7 Days in Siam: What’s the Best One-Week Thailand Itinerary?

If you’re looking for a short Thailand itinerary, one week gives you enough time to pack quite a bit in. You may not have enough time to see the whole of the country, but you can choose to visit one of the northern, central, or southern regions and tick off many of that region’s most famous highlights.

Whichever seven-day Thailand itinerary you choose, the Land of Smiles will be sure to amaze you at every turn. From the Grand Palace in the modern capital of bustling Bangkok to the ancient architecture of the nearby former capital Ayutthaya, the central region boasts plenty of culture (and shopping). Visitors to the north can enjoy the cooler climes with the hill tribes in the Golden Triangle and take in the temples of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, while those looking to lie supine in the sand can investigate the myriad picture-perfect beaches of the southern islands.

Itinerary 1: The Classic Central Thailand Experience (One Week)

Destinations: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the Death Railway, Erawan National Park

Highlights: Historic sites, adventures in nature, railway experience

Culture vultures and history buffs especially will love this Central Thailand itinerary. One week exploring the area close to Bangkok will reveal many historically important and interesting sites of both distant and more modern history.

You’ll have plenty of time to explore the more modern side of Bangkok as well as to enjoy a city tour of its more historical sites: the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Po. A short transfer north from Bangkok takes you to the kingdom’s former capital, Ayutthaya, and its 14th-century temples.

The Wat Arun temple in Bangkok
Wat Arun (Bangkok)

Next up, a more traditional Thai shopping experience than the mega malls of modern Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak and the Maeklong Railway Market. Damnoen Saduak is a floating market explored by boat, and the Maeklong Railway Market, also known as the Umbrella Pull-down Market, is built on in-use railway tracks.

The train going through the Maeklong Railway Market, famous for being built on in-use railway tracks
Maeklong Railway Market, built on in-use railway tracks!

From the markets, you will then head northwest to take in a couple of WWII points of interest. At Kanchanaburi, you can see the famous bridge that POWs were forced to build and that inspired the multi-Oscar-winning film The Bridge on the River Kwai. You will also see the Death Railway and the War Cemetery before relaxing on bamboo rafts on the river.

A train along the Death Railway, which runs through Kanchanaburi province
The Death Railway runs through Kanchanaburi province

After an intriguing yet somber experience in Kanchanaburi, a short trip to Erawan National Park will then allow you to enjoy some of Thailand’s beautiful, tropical greenery. The park is home to the seven-tiered Erawan Falls, as well as diverse fauna including elephants, gibbons, macaques, and cute slow lorises.

The Central Thailand one-week itinerary finishes up with a visit to an ethnic minority village, home to the Mon people, before transferring back to Bangkok before your departure.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok
  • Day 2: Bangkok City Tour
  • Day 3: Ayutthaya
  • Day 4: Damnoen Saduak and Railway Market
  • Day 5: Amphawa to The Death Railway
  • Day 6: Erawan National Park
  • Day 7: Minority Village to Bangkok
  • Day 8: Bangkok Departure

Why Choose This Itinerary?

The Classic Central Thailand Experience is a varied one-week itinerary that allows you to enjoy some of Thailand’s best-known cultural, historical, and more modern attractions, as well as taking in one of its stunning national parks and enjoying the nation’s natural beauty.

Itinerary 2: Temple Tour in Northern Thailand (One Week)

Destinations: Bangkok, Ayutthaya,Phitsanulok, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle, Chiang Mai

Highlights: Historic sites, adventures in nature, hill tribes of the Golden Triangle

This northern one-week Thailand itinerary also starts with a short trip north of Bangkok to The Ancient Kingdom of Ayutthaya. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its myriad temples, and your exploration will include a visit to Wat Mahathat, which features a stone Buddha head enveloped in tree roots.

The famous Buddha head at the Wat Mahathat temple
Wat Mahathat

Your journey north will then continue towards Lopburi and Phitsanulok. In Lopburi, you’ll visit King Narai’s Palace and Phra Prang Sam Yot, a 13th-century Angkorian temple that was built under the reign of Jayavarman VII, who’s rule saw the Khmer Empire switch from Hinduism to Buddhism. In Phitsanulok, you’ll explore the Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat before relaxing for the evening.

The ruins of the Prang Sam Yot temple in Thailand
The ruins of the Prang Sam Yot temple

The next day will see you travel farther north and delve further into Thailand’s historic temples. You’ll explore Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Chum, and Noen Prasat in the Sukhothai Historical Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. After which you’ll drive to Lampang to see Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, an impressive and well-preserved temple built in Lanna-style architecture.

The Sukhotai archaeological complex at dusk
The Sukhotai archaeological complex

From Lampang, you’ll head to Chiang Rai, which is the northernmost major city in Thailand. The city is famous for its Wat Rong Khun, better known to tourists as the White Temple, and is only a short distance from where the Mekong marks the divide between Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. While in the area, you’ll visit Doi Tung, a steep mountain, and Doi Tung Royal Villa, the former residence of Princess Srinagarindra, the mother of the current king, as well as taking in the extraordinary scenery and hill tribes of the Golden Triangle.

The White Temple of Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun)
The White Temple of Chiang Rai (Wat Rong Khun)

The final stop will be Chiang Mai, which was founded in 1296 and served as the capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558. Old City Chiang Mai houses impressive temples such as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, while the modern metropolis that encircles the Old City offers excellent shopping and delicious dining.

From Chiang Mai, you can catch a short domestic flight back to Bangkok for your onward flight home.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok
  • Day 2: Transfer To Ayutthaya
  • Day 3: Lopburi to Phitsanulok
  • Day 4: Sukhothai to Lampang
  • Day 5: Lampang to Chiang Rai
  • Day 6: Explore The Golden Triangle
  • Day 7: Chiang Dao Cave – Minorities
  • Day 8: Chiang Mai Departure

Why Choose This Itinerary?

Angkor Wat Temple Complex may take the crown as the best-known and most-visited temple experience in Southeast Asia, but this Temple Tour through Northern Thailand is a worthy title contender. Along the way, you’ll journey through Thai history and explore an array of Thailand’s cities and its diverse culture.

Itinerary 3: Southern Island Escape (One Week)

Destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Railay

Highlights: Stunning beaches, ‘The Beach”, excellent snorkeling, beautiful sunsets

This one-week itinerary to Thailand’s islands perfectly showcases one of the reasons it’s the most visited nation in Southeast Asia—its stunning beaches. Alex Garland may have set his 1996 novel The Beach in the Gulf of Thailand, but director Danny Boyle opted for the west coast when he brought the book to the big screen.

The tropical sea of Phuket, which is often called “The pearl of the Andaman”
Phuket is often called “The pearl of the Andaman”

The recently renovated Phuket International Airport is the nation’s third-busiest airport, and it sits at the northern end of Phuket Island, with arriving aircraft sweeping down over the Andaman Sea. As the country’s largest island, there’s plenty to see and do in Phuket. Its west coast is dotted with bays, large and small, and there’s a seemingly endless choice of beaches. The quieter northern beaches are perfect for relaxing; Patong Beach is backed by excellent shopping and nightlife; and the small bays in the south offer good snorkeling options.

You can also take a trip to view the sunrise over Phang-Nga Bay and then head out into the bay to visit Koh Khao Phing Kan, more commonly known to tourists as James Bond Island, which featured in the 1974 James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun.

Just below the mouth of Phang-Nga Bay sits the Phi Phi Island Group, with Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley being the largest two. Phi Phi Don is the inhabited island, and the southern area is quite lively, while for a more tranquil stay, the northern area near Laem Tong Beach is equally beautiful.

Maya Bay, Phi Phi Island (Thailand)
Maya Bay, Phi Phi Island

From Phi Phi Don, you can take a trip across to Phi Phi Ley’s Maya Bay, known simply since the 2000 release of the film starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Tilda Swinton as “The Beach.” The beach is stunning, and you can also snorkel with harmless black-tipped reef sharks.

Heading farther east from Phi Phi, your next stop will be the laid-back Koh Lanta Yai. The less-known island may not have been used in blockbuster films, but its Moo Koh Lanta National Park was chosen as the setting for the French version of the Survivor series. The island’s west coast is dotted with quiet and relaxing beaches, each with chilled beach bars that offer superb sunset views and delicious cocktails.

The white sand beaches of Ao Nang, Krabi (Thailand)
The white sand beach of Ao Nang, Krabi

From Lanta, it’s a simple transfer across to the mainland, and from Ao Nang Beach in Krabi, you can hitch a ride to Railay Beach. The beach may not be an island, but its look and feel will have you believing otherwise. The small promontory is only reachable by boat, and its Sunset Beach is the ideal spot for your final sunset cocktail before heading back to Bangkok via Krabi International Airport.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok
  • Day 2: Transfer to Phuket
  • Day 3: Explore Phuket
  • Day 4: Morning Transfer to Phi Phi Don
  • Day 5: Morning on Phi Phi Don, Afternoon Transfer to Koh Lanta
  • Day 6: Morning on Koh Lanta, Afternoon Transfer to Railay
  • Day 7: Afternoon Transfer Krabi to Bangkok
  • Day 8: Bangkok Departure

Why Choose This Itinerary?

If you prefer sun worship to temple tours, then this may be the seven-day Thailand itinerary for you. The west coast of Thailand is awash with beautiful islands whose shores are lapped by the calm and warm waters of the Andaman Sea and offer breath-taking tropical sunsets at the end of each day. Contact us to customize this itinerary to match your travel style and preferences!

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