Thailand 10-Day Itinerary: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & the Southern Islands
One country, three trips in one.
Bangkok brings grand temples, palaces and street food; the cooler northern hills around Chiang Mai add old-city wats, elephants and mountain temples; and the Andaman south finishes with limestone cliffs, longtail boats and island-hopping.
Best time: the cool, dry season, roughly November–February. Avoid the northern burning season (roughly March–April), when farm-clearing haze settles over Chiang Mai.
The wet or green season from May–October is quieter and cheaper, but expect heavy afternoon downpours and rougher seas in the south.
- Fly into Bangkok through BKK Suvarnabhumi or DMK Don Mueang.
- Domestic flights link Bangkok, Chiang Mai (CNX) and Krabi (KBV) cheaply in about 1.5 hours.
- In cities use the BTS/MRT, metered taxis and ride apps; up north, sŏngthǎew red trucks and private drivers cover day trips.
- In the south, longtail and speedboats reach the beaches and islands.
- Motorbike and scooter hire is everywhere, and crashes are the biggest single cause of tourist injury in Thailand.
- Ride only if experienced, always helmeted and carrying the right licence.
- Use sun protection and carry water on long days.
Where to Stay
Use Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Krabi coast as the three main bases
Where to Stay
Use Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Krabi coast as the three main bases
Bangkok
Choose Riverside or the Old City for temples, or Sukhumvit for transport and dining.
Chiang Mai
Stay inside the old city walls as the base for Days 4–6.
The Krabi coast
Use Ao Nang for boats and beaches, or Railay for the cliffs.
Official links & permits
Check current entry rules, attraction guidance and national-park conditions before travel
Official links & permits
Check current entry rules, attraction guidance and national-park conditions before travel
Entry and national tourism information
Use Thailand's official travel portals for current entry and destination guidance.
Bangkok and Ayutthaya
Confirm current visitor information for the Grand Palace and Ayutthaya Historical Park.
Northern temples and national parks
Use official pages for Doi Suthep and current national-park guidance.
Budget Snapshot
Getting Around
10-Day Itinerary Breakdown
Day 1: Arrive Bangkok → Wat Pho
Suvarnabhumi (BKK) → central Bangkok — arrive, transfer and visit Wat Pho
Arrive at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) & transfer to central Bangkok
Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport and transfer to the Bangkok base before beginning the temple route.
Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha
Visit the paid temple complex for the giant Reclining Buddha and Thailand's famous traditional-massage school.
Day 2: Bangkok's grand temples & Chinatown
Bangkok — the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Yaowarat Road
The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
Enter the paid palace and temple complex with shoulders and knees covered. The dress code is strict, and sarongs are available at the gate.
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn
Cross from the Wat Pho side on the small Chao Phraya cross-river ferry for the paid temple entry and its porcelain-tiled central prang.
Chinatown street food on Yaowarat Road
Walk Yaowarat Road among the neon signs and food stalls. The street is free to wander, with food paid stall by stall.
Day 3: Floating market & the Ayutthaya ruins
Bangkok → Damnoen Saduak → Ayutthaya → Bangkok
The Damnoen Saduak floating market
Walk the canal and see vendor boats laden with produce. The market is free to explore, with purchases made directly from the boats.
Ayutthaya's Wat Mahathat & the Buddha head in the tree
Visit Wat Mahathat in the UNESCO-listed old capital. Temples in the historical park charge admission individually.
Return to Bangkok for the evening
Return to the Bangkok base after the market and Ayutthaya ruins.
Day 4: Fly north to Chiang Mai
Bangkok (BKK/DMK) → Chiang Mai (CNX) — check in and explore the old city
Fly Bangkok (BKK/DMK) → Chiang Mai (CNX) & check in to the old city
Fly north from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and settle into the old-city base.
Wat Chedi Luang in the old city
See the weathered brick chedi in Chiang Mai's old city. Leave a small local donation rather than attaching an online ticket.
Day 5: Doi Suthep, elephants & the night market
Chiang Mai — mountain temple, an ethical sanctuary and market food
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Visit the golden mountain temple above Chiang Mai. A small foreigner entry or donation applies, but this stop does not need an online activity booking.
An ethical elephant sanctuary
Choose an observation-only, no-riding sanctuary where elephants can roam and feed naturally. Visit on a booked half- or full-day program with transport.
A Chiang Mai night market
Browse a Chiang Mai night market for street food and stalls. The Sunday Walking Street and Night Bazaar are free to browse and pay as you go.
Day 6: Doi Inthanon national park
Chiang Mai → Doi Inthanon → Chiang Mai — mountain day and evening repack
Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak
Take a national-park day tour with transport to Thailand's highest mountain and the twin royal pagodas. The park charges a foreign-visitor entry fee paid on site.
Evening back in Chiang Mai & repack for the south
Return to Chiang Mai and prepare for the flight to the Andaman coast.
Day 7: Fly south to Krabi → Railay
Chiang Mai (CNX) → Krabi (KBV) → Ao Nang and Railay
Fly Chiang Mai (CNX) → Krabi (KBV) & transfer to Ao Nang
Fly south to Krabi and transfer to the Ao Nang base for the final coastal stretch.
Railay Beach and its limestone cliffs
Reach the free beach by longtail boat and see the limestone cliffs that make Railay famous for rock climbing.
Day 8: Phi Phi Islands boat day
Ao Nang → Phi Phi Islands → Ao Nang — organised open-water boat day
Speedboat from Ao Nang to the Phi Phi Islands
Travel by speedboat from Ao Nang for the organised island day, following the operator's instructions for the open-water crossing.
Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh
Visit the turquoise cove on an organised boat day tour. Maya Bay lies inside a national park with a visitor fee and access rules, and overnight anchoring is not allowed.
Day 9: Phang Nga Bay boat day
Ao Nang → Phang Nga Bay → Ao Nang — karst islands, sea caves and beach time
Transfer and boat out into Phang Nga Bay
Transfer for the boat journey into Phang Nga Bay and follow the operator's current crossing instructions.
Ko Tapu — 'James Bond Island'
See Ko Tapu on an organised longtail or speedboat tour through the bay's karst islands and sea caves. A national-park fee applies.
Longtail boats and a beach stop
Use the same tour for free beach time beside traditional longtail boats and mind the tides.
Day 10: Ao Nang beach & departure
Ao Nang → Krabi Airport (KBV) — last beach morning and flight home
A last morning on Ao Nang beach
Use the free public beach for a final look at the limestone islets off the Krabi coast.
Transfer to Krabi airport & fly home
Transfer to Krabi Airport for the flight home.
Bangkok and Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai and the Andaman coast
Ten master-image anchors trace the route from Bangkok through Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai, then south to Railay, Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay and Ao Nang.
- 1
Wat Pho
Arrival and the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok
- 2
The Grand Palace
Bangkok's grand temples and Chinatown
- 3
Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya
Floating market and the old-capital ruins
- 4
Wat Chedi Luang
Arrival in Chiang Mai's old city
- 5
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Mountain temple, elephants and a night market
- 6
Doi Inthanon
Thailand's highest mountain and royal pagodas
- 7
Railay Beach
Krabi's beach and limestone cliffs
- 8
Maya Bay
Phi Phi Islands boat day
- 9
Ko Tapu
Phang Nga Bay boat day
- 10
Ao Nang Beach
Last beach morning and departure
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for Thailand?
About ten days lets you pair Bangkok and Ayutthaya with Chiang Mai and a stretch on the southern islands without rushing.
When is the best time to visit?
The cool, dry season is roughly November–February. Avoid the northern burning season around March–April, and expect afternoon rain and rougher seas in the May–October wet season.
Which airport do I fly into?
Fly into Bangkok through Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK). Domestic flights then link Chiang Mai (CNX) and Krabi (KBV).
Do I need a visa?
Many nationalities enter visa-free for tourism or use the e-Visa or ETA system. Check current Thai immigration rules before you travel.
How do I get between Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the islands?
Cheap domestic flights of about 1.5 hours are the easiest way. Buses and trains also connect Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
What should I wear to temples?
Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes inside shrines, and carry a scarf or sarong. Many temples lend or rent cover-ups.
Is it safe to rent a scooter?
Only if you are experienced and licensed. Motorbike crashes are the leading cause of tourist injury, so always wear a helmet or use drivers, red trucks and ride apps instead.
Can I ride elephants?
Choose observation-only, no-riding sanctuaries that let elephants roam and feed naturally rather than camps offering rides or shows.
Are there fees for the islands and national parks?
Yes. Phi Phi and Maya Bay, Phang Nga Bay and Doi Inthanon are national parks that charge a foreign-visitor entry fee, usually paid on site or included in a tour.
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