2 Weeks in Thailand - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Thailand's Islands & the City: Phuket, Koh Samui & Bangkok

Check out this 14-day island and city adventure focusing on Thailand's most swoon-worthy isles. You'll spend most of the trip hopping around Phuket and Koh Samui but will also have time to enjoy the highlights of Bangkok, making for a perfect introduction to Thailand for first-time visitors.

Your journey begins in Phuket, where you'll kick things off in style with a glitzy dinner show. On Day 2, enjoy an island tour that will take you to incredible viewpoints, Buddhist temples, and the historic buildings of Old Town. Over the next couple of days, you'll visit postcard beaches and emerald coves, followed by a speedboat ride to the Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga Bay. Along the way, you'll explore a sea cave, snorkel at coral reefs, and swim in crystalline waters. Spend your last day in Phuket at your favorite beach, browsing the markets, and catching one last golden sunset over the Andaman Sea.

After Phuket, you'll transfer to Koh Samui, one of the crown jewels of Thailand's myriad tropical islands. Your four-night stay includes boat trips to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, where calm waters and coral reefs teeming with marine life offer some of the country's best snorkeling. You'll also visit Koh Phangan's sleepy fishing villages and relax on its tranquil beaches. Conclude your journey in Bangkok, where, over four days, you'll take guided tours of famous temples and floating markets and even visit a safari park to see exotic animals like white tigers. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Discover Southern Thailand: Koh Samui, Khao Sok & Phuket

From the beaches of Koh Samui to the rainforests of Khao Sok, this two-week itinerary is best for active travelers thirsting for outdoor adventures like snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking amid stunning scenery.

After flying into Bangkok, head straight to Koh Samui, your home base, for the first six nights. Besides the abundance of tropical beaches, this is also a world-class snorkeling destination. To this end, you'll take day tours to amazing reefs at the nearby islands of Koh Tao, Koh Nang Yuan, and Angthong National Marine Park. Soak up the tranquil atmosphere of neighboring Koh Phangan on a guided tour, and spend a free day enjoying Koh Samui. Stroll through a fishing village, visit some temples, loosen those weary muscles with a Thai massage, or chill on the beach until sunset.

Then, it's off to the mainland and the rainforests of Khao Sok National Park, where you'll stay in a floating bungalow on the lake over the next three nights. Marvel at the limestone formations of Cheow Lan Lake on a cruise, enjoy a free day of swimming and kayaking outside your bungalow and spot exotic wildlife on a guided safari. Next, head to the fun-loving island of Phuket for the last leg of the trip. After a land tour, hop in a speedboat and zip over to the white-sand beaches of Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay. Finish strong with a couple of nights reveling in Phuket's famous club scene. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Highlights & Hidden Gems of Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, Khanom & Koh Samui

This two-week trip covers Thailand's highlights (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui) and hidden gems (Pai and Khanom) with a perfect mix of city experiences, tropical beaches, nature tours, and off-the-beaten-path excursions to ethnic villages and natural wonders. 

In Bangkok, embark on a nighttime tour by tuk-tuk as you visit the city's top sights and dive into its world-class food scene. After Bangkok, head north to Chiang Mai, Thailand's mountainous cultural capital. Over three days, you'll see the iconic Doi Suthep temple at sunset, visit an elephant sanctuary, and explore Doi Inthanon National Park. This 186-square-mile (482 sq-km) protected area is part of the Himalayas and is home to Thailand's highest peak. Here, you'll hike to waterfalls, visit an ethnic village, and tour the Twin Chedis, two pagodas set amid fairy-tale gardens.

Next, you'll leave Chiang Mai, visit a waterfall, and soak in hot springs en route to the laid-back hill town of Pai. Once there, take a guided tour of the countryside and hop on a bamboo raft to float down a river, eventually passing beneath the stalactites of Tham Lod Cave. Then, it's down to Khanom, a fishing village on the Gulf of Thailand, for a boat tour to spot some of the region's famous pink dolphins. Finish the trip with three nights in Koh Samui, where you'll snorkel, swim, and kayak in turquoise waters. End this epic journey by admiring one last sunset from your favorite beach. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Adventures in Thailand

This adventure in Thailand expedition offers something for the active traveler as it mixes activities like whitewater rafting, cycling, and jungle treks with the highlights of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

Kick off the odyssey in Bangkok with two days free to explore at your own pace. Tour the Grand Palace, visit Chinatown, indulge in street food, ride down the Chao Phraya River, and do whatever else your heart desires. On Day 3, head to western Thailand and Kanchanaburi, the famous "Bridge on the River Kwai" location. Here, you'll begin the cycling portion of the tour. For the next several days, embark on country rides with stops at World War II sites like Hellfire Pass and the ancient ruins at Muang Sing. Take a ride on the POW-built Death Railway before flying to Chiang Mai via Bangkok.

In Chiang Mai—a foodie heaven with majestic temples—spend a free afternoon poking around town before traveling to Pai on Day 7. This is the starting point for two days of rafting on the Pai River. On this exhilarating outing, you'll tackle Class III and IV rapids, soak in hot springs, and overnight at a bamboo jungle camp. Back in Chiang Mai, hike Doi Suthep mountain and visit its stunning temple, ending the day with a mouthwatering meal. Finally, transfer to Phuket for some well-earned beach time and maybe a wild night out before heading home. Learn more

More Great Thailand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Thailand? Check out these other Thailand itineraries, with outdoor adventures, family-friendly trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.