Planning your backpacking travel itinerary: Thailand
Thailand is a great destination for travellers and backpackers looking to experience South East Asia for the first time and somewhere I’d highly recommend checking out no matter what time frame you have to play with.
A lot of backpackers though spend around 4 weeks in Thailand – making the most of the 30 day allowance a visa on arrival offers people from most countries*
Given the fact I’ve travelled Thailand 4 weeks 2 months ago, I’ve been asked about specific sample itineraries that people can use as a guide to plan their own trip there.
So how would I spend a month in Thailand?
Well here’s what 4 weeks in Thailand would look like If I headed back there again…
Bangkok – 3 Days
Most people will start off in Bangkok as it’s the best place to land for international arrivals. Spend a few days here exploring the floating markets, Kings Palace, Wat Pho (the reclining Buddha) and of course some partying on Khao San Road before bouncing down south. if you feel fancy you can visit the most popular skybar of Thailand (the skybar of hangover 2: the movie)
To sleep i suggest the royal Bangkok hotel chinatown
hotel rooftop
Transport - touk touk or taxi (don't forget to negociate your price)
wat pho temple
me on the hangover 2 skybar rooftop
Transport from Bangkok to Chiang mai by plane
Chiang Mai – 4 Days
Enjoy the north a bit, with sunset at the Golden Temple, heaps of night markets and some great night life. you can visit the elephant camp and the famous tiger kingdom.
To sleep i suggest the oxotel hostel, you can book it on hostelworld.com.
Transport from Chiang mai to krabi by plane
Krabi - 2 days
I suggest a quick visit to railay beach.
Transport – bus & ferry combo from Krabi to Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi – 4 Days
Koh Phi Phi is where “The Beach” was filmed and although the set at Maya Bay is a massive tourist trap there are some incredible beaches and coves to explore here. The full day island hopping party boat tour is well worth it ( one of the best day in my itineary!)
Make sure you catch sunset at the famous lookout point and then enjoy watching the fire acts on the beach while drinking a rhum and coke bucket hehe.
Transport – bus & ferry combo from Phi phi to koh lanta
Koh lanta - 3 days
Koh lanta is a relax island where i suggest to do the 4 islands tour and relaxing before the full moon party (each month is a different date so check it out before booking) i suggest to book the hostel or hotel atleast 1 month before the full moon if you don't wanna sleep on the beach.
Transport – bus & ferry combo from koh lanta to koh phangan
Koh phangan - 4 days
All the hostel or hotel, you need to book like a 3-5 nights minimum.
You can rent a scooter and visit the island, i suggest to try the wipeout park aswell.
you don't wanna miss the full moon party, the best party of my life, you will need one relaxing day the next day trust me.
warming hehe
Always keep an eye on your drink, Thailand is a safe place but always be careful
Transport – bus & ferry combo from Koh Phangan to Koh tao
Koh Tao – 5 Days
I suggest to sleep at the Dearly Koh Tao Hostel
On the other hand Koh Tao is one of my favourite spots in Thailand so pencil in plenty of time here to chill on the beach, snorkel, check out the twin islands(koh nang yuan) and do the pub crawl and go to the ban's bar!
pub crawl
I suggest to eat at the Su Chilli restaurant.
Transport – bus & ferry, flight combo from Koh tao to Bangkok
Bangkok - 2 days
I suggest to go back at least 2 days before quitting because if something wrong happened you don't wanna miss your flight.
Obviously everyone has their own style of travel and priorities so chop and change the time scales and destinations to suit your needs, but for most travellers heading to Thailand that should be a pretty good rough itinerary to start planning from.
Make sure you leave some leeway to embrace spontaneous opportunities and if you like somewhere stay a little longer!
If you only have two weeks you can easily adapt it too – stick to one coast for the island, reduce your time on Phi Phi and Tao or simply cut the north out of it.
This trip cost me around 3000$ Canadian dollars (flights included).
So you guys are ready ?
i'll be posting more countries soon, stay tuned
by @itravel