Family Tour of Thailand: Bangkok & Hua Hin - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Explore 

Welcome to Bangkok! Upon your arrival at the airport, your driver will take you to your hotel, where you can relax and get settled before exploring the city. Known for its street food, shopping, and friendly residents, Bangkok is considered the epicenter of Thailand's culture and commerce, blending an abundance of history within a cosmopolitan city. It's also a great family destination, with plenty of things to see and do for all ages.

Day 2: Guided Tour of Bangkok Temples

This morning, take a guided tour to learn more about the rich culture of Bangkok through its most famous temples—Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace. The kids are sure to enjoy witnessing history come to life as your dedicated guide leads them through ancient stories, architecture, and the holy symbols of the temple, all in a very child-friendly narrative. Step back in time with the age-old tales of royalty at the Grand Palace, walking through the complex while being surrounded by incredible artwork and historic culture. 

From here, you'll continue to Wat Pho, located just 10 minutes away by foot. The impressive 150-foot (46 m) gold-gilded Reclining Buddha (the city's largest) is the temple's highlight, along with the largest collection of Buddha statues and images in Thailand. The temple is also dedicated to teaching traditional Thai medicine and was home to the country's first Thai massage school. Be sure to donate a few coins in the bowls by the Reclining Buddha, and say a prayer for good blessings! 

Day 3:  Bangrak Food & Culture Tour 

Experience delicious Thai cuisine today with a tour of Bangrak—Bangkok's bustling shopping and entertainment district. After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and travel by local transportation to this vibrant neighborhood, then follow them through the maze of shops, food carts, and restaurants. You'll try various dishes, such as brightly-colored fried prawns or the very popular guay teow (noodle soup), and the kids will love the array of desserts, which include coconut ice cream or mango sticky rice. During the tour, you'll learn more about the history of Thai food and how it ties into the country's history and culture.

Day 4: Bangkok's Floating Markets & Railway Market, Transfer to Hua Hin

Your day starts with a visit to Mae Klong Railway Market in Samut Songkhram Province, about an hour from Bangkok. The market is often referred to as Siang Tai ("Life Risking Market"), and upon arrival, you'll see why. The stalls and their canvas covers are all attached to the railway itself, and when a train approaches, chaos ensues as vendors rush to close their stalls and clear goods that obstruct the track. After the train passes, everything is reopened, and the shop owners put their wares back out. The practice isn't considered unusual to the locals, but your family will find the scene quite exciting! 

Afterward, you'll visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which has been drawing curious visitors for centuries due to the remarkable practice of buying and selling goods that takes place almost entirely on water. The kids can try some of the delicious tropical fruit sold here, and if you want to buy that beautifully carved Buddha, be sure to have your haggling skills ready to go! Have lunch at a local restaurant, then make the two-hour transfer to the beachside town of Hua Hin, where you'll check in at your hotel and have a chance to unwind. 

Day 5: Pranburi Forest Park, Boat Tour of Khao Daeng Canal, Rajabhakti Park 

Get ready for a family forest expedition as you head to Pranburi Forest Park, located about 20 minutes from Hua Hin. The reserve was founded in 1982 under Queen Sirikit and sits at the mouth of the Pranburi River. This magnificent mangrove forest is full of twisty pathways, making a wonderful start to the day for the kids as they take in the fresh air and run along the trails.

Then, you'll board one of Thailand's colorful long-tail boats and travel down the Khao Daeng Canal, which takes you into Sam Roi Yot National Park. Along the way, you're likely to see wild pelicans and fiddler crabs, and tell the kids to keep an eye out for curious macaques monkeys, who aren't shy about making their presence known! Enjoy a traditional Thai lunch, with cold beers for the adults and fresh juices for the little ones. 

Day 6: Explore Hua Hin, Kui Buri National Park

Your family is free to explore Hua Hin on your own today. You can head to the enticing white-sand beaches and let the kids swim and play in the turquoise ocean waters, and older kids can rent equipment to try out kite surfing or windsurfing. There are also horseback riding tours available, which can be a fun way to explore the stunning coastline. 

If you're interested in seeing more of Thailand's wildlife, visit Kui Buri National Park. Established in 1999, the park covers more than 374 square miles (969 sq km) and is home to a diverse population of wildlife, most notably more than 300 Asian elephants, some of the last remaining in Thailand. Start at the ranger station for education and information about the park, then head out on a tour to see the elephants in their natural habitat, as well as animals such as gaurs (Indian bison), deer, tapirs, and wild boars.

The park also has more than 260 species of birdlife, so any young birders in the family will love spotting the colorful and often rare creatures. Your children will learn about animals they don't see every day through witty and informative stories shared by your guide. End the tour with a provided boxed meal, then head back to Hua Hin, where, if you like, you can visit the city's night market, Cicada, for live entertainment, dancing, and of course, delicious Thai street food. 

Day 7: Transfer to Bangkok, Depart 

Sadly, your Thailand adventure comes to an end today. After breakfast and hotel check-out, your driver will collect you and transport you to Bangkok airport for your flight home. Safe Travels! 

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