Essential Thailand for Families: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Krabi - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok

Welcome to Bangkok! Thailand's bustling capital is a great starting point for your family vacation: a buzzing metropolis full of fascinating culture, tasty food, and attractions the kids will love. Upon your arrival at the airport, you'll be met by your driver and driven to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing in your hotel and unpacking, or you can venture out into the city to wander and grab some dinner.

Day 2: Bangkok Cultural Tour

Get to know Bangkok better today with a family-friendly tour of several attractions that will be fun for kids and adults. The first stop is Wat Pho, home to a famous 147-foot (45 m) reclining Buddha, as well as the original school of traditional Thai massage. Then take an easy 10-minute walk to the Grand Palace. The complex used to be the royal residence, although nowadays, it's mainly used during ceremonial occasions. See the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most revered Buddha image, and learn about the statue's history from your guide.

Your next stop is the serene Jim Thompson's House. Arguably Bangkok's most interesting museum, the variety of artifacts will likely suit all interests. Ranging from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, this phenomenal collection belonged to Jim Thompson, an American entrepreneur who dedicated his life to collecting antiques from all over Asia. Consider popping into the restaurant here and the lovely gardens providing a tranquil respite before you return to your hotel. 

Day 3: Train & Floating Market Tour

Today's activities promise to be some of the most fun for your kids. After breakfast, visit the Mae Klong Railway Market. Commonly called Siang Tai ("life-risking") Market, the stalls are laid out over railway tracks. When a signal warns of a train approaching, the vendors rush to clear their stalls out of the way of the train. After the train has passed, the market is once again set up. The locals are used to this spectacle, but it will be exciting for you and the kids to witness.

Next, continue to the Tha Kha Floating Market if you're traveling at the weekend or the Damnoen Sauak Floating Market on weekdays. Your family will board a small paddle boat to watch the locals doing business on the water. Kids might want to buy a souvenir or enjoy a sweet treat from a vendor. Continue to a small palm sugar production site where your children can see the locals producing sticky palm sugar. Refuel after all this activity with lunch at a nearby restaurant, and spend the afternoon at your leisure.

Day 4: Fly to Chiang Mai, Wat Umong Visit

Today you'll be picked up and transferred to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. After you and the family have had a chance to settle in and rest a while, your guide will meet you and take you to Wat Umong. Often referred to as the Tunnel Temple, this 700-year-old temple contains shrines devoted to Buddha that have been dug into tunnels. Kids will surely delight in touring the underground passages and discovering the aboveground relics amid the forest. Witness the monks chanting in harmony as they go about their daily worship practices.

Day 5: Elephant Nature Park Visit, Chiang Mai Food Tour

Kids who love animals are in luck today, as you'll visit the Elephant Nature Park, about an hour's drive from Chiang Mai. Meet with the main personalities in the park and learn about their lives. Many of the elephants were rescued from difficult beginnings, and you'll appreciate hearing how they're now being protected. If your kids feel comfortable, they can feed the elephants from a designated area. Many other rescued animals live in the sanctuary, and there's a vegetarian buffet available on-site, so even humans can refuel.

After taking a break in the afternoon, embark on a food-focused tour of Chiang Mai in the late afternoon and evening. Head to the local market to try regional dishes, choosing from options that suit every member's palate. Don't fill up too much here, though, as there are more dishes to try later! Stroll through the Old City to a restaurant where you can sit down and try more local cuisine. Finally, head to the Chiang Mai Gate Market, where a famous night market sells food. This is a great place to grab dessert before ending your tour and heading back to the hotel for a well-earned rest.

Day 6: Chiang Mai Art & Culture Tour, Traditional Dinner

Enjoy learning more about local culture and arts today with a visit to the Lanna Folklife Museum, a former courthouse displaying priceless artifacts, textiles, and ceramics. Here you'll better understand traditional Thai religion, culture, clothing, and ways of life. Continue to Wua Lai Road, south of Chiang Mai Gate, renowned for its sliver handicrafts that parents especially might like to check out. Visit amazing Wat Sri Suphan, a temple built in the Lanna style of architecture.

What's even more impressive is that it shines silver, decorated with a combination of silver, nickel, and aluminum. Here you'll get to take a silver craft workshop: a great opportunity for kids to express their creativity.

Rest back at your hotel this afternoon before returning for a fun dinnertime activity. Visit the home of Chiang Mai's Raunkaew-Yanon family. Admire the stunning architecture of the old house and learn about the family's way of life, a great opportunity for all to meet and learn from locals. Tour their gardens and learn how vegetables, fruit, and herbs are used in their kitchen. Your hosts will prepare a traditional Khantoke-style meal for you, a northern Thai specialty served on a pedestal tray.

Day 7: Fly to Krabi

Gathering the kids, you'll leave northern Thailand behind today and fly south, to Krabi, on Thailand's west coast. Your driver will transport you all to the airport in Chiang Mai in good time for your flight and transfer you to your Krabi hotel upon arrival. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the hotel's facilities, perhaps heading to the beach and resting after your journey.

Day 8: Phi Phi Island Speedboat Tour

Get ready for a day of family fun in the sun today, as you'll travel to beautiful Phi Phi Island by speedboat. Go past Maya Bay, made famous by the movie "The Beach," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and continue to Loh Samah Bay. Here, you and your kids can put on snorkel masks and fins and drift through the clear waters admiring the vibrant reefs and sea life below. Life jackets will be available for kids who need them. Later, pass Maya Nui Bay and look for monkeys on Monkey Beach. 

Refuel with a buffet lunch on the main island, Phi Phi Don. If you and your kids have the energy, hike up to the viewpoint (610 ft/ 186 m) for sweeping views of the island and the ocean. On the way back to Krabi, if the little ones have the energy to burn, consider stopping at Bamboo Island for more water play and beach time.

Day 9: Jungle Hot Spring Spa

Spend your last full day in Thailand immersed in nature. First, visit a natural hot spring waterfall in the jungle. The 100°F (38°C) water has health benefits and is very soothing. After you and your kids have had a dip in this natural spa, follow a nature trail through the last remaining lowland rainforest in Krabi to a freshwater pool with clear, emerald-hued water. Appreciate the views and have a splash with your family, a perfect way to cool off after the walk.

Fill empty tummies with lunch at a restaurant, then visit one of the region's most famous temples, the Tiger Cave Temple, where you can admire the Buddha images, giant trees, and temple pagodas. Learn more about the local history and culture along the way. 

Day 10: Depart

It's time to say goodbye to beautiful Krabi today. Depending on your departure flight, there may be time for one last swim in the sea or a beach walk. Your driver will pick you up at the right time so you can fly back to Bangkok or elsewhere for your onward trip. Safe travels!

Looking for more inspiration for your family trip to Thailand? Check out these other Thailand itineraries, explore different ways to spend 10 days in Thailand with your family, or discover the best time to visit Thailand.