48 days in Thailand Itinerary

Discover the diverse history and culture of northern Thailand during a holiday in Chiang Mai, the largest and most significant city in the region.

Explore Chiang Mai's surroundings by going to Maeklang Elephant Conservation Community (in Chom Thong), Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (in Doi Suthep) and Doi Inthanon (in Doi Inthanon National Park). There's lots more to do: get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour, look for all kinds of wild species at Maerim Elephant Sanctuary, get your game on at Chiangmai Speedkart, and take in the local highlights with Walking tours.

To find photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Chiang Mai trip planner.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Chiang Mai is an approximately 9.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of shuttle and flight. The time zone changes from Gulf Standard Time to Indochina Time, which is usually a 3 hour difference. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Dubai in September; daily highs in Chiang Mai reach 38°C and lows reach 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to drive to Chiang Rai.

Enjoy a cultural and relaxing vacation in Chiang Rai, the capital city of an eponymous province.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Sun): don't miss a visit to Tad Kwan Village Park & Waterfall, look for gifts at El Jardin by Dek Ban Suan, take in the spiritual surroundings of Wat Rong Khun, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), and finally view the masterpieces at De'Cashmere Co.,Ltd. On the next day, look for all kinds of wild species at Elephant Valley Thailand and then explore the activities along Chiang Saen.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, read Chiang Rai day trip planning website .

Traveling by car from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Chiang Rai can reach 36°C, while at night they dip to 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Bangkok.

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

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Bangkok: Ayutthaya (Historic City of Ayutthaya & Wat Mahathat). Next up on the itinerary: make a trip to Wat Pho, admire the masterpieces at Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), browse the exhibits of Jim Thompson House, and look for gifts at Tom's Fashion.

For photos, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Bangkok travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. September in Bangkok sees daily highs of 38°C and lows of 30°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Sat) early enough to go by car to Khao Yai National Park.

The oldest national park in Thailand--and a World Heritage Site to boot--Khao Yai National Park impresses visitors with its waterfalls, mountainous terrain, and abundant monsoon forest.

On the 22nd (Sun), explore the fascinating underground world of Khao Luk Chang Bat Cave and then explore the striking landscape of Khao Yai National Park. On the 23rd (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: admire the sheer force of Haew Narok Waterfall and then head outdoors with Khao Yai Bird Watching Day Trip by Thailand Bird Watching.

For reviews, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Khao Yai National Park tour planner .

Getting from Bangkok to Khao Yai National Park by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of train and taxi. Expect a daytime high around 39°C in September, and nighttime lows around 30°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Mon) early enough to go by car to Pattaya.

Famous for its nightlife and activity-filled seafront, Pattaya remains a major party destination for tourists and expats in Thailand.

Pattaya is known for beaches, nightlife, parks, shopping, and theme parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the striking features of The Sanctuary Of Truth (Prasat Sut Ja-Tum), admire the natural beauty at Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Big Buddha Temple, and don't miss a visit to Walking Street Pattaya.

For maps, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Pattaya trip planner.

Traveling by car from Khao Yai National Park to Pattaya takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi and train. In September, daily temperatures in Pattaya can reach 36°C, while at night they dip to 30°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Thu) early enough to travel to Ko Pha Ngan.

Ko Phangan vacations serve as an ideal escape for backpackers and other spontaneous travelers.

Ko Pha Ngan is known for beaches, wildlife, spas, adventure, and classes. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, let little ones run wild at Phangan Jorkyball, try for a hole-in-one at Phangan Adventure MiniGolf, and enjoy the sand and surf at Ao Plai Laem.

For maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Ko Pha Ngan trip planner .

Do a combination of flight and ferry from Pattaya to Ko Pha Ngan in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, and ferry; or do a combination of bus and flight. In September, daily temperatures in Ko Pha Ngan can reach 38°C, while at night they dip to 31°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Wed) early enough to catch the ferry to Koh Tao.

A holiday in Ko Tao ensures a mix of adventure and relaxation on a fast-developing island in the Gulf of Thailand.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Thu): kick back and relax at Laem Thian and then discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 4th (Fri): stop by May & Co. General Store and then head outdoors with Outdoor Activities.

To find ratings, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Koh Tao travel tool .

You can ride a ferry from Ko Pha Ngan to Koh Tao in 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 37°C in October, and nighttime lows around 30°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can ride a ferry to Bophut.

Rocky cliffs and sandy bays draw visitors looking for a action along the coastal area in Bophut, where diving and snorkeling opportunitys abound.

Bophut is known for shopping, historic sites, nightlife, wildlife, and beaches. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get outside with Outdoor Activities, take a stroll through Fisherman’s Village, get your game on at Lazgam Laser Games Koh Samui, and pause for some serene contemplation at Mary Help of Christians Church.

To find other places to visit, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Bophut road trip planner .

Ride a ferry from Koh Tao to Bophut in 2 hours. In October, daily temperatures in Bophut can reach 37°C, while at night they dip to 30°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Tue) so you can travel to Krabi Town.

Krabi Town takes you away from the bustle of coastal beach resorts in this region.

Krabi Town is known for beaches, nature, shopping, wildlife, and historic sites. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: enjoy the sand and surf at Railay Beach, stop by Alex's Fashion, stroll through Thaiclimber Climbing, and take a peaceful walk through Krabi Elephant Sanctuary.

To see photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Krabi Town trip itinerary builder website .

Do a combination of flight and bus from Bophut to Krabi Town in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Bophut in October, expect a bit cooler with lows of 27°C in Krabi Town. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Fri) to allow time to ride a ferry to Ko Phi Phi Don.

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

Ko Phi Phi Don is known for nature, wildlife, adventure, beaches, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, step off the mainland to explore Ko Bida Nok, enjoy the sand and surf at Long Beach, and stroll through Nui Beach.

To see maps, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Ko Phi Phi Don trip builder tool .

Traveling by ferry from Krabi Town to Ko Phi Phi Don takes 1.5 hours. In October, plan for daily highs up to 37°C, and evening lows to 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) early enough to ride a ferry to Ko Lanta.

Ko Lanta remains an ideal place for relaxing holidays off the west coast of mainland Thailand.

Ko Lanta is known for wildlife, beaches, nature, parks, and historic sites. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: tour the pleasant surroundings at Lanta Animal Welfare, putt your heart out at Lanta Parklife, stop by Italian Fashion Suit, and get outside with Outdoor Activities.

For maps, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Ko Lanta trip maker app .

You can ride a ferry from Ko Phi Phi Don to Ko Lanta in an hour. In October in Ko Lanta, expect temperatures between 37°C during the day and 27°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Sun) early enough to travel to Patong.

Take advantage of nighttime entertainment and daytime relaxation on a Patong vacation.

You've now added So Thai Spa Phuket Hillside to your itinerary. Venture out of the city with trips to Big Buddha Phuket (in Chalong) and Phang Nga Bay. (in Ao Phang Nga National Park). There's still lots to do: see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, enjoy the sand and surf at Patong Beach, get in on the family fun at Football Crazy Golf - Phuket, and make a trip to Bangla Road.

To find more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Patong trip itinerary builder tool .

You can ride a ferry from Ko Lanta to Patong in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. In October, daytime highs in Patong are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 27°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sat) so you can travel back home.