Sawasdee! Welcome to Thailand, the Land of Smiles, where golden temples meet jungle mountains and turquoise waters kiss white sands. Suppose you're short on time but big on wanderlust. In that case, this 5-day itinerary will give you a tasty sampler of everything Thailand offers, from Bangkok's buzzing streets to Chiang Mai's cultural soul and Phuket's dreamy beaches.

We have created this guide to daily adventures with tips for food, transport, sightseeing, and even optional extras. Whether you’re backpacking on a budget or splurging in style, this itinerary will help you soak up the magic. Let’s dive in!

Skip the visa stress and focus on the fun! Whether flying into Thailand or hopping to your next destination, Atlys makes travel paperwork easy. Apply for visas, check entry rules, and get travel docs approved.

Average Budget Overview

Thailand caters beautifully to every travel style, offering unforgettable experiences for all budgets. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you might spend over five days:

Budget Traveler

Ideal for backpackers, solo travellers, or budget-conscious adventurers:

• Day 1: ฿1,750- Affordable accommodation, delicious street food and boat tours.

• Day 2: ฿2,150- Temple entry fees, market meals, tuk-tuk rides, exploring nightlife.

• Day 3: ฿2,750- Budget-friendly flight to Chiang Mai, temple visits, street eats.

• Day 4: ฿3,000- Shared transport, beach activities, budget island tours.

• Day 5: ฿1,150- Simple breakfast, souvenir shopping, shared transfer to the airport.

Total: ฿10,800

Mid-Range Traveler

Perfect for couples, families, or anyone seeking a mix of comfort and adventure:

• Day 1: ฿3,500- Boutique hotel, river cruise, rooftop bar experience.

• Day 2: ฿4,250- Guided temple tours, taxi services, quality dining.

• Day 3: ฿4,750- Domestic flight, cultural experiences, trendy cafes.

• Day 4: ฿6,000- Resort stay, private excursions, visits to animal sanctuaries.

• Day 5: ฿2,500- Brunch, spa treatment, quality souvenirs, private airport transfer.

Total: ฿21,000

Luxury Traveller

For travellers looking to indulge, relax, and enjoy exclusive experiences:

• Day 1: ฿6,000- 5-star accommodation, private airport pickup, gourmet meals.

• Day 2: ฿7,000- Personalised tours, luxury spa treatments, fine dining.

• Day 3: ฿8,000- Business-class domestic flights, high-end hotel stays, exclusive classes.

• Day 4: ฿10,000- Private yacht excursions, VIP beach experiences, lavish seafood dinners.

• Day 5: ฿5,000- Spa indulgences, upscale shopping, private transfers.

 Total: ฿36,000

Day 1: Hello Bangkok- Arrival & City Exploration

Good morning! Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport and head into the city via taxi or Airport Rail Link. Choose to stay in the Old City (for temples and Khao San Road), Sukhumvit (modern conveniences), or riverside for scenic vibes. Ease into Bangkok by boat, cruise the Chao Phraya River or take a long-tail boat through Thonburi’s peaceful canals. Prefer land? Check out the Jim Thompson House or Lumphini Park. Fuel up on your first taste of Thai street food like som tum (papaya salad) or satay skewers. Take it chill at Asiatique the Riverfront with a river breeze, shopping, and snacks, or go all in at Khao San Road, the backpacker nightlife haven. Grab pad Thai at Thip Samai or dine at the elegant Baan Khanitha. Wrap the day with a rooftop drink at Sky Bar or Octave Sky Bar (dress code alert!).

• Places to Visit Nearby: Grand Palace, Khao San Road, Benjakitti Park

• Things to Do: River cruise, explore Thonburi canals, Jim Thompson House, Lumphini Park

• What to Eat: Som tum, chicken satay, Pad Thai (Thip Samai), Thai curry (Baan Khanitha)

• Estimated Day 1 Budget: ฿1,500–฿2,000 (budget), ฿3,000–฿4,000 (mid-range), ฿6,000+ (luxury)

Day 2: Bangkok Temples, Markets & Nightlife Extravaganza

Rise and shine early, it’s temple time! Start early at the Grand Palace. Dress modestly and marvel at Wat Phra Kaew’s Emerald Buddha. Continue to Wat Pho to see the enormous Reclining Buddha and grab a Thai massage at the birthplace of the art. Hop on a ferry to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and admire the colourful spires. Then grab lunch, try chicken rice, or head to Chinatown (Yaowarat) for dim sum and sticky mango rice. If it’s the weekend, dive into the chaotic fun of Chatuchak Market (15,000+ stalls!). If not, shop at MBK or Siam Paragon or explore a floating market like Taling Chan. Feast on seafood at Somboon or street food in Chinatown. Then choose your nightlife: rooftop cocktails, Patpong’s edgy bars, or a Muay Thai match. Party animals can hit RCA or return to Khao San for round two!

• Places to Visit Nearby: Museum Siam, Pak Khlong Talad, Chinatown

• Things to Do: Visit Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Thai massage, shopping at Chatuchak or MBK, rooftop bars

• What to Eat: Chicken rice, dim sum, mango sticky rice, curry crab (Somboon), oyster omelette

• Estimated Day 2 Budget: ฿1,800–฿2,500 (budget), ฿3,500–฿5,000 (mid-range), ฿7,000+ (luxury) ฿1,800–฿2,500 (budget), ฿3,500–฿5,000 (mid-range), ฿7,000+ (luxury)

Day 3: Chiang Mai Bound- Culture & Cuisine Up North

Say goodbye (for now) to Bangkok and hello to the northern charm of Chiang Mai. It’s travel day! If you fly, it’s just about a 1-hour flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, a quick hop, and you’re in the mountains. An early flight (around 7-8 AM) will maximise your day. By mid-morning, you’ll land in Chiang Mai, greeted by slightly cooler air and a laid-back vibe contrasting Bangkok’s buzz. Sample Chiang Mai’s iconic khao soi noodle curry at Khun Yai or a local stall. Chill with Thai iced coffee or a fruit smoothie. Explore the Old City’s temples: Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. Ride up to Doi Suthep for a wow moment and climb the naga staircase to sunset views. Browse the Night Bazaar or Sunday Walking Street. Eat your way through skewers, gyoza, and roti. For a sit-down meal, try The Riverside or opt for a Khantoke dinner with cultural dance. Chill in Nimmanhaemin’s trendy cafes or bars. Zoe in Yellow is the go-to backpacker night spot. Most places close by midnight.

• Places to Visit Nearby: Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh, Doi Suthep

• Things to Do: Visit Old City temples, Doi Suthep sunset, Night Bazaar, Sunday Walking Street

• What to Eat: Khao soi, sai ua, roti with condensed milk

• Estimated Day 3 Budget: ฿2,500–฿3,000 (budget), ฿4,000–฿5,500 (mid-range), ฿8,000+ (luxury) ฿2,500–฿3,000 (budget), ฿4,000–฿5,500 (mid-range), ฿8,000+ (luxury)

Day 4: Fly to Phuket- Beaches, Islands & Relaxation

Fly to Phuket (2 hours), transfer to southern beaches like Patong. Check in, throw on your flip-flops, and hit the beach! Chill at Patong, Kata/Karon, or Kamala. Enjoy a beachfront lunch of tom yum or Massaman curry. Choose your vibe: take a boat tour to Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island), visit the Big Buddha and Wat Chalong, or just relax by the pool. Prefer something wilder? Go zip-lining or visit an elephant sanctuary. Catch sunset at Promthep Cape or Karon Viewpoint. Then head to Bangla Road for nightlife mayhem or a quiet seafood dinner on the sand. Fancy shows like Simon Cabaret or Phuket FantaSea are also options.

• Places to Visit Nearby: Kata/Karon/Kamala Beach, Big Buddha, Wat Chalong

• Things to Do: Beach hopping, boat tour to Phang Nga Bay, zipline, elephant sanctuary

• What to Eat: Tom yum soup, Massaman curry, fresh seafood

• Estimated Day 4 Budget: ฿2,500–฿3,500 (budget), ฿5,000–฿7,000 (mid-range), ฿10,000+ (luxury) ฿2,500–฿3,500 (budget), ฿5,000–฿7,000 (mid-range), ฿10,000+ (luxury)

Day 5: Last Day in Paradise- More Phuket Fun & Farewell

It’s your final day, but there’s still time for one last adventure. If your flight is later, start with a relaxed breakfast, tropical fruit and Thai iced tea by the beach, or banana pancakes from a street vendor. Take a half-day trip to Phi Phi Islands or snorkel at Racha Yai for a final splash. Prefer to stay on land? Wander through Phuket Old Town’s colourful streets and grab a bite of Hokkien mee or moo hong. Or simply soak up the sun and get a last Thai massage. Grab souvenirs from local markets or a 7-Eleven run, then prep for your transfer (leave 2–3 hours ahead for traffic). Depart with a full heart, a happy stomach, and maybe a few too many snacks for the plane.

• Places to Visit Nearby: Phi Phi Islands, Phuket Old Town, Coral Island

• Things to Do: Breakfast by the sea, snorkelling, Old Town walk, Thai massage, souvenir shopping

• What to Eat: Banana pancakes, Thai iced tea, Hokkien mee, moo hong, tom yum goong

• Estimated Day 5 Budget: ฿800–฿1,500 (budget), ฿2,000–฿3,000 (mid-range), ฿5,000+ (luxury) ฿800–฿1,500 (budget), ฿2,000–฿3,000 (mid-range), ฿5,000+ (luxury)

Travel Tips for Thailand (Know Before You Go)

Thailand is a friendly destination, but a few tips will help your trip go smoothly. Here are some essential travel tips covering transport, money, etiquette and more:

• Getting Around: Use BTS/MRT in Bangkok for quick, cheap travel (฿16–฿59). Tuk-tuks are fun, but agree on the fare first. Use Grab for easy car/bike rides. In Chiang Mai, hop on red songthaews (฿20–30). For longer trips, fly low-cost (฿1,500–฿3,000) or try overnight trains (฿800). On islands, expect boats, minibuses, and negotiable taxi fares.

• Money & Currency: Thailand runs on cash; carry small bills (฿20–฿100) for street vendors and taxis. ATMs are easy to find but charge ฿220 per withdrawal. Credit cards work at hotels and malls, often with a 3% fee. Exchange money at local booths or banks, not airports. The 2025 rate is ฿33–35 per USD. Keep your cash secure and use common sense.

• Tipping: Tipping is not required but appreciated. Round up bills or leave ฿20–40 in restaurants. Tip ฿20–50 for hotel staff, ฿50–100 at spas, and ฿100–300 for tour guides. No tips are needed at street stalls; small gestures go a long way!

• Connectivity: Buy a SIM at the airport for data and calls. eSIMs are available online. Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafes. For security, use a VPN on public networks.

• Dress Code & Packing: Pack light, breathable clothes. Cover shoulders and knees at temples. Slip-on shoes help at temple entrances. Bring sunscreen, bug spray, and a rain poncho (June–Oct).

• Culture & Etiquette: Greet with a wai (hands together), especially elders. Don’t touch Buddha images or anyone’s head. Keep feet low and shoes off indoors. Avoid PDA. Stay calm; smiles go a long way. Learn basic Thai phrases: “Sawasdee” (hello) and “Khob Khun” (thank you).

Thailand truly has a way of stealing hearts with its warm people, amazing food, and diverse sights. With this 5-day itinerary, you get a sampler of Thai city life, culture, nature, and beach relaxation. Keep these tips in mind, stay curious, and you’ll have a smooth trip. Kap kun ka/krab for reading, and here’s hoping your Thailand adventure is the trip of a lifetime, filled with happy memories, new friends, and perhaps an overload of mango sticky rice (worth it!). Chok dee! (Good luck!)