Thailand is bigger than it looks on the map, but that’s not the only reason I tell my private clients to stay as long as they can. For starts, unless you are flying to Bangkok from elsewhere in Asia, you’ll be dealing with jet lag that will take at least a few days to beat.
On the other hand, even if you have several weeks to devote to Southeast Asia, Thailand might be just one stop. So I understand why you can’t necessarily spend a ton of time here.
It’s for all these reasons that I’ve created my one week in Thailand itinerary. While I wouldn’t recommend spending any less than 7 days in Thailand, this guide will help you make the most of the week you have.
Short Thailand Trips Are Difficult—But Not Impossible
Unless you are coming from elsewhere in Southeast Asia—in other words, a weekend in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or one island, but definitely not two or three of these places—a 1 week Thailand itinerary is the shortest trip I’d recommend you take. Frankly, it’s barely enough to get over jet lag, let alone to be able to set foot in both Bangkok and Thailand’s two major regions (“The North” and “The Islands”).
And I’ll be honest: For all but the most determined, organized travelers, it is not a given that such trips are even doable. Unless you literally plan to lounge all day at a beach or by a pool, having just a week in Thailand means that you’ll need to be methodical, not only with where you go and how many days you spend there, but with how full each of your days ends up being.
What to Do With a Week in Thailand
Start (and maybe end) in Bangkok
Logistically speaking, you’ll need to spend at least a night in Bangkok at the beginning of your trip—and, depending upon when you leave Thailand, maybe at the end as well. But don’t think of Thailand’s capital as a chore. From ancient temples like Wat Arun and Wat Pho along the Chao Phraya River, to the hundreds of gleaming skyscrapers around lush Lumphini Park, Bangkok is like its own country.
Head north
Then again, if you have only 1 week in Thailand, you don’t want to get stuck in Bangkok—fly north as soon as you can. One possibility is to visit Chiang Mai, whose status as the region’s top destination is in many ways not surprising. Beyond the boutique hotels and Lanna-style temples on offer within the Old City Walls, there’s plentiful nature to explore outside them.
(But maybe not to Chiang Mai)
Alternatively, you could head to Chiang Rai, whose proximity to the Golden Triangle makes its city center (which is alluring on its own) worth skipped Chiang Mai for. Another option is to visit tiny Lampang, which feels like Chiang Mai must’ve half a century (or longer) ago. Note that one of these selections is instead of Chiang Mai, and not in addition to it—well, unless you plan to skip the beach.
Pick an island
Which is crazy, isn’t it? I mean, I wouldn’t want to plan a Thailand 1 week itinerary that didn’t include a single island, whether that was a mainstream like Phuket, one far off the beaten path like Koh Mak, or one somewhere in the middle like Koh Lipe or Koh Lanta. There’s also always the option of Koh Samui, or any of the islands near it (TIP: Go to Koh Tao if Koh Pha Ngan‘s party vibe doesn’t appeal to you!)
(Or maybe a few)
Don’t plan to spend much or any time up north? Then you might have time for more than one island, or even some island hopping. Well, some light island hopping. For instance, you could base yourself on Krabi‘s Railay Beach, and make day trips to Koh Phi Phi, to James Bond Island or even to the inland part of the province. Or choose one of Trang‘s islands (like Koh Kradan or Koh Mook) and use it as a hub for exploring.
Is 1 Week Enough for Thailand?
Objectively speaking, one week is not enough for Thailand. Assuming you don’t do a whirlwind trip that allows you simply to touch the ground in each of Thailand’s regions very briefly, you’ll face the un-enviable task of having to choose one or two parts of the country to visit, and to accept that you won’t get to see the others at all. Well, unless and/or until you return in the future.
And that’s the thing. I generally only recommend a week in Thailand itinerary for travelers who have either been to Thailand before, or who plan to come back at some point in the future. Otherwise, you’ll see the country so superficially that while your trip won’t have been in vain, it will leave you very hungry for more. What’s the point of this if you don’t think you’ll be able to come back and satiate yourself?
Other FAQ About Spending a Week in Thailand
Is it worth going to Thailand for one week?
It’s worth going to Thailand for a week if one of two things are true. One, if you’ve been to Thailand before and are simply returning to dig deeper; or two, if you’r reasonably certain that you will be able to come back again. Otherwise, such a short trip may not be fulfilling enough to justify it.
How much money is enough for 7 days in Thailand?
Keeping in mind an average travel cost between 50-150 USD per person, per day (not including international flights), the average person can expect to spend around $350-1,050 per week in Thailand when traveling as part of a couple of group, or slightly more than that when traveling alone.
What to do in 7 days in Thailand?
With 7 days in Thailand, I recommend 1-2 nights in Bangkok, followed by a flight up north to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai (but likely not both). From there you’ll head south—but again, likely to only one island or non-island beach destination, such as Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui.
The Bottom Line
The bad news? You simply aren’t going to “see it all” if you have only one week in Thailand to spare. The good news? You can still experience a nice cross section of what the Kingdom has to offer with a short trip. From city nights in Bangkok, to jungle vibes up North, to islands in the Andaman Sea of the Gulf of Thailand, a week will give you a taste of Thailand, and is an especially valuable investment if you think you might come back in the future. Of course, even if your week in Thailand ends up being your only opportunity to visit, it can still be unforgettable—especially if you end up hiring me to plan it.
