The Best 7-Day Thailand Itinerary: Bangkok, Beaches & Beyond
If you only have 7 days up your sleeve for a holiday, you might be wondering whether Thailand is worth the effort. We normally spend at least 30 days here because a) the main destinations are spread out and b) we’re coming all the way from New Zealand after all. That being said, we still think Thailand is suitable for a short trip. Perhaps you’re looking to escape the European or American winter, pop over from your expat base in Dubai, Singapore or Hong Kong, or visit on a broader journey around Asia.
Whatever your situation, believe us when we say Thailand always makes for an incredible travel experience. To plan your quick getaway like a pro, you’ll first need to dispel the notion that you can see it all or venture from the north to the south in a week - that’s just not feasible. But our itineraries outlined below will point you in the right direction, keeping your days as action-packed as possible without losing too much time to transit.
Temples of Thailand
Islands of Thailand
How to Spend 7 Days in Thailand
The key to a relaxing and enjoyable “taste of Thailand trip” is picking two or three destinations max, rather than running around like a headless chicken. Cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai offer so much that you could stay at either for a whole 7 days and never get bored. However, if you’re a first-time visitor, you’ll probably want to explore more of the country. So here’s our favorite itinerary, plus a few alternatives that you can tweak.
Bangkok & Koh Chang
Day 1: Bangkok’s Old Town
Spend your first day in the Old Town area of Bangkok where you can tick a few essentials off your Thailand bucket list: the “Big Three” temples of Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, and a rowdy night down Khao San Road. This gives you the opportunity to get a massage, ride a tuk-tuk, buy a Chang singlet, and get all the touristy stuff out of your system. You could also consider adding a Muay Thai fight night to your itinerary - at the buzzing Rajadamnern Stadium - which isn’t too far to reach on foot.
The Grand Palace
Rajadamnern Stadium
Day 2: Canals, Chinatown & Rooftop Bars
Start your second day with the Bicycle + Canal Boat Tour and be sure to select the 9:00 AM starting time, as that way you won’t be biking in the afternoon heat. This tour takes you to markets, Wat Paknam, and along the local canals of the city. After this 3-4 hour adventure, return to your hotel to rest up for a few hours. Then head back out in the early evening to Banthat Thong Road for some street food snacks, and nip over to Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) for a proper sit down meal. As the night goes on, you’ve got a world of nightlife at your fingertips, from Salone to Tichuca Rooftop Bar.
Day 3: Bus or Private Van to Chanthaburi
Since you’ll be pressed for time, we can only really justify two full days in Bangkok. Mind you, the activities mentioned above give you an exciting introduction to the City of Angels. Your next port of call is Chanthaburi, the natural stopover point between Bangkok and Koh Chang. Take the bus from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai), and enjoy the cruisy 4-5 hour trip to Chanthaburi, or arrive slightly quicker and more comfortably via a private VIP van. Book a night at either Punyashthiti Villa or Baan Luang Rajamaitri and soak up the Chanthaboon Waterfront area at night.
Chanthaburi
Day 4: Ferry Ride to Koh Chang
Book another van, or a cheaper local taxi, to Ao Thammachat Pier in Trat and ride the commuter ferry over to Koh Chang. Drop your bags off at the hotel, hire a scooter and set off to discover Klong Kloi Beach. This is the most beautiful stretch of sand on the island in our opinion, tucked around the corner from Bang Bao Pier (also worth visiting for a delicious seafood lunch). At night, you’ll be free to chill at the resort, catch a fire show or party at the backpacker hub of Lonely Beach - whichever floats your boat.
Read more: 20 Best Things To Do in Koh Chang: The Complete Guide
Commuter ferry to Koh Chang
Klong Kloi Beach, Koh Chang
Fire show at Koh Chang
Day 5: Seafood, Beach Clubs & Jungle Lounges
Today is all about syncing with “island time”. If your hotel has a pool, pass the morning in a sunlounger and get some Vitamin D. Next, make a beeline to Siam Kitchen for lunch and gorge on their delicious seafood dishes. The afternoon can then be dedicated to Sol Beach Club on Klong Prao Beach, one of Koh Chang’s coolest hangout spots. Order some drinks and snacks, and spoil yourself with a massage at their wellness centre. Make sure you stay for sunset as the wide, open Klong Prao Beach is spectacular. Cap off your night with dinner at the bamboo lounge of Oasis.
Sunset from Sol Beach Club
Day 6: Koh Chang’s Serene East Coast
On your last full day in Koh Chang, jump on a scooter and head towards the east side of the island where flat roads, coconut trees, and sleepy communities await. We suggest visiting places like Wat Salak Phet and Salak Phet Mangrove Forest, but don’t overplan your day: the ride itself is the highlight. Simply follow your nose to local restaurants, coastal viewpoints, and quiet beaches where mass tourism is nowhere to be found.
East coast of Koh Chang
East coast of Koh Chang
Day 7: Fly Back to Bangkok from Trat
To avoid an arduous 6-7 hour journey back to the capital, we recommend booking a flight from Trat Airport with Bangkok Airways. We’ve used this boutique airline several times now and always have a smooth experience. Moreover, flying back gives you a few extra final hours to spend in Bangkok as you please where another rooftop bar, night market, or river cruise could be on the cards. Keep in mind that you could easily swap out Koh Chang for 3 days in Koh Mak or Koh Kood if you’re searching for that truly tropical vibe.
Koh Kham by Koh Mak
Koh Kood
Alternative 1-Week Thailand Itineraries
Bangkok & Koh Samet
Why Koh Samet?
Koh Samet is one of the closest islands to Bangkok, which saves you from those long overland journeys or domestic flights just to reach a beach. It also sees less rainfall than other islands in the monsoon season. The beaches here boast white sand and there’s some stunning luxury resorts to choose from. Admittedly, the high-end accommodation isn’t cheap but for a special occasion like an anniversary, you can’t get any better than Koh Samet.
Itinerary Ideas
Book a few nights at the 5-star Paradee Resort or the premium mid-range option of Saikaew Beach Resort, and do nothing more than hop from one beautiful beach to the next. Like all Thai islands, hiring scooters is the most efficient way of getting around and there’s a few different boat tours to set sail on. On your way to Koh Samet you could also check out Chonburi, Pattaya or Rayong - each home to their own unique cultural charms.
How to Get There
Catch the bus or hire a private driver for the 3-hour trip down to Ban Phe Pier. Then take the ferry (45 minutes) or speedboat (15 minutes) to Nadan Pier. And remember to bring cash: there’s barely any ATMs on Koh Samet.
Bangkok & Koh Samui
Why Koh Samui?
Another city and island combo that can work perfectly for a week in Thailand is Bangkok and Koh Samui. They may seem far apart on a map but thanks to Samui Airport, the travel time is just over an hour. This island is one of the largest and most developed in Thailand, packed with everything from shopping malls to secluded beaches. Families in particular will love Koh Samui’s resorts, water parks and ethical elephant sanctuaries.
Itinerary Ideas
We suggest three initial days in Bangkok followed by three days in Koh Samui, flying back on your seventh and final day. Lamai Beach is a wonderful base, lined with great value for money resorts, and plenty of restaurants and beach bars. Your days could then be filled with as much adventure or relaxation as you see fit, whether you want to chase waterfalls and jungle trails in the interior or find a little slice of paradise at Coral Cove Beach.
How to Get There
Fly with Bangkok Airways (the owners of Samui Airport), which usually costs between $150 - $350 USD return and departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Don’t forget that Koh Samui is one of the best Thai islands to visit between June and August, with its rainy season arriving a little later.
Ang Thong Marine Park tour from Koh Samui
Markets of Koh Samui
Phuket & Nearby Islands
Why Phuket?
Outside of Bangkok, Phuket is the most well connected city in Thailand with direct international flights arriving from as far and wide as London, Sydney, Doha, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. This makes Phuket an ideal starting point for a week’s vacation, with endless things to do. You can explore beaches, go island hopping, try authentic food, and even travel up to Phang Nga Bay and Khao Sok National Park for a wee adventure.
Khao Sok National Park
Itinerary Ideas
Stay at Bang Tao Beach for two nights, and then mix things up with a few sleeps in the Old Town and at the nearby Koh Yao Yai. Or if you really want to, you could stay in Koh Phi Phi for a couple of days which is just a 60 minute speedboat ride away. One must-do activity in Phuket’s dry season is taking a day trip to the Similan Islands: Donald Duck Bay is one of the most breathtaking beaches we’ve ever seen. Even better, book a liveaboard experience where you’ll explore remote parts of Mu Ko Similan National Park.
Similan Islands
How to Get There
If you’re coming from the UK, your best bet is a Virgin Atlantic flight (about 12 hours). From the west coast of America, it’s a much longer journey as you’ll need to take a connecting flight in cities like Tokyo or Hong Kong.
Bangkok & Kanchanaburi
Why Kanchanaburi?
Kanchanaburi in the west of Thailand offers a lovely mix of history, nature and culture - famous mainly for the WWII history surrounding the River Kwai Bridge. In addition to visiting the war museums and cemetery sites, travelers can admire the massive golden Buddha statue at Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple) and spend the day at the lush waterfalls of Erawan National Park. The food in Kanchanaburi is also fantastic, and the boutique hotels with views overlooking the river provide a haven of relaxation.
Itinerary Ideas
Split your time evenly with three nights in Bangkok and a further three nights in Kanchanaburi. Set aside one full day for the Death Railway Museum, War Cemetery (DonRak) and the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre. And then spend your next day hiking up the seven-tiered waterfall trail of Erawan National Park, followed by another adventurous day out at Mallika City. If you’ve got the time, on your last free day in Bangkok, shoot up to Ayutthaya by train for a look at the UNESCO-listed temple ruins.
Mallika City
Mallika City
How to Get There
The quickest way to reach Kanchanaburi is by taxi, Grab or private van - it only takes about 2-3 hours (depending on Bangkok’s traffic). You can also go by bus or train but these public transport options are naturally slower.
Bangkok & Chiang Mai
Why Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai pairs beautifully with Bangkok on a 7-day trip, as you’ll notice the contrasting laid-back energy of Chiang Mai as soon as you exit the airport. The streets are walkable (unlike most of Bangkok), there’s spectacular temples and delicious street food around every corner, and the atmosphere in the student areas (in particular) is awesome. Being in the north immerses you in the enchanting Lanna culture of Thailand with its traditional dress, weird and wonderful cuisine, and unique architecture.
Itinerary Ideas
Once you arrive in Chiang Mai, there are three things we recommend doing straight away: getting a traditional Thai massage, trying Khao Soi and exploring Wat Chedi Luang at dusk. Use your next two days to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, book a photoshoot at Wat Ton Kwen, and get lost in the bustling markets such as the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or the Sunday Night Market. Finish off your trip with a day dedicated to either the mountain village of Mae Kampong or the coffee paradise of Chiang Dao.
How to Get There
Getting from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, as part of a week-long vacation, is only viable by catching a flight. It takes roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes, and there’s plenty of airlines to choose from including AirAsia and Thai Airways.
Wat Chedi Luang
Wat Ton Kwen
Mae Kampong
FAQs for a 1-Week Thailand Itinerary
Do I need a visa for a 1-week trip to Thailand?
Thailand has just cut down its 60-day visa-free stay to 30 days for the following countries: USA, Canada, UK, most of Europe, and Australia and NZ. The good news, of course, is that you can still enter visa-free for your 7-day stay without any restrictions and minimal paperwork. The only requirement is to complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within three days (72 hours) before arrival, something that takes 5 minutes online.
How much does a 1-week holiday in Thailand cost?
Flying all the way to Thailand for a mere 7 days might seem like an expensive endeavor but once you’re here, it’s easy to save on costs (something that on net balances out the cost of your flights). It’s not hard to find deluxe mid-range hotels for around $100 USD a night and sticking to the street food is always a highly economical option. The biggest pressure on your budget will come from domestic flights and tours, however they’re still relatively cheap compared to other destinations.
Another factor to be wary of is how many activities you’re trying to jam into 7 days. Bangkok, for example, can become pricey when you’re reserving tables at lavish rooftop bars (with minimum spends) or shopping for luxury brands at Siam Paragon. Out of the itineraries we outlined above, the most expensive pairings would be Bangkok & Koh Samet and Bangkok & Koh Samui. On the other hand, if you’re traveling on a budget, Bangkok & Kanchanaburi or Bangkok & Koh Chang wouldn’t break the bank.
Khao Sok National Park
How does 7 days in Thailand compare to Bali or Japan?
Spending a week in Bali is better if your primary goal is to relax on beaches, only because the island is more compact than Thailand as a whole. But you’ll miss out on things like Thai food, culture and hospitality which in our opinion is better than Bali. Japan can also work well for a 7-day jaunt: the “Golden Route” of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto connects incredibly efficiently via the Shinkansen “bullet trains”. And food-wise these two countries are pretty evenly matched. Ultimately we prefer the sense of freedom you get in Thailand, whereas Japan can feel overly formal and rigid at times.
Read more: Thailand vs Japan: Which is Asia’s Best Travel Destination?
