phi Phi islands.
Day 1-3: Krabi Highlights: Hiking, Hot Springs, Railay Beach
Krabi is the perfect place to kick off your vacation in Thailand. As soon as you arrive in Krabi, you’ll be surrounded by jungle, and the gorgeous limestone cliffs. Driving around Krabi was a fun adventure in and of itself, and it has so many activities to offer.
On your first day, I recommend wandering around Aonang Beach, trying new cafes/restaurants, and hopping on a longtail boat to Railay Beach. Aonang Beach is the touristy hub of Krabi, and has a white sand beach that runs adjacent to a street lined with restaurants, souvenir shops, and food vendors.
From Aonang, there’s a longtail boat service to Railay Beach that leaves every 15 minutes, from 8am-6pm. It only costs 100 baht roundtrip ($3), and takes around 20 minutes.
Railay Beach is a town on a peninsula with picturesque beaches fringed by the cliffs, caves, hiking trails, and a hippie downtown area with shops and restaurants.
It has the beaches you imagine when you think of southern Thailand, and is the ideal place to spend your first day.
After exploring Railay, head back to Aonang. There’s a night market held steps away from the beach starting at 5pm, where you can try street food and shop for souvenirs. Aonang Beach also happens to have some of the most beautiful sunsets, and it’s where many people walk around in the evening.
Day 2 – Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool and Hot Springs
On day two, it’s time to visit the Tiger Cave Temple. This is a beautiful temple complex, 15 minutes north of Krabi town, with caves, monk dwellings, and hiking trails. The main hiking trail is a strenuous climb up 1,260 steps to a panoramic viewpoint of Krabi, and the limestone cliffs.
At the top of the temple, there’s a large golden Buddha, a variety of statues, and sitting areas to relax. If you’re not up for an intense hike, you can hike to the caves at the bottom of the complex. Check out our guide to visiting Tiger Cave Temple for all of the details.
After stopping in town for lunch, it’s time to head to the Emerald Pool, and hot stream waterfall. These are natural swimming holes tucked in the jungle, less than an hour’s drive from Krabi town.
The emerald pool is a natural pool you can swim in by doing a 15 minute hike through the jungle. The hot stream waterfall (KhongThomNuea) is a heated cascading waterfall with a cafe at the entrance, that’s within a 10 minute drive from the emerald pool.
You can easily visit all three within a day if you’re renting a car, or by booking a full day group tour from Krabi.
Day 3 – Dragon’s Crest Trail and Thai Cooking Class
On your last day in Krabi, you can hike the famous Dragon’s Crest Trail (Ngon Nak Nature Trail) if your legs aren’t too sore from the Tiger Cave Temple. This is a steep hike up to the crest of a mountain, where you’ll have a view of the sea, and a silhouette of the green mountains.
The first half of the hike is mostly through the jungle, so make sure to wear bug spray, and supportive hiking shoes. The entire hike takes around 4 hours roundtrip, but you’ll be able to see some amazing viewpoints at around an hour into the hike.
The last activity you won’t want to miss in Krabi if you love spicy food is taking a southern Thai cooking class at Smart Cook Thai Cookery.
You’ll get to learn how to make everything from pad thai to curry, and mango sticky rice. Thai cuisine varies widely from region to region, and southern Thailand is known for making some of the most flavorful cuisine.
End your night strolling around Krabi Town. Krabi town is only a 20 minute drive from Aonang beach, and has a weekend night market (Fri-Sun), and street food vendors every night.
The town’s situated by the river, and it has a little park with benches, sculptures, and a restaurant overlooking the river. The night market has a wide variety of tropical fruit, and interesting street foods to try out.
Day 4-5: Island-Hopping (Phi Phi or Koh Samui)
No southern Thailand itinerary would be complete without visiting one of the dreamy islands off the coast. The most popular islands to visit are the Phi Phi islands off the coast of Phuket and Krabi, or Koh Samui.
The Phi Phi islands are an archipelago of six stunning islands with dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal clear emerald waters, and white sand beaches.
They were popularized by the 2000s Hollywood film “The Beach” featuring Leonardo Dicaprio, which had scenes filmed on Maya Bay. Now, Maya Bay is a tourist attraction in and of itself, and it sees thousands of tourists each day!
Koh Samui is located off the coast to the east, and most popular for people flying in from Bangkok. It has some of the best snorkeling opportunities, luxurious hotels, and a variety of adventurous activities to offer.
If you’re staying in Krabi/Phuket, however, it’s most convenient to go to the Phi Phi islands, or smaller islands off the coast to the west.
Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest developed island with backpacker hostels, luxurious resorts, and a lively downtown area with restaurants and bars.
On the island, you can relax at a beach, watch a Muay Thai fight at a bar, party, or hike to the iconic Koh Phi Phi overlook. From Koh Phi Phi Don, you can get to the other smaller islands by kayaking or boat tour.
I went on a full day Phi Phi island tour, and we were able to see the famous Maya Bay, Monkey Beach, Bamboo Island, and stop in Koh Phi Phi Don for lunch. I recommend booking an early morning or evening speedboat tour to avoid the crowds at Maya Bay.
For full details on how to get there, check out our complete guide to the Phi Phi islands.
Beyond the Phi Phi islands, there’s Hong Island, James Bond Island, and a few small islands you can get to from Krabi by booking an island-hopping tour.
Day 6-7: Khao Sok National Park
If you love relaxing in nature, Khao Sok National Park is another highlight of southern Thailand you won’t want to miss. It’s tucked in the rainforest around 2.5-3 hours north of Krabi and Phuket, in the Surat Thani region.
It’s home to a vast virgin rainforest, and most known for the emerald Cheow Lan Lake, that’s surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. At the park, you can go on a private longtail boat ride around the lake to admire the scenery, and see caves, and the famous “Three Brothers” limestone peaks.
One of the best things to do is to stay overnight in the rafthouses or floating bungalows on the lake. Many of these hotels offer free kayaks, and guided jungle treks in the park. The unique lodging is one of the main draws to the park, so it’s best to stay at least one night if you’re traveling from Phuket and Krabi.
Week Two – Northern Thailand
From Krabi, I hopped on a 2 hour flight to Chiang Mai, where I spent the remaining 2 weeks of my trip. Chiang Mai is a lively city nestled in the northern Thailand mountains, with weather slightly cooler than Krabi.
From the airport, it was only a 30 minute walk to my hotel in the old city. Transportation is incredibly cheap and convenient in Chiang Mai, so you don’t need to worry about getting around.
You can hire a Bolt to get anywhere in the city for around 100 baht, and there’s red songthaews waiting to pick up tourists at every corner.
Day 1-3: Chiang Mai Highlights
Day 1 – Old City and Temple-Hopping
On your first day in Chiang Mai, wander around the old city. Chiang Mai’s old city is surrounded by a rectangular ancient moat built in 1296, which once protected the city from invaders. The moat has sidewalks, and it’s a really charming place to stroll around.
Chiang Mai’s home to over 300 temples, and there’s dozens of beautiful temples to see in the old city alone.
After checking out the old city, it’s time to head up to the iconic Doi Suthep Temple.
This is Chiang Mai’s most impressive temple, that you can get to by doing a very windy, 20 minute drive up the mountain. At the entrance, there’s a famous serpent lined red staircase with 306 steps, or a short tram to reach the temple.
The temple has a variety of golden stupas, shrines, statues, and an incredible overlook of the city.
Besides temples, Chiang Mai is known for having some of the best street markets in Thailand. These are great places to try unique northern Thai dishes, and shop for handcrafted souvenirs.
Here are a few popular markets not to miss in the city:
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar: Daily night market with produce, street food, and souvenirs
- Chiang Mai Gate Market: Lively night market outside of Chiang Mai gate with produce and street food
- Warorot Market: Multi-story local market with produce, crafts, and street food
- Wua Lai Walking Street Market: Sunday only craft market with live music, art, and street food
- Jing Jai Market: Weekend only morning market with handmade souvenirs and art
Day 2 – Sticky Waterfall and Lucky Temple
For your next day in Chiang Mai, go on a mini day trip to the Buatong sticky waterfall. This is a unique waterfall with a limestone rock face that provides enough grip for you to climb up barefoot.
It’s tucked in the jungle, a little over an hour north of Chiang Mai, and completely free to visit! You can climb up the waterfall barefoot, but I recommend bringing water shoes for the stairs you’ll walk down to the base of the falls.
Another must-see place in Chiang Mai is the lucky lottery temple (Wat Phra Doi Kham).
This is the second largest and most impressive temple after Doi Suthep, and located 20 minutes west of the old city.
It has large Buddha statues, machines where you can pay coins to receive a lucky number, sacred stone balls to decorate with golden sheets, and many unique things to see. It was my favorite temple I visited in Chiang Mai, and it also has a wonderful viewpoint of the city.
Day 3 – Hidden Jungle Hike, Thai Cooking Class
If you’re up for a hike, start your next day hiking to a hidden jungle temple via Monks trail. This trail begins at the base of Doi Suthep mountain, and takes around 45 minutes to reach the jungle temple (Wa Pha Lat).
There’s waterfalls, ruins, and a nice viewpoint of the city at the end of the trail.
Another place to check out nearby is the Huay Keaw Waterfall. This is a cascading waterfall near the base of Doi Suthep mountain, with natural pools and picnic areas. It’s right next to Chiang Mai’s zoo, and you can hop on one of the red songthaews to get to it.
This area near the base of Doi Suthep mountain was one of my favorite places to relax, and it’s within walking distance to many cafes.
In the evening, take a thai cooking class to learn all about northern Thai cuisine. You’ll get to learn how to make everything from the iconic Khao soi noodles to massaman curry, and enjoy tons of samples.
This class takes place at an organic farm in the countryside, and they provide transportation from the old city.
Day 4-5: Chiang Rai or Don Inthanon National Park
Spend your next few days visiting either Chiang Rai or Don Inthanon National Park.
Chiang Rai is a laid back city nestled in the countryside, 3.5 hours north of Chiang Mai. It’s famous for its iconic blue and white temples, and has tea plantations, museums, and peaceful parks.
It’s best to spend 1-2 days in Chiang Rai if you want to fully explore the city. Additionally, it’s only an hour’s drive from the Golden Triangle (intersection between Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos) besides the Mekong River.
I rented a car from Chiang Mai Wheels, and spent a night in Chiang Rai. It was much smaller than I expected, but super peaceful, and surrounded by the countryside.
If you don’t want to rent a car, they have full day group tours from Chiang Mai that visit the highlights.
Don Inthanon National Park is a great day trip opportunity, that’s only a 1.5-2 hour drive from Chiang Mai. Its mountain peak is at the highest point in Thailand, and it has hiking trails, waterfalls, cloud forests, scenic overlooks, and the iconic colorful twin pagodas.
The drive to the summit winds through the mountains, and takes a little over 2 hours. If you’re not comfortable driving, they also have guided tours from Chiang Mai.
Day 6-7: Elephant Nature Park/Souvenir Shopping
End your Thailand trip by visiting one of the world’s most ethical elephant sanctuaries, the Elephant Nature Park.
This is a no-touch, no-riding, no forced interaction elephant sanctuary located an hour north of the old city. They offer half day tours where you can walk with the elephants, prepare food and feed them, and enjoy a buffet lunch on their property.
Their tours also cover roundtrip transportation from the old city so you don’t need to worry about driving there. To schedule a visit, check out their official website.
Before finally heading out of Thailand, shop for souvenirs at one of Chiang Mai’s amazing malls and markets. Chiang Mai has modern multi-story malls with brands like Nike, and large food courts.
These are great places to find clothing, and the food courts feel like you’re in an indoor street market with all of the food vendors. For souvenirs, the Jing Jai weekend, and Wua Lai Saturday night market have some of the best local handicrafts and art.
Two Week Itinerary Map
How To Get Around Thailand
Thailand is surprisingly easy to get around, regardless of which regions you’re staying in. The rideshare services Grab and Bolt are readily available and cheap, even in the more rural areas.
I found that Bolt was slightly cheaper than Grab, and I was able to hire a Bolt to pick me up directly from the airport.
Bangkok has a train connected to the airport, Chiang Mai is within walking distance to the old city, and Krabi/Phuket have cheap airport shuttle buses. There’s also metered taxis you can take at any airport.
To get around, Grab/Bolt are the best options, followed by the red songthaews (taxis), and tuktuks that are available at all of the touristy regions.
If you’re traveling a long distance (Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai), there’s cheap public buses, and private transfers available. I took a public bus from Phuket to Krabi, and it was only around $10.
If you plan on renting a car or motorbike, you’ll need an international driver’s permit, passport, a driver’s license, and cash for the security deposit.
They’ll likely rent you a motorbike without a motorcycle endorsement on your permit, but keep in mind you can be fined up to 2,000 baht (~$60) by police.
Motorbikes cost around 300 baht per day (~$10), whereas car rentals start at around 1,000 baht per day (~$30). The security deposit is typically 3000 baht in cash for both.
If you’re renting a vehicle, make sure to take photos and videos of the exterior so you don’t get charged for any damage you didn’t cause.
In Thailand, you’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road similar to the UK. I rented a car for a few day trips, and it was weird at first, but I got used to it within a half hour.
Driving in Thailand is relatively easy, and most traffic signs have an English translation. The gas stations in Thailand are full service, meaning there’s a gas attendant that will pump your gas for you.
What To Pack For Thailand
Some essentials to pack for Thailand year round are bug spray, hiking shoes, water shoes, and cool, light clothing.
If you’re traveling in the wet season (May-Oct), it’s extra important to bring rain jackets, waterproof camera/phone cases, easy-to-dry clothing, and water shoes, as places can be flooded.
That said, Thailand is an amazing place to shop, and you can buy many of these items when you arrive. I strongly recommend bringing an effective bug spray, and mosquito wristbands, however.
I bought bug spray from the 7/11 when I arrived, and was covered in bug bites for the the first few days until I found one that worked!
Tips For Visiting Thailand
- Bring a universal travel adapter, and an effective bug spray/mosquito bands
- Download Bolt/Grab for transportation and Whatsapp to communicate with locals (hotels, tours, car rentals)
- Get an esim/sim card when you arrive to avoid high roaming fees (I got one from an AIS kiosk at the airport and it worked perfectly for 3 weeks)
- Pack lightly so you can shop for clothing and souvenirs
- Learn a few basic phrases in Thai before you land
Thailand FAQs
Is drinking water safe in Thailand?
No, the tap water in Thailand is not potable, and you can get really sick drinking it. Thankfully, the cylindrical ice cubes used in restaurants/cafes come from an ice factory, and are made out of filtered water.
Most hotels will provide you with free water bottles, and every hotel I stayed at did.
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Bangkok?
If you love the hustle and bustle of the city, and want to visit a floating market or ancient city, Bangkok is well worth a visit.
But if you prefer a more laid back city surrounded by nature, Chiang Mai is the clear winner. Both cities have amazing food, cheap cafes on every corner, and excellent day trip opportunities so you can’t go wrong.
Should I fly into Phuket or Krabi?
Phuket is only a 3 hour drive from Krabi, so you can fly into either airport, and get between them by bus or ferry.
However, I’d skip Phuket unless you’re staying at one of the luxurious beach resorts, as it’s spread out, and there’s not as much to see as Krabi. Plus, Krabi’s airport is less than 30 minutes from town, whereas Phuket’s airport is an hour’s drive from the old city.
Is Thailand safe for solo travelers?
Yes, Thailand is one of the safest destinations for solo travelers. Not only is it extremely easy to get around, but it’s home to some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
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