I need a general itinerary of places to go for a 2 weeks trip to Thailand.
I'm flying into Bangkok and I have a general idea of where I want to go I just don't know how to map it out. Any suggestions???
Reply to this Start in Bangkok and end in Bangkok. Some travelers fly into Bangkok and schedule flights immediately out other places like Phuket and Chiang Mai. This sometimes causes connection problems and a "search" for short term accommodations near the airport. It is usually better to spend a few days in Bangkok and take some tours, see the city, take in the nightlife and eat some good meals. You can get tours through local travel agencies if you want. Some hotels will store winter items and other stuff you don't want to carry all over Thailand. This means you will have to spend another night with them just before you fly out to reclaim your items.
My recommendation is get a hotel near the Skytrain but if you are really young you might want to stay in the Khao San Road area where many young backpackers head for. The Skytrain can take you around the city pretty easy, sort of an elevated subway. The Skytrain connects you to many popular areas in Bangkok like MBK, Chatachak, Patpong and the subway at Asok and the bus station at Ekamai.
If you spend the final night in Bangkok you will be only a taxi ride away from the airport instead of flying in at the last minute and worrying about connections and last minute cancellations. A final night will allow you to purchase souvenirs and perhaps take in a dinner cruise.
Change your money over after you get to Thailand for you best rate. There are bank money changers at the airport 24 hours a day that will take cash and travelers checks. There are ATM machines too. There are bank money changers conveniently located in Bangkok and other major cities. If you plan on using a credit card or debit card you must first notify your bank that you will be overseas and where at. Otherwise your withdrawals may be denied because of suspected fraud. There is a 150 baht surcharge for ATM use so take out the most you can to avoid lots of fees for cheap amounts. Same for travelers checks, there is a fee of 33 baht to cash each TC so don't bother with small amounts go for the highest denominations you can get. When you fly home you will have a chance to convert any leftover Thai baht back to your currency at the airport.
Chiang Mai and Phuket are popular with women. Like Bangkok if you want to take some tours you can find them at local travel agencies. If you need hotel recommendations mention how much per night you want to spend on a room.
Things to see and do in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket area:
Have a nice trip. Reply to this Thank you for all your advice. I am already planning on staying in Bangkok for two nights when I first arrive. I'm just worried I won't be able to hit southern and northen Thailand in the time I have unless I really race through and do everything as fast as possible. Do you recommend flying from Bangkok to Phuket or would the train be more scenic and enjoyable. Same with flying to Chian Mai??? I am mostly into exotic travel and discovery-not so much nightlife and partying. Are there any specific places you would recommend I see? I have already mapped out quite a few things I want to see but it would be nice to know what I should really focus on.
Reply to this Wow this helps so much! I really appreciate all of your input. I will take everything into consideration and will be fine tuning my plans in the next few days. It's funny you say you weren't a big fan of Phuket. That is where I was planning on spending the majority of my time but maybe now I'll think about spending more time in Chiang Mai. I'm going to be doing some scuba diving and sea kayaking while I'm around Phuket. That's why I wanted to spend alot of time there but I am trying to make this as cheap as possible. Thanks again for all the info. It's so nice to get suggestions and advice from people who have been.
Reply to this Don't change your mind because of me - Phuket is okay for other people but just not for me! I have more than enough sun spots already. When I was there I stayed in Phuket Town mostly. I am retired and don't care for beach areas that are overpriced and you have to fly to. Jomtien Beach, only a couple hours from Bangkok by bus is plenty good for me. Jomtien Beach definitely is not as good as Phuket and less beach stuff to do but I am a cheapskate and I live in nearby Pattaya part of the year. Phuket is popular with many women and even sometimes the guys they force to accompany them. Good for honeymooners too!
Enjoy your trip.
Reply to this I would definitely agree that Phuket is not the best place to spend most of your time. I felt like it was horribly overcrowded and extremely touristy. If it is scuba and snorkelling that you are after, I would recommend checking out Ko Tao...some of the best underwater views I've had anywhere in the world. And I saw that you are traveling solo-in my opinion the best way to travel! You will meet plenty of new friends along the way, and I think that you will have a truly richer experience.
Reply to this if you want a nice island go to koh samed. it is the least touristy, very popular with thai families on the weekend. phuket is one big rip off as soon as you hit the airport!! As expensive as any western destination.
Kraibi is BEAUTIFUL, the most beautiful place i have ever seen so if you want to go down south, go to kraibi town. you can take all the same tours to the islands from krabi that you can from phuket.
Have fun, stay safe and in Thailand, do what the Thais do: walk slow, eat lots, smile and be happy! and dress modestly if your alone. Thai girls don't even wear bathing suits, they wear t shirts and shorts in the ocean. It's an entirely different culture and your experience will be better if you don't stand out!
Reply to this Personally I would recommend the route I did north from Bangkok - Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (for the River Kwai) by bus, then on to Ayutthaya, Sukothai which both have some great Buddhist ruins, then up to Lampang where there is an elephant conservation centre that is well worth a visit, and on to Chiang Mai from there. You can take buses all the way from place to place which are normally cheap and air-conditioned and you don't really need to book all the buses in advance, the day before or on the day is fine 😊
Reply to this I second Debbie's route. Some of our favourite places in Thailand....
And for an island, what about Ko Chang?
Reply to this Valerie,
How long will you be in Thailand for? Are you looking for more beach than city? More sight seeing than suntanning?
Reply to this I was also looking to plan a trip to Thailand for about 3 weeks and I'm looking for ideas. I like the beaches but I also want to have a chance to really experience the culture. Ex. cooking classes or helping out in the local community. Any other information and/or personal experience would be great!
Also do you think that it would be worth it to visit more than one country in the 3 weeks. Ex. Thailand and Malaysia or Cambodia? Would it be worth it?
Reply to this "I was also looking to plan a trip to Thailand for about 3 weeks and I'm looking for ideas. I like the beaches but I also want to have a chance to really experience the culture. Ex. cooking classes or helping out in the local community. Any other information and/or personal experience would be great! Also do you think that it would be worth it to visit more than one country in the 3 weeks. Ex. Thailand and Malaysia or Cambodia? Would it be worth it?"
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You can take some cooking classes in Chiang Mai. While there you can take some tours to Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle area, local villages and see the Long Neck Women.
Some tourists stay in Thailand for months and never see everything. Then there are others who try to see everything all at once. It is possible for you to fly to another country for a few days but plan your moves ahead of time and know what you want to see - time is limited!
Cooking classes, helping a local community, visiting a second country, going to a beach, "experiencing culture" is a lot to do all on one trip! Enjoying what you are doing or seeing is important, maybe more important than waiting in airports for flights, flying somewhere, moving hotels, etc. Perhaps you ought to consider a longer trip or cutting out something so you will have time to "smell the roses" sort of!
Good luck.
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