13 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Thailand City & Beach Break: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai & Phuket

A classic introduction to Thailand for first-time visitors looking to enjoy as many authentic experiences as possible, you'll see some of Thailand's best sights on this 13-day city and beach holiday from Chiang Mai to Phuket. Tour the grand temples in Bangkok, discover Ayutthaya's UNESCO-listed ruins, visit an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, and relax on the many beaches on Phuket island.

Begin in Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, where you'll spend four nights. Don't miss the largest outdoor market in the world, Chatuchak Market, and be sure to experience the culture and nightlife on Khao San Road. See some of Thailand's most prestigious temples, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun, and visit the Maeklong Railway Market and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Take a day trip to Ayutthaya to see highlights such as Wat Yai Chaimongkol and Wat Phra Srisanphet. Board a flight to the northern city of Chiang Mai for the next four nights.

Enjoy a scenic boat trip along the Mae Ping River, pay a visit to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, and encounter cultural sights such as the Three Kings Monument and Wat Doi Suthep. Head out of the city to Mae Kampong to experience rural community life. Board another flight to Phuket for the remainder of your trip. Fly through the jungle on ziplines at Hanuman World Phuket, take a trip to the Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary, and spend hours relaxing on Kata Beach and Freedom Beach. Swim and snorkel on an excursion around the Phi Phi Islands before departing. Learn more

Itinerary #2: A Taste of Thailand

One of the best ways to discover any new country is through its food, and this 13-day culinary tour of Thailand shows you the best food hotspots throughout the country. Try pad thai in Bangkok, take part in a cooking lesson at Blue Elephant Cooking School, go on a street food tour in Chiang Mai, and indulge in a fine-dining experience in Khao Yai.

Start with a tour of the Royal Grand Palace in Bangkok, see the Reclining Buddha and the Emerald Buddha, then head to Krua Apsorn Restaurant for somtam (a papaya salad) and Lung Pha for pad thai. Eat lunch at a local restaurant in the Samut Songkhram district, then participate in a traditional Thai cooking lesson at Blue Elephant Cooking School. Drive to Ayutthaya and visit temples such as Wat Mahathat and Wat Chai Wattanaram. Transfer to Khao Yai to spend a morning in the national park searching for wildlife before enjoying a fine dining experience at Lookkai and wine tasting at GranMonte Vineyard.

Spend an afternoon in Khon Kaen to take part in an Issan-style cooking class, then continue to the lesser-known city of Phitsanulok to see Wat Yai ("Big Temple"), famous for its gold-covered Buddha, and the Naresuan Bridge. Cycle around the Historical Park in Sukhothai before making your way to Chiang Mai. Sample kanom jin (rice noodles with curry soup), kanom krok (Thai coconut pudding), and noodle soup on an evening food tour. Prepare for a cooking class with a TV chef, tour the temples at Doi Suthep Mountain, and spend your final day visiting hill tribe communities in Mae Chan before transferring to Chiang Rai to depart. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Adventure & Relaxation in Thailand

Travelers seeking an itinerary that offers both adventure and the opportunity to relax might consider this 13-day holiday. Explore the bustling streets of Bangkok, take a tuk-tuk tour of Ayutthaya's temples, and cruise around Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands, with optional snorkeling, swimming, and rock climbing excursions.

Four nights in Bangkok allows you to see the capital's top sights, such as the Chatuchak Market, Chinatown, Pak Klong Talad flower market, and the Golden Buddha statue at Wat Traimit. Ride in a long-tail boat to Ayutthaya to take a tuk-tuk tour of the city. Spend a day at ElephantsWorld near Kanchanaburi, where you can watch the giants take a mud bath. Fly to Phuket and take a guided tour of the top sights on the island. Stop at Promthep Cape, visit Wat Chalong, and conclude with a drink on Bangla Road. Embark on a day trip to Phang Nga Bay and canoe around Panak Island.

Transfer to Railay in the Krabi Province for a fun island-hopping tour. See Tup Island, cruise around Ko Kai ("Chicken Island"), and enjoy a picnic on Poda Island. Dedicate a relaxing day to Railay's beaches, such as Phranang Beach or Railay Beach East, or join a speedboat tour to Hong Island, where you can swim, snorkel, hike, or relax around Hong Island Bay, Pak Bia Island, and Lao Lading Island. Board a ferry to Ko Phi Phi Don to embark on another island-hopping excursion to Ko Mai Phi ("Bamboo Island"), Viking Cave, Pi Leh Bay, and Monkey Beach. Take the ferry back to Phuket to depart. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Thailand in Style

This 13-day itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to experience Thailand's many sights and attractions without compromising comfort or convenience. With private transfers for all prearranged tours, you'll get up close with gentle giants at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, take a cooking class in Chiang Mai, see the authentic floating markets in Bangkok, and go island-hopping around the Phi Phi Islands, all accompanied by a private driver and tour guide.

This itinerary begins in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where you'll spend time navigating the Old City, seeing famous sights such as Wat Phra Singh and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Opt for a relaxing afternoon at San Kamphaeng Hot Springs or embark on a more action-packed excursion to Bua Tong National Park to go hiking and climbing through the jungle to Sticky Waterfall. Visit Elephant Jungle Sanctuary on Day 2, then prepare for a culinary lesson at Asia Scenic Thai Cooking School and journey to Doi Inthanon National Park. Follow the Ban Mae Klang Luang nature trail to see Wachirathan Waterfall and Pa Dok Siew Waterfall.

Drive to Chiang Rai, stopping at Mae Kachan Hot Spring along the way for a relaxing morning soak in the geothermal water. Check out Wat Rong Khun ("White Temple") and marvel at the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos meet. Fly to Bangkok for a few days of exploring some of Thailand's most renowned temples. Take a day trip to Ayutthaya Historical Park to see more temples, then head back to Bangkok to check out the buzzy Railway Market and Floating Market. Spend your final days in Phuket on various island-hopping excursions around the Phi Phi Islands. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Authentic Highlights of Vietnam & Thailand

If you're short on time and eager to see as much as possible, consider this multicountry tour of Vietnam and Thailand, which includes six nights across Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay—popular Ha Long Bay's quieter neighbor—and Ho Chi Minh City in the former and six nights across Bangkok and Ko Samet in the latter. You'll experience activities such as a motorbike tour from Vietnam's capital, an overnight cruise around Lan Ha Bay, a visit to a pottery workshop in Bangkok, and touring the fascinating temples and stunning beaches of Ko Samet.

Begin this itinerary in the capital city of Vietnam. Stroll through Hanoi's Old Quarter, take a motorbike tour through the city's hotspots, and experience dinner with a local family. Embark on a cycling tour through rice fields and quaint villages from Muong Ethnic Village and join a cooking class to create authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Leave for an overnight cruise around Lan Ha Bay and sail around Da Chong Islet, Gia Luan Lagoon, and Ba Trai Dao ("Three Peach Beach"). Fly to Ho Chi Minh on Day 5 for a highlights tour of the 135 miles (220 km) underground network of the Cu Chi Tunnels and the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office.

Drive to Ben Tre for a day trip along the Mekong River Delta. See the Cai Be floating market and An Binh Island before catching a flight to Bangkok. Tour the temples of Ayutthaya outside the city, such as Wat Phanan Choeng and the Elephant Kraal Pavilion. Next, board a long-tail boat to Ko Kret, visit Wat Poramai Yikawa, and join a mini pottery workshop for an alternative activity. Then jump on a flight to Ko Samet for the remaining three days. Trek through beautiful Khao Laem Ya National Park and spend a day on Hat Sai Kaew or Ao Phai beach before flying back to Bangkok to depart. 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.