# 7 days in Thailand: an itinerary by city

> A week in Thailand covers the capital, the north and the sea. Two days in [Bangkok](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok): the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown and the Mahanakhon SkyWalk. Two days in [Chiang Mai](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai): Lanna temples in the Old City, Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon. Three days in [Phuket](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket): the Old Town, the Big Buddha, sunset at Promthep and two boat trips — to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay. Flights between cities take 1–2 hours.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/thailand/in-7-days

## Who it suits

- A first trip to Thailand
- Independent: domestic flights, Grab, boats
- Temples, mountains and sea in a week

Not for:

- Beach only — go straight to an island
- The Andaman coast is rainy from May to October

When to go: November to February: cool in the north, calm seas in Phuket.

## Day 1 — [Bangkok](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok.md)

1. [Wat Arun](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-arun.md) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · ≈ 200 baht
   ↓ 10 min on foot
2. [Wat Pho](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-pho.md) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 8 min on foot
3. [Grand Palace](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/bangkok-grand-palace.md) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · 500 baht; children under 120 cm free
   ↓ 20 min by transport
4. [Golden Mount](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/golden-mount.md) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · climb ≈ 100 baht

Total with walks: 7 h 8 min

## Day 2 — [Bangkok](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok.md)

1. [Jim Thompson House](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/jim-thompson-house.md) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 250 baht; ages 10–21 150; under 10 free
   ↓ 21 min by transport
2. [Wat Traimit](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-traimit.md) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · hall ≈ 40 baht, museum ≈ 100
   ↓ 22 min by transport
3. [Mahanakhon SkyWalk](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/mahanakhon-skywalk.md) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 500–1,200 baht depending on time
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 20 min by transport
4. [Lumphini Park](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/lumphini-park.md) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · free

Total with walks: 6 h 13 min

Transfer Bangkok → Chiang Mai: flight or overnight train, ≈ 1 h 15 min by air

## Day 3 — [Chiang Mai](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai.md)

1. [Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple)](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/wat-sri-suphan.md) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · ≈ 50 baht
   ↓ 19 min by transport
2. [Tha Phae Gate](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/tha-phae-gate.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · free
   ↓ 14 min on foot
3. [Wat Chiang Man](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/wat-chiang-man.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free
   ↓ 14 min on foot
4. [Wat Chedi Luang](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/wat-chedi-luang.md) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ 40–50 baht
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 10 min on foot
5. [Wat Phra Singh](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/wat-phra-singh.md) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · grounds free; Lai Kham ≈ 20 baht
   ↓ 35 min by transport
6. [Wat Phra That Doi Suthep](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/doi-suthep.md) — YesGo score 31/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ 30 baht, funicular ≈ 20

Total with walks: 7 h 7 min

## Day 4 — [Chiang Mai](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai.md)

1. [Doi Inthanon](https://yesgo.io/thailand/chiang-mai/doi-inthanon.md) — YesGo score 17/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · entry 300 baht, children 150; car 30; pagodas ≈ 100

Total with walks: 4 h

Transfer Chiang Mai → Phuket: flight, ≈ 2 h

## Day 5 — [Phuket](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket.md)

1. [Phuket Old Town](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/phuket-old-town.md) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free
   ↓ 36 min by transport
2. [Wat Chalong](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/wat-chalong.md) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 25 min by transport
3. [Big Buddha](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/phuket-big-buddha.md) — YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free (donations)
   ↓ 38 min by transport
4. [Promthep Cape](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/promthep-cape.md) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free

Total with walks: 7 h 39 min

## Day 6 — [Phuket](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket.md)

1. [Phi Phi Islands](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/phi-phi-islands.md) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200

Total with walks: 4 h

## Day 7 — [Phuket](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket.md)

1. [James Bond Island](https://yesgo.io/thailand/phuket/james-bond-island.md) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · park fee ≈ 300 baht

Total with walks: 4 h

## How the week works

The route is a triangle: Bangkok — Chiang Mai in the north — Phuket in the south. Each day is a YesGo city itinerary: two days each in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, three in Phuket.

Fly into Bangkok and home from Phuket, so you never double back.

## The cities on the route

Bangkok is the capital: the royal palace, temples on the Chao Phraya and rooftops over the city. Chiang Mai is the north: Lanna temples inside the moated Old City, Doi Suthep on its mountain and Doi Inthanon, the country's highest point. Phuket is Thailand's biggest island: beaches, temples and boats to Phi Phi and Phang Nga.

## Getting around independently

Bangkok to Chiang Mai is about an hour and a quarter by air, or an overnight train. Chiang Mai to Phuket is a direct flight of about two hours. In the cities use Grab and Bolt; in Bangkok the BTS, MRT and river boats.

## A different beach instead of Phuket

Swap Phuket for [Krabi](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi) — Railay and the islands off Ao Nang — or [Koh Samui](https://yesgo.io/thailand/koh-samui) in the Gulf of Thailand, where the rains come in October–December and January to September is dry. [Pattaya](https://yesgo.io/thailand/pattaya) is about two hours from Bangkok by road, no flight needed.

## Thailand itinerary for 5 or 10 days

Five days: drop Chiang Mai — two days in Bangkok and three in Phuket. Ten days: add a third Bangkok day with Chatuchak, a third Chiang Mai day with the elephant sanctuary, and a couple of days in Krabi.

## Tips

- Grand Palace tickets stop at 15:30.
- Book the Chiang Mai elephant park and Phuket boat trips in advance.
- Pay island park fees in cash.
- Thailand uses the baht (THB). Temples, markets, longtails and songthaews want cash; Grab and Bolt are the easiest taxis.
- Temples want shoulders and knees covered — no vests or shorts; shoes come off at the door of the halls. Sarongs are often lent at the gate or for a deposit.

## Questions

### What is a good 7-day Thailand itinerary?

Bangkok for 2 days, Chiang Mai for 2, Phuket for 3.

### Can you travel around Thailand independently?

Yes: domestic flights, Grab and Bolt, Bangkok's metro and island boats.

### How do I get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

About an hour and a quarter by air, or by overnight train.

### How long is the flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket?

About two hours direct.

### What can I do in Thailand in 5 days?

Two days in Bangkok and three in Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui.

### When is the best time to visit Thailand?

November to February. On Koh Samui the dry season is January to September.

### Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui?

Phuket has the most sights and trips, Krabi the cliffs and islands, Koh Samui a different season and a calmer pace.

### Is it good with kids?

Yes; children under 120 cm are free at many temples, and Chiang Mai has the elephant sanctuary.

### Is there a temple dress code?

Temples want shoulders and knees covered — no vests or shorts; shoes come off at the door of the halls. Sarongs are often lent at the gate or for a deposit.

### What currency is used in Thailand?

Thailand uses the baht (THB). Temples, markets, longtails and songthaews want cash; Grab and Bolt are the easiest taxis.

## Sources

- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
- State Railway of Thailand: Bangkok–Chiang Mai train

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