Destinations & ItinerariesBy Clever Tourists · Published
For 2 weeks in Thailand we suggest Bangkok (3 days, with a day trip to Ayutthaya), the overnight train north, Chiang Mai (4 days, one of them a long day out to Chiang Rai), a flight south to Ao Nang (4) and Khao Sok (2), and a last night in Bangkok. It is our suggested cut of the 45-day route we actually took from December 2022 to January 2023: the same north-then-south shape, minus the slow stops. It uses one sleeper train and two domestic flights. Below is the day-by-day plan, what we cut and why, a 10-day version, and the trade-offs to know before you book.
• Days 1–2, Bangkok: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun on day 1, Chinatown, the canals or Chatuchak on day 2. Our 3 days in Bangkok has the detail.
• Day 3, Ayutthaya day trip, then the night train: about an hour north by train to the ruins of the old capital, back to Bangkok in the afternoon, and the overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai in the evening.
• Days 4–7, Chiang Mai: the old city temples, Doi Suthep, the Sunday Walking Street if your dates allow, a half day at an observation-only elephant sanctuary, and one long day trip to Chiang Rai's White and Blue Temples.
• Day 8, fly to Krabi: direct flights take about 2 hours, then roughly 40 minutes by road to Ao Nang.
• Days 8–11, Ao Nang: Railay by longtail, a 4 Islands or Hong Island boat trip, sunsets on the beach.
• Days 12–13, Khao Sok: about 2 hours inland by transfer. Rainforest trails and a day, or a night in a floating bungalow, on Cheow Lan Lake.
• Day 14, back to Bangkok: Surat Thani airport is about 1.5 hours from Khao Sok, with flights to Bangkok for your connection home.
Two days covers Bangkok's essentials if you start early: the Grand Palace opens at 8:30 and foreigners pay 500 baht, and the dress code (shoulders and knees covered) is enforced at the gate. See the Thailand temple dress code. We spent 10 days in Bangkok over two stays; in two weeks you have to choose.
Ayutthaya was Siam's capital until 1767 and its ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal take about an hour, and since August 2026 an air-conditioned commuter service also runs on the line. A ferry crosses from the station to the island with the ruins. On our real route we gave it three nights; as a day trip, rent a bicycle or hire a tuk-tuk for the main temples.
The overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai also leaves from Krung Thep Aphiwat; train 9 departs around 18:40 and arrives around 07:15. Book second-class berths ahead in the cool season. Our sleeper train guide compares classes. Flying takes about 1 hour 10 minutes if you would rather keep the evening.
Four days in Chiang Mai gives one day for the old city (Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang), one for Doi Suthep and Nimman, a half day at an elephant sanctuary and a full day for Chiang Rai. Our Chiang Mai guide covers the city, and how to choose an ethical elephant sanctuary explains why bathing programs are out.
The trade-off: Chiang Rai is about 3 to 3.5 hours each way by Green Bus, and our Chiang Rai guide recommends staying at least one night rather than rushing the temples. As a day trip, hire a driver or join a tour, start early, and see the White Temple (200 baht for foreigners since January 2026), the Blue Temple and the Black House. If you can, swap one Chiang Mai night for a night in Chiang Rai and catch the clock tower and night bazaar after dark. We spent 7 days in Chiang Rai on the real trip.
Ao Nang is the practical base for the Krabi coast: shared longtails to Railay West take 10 to 15 minutes from the beachfront booth, with a wet landing on arrival, and island boat trips leave from the same beach. Park fees are usually extra and paid in cash. Our Ao Nang to Railay guide has the fares and tide details.
Khao Sok is the contrast: one of the oldest rainforests in the world, limestone cliffs and Cheow Lan Lake, where floating bungalows let you be on the water at dawn. Our Thailand guide covers both stops. If you would rather finish on the beach, reverse the order (Khao Sok first, from Surat Thani) and fly home from Krabi.
On the real trip we spent 6 days in Chiang Mai, 7 in Chiang Rai and 4 each in Khao Sok and Ao Nang. For two weeks we cut Lop Buri, Sukhothai and Lampang (the slow road north), and Mae Hong Son, which costs two or more days of mountain roads for three days in town. Ayutthaya stays, as a day trip. The full route, with every leg, is in our 6-week Thailand itinerary.
Thailand in 10 days: keep Bangkok (2 days plus Ayutthaya), Chiang Mai (3 days, skip Chiang Rai) and Ao Nang (3 days), and drop Khao Sok. Fly Chiang Mai to Krabi and Krabi back to Bangkok.
3 weeks: add Sukhothai between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai, a night in Chiang Rai, and a third day at Khao Sok.
When to go: November to February. The north is cool and clear, the Andaman coast is in its calm-sea season, and you avoid the north's February-to-April burning season. A 2-week trip fits within the 30-day visa exemption for US citizens; see our Thailand visa guide and file the free TDAC before you fly.
Yes for one north-and-south loop: Bangkok with Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai with a day in Chiang Rai, and the Krabi coast with Khao Sok. It means one overnight train and two domestic flights.
Our suggested split is Bangkok 3 days (including an Ayutthaya day trip), Chiang Mai 4, Ao Nang 4, Khao Sok 2 and a last night in Bangkok.
Bangkok 2 days plus an Ayutthaya day trip, Chiang Mai 3 days and Ao Nang 3 days, flying Chiang Mai to Krabi and Krabi back to Bangkok.
Yes, but it is about 3 to 3.5 hours each way by bus, so it is a long day. Hire a driver or join a tour and start early; a night in Chiang Rai is better if you can spare it.
Yes. Direct flights take about 2 hours, and Ao Nang is roughly 40 minutes by road from Krabi airport.
If you want a contrast to the beaches, yes: it is about 2 hours from Ao Nang, and Cheow Lan Lake's floating bungalows are unlike anywhere else on the route. Drop it for a 10-day trip.
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