Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 10:30 pm
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This blog post contains an outline for a perfect 10 day trip to Thailand. This itinerary is perfect for a first-time visitor.
Thailand is a beautiful country with diverse landscapes, friendly people, and an abundance of activities to keep you busy. You could easily spend a month exploring Thailand, and still not see everything that Thailand has to offer. However, if you are strapped for time, you can still get a great overview of Thailand in 10 days. I recently spent 10 days in Thailand, and managed to see Bangkok, visit a beautiful tropical island, and explore the jungles and temples of the north. Read on to find out my recommendations for a 10 day trip to Thailand.
Thailand Itinerary Days 1-4: Bangkok
International visitors to Thailand will most likely fly in to Bangkok. This bustling city is a great place to start your Thailand adventure. I would recommend planning at least 2 full days exploring Bangkok, but you could easily use more. Make sure to save one day for a day trip too!
Best Things to Do in Bangkok
Bangkok has so many cool temples that you need to see– my favourites were Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew. I also loved visiting the Grand Palace. This beautiful spot is packed full of history and stunning architecture.
My other favourite activity in Bangkok was a canal tour in a longtail boat. Honestly, this boat tour was one of the top highlights of my whole trip. I had no idea before I went that Bangkok has such beautiful canals, but I’ve now been told it’s the Venice of the East, and I see why! Such a beautiful sight.
Best Day Trip From Bangkok
If you’re ready to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, a great day trip from Bangkok is a trip to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand. This area has the ruins of so many temples, and is a fascinating place to get a glimpse in to the past. I did a full day group tour with BigCountry Vacations, and really enjoyed having a guide to explain the history of the area. There are also half day tours available. Or, if you’re confident driving (the roads in Bangkok are crazy!), rent a car and drive to the all the sites in Ayutthaya yourself.
Thailand Itinerary Days 4-7: Koh Samui
After Bangkok, it’s time to move on to Koh Samui. It would be a shame to visit Thailand and not see any of the gorgeous beaches that is known for. I picked Koh Samui because it has beautiful beaches and luscious jungles, making it a fabulous spot for a little vacation from your vacation. I would recommend 3 full day here- 2 to relax, and one to go out an explore!
Best Things to Do in Koh Samui
Koh Samui has something for everyone- if you stay in the Lamai Beach area, you can have a quiet, relaxing visit. If you are looking for the party scene, you can also find that at Chaweng Beach.
Honestly, just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful beaches is the best way to spend your time in Koh Samaui. But if you want to explore, Koh Samui also has a few cool temples. The most famous is the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai). There are also jungle tours available!
Best Day Trips from Koh Samui
There are lots of options for day trips if you want to get off of the island and out on the water. There are a few day tour operators on Koh Samui, so you will have plenty of options for sailing or snorkeling. A popular spot for sailing and snorkeling near Koh Samui is Angthong National Park, an area rich with marine life.
Thailand Itinerary Days 7-10: Chiang Mai
A visit up north is essential if you are going to travel to Thailand. Chiang Mai was probably my favourite destination in Thailand- it has an amazing old city, as well as many nearby activities. I would recommend 3 or 4 full days here. You will want time to do at least one day trip!
Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai
An essential experience in Chiang Mai is visiting the night market. It happens every night, and is full of vendors selling souvenirs, household items, clothes, and anything else you might be looking for. This is also a great place to eat! The night market has lots of street food stalls, where you can get a delicious meal without breaking the bank.
You will definitely also want to spend some time exploring the streets of the old town. There are plenty of temples and monuments within walking distance of each other.
Best Day Trips from Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai had the best day trips of any location I visited in Thailand! My favourite day trips from Chiang Mai were visiting an elephant sanctuary (be sure to visit an ethical one- I recommend Elephant Nature Park), and going on a day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park.
I also did a day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, which is about a three hour drive away. I would highly recommend this tour if you have time. We went to the famous White Temple, visited an opium museum, and took a boat ride to see the border between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. Such a neat experience!
I hope this guide helps you plan your 10 day trip to Thailand. Thailand is truly an amazing place to explore! If you have extra time, consider visiting Phuket, or Pai. Happy travelling!
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