On the surface, 2 weeks in Thailand seems like a long time to spend in the Kingdom, especially if you’re coming from a huge country like the US or Australia. Allow me to start this post, then, with a word of caution.
Whether because of endless options for where to go in Thailand, or the various logistical difficulties of getting around, Thailand is not small—two weeks is barely enough to scratch the surface.
Or at least it would be, if you didn’t have an expert holding your hand, and helping you to organize your trip. Allow me to explain why I feel a couple of weeks is a great jumping off point, even though there are definitely other answers for how long to spend in Thailand.
Why Two Weeks in Thailand is the Perfect Trip
Is 2 weeks in Thailand enough? There are as many articles online about how many days in Thailand are ideal as there are possible answers, but the reality is simply not sexy. Which is to say it depends more on your, and your will to see and do things, as it does on Thailand. As an experienced traveler with a competent grasp of the language, I can accomplish as much with a week in Thailand as most people do in a month.
On the other hand, I’d say that the variety of popular places to visit in Thailand—which I divide, somewhat crudely, into “the Islands,” “the North” and “Bangkok“—lends itself to trips of about 2 weeks in Thailand. Which is to say that you’ll have 3-4 days in the Bangkok area, and will divide the rest of the time between the tropical south and the lush north, more or less evenly.
How to Organize Your Two Weeks in Thailand
3 Days in Bangkok
There are enough things to do in Bangkok to occupy three years (I happen to know this from personal experience), but I recommend you start your 2 week Thailand itinerary with just two days in the capital. Spend one day exploring the modern urban core and another in the old cities of Rattanakosin and Thonburi. Optionally, use your third day to embark on many of the day trips from Bangkok I’ve recommend here.
While you could stay in Bangkok for just a couple days, spending three days rather than two insulates you against the volatility of Bangkok weather. Three days, or longer—if you wanted to, you could actually spend your entire 2 weeks in Bangkok!
5 Days in Thailand’s North
What to see in Thailand in 2 weeks? Continue your 2 weeks in Thailand either with a flight to Chiang Mai or a night train there—an experience, although it takes forever! Spend just two days in Thailand’s northern mecca, with one inside the Old City walls and another outside, whether near the city at Doi Suthep temple, or far away at Elephant Nature Park.
As far as how to enjoy underrated Chiang Rai (and the nearby Golden Triangle)? Check out my post on this integral part of a 2 week itinerary Thailand.
5 Days in the Islands
I’ve likewise written a post about Thailand island hopping, although I will summarize my findings here. Namely, once you decide which sea you want to swim in—the Andaman or the Gulf of Thailand—you need to choose an island or group of islands. Respectively, these include Phuket/Krabi, Trang and Koh Lipe; and Koh Samui, Trat and islands near Bangkok such as Koh Samet and Koh Larn.
Back to Bangkok
Finish up your Thailand itinerary 2 weeks where it started. For some travelers (namely, those continuing on to destinations elsewhere in Southeast Asia, at least by air), this might simply take you into the transit area of Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi airports. If you do head into the city, enjoy a relaxing time, whether you enjoy shopping, a movie or a meal at Siam Paragon, or visit the underrated Jim Thompson House for a history lesson.
Longer Trips to Thailand
Two weeks is a perfectly reasonable amount of time to spend in Thailand, particularly if you follow my advice and don’t mind moving at a relatively quick pace. On the other hand, my general answer for how long you should spend in Thailand is “as long as you possibly can!” As a result, a trip of around one month in Thailand is ideal, particularly if you’re more of a slow traveler than I am.
Of course, there are nuances within this paradigm. For some travelers, a month in Thailand will be an expanded version of this two weeks in Thailand itinerary, with additional destinations in the north added, and a more robust exploration of Thailand’s beachy south as well. On the other hand, certainly travelers might use a month (or two weeks) as the opportunity to dig in, whether that’s a relaxed trip through Isaan or a trial run of living in Bangkok.
The moral of the story? While a longer trip is always better, for a 2 weeks itinerary, Thailand is one of the best countries in the world.
Plan Your Two Weeks in Thailand
The reality, even with how cleanly I’ve laid out the fact in this post, is that not everyone is Thailand trip planner. In some instances, this is because you simply don’t have the time, either to plot out your entire trip day-by-day, or to gain an understanding of what life on the ground in Thailand is going to be like. As one of my favorite travel buddies often says, “my trip doesn’t begin until I’m on the plane.”
Other FAQ About Seeing Thailand in 2 Weeks
Is 2 weeks enough in Thailand?
Two weeks is enough for Thailand if you are clear about what you wish to see, and have a manageable itinerary. Two weeks allows you 2-3 nights in Bangkok, plus 4-6 nights each in the North and the Islands. If you want to do an extensive island hopping trip, or visit secondary destinations like Isaan or Sukhothai, you’ll probably need longer than a 2 weeks Thailand trip.
What should I do in Thailand for 2 weeks?
With two weeks in Thailand, you can visit every major region of Thailand. After 2-3 nights in Bangkok, head north, where you can divide 5-6 nights between Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle. Next, fly south to Phuket or Krabi, where you can stay for around a week, or divide that amount of time between Phuket/Krabi and secondary island destinations such as Koh Samui or the Trang archipelago.
Is a week in Thailand enough?
A week in Thailand is only enough if the scope of such a trip is very narrow. For example, you could do a whirlwind trip through Thailand, with 1-2 nights in each in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, then 2-3 nights in one beach destination, such as Krabi’s Railay Beach or Koh Phi Phi. However, one week is not enough to enjoy a comprehensive Thailand trip.
The Bottom Line
Is 2 weeks in Thailand enough? There’s good news and bad news. The bad news? Two weeks in Thailand is nearly as long a trip as it seems—it certainly isn’t enough time to “see everything,” as some of my more ambitious readers assume they can do. The silver lining? If you plan efficiently and are clear about what you want to see—what’s possible to see—two weeks is enough. Indeed, two weeks allows you to cover more ground than what to do in Thailand for a week. Now, this comes with some caveats, namely (assuming it’s your first trip) that you’ll almost certainly be back to dig deeper. For now, however, feel at peace: The two weeks you spend exploring Thailand will be some of the most awe-inspiring in your life so far! Consider hiring me to plan your 2 week Thailand itinerary.