10 days in Thailand itinerary

In order to help you organize your stay, I have prepared a 10-day itinerary for you in Thailand to discover the country’s unmissable places of interest.

A varied and complete program awaits you with the visit of 2 emblematic cities, Bangkok and Chiang Mai, as well as the discovery of the historical park of Ayutthaya. But that’s not all! You will have the chance to end your 10-day trip to Thailand by enjoying the splendid beaches of southern Phuket or Krabi.

Throughout this article, I also give you my selection of the best accommodation for each stage, accompanied by all my advice and tips for a dream stay!

So, what to do and see for 10 days in Thailand?

Day 1-2: Bangkok

To spend 9-10 days in Thailand, it is best to land in Bangkok first.

From Suvarnabhumi International Airport, to reach your hotel, I recommend you take the Airport Rail Link, which is located directly in the basement of the airport.

The train journey takes barely 30 minutes to the terminus (Phaya Thai station) and costs around 45 Bahts. There are departures every quarter of an hour from 6 a.m. to midnight.

You will have to buy your token (it is not a ticket) at the automatic terminals (the price varies according to the distance) and keep it until the end of your journey to insert it in the exit gate.

Your hotel may not be in close proximity to an Airport Rail Link stop. In this case, you will then have to take the BTS (the elevated metro) or  the MRT (the underground metro), or even perhaps a taxi to finish the journey.

Taking the Airport Rail Link to reach downtown Bangkok is the cheapest and fastest solution, as you will avoid all the traffic jams.

Of course, you will also find taxis on level 1 of the airport. First remember to take your reservation ticket at the terminals and then go and wait for your taxi at the indicated location.

Count between 250 and 450 Bahts for a ride to the city center, and even more if you find yourself stuck in the middle of traffic.

Never accept a fixed price for a taxi ride, always ask the driver to turn on the meter.

It is also possible to book a private transfer in advance on the internet to be sure not to have to pay more and that the driver will be waiting for you on arrival. To be sure to go through a reliable site, I advise you to book directly by clicking here!

Last tip, show the driver the address of your hotel written in Thai. With hundreds of hotels in Bangkok, it’s hard to find your way around, even for them.

Arrived at the hotel, recharge the batteries and get a good night’s sleep before the start of your 10-day Thailand tour.

The next day, it’s time to start your Bangkok tour.

I suggest you go to the Grand Palace, the main monument to see in Bangkok. If your hotel is nearby you can walk there, otherwise take a taxi as there is no metro around.

Having served for many years as the residence of Thai sovereigns, the Grand Palace is home to several very imposing pavilions, palaces and buildings adorned with sculptures and statues.

The best known and venerated by the Thais is the one found in the Royal Chapel of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Also worth seeing is the Chakri Mahat Prasat palace, where King Rama V lived, still venerated today for having greatly contributed to the economic development of the country in the 19th century.

Practical information for visiting the Grand Palace: the site is open every day and admission costs 500 Bahts.

A 5-minute walk from the Grand Palace, then go to Wat Pho, which houses the largest reclining Buddha statue in the city: 45 meters long and 15 meters high.

Entrance to the site at 200 Bahts. 

Complete the list of monuments and temples not to be missed with Wat Arun, located on the other bank of the river from Wat Pho. It’s very easy to reach it, you just have to take the river shuttle (4 Bahts) which will drop you off directly in front of the entrance (50 Bahts).

You will then have access to the temple composed of a large tower (a Prang) of 82 meters and 4 other smaller ones. They are all covered with small shards of colored mosaics. 

Since there are not really explanations about the 3 sites (Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun), you can choose to take a guided tour to learn all about the historical details.

To book it, just click here.

Then cross the river in the other direction.

For the rest of the day, I suggest you visit museums of your choice between:

• The Siam Museum: on the history of Thailand but in a fun version with games for children. It is less than 10 minutes walk from the landing stage. Ticket at 300 Baht.
• The National Museum of Bangkok which also evokes the history of the country but in a more traditional way. It is the largest museum in Southeast Asia. It is 2.1 km from the landing stage. Entrance ticket at 200 Bahts.

Leaving the museum, head towards Bangkok’s most famous street, Khao San Road. It is bordered by many jewelry shops, bars and restaurants. 

And to conclude this first day in Bangkok and take in the view, I recommend that you take a cruise with dinner included to be able to admire the illuminated monuments and temples.

Just book it by clicking on the link below:
Book my dinner cruise now!

You can also opt for a more luxurious version of this dinner cruise: you will dine in small groups on an old rice barge: Book my premium dinner cruise now!

Spend a second night in Bangkok.

The next day, continuation of your 10-day stay in Thailand. We stay in Bangkok to discover a little more the city.

Here is an idea of ​​program to see the maximum of things:

• Ascent to the Temple of the Golden Mountain (Wat Saket) whose terrace offers a panoramic view of Bangkok. Entrance at 50 Baht. 
• Walk in Chinatown with a visit to Wat Traimit, known to house a golden Buddha statue weighing nearly 5.5 tons! Entrance at 40 Baht.
• Quiet stroll in the pleasant Lumphini Park, the largest in the city. Keep your eyes open and you will surely come across the strange inhabitants of the place: Malay monitor lizards (not to be confused with the Komodo dragon).
• Then head to the kingdom of shopping in Bangkok, the Siam district and its huge shopping centers with multiple shops. Electronics, clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, there is everything!

In the evening, after dark, I suggest you climb to the top of the Bayoke tower to enjoy the view. It’s a really popular place for tourists.

On the same principle, you also have the King Power Mahanakhon which is currently the highest observation platform in Thailand. Tickets are on sale here!

If you prefer a little more action and atmosphere, you can also attend one of the Muay Thai boxing matches, the national sport. Tickets can be purchased here.

Spend one last night in Bangkok.

For even more ideas for things to do in Bangkok, read our article: Visiting Bangkok: The Ultimate Guide.

Tips

To visit temples in Bangkok or any other city, you must have your shoulders and legs covered.

If you don’t have shawls or long skirts/trousers, just rent some at the entrance or get one for 100 Baht. The choice will then come down to magnificent pants with elephants on them!

Accommodation in Bangkok

To sort through the hundreds of accommodation offers, I have prepared a selection of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok!

The best hotels near the Grand Palace and Wat Pho:

• D Hostel Bangkok: Hostel located near the temples and 5 min from Khao San Road. Bed in dormitory from 20€. Most: the location to visit the temples on foot, cleanliness, modern decor. Ideal for small budgets!
• Rambuttri Village Plaza: Located 1.5 km from the Grand Palace and 300 m from Khao San Road. Pleasant and bright double room from €30 per night, breakfast included. Most: the location, the swimming pools on the roof.
• Baan Wanglang Riverside, Bangkok: Hotel located on the opposite bank of the Grand Palace, 5 minutes by shuttle bus. Spacious double room with a view of the river from €50. The pluses: the splendid view of the river, the rooftop, the proximity to the 3 main temples.
• Siri Heritage Bangkok Hotel: Brand new hotel, 10 minutes walk from the Grand Palace and 1 km from the National Museum. Warm and comfortable room with balcony from €70, breakfast included. Most: the setting, the comfort of the beds, the very helpful staff, the swimming pool. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in the vicinity of the Grand Palais!
• Inn a day: Located 600 meters from the Grand Palace. Room with original and atypical decoration, in the industrial style, from 100€, breakfast included. Most: the magnificent view of the river and Wat Arun, the excellent breakfast, the design.
• Chakrabongse Villas: Located on the banks of the river, only 15 min walk from Wat Pho. Room and suite with oriental but modern decoration, from €170, breakfast included. Most: the breathtaking view of Wat Arun, the excellent geographical location, the swimming pool. This is our recommendation for a romantic stay in Bangkok!

The best hotels in Bangkok that are quiet and close to the metro for easy travel:

• Bangkok Patio: It is located 10 minutes walk from the BTS Skytrain. Super spacious, modern studios and apartments with equipped kitchen and balcony from €40 per night. Most: the swimming pool, the calm, the geographical location. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio! Also ideal for a family stay.
• Noursabah Boutique Bed Bangkok: Located 500 meters from the BTS and the Airport Rail Link (direct line to the airport). Well decorated room with a super comfortable bed from €50 per night, breakfast included. The pluses: calm, comfort, provision of food (noodle, yogurt, cereals), water, fruit juice 24 hours a day, super convenient for going to the airport.
• Anajak Bangkok Hotel: Located 5 minutes from the metro and the Airport Rail Link. Cozy and very comfortable double room from €75 per night, breakfast included. Most: the quiet location, the swimming pool, the style of the rooms. An excellent choice for visiting Bangkok or reaching the airport at the end of your stay in just 30 minutes.
• Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn: Located a few steps from the metro. Spacious room with large bay window overlooking the buildings from €115, breakfast included. Most: the standard of the hotel, the infinity pool, the breakfast at the top, the direct access to the metro. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Bangkok!
• Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok: Luxury hotel with direct access to Siam Paragon Mall and BTS. Elegant and contemporary room from €230, breakfast included. Most: the large swimming pools and the garden, the jacuzzi, the Spa, the excellent breakfast. The best hotel to stay in Bangkok for a luxury stay! 

Day 3: Ayutthaya

For the second leg of your 10-day Thailand trip, I’m taking you just 75 km from Bangkok, to Ayutthaya Historical Park.

To get there from Bangkok, you have several solutions:

1) Rent a car (which will also be useful for the rest of your vacation).

Book there preferably at Don Muang airport (and not the one by which you arrived). It is located north of the city, directly on the route to reach Ayutthaya. This allows you to avoid traffic jams in the center.

Allow only 45 minutes by car from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.

2) By train:  the cheapest solution with a train ticket at only 15 Bahts for 2 hours.

3) By bus:  1h30 at 50 Bahts

4) By minivan:  1 hour at 70 Bahts.

In any case, it is best to leave Bangkok early enough to plan to spend a full day in Ayutthaya.

This is the ideal duration to discover the magnificent ancient temples of the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To facilitate your visit to the historical park, I have prepared an ultra-complete article that answers all your questions:

• Comment visiter Ayutthaya?
• Practical information: prices, timetables.
• The temples not to be missed
• How long to visit Ayutthaya
• The tourist map of the temples
• A circuit to visit Ayutthaya in 1 day
• The history of the historic city

If all the solutions that I have previously proposed (car, bus, train) do not suit you to go to Ayutthaya, you can also opt for an organized excursion departing from Bangkok.

So you won’t have to worry about anything, everything is provided:

• Bus transport  from your hotel in Bangkok to the historical park
• A guide  to accompany you on temple visits
• Entrance fees to temples
• Lunch
• The return by boat  with cruise on the riverBook my excursion to Ayutthaya from Bangkok right now!

At the end of the day, you will have the choice between spending the night in Ayutthaya, leaving directly for the next stage or returning to Bangkok.

I explain these possibilities in the next step.

Accommodation in Ayutthaya

• Early Bird Hostel Ayutthaya: Hostel located 700 meters from Wat Mahathat. Dormitory bed from €7, breakfast included. Most: lovely staff, cleanliness, privacy thanks to the curtain. Ideal for backpackers!
• Baan Baimai Boutique Room: Located 1.7 km from Wat Mahathat or 5 minutes by car. Spacious and well-decorated double room from €27. Most: calm, decor, private parking. An excellent choice where to stay cheap in Ayutthaya!
• PU Inn Resort: Located 5 minutes from the bus station and 10 minutes from Mahathat temple. Comfortable and colorful double room from 45€. Most: the swimming pool, the central location, the warm welcome.
• Baan Thai House: Located 1.4 km from Wat Yai Chai Mongkon. Spacious villa with balcony and garden or lake view from €60, breakfast included. Most: the swimming pool, the exteriors, the good meals, the setting, the calm.
• Classic Kameo Hotel & Serviced Apartments, Ayutthaya: Located 5 minutes drive from Yai Chai Mongkon Temple. Double room with kitchenette and lounge area, modern and spacious, from €75, breakfast included. The pluses: the equipment, the comfort, the swimming pool, the Spa.
• Sala Ayutthaya: Located 1.6 km from the historical park and Wat Chai Watthanaram. Modern double room with exposed red bricks from €140, breakfast included. Most: the swimming pool, the view of the river and the temples, the quality of the catering, the design of the hotel. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Ayutthaya!

Day 4-6: Chiang Mai

You have arrived at the third stage of this 10-day itinerary in Thailand.

I suggest you join Chiang Mai, the capital of the North of the country. From Ayutthaya, there are still nearly 600 km and several ways to reach the 2 cities.

1) Fly to Bangkok.

At the end of your day in Ayutthaya, you can return to Bangkok and fly to Chiang Mai the next day. If you have chosen the organized excursion to visit Ayutthaya, with departure and return to Bangkok, it is the same.

The plane is the fastest means of transport with only 1 hour of flight and the prices are not very high.

 2) Stay in Ayutthaya at the end of the day and take the night train to Chiang Mai.

There are 12 hours of travel but it is clearly the cheapest solution, and if you take a berth, you can take advantage of it to sleep a little and be rested before attacking the visit of Chiang Mai.

3) Spend a night in Ayutthaya at the hotel and leave the next day with your car or by day train.

But in this case, it means devoting a day to the trip and losing a day of visiting Chiang Mai (2 full days there instead of 3).

Arrived in Chiang Mai, I suggest you start by visiting the old town on foot. This is where the main temples and museums are located.

In order not to miss anything, here is the route that I recommend you follow:

• Wat Phra Singh. Free admission.
• Wat Chedi Luang where the Emerald Buddha was previously exhibited and is now at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Entry at 40 baht.
• Photo stop at the small teak temple: Wat Inthakhin Sadue Muang.  Free.
• Passage through  the Monument to the 3 Kings
• Visit one of the 3 museums  located on the monument square:  the cultural center, the history center  or the Lanna folk art museum. They all deal with the history of the city and the province.
• And Wat Chiang Man
• Then take Moon Muang Road
• Warorot market, the biggest in the city
• Wat Saen Fang, Wat Buppharam and Wat Mahawan.  Only the Buppharam temple is paying: 20 Bahts.
• End of the day at the Night Bazaar  on weekdays or  the Saturday or Sunday Night Market on weekends. The opportunity to stock up on memories and test the excellent Thai street food.

Sleep in Chiang Mai.

Tips

If you want to take advantage of your evening to walk the aisles of the Chiang Mai market in the company of a guide and taste the best Thai dishes, I recommend that you book this activity by clicking on the green link below:
Book my market tour in Chiang Mai now!

Second day in Chiang Mai and continuation of your 9-10 day trip to Thailand.

Head to Doi Suthep National Park, the entrance to which is just outside of town. There are several things to see in the park:

• Doi Suthep Temple (Wat Phra That Doi Suthep), the main tourist attraction in the park. Once you have climbed the 300 steps, you can enjoy a 360° view of Chiang Mai province. 30 Baht.
• The Bhubing Palace where the Thai royal family comes to spend part of the winter. It is not possible to visit the interior but you can take a stroll in the well-appointed gardens. 50 Baht.
• The Hmong village, with its waterfall, its garden and its many souvenir shops. 10 Baht.
• Mon Tha Than Waterfall. 100 Baht.
• Huay Kaew waterfall: another waterfall located at the entrance to the park. Free access.

To explore the park, it is best to have a car or rent a scooter.

There are many song taew (Thai collective taxis) that leave from the old town and reach the park, but you will have to wait each time for them to be filled before leaving.

Another possibility if you prefer to visit with a guide and a driver is to go on an organized excursion from Chiang Mai.

You will find all the details of the day and can book it by clicking on the button below:
Book my Doi Suthep National Park tour now!

If visiting Doi Suthep National Park doesn’t take you all day, you can then spend some time at Huay Tung Tao Lake, which is also just outside of town.

The place is pleasant with a road that goes around the lake and wooden huts on stilts where Thai families meet to eat and enjoy fresh fish.

You will also have the opportunity to swim and ride a pedalo.

And don’t forget to take a souvenir photo of your outing to the lake in the area set up with many giant straw animals (gorillas, elephants, buffalo).

The entrance to the lake is paying: 50 Bahts.

For the evening, if you haven’t already been able to go to Bangkok, you can also attend boxing matches in Chiang Mai. There are normally every evening but the location changes depending on the day of the week.

Check with your hotel. Count between 400 and 600 Bahts depending on the ticket category.

Spend another night in Chiang Mai.

For your last day in Chiang Mai, you still have several activities to do.

Depending on your tastes, you have the choice between:

1) A Thai cooking class. Cooking schools in Chiang Mai are the most famous for this kind of activity.

Super nice, we will take you for a walk to the market to buy some of the ingredients that you will cook afterwards. The course ends with the tasting of your dishes and the delivery of a small recipe booklet.

To take a cooking class in Chiang Mai , you just have to click on the following link:
Book my Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai now!

2) During your 10-day tour in Thailand, it would be a shame not to go and see the elephants, the country’s emblematic animals.

Several sanctuaries and shelters collect abused animals in Chiang Mai.

You will be able to spend half a day with the keepers to help them feed or wash them. The number of visitors being limited,  it is better to book in advance.

3) Do you prefer a more sporty activity?

No problem, you will be spoiled for choice:

• Mountain biking.  From 1,650 Bahts for 4 hours.
• Rafting. For a descent of about 10 km, count 3,000 Bahts per person.
• From the quad. From 2,200 Bahts for 3 hours.
• Kayaking. 1,750 Baht for 4 hours.
• Buggy in the jungle. 1 hour for 2,000 Baht per person
• A 2-hour Segway tour + ziplines at Flight of the Gibbon Park
• A day at the Grand Canyon water park with slides, inflatable games in the water, zip line, paddle rental, kayak, boat
• A hike in Doi Inthanon National Park
• A hike in the middle of the jungle + visit to a mountain village

Spend one last night in Chiang Mai.

Even more details and information for visiting Chiang Mai can be found in my article: Top 20 Things to Do in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation in Chiang Mai

The best hotels in Chiang Mai leave very quickly so remember to book as far in advance as possible!

• HOSTEL by BED: Hostel located 500 meters from Wat Phra Sing and the Sunday market. Bed in modern and clean dormitory from 10€ per night, breakfast included. The pluses: the cleanliness of both the rooms and the common areas, the full and good breakfast, unlimited bottles of water. This is the best cheap accommodation to stay in Chiang Mai. Ideal for backpackers.
• Wing Bed: Located in the Old City, 800 meters from Wat Chedi Luang. Comfortable and warm double room from €35 per night, breakfast included. Most: brand new establishment, the ideal location, the excellent welcome. It is our favorite for its price / performance ratio in Chiang Mai!
• Pingviman Hotel: Located 10 minutes from the weekend market and 700 meters from Wat Phra Sing. Thai-style double room with carved wooden furniture, spa bath and balcony, from €80, breakfast included. Most: the swimming pool, the traditional decoration, the perfect geographical location, the comfort.
• 99 The Heritage Hotel: Located in the pedestrian street of the Sunday evening market. Double room with neat decoration and very comfortable bedding from €135, breakfast included. Most: the swimming pool, the caring staff, the location, the free mini bar and the fruits and cakes available all day. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Chiang Mai!
• Chala Number6: 5* hotel located 200 meters from Wat Chedi Luang, in the historic center. This luxury hotel offers spacious and very comfortable rooms from €190, breakfast included. Most: the swimming pool and the garden, the lovely staff, the charm of the hotel, the snack offered every day. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay!

Day 7-9: Phuket or Krabi

For the fourth leg of your 10-day stay in Thailand, it’s time to leave the North and relax on the most beautiful beaches in the South!

Chiang Mai has an airport, it is very easy and quick to reach Phuket or Krabi by plane, both located in the Andaman Sea. In less than 2 hours of flight, you can put your towel in the fine sand!

I have prepared the program for you for the next 3 days according to these 2 possibilities: stay in Phuket or Krabi.

Option 1 – Phuket (3 days)

For the first day in Phuket, I recommend that you take it easy and enjoy the beaches.

You can go to Patong, 2 km of sand are waiting for you! The Patong area is the liveliest in Phuket and you can try your hand at parasailing or tubing.

At the end of the day, take a stroll down Bangla Road, the island’s best-known party street.

Several ladyboy shows (extremely well-made up and dressed men who could be mistaken for women) are given there. The most famous is that of the Simon Cabaret Show: it is full house every day!

I therefore recommend that you book your tickets for the show in advance, right here!

Spend the night in Phuket.

For the second day, head for the eastern part of the island, to discover Phuket Town and the surrounding area.

The easiest way is to rent a scooter to get around Phuket.

In Phuket Town, you just have to take a leisurely walk to admire the brightly colored houses of Sino-Portuguese architecture. Very pleasant, the district is also home to several small craft shops and bars and restaurants.

Thalang Road is the most popular street. Also worth seeing is the Thai Hua Museum on the history of Phuket.

Still in the area, then join “  Monkey Hill”, the hill of the monkeys in French, which shelters several of its really not very shy animals! And for good reason, they have understood that most people come to feed them.

You will also find plenty of vendors of bananas and peanuts.

Do not hesitate to climb the path to the end to reach the viewpoint.

Speaking of viewpoints, there is a second very famous one in Phuket Town, that of Khao Rang Hill. Before getting there, pass by Khao Rang Temple to see its large golden Buddha statue.

Finish the afternoon on one of Phuket’s beaches.

Spend a second night in Phuket.

Tips

For this second day in Phuket, you can also choose an excursion with transport and guide included. The program of visits is very complete, with the program: the old town, the Chalong temple, the Big Buddha and the viewpoint of Karon.

Click here to book this organized excursion in Phuket!

Third and last day in Phuket, here are some ideas of what you can do:

1) An excursion to discover Koh Phi Phi, arguably the most famous island in all of Thailand.

In addition to Koh Phi Phi, you will discover:

• Bamboo Island
• Khai Island
• Maiton Island
• Monkey Beach
• Mrs. Leh Cove
• Viking Cave

Just click on the link below to book your boat trip to Koh Phi Phi from Phuket:
Book my Koh Phi Phi excursion now!

This outing is also available in a luxury version on a very beautiful catamaran. Click here to book!

2) An excursion to the Similan Islands archipelago, one of the best places to dive in Thailand.

To book your excursion to the Similan Islands from Phuket with a serious agency, it’s simple, just click on the button below:
Book my Similan Islands excursion now!

3) A boat trip to Phang Nga Bay, famous for James Bond Island.

This day also includes 2 stops for kayaking between the fabulous landscapes and karst rocks, as well as a visit to a large floating market on the island of Koh Panyee.

To book your James Bond Island excursion from Phuket, click the link below:
Book my James Bond Island excursion now!

4) If you didn’t do this outing in Chiang Mai, you can make up for it in Phuket by spending time in an elephant sanctuary.

Just click on the link below to book:
Book my elephant sanctuary tour now!

Spend one last night in Phuket.

You have arrived at the end of your 10-day vacation in Thailand, now you have to return to the airport and take your return flight.

Tips

Your trip lasts 9 days, remove a day in Chiang Mai.
To leave 11 days in Thailand, add a day in Phuket.

Accommodation in Phuket

If you want to be in the heart of the action, I have prepared a selection of accommodation for you near Patong:

• Lub d Phuket Patong: Hostel 5 min from Patong Beach and 10 min from Bangla Road. Bed in modern and very clean dormitory from 12€. Most: the huge swimming pool, the common areas with even a boxing ring, the design, the cleanliness. This is the best hostel to stay in Phuket!
• Mazi Design Hotel by Kalima: Located 5 min from the night market and 10 min from Bangla Road. Design and spacious double room from €35 per night, breakfast at €7. Most: the swimming pool, the location, the comfort of the rooms. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Patong.
• Holiday Inn Express Phuket Patong Beach Central: Located opposite the beach. Modern and warm double room with balcony from €72, breakfast included. Most: the outdoor facilities, the swimming pool, the welcome and the friendliness of the staff.
• Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach: 5-star hotel complex located 3 km from Patong, right on the beach of Tri-Trang. Warm and comfortable double room with balcony or private terrace from €110, breakfast at €19. Most: location at the edge of the water, the private beach, the calm, the playground for the children, the setting. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Phuket!

If you prefer to stay in Phuket Town, here is my selection of hotels:

• Baan Baan hostel: Hostel located in the old town of Phuket. Bed in dormitory from 8€, breakfast included. Most: very helpful staff, cleanliness, location, calm. The best hostel to stay in Phuket Town!
• Ritsurin Boutique Hotel: Located 600 meters from Thalang Street. Clean and well-equipped double room from €28. Most: location, cleanliness, friendly staff.
• The Malika Hotel: Located 1.8 km from the old town. Double room with very comfortable bedding and balcony from €38, breakfast €6. Most: the swimming pool, the calm, the pleasant staff, the ideal location to take the boat to Koh Phi Phi. It is our favorite for its price/performance ratio in Phuket Town!
• Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel: Located in the old town. Tastefully decorated double room from €50 per night, breakfast €7. Most: excellent location, the friendliness of the staff, the setting, next to the night market.
• Novotel Phuket Phokeethra: Located 1 km from the old town. Super spacious double room, design and modern from 85€, breakfast at 15€. Most: the setting, the comfort, ideal for visiting the old town, close to the boat for the islands of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Phuket Town!

Option 2 – Krabi (3 days)

Instead of Phuket, you can instead choose to continue your 10-day road trip in Thailand to Krabi, accessible directly by plane from Chiang Mai.

On the first day, reach Ao Nang, where the beaches closest to Krabi are located. Ao Nang is a seaside resort with many hotels, restaurants and shops.

Staying in Ao Nang also makes it easy to go on excursions to other islands or spend time at the beach.

And this is also the program that I propose for this day: swimming in Ao Nang or on the neighboring, wilder beach of Nopparat Thara.

Spend the night in Ao Nang.

On the second day, set off for the Railay peninsula, just a 10-minute boat ride from Ao Nang beach (200 Bahts round trip per person).

This is where you will find the most beautiful beaches in Krabi province. Fine sand and turquoise water await you! All this in a splendid setting, bordered by the forest and the immense karst cliffs.

I particularly recommend Railay  West Beach  (the one where you dock) and Phra Nang Beach.

If you want to do some sport, you can rent kayaks and paddles. But the main activity to do in Railay is climbing along the vertiginous walls.

With nearly 700 climbing routes, Railay welcomes many lovers of this sport every year. If you are a beginner you can book a lesson of a few hours, ideal for getting started.

Just click on the button below:
Book my rock climbing course at Railay now!

At the end of the day, return to Ao Nang.

For your third and last day in Krabi, I advise you to take a boat trip to discover the surrounding islands.

Departures are also from Ao Nang and it is better to book in advance, as these days are very popular.

They are all organized in the same way: snorkeling stops and swimming in idyllic places.

We pick you up in front of your hotel, take you on the boat and provide you with snorkeling equipment. Lunch and drinks included.

From Ao Nang, here are the excursions that are offered:

1) The 4 islands excursion to discover Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Koh Tup and the Phra Nang Cave.
Book my 4 islands excursion now!

2) An excursion to Koh Phi Phi, one of Thailand’s most famous islands.
Book my Koh Phi Phi excursion now!

3) An excursion to the Hong Islands.
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Spend one last night in Krabi.

Unfortunately, this is where your 9-10 day Thailand itinerary ends. You will then have to return to the airport and take your return flight.

Tips

Your circuit in Thailand lasts 9 days, remove a day in Chiang Mai.

For an 11-day stay in Thailand, add a day in Krabi.

Accommodation in Krabi / Ao Nang

• K-Bunk Hostel:  Hostel located 15 min walk from Ao Nang beach. Bed in dormitory from 13€. Most: the staff, the atmosphere, the comfort of the beds.
• Cocco House: Located 1.5 km from Nopparat Beach. Very clean and quiet bungalow from 30€ per night, breakfast included. Most: the excellent breakfast, the loan of bicycles, the good bedding. It is our favorite for its performance / price ratio in Ao Nang.
• Wake Up Aonang Hotel: Located just steps from the beach. Double room with large bay windows and sea view from €50. Most: the location 2 minutes from the beach and all the restaurants, the swimming pool, the comfort.
• Phu Pha Aonang Resort & Spa: Located 800 m from Ao Nang Beach. Room all in wood and parquet floors with patio from 75€, breakfast included. The pluses: the lush garden, the view of the cliff, the swimming pool, the free shuttle to town. This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Ao Nang.
• The Nine Thipthara Klongson Resort: Located 5 km from the sea. Very spacious and tastefully decorated villa, with Spa bath, from 220€, breakfast included. Most: the environment, the swimming pool, the superb rooms. This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Ao Nang. The best place to spend a romantic vacation!

10-Day Northern Thailand Itinerary

If you wish, you can also choose to focus only on Bangkok and Northern Thailand for these 10 days, eliminating the visit to Phuket or Krabi.

Repeat the day-to-day schedule from this article up to step 4.

Instead of heading down south, spend the end of your vacation in Chiang Rai. The city is about a 3 hour drive from Chiang Mai.

This is where you can visit the White Temple, one of the best known in the country.

10 day itinerary in Southern Thailand

Conversely, you may also prefer to spend your entire 10-day stay in Southern Thailand.

In this case, the best is to land directly in Phuket or Krabi.

You can then organize your vacation like this:

• 3 days in Phuket or Krabi
• 2 or 3 days in Koh Yao Noi
• 2 or 3 days in Koh Lanta

Do not hesitate to give us your opinion and suggestions on our 10-day itinerary in Thailand!