One-Month Thailand Itinerary For First-Timers

Planning a trip to Thailand but not sure where to start? In this article, we’ll share our one-month Thailand itinerary, covering cities, small provinces, mountains, nature, beaches, and islands. We’ll also recommend how much time to spend in each place and share the best things to do.

We recommend reading our ultimate guide to prepare a trip to Southeast Asia with essential and useful tips: How to Plan a Trip to Southeast Asia: Ultimate Guide with 21 Essential Tips.

Our time in Thailand was part of a bigger trip to Southeast Asia. Check our complete itinerary: Two Months Traveling in Southeast Asia: Our Itinerary.

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Thailand One-Month Itinerary Overview

In a rush? Here’s a quick summary of our Thailand one-month itinerary.

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Table Of Contents

Quick Tips for Planning Your Itinerary

Planning your first Thailand trip can feel overwhelming, especially deciding how many days to spend in each place and what places to include. There are so many beautiful places that’s difficult to decide which ones to visit without rushing too much.

Here are some essential tips you need to take into account:

• Prioritize quality over quantity: spend more time in fewer places to fully enjoy each destination.
• Travel days are tiring, so plan for extra time to rest and explore at a relaxed pace.
• Don’t try to see everything in one trip: it’s okay to leave some places for a future visit.
• Our one-month Thailand itinerary has the perfect balance between relaxation and excitement, without rushing or boredom.
• Always account for travel time: it often takes longer than expected to reach your destination, and you’ll need time to recover before exploring.

Recommended reading: How to Plan a Trip to Southeast Asia: Ultimate Guide with 21 Essential Tips.

Which Places to Include in Your Thailand Itinerary?

Our itinerary includes city, small provinces, mountains and beaches:

• Cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai
• Small Provinces: Kanchanaburi, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya
• Mountain/Nature: Chiang Mai, Khao Sok (if you have the time, or instead of Koh Lipe)
• Beaches: Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Koh Lipe

The time of year you travel will play a significant role outlining your itinerary, especially if you want to visit Thailand’s most beautiful islands during the best weather.

• November to April: prioritize the west coast islands on the Andaman Sea like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Koh Lipe;
• May to October: prioritize the east coast islands in the Gulf of Thailand: Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan.

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One Month in Thailand — Itinerary

So, let’s start our Thailand Itinerary. This was the exact itinerary that we followed.

Day 1 -4: Bangkok

You’ll probably start your journey in Bangkok as it’s a major hub with plenty of international flights arriving at Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport. We spent five full days in Bangkok and it was a good amount of time to have a good feel of the city. It may seem a lot of time, but you’ll need it to adjust to the time zone. Additionally, Bangkok is a huge city and it will take you more than you expected to get from one place to the other.

Things to do in Bangkok

• Visit the Grand Palace;
• Temple hopping: the Golden Mount Temple (Wat Saket), Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun;
• Day trip to the railway market and floating market;
• Explore Ayutthaya on a day trip;
• Go shopping in the fake market in the MBK Center;
• Try Thai food and desserts;
• Go to a rooftop bar;
• Explore beautiful temples at the Ancient City;
• See monitor lizards at Lumphini Park.

Everything you need to know to plan your time in Bangkok in more detail is described in the following article.

You may also like: Bangkok Ultimate Travel Guide for First-Timers.

There is so much to do and see in Bangkok that you can spend a whole month there and never get bored.

Where to Stay in Bangkok?

There are several main areas where tourists usually like to stay:

• Sukhumvit: diverse nightlife, shopping, and dining options, conveniently linked by the Skytrain (BTS). The accommodations here are a bit more expensive compared with other areas, but usually the hotels will have good views over the city. Here are some hotel suggestions:
  • YOLO Bangkok Boutique Hotel (Budget)
  • Hotel Amber Sukhumvit 85 (Mid-range)
  • Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit (Luxury)

• Silom: this was the area where we stayed at. This is centrally located and close to public transportation. There are plenty of choices for accommodation ranging from upscale to budget-friendly. Hotel suggestions:
  • AT EASE saladaeng by AETAS (budget)
  • SO/ Bangkok (mid-range/luxury)

• Khaosan Road: also known as the Backpacker’s Street, it’s known for its crazy nightlife, affordable hostels, and close proximity to cultural attractions. It is not connected with the skytrain or subway.
  • Bangkok Saran Poshtel (budget)
  • 4 Monkeys Hotel (budget/mid-range)
  • Chillax Heritage Hotel Khaosan (mid-range)

• Pratunam: this is a shopping paradise, it offers budget-friendly stays and seamless access to markets, malls, and public transport.

• Riverside: with picturesque views along the Chao Phraya River, this area boasts luxury hotels, cultural sites, and convenient boat transport connections.
  • Riva Arun Bangkok (mid-range/luxury)
  • Ibis Bangkok Riverside (mid-range)
  • Bangkok Bed and Bike (budget)

• Chinatown: a lively neighborhood with bustling markets and street food, Chinatown provides a cultural immersion and easy access to public transportation.
  • Shanghai Mansion Bangkok (budget/mid-range)
  • W22 by Burasari (budget)
  • Oldthaiheng Hotel (budget/mid-range)

• Ratchada: emerging as an entertainment hub, Ratchada blends nightlife and shopping, connected by the MRT subway system, making it a trendy choice for visitors.

• Siam: a bustling shopping and entertainment hub, Siam offers a central location with proximity to major malls like MBK and Siam Paragon.
  • Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel (luxury)
  • Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square (mid-range)
  • Bed One Block Hostel (budget)

Day 5: Day Trip to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was the old capital of Siam that was destroyed by the Burmese some centuries ago. It features some of the most interesting temple complex ruins in Thailand. 

We did our own DIY day trip to Ayutthaya. The train to get there is super affordable. Once you arrive at Ayutthaya you can opt to rent a bike or motorbike to explore the temples, or hire a tuk-tuk driver like we did.

All the details about planning your trip to Ayutthaya are described in the next article:

Ayutthaya Guide: Ayutthaya Travel Guide: Visit on Your Own from Bangkok.

Day 6: Train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

After Bangkok, we caught a train to Kanchanaburi. There is also the option to go by bus or minivan, but I always prefer the train. You can plan and buy your trip to Kanchanaburi on 12GoAsia or buy directly at the train station.

The journey from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi is very scenic and if you don’t mind traveling on an old train without AC, it’s totally worth it and all part of the experience. The journey takes around two and a half hours and it departs from Bangkok Thonburi Station.

If you arrive early, you can start exploring the beautiful temples of Kanchanaburi right away. Or leave it for one of the next two days if you don’t want to rush.

Related article: How to Spend Two Days in Kanchanaburi: Itinerary and Tips

Day 7 – 8: Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is a popular place to visit because of its proximity to the Erawan National Park. The National Park is famous for its seven-tiered waterfall on a lush tropical forest. The waterfalls are easily accessible from Kanchanaburi by public bus (approximately one hour and a half). Everything is explained in this Kanchanaburi Travel Guide.

There are also other interesting landmarks and temples in Kanchanaburi worth visiting. I liked coming to this place because it’s much quieter, with more nature and fewer crowds. It’s usually out of the most popular itineraries.

Things to do in Kanchanaburi

Here’s a quick list of the main things to do and places to visit in Kanchanaburi:

• Erawan National Park (waterfalls)
• See the train crossing the Bridge on the Riber Kwai
• Death Railway Museum
• Have Dinner at Kanchanaburi JJ Night Market
• Wat Ban Tham Temple
• Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)
• Giant Monkey Pod Tree
• Krasae Cave and The Death Railway
• Hellfire Pass Interpretative Centre

It’s also possible to visit Kanchanaburi as a day trip from Bangkok, but I think that will be too rushed. I recommend staying at least one night and also exploring the night market.

Where to Stay in Kanchanaburi?

Kanchanaburi City is a small place. If you’re backpacking, like we were doing, I recommend staying near the train station, or near the River Kwai bridge.

We stayed at the Siam Guesthouse (we absolutely recommend).

If you’re looking for something more fancy, this lodge-style resort seems to be an incredible option right by the river with luxury rooms with view. Here are other great accommodation options:

• Natee The Riverfront Hotel Kanchanaburi
• The RiverKwai Bridge Resort
• Seds Kanchanaburi
• Felix River Kwai Resort

Day 9: Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai

After Kanchanaburi, we took the train back to Bangkok and then we caught a flight to Chiang Mai. Another popular option is to take the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

You may also opt to go from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, spend the day there exploring, and catch the night train to Chiang Mai afterward. If you want to do this journey, you need to book your ticket quite in advance because it gets sold out quickly. You can buy your night train ticket to Chiang Mai in advance on 12GoAsia.

Day 10 – 14: Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is known for its numerous temples and huge night markets. All the details about spending four to five days in Chiang Mai are described in this Chiang Mai Travel Guide.

Things to do in Chiang Mai

Here’s a list of some of the best things to do in Chiang Mai:

• Temple Hopping
• Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
• Hike to Wat Pha Lat Temple (The Monk’s Trail)
• Eat and Shop at the Night Markets
• Explore Doi Inthanon National Park (one of my favorites)
• Climb the Sticky Waterfalls
• Visit an Elephant Sanctuary

What I liked most about Chiang Mai was hiking in Doi Suthep to the Wat Phra That temple and the Doi Inthanon National Park, which is where the highest point in Thailand is located.

I found Chiang Mai’s nearby places much more interesting than Chiang Mai City itself. We rented a car in Chiang Mai, which allowed us to explore a bit out of the usual itinerary and explore places like the Sticky Waterfalls and the Chiang Mai Hot Springs.

Related article: Chiang Mai Travel Guide for First-Timers

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai?

If this is your first time in Chiang Mai, you’ll want to stay in Chiang Mai Old City, inside the city walls. These walls create a perfect square surrounded by a moat. This area is home to many temples, night markets, hotels, restaurants, and cafes.

While anywhere in Chiang Mai Old City will be a great place to stay on your first time, we recommend giving preference to being close to the Tha Phae Gate on the east side because it’s within a short walking distance to Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

Day 15 – 16: Chiang Rai

We rented a car in Chiang Mai and drove to Chiang Rai. There is also the option to go by bus or minivan for very reasonable prices. To plan your journey from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, you can use the 12GoAsia website.

Chiang Rai has some of the most amazing temples we saw during our trip, so it’s a place worth adding to your itinerary. If you are on a limited time, there are also organized day tours from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. This is an absolute must-go if you’re visiting Northern Thailand.

Things to do in Chiang Rai

• White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)
• Wat Huay Pla Kang: Goddess of Mercy
• Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)
• Lallita Café
• The Black House Chiang Rai (Baan Dam Museum)
• Shinga Park
• Chiang Rai Night Bazaar
• Chiang Rai Clock Tower

Related article: How to Spend one Day in Chiang Rai, Thailand: Things to Do and Tips

Where to Stay in Chiang Rai?

If you’re staying overnight in Chiang Rai, like we did, you’ll want to stay near the clock tower. This area is within walking distance to the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, and many restaurants and cafes. It’s also a great area for budget travelers.

We stayed at the Na-Rak-O Resort Hotel.

We stayed at the Na-Rak-O Resort Hotel that was only 10 minutes by foot from the clock tower and from Chaing Rai Night Bazaar. This place was super cheap, it had a great vibe with simple, beautiful and unique decoration, and it even had parking space for our car.

Day 17: Driving Back to Chiang Mai and Flying to Krabi

After your time in Chiang Rai, get on a flight to Krabi. You can get one from Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai with a layover in Bangkok.

Sometimes, it’s not easy to buy these flights on the airlines’ websites. We bought all our Thailand domestic flights on the Kiwi website and it always worked well.

Day 18 – 20: Ao Nang, Krabi

Krabi was a disappointment in terms of “beach vacation”, but it surprised me with other things I wasn’t expecting. When in Krabi, you’ll want to stay near the Ao Nang beach and not in Krabi town.

Even though Ao Nang had some downsides, there are good reasons to include it in your plans, especially if you’re heading to an island afterwards—you can read everything about it in our Krabi Travel Guide. Additionally, its also the starting point to great island hopping tours.

Related article: Ao Nang Travel Guide for First-Timers (Krabi, Thailand)

At this point in our trip, we had seen many temples so far, but one of the highlights was going to the Tiger Cave Temple and climbing the 1260 steps to the top.

Things to do in Krabi

• Go For a Stroll at the Ao Nang Beach
• Hike the Monkey Trail
• Explore the Railay Beach
• Watch the Sunset at the Ao Nang Beach
• Watch the Fire Show at the Ao Nang Beach
• Island hopping: The 7-Island tour and/or Hong Islands tour and/or Phi Phi Islands tour
• Hike to the Top of the Tiger Cave Temple

Where to Stay in Ao Nang, Krabi?

In Krabi you’ll want to stay near the Ao Nang beach and not in Krabi town if you intend to explore the beach and nearby islands. You can also stay near the Railay Beach, but you’ll need a boat to get there. But, depending on your accommodation, you may have pick up included.

We stayed at the Ibis Styles Ao Nang, and we were pleasantly surprised. We got a pretty good price for the quality of the hotel. It had a nice pool outside, great facilities and was only 10 minutes walking to the Ao Nang Beach.

Day 21 – 23: Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands are a group of six islands. The only inhabited island is Phi Phi Don. I was very unsure whether to spend some time in Phi Phi Don or just do a day tour from Krabi. We ended up staying three days in Phi Phi Don, and it was a great decision. I recommend staying there for at least a couple of days. You can read our Phi Phi Islands Travel Guide here.

The island is super small and there are no cars. The island is one hundred percent catered to tourists. There’s not much local culture here, the hotel prices are more expensive than in other places in Thailand and you’ll find many Western restaurants. Nonetheless, the island has a very good vibe, the landscape and beaches are beautiful, and the day trips to the nearby islands are truly worth it.

Related article: Phi Phi Islands Tour – What to Expect

We did a full-day tour to the most beautiful places of the Phi Phi islands, including the famous Maya Bay, and it was one of the highlights of our whole trip. Maya Bay, despite being one of the most touristy places in Thailand, is absolutely worth visiting. It is truly what paradise on earth should look like.

Related article: Koh Phi Phi: Things to Do and Tips for First-Timers

Things to do in Koh Phi Phi

• Hike to the Viking Beach and Long Beach
• Kayak to Nui Bay and Monkey Beach
• Hike to the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoints
• Phi Phi Islands Tour that includes: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo Island and/or Mosquitto Island
• Watch the Fire Shows

Where to Stay in Koh Phi Phi?

If it’s your first time staying in Koh Phi Phi, we recommend staying near Tonsai village (next to the pier) or Loh Dalum. These places are where everything happens in the island and they are close to the main beaches and the pier, which is great if you intend to get out to explore the other nearby islands.

Many accommodations are located on a hill and you’ll have to walk there because there are no other transportation options—take that into account when you’re booking a place to stay.

Tip: consider booking a place to stay some time in advance, specially if you’re travelling in high season. We only booked our hotel in the day before and there was very little availability. Additionally, all the best places were already sold out.

We stayed at the Phi Phi Hotel. It was a bit dated, but better than we expected and it was located right in front of the Tonsai pier, which was very convenient.

From Koh Phi Phi, we got a ferry to Koh Lanta (you can buy your tickets on 12GoAsia or in travel agencies in Koh Phi Phi). Koh Lanta is more of a local island, but still with good infrastructure for tourists without losing much of its authenticity. While it doesn’t have the most beautiful beaches, the island has many other things to offer and it has such a great laidback vibe that we loved our time there. You can read our Koh Lanta Travel Guide here.

One of the best things to do in Koh Lanta is to explore the island by motorbike from north to south. The roads are in good condition and there’s not much traffic.

There are also great snorkeling day trips from Koh Lanta. We did a snorkeling trip to Koh Rok and Koh Ha and it was amazing (read about our snorkeling trip to Koh Ha and Koh Rok here). This snorkeling tour was one of the highlights of our entire trip. We saw a lot of healthy coral reefs and lots of marine life including Nemo, the clownfish.

You may also like: Koh Lanta Travel Guide: 3-Day Itinerary and 10 Best Things to Do.

I loved Koh Lanta, but if you’re expecting to enjoy the island’s beaches, you might be a bit disappointed. But, there are plenty of tours to nearby small islands with crystal clear blue water and white sand beaches.

Things to do in Koh Lanta

• Explore the Island by Motorbike
• Relax at the Beach
• Explore Mu Ko Lanta National Park
• Explore the Mangrove Forest
• Koh Lanta Old Town
• Have a Drink at the Pirate Beach
• Snorkeling Tours

Where to Stay in Koh Lanta?

In my opinion, the best area to stay in Koh Lanta is on the western side, close to the beaches. Next to the Long Beach, Khlong Khong Beach or Kantiang Bay. It’s best if you choose an accommodation with several restaurant options within walking distance.

There are plenty of accommodation options right on the beach in bungallow-style. We stayed at the Lanta New Coconut bungalows. The bungalows were very simple, but they had air conditioning and everything worked well. The place also had a pool for guests, a bar and a restaurant. And it was right on the beach. If you want a nice place to relax for a very affordable price, I really recommend this place.

Here are our suggestions according to your budget:

• Lanta New Coconut Bungalow (Budget)
• Rawi Warin Resort And Spa (Mid Range)
• Pimalai Resort & Spa (Luxury)

Day 28 – 31: Koh Lipe

From Koh Lanta, get a speed boat to Koh Lipe. It’s approximately a three-hour journey (you can buy your tickets on 12GoAsia or in travel agencies in Koh Lanta). Koh Lipe was our favorite place during our trip around Southeast Asia. The Island is super small, but the beaches, the color of the water, and the whole vibe are so good that you won’t want to leave. Our initial idea was to spend only two days in Koh Lipe, but we ended up spending almost one week.

Related article: Koh Lipe: Best Things to Do and Tips for First-Timers

There is a beautiful beach in the North of the island that simply looks like paradise. Additionally, there are great snorkeling opportunities swimming right from the beach. We ended up seeing Nemo almost every day during our time in Koh Lipe.

There are so many good restaurants selling local food for a very reasonable price. The fish here is just delicious. We ate fresh fish almost every night during our time in Koh Lipe.

Things to do in Koh Lipe

• Spend Time at the Beach
• Rent a Kayak
• Snorkeling From the Beach
• Swim to the Sandbar
• Hike the Viewpoints at Ko Adang
• Snorkeling Day Trips
• Koh Lipe Walking Street

Where to Stay in Koh Lipe?

The island is small, so no matter where you’re based, you’ll be within walking distance of everything. We stayed near the walking street. In Koh Lipe, I recommend choosing accommodation run by local people to support them. Here’s a list of some of them:

• Gipsy Resort (available on Agoda)
• Family Song (Booking)
• Daya Beach Resort (Booking)
• Glory Sunshine Bungalow
• Zanom Sunrise Beach Resort (Agoda)
• Coco Beach Bungalows (Booking)
• Koh Lipe Homestay (available on Agoda)
• Sanom Beach Resort

Getting Around Thailand

The main popular options for getting around Thailand include flights, night trains, night buses, mini vans, ferries, etc.

The best way to check how to get from one place to another is going to the 12GoAsia website. You’ll see several options for getting from one place to another. You can also book your tickets there.

For domestic flights inside Thailand, we used the Kiwi website and everything always went smoothly.

Inside cities, it’s handy to have the Grab app, which is similar to Uber. You can also order food via the app.

Wrapping Up

We hope you found our Thailand One Month Itinerary useful and that it helps you plan your time in Thailand. This was the itinerary that we followed and we never felt rushed or bored. But, of course, it also depends on your travel style.

We also have individual guides for each of the places we visited in Thailand. Make sure to take a look for more information.

Finally, you can use our links to book accommodation and activities and find cheap flights. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting our work.