10 Days in Thailand: The Classic Route

Overview

This is the most popular Thailand route for first-time visitors: Bangkok’s temples and street food, the overnight train north to Chiang Mai’s old city and mountains, then a flight south to Phuket’s beaches with a side trip to the Phi Phi Islands.

Route: Bangkok (3 nights) → overnight train to Chiang Mai (3 nights) → fly to Phuket (2 nights) → ferry to Phi Phi Islands (2 nights) → fly home from Phuket.

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Days 1–3: Bangkok

Day 1 — Old City Temples

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew — open 08:30–15:30. Entry: THB 500 (approximately USD 14.50) as of 2026. Arrive early to beat the crowds. Dress code: covered shoulders and knees.

Walk to Wat Pho — entry: THB 300. The Reclining Buddha, traditional massage school (30-minute massage from THB 360), and over 1,000 Buddha images.

Ferry across to Wat Arun — entry: THB 100. Late afternoon light is best for photographs of the porcelain-encrusted prang.

Dinner: Walk to Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) for street food. Jay Fai (one Michelin star, crab omelette from approximately THB 1,000 — book days in advance) or the more accessible T&K Seafood (grilled prawns from THB 200).

Day 2 — Markets and Culture

Morning: Chatuchak Weekend Market (Saturday/Sunday, BTS Mo Chit). On weekdays, visit Or Tor Kor Market for tropical fruit and ready-to-eat Thai dishes.

Afternoon: Jim Thompson House (entry THB 200, BTS National Stadium). Guided tours in English every 20 minutes.

Evening: Rooftop drinks at Sky Bar at Lebua (cocktails from THB 600, dress code enforced) or the more relaxed Octave Rooftop (Marriott Sukhumvit 57, from THB 350).

Day 3 — Floating Market and Departure Prep

Morning: Day trip to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (80km southwest, guided tour from THB 800–1,500 per person) or Amphawa Floating Market (Friday–Sunday evenings).

Afternoon: Return to Bangkok. Last-minute shopping at MBK Center (BTS National Stadium) or Siam Paragon. Pack for the overnight train.

Evening: Board the overnight train to Chiang Mai from Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue Grand Station. Departure around 18:00, arrival approximately 07:00 the next morning. Second-class sleeper: approximately THB 800–1,000. First-class private cabin: approximately THB 1,500–2,000. Book at least a week ahead via 12Go.asia or at the station.

Bangkok Hotels

Tier	Hotel	From (per night, as of 2026)
Budget	Bed One Block Hostel (Silom)	THB 700 / USD 20
Mid-range	Ibis Styles Sukhumvit 4	THB 2,200 / USD 64
Upscale	The Siam (Riverside)	THB 15,000 / USD 435

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Days 4–6: Chiang Mai

Arrive by train around 07:00. Check into your hotel (most allow early check-in or luggage storage).

Day 4 — Old City Temples and Night Market

Morning: Freshen up, then walk the old city. Wat Phra Singh (entry THB 50), Wat Chedi Luang (entry THB 50), Wat Chiang Man (free).

Lunch: Khao Soi Khun Yai — the benchmark khao soi in Chiang Mai, approximately THB 50 per bowl.

Afternoon: Rent a bicycle (THB 50–100 per day) and ride the old city moat loop. Stop at Wat Lok Molee (free, less visited but photogenic) and the Three Kings Monument (open square, free).

Evening: Night Bazaar (Chang Khlan Road, nightly). Street food stalls along the north end serve sai ua (northern sausage, THB 40), khao kha moo (braised pork, THB 50) and mango sticky rice (THB 60).

Day 5 — Elephant Sanctuary

Full-day visit to Elephant Nature Park (approximately THB 2,800 per person) or Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (approximately THB 2,200). Both include hotel pickup between 07:00–08:00, lunch, and return by 16:00–17:00. Book at least one day ahead — these fill up in high season.

Evening: Dinner at Huen Phen (Rachamanka Road) — traditional northern Thai set meals in a teak house, from approximately THB 120–250 per dish. Or try The Riverside Bar & Restaurant for live music and river views (mains from THB 150).

Day 6 — Doi Suthep and Cooking Class

Morning: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep — 15km west of the city, 300 steps (or cable car) to the summit. Entry: THB 100. Take a red songthaew from the old city (THB 60 per person each way). The gilded chedi and mountain views are worth the early start.

Afternoon: Thai cooking class — most include a morning market tour and 3–5 dishes to cook and eat. From approximately THB 1,000–1,500 per person. Mama Noi and Asia Scenic are well-reviewed operators.

Evening: Nimmanhaemin Road for dinner. Tong Tem Toh — northern Thai food in a modern setting (mains from THB 100–200). Coffee at Graph Cafe (from THB 80).

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	Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai	THB 10,000 / USD 290

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Days 7–8: Phuket

Getting there: Fly Chiang Mai to Phuket — approximately 2 hours with a connection in Bangkok, or 2h direct on some AirAsia/Nok Air routes. From approximately THB 1,500–3,500 one way as of 2026.

Day 7 — Phuket Town and Patong

Morning: Explore Phuket Old Town — Sino-Portuguese shophouses along Thalang Road, Soi Romanee for street art, and the local market on Ranong Road. Lunch at One Chun in Old Town — southern Thai dishes from approximately THB 100–200.

Afternoon: Transfer to your beach hotel. Patong Beach is the liveliest option; Kata Beach or Karon Beach are quieter alternatives. Beach time.

Evening: Dinner at Baan Rim Pa (Patong cliffside) — Thai fine dining with ocean views, mains from approximately THB 300–600. For something cheaper, the street food along Bangla Road in Patong serves grilled seafood from THB 150.

Day 8 — Phang Nga Bay or Beach Day

Option A: Full-day Phang Nga Bay tour — visit James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan), Koh Panyee floating village, sea caves and mangroves by longtail boat or kayak. Tours from approximately THB 1,500–3,000 per person including lunch and hotel pickup.

Option B: Rent a scooter (from THB 300 per day) and explore Phuket’s west coast. Freedom Beach (access by longtail, THB 300 return), Big Buddha (free entry, panoramic views), and Promthep Cape at sunset (free).

Evening: Seafood dinner at Kan Eang@Pier (Chalong Bay) — fresh catch priced by weight, expect approximately THB 300–500 per person.

Phuket Hotels

Tier	Hotel	From (per night, as of 2026)
Budget	Lub d Phuket Patong	THB 600 / USD 17
Mid-range	Deevana Plaza Phuket (Patong)	THB 3,000 / USD 87
Upscale	Trisara (north Phuket)	THB 20,000 / USD 580

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Days 9–10: Phi Phi Islands

Getting there: Ferry from Phuket (Rassada Pier) to Phi Phi Don — approximately 2 hours. Tickets from THB 400–800 one way depending on operator and speed. Multiple daily departures between 08:30 and 15:00.

Day 9 — Arrival and Island Exploration

Arrive at Tonsai Pier. Check into your hotel and explore the town on foot — Phi Phi Don has no cars. Walk to Viewpoint 1 (30-minute uphill walk, entry THB 30) for the classic two-bay panorama.

Afternoon: Swim at Long Beach (10 minutes by longtail from Tonsai, THB 150 per person, or 25 minutes on foot).

Evening: Dinner at Pum Thai Restaurant — authentic Thai food away from the tourist strip, mains from approximately THB 150–300. The beachfront bars along Tonsai Bay serve cocktails from THB 150 with fire shows starting around 21:00.

Day 10 — Phi Phi Leh and Maya Bay

Morning: Half-day boat tour to Phi Phi Leh — visit Maya Bay (entry THB 400 as of 2026, limited daily visitors, must book time slot in advance), Pileh Lagoon (crystal-clear swimming), and Viking Cave (viewable from the boat). Tours from approximately THB 800–1,500 per person.

Afternoon: Return to Phi Phi Don. Snorkelling at Shark Point (reef sharks, entry free, snorkel rental THB 100) or relax at the hotel.

Evening: Final dinner at Unni’s Restaurant — seafood and Thai-Western fusion, mains from approximately THB 200–350.

Departure: Take the morning ferry back to Phuket (departs 09:00, arrives 11:00) for your onward flight. Or arrange an afternoon ferry and a late-evening flight.

Phi Phi Hotels

Tier	Hotel	From (per night, as of 2026)
Budget	Blanco Beach Bar & Hostel	THB 500 / USD 14
Mid-range	Phi Phi The Beach Resort	THB 3,500 / USD 100
Upscale	Zeavola Resort (Laem Tong Beach)	THB 8,000 / USD 230

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Budget Summary (Per Person, 10 Days, as of 2026)

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Upscale
Accommodation (10 nights)	THB 5,500–9,000	THB 28,000–45,000	THB 100,000+
Domestic flights + train	THB 2,500–4,000	THB 4,000–6,000	THB 6,000–10,000
Ferries (Phuket–Phi Phi return)	THB 800–1,600	THB 800–1,600	THB 1,600–3,000
Food (10 days)	THB 5,000–7,000	THB 10,000–17,000	THB 20,000+
Activities & entry fees	THB 5,000–8,000	THB 8,000–15,000	THB 15,000+
Local transport	THB 2,000–3,500	THB 4,000–7,000	THB 7,000+
Total	THB 20,800–33,100	THB 54,800–91,600	THB 149,600+
Approx. USD	USD 600–960	USD 1,590–2,655	USD 4,335+

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Practical Tips

• Overnight train booking: Book second-class sleeper berths through 12Go.asia or at Bangkok’s train station at least a week ahead. Lower berths are wider and have a window; upper berths are cheaper but narrower.
• Phi Phi luggage: Travel light for the Phi Phi leg. Large suitcases are awkward on ferries and the island has no roads — you carry everything from the pier.
• Maya Bay booking: Since 2022, Maya Bay requires pre-booked time slots and limits daily visitors. Most tour operators handle this, but confirm before booking.
• Phuket scooter rental: International driving permit (IDP) is technically required. Helmets are mandatory — police checkpoints are common and fines are THB 500.
• Island ATMs: Phi Phi has ATMs but they charge approximately THB 220 per withdrawal for foreign cards. Withdraw enough cash in Phuket before the ferry.