If you’re from the US, Australia or Canada, Thailand might look small on the map. I’ve had many private clients email me, confident that they could knock out their list or destinations and experiences in a week, or even just a few days.
Unfortunately, as you might imagine, this isn’t actually true. Thailand isn’t nearly as small as it appears on a map or globe; domestic travel can also be slow-going, with a few exceptions.
Thankfully, if you can devote at least 2 weeks in Thailand, you’ll be able to cover a decent amount of ground—especially if you read through the tips I’m about to share with you.
Two Weeks Will Give You a Great Intro to Thailand
With a Thailand 2 week itinerary, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve seen a lot of Thailand—and, most importantly, you’ll be hungry to discover more. In the ideal circumstance (which I’ll outline below), you’ll spend some time in each region of Thailand. After starting in Bangkok, you’ll fly to northern Thailand, where you may or may not stick only to the mainstream tourist city of Chiang Mai.
Likewise, though almost all two-week Thailand trips will head south to the islands, you have some flexibility there. You could, of course, stay entirely in mainstream destinations like Phuket and Krabi. Or, you could island hop—into the Trang archipelago from Koh Lanta, the Trat archipelago from Koh Chang or even from Koh Samui to Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan.
Where to Go With 2 Weeks in Thailand
Bangkok and vicinity
You’re almost certainly going to land at the capital’s Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airports, so it makes sense to start your trip in Bangkok. I generally like to spend at least a few nights in the city, with a full day each in old Rattanakosin and the more modern core, and one or more day trips. Possibilities for these include ancient Ayutthaya, or one of the “floating markets” near Bangkok.
Chiang Mai
For any Thailand itinerary, 2 weeks would be a long time to spend in the capital. That’s why I next recommend that you head up to Chiang Mai. The hub of Thailand’s north, Chiang Mai centers around a walled old city, with peripheral attractions that include mountains, waterfalls and elephant sanctuaries. If you come in November, you can also enjoy the annual Loy Krathong festival.
Chiang Rai, Lampang or Mae Hong Son
If you want to explore northern Thailand beyond Chiang Mai, you have a few options. One is to continue heading north, be that only to Chiang Rai city, or also to the Golden Triangle. Or head south to Lampang, which is tiny, but packs a big punch. Mae Hong Son province, meanwhile, is huge but doable in a couple days, namely by driving along the Mae Hong Son Loop.
The Andaman Sea
It should go without saying that your 2 week itinerary Thailand is going to include some beach time. The most obvious place to go is the Andaman Sea, where towering limestone karsts create postcard-perfect scenery. However, you don’t necessarily need to focus on mainstream destinations like Krabi and Phuket. Go far off the beaten path to the Similan Islands, or island-hop from Koh Lanta through Trang to Koh Lipe.
The Gulf of Thailand
Last but not least if the Gulf of Thailand—you have options here, too. The most obvious one would be to head to Koh Samui, the island featured in The White Lotus. From here, you can continue to the scuba spot of Koh Tao or the part paradise of Koh Pha Ngan. Or, venture toward the eastern gulf, using Koh Chang as a jumping-off point for other islands in the Trat archipelago, including Koh Mak, Koh Kood and Koh Wai.
Is it Worth Going to Thailand for 2 Weeks?
It is absolutely worth going to Thailand for two weeks. You can not only see enough to make the journey worthwhile, but will have ample time to get over your jet lag—even if you’re making the 24-hour one-way trip from North America. Plus, if you follow my plan, you’ll be ample to sample each region of Thailand, allowing you to feel like you’ve been there longer than you actually have.
Likewise, if your Thailand two week itinerary is for a return trip, you can easily make the most of it. For example, you might head northeast to the ramshackle Isaan region, sometimes lovingly known as the “Texas of Thailand.” Or, you could dive deep into certain islands, such as hitting up all the stops en route from Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta or even the Similan Islands down to Koh Lipe on Thailand’s Andaman side.
Other FAQ About Spending Two Weeks in Thailand
How much money do you need for 2 weeks in Thailand?
I generally say that most travelers can expect to spend between 50-150 USD per person, per day, based on double occupancy, and not including the cost of flights to and from Thailand. As a result, you can expect to spend somewhere between 700-2,100 USD for two weeks in Thailand, presuming you’re in a couple, family or group. If you’re traveling solo, costs will be higher.
How many places to visit in Thailand in 2 weeks?
Broadly speaking, I’d recommend dividing your two-week Thailand trip into three parts: Bangkok; The North; and the Islands. Within the latter two categories, you can visit as many or as few places as you like. If you’ll spend more time in the north, you can visit Lampang, Chiang Rai or Lampang in addition to Chiang Mai. Likewise, a longer island-hopping trip could see you boat down into the more obscure Trang or Trat archipelagoes.
What is the best itinerary for Thailand?
The best itinerary for Thailand is one that, regardless of length, affords you a cross-section of the Kingdom. This includes not only the neon-lit streets of Bangkok, but the lush jungles of northern Thailand, and the postcard-perfect beaches of the islands in the country’s south.
The Bottom Line
With 2 weeks in Thailand, you can see a captivate cross-section of Thailand. After a few nights in Bangkok, you’ll head north to Chiang Mai—and, potentially, to Lampang, Chiang Rai or Mae Hong Son. You’ll head fly south to the islands, be it to classic destinations such as Phuket and Krabi (in the Andaman Sea) or Koh Samui in the Gulf, or to secondary spots like the Trat and Trang archipelagoes. Of course, if you’re coming back to Thailand, you may want to spend your entire two weeks off the beaten. Whatever the case, the best way to ensure an unforgettable trip it to hire me to plan it.
