Overview
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3 Week Thailand Itinerary
Thailand is anything but small and is full of beautiful and interesting places worth seeing. You need at least 2 to 3 weeks in Thailand to see all the highlights of the whole country. During this 3-week Thailand itinerary, you travel from south to north, but if you want, you can also do this itinerary in the other direction. It is a well-packed schedule, but we have added some tips to adjust the schedule if you have less time or want to take it a little easier.
If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments!
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is located in the south of Thailand and has its own international airport. It is, therefore, the ideal place to start your 3-week itinerary through Thailand.
After a long flight, you can immediately relax from your journey on one of the many beautiful beaches. The second and third day, you can spend visiting the various sights on the island such as some fascinating temples, the Na Muang waterfalls, Overlap Stones 1 and 2 and so much more.
The rest of your time you can enjoy the laid-back atmosphere on this tropical island even more and in the evening, you can stroll over one of the night markets and maybe attend a little party somewhere or the famous full moon party.
Where to stay on Koh Samui
Koh Samui might sometimes have the reputation as being a bit expensive and offering mostly more luxurious stays. However, there are plenty of options for almost every kind of budget.
There are different areas to stay on Koh Samui, and the most tourist areas are located on the east side of the island. The three liveliest and most popular areas are Lamai, Chaweng and Bophut.
- Lamai is your best option if you want the golden mean between a relaxed and a lively atmosphere.
- If you are looking for a little party on Koh Samui, then Chaweng is your place to be!
- Bophut is the more luxurious area, where you find the larger hotels and resorts. This is where people stay who are traveling less on a budget.
If you prefer to stay further away from all the hustle and bustle, you can also stay in Mae Nam or other areas in the north, south or west of the island.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay on Koh Samui and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui
Koh Samui
via Booking.com
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Koh Tao
On day 3, you can take the ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao. Depending on whether you want to spend some more time on Koh Samui, you can cross in the morning or in the afternoon. Both islands have the same beautiful beaches, so you can enjoy the island life for the rest of your day, regardless of where you spend the day.
Koh Tao is slightly less visited than other well-known islands such as Koh Phangan, making it the ideal place to relax. The island is also world-famous place for divers and snorkelers, due to its abundant marine life and vibrant coral reefs. So you can spend days 4 and 5 in the water during a diving or snorkeling trip. For the rest of your time on the island, you can hike to one of the beautiful viewpoints or enjoy one (or more) cocktail(s) on the beach.
Depending on what you prefer, you can choose to travel on to Khao Sok National Park during day 5 or you can choose to take the night boat and travel the night of 5 to 6. This way you gain a day and save an overnight stay, but it might not be your best night of sleep ever.
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Where to stay on Koh Tao
There are plenty of options to stay on Koh Tao for almost every kind of budget. There are also different regions where you can stay. The most popular area is Sairee Beach. It has a long stretch of beach with many restaurants, bars, and plenty of things to do. It is also the most centrally located, making it easy to access other areas of the island.
Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok National Park is a huge national park, home to some of the oldest rainforests in the world, fascinating wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and an enormous lake full of majestic limestone mountains. It is located north of Krabi and Phuket and is still a bit more off-the-beaten-path compared to some more famous places like Koh Phi Phi. In our opinion (and many others agree), it’s one of the most stunning national parks in the country and hands down one of our favorite spots on this 3-week Thailand itinerary!
The park is divided into two areas: the village and headquarters and the beautiful Cheow Lan Lake. On day 6, you can explore Khao Sok headquarters and the village by walking one of the hiking trails, visit some waterfalls, or kayak down the river. The next day, you can take a tour to discover Cheow Lan Lake and stay a night in one of the floating bungalows.
Note: If you have less time for this Thailand itinerary or would like some margin, we recommend that you only visit Cheow Lan lake, stay here for 1 night and skip Khao Sok Village and HQ.
Where to stay in Khao Sok National Park
If you want to visit both Khao Sok Village, as well as Cheow Lan Lake, we recommend that you stay in Khao Sok and take an overnight tour to Cheow Lan Lake.
In Khao Sok Village, you will find a variety of accommodations from budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses to more luxurious resorts and lodges. Some of these accommodations can arrange tours and activities for you.
On Cheow Lan Lake, you will find a wide variety of floating bungalows, from budget-friendly to luxurious bungalows. Which bungalows you get depends on which tour you book.
A few luxury overwater floating bungalows can be booked online and can arrange a shuttle service and other activities for you.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Khao Sok.
Ratchaprapha
Khao Sok National Park
Ratchaprapha
via Booking.com
Khao Sok to Bangkok
You can take a bus from Khao Sok to Bangkok, but this ride is very long and we do not recommend it.
It is better that you first take a bus to Surat Thani, where you can travel to Bangkok by (night) train or plane. There are also buses, but this ride is still long!
Bangkok
Rise and shine! Over the next few days, you’ll dive into the vibrant energy of Thailand’s capital. Bangkok is a must on any 3-week Thailand itinerary, with endless things to see and do. You can explore iconic temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun, and dive into the Thai culture!
Bangkok is sometimes called the Venice of the North, due to its many small waterways. These canals are also called the klongs and can be explored during a boat trip.
An activity that we can definitely recommend is an off-the-beaten-path bike tour through the city, which takes you through bustling Chinatown, but also the small unknown streets where you would not otherwise go. Then jump in a tuk-tuk and speed through the bustling streets of Bangkok and be sure to taste the delicious Thai cuisine. It will be 3 to 4 busy but interesting days!
Where to stay in Bangkok
There are a few neighborhoods that are great for exploring Bangkok. Sukhumvit has most of the luxury hotels and shopping malls, plus a vibrant nightlife.
Bangkok Old Town is a more historical experience and is within walking distance of most of the major tourist attractions. Pratunam has affordable hotels and Khao San Road is best for backpackers and budget travelers.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Bangkok.
Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok
via Booking.com
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is located only around 70 kilometers north of Bangkok. By train, you can reach Ayutthaya in about 45 minutes.
This fascinating, ancient city, was founded in 1350 and was the second capital of Thailand, after Sukhothai and before Bangkok. In 1767, the city was attacked by the Burmese army, who burned the city to the ground and forced the inhabitants to abandon the city. As a result, the city was completely destroyed and only ruins of temples and palaces remained. In 1991, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s now a very interesting place full of stunning and impressionant temple ruins, including the famous Buddha head in the tree roots. Hop on a bike, pedal from temple to temple, and let yourself be transported back in time.
After 2 days of exploring Ayutthaya, you can take the night train to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand on the evening of day 13.
Where to stay in Ayutthaya
From hotels and resorts, to guesthouses and hostels: you’ll find plenty of different types of accommodations in Ayutthaya to suit just about any budget. Many accommodations rent bicycles to explore the city. We recommend you to stay close to the historical park.
Note: If you have less time for this itinerary, you can also visit Ayutthaya on a day trip from Bangkok. This way you can save a day and travel directly to Chiang Mai by night train.
Chiang Mai
Hopefully, you had a good night’s sleep on the train because it’s time to explore Thailand’s second-largest city: Chiang Mai. However, because of its charming Old Town, it doesn’t feel like a big city at all. It is home to over 300 Buddhist temples and is therefore often referred to as the “Temple Capital of Thailand”. But there is so much more to Chiang Mai than just its temples.
You can spend a day exploring the various temples in and around Chiang Mai, like the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, or take a Thai cooking class. Animal lovers can visit the elephant nature park to see these beautiful animals in an ethical manner. In the evening, you can stroll over one of the cozy evening markets and taste some delicious Thai street food.
Be sure to spend a whole day exploring the beautiful Doi Inthanon National Park. Here, you can go hiking and enjoy some of Thailand’s most impressive views.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers different kinds of accommodations, such as hotels, hostels, and guesthouses for every budget.
Overall, the best area to stay in Chiang Mai is the Old Town. It is the most picturesque part of the city and it is within walking distance to the most interesting places in Chiang Mai.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Chiang Mai and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
via Booking.com
Pai
On day 17, you can take to minivan from Chiang Mai to Pai. It is a very winding road with about 762 bends. The drivers know the road and fly through it at a brisk pace. So, it’s quite a wild ride and if you get car sick, you might want to consider skipping Pai.
If you decide to visit Pai and conquer the nauseating drive, you can explore this lovely, mountain village. It has a laid-back atmosphere and it’s surrounded by a beautiful natural scenery. It used to be a popular destination among backpackers and hippies, but nowadays it is a destination for almost every kind of traveler. Although it’s only a tiny village, there are a lot of nice things to do in the area. You can relax in natural hot springs, stroll over the evening market, take a day trip to the Tham Lod cave, admire a stunning sunset over Pai Canyon and so much more.
On day 19, you can continue your journey to Chiang Rai. There is no direct road between Pai and Chiang Rai, so you have to take the minivan back to Chiang Mai along the winding road and then take a bus from there to Chiang Rai. Day 19 will mainly be a travel day.
Note: If you have less time for this itinerary, you can also visit Pai on a day trip from Chiang Mai. This way you can save a day and travel directly to Chiang Rai.
Where to stay in Pai
There are plenty of options to stay a couple of nights in Pai for every budget. From budget hostels and guesthouses to bamboo bungalows and fancy resorts, you will definitely find something you like.
Keep in mind that there are no taxis or Grab in Pai. So, if you have accommodation that is a little further away from the center, you will have to arrange transport in some way to get to and from the center.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Pai and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Chiang Rai
Time to explore your last, but certainly not least destination of this 3-week Thailand itinerary: Chiang Rai.
It is a unique and sometimes ‘forgotten’ destination in the north of Thailand. There are a number of must-visit places, but not too many, so you can really enjoy the pleasant, laid-back atmosphere of this city and recover from this trip.
You can visit some bizarre but also unique temples, like the famous White and Blue Temple, visit rolling tea plantations, and stroll on cozy night markets one last time.
There is an international airport in Chiang Rai, so you can easily fly home from here or perhaps to your next destination. Many travelers continue their journey here by slow boat to Laos.
Where to stay in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai offers all kinds of accommodations, such as hotels, luxury resorts, hostels and guesthouses for every budget. Probably the most popular area to stay in inside city center, close to the clock tower, where you find a wide variety of restaurants and bars. Also the night markets are within walking distance.
If you are looking for a more quiet getaway, you can stay in one of the beautiful mountain resorts outside the city center or the more high-end resorts near the riverside.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Chiang Rai and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai
via Booking.com
How to travel around Thailand
To travel between the different destinations on this 3-week Thailand itineary, you will have to travel by bus or train and by ferry. You can often check the bus, train, and boat schedules and book online, or go to a local booking office.
At most of the places of this Thailand itinerary, the best way to get around is by renting a scooter. If you are not sure about driving a scooter yourself, you can often use Grab, hire a private driver, rent a car, or join a tour.
Prices for a scooter rental vary around 200-300 baht per day for 24 hours, depending on the area and type of motorbike.
By Bus
Almost all main destinations in this 3-week Thailand itinerary are connected by bus. However, the distances are sometimes quite long and this is not always the most comfortable way to travel. If possible, we recommend that you take a train for longer distances.
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By Boat
To get to the islands of this 3-week Thailand itinerary, you will have to take a boat. You can often book this in combination with a bus ride from the destination you come from. Most of the time you can choose between smaller fast boats and larger ferries, which take a little longer. What you should choose, depends on your budget and your time schedule.
By (overnight) train
Thailand has a fairly extensive train network. These trains are often more comfortable and faster than the bus. Night trains in particular are a convenient way to travel because they allow you to travel long distances without wasting entire days. Always book a bed on overnight trains, because a night train on a hard bench is even worse than the bus. We found the sleep train surprisingly pleasant, but don’t expect great luxury.
By air
Most of the major cities in Thailand have a domestic or even an international airport and have flights arriving from other major cities in Southeast Asia.
Best time to visit Thailand
The climate in Thailand varies throughout the country, making it an all year round destination. Generally, Thailand knows 3 seasons: wet season (May to October/November), cool season (November to February) and hot season (March to May).
The best time to visit Thailand is generally between November and March, during cool season, when the temperature is cooler and there’s less rain. Know that this period is high tourist season and expect the biggest crowds.
So, the best time to visit Thailand depends mostly on the regions you plan to visit and the type of activities you’d like to do. Overall, we think the best months for this Thailand travel itinerary are October and November. The weather is cooler, it is just before the peak tourist season and it’s just after the rainy season, so the landscapes are at their best!
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
