Thailand Itinerary: A 2-Week Loop by Train, Bus and Boat
This Thailand itinerary covers 14 days on roughly $30 to $50 a day: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and the Andaman coast, linked by one night train, one budget flight and a few boats. You go north first while you are fresh, then finish on the beach when you are tired.
My first trip to Thailand was a mess of backtracking: Bangkok, the islands, Bangkok again, Chiang Mai, then south again. I saw more bus stations than beaches. This route fixes that. More day-by-day plans live in the Travel Tricks itineraries vault.
Wat Arun on the river: my Thailand itinerary always starts in Bangkok.
What’s Inside
The Thailand Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1 to 3: Bangkok. Day 4: Ayutthaya, then the night train north. Days 5 to 8: Chiang Mai. Days 9 to 11: fly to Krabi for Ao Nang and Railay. Days 12 to 14: Koh Lanta, then fly back to Bangkok.
The key move is one flight from Chiang Mai to Krabi route currently operating]. By land, that trip means a full day and night back through Bangkok. The rest of this Thailand itinerary runs on trains, buses and boats, which keeps costs low. Want different stops? My list of things to do in Thailand has ideas that slot into the same route.
Days 1 to 3: Bangkok Without the Traffic
Sleep near a BTS Skytrain or MRT station, or near the Chao Phraya River. Bangkok traffic can turn a short taxi ride into an hour, and the trains and river boats skip all of it. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Airport Rail Link reaches the city for well under 50 baht .
Day 1: The Big Three Temples
Hit the Grand Palace at opening time, before the heat and the tour groups, for around 500 baht . Walk south to Wat Pho and its Reclining Buddha, around 300 baht . Then take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier to Wat Arun for a few baht . All three expect shoulders and knees covered.
On my first morning in Bangkok, a smiling stranger told me the palace was closed for a ceremony and waved over a tuk-tuk. It was not closed. Walk to the gate and check for yourself.
Days 2 and 3: Markets, River and Street Food
Ride the Chao Phraya Express Boat, one of the cheapest sightseeing rides in the city. On a weekend, spend a morning at Chatuchak Weekend Market, then eat your way down Yaowarat Road in Chinatown at night. Most street dishes cost roughly 50 to 100 baht. Keep day 3 loose for jet lag.
Day 4: Ayutthaya and the Bangkok to Chiang Mai Night Train
Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for about four centuries, and its ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trains from Bangkok take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours, and third class fares are tiny .
Rent a bicycle for around 50 baht and ride between the temples. Find the Buddha head wrapped in tree roots at Wat Mahathat. Many guesthouses near the station hold bags for a small fee .
In the evening, board at Ayutthaya station. The Bangkok to Chiang Mai night train stops here, and you wake up in the north roughly 11 to 13 hours later .
The first time I rode this line, I tried to buy a sleeper on the day. Every berth was gone, and I sat upright all night. Now I book the moment my dates are fixed, and I pay a little extra for a wider lower berth.
Days 5 to 8: Chiang Mai and the Mountains
Chiang Mai is where this route slows down. Stay in or near the moated Old City and walk to temples like Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.
Doi Suthep and the Night Markets
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep sits on the mountain above town. Shared red songthaews run up from near Chiang Mai University. At the top, climb the naga staircase or ride the small funicular.
My first time, I waited 40 minutes alone at the songthaew stop, because drivers only leave when the truck fills up. Now I go early and team up with other travelers.
On Sunday evening, Ratchadamnoen Road becomes the Sunday Walking Street market. On Saturday, try Wua Lai market. Eat khao soi, the curry noodle soup of the north, at least twice.
Easy Upgrades for Longer Trips
A half-day cooking class costs roughly 800 to 1,500 baht . For elephants, choose a sanctuary with no riding or shows. Got three weeks? Stretch this Thailand itinerary with Pai, about three winding hours away by minivan , and Chiang Rai for the White Temple.
Days 9 to 14: Krabi, Railay and Koh Lanta
Fly to Krabi on day 9. Cabin bag limits and checked bag fees differ between airlines, so verify with your airline before flying.
Ao Nang and Railay
Stay in Ao Nang, where rooms are cheaper. Limestone cliffs cut Railay off from the mainland, so you arrive by longtail boat for roughly 100 to 200 baht each way . Spend a day at Phra Nang Cave Beach.
On my first trip, I learned there is no pier on the west side. You jump into knee-deep water and wade ashore. My backpack only stayed dry because I held it over my head.
Koh Lanta
On day 12, take a ferry or minivan to Koh Lanta for long, quiet beaches and cheaper bungalows than Koh Phi Phi. Some ferries cut back in the rainy season , but minivans using car ferries run all year. On day 14, head back to Krabi Airport and fly to Bangkok.
Getting Around: Train, Bus or Flight?
The biggest transport choice on this Thailand itinerary is the long jump north.
Travel Trick: Book Your Sleeper From Ayutthaya, Not Bangkok
Buy your ticket from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai, not from Bangkok. The fare is usually a little lower , and you trade a morning in traffic for a full day in the ruins. Book on the official State Railway of Thailand site or at a station counter.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter in Vietnam, a short flight from Bangkok if you want to keep going after Thailand.
| Option | Rough travel time | Rough cost | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeper train | 11 to 14 hours | 800 to 1,500 baht | Flat berth, toilets, mountain views at dawn | Saving a night’s accommodation |
| Overnight VIP bus | 9 to 11 hours | 500 to 900 baht | Reclining seat, a few stops, cold air con | The lowest cost when trains sell out |
| Budget flight | About 1 hour 15 minutes in the air, 4 to 5 hours door to door | 900 to 2,500 baht plus bag fees | Fast, but airport time adds up | Short trips with little time to spare |
All prices are rough ranges for one adult, so check current prices before you book . If you have the time, take the train.
Thailand Travel Budget and Best Time to Go
What 2 Weeks in Thailand Costs
My daily Thailand travel budget here is roughly $30 to $50, around 1,000 to 1,700 baht . Dorm beds cost roughly 250 to 600 baht, basic private rooms 500 to 1,000 baht, and street meals 50 to 100 baht.
The north is cheaper than the islands, so I save in Chiang Mai for boat trips in the south. For 2 weeks in Thailand, plan on roughly $420 to $700 before flights and tours. My guide on how to travel on a budget shows how to keep it there. Thai ATMs charge foreign cards around 220 baht per withdrawal , so withdraw less often.
Best Time to Visit Thailand for This Route
The best time to visit Thailand for this route is the cool, dry season, roughly November to February. March to May is very hot, and from about May to October the Andaman coast gets heavy rain. In those months, swap Krabi and Koh Lanta for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, where the wettest spell usually comes later. Up north, February to April is burning season, with smoky air.
Entry rules, including visa exemption lengths and an online arrival card, have changed several times . Check with the Thai embassy for your passport before you book. The Tourism Authority of Thailand website is handy for festival dates and regional updates.
- Book your sleeper berth as soon as your dates are fixed.
- Pack a light scarf or thin trousers for temples.
- Download a ride-hailing app so you see fares upfront.
- Carry a dry bag for longtail boats.
- Confirm which Bangkok airport your flight home uses.
Longtail boats on Railay Beach: the payoff after the long ride south.
Thailand Itinerary FAQ
Yes, if you stick to one coast. Two weeks covers Bangkok, Chiang Mai and one island area without rushing.
Roughly $30 to $50 a day with dorms, street food and trains. The islands cost more than the north, and flights and tours come on top.
Yes. Sleeper berths can sell out days ahead in the cool season and around holidays, so book once your dates are fixed.
Roughly November to February. From about May to October, consider swapping the Andaman beaches for the Gulf islands.
Yes. Spend three nights in Chiang Mai instead of four and pick either Railay or Koh Lanta, not both.
Common Traveler Mistakes
Two weeks suits one coast. Add Gulf islands to an Andaman plan and you lose whole days to ferries.
Big temples turn away bare shoulders and knees. I keep a scarf and thin trousers in my daypack.
Many insurance policies will not cover a crash without a valid motorbike license. No license? Use songthaews or a bicycle.
The two coasts get their heaviest rain at different times. Check which side is drier before booking islands.
Budget flights often use Don Mueang, not Suvarnabhumi, and transfers between them can take over an hour. Check every ticket.
My Verdict on This Thailand Itinerary
For a first trip, this Thailand itinerary is the one I would hand a friend. It mixes city, history, mountains and beaches with one flight, at around $30 to $50 a day. Short on time? Drop one beach. Extra days? Add Pai, not more islands.
Book the train early, go in the dry months and keep one lazy day per stop. That is how this Thailand itinerary stays relaxed. More routes and tricks are on the Travel Tricks homepage.
