One Week in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Islands
Contents
- Overview
- Days 1–2: Bangkok
- Day 1 — Temples and the River
- Day 2 — Markets and Modern Bangkok
- Bangkok Hotels
- Days 3–4: Chiang Mai
- Day 3 — Old City Temples and Nimman
- Day 4 — Elephant Sanctuary or Doi Suthep
- Chiang Mai Hotels
- Days 5–7: Islands — Choose Krabi or Koh Samui
- Option A: Krabi and Railay Beach
- Option B: Koh Samui
- Budget Summary (Per Person, 7 Days, as of 2026)
- Practical Tips
Overview
This itinerary splits one week across Thailand’s three essential experiences: Bangkok’s temples and food scene (2 days), Chiang Mai’s old city and mountain culture (2 days), and southern island beaches (3 days). Two domestic flights connect the legs without wasting time on long overland journeys.
Route: Bangkok (2 nights) → fly to Chiang Mai (2 nights) → fly to Krabi or Koh Samui (3 nights) → fly home.
Best time: November through February for dry weather nationwide. The south (Andaman coast including Krabi) gets rain from May through October; Koh Samui’s wettest months are October and November.
Days 1–2: Bangkok
Day 1 — Temples and the River
Arrive in Bangkok. If your flight lands in the morning, head straight to the old city.
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew — open 08:30–15:30. Entry fee: THB 500 (approximately USD 14.50) as of 2026. Allow 2 hours. Dress code enforced: covered shoulders and knees.
Walk south to Wat Pho — entry fee: THB 300 (approximately USD 8.70). The 46-metre Reclining Buddha and the temple’s 1,000+ Buddha images take about an hour.
Cross the river by ferry (THB 4) to Wat Arun — entry fee: THB 100. Climb the central prang for views back across the Chao Phraya.
Lunch: Street food near Tha Tien pier — pad thai and som tam from THB 50–80 per dish.
Evening: Head to Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) via MRT Wat Mangkon. Street food dinner at T&K Seafood (grilled prawns from approximately THB 200) or Nai Ek Roll Noodles (roast pork noodles from THB 60).
Day 2 — Markets and Modern Bangkok
Morning: If Saturday or Sunday, visit Chatuchak Weekend Market (BTS Mo Chit, 09:00–18:00, 15,000+ stalls). On weekdays, substitute with Or Tor Kor Market (fresh tropical fruit, next to Chatuchak) or Pak Khlong Talat (flower market, open 24 hours).
Afternoon: Jim Thompson House (BTS National Stadium, entry THB 200). Then browse the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre across the street (free).
Evening: Rooftop drinks at Octave Rooftop (Marriott Sukhumvit 57, cocktails from approximately THB 350). Dinner at Supanniga Eating Room (Thonglor) — Isan dishes, mains from THB 180–350.
Bangkok Hotels
| Tier | Hotel | From (per night, as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | NapPark Hostel (Khao San area) | THB 500 / USD 14 |
| Mid-range | Riva Surya Bangkok (Riverside) | THB 3,500 / USD 100 |
| Upscale | Mandarin Oriental Bangkok | THB 12,000 / USD 350 |
Days 3–4: Chiang Mai
Getting there: Fly Bangkok to Chiang Mai — approximately 1h20m. AirAsia, Nok Air and Thai Smile operate multiple daily flights from approximately THB 800–2,000 one way as of 2026. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports both serve this route (check which airport your airline uses).
Day 3 — Old City Temples and Nimman
Morning: Explore the old city on foot or by rented bicycle (THB 50–100 per day). Three temples to prioritise:
- Wat Phra Singh — Chiang Mai’s most important temple. Entry: THB 50.
- Wat Chedi Luang — 14th-century partially collapsed chedi. Entry: THB 50.
- Wat Chiang Man — the city’s oldest temple. Free entry.
Lunch: Khao Soi Khun Yai (Charoen Rat Road) — widely considered the best khao soi in Chiang Mai. A bowl costs approximately THB 50.
Afternoon: Walk Nimmanhaemin Road — cafes, boutiques and street art. Coffee at Ristr8to (latte art competition winner, from THB 100).
Evening: Night Bazaar (Chang Khlan Road, nightly) or Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen Road, Sundays only). Street food dinner — sai ua (northern sausage), khao kha moo (braised pork leg) from THB 40–80 per plate.
Day 4 — Elephant Sanctuary or Doi Suthep
Option A: Full-day elephant sanctuary visit. Elephant Nature Park costs approximately THB 2,800 per person including hotel pickup, lunch and a full day with rescued elephants. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is approximately THB 2,200 per person. Book at least a day in advance.
Option B: Morning at Doi Suthep temple (15km west of city, 300 steps or cable car, entry THB 100). Take a red songthaew from the old city moat (THB 60 per person each way). Afternoon: Thai cooking class — most include a morning market visit and 3–4 dishes. From approximately THB 1,000–1,500 per person.
Dinner: Huen Phen (Rachamanka Road) — traditional northern Thai set meals in a teak house. Mains from approximately THB 120–250.
Chiang Mai Hotels
| Tier | Hotel | From (per night, as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Stamps Backpackers (old city) | THB 400 / USD 12 |
| Mid-range | De Naga Hotel (old city) | THB 2,500 / USD 72 |
| Upscale | 137 Pillars House (Nawarat Bridge) | THB 8,000 / USD 230 |
Days 5–7: Islands — Choose Krabi or Koh Samui
Option A: Krabi and Railay Beach
Getting there: Fly Chiang Mai to Krabi — approximately 2h with a connection in Bangkok (from THB 2,000–4,000). Direct flights on AirAsia are available on some days.
Day 5: Arrive in Krabi. Transfer to Ao Nang (airport shuttle THB 150 or Grab approximately THB 400). Settle into your hotel. Evening walk along Ao Nang beach and dinner at Lae Lay Grill — seafood with cliff views, mains from approximately THB 200–400.
Day 6: Longtail boat to Railay Beach (THB 100 per person, 15 minutes from Ao Nang). Spend the day between Railay West (swimming beach) and Phra Nang Beach (dramatic limestone cave). Rock climbing introduction sessions available from approximately THB 1,500 for a half day with equipment.
Day 7: Four Islands Tour — visit Koh Poda, Koh Tup, Koh Mor and Phra Nang Cave by longtail boat. Full-day tours from approximately THB 800–1,500 per person including lunch and snorkelling gear. Alternatively, take a speedboat day trip to Phi Phi Islands from approximately THB 1,500–2,500 per person.
Krabi Hotels:
| Tier | Hotel | From (per night, as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Pak-Up Hostel (Krabi Town) | THB 400 / USD 12 |
| Mid-range | Ao Nang Cliff Beach Resort | THB 2,800 / USD 81 |
| Upscale | Rayavadee (Railay) | THB 15,000 / USD 435 |
Option B: Koh Samui
Getting there: Fly Chiang Mai to Koh Samui — Bangkok Airways operates via Bangkok (2.5–3 hours total). Fares from approximately THB 3,000–6,000 one way. Bangkok Airways has a near-monopoly on Koh Samui flights, so prices are higher than mainland routes.
Day 5: Arrive and transfer to your resort. Afternoon at Chaweng Beach (the island’s main beach, 7km long). Evening dinner at The Hut Cafe on Chaweng — Thai and international dishes from approximately THB 150–300.
Day 6: Morning visit to Ang Thong National Marine Park — full-day boat tour (from approximately THB 1,800–2,500 per person) with kayaking, snorkelling and a viewpoint hike. The park is 30km west of Koh Samui. Tours depart around 07:30 and return by 17:00. Alternatively, rent a scooter (from THB 200 per day) and explore the island — Big Buddha Temple (free), Na Muang Waterfall (free), Fisherman’s Village in Bophut.
Day 7: Relaxation day. Morning spa treatment (Thai massage from approximately THB 500 for 1 hour). Afternoon at Lamai Beach (quieter than Chaweng). Sunset dinner at Dining on the Rocks (Six Senses, tasting menus from approximately THB 3,500) or a more affordable option at Lucky Seafood in Bophut (fresh seafood from approximately THB 200–400 per dish).
Koh Samui Hotels:
| Tier | Hotel | From (per night, as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Ark Bar Beach Resort (Chaweng) | THB 1,200 / USD 35 |
| Mid-range | Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort (Chaweng Noi) | THB 3,500 / USD 100 |
| Upscale | Six Senses Samui (north coast) | THB 15,000 / USD 435 |
Budget Summary (Per Person, 7 Days, as of 2026)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (7 nights) | THB 4,000–7,000 | THB 19,000–30,000 | THB 70,000+ |
| Domestic flights (2) | THB 2,500–4,500 | THB 3,500–6,000 | THB 5,000–10,000 |
| Food (7 days) | THB 3,500–5,000 | THB 7,000–12,000 | THB 15,000+ |
| Activities & entry fees | THB 3,000–5,000 | THB 5,000–8,000 | THB 10,000+ |
| Local transport | THB 1,500–2,500 | THB 3,000–5,000 | THB 5,000+ |
| Total | THB 14,500–24,000 | THB 37,500–61,000 | THB 105,000+ |
| Approx. USD | USD 420–695 | USD 1,085–1,770 | USD 3,045+ |
Practical Tips
- Domestic flights: Book 2–3 weeks ahead for the best fares. Check both Don Mueang (budget airlines) and Suvarnabhumi (full-service) airports in Bangkok — they are 45 minutes apart.
- SIM card: Buy a tourist SIM at any airport 7-Eleven or carrier booth. True Move, AIS and DTAC all offer 7–15 day data plans from approximately THB 299.
- Island weather: The Andaman coast (Krabi, Phuket, Phi Phi) is best from November to April. The Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) is best from January to September. Plan your island choice around the season.
- Travel insurance: Required for some activities (rock climbing, scooter rental). Carry proof of coverage.
Book ahead
Book the key experiences
Turn this itinerary into reality. Secure your spots — popular tours sell out 2–3 days ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you see Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the islands in one week?
- Yes, but it requires domestic flights to avoid losing days on overland travel. Fly Bangkok to Chiang Mai (1h20m) and Chiang Mai to your island destination (1h30m–2h30m via Bangkok or direct). Budget airlines like AirAsia and Nok Air keep flight costs from approximately THB 800–2,500 one way if booked in advance.
- Which island should I choose — Krabi or Koh Samui?
- Krabi offers dramatic limestone karst scenery, Railay Beach, and easy access to the Phi Phi Islands. Koh Samui is a larger island with more resort infrastructure, calmer waters, and a more relaxed pace. Choose Krabi for adventure and scenery; choose Koh Samui for beach relaxation and upscale resorts.
- What is the cheapest month to visit Thailand for a week?
- May through October is low season with the lowest flight and hotel prices — expect 30–50% discounts on accommodation compared to peak season. September and October see the most rain. The shoulder months (May and November) offer a good balance of lower prices and reasonable weather.
- Do I need to book domestic flights in advance?
- Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead for the best fares. Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a high-frequency route with multiple daily flights, so last-minute seats are usually available but at higher prices. Flights to islands (especially Koh Samui, served mainly by Bangkok Airways) are more limited and should be booked early.