This post contains a 10-day Itinerary for Thailand.
It can be overwhelming to decide where to visit in a country as big as Thailand!
Don’t worry- this guide will ensure that you maximise your time in Thailand by exploring some of their BEST destinations!
You’ll be starting in the worldwide capital favourite: Bangkok.
Then you’ll be travelling north and taking in the beautiful scenery and experiencing the Thai urban lifestyle. Here is where you’ll visit breathtaking temples, take a trek in the jungle and wander around colourful markets, buying souvenirs and tasting the local cuisine!
After, you’ll head south to swap urban exploration for the beach lifestyle. You’ll relax at the countless serene Thai beaches during the day, discovering the exhilarating nightlife in the evening and taking a day trip to explore the rich marine life that Thailand is renowned for!
I’ve included two island options, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. If you’re feeling extra ambitious then you can always plan a day trip to one of the islands since they’re only a 1-2 hour boat journey apart!
Sounds good?
Let’s take a look at your 10-day itinerary!
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The Ultimate 10-Day Travel Itinerary for Thailand
Day 1-3: Bangkok
Where to begin with Bangkok!
This is the best place to throw you into the Thai lifestyle. This busy city is packed with things to do including visiting different temples (Wat Arun pictured above), shopping at the markets (Koh San Road in the daytime is my favourite place to get souvenirs and great counterfeit backpacks), and of course trying your first meal from a Thai street vendor.
You may be concerned about getting sick however in my first 6 months of travelling I only got sick twice – and trust me- the food is too good not to try.
I’d recommend getting a pad Thai that will only cost you 80 baht (the equivalent of £1.70!).
To travel around the city quickly, I’d recommend taking a TukTuk from a local as a super fun and affordable option.
If you’d prefer a car, download the Grab mobile app. This is the Uber of South-East Asia and is easy to use.
Day 4-5: Chiang Mai
To save on accommodation and time, I’d recommend taking a night bus to Chiang Mai on the evening of day 3. That way you’ll have a full day to explore Chiang Mai when you wake up.
Again if you’re concerned about where you can leave your bags, many hostels will keep them safe while you wait to check in. So it’s best to find a hostel that you can head to in advance.
In Chiang Mai expect to find many more beautiful temples and huge markets. If you go on Saturday you’ll be able to visit the night market which includes all things food and souvenirs.
If you fancy you can book a trek with a reputable company into the jungle. Most companies will also take you to an elephant sanctuary! Be sure to do your research to check that the company is ethical. Ethical companies will not force the elephants to do any tricks- besides- they’re amazing to see without the theatrics!
You can book an overnight tour instead of staying in a hostel (and the company will most likely store your checked bags safely for you).
I paid approximately £50 for my overnight 2-day group tour where I stayed in a hut in the middle of the jungle. I couldn’t recommend this experience enough!
The nightlife in Chiang Mai is truly wild- check out the backpacker’s favourite ‘Zoe in Yellow’ for a great night out!
◼️Find out how to explore Thailand sustainably with this post: Eco-Friendly Travel in Thailand for Backpackers [2024]
Day 5-6: Pai
If you’ve managed to survive the hangover then congrats, you’re on your way to Pai! My favourite little hippie town is located in the very north of Thailand!
Pai is hands-down the best place I visited in Thailand- with Koh Tao an extremely close second. Again, the activities to do in Pai are endless.
Just to name a few of the best things that I did in Pai, I went to the Bamboo Bridge, visited waterfalls and trekked up various viewpoints (including to the Giant Buddha).
The Pai Canyon (pictured above) was a true highlight. We stayed until sunset and the views were absolutely breathtaking!
The Walking Street in Pai is a day trip in itself. There’s so many cool bars. Spirits was my favourite- a chilled out bar with live music and cute seating options. You’ll also find shops, (including vintage) and places to eat. Come back in the evening to discover more snacky food options at the night market which takes place most nights.
If you want to rent a scooter while in Thailand then I’d recommend Pai as the place to do it. The wide, long roads make it easy to drive around and you’ll probably need it with all the activities that you’re going to do.
The hostel I stayed at during my own 10 days in Pai (I was truly stuck in the ‘Pai hole’) was Circus Hostel. This hostel is extremely sociable and has an ‘infinity pool’ overlooking the Pai landscape. They organise fire shows and tipsy tubing with them (this was so much fun but definitely if you’re not interested in a full day of partying).
Circus Hostel also has cute and affordable huts with a double bed. This makes it a great place for couples or if you fancy having a little bit of space to yourself.
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Day 7-10: Koh Phangan (Option 1)
If you time your trip well, you’ll be in Koh Phangan in time for the full or half-moon party! This small southwestern island is a little tropical paradise with stunning beaches. The perfect location to sip out of a fresh coconut!
This huge night event takes place along the beach, where you’ll have access to many different bars and live DJ sets.
Aside from the partying, there are many fun treks to viewpoints around the island. We went to Bottle Beach Viewpoint (as pictured above). Just make sure you take appropriate footwear!
Day 7-10: Koh Tao (Option 2)
Koh Tao is the perfect place to end your super busy trip. This island is just a short boat trip away from Koh Phangan so you can always include a day trip to Koh Phangan if you would like to experience both!.
Here, you can explore the beautiful walking strip close to the beach and buy your final gifts in the cute independent shops.
Snorkeling in Koh Tao is a MUST.
Shark Bay or Sai Tong were my favourite places for seeing exotic marine life. Snorkelling gear to rent is also easy to come by throughout the island.
If you’re up for even more of an adventure, you can take a scuba diving day trip with a local company. Even if you don’t have a diving qualification, there are plenty of beginner courses that you can try.
During the evening, have dinner at one of the many beachfront restaurants. Then finish your evening by getting drinks on the beach bars and watching the entertaining fire shows.
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