Fourteen days is long enough to see Thailand's three big contrasts: the capital, the north and a coastline. It is not enough to see everything, and the usual mistake is trying. These two routes use the same opening (Bangkok, then Chiang Mai) and differ in the beach section, which you choose by season. Route A is built for the Andaman coast and suits roughly November to April. Route B uses the Gulf islands and suits roughly January to August. If you are travelling in September or October, the north, the central plains and the Gulf are generally the better choice than the Andaman coast; see best time by region. Costs below are approximate, as of 2026, and flight and ferry times are typical, not guaranteed.
Before you choose
| Question | Answer pushes you to |
|---|---|
| Travelling Nov-Apr | Route A |
| Travelling May-Aug | Route B |
| Want to learn to dive | Route B (Koh Tao) |
| Want cliffs and island-hopping | Route A |
| Dislike ferries | Route A with an airport at Krabi or Phuket, or Samui in Route B |
Fly into Bangkok and out of your last beach city to avoid backtracking, or buy an open-jaw ticket. A one-way domestic flight at the end often saves a day.
Route A: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket
| Days | Base | Plan | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Bangkok | Grand Palace and riverside temples, markets, food walks, a canal or river boat; keep one flexible half-day | Arrive; see Bangkok 3-day plan |
| 4 | Ayutthaya (optional) | Day trip to ruins by train or tour; return to Bangkok | See Ayutthaya day trip |
| 5-7 | Chiang Mai | Old city temples, cooking class, Doi Suthep, an ethical elephant visit or a mountain day | Fly (about 1 h 15 min) or take the overnight train from Bangkok |
| 8 | Chiang Rai (optional) | White Temple day trip, or skip for an extra rest day | Road, about 3-4 h each way |
| 8 or 9 | Krabi | Fly via Bangkok or direct on some days; settle in Ao Nang or Railay | Flight (check current schedules) |
| 9-11 | Krabi | Four-island boat trip, Railay beaches, Emerald Pool or Tiger Cave Temple climb | See Krabi islands and Railay |
| 12-14 | Phuket | Boat to Phi Phi as a day trip or overnight, then beaches and Old Town, depart | Ferry or road from Krabi; see Phuket 3-day plan |
Route A notes
- Day 4 is optional. If you prefer a slower pace, replace it with a rest day or a cooking class in Bangkok.
- Chiang Rai. The White Temple is the headline attraction. See the Chiang Rai day trip guide.
- Phi Phi. Day trips are crowded; an overnight stay lets you see it in quiet hours. See how to get to Koh Phi Phi.
- Season. From about May to October Andaman seas are rough and some trips are cancelled. Switch to Route B in those months.
Route B: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Samui, Phangan, Tao
| Days | Base | Plan | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Bangkok | Temples, river, markets, food; one rest block | Arrive |
| 4-6 | Chiang Mai | Old city, cooking class, day in the mountains | Fly or overnight train |
| 7 | Travel day | Fly Chiang Mai to Bangkok and onward to Samui, or via a Samui-bound connection | Buffer for delays |
| 8-9 | Koh Samui | Beaches, Big Buddha, Ang Thong Marine Park day trip (check seasonal closures) | See Samui where to stay |
| 10-11 | Koh Phangan | Quiet bays or Full Moon Party if the date fits | Ferry about 30-60 min; see the ferry guide |
| 12-14 | Koh Tao | Snorkelling or a diving course, viewpoints; return to the mainland | Ferry about 1-2 h; allow the transfer to the airport |
Route B notes
- Diving. An Open Water course usually takes 3-4 days, so plan it carefully or consider an introductory dive instead. See Koh Tao diving courses.
- Full Moon Party. Dates follow the lunar calendar. See the Full Moon Party guide.
- Return to Bangkok. Allow buffer time before an international flight. A ferry and train combination from Koh Tao to Bangkok can take most of a day.
- Season. The Gulf is wetter from about October to December, so avoid Route B then.
Estimated costs (approx., as of 2026)
| Item | Route A | Route B |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flights (2-3 legs) | THB 4,000-9,000 | THB 5,000-10,000 |
| Ferries and local transfers | THB 1,500-3,500 | THB 1,500-3,500 |
| Accommodation (13 nights, mid-range) | THB 16,000-32,000 | THB 16,000-32,000 |
| Food and drink | THB 8,000-14,000 | THB 8,000-14,000 |
| Activities, tours and park fees | THB 6,000-12,000 | THB 6,000-14,000 |
| Total (per person, sharing a room) | THB 40,000-70,000 | THB 42,000-73,000 |
These ranges assume two people sharing, mid-range hotels, a few paid tours and standard flights booked in advance. Backpackers can spend far less, and luxury resorts far more. See Thailand budget per day for style-based ranges.
Transport logic
- Flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai are frequent, and the overnight train is an alternative; see getting around Thailand.
- Krabi and Phuket are linked by road and ferry, so you can avoid another flight.
- Samui, Phangan and Tao are linked by ferry, with Samui the only one with an airport.
- Buffers. Leave at least half a day between your last ferry or flight and your international departure.
Packing and practical points
- Lightweight clothing, a rain layer, reef-safe sunscreen and sandals for islands.
- Modest clothes for temples; see temple etiquette.
- A power adapter that handles Thai sockets (types A, B, C and O are in use).
- Offline copies of tickets and your TDAC confirmation; see entry requirements.
- A SIM or eSIM.
- Travel insurance; see safety and health.
Adapting the plan
| If you have | Change |
|---|---|
| 10 days | Drop Ayutthaya and Chiang Rai, and visit only one beach region |
| 3 weeks | Add Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi or Isaan; or a third island group |
| Children | Stay longer per base, choose Phuket or Samui, and skip night transport |
| A slower pace | Remove Chiang Mai or Bangkok nights and spend them on one island |
| Mid-June to September | Use Route B and skip the Andaman side |
For more ideas see Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi and the Thailand hub. For choosing between islands see which Thai island.
FAQ
Is two weeks enough for Thailand?
Yes, for three or four bases. It covers Bangkok, the north and one beach region comfortably. It does not cover the whole country, and trying to do so leads to long transit days.
Should I do the north or the beaches first?
Start in Bangkok, then the north, and end on the beach, which is a natural way to relax before flying home. The order can change if flight prices favour a different route.
Can I combine the Andaman coast and the Gulf islands in two weeks?
It is possible but rarely worthwhile, since the transfer takes a day and the weather windows rarely suit both. Choose one coast in two weeks.
How many internal flights do I need?
Typically two or three: Bangkok to Chiang Mai (or the overnight train), Chiang Mai to the beach via Bangkok, and possibly a return. Check airline schedules and baggage rules.
What is the best month for this itinerary?
Route A works best from roughly November to April and Route B from roughly January to August. January and February suit both.
Official sources and further reading
Prices, schedules and entry rules change. Figures here are approximate as of 2026; always confirm on the official or operator page before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
