Living in Thailand was one of the best decisions I made. The landscapes, locals, culture, food, and everything else in between are unbeatable here. I cannot wait to go back! In this detailed itinerary, you will find what to do, where to stay, the best beaches, the best food, and many other tips along the way from start to finish. During my four months here, I was able to backpack the entire country which built lots of knowledge. Today, I want to share my knowledge with you and give you tips in order to have the best experience and a trip of a lifetime. Feel free to book a call with me for any additional questions or help with traveling to Thailand. Now let's head to Southeast Asia!
Things to know about Thailand
- Visa requirements: You can obtain a visa on arrival. It is free, valid for 30 days and can be extended up to 90 days.
- Download the Grab app prior to your visit. This is basically the same version as Uber, but used in Southeast Asia. Using Grab is cheaper than calling a taxi from the road. If I don't have a lot of stuff on me, I like to use the motorbike taxi through the Grab app. It's a fun and affordable way to get around!
- Buy bug spray. Mosquitos in Thailand can carry disease, so it's always important to have bug spray with you. Deet is a good brand that works, otherwise any bug spray in Thailand is specially made to keep them away from you.
- Thailand is a conservative country, women need to cover shoulders and knees for temples and men need to wear long pants. Outside of temples, its acceptable to dress however you want, but please be respective of the culture.
Thailands main form of payment is Cash. They use the Thai Baht. One US dollar is equal to about 30 Baht. Make sure you have the Charles Schwab Debit Card to withdraw cash from ATMs to avoid paying the ATM fees. When using your credit card, I recommend using a card that doesn’t charge international transaction fees such as the Capital One Venture card.
Make sure you have the proper travel adaptor for electronic use. You cannot use your electronics in Thailand without an international adaptor because their wall plugs are different than ones back home.
Make sure your phone is unlocked before departing to Thailand. I would highly suggest getting the Airalo App and downloading an eSim Card. Airalo is an app that allows you to have affordable cell data plans all over the world without needing a physical Sim Card which is what makes using your phone without wifi extremely convenient. Use my code ARIAHN516 for $ off!
Water is not drinkable from the tap here. You can buy large bottles of water at the 7Eleven for as little as 7 cents. Depending on your accommodation, they may have a water filter which then you can drink the tap. Just ask in advance!
To make this trip as stress-free and affordable as possible, I recommend booking overnight sleeper buses or trains using 12goasia to get from place to place. You can also get discounts on flights using this website! 12goasia is amazing because you can book your transportation in a "bundle" meaning for example if there is a bus and a ferry, it will be booked for you, so you have nothing to worry about. 12goasia is also the most affordable way to book your transportation
2-4 days: Bangkok
You will want to fly to Bangkok from your hometown. It's the Capitol of Thailand and the main airport hub. Bangkok is a huge city of life! Plan to spend 2-4 full days here.
Things to do in Bangkok
- Temples: Grand Palance, Wat Arun (you take a boat taxi here!), Wat Pho
- Floating Markets: Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa
- Nightlife on Khao San Road
- Eat LOTS of street food. It's delicious. Mango sticky rice and Pad Thai are my absolute favorite!
- Eat brunch at After the Rain Coffee and Gallery. You can also rent canoes for free and paddle through the canals
- Enjoy the rooftop pool at the Sindhorn Midtown (they sell day passes here! Pool is pictured below)
- Day trip to Erawan Waterfalls
- Day trip to Ayutthaya Ancient City
2-3 days: Chiang Mai
If you are on a budget, take the overnight sleeper bus to Chiang Mai from Bangkok for less than $20 or the sleeper train for around $30. Book on 12goasia for the best prices. You can also fly here!
Chiang Mai is a mountainous northern Thailand. Home to elephant sanctuaries, temples, and beautiful landscapes. This chill city will be a very different feel than busy Bangkok.
Things to do in Chiang Mai
- Visiting an ETHICAL elephant sanctuary. I recommend Elephant Nature Park
Temples to visit in Chiang Mai
- Wat Doi Suthep
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Take a Thai cooking class
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Day trip to Chiang Rai to see the white temple
3 days: Khao Sok National Park
Camping in rustic bungalows over a tropical lake, jungle safaris, kayaking, long tail boats? What more could you want? This place is perfect for the adventurous soul.
How to get to Khao Sok National Park
- You will take an hour's flight for around $60 from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani which is the closest city to Khao Sok National Park. From there, you can call a taxi to drive you for an affordable cost to Coco Khao Sok Hostel.
Things to do in Khao Sok National Park
Book a tour with Coco Sok Hostel. This 3-day, 2-night adventure costs around $100 USD. This tour includes one night at Coco Sok Hostel, a night safari, a longboat lake tour of the iconic rocks & even an overnight experience in a floating bungalow on Cheow Lan Lake. I found this tour to be the cheapest yet best tour I’ve seen for Kaho Sok National park. You must book a tour in order to access the famous lake. It’s truly an amazing experience and probably one of the highlights of my Thailand travels.
2-3 days: Krabi
Beautiful beaches, mountains, and hikes this place will basically make you feel like you’re in a real-life pandora.
How to get to Krabi
- You can take a van from Surat Thani to Krabi for as little as $8. It only takes about 3 hours to get here from Surat Thani.
Things to do in Krabi
- Hike to the Railay Beach Viewpoint
- Sunset boat party/tour (Book through Blacno Hideout Railey Hostel)
Beaches to enjoy
- Phra Nang
- Ao Nang
2-3 days: Koh Samui
Koh Samui is one of the more popular islands, which makes it a little pricier than other places in Thailand, but for good reasons.
Things to do in Koh Samui
This is a pretty large island so I recommend renting a motorbike and exploring it on your own to save money. Motorbikes cost around $6-$8 per day depending on what you find.
- Day Trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park
- See the Big Buddha
Beaches to chill at
- Chaweng for drinks and food (it's the busiest I recommend going to other beaches too)
- Lipa Noi
- Bang Por
- Lamai Beach
Hike the Nathon Mountain Ridge Trail or the Maenam Viewpoint
Day party at Seen beach club
2-3 days: Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is one of my favorite islands in Thailand. Koh Phangan has SO much to offer from adventures to beaches to nightlife to immaculate sunsets. It truly is its own paradise. Make sure to rent a motorbike to get the full experience of what this island has to offer.
From either Koh Samui (if you choose to make that stop) or Krabi, you can take a shared van and a ferry over to Koh Phangan very easily for a low cost.
Things to do in Koh Phangan
Attend one of the famous full moon parties (make sure to book accommodation and transportation 2 months in advance at least)
Beaches I recommend you visit
- Haad Salad
- Haad Yuan
- Secret beach
- Leela Beach resort (this beach has a beautiful swing pictured below. It’s on a resort so be respectful of the people staying there. There is no fee to enter the resort beach)
Watch the sunset (free to enter both places!)
- Top rock bar
- Amsterdam bar
Hikes
- Bottle Beach viewpoint (Starts at bottle beach and is pretty much a straight-up hike. Hike views pictured below!)
- Khao Ra Mountain (starts at Khao Ra Retreat and you can follow the marked path for the hike)
2-3 days: Koh Tao
If snorkeling and scuba diving is your thing, you will definitely want to make a stop on this island. Koh Tao (known as turtle island) has some of the best diving/snorkeling sites in Thailand.
Things to do in Koh Tao
Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to get scuba certified. You can do it for only $300! I recommend doing the course with Mojo Divers
Top Diving and Snorkeling Spots in Koh Tao
- Tanote Bay
- Aow Leuk
- Mango Bay
- White Rocks
- Japanese Gardens
If you are interested in a guided snorkling tour that takes you to hidden places, I have provided one here!
Visit Koh Nang Yuan
- It is easy to get to the island. Take a taxi boat from Sairee Beach every time of the day. Don’t pay more than 250THB ($8 USD) per person for a return trip. Note that the island closes at 5pm and that there is an entrance fee of 100THB ($3 USD), but believe me it is all worth it
- This island is beautiful because its connected by sandbars with other islands
Beaches to Visit
- Freedom Beach
- Mango Bay
- Sairee Beach (the most popular)
- Sai Daeng
- Sai Nuan Beach (get here from Mae Haad pier and bring a snorkel too!)
- Watch the sunset at Mango Bay Viewpoint
Take the Ferry and either the Sleeper bus back to Bangkok from Koh Tao
This trip will be around $40
OPTIONAL ISLAND TO VISIT UPON ARRIVAL BACK TO BANGKOK: 2 days Koh Kood
I would highly suggest you make a trip to Koh Kood once you return to Bangkok. Koh Kood is located on the opposite side of the country, almost near Cambodia.
What to do in Koh Kood
Beaches to visit
- Ao Noi Beach (in my opinion, the best beach in ALL of Thailand)
- Bang Bao Beach (good for sunset!)
- Ao Tapao Beach
Waterfall rope swing at Klong Chao Waterfall
Living in Thailand was one of the best decisions I made. The landscapes, locals, culture, food, and everything else in between are unbeatable here. I cannot wait to go back! In this detailed itinerary, you will find what to do, where to stay, the best beaches, the best food, and many other tips along the way from start to finish. During my four months here, I was able to backpack the entire country which built lots of knowledge. Today, I want to share my knowledge with you and give you tips in order to have the best experience and a trip of a lifetime. Feel free to book a call with me for any additional questions or help with traveling to Thailand. Now let's head to Southeast Asia!
Things to know about Thailand
- Visa requirements: You can obtain a visa on arrival. It is free, valid for 30 days and can be extended up to 90 days.
- Download the Grab app prior to your visit. This is basically the same version as Uber, but used in Southeast Asia. Using Grab is cheaper than calling a taxi from the road. If I don't have a lot of stuff on me, I like to use the motorbike taxi through the Grab app. It's a fun and affordable way to get around!
- Buy bug spray. Mosquitos in Thailand can carry disease, so it's always important to have bug spray with you. Deet is a good brand that works, otherwise any bug spray in Thailand is specially made to keep them away from you.
- Thailand is a conservative country, women need to cover shoulders and knees for temples and men need to wear long pants. Outside of temples, its acceptable to dress however you want, but please be respective of the culture.
Thailands main form of payment is Cash. They use the Thai Baht. One US dollar is equal to about 30 Baht. Make sure you have the Charles Schwab Debit Card to withdraw cash from ATMs to avoid paying the ATM fees. When using your credit card, I recommend using a card that doesn’t charge international transaction fees such as the Capital One Venture card.
Make sure you have the proper travel adaptor for electronic use. You cannot use your electronics in Thailand without an international adaptor because their wall plugs are different than ones back home.
Make sure your phone is unlocked before departing to Thailand. I would highly suggest getting the Airalo App and downloading an eSim Card. Airalo is an app that allows you to have affordable cell data plans all over the world without needing a physical Sim Card which is what makes using your phone without wifi extremely convenient. Use my code ARIAHN516 for $ off!
Water is not drinkable from the tap here. You can buy large bottles of water at the 7Eleven for as little as 7 cents. Depending on your accommodation, they may have a water filter which then you can drink the tap. Just ask in advance!
To make this trip as stress-free and affordable as possible, I recommend booking overnight sleeper buses or trains using 12goasia to get from place to place. You can also get discounts on flights using this website! 12goasia is amazing because you can book your transportation in a "bundle" meaning for example if there is a bus and a ferry, it will be booked for you, so you have nothing to worry about. 12goasia is also the most affordable way to book your transportation
2-4 days: Bangkok
You will want to fly to Bangkok from your hometown. It's the Capitol of Thailand and the main airport hub. Bangkok is a huge city of life! Plan to spend 2-4 full days here.
Things to do in Bangkok
- Temples: Grand Palance, Wat Arun (you take a boat taxi here!), Wat Pho
- Floating Markets: Damnoen Saduak or Amphawa
- Nightlife on Khao San Road
- Eat LOTS of street food. It's delicious. Mango sticky rice and Pad Thai are my absolute favorite!
- Eat brunch at After the Rain Coffee and Gallery. You can also rent canoes for free and paddle through the canals
- Enjoy the rooftop pool at the Sindhorn Midtown (they sell day passes here! Pool is pictured below)
- Day trip to Erawan Waterfalls
- Day trip to Ayutthaya Ancient City
2-3 days: Chiang Mai
If you are on a budget, take the overnight sleeper bus to Chiang Mai from Bangkok for less than $20 or the sleeper train for around $30. Book on 12goasia for the best prices. You can also fly here!
Chiang Mai is a mountainous northern Thailand. Home to elephant sanctuaries, temples, and beautiful landscapes. This chill city will be a very different feel than busy Bangkok.
Things to do in Chiang Mai
- Visiting an ETHICAL elephant sanctuary. I recommend Elephant Nature Park
Temples to visit in Chiang Mai
- Wat Doi Suthep
- Wat Chedi Luang
- Take a Thai cooking class
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Day trip to Chiang Rai to see the white temple
3 days: Khao Sok National Park
Camping in rustic bungalows over a tropical lake, jungle safaris, kayaking, long tail boats? What more could you want? This place is perfect for the adventurous soul.
How to get to Khao Sok National Park
- You will take an hour's flight for around $60 from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani which is the closest city to Khao Sok National Park. From there, you can call a taxi to drive you for an affordable cost to Coco Khao Sok Hostel.
Things to do in Khao Sok National Park
Book a tour with Coco Sok Hostel. This 3-day, 2-night adventure costs around $100 USD. This tour includes one night at Coco Sok Hostel, a night safari, a longboat lake tour of the iconic rocks & even an overnight experience in a floating bungalow on Cheow Lan Lake. I found this tour to be the cheapest yet best tour I’ve seen for Kaho Sok National park. You must book a tour in order to access the famous lake. It’s truly an amazing experience and probably one of the highlights of my Thailand travels.
2-3 days: Krabi
Beautiful beaches, mountains, and hikes this place will basically make you feel like you’re in a real-life pandora.
How to get to Krabi
- You can take a van from Surat Thani to Krabi for as little as $8. It only takes about 3 hours to get here from Surat Thani.
Things to do in Krabi
- Hike to the Railay Beach Viewpoint
- Sunset boat party/tour (Book through Blacno Hideout Railey Hostel)
Beaches to enjoy
- Phra Nang
- Ao Nang
2-3 days: Koh Samui
Koh Samui is one of the more popular islands, which makes it a little pricier than other places in Thailand, but for good reasons.
Things to do in Koh Samui
This is a pretty large island so I recommend renting a motorbike and exploring it on your own to save money. Motorbikes cost around $6-$8 per day depending on what you find.
- Day Trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park
- See the Big Buddha
Beaches to chill at
- Chaweng for drinks and food (it's the busiest I recommend going to other beaches too)
- Lipa Noi
- Bang Por
- Lamai Beach
Hike the Nathon Mountain Ridge Trail or the Maenam Viewpoint
Day party at Seen beach club
2-3 days: Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is one of my favorite islands in Thailand. Koh Phangan has SO much to offer from adventures to beaches to nightlife to immaculate sunsets. It truly is its own paradise. Make sure to rent a motorbike to get the full experience of what this island has to offer.
From either Koh Samui (if you choose to make that stop) or Krabi, you can take a shared van and a ferry over to Koh Phangan very easily for a low cost.
Things to do in Koh Phangan
Attend one of the famous full moon parties (make sure to book accommodation and transportation 2 months in advance at least)
Beaches I recommend you visit
- Haad Salad
- Haad Yuan
- Secret beach
- Leela Beach resort (this beach has a beautiful swing pictured below. It’s on a resort so be respectful of the people staying there. There is no fee to enter the resort beach)
Watch the sunset (free to enter both places!)
- Top rock bar
- Amsterdam bar
Hikes
- Bottle Beach viewpoint (Starts at bottle beach and is pretty much a straight-up hike. Hike views pictured below!)
- Khao Ra Mountain (starts at Khao Ra Retreat and you can follow the marked path for the hike)
2-3 days: Koh Tao
If snorkeling and scuba diving is your thing, you will definitely want to make a stop on this island. Koh Tao (known as turtle island) has some of the best diving/snorkeling sites in Thailand.
Things to do in Koh Tao
Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to get scuba certified. You can do it for only $300! I recommend doing the course with Mojo Divers
Top Diving and Snorkeling Spots in Koh Tao
- Tanote Bay
- Aow Leuk
- Mango Bay
- White Rocks
- Japanese Gardens
If you are interested in a guided snorkling tour that takes you to hidden places, I have provided one here!
Visit Koh Nang Yuan
- It is easy to get to the island. Take a taxi boat from Sairee Beach every time of the day. Don’t pay more than 250THB ($8 USD) per person for a return trip. Note that the island closes at 5pm and that there is an entrance fee of 100THB ($3 USD), but believe me it is all worth it
- This island is beautiful because its connected by sandbars with other islands
Beaches to Visit
- Freedom Beach
- Mango Bay
- Sairee Beach (the most popular)
- Sai Daeng
- Sai Nuan Beach (get here from Mae Haad pier and bring a snorkel too!)
- Watch the sunset at Mango Bay Viewpoint
Take the Ferry and either the Sleeper bus back to Bangkok from Koh Tao
This trip will be around $40
OPTIONAL ISLAND TO VISIT UPON ARRIVAL BACK TO BANGKOK: 2 days Koh Kood
I would highly suggest you make a trip to Koh Kood once you return to Bangkok. Koh Kood is located on the opposite side of the country, almost near Cambodia.
What to do in Koh Kood
Beaches to visit
- Ao Noi Beach (in my opinion, the best beach in ALL of Thailand)
- Bang Bao Beach (good for sunset!)
- Ao Tapao Beach
Waterfall rope swing at Klong Chao Waterfall