3 Weeks In Thailand Itinerary – The Ultimate Guide

Thailand is one of the biggest travel hubs in all of Asia and the perfect destination for all sorts of travelers. In this 3 Weeks In Thailand Itinerary, you will find everything from tropical beaches to buzzing cities, and everything in between!

 

 

OVERVIEW

This Thailand backpacking route starts in Krabi and ends in Bangkok. Here is a quick overview of an ideal 3 weeks in Thailand Itinerary of all the best places to visit in this order:

• Krabi (3 days)
• Koh Tao (4 days)
• Bangkok (3 days)
• Chiang Mai (5 days)
• Chiang Rai (1 day)
• Pai (4 days)
• Bangkok (1 day)

 

DAY 1,2 & 3: KRABI

I arrived in Krabi by plane and spent three days exploring Krabi town and its beaches. I have to say I was absolutely blown away at each location!

See All → Homestays / Hotels / Resorts in Krabi

White sand beaches surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and turquoise waters are just some of the things to expect in Krabi making it the perfect spot to kick-start your 3 weeks in Thailand!

I have put together a complete guide of the best beaches in Krabi, also including other useful information on where to stay in Krabi and the best Krabi tour packages.

View Full Blog Post → Krabi Beach Travel Guide

KRABI TO KOH TAO

From Krabi, you can take a bus and ferry combination to Koh Tao and the journey takes approximately 7 to 8 hours.

I always use 12Go Asia to search and book all of my transportation within Thailand and you can too by using the search box below.

 

Railay Beach

Krabi Beaches

Tonsai Beach

 

DAY 4, 5, 6 & 7: KOH TAO ISLAND

Koh Tao is my favorite island in Thailand and one of the best tropical destinations in all of South East Asia! Koh Tao is the famed diving haven in Thailand and attracts scuba divers from all over the world.

Find All → Accommodations in Koh Tao

However, there are many more fantastic things to do on Koh Tao other than diving, including beach hopping, island hopping, panoramic viewpoints, and a buzzing nightlife scene.

I spent 4 days exploring the best of the best that Koh Tao has to offer and have put together the ultimate guide of Koh Tao Island which includes the best things to do and recommended places to stay!

View Full Blog Post → 15 Awesome Things To Do In Koh Tao

KOH TAO TO BANGKOK

The next stop on this Thailand 3 weeks Itinerary is Bangkok.

From Koh Tao, you can take a ferry and bus combination to Bangkok and the journey takes approximately 10 hours.

Use the search box below to search for the best connections between Koh Tao and Bangkok:

 

Koh Tao Island – Thailand Backpacking Route

Kayaking at Shark Bay Koh Tao

 

DAY 8, 9 & 10: BANGKOK

Bangkok really is one of the world’s most buzzing cities and a central hub for backpackers! There are many things to do in Bangkok in three days that include vibrant street life, sacred shrines, boat-filled canals, and countless rooftop bars!

Find All → Hostel & Hotels in Bangkok

I spent three days in Bangkok and it’s a must-see destination not to be missed on your 3 weeks in Thailand.

To help you craft together your own Bangkok itinerary, I have written a detailed travel guide of the best things to do in Bangkok which also includes recommended places to stay and the best way to get around Bangkok City!

View Full Blog Post → 5 Best Things To Do In Bangkok

BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI

After a buzzing time in Bangkok, you can take an overnight bus to Chiang Mai and the journey takes around 10 to 12 hours.

Use the search box below to search for the best connections between Bangkok and Chiang Mai:

 

Bangkok City

Bangkok City

Golden Mountain Bangkok

 

DAY 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15: CHIANG MAI

Chiang Mai is a culturally rich ancient city located in the mountains of Northern Thailand. There are so many things to see and do here which is why I recommend spending five days in Chiang Mai.

Find All → Accommodations in Chiang Mai

I guarantee once you get a taste of Chiang Mai you won’t want to leave!

I have put together an easy guide to Chiang Mai including panoramic viewpoints, buzzing night markets, historic temples, best places to eat, and much more!

View Full Blog Post → 10 Awesome Things To Do In Chiang Mai

Doi Inthanon Temple

 

DAY 16: CHIANG RAI

CHIANG MAI TO CHIANG RAI

I highly recommend taking a day trip from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai to visit the famous White Temple and more.

I organized my Chiang Rai day trip with a tour company called Take Me Tour which includes all transport, entrance fees, lunch, and an experienced tour guide!

The Chiang Rai Tour was surprisingly one of the best days I had while backpacking Thailand.

I chose the Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai tour package which includes Mae Kajan Hot Spring, The White Temple, lunch at Salungkham restaurant, Doi Tung Botanic Gardens, The Royal Villa, and a visit to the Akha Hill village tribe.

The Chiang Rai tour starts at 7 am with a hotel pick up in Chiang Mai and returns back to Chiang Mai between 8 pm – 9 pm.

View Full Blog Post → Chiang Rai Day Tour

CHIANG MAI TO PAI

The next destination on this 3 weeks in Thailand itinerary is Pai. You can take a shared minivan from Chiang Mai to Pai and the journey takes approximately 3 hours.

Use the search box below to search for the best connections between Chiang Mai and Pai:

 

White Temple Chiang Rai

Gold Temple Chiang Rai – Thailand Itinerary 3 Weeks

 

DAY 17, 18, 19 & 20: PAI

Pai is a small countryside town in the Mae Hong Son province of Northern Thailand and far away from the crowds of Bangkok City. There is a mecca of fun things to do in Pai including viewpoints, waterfalls, hot springs, and more!

Find All → Accommodations in Pai

I spent 4 days exploring the Mae Hong Son province and have put together a complete guide of the best things to do in Pai and other handy information on where to stay and getting around!

View Full Blog Post → 10 Best Things To Do In Pai

PAI TO BANGKOK

From Pai, you can take an afternoon minivan to Chiang Mai and then transfer to another bus and continue on to Bangkok for the last leg of your 3 weeks in Thailand.

Use the search box below to search for the best connections between Pai and Bangkok:

 

Yun Lai Viewpoint

White Buddha in Pai – 3 weeks in Thailand

Bamboo Bridge Pai

 

DAY 21: BANGKOK

Back to Bangkok to enjoy the last day in Thailand! You can choose to go shopping at one of the malls or hit up Koh San road for some street food and cheap beers. Either way, it’s worth celebrating having just completed your Thailand backpacking route!

If you don’t want to travel all the way back to Bangkok from the north of Thailand, there’s the option to depart the country from Chiang Mai International Airport.

Although in my experience, I found it cheaper to fly out of Bangkok to continue on to my next destination, Bali.

Find All → Accommodations in Bangkok

 

THAILAND TOURIST MAP

 

BEST TIME TO VISIT THAILAND

Thailand typically can be visited all year round as the climate can vary. However, the best time to visit is in the cool dry season between November to early April.

Broadly speaking, Thailand’s wet season is April – October, with the wettest months being August – October.

Search All → Flights to Thailand

 

THAILAND VISA

Thailand currently offers visa-free entry to nationals of 57 countries. The free visa on arrival is valid for 30 days in Thailand. For more visa information visit www.thaiembassy.com.

 

THAILAND TRANSPORTATION

There are a few ways of getting around Thailand and that is with either bus, boat, taxi, train, plane, or motorbike.

In my experience, the cheapest and most convenient way of getting around Thailand is by bus. The most reputable bus/boat company is Lompraya transport.

I always use 12Go Asia to search and book all of my transportation within Thailand and you can too by using the search box below.

 

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The currency in Thailand is Baht and the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD = 30 Baht.

Getting a tourist sim card for your trip to Thailand is very simple. You can obtain a sim card upon arrival at the airport or from a 7 Eleven store. The cost of a tourist sim card for 8GB of data is around $15.

 

AIRBNB THAILAND

Another option for accommodation in Thailand is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals.

Use the search box below to find all available Airbnb’s.

 

WANT TO SAVE $$$ ON AIRBNB? GET MY AIRBNB MONEY SAVING GUIDE

 

MORE THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDES

• Bangkok Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Bangkok
• Koh Tao Travel Guide: 15 Things To Do In Koh Tao
• Chiang Mai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Chiang Mai
• Pai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Pai
• Krabi Travel Guide: 5 Best Beaches in Krabi

 

LONELY PLANET THAILAND

One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Thailand Guide!

BUY NOW ON AMAZON → LONELY PLANET THAILAND

 

JOIN MY FACEBOOK COMMUNITY

Do you have any questions about Thailand?

Join my Facebook Community and send me a message at any time for a quick response!

 

ONLINE ENGLISH TEACHING

Do you want to travel full-time and get paid along the way?

Teaching English online is one of the easiest and most flexible jobs out there! Become a Digital Nomad, choose your own hours, and work remotely from anywhere in the world by teaching English online. All you need is a laptop, good WiFi connection, a TEFL certificate and you’re good to go!

Click here to get your TEFL certificate with MyTefl

 

MY SHOP

Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!

I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!

SEE MORE → MY SHOP

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Happy Travels!

 

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