Make the Most of Your Time in Thailand

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Lay out on Phuket's sun-kissed beaches
How Many Days to Spend in Thailand

In as few as five days, you can experience authentic Thai culture on a trip to the southern bays or trekking around the villages in the country's north. With a week, there's enough time to go on an immersive tour of Chiang Mai or hit the trails on a multi-day hike of the northern mountains and rice paddies. And with 10 or 12 days, you can embark on a grand tour that includes Bangkok, the northern temples, and the sun-kissed southern beaches.

Bangkok's Wat Arun Temple at sunset
Map of 5 Days in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With five days in Thailand, it's best to tour the highlights of one region. See the highlights of the capital, Bangkok, or discover the temples of northern Thailand and the best of Chiang Mai. You may choose to get off the beaten path in the southern part of the country in Phang Nga Bay or even opt for a more culturally-focused trip by trekking between villages and homestays in the north.

Explore Chiang Rai's Wat Rong Khun or "White Temple" in Northern Thailand
Map of 6 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
6 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Given Thailand's size, choose just one or two destinations for a six-day trip. First-timers can enjoy city sites and island vibes in Bangkok and Phuket or replace the beaches of Phuket with Northern Thai cuisine and ornate temples in Chiang Rai. History enthusiasts will appreciate a deep dive into Kanchanaburi and see sights like the bridge on the River Kwai. Sunseekers can indulge in island life for five nights on Ko Mak and Ko Kood, while couples can celebrate with romantic experiences on a honeymoon escape to Bangkok and Ko Lanta island.

Trek among rice paddies in Chiang Mai
Map of 1 Week in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With one week in Thailand, it's best to explore just one of its regions or opt for a tour of the country's many attractive islands. Travelers can discover the highlights of Bangkok and Phuket, island hop near Krabi, have a nature and culture-focused experience, or go trekking in Northern Thailand.

Ancient tunnel at Wat Umong Suan Puthanatham is a Buddhist temple with green forest nature in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Map of 8 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
8 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With eight days in Thailand, you can cover two to three destinations depending on your preferred pace. Start in Bangkok, and pair it with a trip to Chiang Mai and its villages in northern Thailand or with the beaches of Phuket to the south. Another option is to start in Chiang Mai and travel off-the-beaten track to the countryside and mountains by tuk-tuk. Consider an active adventure with hiking in Bua Tong National Park or more beach time with a few days in the Phi Phi Islands.

The Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) of Chiang Rai
Map of 9 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
9 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With nine days in Thailand, you can explore Bangkok's temples and relax on Phuket's beaches on a highlights tour, or add a trip to Chiang Mai to discover northern Thailand's villages on a well-rounded itinerary. For those looking to soak up the sun, opt for a trip to Phuket, Railay, and Krabi to spend your days between sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Lastly, a temple and culture-packed tour of Thailand and Cambodia highlights these countries' food, architecture, and markets.

Iconic rock formations at Railay Beach, Krabi
Map of 10 Days in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days in Thailand, it's best to focus on two or three locations. The classic triad of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and an island like Phuket or Koh Samui is certainly doable and an excellent choice for first-timers. However, you can also embark on regional trips that still provide a nice mix of city, beach, and culture while keeping travel time to a minimum.

Spend a day with elephants in Krabi, Thailand
11 Days in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 11 days in Thailand, you can split your time between bustling cities and beautiful beaches on a highlights tour. Or, take a deeper look into the country's history and charm on an ultimate Thailand trip exploring Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Ko Lanta. Nature and animal enthusiasts will love a jungle, island, and city tour, complete with trips to the Phi Phi Islands and elephant sanctuary, while those looking to add on a trip to Cambodia can split their time between Siem Reap, Bangkok, and Phuket.

Checkout the vendors at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Bangkok
12 Days in Thailand - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 12 days in Thailand, you can tick off the highlights of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket on a classic tour or stay on the move and opt for an action-packed itinerary to spend your days between Thailand's underwater world, bustling markets, and beautiful temples. Those looking for the ultimate relaxation should stick to the south on an island-hopping tour, while those ready to get off the beaten path can embark on a nature-packed trip in northern Thailand.

Once in Chiang Mai, check out one of the last remaining wooden temples, Wat Lok Molee
Map of 13 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
13 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Thirteen days is a great amount of time to cover the classic highlights of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, or pick up the pace and join a food-forward itinerary with overnights in eight locales. Spend half the trip relaxing as you explore Phuket and Krabi provinces' islands, or add Chiang Rai to the mix and follow a classic route in comfort with a private driver. And If you're looking to add another country to your roster, spend six nights in Vietnam's Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City before flying to Bangkok and Ko Samet.

"James Bond Island" in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
Map of 2 Weeks in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Two weeks allows for plenty of ways to enjoy the best of Thailand, whether you opt for a classic tour of Bangkok and Chiang Mai or hop around tropical islands like Koh Samui. You can also get off the tourist trail with visits to hill-tribe villages and overnight stays in lakeside bungalows in national parks. Or channel your inner action hero on an adventure trek, countryside bike tour, jungle safari, and whitewater rafting trip.

Snap an iconic pic of the Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya
15 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 15 days in Thailand, you can cover much of the country's renowned temples and landscapes on a highlights tour from Chiang Rai to Phuket. Or, stick to Bangkok and Northern Thailand and opt for a cultural journey that brings you from big cities to tiny villages. Adventure seekers will love an active Thailand and Vietnam itinerary, which gets you out exploring numerous national parks, while those looking to add Cambodia and Vietnam to their itinerary can embark on a Southeast Asia tour.