19 days in Thailand & Tokyo Itinerary

Enjoy cultural, historical, and culinary exploration during your holiday in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand and the most populous city in the country.

Let the collections at Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Erawan Museum capture your imagination. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Tom's Fashion and The Ananta Samakom Throne Hall. Take a break from Bangkok with a short trip to Bang Saen Beach in Chonburi, about 1h 20 min away. There's lots more to do: delve into the distant past at Wat Pho, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, take in the spiritual surroundings of Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), and step into the grandiose world of The Grand Palace.

For more things to do, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, go to the Bangkok trip itinerary planning website .

Houston, USA to Bangkok is an approximately 23-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time (CST) to Indochina Time (ICT) is 13 hours. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Houston in November: highs in Bangkok hover around 38°C, while lows dip to 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sun) to allow time to take a shuttle to Ayutthaya.

Located just east of the famous ruins after which it is named, Ayutthaya provides the setting for a holiday of historical, natural, and cultural exploration.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Sun): delve into the distant past at Wat Maha That, then steep yourself in history at Historic City of Ayutthaya, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Wat Yai Chai Mang Khon, and finally wander the streets of Wat Phra Khao Temple. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Wat Muang.

To find ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Ayutthaya tour planner.

You can take a shuttle from Bangkok to Ayutthaya in an hour. Other options are to drive; or take a train. In December, daily temperatures in Ayutthaya can reach 36°C, while at night they dip to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 2nd (Mon) to allow enough time to travel to Phuket Town.

The economic hub of the eponymous island, Phuket Town attracted merchants from China, India, and Portugal long before it became a tourist destination.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Tue): see the interesting displays at Phuket Trickeye Museum, don't miss a visit to Chaithararam Temple (Wat Chalong), then take in the spiritual surroundings of Big Buddha Phuket, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Yanui Beach.

For reviews, ratings, maps, and other tourist information, use the Phuket Town journey planner.

Traveling by flight from Ayutthaya to Phuket Town takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight, bus, and ferry; or drive. In December, daytime highs in Phuket Town are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can catch the ferry to Ko Phi Phi Don.

Find your inner peace on Ko Phi Phi Don, the largest island in the eponymous archipelago.

Take a break from the city and head to Ko Phi Phi Le and Nui Beach. Relax by the water at Laem Tong Bay and Ao Ton Sai. The adventure continues: get interesting insight from Tours, explore the gorgeous colors at Ko Bida Nok, enjoy the sand and surf at Loh Dalum Beach, and look for gifts at Phi Phi Postcard Shop.

To find maps, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, read Ko Phi Phi Don trip site .

Traveling by ferry from Phuket Town to Ko Phi Phi Don takes 2 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) so you can travel to Bangkok.

On the 8th (Sun), shop like a local with Chatuchak Weekend Market and then get a taste of the local shopping with Khaosan Road. On the 9th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate the long history of The Chakri Group (Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat), stop by Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, and then take an in-depth tour of Ancient City.

For where to stay, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, read our Bangkok trip planner.

Traveling by combination of ferry, bus, and flight from Ko Phi Phi Don to Bangkok takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry, shuttle, and flight; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Mon) so you can travel to Tokyo.

Tokyo holds the status of most populous metropolitan area in the world--a fact you'll find tangible as you walk the bustling streets and explore its diverse neighborhoods and cultures.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Pola Museum of Art and Odaiba. Museum-lovers will get to explore Nezu Museum and Fire Museum. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Tokyo: Mitsumine Shrine (in Chichibu) and Oyama Afuri Shrine (in Isehara). There's lots more to do: wander the streets of Yanaka, explore the world behind art at Tokyo National Museum The Heiseikan, don't miss a visit to Odaiba Kaihin Koen (Odaiba Seaside Park), and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Asakusa Shrine.

To see maps, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Tokyo road trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Bangkok to Tokyo takes 9.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of car and ferry. The time zone difference when traveling from Bangkok to Tokyo is 2 hours. Prepare for colder weather when traveling from Bangkok in December: high temperatures in Tokyo hover around 14°C and lows are around 4°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) so you can travel back home.