Thailand in 2 Weeks: Itinerary With Transport Times and Costs
Go north in November or December and to the islands from January to March. The north hangs on the night train to Chiang Mai, 20:05 to 08:45, sleeper from THB 768. The Gulf hangs on a 06:00 flight to Samui at THB 2,968 on a sampled date, and Krabi flights start at THB 1,110.
On this page
Go north in November or December and to the islands from January to March: Bangkok first, then one long leg and one base. Both routes fit in two weeks, and each leg below says how you get there and what it costs.
| Route | Best months | The long leg |
|---|---|---|
| A: Bangkok and the North | November to December | Night train, 20:05 to 08:45, from THB 768 |
| B, Gulf: Samui, Phangan, Tao | February to March | Flight, 06:00 to 07:10, THB 2,968 |
| B, Andaman: Krabi, Phi Phi | January to March | Flight from THB 1,110 |
Flight fares are single sampled dates, so check the live price before you book.
Route A: Bangkok and the North
Days 1 to 3: Bangkok and Ayutthaya
From Suvarnabhumi, take the Airport Rail Link from Level B1, which runs from 05:30 to 24:00. Give day one to the Old City, where the three big tickets come to THB 1,000 for one foreign adult.
| Sight | Foreign adult | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace, with Wat Phra Kaew | THB 500 | Go first, ticket sales stop at 15:30 |
| Wat Pho | THB 300 | Worth it |
| Wat Arun | THB 200 | Cross on the ferry from Tha Tien pier |
The Bangkok in 3 days plan sets out the order and the dress rules. For day two, pick by the day of the week. Chatuchak is free to enter and is open Friday to Sunday for general goods, so go there on a weekend. On a weekday, Jim Thompson House costs THB 250 for an adult.
Day three is Ayutthaya by train, and it is an easy yes. Train 111 leaves at 07:50 and arrives at 08:57, for THB 20 or THB 61 depending on the seat. The park charges a foreign visitor THB 80, and the station is on the east bank, so most visitors cross the river by ferry. Take train 112 back at 16:04, and see the Ayutthaya train guide for the rest.
Then the night train north
Take train 13, which leaves at 20:05 and arrives at 08:45 the next day. A 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper berth costs THB 768 upper or THB 838 lower. Train 9 leaves earlier at 18:40 but costs THB 938 upper, so it only makes sense if you want to arrive at 07:15. The daytime option is train 7, which leaves at 07:30 and arrives at 17:50. See the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train guide.
Days 5 to 7: Chiang Mai
Spend these days in the hills rather than on a second temple circuit. Wat Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat have no entrance fee. Doi Inthanon sits in Group 3, where a foreign adult pays THB 300. The Chiang Mai overview covers the city itself.
Days 8 to 9: Chiang Rai and the White Temple
Take Greenbus from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade). The ride generally takes 3 to 4 hours, with departures between 07:00 and 18:30. Book on FairFair up to 30 days ahead.
The White Temple is the reason to go, and it is worth a full morning. Foreign visitors pay THB 200, and it opens 08:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. Bring cash, since the ticket point may accept cash only. See the White Temple guide.
Days 10 to 14: back to Bangkok
Take train 8 from Chiang Mai at 07:30 for the same-day arrival at 17:40, at THB 558. If you would rather sleep through it, train 14 leaves at 17:05 and arrives at 05:55 the next day. Use your last days for the Bangkok sights you skipped and the flight out.
Route B: Bangkok and the islands
Days 1 to 3: Bangkok
Follow the Old City day from Route A, then choose between Chatuchak and Jim Thompson House at THB 250. The Bangkok in 3 days plan fills day three.
The Gulf: Samui, Phangan and Tao
Base yourself on Samui and treat Phangan and Tao as ferry hops. The flight is the pick: Bangkok Airways leaves at 06:00 and lands at 07:10. Overland is the budget fallback, with a Lomprayah bus and catamaran ticket from THB 1,200 that takes around 14 hours. Every way in is in the Bangkok to Koh Samui guide.
| Leg | Departs and arrives | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Samui to Phangan, catamaran | 08:00, 08:30 | THB 350 |
| Phangan to Tao, catamaran | 08:30, 09:30 | THB 600 |
| Tao to Phangan, ferry | 16:30, 18:10 | THB 450 |
| Phangan to Samui, ferry | 18:30, 19:30 | THB 250 |
Look up the Full Moon Party dates before you fix the Phangan days, and plan Tao with the Koh Tao diving guide. Flights back from Samui to Bangkok are near-hourly.
The Andaman: Krabi and Phi Phi
Make Krabi your base, with Ao Nang for beaches and Phi Phi as the ferry hop. Thai Lion Air is the cheap flight, leaving at 17:20 and landing at 18:45 for THB 1,110, while Thai VietJet leaves at 07:00 for THB 1,224. Krabi airport is 40 km from Ao Nang. The Bangkok to Krabi guide weighs flying against the bus and train.
The Krabi to Phi Phi ferry leaves at 09:00 and arrives at 11:00 for THB 450. Come back at 10:30 or 15:30. Book ahead in high season, although you can still buy a ticket at the pier. A foreign adult pays THB 400 at Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le and Mai Phai.

Maya Bay is closed from 1 August to 30 September in the 2026 announcement. Check the Maya Bay guide and the Krabi to Phi Phi ferry guide.
Both coasts in one trip
Going from the Gulf to the Andaman is easiest from Surat Thani. The Phantip bus costs THB 250 to Krabi town or THB 500 to the Ao Nang area, and the ride takes about 4 to 4.5 hours.
Swap a day: Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin or Pattaya
Any of these can swap in for Ayutthaya, but SRT closed the Kanchanaburi rail section between Tha Kilen and Nam Tok from 28 September 2026. The bus from the Southern Terminal takes about 2 h 30 min; see the Kanchanaburi guide.
Hua Hin is about 4 hours by Suvarnabhumi coach for THB 361, and Pattaya is about 2 hours by Ekkamai coach for THB 144. The Hua Hin guide and Pattaya guide have the rest.
Booking tips
Train tickets open earlier the more of the train’s distance you ride. For 60 percent or more, sales open up to 90 days ahead. For 25 to 59 percent, they open up to 30 days ahead. Under 25 percent, they open 1 day ahead.
Each booking asks for the traveller’s name and passport number, and you must register or log in first. Payment and refunds are in the SRT booking guide.
Grand Palace tickets go on sale online up to 1 month before the visit, and an online ticket cannot be refunded, amended or moved.
For rain and closures month by month, see the weather by month guide and the best islands by month. The planning section holds more plans.
Step by step
- Pick the route by monthRoute A suits November and December, Route B on the Gulf suits February and March, and Route B on the Andaman coast suits January to March.
- Book the sleeper train firstRegister on the SRT booking site and enter the traveller's name and passport number. A trip of 60 percent or more of the train's distance opens up to 90 days ahead.
- Book the Grand Palace online if you want a fixed slotAn online Grand Palace ticket opens up to 1 month before the visit and cannot be refunded or moved.
- Book the island ferries ahead in high seasonKrabi to Phi Phi tickets can be bought at the pier, but the operator recommends booking ahead in high season.
- Leave room for closuresCheck Maya Bay and the Kanchanaburi rail line before you lock the dates.
Not confirmed: Flight and bus fares are single sampled dates and change daily; check the live price. Greenbus fares between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai appear after you pick a departure. Return flights from Samui and Krabi to Bangkok have no fare here.
Common questions
Is two weeks enough for Thailand?
Two weeks covers Bangkok plus one region. Route A reaches Chiang Mai on the night train, 20:05 to 08:45, while Route B reaches Samui on a 06:00 to 07:10 flight.
How much is the night train to Chiang Mai?
Expect THB 768 for an upper or THB 838 for a lower 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper berth on train 13. Train 9 costs more: THB 938 upper or THB 1,038 lower.
How far ahead can you book Thai trains?
It depends on how much of the train's distance you ride. For 60 percent or more, sales open up to 90 days ahead, and for 25 to 59 percent, up to 30 days ahead. Under 25 percent, they open 1 day ahead.
How do you get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai?
Board Greenbus at Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 (Arcade), and plan on a ride that generally takes 3 to 4 hours. Departures run between 07:00 and 18:30.
How do you get from Samui to Koh Phangan?
Take the 08:00 catamaran: it arrives at 08:30 and costs THB 350.
When is Maya Bay closed?
Maya Bay, Loh Samah bay and Lo Ko bay close from 1 August to 30 September under the 2026 closure announcement. Everywhere else in the national park stays open.
Can you combine the Gulf and the Andaman coast?
Budget THB 250 to Krabi town or THB 500 to the Ao Nang area on the Phantip bus from Surat Thani. Allow about 4 to 4.5 hours for the ride.
Is Chatuchak market open on weekdays?
Plan your visit for Friday to Sunday, when the general goods market is open; it is closed Monday to Wednesday.
Read next
Sources and reader comments
Official legal texts (Gazette, government portals):
- Thai Meteorological Department: Climatological Data of Thailand for 30-year period 1991-2020 (Meteorological Data report 551.586-13-2023) (opens in a new tab)
- SRT D-Ticket booking system: train list, Krung Thep Aphiwat to Chiang Mai and back, November 2026 departures (opens in a new tab)
- SRT D-Ticket help centre (Thai view): how to book, FAQ, terms, change and cancel conditions (opens in a new tab)
- Royal Gazette 9 Jan 2026: DNP announcement closing tourism and overnight stays in national parks and forest parks, B.E. 2569 (annex dated 18 Dec 2025) (opens in a new tab)
- Government Public Relations Department (PRD), 30 Jul 2024: Maya Bay and nearby areas to close for rehabilitation (opens in a new tab)
Show 36 more sources
- Bangkok Metropolitan Administration: Chatuchak Weekend Market, public space platform (publicspace.bangkok.go.th) (opens in a new tab)
- Bureau of the Royal Household: The Grand Palace, FAQ (royalgrandpalace.th) (opens in a new tab)
- Airports of Thailand - Suvarnabhumi: Ways to transport (airport guide) (opens in a new tab)
- Bureau of the Royal Household: The Grand Palace, Practical Information (royalgrandpalace.th) (opens in a new tab)
- Bureau of the Royal Household: Regulation on visiting the Grand Palace and royal residences, filming, video and photography B.E. 2567 (2024), scanned PDF read as page images (opens in a new tab)
- Thailand 2026 Annual Meetings (Government of Thailand): Wat Arun (am2026thailand.go.th) (opens in a new tab)
- Thailand 2026 Annual Meetings (Government of Thailand): Chatuchak Market (am2026thailand.go.th) (opens in a new tab)
- Fine Arts Department news: Ayutthaya Historical Park weekend night programme, 16-18 January 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Train Tracking System: timetables of the Northern and North Eastern lines, both directions (opens in a new tab)
- Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP): new national park fee rates from 7 June 2022 (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Chiang Rai office: Wat Rong Khun entry from the Thailand Tourism Directory (published 22 Dec 2021) (opens in a new tab)
- DNP portal, park page: Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi (fee boxes, read from the page images) (opens in a new tab)
- DNP portal, park page: Erawan (fee box, trails, transport) (opens in a new tab)
Company and press pages (not official sources):
- AirAsia MOVE: Cheap flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Koh Samui (USM), fare list read 18 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- AirAsia MOVE: Cheap flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Krabi (KBV), fare list read 17 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- FairFair: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Greenbus timetable, fares and online booking (opens in a new tab)
- Greenbus: Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai route and booking page (opens in a new tab)
- Greenbus: bus schedule, last update 15 Sep 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Lomprayah: 2026 timetable (44-page PDF flipbook, created 27 Aug 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- BusOnlineTicket.co.th: Surat Thani to Krabi bus tickets (operators Phantip Travel and Lomprayah) (opens in a new tab)
- Andaman Wave Master: FAQ (opens in a new tab)
- Thai PBS News, 29 Sep 2026: SRT cancels Tha Kilen-Nam Tok trains after flooding at Tham Krasae bridge (opens in a new tab)
- Wat Pho (operator): Visit plan (watpho.com) (opens in a new tab)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand: Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan (tourismthailand.org) (opens in a new tab)
- Jim Thompson House Museum: Visitor Information (jimthompsonhouse.org) (opens in a new tab)
- Wikivoyage: Ayutthaya, Get in and Get around (opens in a new tab)
- Chiang Mai CityLife: Entrance fees required at Doi Suthep-Pui starting October 2025 (22 Sep 2025) (opens in a new tab)
- Khaosod English, 10 Nov 2025: Chiang Rai's White Temple doubles admission fee for foreign tourists (archived copy) (opens in a new tab)
- Chiang Rai Times (Thai edition): Wat Rong Khun ticket price, opening hours and getting there, 22 Sep 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- BusOnlineTicket.co.th: Bangkok to Koh Samui bus tickets (opens in a new tab)
- Wikivoyage: Ko Samui (opens in a new tab)
- Wikivoyage: Krabi Province (opens in a new tab)
- Andaman Wave Master: Ferry Timetable, from Krabi to Phi Phi Island (opens in a new tab)
- Andaman Wave Master: Ferry Timetable, from Phi Phi Island to Krabi (opens in a new tab)
- Roong Reuang Coach (RRC Pattaya Bus): Suvarnabhumi Airport - Hua Hin timetable and fare (Thai page) (opens in a new tab)
- Roong Reuang Coach (RRC Pattaya Bus): Bangkok Terminal - Pattaya timetable and fares (Thai page) (opens in a new tab)
Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.
Spotted an error? Report it.