9 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Thailand's Mountains, Rice Fields & Islands: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket

Soak up Thailand's unique culture, intricate temples, and beautiful landscapes on this nine-day itinerary, a classic route option for first-time visitors to the country and ideal for those who want to tick off the highlights and hidden gems surrounding Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Each day promises a perfect blend of cultural immersion, incredible food, and serene moments as you cover central, northern, and southern Thailand.

Welcome to Thailand! Begin your trip in the bustling capital city of Bangkok, where, after an afternoon to unpack, refresh and wander Chinatown and Chatuchak Market, you'll board a dinner cruise and glide down the Chao Phraya River, taking in the Temple of Dawn and the Grand Palace. The following morning, head to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, then continue to the Elephant Camp to get up close to the remarkable animals. Next, a short flight brings you to Chiang Mai, your home for three nights.

Spend your first evening in Chiang Mai cruising along the Mae Ping River on a long-tail boat and learning about the local way of life at Waroras Market. Then, you'll dive deeper into northern Thailand culture at a cooking class with a local family, a visit to Doi Inthanon National Park, and a stop at the rich farmland surrounding Mae Klang Luang. Next, transfer to Phuket, where you'll spend your last three days soaking up the sun, roaming Old Town, exploring Phang Nga Bay, and taking in the astonishing Phi Phi Islands by speedboat before it's time to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Essential Thailand: Bangkok & Phuket

Explore Thailand's highlights and stunning natural landscapes on this well-balanced, slower-paced itinerary, another excellent itinerary for first-time visitors. With three nights in Bangkok and five nights in Phuket, you'll have plenty of time to unpack your bags and embark on day trips to Ayutthaya, the Phi Phi Islands, and Phang Nga Bay, all while learning about traditional food and cuisine from local guides.

After arriving in Bangkok, spend your first afternoon at your leisure roaming Chinatown or shopping at Siam Paragon, then meet your guide for an evening street food tour of Yao-Wa-Rat. Get deeper into Bangkok's iconic sights on a guided tour the following day, and check out Wat Pho, the giant Reclining Buddha, and the famous Grand Palace before boarding a long-tail boat for a cruise along the canal. Next, you'll embark on a day trip to Ayutthaya to explore ruined temples by tuk-tuk and meet incredible animals at Elephant Camp.

Trade bustling Bangkok for the sandy beaches of Phuket, reachable in a 1.5-hour flight on Day 4. Spend your first afternoon relaxing, then gear up for a full day exploring the Phi Phi Islands by speed boat, including a stop at Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island. Over the following three days, you'll canoe to Panak Island, Bat Cave, and Tapu Island, spend a whole day beach hopping between Kata, Nai Harn, and Freedom Beach, and join a tour to check out Promthep Cape, Chalong Temple, and other highlights of Phuket. Rejuvenated by Thailand's beauty, you'll head to the airport to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Wonders of Thailand: Bangkok, Pattaya & Koh Samui

Split your time between Thailand's sandy beaches and impressive temples on this culture-filled itinerary, perfect for those looking to tick off the highlights while learning about the country's unique traditions. With multi-nights in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Koh Samui, you'll have time to unpack your bags, spend a day with elephants, and soak up the sun between visiting temples and markets.

After you arrive in Bangkok, get acquainted with Thailand's bustling capital on a self-guided tour, checking out Chinatown, Siam Paragon, and Warehouse 30. Then, meet your guide the following morning for a full day's exploration of Wat Traimit, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun to take in beautiful temples and giant Buddha statues. Before leaving Bangkok, you'll spend a day shopping and meeting locals at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Next up, a transfer brings you to Pattaya on the east coast of Thailand, known for its turquoise waters, sandy beaches, wooden Sanctuary of Truth museum, and wild nightlife.

Get acquainted with Pattaya's highlights, then gear up for an incredible excursion to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya, where you'll spend a day feeding, bathing, and playing with these majestic animals. Say goodbye to your new four-legged friends, then head to the airport the following morning for a flight to Koh Samui. With three days on Thailand's second-largest island, you'll have time to relax at Chaweng Beach, trek to Hin Lad Waterfall, tour the island's temples, and spend a day boating through Ang Thong National Marine Park before catching your flight home out of Samui Airport. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Thailand Beach Paradise

It's all about Thailand's picture-perfect sandy beaches, vibrant waters, and beautiful islets on this nine-day island-hopping itinerary. Crafted for those who want to soak up the sun while also getting their heart rate up hiking and exploring temples, there's no doubt you'll leave feeling refreshed and sun-kissed.

Your beach-filled Thailand trip begins in Phuket, known for its lively beaches and turquoise waters, where you'll dust off any jetlag with a swim at Patong, Kata, or Freedom Beach. Then, get acquainted with Thailand's picture-postcard landscapes with a day trip to the Phi Phi Islands before spending another full day at Phang Nga Bay, known for its sea caves, mangrove forests, and limestone islets. Fully immersed in Thailand's warm culture, you'll continue to Railay, located on the Andaman Coast, and your home for the next three nights.

Famous for its karst cliffs and pristine beaches, Railay is the perfect place to go island hopping via boat, search for impressive caves, try rock climbing, and swim in the blue bioluminescence waters. Day 7 of your trip brings you to Krabi, where you'll spend your day in and out of the water, hiking Thung Teao Forest Park and enjoying incredible views from the temple of Wat Kaew. Before packing your bags, head out on a full-day tour of Krabi, including a stop at Krabi Hot Springs and climbing up 1,200 steps to Wat Tahm Suea ("Tiger Cave Temple"). Learn more

Itinerary #5: Impressions of Thailand & Cambodia

Seek out the similarities and differences between Thailand and Cambodia on this nine-day adventure, exploring the temples and markets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Cambodia's Siem Reap. Perfect for those who want to pack in must-see highlights while gaining a deeper appreciation for village life, each day is full of awe-inspiring moments and cultural delights.

Your highlights tour of Thailand and Cambodia starts with a free afternoon in Bangkok. You can roam Chinatown or relax with a traditional Thai massage before heading out for a full-day guided tour the following morning. Admire the Golden Buddha of Wat Traimit, cruise along the canal on a long-tail boat; then it's right back to the airport for a flight to Chiang Rai the following day. With just one night in Thailand's northernmost city, you'll want to make the most of your afternoon by checking out the famous Blue and White temples and indulging in street food at the Night Bazaar.

Continue your adventure early the following day by transferring to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar borders meet. Maeander along the Mekong River, then it's off to Chiang Mai to spend three days learning about local culture at the Happy Elephant Home Sanctuary and cycling through rice fields and small villages. With two days left on your trip, you'll board a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. If weather permits, take in the landscapes from a hot-air balloon, or stick on flat ground with a visit to Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, and the temple of Ta Prohm before catching your flight home. Learn more

More Great Thailand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Thailand? Check out these other Thailand itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.