8 Days in Thailand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Best of Thailand

An excellent introduction to Thailand for first-time visitors, this best-of-Thailand itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to cover the highlights of three major locales. It's a great mix of guided tours and free time to explore cities, beaches, and nature, including seeing the monuments and Old City of Bangkok, feeding and bathing elephants in Chiang Mai, and kayaking in Phuket.

On Days 1 and 2, explore Bangkok on a sightseeing tour, admiring impressive palaces, the mysterious Emerald Buddha, and Wat Po, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok and home to the famous reclining Buddha, before taking a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Days 3 and 4 bring adventures in Chiang Mai, where you'll see monuments like Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phan Tao, and check out the Sunday Walking Street Market in the Old City. You'll also have the joy of visiting the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary to feed, interact, and play with elephants in their natural home while learning about their behavior and history. 

Discover Phuket's turquoise waters and white-sand beaches on Days 5, 6, and 7. You'll join a kayaking and island hopping tour off the dramatic coast of the Andaman Sea and watch the sunset over Phang Nga Bay. Take a day to beach hop, choosing between Kata Beach, with its shady palm trees, water sports, and laid-back atmosphere, the emergent Nai Harn Beach, or hike a steep path or take a long-tail boat to Freedom Beach for a more isolated atmosphere. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Highlights of Thailand

Another classic itinerary, this time focusing on the highlights of Bangkok and Chiang Mai. If you like variety, this trip combines sightseeing at unique locations like Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, encounters with locals during a traditional cooking class as the house guest of a Thai family in Chiang Mai, and exploring Thailand's natural beauty through cycling in the Bangkok countryside. 

On Day 1 in Bangkok, visit Chatuchak, the world's largest outdoor market. Head to Ratchaburi Province's Damnoen Saduak Floating Market on Day 2, where locals sell food and handicrafts on their long-tailed boats. Next, navigate the city's stunning temples, like Wat Traimit and Wat Pho, home to the reclining Buddha, and monuments like The Royal Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha. You'll cycle through the countryside on Day 3, passing sites like Chao Phraya River and King Mother's Memorial Park, and boat through the local canals of Thonburi to witness rural Thai life.

Tour Kanchanaburi on Day 4 before a train ride across the River Kwai bridge. Adventures in Chiang Mai abound on Days 5, 6, and 7. You'll cook a meal with a local family, discover the elements of agriculture at the "Thai Farmer's House," and admire the ruins of Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a sacred temple on a mountain. On Day 7, head to Doi Inthanon National Park to visit a Karen Hill tribe village and see the Wachirathan Waterfall. Visit the Ban Mae Klang Luang nature trail, passing Mae Klang Luang village surrounded by coffee bushes and rice paddies. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Highlights of Bangkok & Phuket

Travelers who want to experience the highlights of Bangkok and have ample beach time will enjoy this two-city highlights itinerary of Bangkok and Phuket. You'll visit the Railway Market and Floating Market, take a speedboat trip to the Phi Phi Islands, and play with elephants at an ethical sanctuary. 

Starting in Bangkok, you'll explore the markets and temples before cruising down the Chao Phraya River, passing sights like Pinklao Bridge, the Wat Arun Buddhist temple, and the Grand Palace. Ride the city's Skytrain, explore Wat Pho, visit the handicraft-making community of Soi Ban Batra, and take a "bus boat" through the city's canals to a museum on Day 2. The following day, experience the unique Maeklong Railway Market and the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market before a long-tail boat ride to a Buddhist temple and the King Rama II Memorial Park. 

Day 4 is for relaxing at the beach, swimming, snorkeling, or ziplining at Flying Hanuman in Phuket, while Day 5 is for playing with elephants at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Day 6 is for exploring the breathtakingly beautiful Phi Phi Islands. Stop at Maya Bay, where the movie "The Beach" was filmed, Pileh Lagoon to explore the Viking Cave, and other beaches to swim and snorkel. Discover the laid-back atmosphere of Kata beach, the peaceful Nai Harnon beach, or the lesser-frequented Freedom Beach on Day 7—it's your choice. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Bangkok & Northern Thailand Adventure

Focusing on Bangkok and Northern Thailand's Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, this Thailand adventure will appeal to the intrepid traveler. The trip includes a tour of Bangkok by tuk-tuk and its canals by boat, a day trip to the UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya Historical Park, and riding a sleeper train north to Chiang Mai. You'll visit an elephant sanctuary, climb waterfalls at Bua Tong National Park, and see the Golden Triangle area, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. 

Get your bearings in Bangkok on Day 1 by trying Chinatown's delicious street food, catching a local kickboxing match, or visiting Warehouse 30, a cool community arts space. On Day 2, travel through a maze of canals, stopping at the waterfront temple of Wat Khun Chan and the museum at Wat Paknam before admiring the temples, pavilions, and palaces of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the "Temple of the Emerald Buddha." Zip around the city on a tuk-tuk on Day 3 to explore the Old Town on Rattanakosin Island, the Giant Swing, and Wat Pho temple. 

Discover more palaces and temples on Day 4 and cruise on the charming Thanatharee rice barge before seeing Ayutthaya Historical Park's ancient palaces, temples, and statues. On Day 5, find the gems in Chiang Mai by shopping for handicrafts on San Kamphaeng Road and at the Night Bazaar. Next, head to Bua Tong National Park to hike in the jungle and climb up waterfalls. Meet rescued elephants at Happy Elephant Home sanctuary on Day 6 and visit Chiang Rai, stopping at Mae Kachan Hot Springs, the impressive white temple of Wat Rong Khun, and the Golden Triangle area on Day 7. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Discover Northern Thailand by Tuk-Tuk

This tuk-tuk discovery tour of Northern Thailand is for active travelers who like being in nature and off-the-beaten path. You'll discover the backroads by tuk-tuk traveling from Chiang Mai to Mae Wang, visit an elephant camp, hike through forests, waterfalls, and villages as you explore Mae Klang Luang and raft down the waterways of Mae Wang.  

On Day 1, shop for handicrafts at Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng Road or the Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road. If there's time, head to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs or Bua Tong National Park to hike in the jungle and climb a waterfall. Ride in a tuk-tuk along tiny rural backroads and through picturesque villages to a remote mountain temple in Mae Wang on Day 2. Visit an elephant camp on Day 3, where you'll learn about the history and conservation of these magnificent creatures. On Day 4, ride a tuk-tuk into the mountains to the village of Mae Klang Luang before seeing the highest point in Thailand, Doh Inthanon.

Hike through the forests, rice terraces, and local villages to learn about the culture and wildlife on Day 5. The following day, eat your way through Chiang Mai's food streets with a local expert, sampling items like Thai curry fish cakes, sticky rice with pork, and fruit shakes. On Day 7, join a Buddhist ceremony at Doi Suthep Mountain. Climb the Golden Naga staircase to its golden pagodas, the secret temple, Wat Palad, and the moss-covered Wat Umong, where you'll have a private blessing ceremony. Next, visit the Three Kings Monument and the Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center. Learn more

More Great 8-Day Thailand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Thailand? Check out these other eight-day Thailand itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.