Overview
Why Thailand is Asia's perfect first trip
Thailand has been the gateway to Southeast Asia for a reason. The infrastructure is excellent, the food is some of the best on Earth, the people are famously warm, and the variety packed into one country — chaotic megacity, jungle-clad north, glassy turquoise islands — is hard to beat anywhere else in the world.
Three weeks in Thailand is the sweet spot. You'll have enough time to dive into Bangkok's food scene, slow down in Chiang Mai's old city and temples, then trade your hiking boots for snorkel masks across both coasts. This route — Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Krabi → Koh Phi Phi → Koh Samui → Bangkok — is the classic Thailand backpacking route, optimised so you never backtrack.
Budget anywhere from £800 for a tight backpacking trip to £3,500+ for a comfortable mid-range fortnight at beach resorts. The best time to visit is November to February when the country is cool, dry and sunny on both coasts.
Quick Overview
Duration
21 Days
Country
Thailand
Best For
First-time visitors, couples, solo travellers
Budget
£800 – £3,500+
Transport
Flights, ferries, trains & buses
Highlights
Bangkok · Chiang Mai · Krabi · Phi Phi · Samui
The Route
Your 21-day Thailand route
A north-to-south loop that ends back at Bangkok's airport for an easy international departure.
Bangkok → Chiang Mai (flight or overnight sleeper train) → Krabi (flight) → Koh Phi Phi (~2hr ferry) → Koh Samui (ferry + flight combo) → Bangkok (flight).
Day 1–4
Bangkok
Fly into Suvarnabhumi Airport and dive headfirst into Thailand's electrifying capital — temples by day, rooftop bars by night.
Where to stay
Budget
- Lub d Bangkok Siam — design-led hostel near Khao San Road
Mid-Range
- Solitaire Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 — central, BTS-connected, brilliant rooftop pool
Luxury
- Shangri-La Bangkok — riverside icon with two pools and Chao Phraya views
Best areas to stay: Khao San Road (budget), Sukhumvit (mid-range, transport hub), Riverside (luxury).
Things to do
- Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha — go early to beat the heat
- Wat Arun at sunset from across the river at Eagle Nest Bar
- Wat Pho — the reclining Buddha and Thai massage school
- Chao Phraya River cruise or the public ferry for half the price
- Chinatown (Yaowarat) street food crawl after dark
- Terminal 21 mall — themed floors, great food court
- Chatuchak Weekend Market — over 15,000 stalls
- Rooftop bars: Vertigo, Octave or Sky Bar at Lebua
Food recommendations
- Jay Fai — Michelin-starred crab omelette by the iconic ski-goggle chef
- Thipsamai — Bangkok's most famous pad thai, on Mahachai Road
- Jodd Fairs Night Market — leng saap (volcano pork ribs) and cocktails
- Chinatown — oyster omelettes, grilled river prawns and mango sticky rice
Getting around Bangkok
The BTS Skytrain and MRT beat the traffic easily — get a Rabbit Card on arrival. For everywhere else, use Grab or Bolt (cheaper than metered taxis and no haggling). Avoid tuk-tuks unless it's for the experience — they're more expensive than taxis.
Day 5–8
Chiang Mai
The cultural heart of northern Thailand — moated old city, jungle temples, cooking classes and the country's best ethical elephant sanctuaries.
How to get there
Option 1: Domestic flight from Bangkok with AirAsia, Thai VietJet or Nok Air (~1h 15m, often under £30). Option 2: The overnight sleeper train from Hua Lamphong / Krung Thep Aphiwat station — a Thailand rite of passage, around 12–14 hours.
Where to stay
Budget
- Stamps Backpackers — friendly, social, walkable to Old City temples
Mid-Range
- U Nimman Chiang Mai — boutique hotel in the trendy Nimman neighbourhood
Luxury
- 137 Pillars House — colonial-style suites, jungle-quiet pool
Best areas to stay: Old City (temples, atmosphere), Nimman (cafés, nightlife), Riverside (quiet, romantic).
Things to do
- Doi Suthep — the mountain temple above the city, go at sunset
- Elephant Nature Park — the most ethical sanctuary in Thailand (no riding)
- Night Bazaar — nightly street market with cheap eats and souvenirs
- Sunday Walking Street — the best market in town, on Ratchadamnoen Road
- Bua Tong 'Sticky' Waterfalls — climb the limestone falls barefoot
- Half-day Thai cooking class with market tour
Food recommendations
- Khao Soi Khun Yai — the city's most loved bowl of northern curry noodles
- Ginger Farm Kitchen — farm-to-table Thai in Nimman
- SP Chicken — rotisserie gai yang with sticky rice and som tam
Day 9–13
Krabi
Limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, monkey-filled beaches — Krabi is your launchpad for the most photogenic coastline in Thailand.
How to get there
Direct flight from Chiang Mai to Krabi with AirAsia or Thai VietJet (~2 hours, often £40–£70). From the airport, a shared minivan to Ao Nang takes ~45 minutes.
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- BlueSotel Krabi — modern beachfront hotel in Ao Nang
Luxury
- Rayavadee — five-star resort tucked between three beaches at Railay
Best areas to stay: Ao Nang (convenient, restaurants), Railay Beach (no roads, pure paradise).
Things to do
- Railay Beach — accessible only by longtail boat, 15 min from Ao Nang
- Hong Islands tour — emerald lagoons and snorkelling
- Tiger Cave Temple — 1,237 steps to a jaw-dropping summit viewpoint
- Emerald Pool and Blue Pool in the Khao Phra Bang Khram reserve
- Four Islands tour — Phra Nang Cave, Chicken Island, Tup Island sandbar
- Sunset longtail boat trip from Ao Nang or Railay
Food recommendations
- Kodam Kitchen — fantastic family-run Thai with garden seating
- Family Thai Food — tiny Ao Nang spot loved by repeat visitors
- Carnivore Steak & Grill — when you need a break from rice
Day 14–16
Koh Phi Phi
The Andaman's most famous island — Maya Bay, Phi Phi viewpoint and snorkelling in water so clear it doesn't look real.
How to get there
Ferry from Krabi (Klong Jilad pier) to Tonsai Pier, approximately 2 hours. Book on 12Go or at any Ao Nang travel agent (~600 THB).
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- Phi Phi The Beach Resort — quiet bay on the eastern side, sunrise views
Best areas to stay: Tonsai Village (nightlife, walkable), Long Beach (quieter, sunset side).
Things to do
- Phi Phi Viewpoint hike at sunrise — the iconic shot of the twin bays
- Maya Bay — reopened with daily visitor caps, book a 4pm sunset tour
- Bamboo Island day trip — white sand and turquoise shallows
- Snorkelling at Monkey Beach and Pileh Lagoon
- Sunset booze cruise with snorkelling and fire shows
Day 17–20
Koh Samui
Switch coasts. The Gulf side is calmer, with chic beach clubs, jungle waterfalls and an easy island vibe that's miles away from Phi Phi's party crowd.
How to get there
The cleanest route is ferry from Phi Phi back to the mainland (Krabi or Phuket) and then a short Bangkok Airways flight to Koh Samui. Alternatively, a full-day ferry + bus + ferry combo via Surat Thani is the budget option.
Where to stay
Mid-Range
- Coco Palm Beach Resort — relaxed Chaweng beachfront resort
Luxury
- Kimpton Kitalay Samui — design-led pool villas on the east coast
Best areas to stay: Chaweng (nightlife and beaches), Fisherman's Village in Bophut (boutique, foodie), Lamai (quieter, mid-range).
Things to do
- Ang Thong Marine Park day trip — 42 islands, kayaking and viewpoints
- Pig Island (Koh Madsum) snorkel and beach day
- Fisherman's Village Friday Night Market in Bophut
- Na Muang Waterfalls 1 & 2
- Beach clubs: Coco Tam's, Nikki Beach or Cha Cha Moon
- Lad Koh sunset viewpoint
Food recommendations
- Coco Tam's — bean bags in the sand, cocktails in coconuts
- The Jungle Club — sunset dining with one of the island's best views
- Krua Bophut — authentic local Thai near Fisherman's Village
Day 21
Return to Bangkok
Fly back to Bangkok for your international departure — or extend your trip if you've fallen in love.
Things to do
- Last-minute shopping at MBK or ICONSIAM
- Airport hotels: Novotel Suvarnabhumi (connected by walkway) for early flights
- Luggage storage at AIRPORTELs counters across central Bangkok
- Final massage at a Wat Pho-style spa before the flight
Getting Around
Thailand Transport Guide
Domestic Flights
AirAsia, Thai VietJet and Nok Air are the budget heavyweights — Bangkok to Chiang Mai often £25–£40 if booked 2+ weeks ahead. Bangkok Airways is the only carrier into Koh Samui.
Trains
The Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train is a classic. Book a 2nd class air-con sleeper berth on the State Railway of Thailand site or via 12Go — book at least a week ahead in high season.
Ferries
Krabi to Phi Phi is a straightforward 2-hour ride. Mainland to Koh Samui usually means Donsak pier → Lipa Noi. Book combo tickets (e.g. Phi Phi → Krabi → Samui) on 12Go for stress-free transfers.
Apps to download
Grab & Bolt for taxis and food, 12Go for transport bookings, Klook for activities and tours, and Google Maps with offline maps saved before you fly.
The Numbers
Thailand Budget Breakdown
All-in estimates per person for 21 days — includes accommodation, food, transport and activities (international flights excluded).
| Budget Style | Cost For 21 Days | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | £800 – £1,200 | Hostels, street food, sleeper trains and shared ferries. |
| Mid-Range | £1,500 – £2,500 | 3–4 star hotels, domestic flights, sit-down restaurants and small group tours. |
| Luxury | £4,000+ | Beach resorts, private transfers, fine dining and private island charters. |
Add roughly £550–£900 for return flights from the UK depending on season.
FAQ
Common questions about visiting Thailand
Keep planning
Related Thailand & Asia guides
Thailand destination guide
Cities, regions, costs, visas and FAQs.
Best time to visit Thailand
Season by season — both coasts compared.
Thailand budget guide
Per-day costs for every travel style.
Bangkok travel guide
Neighbourhoods, food, rooftops and temples.
Chiang Mai travel guide
Old city temples, elephants and northern food.
Krabi & Koh Samui guides
Where to stay on Thailand's two coasts.
More Asia itineraries
Day-by-day routes across the region.
Thailand travel tips
Scams to avoid, etiquette and practicalities.