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Your Ultimate 7 Day Thailand Itinerary: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Beyond

If you’re planning a trip to Thailand and only have one week, this 7 day Thailand itinerary is the perfect place to start. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand several times over the years, and it’s one of those places I just keep going back to. Whether it’s the flavorful food, the warm hospitality, or the mix of beaches and temples, there’s something here for every kind of traveler.

This itinerary blends the iconic highlights of Bangkok with the relaxed charm of Chiang Mai. I’ll walk you through where to go, what to eat, and how to make the most of your time without feeling rushed. You’ll find tips on transportation, ethical animal experiences, and local food markets that won’t break your budget.

And if you’re more of a beach-lover? Don’t worry—I’ll share how to swap in an island escape at the end.

Just a quick note: This page might include affiliate links. If you click and purchase anything from the links I receive a tiny commission to support this website. The good news? I only recommend products I actually use and believe in. So you’re getting the best products at a super good price.

How to Get to Bangkok: The Best Airport to Fly Into Thailand

No matter where you plan on going in Thailand your journey will likely go through Bangkok. Bangkok is the cheapest airport to fly into Thailand. While it might seem reasonable to add your final destination when booking your flight it’s cheaper to book Thailand’s smaller airports on a separate reservation.

Ex. If your plan is to go to Phuket book a flight to Bangkok and then another reservation Phuket. You’ll save hundreds of dollars.

Do you want to fly to Thailand with points and miles? Get Point.Me and easily find the best flights with the points you already have!

Keep in mind Bangkok has two main airports Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Most major airlines will fly through BKK, but it’s important to check your reservation to ensure your arrival and departure airports. 

Is There a Best Time of Year to Visit?

Like all of Southeast Asia, Thailand experiences dry and wet seasons. Though it might seem that the dry season is the best time to visit, the rainy season doesn’t necessarily mean rain all-day. Instead, you could experience heavy downpours in the morning or late-afternoon with the rest of the day sunny and warm. 

  • Dry season generally runs from November to February or mid-March. This is the driest time of year throughout Thailand with little to no rainfall. Around the end of February this also coincides with burn season, where farmers will burn their fields for planting season. You’ll find more haze in the air this time of year.
  • Hot season typically is March to June, when the weather is warmest and there is still little rainfall accumulation. 
  • Wet season, or rainy season, is from June to October. Depending on where you are in Thailand this varies. 

So… which season is best to visit?

I’ve visited Thailand during all three seasons and I can say that all of them have their advantages and disadvantages. Dry season brings with it the high season, so prices for hotels are more expensive. Rainy season is also the low season, so hotel prices are cheaper but your weather is more unpredictable. 

Personally, I’d go with whatever time of year offers you the best opportunity to see Thailand. You’ll have a great time any time of the year.

How to Get Around Thailand in 7 Days

When you only have one week, a smart route is key—and this 7 day Thailand itinerary is built with that in mind. Luckily, Thailand has an incredible transportation network that makes it easy—and cheap—to move between cities and get where you need to go quickly.

Flying Between Cities

If you’re following this 7 day Thailand itinerary, you’ll need to fly between Bangkok and Chiang Mai (or Phuket, if you opt for the islands instead). Domestic flights in Thailand are frequent, affordable, and often include checked baggage if you book with full-service airlines like Thai Airways or Bangkok Airways. You can also find cheap flights with budget airlines like AirAsia or Nok Air—just make sure to factor in baggage fees and airport transfers.

Travel Tip! Double-check which airport you’re flying out of in Bangkok. BKK (Suvarnabhumi) is the main international hub, but many domestic flights leave from DMK (Don Mueang).

Local Transportation Within Cities

In Bangkok, the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway system are your best friends. They’re fast, clean, and avoid the city’s infamous traffic. Taxis are cheap too, but always insist on using the meter.

In Chiang Mai, you’ll rely more on songthaews (red trucks), which function like shared taxis. You can also use the Grab app to call a ride just like Uber. It’s super affordable and much easier than trying to negotiate prices in Thai.

Getting to and from Airports

Airport transfers are worth planning in advance, especially after a long international flight. Private shuttles or hotel-arranged cars take the guesswork out of your arrival. In Bangkok, you can also use the Airport Rail Link from BKK to connect with the BTS system.

If you’re heading back home from Chiang Mai, the airport is small and easy to navigate. You can take a songthaew, call a Grab, or ask your hotel to arrange a quick transfer.

Your 7 Day Thailand Itinerary 

Day 1-3: Bangkok Highlights

Spend your first few days on this 7 day Thailand itinerary exploring Bangkok’s mix of ancient temples, riverfront markets, and street food scenes. You’ll get a great mix of cultural sights like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, plus time to relax with a Thai massage or a local lunch market. Bangkok is big and bustling, so you’ll want to give yourself a bit of downtime to adjust and enjoy it.

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok

After arriving in Bangkok you’ll need to make your way from the airport to your hotel. Depending on the time of day and your choice of transportation this can easily take 1-2 hours. Keep in mind that Bangkok is a huge city, so many attractions could be far from your accommodation. 

There are three main ways to get from the airport to your accommodation: private/shared shuttle, taxi, or public transportation. 

If arriving from Europe or the Americas I can attest that the easiest way to get to your hotel is with a private transfer. You’ll be exhausted after countless hours flying and navigating the taxi stand or public transportation will be much harder on limited sleep.

Adjusting to the time difference can make your first day difficult, too. Take today easy but try to stay awake as long as you can. You’ve got a 7 day Thailand itinerary, after all. Gotta be fresh!

Day 2: Bangkok Highlights

It’s your first full day in Bangkok! Today it’s time to explore the best highlights of the city.

Start your day at Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. Here you can walk around the grounds and to the lower levels of the temple’s steps as well. 

Monk’s Blessing at Wat Arun

If you’re interested you can participate in a blessing with a monk. In one of the small buildings near the main structure you’ll find monks hosting blessings to tourists and locals. Once inside you’ll need to take off your shoes and then kneel before the monk. After your blessing it’s customary to offer 50 or so baht to help support the temple.

What do I need to wear to the Buddhist temples? Men and women need to dress modestly for entrance to Buddhist temples. Covering your knees and shoulders is mandatory. 

After visiting Wet Arun take the water taxi across the Chao Phraya river to the Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talat). This flower market is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It’s most busiest in the middle of the night, when vendors arrive with the fresh flowers for preparation, but visiting anytime is well worth it.

At the Flower Market you can easily walk to the famous Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho. This is a very famous temple that can get very crowded. Once inside you’ll be offered the opportunity to purchase coins to place in 108 buckets lining the back of the Buddha. Doing so will offer you good luck and it’s a pretty meditative process worth doing.

Pro Tip! The best angle to catch a photo of the Reclining Buddha is near his feet before turning towards the back and 108 buckets.

Though back across the river, Wang Lang Market is a great local spot to grab some lunch outside of the tourist area. With winding stalls of all the classic Thai dishes you’ll find something truly incredible at a very good, local price.

After lunch it’s time to head to the Grand Palace. You can buy tickets at the palace but during high season it’s recommended to purchase your ticket in advance. Or consider booking a guided tour. I’ve visited with and without a guide and believe a guide is well worth it at the palace; you’ll get a lot more out of the experience!

Join an evening food tour

Thailand is great all the time but it comes to life in the evening. Tonight it’s time to get to know Thai food through a food tour experience. With so many amazing street food vendors you’ll get a great look at different foods to continue to eat during your trip.

Day 3: Explore Bangkok’s Chinatown and Hidden Gems

Now that you’ve experienced some of the highlights it’s time to dive a bit deeper into Bangkok. There are a variety of activities you could explore today but I highly recommend experiencing Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Depending on your interest, you could spend the day with an early wake up call to head to the Floating Markets for a boat tour and Maeklong Railway. This tour lasts about 12 hours, so consider it the majority of your last day in Bangkok.
What to do in Bangkok’s Chinatown

One of the best ways to see Bangkok’s Chinatown is with a guided tour. Chinatown is certainly one of those, “you have to know a guy” kind of places to get the most out of your experience. But there are certainly ways to see it without a guide, too.

>> I did this Chinatown guided tour and loved it!

First, start your day walking the Sampeng Lane Market, the oldest operating market in Chinatown. Here you’ll find vendors selling everything from handicrafts to foods and collectibles. It’s a chaotic maze of stalls that are well worth getting lost in.

Take a stroll through Wat Chakrawat, also known as the crocodile temple. Yes, those are real crocs in the waters.

By now it’s time for lunch and you’re in luck because Chinatown has some of the best food in Bangkok. The Bangkok Heritage @ Yaowarat would be my choice. It’s air conditioned, a friendly family owned restaurant with some of the best dim sum I’ve had. Go here for the dim sum and forget about Thai food for a bit. (Trust me.)

From Chinatown you can take the water taxi back down to your hotel (if you’re staying near the river). The water taxi is a great, economical way to see Bangkok on a budget.

That evening take advantage of one of the many Thai cooking class experiences. They are inexpensive and a great way to have something to do and a meal in the process. 

Day 4-7: Chiang Mai’s Jungle and Slower Pace

After Bangkok, fly to Northern Thailand to the laid-back city of Chiang Mai where the pace slows and the mountains come into view. This part of the itinerary includes ethical elephant experiences, outdoor adventures like sticky waterfalls, and some of the best food in Thailand. Chiang Mai is also the perfect place to end your trip with a pool day or one last market stroll before heading home.

Day 4: Fly to Chaing Mai

Take one of the first flights to Chaing Mai from Bangkok the following morning. There are many airlines that operate flights throughout the day between Bangkok and Chiang Mai so you’ll have plenty of choices. 

Travel Tip! Keep in mind that Bangkok has two airports. Check your booking and confirm which airport your flight is from.

Once in Chiang Mai you can take the public bus, taxi, or private transfer to your hotel. The easiest way to get to your hotel is going to the taxi stand inside the baggage claim for a fixed-rate taxi.

Spend the afternoon getting familiar with the Chiang Mai Old Town. Here you’ll find great cafes, artisan boutiques, and Thai massage shops. Consider an afternoon coffee at CoolMuang Coffee, or a massage at the unique Women’s Massage Center, or perhaps browse the Chiang Mai Cotton shop for some unique, handmade items.

For dinner skip the touristy markets to the east of the Old Town and instead head north near Wat Chiang Yeun for a more local market experience. 

>> You can learn more about what to do in Chiang Mai in my 3-day itinerary!

Day 4: Visit an ethical Elephant sanctuary

There are many elephant experiences you can choose from in Chiang Mai but not all of them are ethical. I recommend the elephant experience at Chang Chill, known for its unique experience where you trek into the jungle to be among the elephants. It’s certainly a must-do on any 7 day Thailand itinerary!

Here you can’t physically interact with the elephants, looking to be an elephant-friendly experience (no baths, human feedings, or rides are allowed). 

Booking a full–day experience is the best way to experience Chang Chill. 

Day 5: Take to the outdoors

There are a lot of amazing outdoor adventure activities you can do near Chiang Mai. Here are a few ideas:

  • Visit Doi Inthanon National Park: This is the highest peak in Thailand with a beautiful temple overlooking the surrounding mountains. 
  • Hike the Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls: You can get to the sticky waterfalls through a guided tour or on your own. If you opt to go on your own you can rent a car, motorbike or hire a car for the day. (You can visit through public transportation but it’s not worth the time necessary to do so.)
  • Go white-water rafting: Depending on the season white-water rafting is a great way to spend a day outside Chiang Mai. 

Day 6: See the rest of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a much slower pace with hidden gems compared to Bangkok’s larger personality. But that doesn’t mean the slower pace doesn’t offer a lot of unique opportunities to get to know the beautiful northern mountains of Thailand.

Today, start your day with breakfast at Maison Maison. They have a divine breakfast sandwich, smoothie, and iced coffee!  

After breakfast take an inexpensive walking tour to learn more about the historic old town and surrounding monuments and temples. Chiang Mai has a lot of unique history worth exploring.

If you’re not up for a guided tour you could spend your morning hiking to Wat Pha Lat, a beautiful temple covered in the rich jungle outside Chiang Mai. Or perhaps taking in the sites at Doi Suthep on a day trip.

For lunch snag a bowl of the most comforting and delicious Thai dish, khao soi. There are many fantastic options in Chiang Mai but the most famous is Khao Soi Khun Yai, located north of the city. Keep in mind this small eatery is only open until 2:00 pm but serves up some great noodles worth the visit.

After lunch, take a songthaew a few minutes outside the city to Veranda, a nearby resort with a 400 BHT day pass for access to the pool. Their pool has some incredible views overlooking the mountains and the perfect way to relax on your last evening in Thailand.

For dinner head back to town and explore one of the many night markets for some Thai street food. The Night Bazaar is probably the most famous but if you happen to be visiting on the weekends there are Saturday and Sunday night markets with far more locals in attendance.

What to try at the Thai night markets
  • Chicken and rice
  • Mango sticky rice
  • BBQ pork or chicken
  • Northern Thai sausage
  • Khao Soi
  • Coconut pancakes
  • Pad Thai
  • Mango with spicy dipping sauce
  • And so much more!

Alternate Day 6: See the Golden Triangle

If you’re up for a longer day trip, consider visiting the Golden Triangle—where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Tours from Chiang Mai typically include stops at scenic viewpoints, historic temples, and even a riverboat ride along the Mekong. It’s a great way to see more of northern Thailand’s rich history and landscapes.

Tours typically start in Chiang Rai, so it’s a much longer travel day doing this from Chiang Mai.

Day 7: Fly home

Chiang Mai has a small international airport operating flights to nearby countries in Central, East, and Southeast Asia. If your plans are headed somewhere else it’s easiest to take the train or flight back to Bangkok before heading home.

Getting to the airport in Chiang Mai

Depending on how much time you have you can easily get to the airport in a songthaew, or red truck. These take and drop people off based on their direction and can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 45 minutes to get to the airport. If you’d rather something more direct simply hire a Grab driver for about $5 USD.

Want to Go Island Hopping? Your Alternative 7 Day Thailand Itinerary.

Personally, I prefer Thailand’s north and this 7 day Thailand itinerary focuses on Chiang Mai for that reason but you can totally choose to visit Thailand’s southern shores instead of Chiang Mai.

The most common place to fly into is Phuket, where you can then explore the Phi Phi Islands, Krabi or Khao Sok National Park. Southern Thailand is certainly another option!

Thailand Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Whether it’s your first trip to Southeast Asia or just your first time in Thailand, these quick tips will help you make the most of your week.

Know the Visa Rules

U.S. passport holders don’t need a visa to enter Thailand for stays under 30 days if arriving by air. Just be sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. If you’re arriving by land or planning a longer stay, the rules can vary, so always double-check before you go.

Carry Cash

Cash is king in Thailand. While you’ll be able to use cards at hotels and some restaurants, most street vendors, taxis, and small shops only accept Thai baht. ATMs are widely available, and many accept international cards—but be ready for a small withdrawal fee.

Pro Tip: Let your bank know you’ll be abroad or use a travel card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

Get a SIM Card

Staying connected in Thailand is easy and cheap. You can pick up a tourist SIM card at the airport or any 7-Eleven. AIS, DTAC, and TrueMove are all great options with affordable data plans that last for your entire 7-day trip.

Dress for the Temples

If you plan to visit temples (and you should), bring clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. This applies to both men and women. A lightweight scarf or sarong can also come in handy when you’re out exploring.

Stay Hydrated—but Skip the Tap Water

You’ll need to drink lots of water in the Thai heat, but avoid drinking from the tap. Stick to bottled or filtered water, which is easy to find and very affordable.

Learn a Few Local Phrases

You don’t need to speak Thai to get around, but learning a few basic words like “hello” (sawasdee ka/krap) and “thank you” (khob khun ka/krap) goes a long way. Locals really appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.

If you’re planning your first trip and feeling overwhelmed by choices, this 7 day Thailand itinerary simplifies it all—without missing the best parts.

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