In July of 2023, I traveled to Thailand for two weeks. Since it was my first time visiting Asia, Thailand seemed like a natural choice – it’s very easy to travel as an English speaker and is well-organized for tourists. I’ll go into more detail about some of these experiences in future blog posts, but this post will be an overview of my two-week itinerary – feel free to steal it if you find yourself heading to Thailand!
Bangkok (3 nights)
This trip taught me that flying to Asia from the US is not for the weak…I had to take TWO ten-hour flights to get here, so by the time I arrived in Bangkok I was exhausted. One thing to note about Thailand is that it’s exactly 12 hours ahead of where I live in the US, so I had to adjust to a time zone that’s the opposite of being back home – not the easiest thing to do.
Bangkok is a HUGE city, but I decided to focus on two of the main attractions here. The Grand Palace is a sprawling royal palace complex that takes up over 2 million square feet. This is a must-visit if you’re in Bangkok, and admission costs about $16 per person. Another hotspot is Khao San Road, which I would *not* recommend visiting if you aren’t a fan of loud music and crowds. You can think of Khao San Road as the ultimate party street full of vendors, food stalls, and bars/clubs. Even if that’s not really your vibe, it’s at least worth walking by in the evening to see the place in action.
Chiang Mai (2 nights)
Chiang Mai was one of my favorite places I visited on this trip. You can get here by taking the sleeper train from Bangkok (which you need to reserve well in advance), or by flying. Chiang Mai is a cultural hub in Northern Thailand known for its night markets and access to jungle adventures. The main part of the town is quite small, so it’s easy to walk around and explore.
Chiang Mai is a great spot to go for excursions – elephant sanctuaries are very popular here (make sure you choose an ethical one), but I chose to go on a group tour to Doi Inthanon National Park. We got to see a stunning waterfall, walk through the farming terraces, and visit the pagodas that are dedicated to the late King and Queen.
Click here for the Doi Inthanon National Park tour
Phuket (2 nights)
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and is a popular destination for luxury resorts and beaches. I stayed on Surin beach and really used this time to relax at my hotel and swim in the ocean. I can’t say enough good things about my stay at TwinPalms Phuket – the outdoor area at the hotel is beautiful, and they offer guests a free shuttle service to some of their sister restaurants and beach clubs.
I took part in a boat excursion to James Bond Island that also took us on a guided canoeing tour. This was a fabulous day and was well worth the money. I also spent an afternoon in downtown Phuket walking around and exploring some of the shops. There’s even a Harry Potter inspired pub called Hog’s Head! I don’t think heading downtown is a must by any means here, but it was something different and gave me a more realistic feel for the island.
Click here for the James Bond Island and canoeing day tour
Phi Phi Islands (2 nights)
Phi Phi is known for two things: its stunning scenery, and its party atmosphere. You can get to Koh Phi Phi by ferry from Phuket and other nearby areas. I sat on the top deck during the 2-ish hour ferry ride and took in the views. The central area of Phi Phi is fairly small, so it’s very easy to walk around and explore.
As I said above, this island tends to attract travelers who are looking to party, although you can find more quiet resorts further from town. I booked a boat party tour through Blanco hostel (which you can do even if you aren’t staying there). The tour cost about $45 and in my opinion was well worth it to be taken to Monkey Beach, Maya Bay, and some snorkeling spots. Another place I highly recommend here is Reggae Bar – every night they allow tourists to participate in amateur Muy Thai fights. I would not recommend participating in this activity, but it is highly entertaining to watch others take part.
Click here for a private and relaxed boat tour instead
Krabi/Ao Nang (2 nights)
Krabi is a coastal region with beautiful beaches and limestone cliffs. I specifically stayed in Ao Nang, which can be reached by ferry or speedboat from Phi Phi. One thing to note about the speedboats is that they do NOT care how high the boat bounces as you cross the ocean waves. That can result in a particularly violent ride, as I experienced. If I could do it over again, I would 100% take the slower ferry.
You can get around the Krabi area by taking longboats between Ao Nang and Railay Beach, which is famous for its rock climbing and nightlife. However, the longboats don’t run after dark, so it’s not possible to spend the evening in Railay without actually staying there. If you are going to the Krabi region, you’ll want to research in advance to determine if Ao Nang or Railay is right for you.
Koh Phangan (2 nights)
Koh Phangan is most well-known for its Full Moon Party. And this may be an unpopular opinion, but…that’s about all I would travel here for. I know that a lot of people love this island even when the Full Moon Party is not going on, but I just thought this part of the trip fell short.
I will say it did rain considerably while I was here, so that did make it more difficult to enjoy the beach. That said, I would still recommend doing your research to decide if Koh Phangan is worth a visit for you. Other travelers seem to love the nearby island of Ko Tao, particularly divers, so that might be an alternative worth considering.
Koh Samui (2 nights)
Koh Samui is an island I really enjoyed visiting – it’s a fairly large island and has a good mix of relaxation, nightlife, and adventure. The ferry to get here from Koh Phangan, however, made me question everything. If you get motion sick at ALL, I recommend taking the ferry during the day AND taking a Dramamine beforehand. Trust me on this one.
Once you’re there, though, Koh Samui is a beautiful spot. One highlight for me was having dinner at Jungle Club. It’s perched up above the island, so you get the most incredible views. This is worth making a reservation for and leaving well in advance of sunset so you don’t miss it.
If you want to go out for dinner and drinks in the evening, you have two main options: Fisherman’s Village is great for a more relaxed environment, but you cannot miss the free fire show every evening at Coco Tam’s. If you want to really party, you should head to Chaweng Beach. There are tons of bars and clubs all in the same area that you can check out.
My Recommendations
I totally understand that not everyone will be able to spend a full two weeks in Thailand. It’s completely possible to spend a week in Thailand and still feel like you saw a lot of it. If you have to pick and choose, here is the type of traveler I think would be best suited to each location:
- Bangkok – Everyone! And you probably have to fly in/out of here regardless.
- Chiang Mai – Honestly everyone, but especially folks who are interested in elephant sanctuaries, jungle adventures, hiking, and a slower more relaxed vibe.
- Phuket – Anyone who loves a high-quality resort and wants to just chill by the beach.
- Phi Phi – Youngsters and party people…or travelers who want to experience the island life for a bit.
- Krabi – Everyone! But choose between Ao Nang and Railay depending on your vibe. I would recommend Railay for rock climbers and partiers, and Ao Nang for everyone else.
- Koh Phangan – Party people during the Full Moon Party. Otherwise, skip it. I’m sorry!!
- Koh Samui – Everyone, but if you’re short on time I would choose between Phuket and here. Both have nice resorts, beaches, and nightlife, so it may just come down to logistics. I would recommend Koh Samui over Phuket, though.
I hope this was helpful!! As soon as I have published my more in-depth blogs about my trip to Thailand, I will link them here. Until then, if you have any questions, comment below!