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How many days in Thailand? 10 days: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Krabi coast
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
The classic first trip to Thailand is three parts in ten days: the temples and street food of Bangkok, the cooler north around Chiang Mai, and the limestone coast of Krabi on the Andaman Sea. Two cheap domestic flights of about 1-2 hours link them. Resist the urge to add more islands; each move costs half a day.
Short answer
Seven days covers Bangkok and either Chiang Mai or the islands. Ten gives three days to each region and a slower pace in the heat.
The 10-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Bangkok: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
Morning. Be at the Grand Palace at the 8:30 opening (about ฿500), with the Emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew. Cover your shoulders and knees, or you will be turned away.
Afternoon. Walk 10 minutes to Wat Pho (about ฿300) for the 46-metre Reclining Buddha and a traditional Thai massage at its school (about ฿420-600 for an hour). Cross the river by ferry (about ฿5) to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn (about ฿200).
Evening. Eat in Chinatown on Yaowarat Road: noodles, grilled seafood and mango sticky rice from stalls for ฿50-150 a dish.
Ignore anyone outside the palace who says it is closed today; it is the start of a gem-shop scam.
Day 2: Bangkok: markets, canals and Jim Thompson
Morning. At weekends, go to Chatuchak Market, with some 15,000 stalls, by BTS Skytrain to Mo Chit. On weekdays, take a longtail boat tour of the Thonburi canals (about ฿1,500 per boat for an hour).
Afternoon. Visit the Jim Thompson House, the teak home of the American who revived Thai silk (about ฿200). Escape the heat in Siam Paragon or ICONSIAM.
Evening. Rooftop bars such as those at the Lebua or Banyan Tree have views over the city; cocktails cost ฿400-600.
The Chao Phraya Express boat (orange flag, about ฿16) is the fastest way along the river.
Day 3: Day trip to Ayutthaya
Morning. Take a train from Krung Thep Aphiwat or Hua Lamphong to Ayutthaya, about 1.5-2 hours (from ฿20 third class), the capital of Siam from 1351 to 1767.
Afternoon. Rent a bicycle (about ฿50) and ride between the ruins: Wat Mahathat, with the Buddha head in tree roots, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Chaiwatthanaram on the river (about ฿50 each).
Evening. Return to Bangkok for a night market such as Jodd Fairs.
Ayutthaya is very hot from March to May. Start early and rest at lunchtime.
Day 4: Fly to Chiang Mai: the Old City
Morning. Fly to Chiang Mai, about 1h15 (roughly ฿1,000-2,500).
Afternoon. Walk the moated Old City: Wat Chedi Luang, with its huge ruined stupa (about ฿50), and Wat Phra Singh.
Evening. On Sunday, walk the Sunday Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road; on Saturday, the Wualai market; every night, the Night Bazaar.
Grab and Bolt work in Chiang Mai; red songthaews (shared trucks) cost about ฿30 in town.
Day 5: Doi Suthep and Nimman
Morning. Take a songthaew up Doi Suthep to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (about ฿30), climbing 306 steps flanked by naga serpents for the view over the city.
Afternoon. Visit the Bhubing Palace gardens or walk the Monk's Trail down through the forest to Wat Pha Lat.
Evening. Dinner in Nimmanhaemin, the café and bar district.
Visit temples in the morning, before the heat and the tour buses.
Day 6: Elephant sanctuary and cooking class
Morning. Spend the day at an ethical sanctuary, such as Elephant Nature Park, where you watch and feed elephants without riding them (about ฿2,500-3,500 with transport).
Afternoon. Or take a Thai cooking class with a market visit (about ฿1,000-1,500).
Evening. Try khao soi, the northern curried noodle soup, at Khao Soi Khun Yai or Khao Soi Mae Sai.
Avoid any camp that offers elephant rides, shows or bathing in crowds.
Day 7: Fly to Krabi: Ao Nang
Morning. Fly from Chiang Mai to Krabi, about 2 hours (direct flights run on some days; otherwise via Bangkok).
Afternoon. Settle in Ao Nang and walk the beach.
Evening. Sunset over the limestone islands, then seafood at the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market.
Krabi Airport is about 30-40 minutes from Ao Nang by shared van (about ฿150-200).
Day 8: Railay and Phra Nang
Morning. Take a longtail boat from Ao Nang to Railay, about 15 minutes (about ฿100-150). Railay is reachable only by boat.
Afternoon. Swim at Phra Nang Beach under the cliffs, with its cave shrine, and climb the steep path to the viewpoint and lagoon.
Evening. Watch the sunset on Railay West; the last boats back leave around 18:00.
Railay is a famous rock-climbing area; half-day beginner climbs cost about ฿1,000-1,500.
Day 9: The Phi Phi islands
Morning. Take a speedboat tour to Koh Phi Phi, about 1 hour (about ฿1,500-2,500 with lunch and snorkelling).
Afternoon. Visit Maya Bay (closed for a few months each year, usually August to September), Pileh Lagoon and the reefs.
Evening. Return to Ao Nang for dinner.
The marine park fee of about ฿400 is paid on top of many tour prices.
Day 10: Four Islands and departure
Morning. Join a Four Islands longtail tour to Koh Poda and Tup Island, where a sandbar links two islands at low tide (about ฿800-1,200).
Afternoon. Fly from Krabi to Bangkok for your flight home.
Evening. Departure from Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang.
Leave at least 3 hours for the connection; Krabi flights land at both Bangkok airports.
Only have 7 days?
With 7 days, do Bangkok (3) and Krabi (4), or Bangkok (3) and Chiang Mai (3).
Got extra days?
Add Chiang Rai and the White Temple, Sukhothai, Koh Lanta for quieter beaches, or Khao Sok for lake and jungle.
Where to stay in Thailand
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Bangkok Khao San / Chiang Mai Old City | Guesthouses and hostels near the temples. | ฿700-1,200 |
| Mid-range | Bangkok Riverside / Silom | Near the river boats and the BTS Skytrain. | ฿2,000-4,000 |
| Mid-range | Nimman (Chiang Mai) / Ao Nang | Modern hotels near cafés or the beach. | ฿1,800-3,500 |
| Comfort | Railay resorts / Bangkok luxury river hotels | Beachfront villas or riverside towers. | ฿6,000-15,000 |
Getting around
In Bangkok, use the BTS Skytrain, the MRT and river boats; fares are ฿17-65. Grab and Bolt cover taxis. From Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link takes 30 minutes to Phaya Thai (about ฿45). Domestic flights with Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and Thai Lion cost ฿1,000-3,000.
What to eat in Thailand
Thai food changes by region. In Bangkok, eat pad kra pao (stir-fried basil with pork and egg), boat noodles and tom yum goong. In the north, khao soi and sai oua sausage. On the coast, grilled fish and massaman curry. Street dishes cost ฿50-100, a restaurant meal ฿300-600. Say 'mai phet' for not spicy. Drink bottled water and fresh coconuts.
Best time to visit
November to February is cooler and dry, around 28-32°C. March to May is very hot, over 35°C. The monsoon brings rain on the Andaman coast from about May to October. Songkran (13-15 April) is a water fight across the country, and Loi Krathong in November lights Chiang Mai with lanterns.
Month-by-month weather for Thailand →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | ฿500 | ฿1,500 | ฿4,000 |
| Food & drink | ฿400 | ฿900 | ฿2,000 |
| Sights & tickets | ฿200 | ฿600 | ฿1,500 |
| Local transport | ฿150 | ฿400 | ฿1,000 |
| Total per person, per day | about ฿1,250 | about ฿3,400 | about ฿8,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices in Thai baht, not including the domestic flights. Upscale hotels and restaurants add 10% service and 7% VAT; check whether Thailand's planned tourist entry fee is in force.
Before you go
Common questions
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Many nationalities, including most Europeans, Americans and Australians, can enter visa-free for a set period; the length has changed in recent years, so check current rules. All visitors must fill in the online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within three days before arrival. Passports need six months' validity.
Is 10 days enough for Thailand?
Ten days is enough for Bangkok, the north and one beach area. It is not enough for several islands or both coasts. Choose either the Andaman side (Krabi, Phuket) or the Gulf (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) depending on the season.
What should I wear at temples?
Cover your shoulders and knees: no vests, short shorts or short skirts. Remove shoes before entering halls. At the Grand Palace, rules are strictly enforced, and sarongs can be rented at the gate. Do not point your feet at Buddha images or touch monks.
Which island is best for a first trip?
From November to April, Krabi and Phuket on the Andaman coast are best. From May to October, the Gulf islands such as Koh Samui are drier. Krabi has the limestone scenery; Phuket has more nightlife and resorts. Koh Lanta is quieter.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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