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The Southeast Asian nation of Thailand sits atop many travelers' bucket lists for good reason. On this 2,000-mile-long coastline—made up of the Gulf of Thailand to the east and a stretch flowing into the Andaman Sea on the western side—there's no shortage of sandy spots to lay down a towel. It's a winter sun favorite thanks to balmy temperatures across the smattering of picturesque islands, staying wonderfully warm while the northern hemisphere shivers between November and February. However, the rainier months are no deterrent to backpackers and gap year adventurers, who arrive in their millions each year. But where to start? Planning two weeks in Thailand can seem daunting with so many places worth visiting. From the bright lights of Bangkok to the jungle terrain of the wild north and Chiang Mai, down to the dazzling islands on two sides of the mainland, there's enough to warrant a much longer stay. Here, we answer frequently asked questions ahead about traveling to the country, plus we've curated the ultimate two-week itinerary in Thailand.
Is two weeks enough in Thailand?
Naturally, the longer you spend somewhere, the more you can get under its skin. That said, you can still get a good feel for Thailand—and all it has to offer—in two weeks. You’ll just need to be canny with your time and unafraid to zip around on boats, buses, and planes.
Where is the best place to base yourself in Thailand?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to dive into street food markets, restaurants, bars, galleries, and museums, then Bangkok is the place to be. The capital city is also a transport hub, with AirAsia operating affordable flights across Thailand—including Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Trang, Phuket, and Krabi—and other Asian destinations.
For a taste of island life, Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, has beachfront resorts, wellness retreats, Muay Thai camps, and easy access to smaller islands in the Andaman Sea, like Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai.
Ao Nang and Koh Lanta are good jumping-off points for exploring all Krabi offers. Meanwhile, the creative city of Chiang Mai is the ideal base for exploring northern Thailand’s key destinations, including Chiang Rai and Pai.
Do I need vaccines for Thailand?
The CDC recommends that travelers to Thailand stay up to date with all primary courses and boosters for life in the United States, including MMR, seasonal flu, and Covid vaccinations. Other vaccines to consider include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Malaria, and Rabies.
Additional vaccinations may be advised, including (but not limited to) Japanese encephalitis. Malaria tablets may also be necessary in certain areas. Dengue fever is prevalent throughout Thailand, so regular use of mosquito repellent is essential.
It’s always best to consult a medical professional at least eight weeks before departure to ensure your vaccinations are up to date and tailored to your itinerary. Visit the CDC's page on travelers' health for more advice.
How to get to Thailand?
The quickest way to reach Thailand from the US is by one-stop flights. The quickest route is at least 19 hours long.
Popular one-stop options include Emirates flights from New York; Boston; and Washington, DC via Dubai, and Qatar flies from major cities like New York and Philadelphia via Doha. For travelers coming from the middle of America or the west coast, ANA services flights from Chicago, Honolulu, and Los Angeles among other major cities via Tokyo. Singapore Airlines will also fly travelers from San Francisco and LA with a stop in Singapore.
The ultimate two-week itinerary for Thailand
Day 1-3 – Bangkok (two nights)
Where to stay
Kick things off with a stay at one of Bangkok’s best hotels. Dusit Thani Bangkok is a solid choice. The newly rebuilt five-star hotel has decadent André Fu Studio interiors, knockout views across lush Lumpini Park, and a stylish rooftop bar. Other premium accommodation options include riverfront hotels, Capella Bangkok (recently voted the world’s best hotel by the World’s 50 Best Hotels), and the grandiose Four Seasons Bangkok.
Day 1
Morning
After a lie-in, a healthy breakfast and a refreshing swim in the hotel’s infinity pool, make a beeline for the home of mysterious former spy turned Thai silk mogul Jim Thompson via tuk-tuk or Grab (similar to Uber). Spend the morning investigating the American's old-school, wooden Thai house-turned-museum. Unsurprisingly, it's draped in colorful fabrics, ornate ceramics, elaborate wood carvings, and some of his old belongings. Have lunch at the nearby no-frills restaurant and Bib Gourmand winner, Tang Sui Heng, where the clay pot duck is legendary.
Afternoon
Next, check out MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)—an impressive exhibition space championing modern and contemporary Thai artwork and emerging talent. Or, if you’re in town on Saturday or Sunday, check out the must-visit Chatuchak or JJ market. The village-sized weekend market has over 15,000 stalls and sells absolutely all sorts: Thai handicrafts, band t-shirts, antiques, records, flowers, ceramics, handbags, souvenirs, Thai milk tea, mango sticky rice, the works. Don’t miss Bangsue Junction opposite, a mall with floors of thrift wear and other pre-loved goods and accessories.
Evening
After a swift freshen-up at the hotel, shoot for Chinatown in a tuk-tuk to experience Bangkok in all its frenetic glory. Try different types of street food from the vendors on the chock-a-block Yaowarat Road—Khai Jeow Poo (crab omelette) and Ped Yang (roasted duck) are popular choices. Afterwards, nip into nearby hipster haven G.O.D for a negroni or get lost in the labyrinth of floors and mismatched shabby chic furnishings at Wallflowers Café.
Day 2
Morning
After breakfast, waltz around Lumpini Park to shake off the jet lag. Now, it’s time for a quiet look (and solitary meditation) around Wat Pathum Wanaram, a peaceful, less visited 20th-century Buddhist temple close to Dusit Thani.
From there, head to Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Order a motorbike on Grab for the ultimate, hair-raising Bangkok experience but not before ensuring the driver has a spare helmet. Have a mosey around the exhibition space’s diverse Thai and international art installations (photography, sculptures, paintings, and more.)
Afternoon
To save time, combine eating with sightseeing at The Standard Bangkok, in the city’s tallest building, The King Power Mahanakhon. Treat yourself to a classy Mexican lunch at Ojo, the hotel’s beautiful, golden-hued restaurant in the clouds spearheaded by award-winning chef Francisco Paco Ruano. Follow with a trip to the Skywalk, a glass-bottomed 360-degree observation deck 1,030 feet above the ground.
As the light fades, make your way to Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, an iconic Buddhist temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Take the ferry from Sathorn Pier around an hour before sunset to see the temple washed in an ethereal golden glow.
Evening
The easy option, if staying at Dusit Thani, is to take the lift up to Spire, a swish cocktail bar with uninterrupted views across Bangkok’s mesmerizing nightscape. Bar Yard at Kimpton Maa-Lai is another excellent rooftop with a laidback, tiki bar vibe (the Monkey Tail cocktail is a winner). Alternatively, Four Seasons Bangkok’s BKK Social, regularly voted one of the best bars in Asia, is worth a pit stop for its Chiapas alone, a twist on an espresso martini.
Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Day 3-7 – Downtown Chiang Mai (two nights)
Where to stay
After a short flight, which takes just over an hour, you’ll arrive at Chiang Mai. An ancient wall still guards the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom’s small, historic center. Staying for two nights at the big-hitting InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, or the resplendent Thai boutique, 137 Pillars House, will allow you enough time to get a flavor of this creative city.
Day 3
Morning
Explore Chiang Mai’s café scene this morning. Start in the effortlessly hip Nimman neighborhood. GRAPH, renowned for its methodical roasting practices, has sleek locations across the city, including one on Nimmanhaemin Road. Other trendy coffee spots in the area include Newtown Nimman, Groon, and Ristr8to Original.
Afternoon
It’s your lunch in Chiang Mai, which means it’s time for Khao Soi, a creamy, umami-rich noodle broth that’s equal parts sweet, sour, spicy, salty, and bitter (the five pillars of Thai cuisine). Secure a table at Khao Soi Maesai to slurp down a traditional version of the famous dish, or go to KHAO-SŌ-I for a Japanese twist on a classic.
After you’ve eaten, take a Grab to Baan Kang Wat, on the outskirts of town, to see Chiang Mai’s talented artisans. The maze-like, open-air market, crammed with local vendors, has everything from abstract prints and handmade jewelry to clothing and ceramics.
Evening
Look out for a stream of travelers heading towards the bright lights of Walking Street, a decent place to sample more northern Thai classics from the city's animated street hawkers. Try some larb, a fragrant minced meat salad, and sai oua, smoked sausage.
Later, jump in a taxi for a potter around Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar, a riot of colors, crafts, clothes, and other stuff. Finally, squeeze in a nightcap at HONG’s Sky Bar, the temple-like rooftop bar of InterContinental Chiang Mai to say goodnight to the illuminated low-rise cityscape.
Day 4
Morning
Take a stroll around Chiang Mai’s old town. Stop at Wat Chedi Luang, a historic temple in the center, for some “monk chat,” an activity where tourists ask ruby-robed religious figures about life, philosophy, and Buddhism.
If you’re already templed out, book a half-day pottery workshop at InClay studio with the hilarious, supremely talented Nathan. He and the team lead wheel-throwing and hand-building classes in owner Jirawong Wongtrangan’s family orchard (take mosquito spray).
Afternoon
Come afternoon, swing by Kalm, an architecturally stunning art, craft and cultural center for the community. It has a charming café, lifestyle shop, and rotating art exhibitions. Afterwards, grab lunch close by at the stripped-back Kanom Jeen Pa Pom—it's all red plastic chairs and wipeable floral tablecloths. The menu has a range of wholesome, cheap local dishes (Khao Soi is again the star of the show).
Evening
Kill some time at the hotel before getting to know Chiang Mai’s nightlife. Faces Gallery & Gastro bar has a sweet, leafy terrace and a welcoming crowd, while Fung Record Bar serves mellow vinyl tracks, edgy décor, and Beatles-themed highballs.
Elsewhere, North Gate Jazz has nightly live music. Find local and international musicians jamming at the New Orleans-feel dive bar until late. If the venue is full, join punters swigging Singha and tapping their feet to bossa nova on the curb out front.
Take a taxi from downtown Chiang Mai to Four Seasons Chiang Mai
Day 5-7 – Chiang Mai jungle (two nights)
Where to stay
It's time to relax and recharge after all the sightseeing and city sounds. Book two nights in jungle luxury at the five-star Four Seasons Chiang Mai, shortlisted for The White Lotus series three. The resort is only around 35 minutes from the city center but feels a million miles away. Imagine crickets croaking, monkeys sounding off in the canopy above, and water buffalos lazing in the water.
Day 5
Afternoon
After checking into your spacious, private Lanna-influenced pavilion, unwind at the hotel’s blissful infinity pool overlooking impossibly green paddy fields and a lily pad-strewn pond skirted by slightly leaning palms. Here, guests punctuate sunbathing sessions with dips in the pool as waiters drop surprise complimentary snacks (fresh oranges and sorbet) at their sunbeds.
Evening
Ratree Bar is the spot for sundown cocktails, looking out to the picture-perfect rice fields. Get there early to witness the Farmer’s Parade—a daily spectacle where outdoor workers saunter through the paddy fields singing folk songs and beating drums under the honeyed dusk light.
End the day with dinner at North, celebrating the ancient art of fire grilling. Expect meat-heavy plates, like juicy Wagyu beef tenderloin and smoked BBQ ribs.
Day 6
Morning
Begin the day with a good stretch surrounded by nature. Four Seasons Chiang Mai has various well-being activities, including yoga, breathwork, and meditation sessions, all hosted at an idyllic shala by the pond. Eager to help maintain the landscape instead? Join the gardening team planting rice crops in the paddies.
Afternoon
Have a bite at Khao, one of three on-site restaurants specializing in food from Thailand's regions. Better still, learn a handful of Thai dishes in just a few hours at a cooking class hosted by affable chef Tor. The spoils are yours to devour.
Evening
The Wara Cheewa Spa, which translates to “a celebration of the gift of life,” has a nourishing menu of massages, facials, and hair and nail care options. The Rose of the North, a soothing skin ritual, shouldn’t be missed. Finish the experience with an intuitive massage. Then, mark your final evening in the jungle with an in-room dining experience on your private terrace under candlelight.
Book a taxi to Chiang Mai airport to fly from Chiang Mai to Krabi. Then take a taxi from Krabi airport to Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
Day 7-9 – Krabi (two nights)
Where to stay
After a welcome drink and brief gong ceremony, check into one of Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s private pavilions—they all have bathtubs, massive beds, sea or garden views, and private butlers.
Day 7
Afternoon
Make the most of the five-star resort's free kayaks, by paddling along Krabi’s crystal clear waters. Afterwards, go for a Thai massage at the hotel’s nature-wrapped spa before indulging in a sunset cocktail at Chomtawan while staring at the glimmering Andaman Sea.
Evening
Round off the night at the charming local restaurant Kodam Kitchen, which serves Thai favorites like kaeng khiao wan (green curry), som tam (papaya salad), and panang curry (red curry). Alternatively, check out Zama Krabi, a contemporary restaurant serving Southern Thai cuisine infused with Chinese food.
Day 8
Morning
Spend the morning exploring Hong Island, a little uninhabited islet a short longtail ride from the hotel. Phulay Bay offers guests complimentary trips to this paradisiacal island daily. Its sandy shores, turquoise waters, and towering limestone mountains are reminiscent of scenes from The Beach.
Climb up to the island's lookout point for eye-watering views across the marbled sea and beyond. For something more sedate, unwind on the sugar-white sand beach with a coconut, taking a snorkel out to explore whenever you feel the urge.
Afternoon
After a few hours unwinding back at the pool, venture into Ao Nang for a pedicure at the glitzy The Blue Spa and Massage. Next, wander the shops, taking in the slightly chaotic spirit of this busy tourist town lined with bars, restaurants, and speciality shows. Amble down to Ao Nang beach to catch a fire show as the sun retires.
Evening
Cap the night off at Ao Nang Landmark Night Market. Thread your way through the street food stalls offering everything from a spicy tom yum soup and rich massaman curry to sweet kanom krok (custardy coconut pancakes) and mango sticky rice—two of the country’s most delicious desserts.
Taxi from Phulay Bay to Ao Nang Beach and longboat to Railay.
Day 9-10 - Railay Beach (one night)
Where to stay
Get up early to take a longboat from Ao Nang to Railay. Check-in at Railay Phutawan Resort—a hilltop, family-run hotel with sweeping sea and mountain views, a swimming pool, and elegant Thai interiors.
Day 9
Morning
Ask the hotel to book you a climbing lesson at the Tonsai Wall or spend the morning at the illustrious Phra Nang Beach, regularly voted one of Thailand’s best. The waters here are clear as glass and kayaks and snorkels are also available to rent.
Afternoon
Hop aboard a boat with Krabi Sunset Cruises in the early afternoon. Sail around a string of picturesque islands, snorkeling at secret coves and feasting on barbecued local fish. Then watch a typically magical sunset from the boat's top deck. The trip finishes with a stop-off to see the bioluminescent plankton in all their illuminated glory.
Evening
You won’t find the same level of restaurants as you do in Bangkok on this small, touristed island, but the aptly named Local Thai Food does all the usual Thai dishes well. Go for a cocktail at Railay Beach Café after before retiring to bed, ready for an early start the following day.
Take the morning ferry from Railay to Koh Lanta.
Day 10-13 - Koh Lanta (three nights)
Where to stay
After a 90-minute ferry ride from Railay, transfer to Layana Resort & Spa or Pimalai Resort & Spa. These five-star hotels offer barefoot luxury, round-the-clock service, and a wealth of wellbeing facilities.
Day 10
Afternoon
Take some time to get to know your hotel, then head down to Following Giants, a no-touch elephant sanctuary that looks after ex-working elephants (no rides, no manipulated interactions, and no forced bathing). Under the watchful eye of trained mahouts, or elephant keepers, watch the gentle beasts wander, bathe, and eat at their leisure.
Evening
There aren't many places to splurge on Koh Lanta, but Yang Garden is one of them. The romantic, plant-filled space, set back from the main road, serves first-rate meat and fish, plated as you’d expect to see in a fine dining restaurant. The grilled tuna is tasty and fresh, while the craft beer and wine flow into the night.
Day 11
Morning
The best way to explore Koh Lanta is by moped, so go to see the trusted Koh Lanta Bike Rentals (if that's too adventurous, tuk-tuks are readily available). Next, call in on Lazy Bird’s Café across the road. It's certainly not authentic Thai fare but the brunch items are fantastic (lovely Wan makes the fluffiest sourdough bread in town).
Afternoon
Go beach hopping along the pristine coastline, starting at long sandy Pra-ae Beach—Escape Cafe serves quality coffee and cakes on the sand. Continue exploring the shoreline with a mocktail at Patty’s Secret Garden by the Sea at the equally gorgeous Klong Khong Beach. Keep moving south until you land at Klong Nin for a cold coconut, finish at Kantiang Bay, or continue to the wilder Bamboo Beach.
Evening
For dinner, Yawee is a strong contender. Most dishes on the menu of this family restaurant are super, but the deep-fried tofu red curry is our favorite. Finish the evening sipping a cocktail with your feet in the sand at one of the bars on Long Beach (Ozone, Funky Fish, or Stoned Club). Why Not Bar at Kantiang Bay is a popular sunset bar for those staying further south.
Day 12
Morning
After a morning swim, saddle up and drive to Lanta Old Town on the island's east coast. Snake through the jungle past waving children, troops of monkeys, and smiling villagers going about their day. Adorable Lanta Old Town is home to little else beyond traditional wooden buildings and a cute street lined with independent shops selling local artwork, jewelry, and other Thai craft items.
Afternoon
Have a seafood lunch on the breezy terrace overlooking the Andaman Sea at Pinto in Lanta Old Town. Then, after driving back across the island, spend your final afternoon on the island doing bending by the beach with a private yoga class led by a Thai teacher from Nora Yoga.
Evening
Curiously, despite being in the southerly Krabi region, Bun Noodle serves delightful, aesthetically lovely northern Thai dishes (the family is from Chiang Mai) in a homely setting. If somehow you’ve had enough Khao Soi, opt instead for Three Sisters, a cute roadside restaurant with top-notch pad krapow, a popular dish made from minced meat dish with basil and chili.
Day 13-14 – Bangkok (one night)
Where to stay
Round off your Thai adventure back where it all started. Stay at the city’s first luxury hotel, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. This historic five-star hotel has welcomed royalty, celebrities, and high-society Thais for decades.
Day 13
Afternoon
Use your final afternoon to get to know Bangkok’s retail and art scenes. ICONSIAM, on the banks of the Chao Phraya, has over 7,000 stores, from Gucci and Dolce and Gabbana to Cartier, Dior, and Rolex. For more modest budgets, go across the river to the Horse Unit, an airy converted warehouse selling vintage clothes, furniture, and accessories. For a final taste of culture, mooch to ATT19, a multidisciplinary art space that sells ceramics, designer clothes, and jewelry.
Evening
Finally, book a special dinner at one of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok’s award-winning fine-dining restaurants. We recommend Baan Phraya, led by innovative Thai chef Pom Phatchara, who takes guests on culinary journeys around the country via her clever tasting menus created in an open kitchen.
A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller.
