3-WEEK TRIP TO THAILAND

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You already have your tickets for Thailand but you don't know how to start building your itinerary? Do not be overwhelmed, that after having been in the country of smiles a few times (really, we lost the XD account), we will recommend the best three-week travel itinerary.

Of course, keep in mind that this itinerary is thinking for those who travel to Thailand for the first time and want to have an overview of the country and explore its most famous corners. If you are looking for ideas for an original itinerary or if you were already in Thailand and want to know less touristy places, we highly recommend the eastern part of the country.

That said ... here goes the three-week trip to Thailand:

If you want more information for your trip, visit our THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE

Most likely, you land in the capital of the country and there you collide for the first time with the famous Thai humidity. You will arrive at your little hotel (or hostel) and start enjoying one of the most incredible cities in the world. There are two types of reactions: either you love Bangkok, or you don't see the time to leave it behind. We are among the first so we recommend you to go here 3 days integers to see and do everything that Bankok offers.

→ The best thing to see and do in Bangkok

→ The best temples in Bangkok

→ Where to eat in Bangkok

→ All our articles from Bangkok

We start our travel to northern Thailand, but you don't have to get too far from the capital to find an essential first stop: Ayutthaya. The one that was capital of the kingdom of Siam between 1350 and 1767.

→ Everything to do in Ayutthaya.

advice: If you have to cut a day on your travel itinerary, you can skip this stop, because the next one, without being the same, is the same style.

In Sukhothai you will find the Historic Park, for us the best in the whole country. This city was the capital of the kingdom of Sukhothai during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Today you can visit the ruins of the wonderful temples, and what better way to do it quietly by renting a bike and your pace (of course, wear water and a hat!)

It is also a great place to find cheap accommodation with a pool. Ideally, stay 2 days: the first to enjoy the little pool and then go out for dinner at the night market or at one of its restaurants (in Sukhothai there are some interesting gastronomic specialties). And the second to visit the Sukhothai Historical Park in the morning and continue the trip in the afternoon.

→ All information to plan your visit to Sukhothai

We were living several months in Chiang Mai and we do not deny that it is our favorite city in all of Thailand. It has an interesting history, has hundreds of temples and offers a unique cuisine with different flavors. It is also perfectly adapted for tourism and has many quality accommodation at a good price. There is a large community of expats so here it may be a good place to share experiences with other travelers.

→ What to see and do in Chiang Mai

→ The best temples in Chiang Mai

→ Where to eat in Chiang Mai

→ All our articles from Chiang Mai

advice: Some time ago the Elephant Nature Park was considered one of the few elephant sanctuaries responsible for all of Thailand, but it is no longer the case. So feeling it, we are going to ask you not to join the animal business and give up this visit, however much you want, instead you can sign up for a cooking course, do a trekking to climb the Doi Suthep or just enjoy everything what Chiang Mai has to offer ... that's a lot.

From Chiang Mai you can take a 1-day excursion to Chiang Rai, or stay overnight and have more time. You can also reverse the order and arrive first to Chiang Rai from Sukhothai and then continue to Chiang Mai. What is clear is that, for us, Chiang Rai is a very interesting visit, with different and original temples and a much more authentic atmosphere. Rent a taxi to take a tour of the main attractions: the White Temple, the Black House and the new Blue Temple. And at night, enjoy your night market.

If the beaches are not your preference and you want to spend more time in other areas of Thailand, a good idea is to continue climbing to the north of the country and visit the hippie town ofPai or the border area ofMae Hong Son. There are great mountain landscapes, different ethnicities and cultures, more authentic places and surely, many surprises.

→ Our passage through Pai

Here we are going to open a small parenthesis: in Thailand there are lots of islands. So depending on what you want to do (and find) we will recommend some ... and you choose. And if you have enough days left, it is best to visit several islands!

How to get to the islands?

The first thing you have to do is locate the airport closest to the island you want to visit. From there there are usually pages where they include transport packages, with pick-up at the airport and travel to the pier, and sometimes also include the ferry ticket. If not, you can always try to go for free or share transfers with other travelers to make it cheaper.

Airlines such as AirAsia and NokAir sometimes also sell the complete transport package: flight + transfer + ferry. To do this in the search you will have to put the island itself as a destination.

You can also find transfers and ferries on the 12go.asia website.

Most tourist option: Phuket and Phi Phi Island

It is not at all the option that we would recommend, because they are two of the most tourist destinations in all of Asia. But if one of your dreams is to visit the beach of "The Beach", you have to go to the Phi Phi Island Yes or yes. We went in 2010 and that was already tourism. We did not return, but we know that the thing has been getting worse. Of course, the beach is a real wonder.

The province of Phuket it has different interesting islands (like Koh Racha Yai or Koh Yao Yai), with beautiful beaches and accommodations. However they are quite touristy and with high prices. Staying in Phuket and doing excursions is not a bad option if you want to discover this part of Thailand, but we already warn you that the atmosphere is not the best (for our taste).

Nearest airport: Phuket

Intermediate option: Krabi and Railay

In the Krabi region there are several islands that can be visited on a day trip, such as Koh Poda or Koh Hong, and you can stay in the Ao Nang beach area (quite touristy) or on the Peninsula of Railay, where economic accommodations are found in the part of Tonsai and more expensive in the following.

Nearest airport: Krabi

Option (almost) original: Trang Islands

This is what we did on one of our last trips to Thailand. We went to Krabi and from there and we went down Koh Mook, where we stayed a few days. Also we visited Koh Kradan and the beautiful Emerald Cave, a sea cave that transforms into a beautiful hidden beach. There is also accommodation on the island of Koh Ngai. Here we tell you more.

Nearest airport: Trang

Option near Bangkok: Trat

Between Bangkok and on the way to Cambodia there are a couple of islands that have become increasingly fashionable among backpackers. We talk about Koh Chang Y Koh Kood, with accommodation options for all tastes, guaranteed entertainment and quite relaxing. Koh Chang is a little more developed than its neighbor, there is more atmosphere and the island is bigger. But we believe that both are a good option.

Nearest airport: Trat or bus from Bangkok (4 hours)

Option for diving enthusiasts: Koh Tao

If one of your dreams is learn to dive, Koh Tao It is your island. It is one of the best places in the world to get the PADI (and one of the cheapest). If you want to simply enjoy a dive you can add an island to your itinerary: the famous Koh Phangan, the same as the full moon party, although make no mistake ... not everything is crazy party there, there are places where you can spend a few days relaxing sea. In this area is also Koh Samui, a large island with many accommodation options, pretty cool beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Nearest airport: Surat Thani, Samui or Chumphon

Option to the south: Koh Lipe

Surely you heard about Koh Lipe For many travelers it is the most beautiful island in all of Thailand. Although to get there you have to spend a few hours (think you are almost in Malaysia), once you arrive you will love it! Yes, it is a small island and quite touristy, so you're going to have to share paradise with a few travelers like you (and many Spaniards hehe). But it is that tourists always end up in the same places ... look it will be for islands! This was our passage through Koh Lipe.

Nearest airport: Hat Yai or Trang

What islands to choose?

While it is true that the weather is crazy (and there are still people who do not believe in climate change) depending on the date of your trip it will be better to go to one area or another. Theoretically, the monsoon especially affects the east coast (Gulf of Thailand) in the months of October, November and December and the west coast (Andaman Sea) during August, September and October. Although, as we told you ... who knows, time is crazy!

You will have the right time to eat the last pad thai, feel the chaos of the huge capital of Thailand and say goodbye to the country of smiles ... although we are sure that more than a "see you soon" will be a "see you soon!" Thailand hooks, they tell you two that come back every year!

Hopefully this 3-week travel itinerary to Thailand I can help you if you are missing something. Have you visited Thailand? Do you think we have left out some fundamental destiny?