2-Week Thailand Itinerary
The perfect introduction to Thailand: Bangkok's temples and street food, Chiang Mai's culture and mountains, and tropical island paradise. Optimized route with calculated distances and costs.
14 Days
Duration
2 Flights
Domestic Travel
$980
Est. Cost
Nov-Feb
Best Time
Itinerary Overview
1
Days 1-4: Bangkok
Temples, street food, markets, nightlife
2
Days 5-8: Chiang Mai
1h 20m flight, culture & mountains
3
Days 9-14: Phuket & Islands
2h 15m flight, beaches & relaxation
Domestic Flight Information
• Bangkok → Chiang Mai: 1h 20m, $40-80
• Chiang Mai → Phuket: 2h 15m, $60-120
• Book with AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, or Bangkok Airways
• Total domestic flights: ~$100-200
1
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok
Airport → Hotel: 20 mi, 45 min
Afternoon: Arrival & Check-in
- • Land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
- • Airport Rail Link to city ($1.50)
- • Or taxi to hotel ($10-15)
- • Check into Bangkok hotel
Evening: First Taste of Bangkok
- • Walk to nearby street food area
- • Dinner at local restaurant ($3-8)
- • Explore neighborhood night market
- • Thai massage to recover from flight ($10-15)
Distance: 20 mi
Est. Cost: $40-70
2
Day 2: Bangkok Temples
Around Bangkok: 15 mi
Morning: Grand Palace & Wat Pho
- • Grand Palace entry: $15
- • Dress code: covered shoulders & knees
- • Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha): $3
- • Traditional Thai massage at Wat Pho ($15)
Afternoon: Wat Arun & River
- • Cross river to Wat Arun ($0.15 ferry)
- • Wat Arun entry: $1.50
- • Climb the central prang
- • Lunch at riverside restaurant ($5-10)
Evening: Khao San Road
- • Explore Khao San Road backpacker area
- • Street food dinner ($3-6)
- • Drinks at rooftop bar ($5-10)
Distance: 15 mi
Est. Cost: $55-90
3
Day 3: Markets & Street Food
Around Bangkok: 25 mi
Morning: Chatuchak Weekend Market
- • BTS to Chatuchak (Sat-Sun only)
- • 15,000+ stalls to explore
- • Shopping for souvenirs
- • Try coconut ice cream ($1)
Afternoon: Chinatown
- • Explore Yaowarat Road (Chinatown)
- • Visit Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) ($3)
- • Browse gold shops and markets
- • Afternoon snacks ($2-5)
Evening: Street Food Tour
- • Chinatown street food crawl
- • Try pad thai, mango sticky rice, etc.
- • Dinner budget: $5-10
- • Night tuk-tuk ride ($5-8)
Distance: 25 mi
Est. Cost: $50-85
4
Day 4: Day Trip to Ayutthaya
Round trip: 160 mi, 3 hours total
Full Day: Ancient Capital
- • Train to Ayutthaya (1.5h, $0.50)
- • Or join organized tour ($30-50)
- • Rent bicycle to explore ruins ($2)
- • Visit Wat Mahathat (Buddha in tree)
- • Explore multiple temple complexes
- • Lunch at riverside restaurant ($5-8)
- • Return to Bangkok evening
Distance: 160 mi
Est. Cost: $45-80
5
Day 5: Fly to Chiang Mai
Flight: 1h 20m, 430 mi
Morning: Travel Day
- • Check out of Bangkok hotel
- • Fly Bangkok → Chiang Mai (1h 20m)
- • Flight cost: $40-80
- • Arrive Chiang Mai by noon
Afternoon: Old City Exploration
- • Check into Old City hotel
- • Walk around ancient city walls
- • Visit Wat Chedi Luang ($1.50)
- • Explore local markets
Evening: Night Bazaar
- • Dinner at Khao Soi restaurant ($3-6)
- • Browse Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
- • Shop for handicrafts
- • Thai massage ($8-12)
Flight: 430 mi, 1h 20m
Est. Cost: $90-140
6
Day 6: Elephant Sanctuary
Day trip: 40 mi round trip
Full Day: Ethical Elephant Experience
- • Book ethical sanctuary (no riding)
- • Hotel pickup included
- • Feed and bathe elephants
- • Learn about conservation
- • Lunch included in tour
- • Tour cost: $50-80
- • Return to hotel by 5pm
Choose Ethical Sanctuaries
Look for no-riding, no-chains facilities. Recommended: Elephant Nature Park, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary.
Distance: 40 mi
Est. Cost: $60-95
7
Day 7: Doi Suthep & Cooking Class
Around Chiang Mai: 20 mi
Morning: Doi Suthep Temple
- • Songthaew to Doi Suthep ($2-3)
- • Climb 309 steps (or cable car $1)
- • Temple entry: $1
- • Panoramic city views
Afternoon: Thai Cooking Class
- • Half-day cooking class ($25-35)
- • Market tour included
- • Learn 5-6 Thai dishes
- • Eat what you cook
Evening: Sunday Walking Street
- • Sunday Walking Street Market (if Sunday)
- • Or explore Nimmanhaemin area
- • Trendy cafes and boutiques
- • Dinner at local restaurant ($5-10)
Distance: 20 mi
Est. Cost: $55-85
8
Day 8: Chiang Mai Relaxation
Local area: 10 mi
Morning: Temples & Cafes
- • Visit Wat Phra Singh
- • Explore more Old City temples
- • Brunch at trendy café ($5-10)
- • Shop for local crafts
Afternoon: Spa & Preparation
- • Traditional Thai spa treatment ($20-40)
- • Pack for beach departure tomorrow
- • Last-minute shopping
Evening: Farewell Dinner
- • Dinner at Riverside restaurant ($10-20)
- • Drinks at rooftop bar ($5-10)
- • Early night for morning flight
Distance: 10 mi
Est. Cost: $65-110
9
Day 9: Fly to Phuket
Flight: 2h 15m, 820 mi
Morning: Travel to Islands
- • Check out of Chiang Mai hotel
- • Fly Chiang Mai → Phuket (2h 15m)
- • Flight cost: $60-120
- • Arrive Phuket by early afternoon
Afternoon: Beach Time
- • Transfer to Patong Beach hotel ($15-25)
- • Check in and change
- • First swim in Andaman Sea
- • Relax on beach
Evening: Patong Beach
- • Sunset on beach
- • Seafood dinner ($10-20)
- • Explore Bangla Road nightlife
- • Beach massage ($8-12)
Flight: 820 mi, 2h 15m
Est. Cost: $110-180
10
Day 10: Phi Phi Islands Day Trip
Boat tour: 30 mi each way
Full Day: Island Paradise
- • Speedboat tour to Phi Phi ($40-60)
- • Visit Maya Bay (The Beach movie)
- • Snorkeling at multiple spots
- • Lunch on Phi Phi Don island
- • Monkey Beach visit
- • Return to Phuket by 6pm
Distance: 60 mi
Est. Cost: $60-90
11
Day 11: James Bond Island
Phang Nga Bay: 50 mi round trip
Full Day: Phang Nga Bay Tour
- • Phang Nga Bay tour ($35-55)
- • Visit James Bond Island
- • Kayak through sea caves
- • Floating village visit
- • Lunch included in tour
- • Return to hotel by 5pm
Distance: 50 mi
Est. Cost: $50-75
12
Day 12: Beach Relaxation
Local beaches: 15 mi
Full Day: Beach Hopping
- • Visit Kata Beach (quieter than Patong)
- • Lunch at beachfront restaurant ($8-15)
- • Explore Karon Beach
- • Sunset at Promthep Cape viewpoint
- • Dinner at Rawai seafood market ($12-20)
Distance: 15 mi
Est. Cost: $45-70
13
Day 13: Phuket Old Town
Around Phuket: 20 mi
Morning/Afternoon: Culture & Shopping
- • Explore Phuket Old Town
- • Sino-Portuguese architecture
- • Visit local markets
- • Lunch at Raya Restaurant ($8-15)
- • Shop for last souvenirs
- • Visit Big Buddha ($0, donations)
Evening: Final Beach Sunset
- • Return to beach for final swim
- • Sunset cocktails ($5-10)
- • Farewell seafood dinner ($15-25)
- • Pack for departure tomorrow
Distance: 20 mi
Est. Cost: $50-80
14
Day 14: Departure
Hotel → Airport: 25 mi, 45 min
Morning: Final Hours
- • Check out of hotel
- • Last beach walk or pool time
- • Brunch near hotel ($8-12)
- • Transfer to airport ($15-25)
- • Arrive 3 hours before international flight
Distance: 25 mi
Est. Cost: $35-55
Complete Trip Summary
2 Flights
Domestic Travel
$100-200
Flight Costs
$700-980
Daily Costs (14 days)
$180-300
Tours & Activities
Total Trip Cost Estimate:
$980 - $1,480
Excluding international flights. Budget to mid-range travel style.
Quick Actions
Best Time to Visit
Best:Nov-Feb
Good:Mar-Apr, Oct
Avoid:May-Sep (rainy)
Cool & Dry Season
November to February offers perfect weather across all regions.
What's Included
- 14-day detailed itinerary
- Domestic flight information
- Daily cost breakdowns
- Restaurant recommendations
- Activity suggestions
- Transportation tips
Travel Tips for Americans
- US passport holders get 60-day visa-free entry
- 1 USD = ~35 Thai Baht (exchange rate varies)
- Type A/B/C plugs (same as US, but bring adapter)
- Buy local SIM card at airport ($10-20 for 2 weeks)