The Best Thailand Backpacking Routes for 2 to 4 Weeks

Looking for the best Thailand backpacking route? Here are four Thailand itinerary ideas for trips lasting anywhere from 10 days to 4 weeks long.

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Thailand is a country that delivers equally in culture, gastronomy and stunning natural landscapes — the three main ingredients I look for in a destination.

In 2018 I spent one incredible month backpacking through the thriving Southeast Asian country, and I can’t wait to one day return! My Thailand backpacking route took me through both the northern and southern regions of the country, and I’ve highlighted all of the must-visit places in this post.

Despite its ever-growing popularity and the overtourism that comes with it, Thailand still became one of my favorite stops during my round-the-world trip. During the four weeks I backpacked in Thailand, I was able to explore the vibrantly chaotic city of Bangkok, walk alongside elephants in Chiang Mai and island-hop across the Andaman Sea.

Here you’ll find my exact four-week Thailand backpacking route, which includes stops in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Krabi and Phuket. You’ll also find my recommendations for shorter trip durations, from 10 days up to three weeks in Thailand.

Happy backpacking!

Things To Know Before Backpacking Thailand

A prepared traveler is a happy traveler. Before planning your Thailand backpacking route, it’s a good idea to familiarize with the country so you know what to expect! Here are a few things to know before you go, including when to go, the currency and how to get around.

CURRENCY: The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht. As of January 2021, $1 USD = 30 Baht.

WEATHER: There are three seasons in Thailand: hot, cool and wet. The weather varies depending where you are in the country.

WHEN TO GO: December to March are the best months to visit Thailand (but that’s also high season). Shoulder season (my favorite time to travel) lasts from April to June and from September to October. Here’s a good breakdown on the best times to visit different parts of the country.

HOW TO GET AROUND: Flying is the fastest way to get around Thailand, and it’s typically really cheap! Trains and buses also connect the whole country. You’ll take ferries to get to the islands.

ACCOMMODATION: Finding affordable accommodation in Thailand is easy. Hostels are the cheapest and most popular option among backpackers, but everything from Airbnbs to luxury 5-star hotels are also available.

VISAS: U.S. citizens can stay up to 30 days in Thailand. If you want to stay longer, you can look into an extension, a tourist visa or a work visa.

Planning Your Thailand Backpacking Route: Northern vs. Southern Thailand

When planning your Thailand backpacking route, it’s helpful to understand the differences between the northern and southern regions of the country. Both are incredibly popular, and each comes with its own own unique character, cuisine and culture.

Northern Thailand is home to cities like Chiang Mai, Pai and Chiang Rai. These destinations are mostly known for their ornate temples, mountainous landscape and elephant sanctuaries. You’d go to Chiang Mai to see the elephants; Pai for vegan food, hiking and yoga; and Chiang Rai for the Instagram-famous white temple.

Southern Thailand is home to the tropical Thai islands. This is where you’ll find seaside resort towns like Krabi and Phuket, as well as numerous islands like Koh Tao and Koh Samui, which boast those larger-than-life limestone cliffs that make the Thai coast so alluring.

10-Day Thailand Backpacking Route

10-Day Thailand Itinerary Overview:
Days 1-3: Bangkok
Days 3-6: Chiang Mai
Days 6-10: Krabi

Ten days in Thailand is the ideal amount of time for people with only 10 paid vacation days at work. With 10 days in Thailand, it’s possible to experience both the northern and southern regions of the country.

However, if you prefer to travel at a slower pace, I recommend sticking to one region and exploring its surroundings. If you don’t mind hopping on a couple of short flights, then you’ll definitely be able to explore both the countryside in the north and the beaches in the south.

This 10-day Thailand itinerary begins in Bangkok, as do the rest of the backpacking routes on this list. Bangkok is Thailand’s central transit hub, and most international flights will bring you here. It’s also an incredible city that shouldn’t be missed!

With 10 days in Thailand, I’d recommend spending two to three nights in Bangkok, then moving onto the north and then the south.

I personally loved spending a few days in Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, especially the full day I spent with elephants at Elephant Nature Park. Over in Southern Thailand, I recommend spending a night in Railay Beach, a laidback beach town that’s only accessible by boat from Krabi.

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Travel Tip: Booking your trip over a holiday weekend like Memorial Day so you only have to take five to seven days off.

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DAYS 1-3: BANGKOK

Start your trip with two to three nights in Bangkok, a fantastic introduction to a major Southeast Asian metropolis.

One of the coolest things to do in Bangkok starts with your accommodation: There are plenty of amazing Airbnb apartments located in ultra-modern high-rise buildings with crazy rooftop pools overlooking the entire city. All major hotel chains and tons of quality hostels are also available in Bangkok.

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Travel Tip: You should be aware of potential scams in Bangkok. I was personally targeted for the Bangkok gem scam when I visited!

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Best Things To Do In Bangkok

• Visit famous temples like Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun and the lesser visited Wat Benchamabophit
• Take a street food tour
• Experience the floating market
• Take a water taxi down the river
• Witness the backpacker chaos that is Khao San Road

WHERE TO STAY IN BANGKOK

House Of Phraya Jasaen — Great Value
Cacha Bed Heritage Hostel – Where I Stayed
Kinnon Deluxe Hostel Coworking Cafe – Best Rated on Booking.com
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit – Luxury Stay

» View all Bangkok accommodations here!

DAYS 3-6: CHIANG MAI

Now that your jet lag has worn off, it’s time to get on a plane again! There are flights as low as $20 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the most popular city in Northern Thailand.

Chiang Mai is a laidback riverside town located in a lush, mountainous region of Thailand. It’s recognized as a hub for arts and culture, home to various artisan markets and golden temples. Three nights is the perfect amount of time to enjoy the city’s slower pace, visit its many stunning temples and spend a day at an elephant sanctuary.

Best Things To Do In Chiang Mai

• Visit the temples in the Old City
• Spend the day at Elephant Nature Park, one of the more reputable animal sanctuaries in Thailand
• Wander through the Sunday night market 
• Take a day trip to Chiang Rai to see the White Temple 
• Traditional Thai cooking class

Where To Stay In Chiang Mai

Hnuphen Chiangmai Homestay — Great Value
Sabai House – Where I Stayed
The Entaneer Poshtel – Best Rated on Booking.com
The Inside House – Luxury Stay

» View all Chiang Mai accommodations here!

Days 6-10: Krabi

By this point you’ll probably be all templed out, meaning you’ve seen so many temples in such a short period of time that you’re ready for something new! Fortunately it’s finally time for those postcard Thai beaches.

There are two major travel hubs in the southern region of Thailand: Krabi and Phuket.

I wholly recommend Krabi over Phuket for several reasons, my main one being that I felt Phuket was way busier and more touristy than Krabi. Several people tried to rip us off in Phuket, and everything was more expensive. Plus, there’s no Railay Beach in Phuket, and Railay is basically my personal paradise—but we’ll get to that in a minute!

The short two-hour flight from Chiang Mai to Krabi is under $100. Once there, I recommend staying in Ao Nang, the closest city to the beach. Alternatively, you can hop on a tail boat to Railay, a neighboring seaside town that’s only accessible by boat.

I spent three nights at the Avatar Resort in Railay and would highly recommend it. The hotel is stunning and affordable, and the beaches at Railay are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. The fact that you’re staying in a place that’s only accessible by boat makes the adventure that much more exciting.

Best Things To Do In Krabi

• Take a day trip to Hong Island
• Visit Railay and Tonsai beaches, neighboring seaside towns only accessible by boat
• Bar hop in Ao Nang, where you’ll find the most active nightlife
• Visit the Tiger Cave Temple
• Hike the Hang Nak Trail for a bird’s eye view of the lush Krabi region

Where To Stay In Krabi (& Railay Beach)

Surf Hostel — Great Value
The Moment Hostel – Where I Stayed in Krabi
Avatar Railay Resort – Where I Stayed in Railay Beach
Sea Seeker Krabi Resort– Best Rated on Booking.com
Panan Krabi Resort – Luxury Stay

» View all Krabi accommodations here!

2-Week Thailand Backpacking Route

2-Week Thailand Itinerary Overview:
Days 1-3: Bangkok
Days 3-6: Chiang Mai
Days 6-10: Krabi
Days 10-14: Koh Phi Phi/Koh Lanta

With two weeks in Thailand, you can add an additional destination to the 10-day itinerary above. Alternatively, you can also choose to take things a bit slower and spend more time in each place. 

Here are two options for those who want fit in another destination to their 2-week Thailand backpacking route:

• 2-Week Thailand Backpacking Route Option 1: In the north, you could add a trip to Pai to your itinerary.

Pai has grown a reputation as a hippie backpacker’s paradise for its nightlife, plentiful vegan restaurants and accessible yoga studios. The small riverside town also offers plenty of outdoor activities like hiking to nearby gorges and waterfalls.

• 2-Week Thailand Backpacking Route Option 2: Stay overnight on an island or two in the south of Thailand.

You can reach several islands by ferry from Krabi. The most popular island is the party-centric Koh Phi Phi, home to the emerald-green waters of Maya Bay, where the famous Leonardo DiCaprio film “The Beach” was filmed. There’s also Koh Lanta, which offers a more laidback yet just as picturesque experience. I would personally opt for Lanta!

3-Week Thailand Backpacking Route

3-Week Thailand Backpacking Route Overview:
Days 1-3: Bangkok
Days 3-6: Chiang Mai
Days 6-10: Koh Tao
Days 10-13: Koh Samui
Days 13-17: Krabi & Railay Beach
Days 17-20: Koh Lanta
Days 20-21: Krabi

Now we’re talking! A full three weeks in Thailand allows you to truly experience everything the country has to offer.

Your three-week Thailand itinerary will follow Days 1-6 from the 10-day itinerary above. The rest of your time will feature some sweet island hopping in the south of Thailand.

DAYS 6-10: KOH TAO

The main reason I visited Koh Tao was to get my scuba diving certification, as it’s one of the cheapest places in the world to do so. Though the main attraction here is diving — an epic experience that I highly recommend — you can also enjoy the island’s beaches, snorkeling, nightlife and hiking.

To get from Chiang Mai to Koh Tao, you can fly into one of three airports (Chumphon, Koh Samui or Surat Thani) and take a combination of bus and ferry transfers to Koh Tao.

Are you a backpacker on a budget? I was too at the time. Here’s how I made it down to Koh Tao for a fraction of the price: An overnight train to Bangkok, followed by a full day in the city, followed by another overnight train to Chumphon, where a quick bus ride and final ferry journey awaited.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this two-day journey unless you have a lot of time on your hands!

Best Things To Do In Koh Tao

• Learn to scuba dive
• Go on a snorkeling cruise 
• Spend an afternoon snorkeling at the crystal clear Tanote Bay
• Enjoy the beachside nightlife
• Watch the sunset from Sairee beach

Where To Stay In Koh Tao

Aiya Resort Koh-Tao — Great Value
Wind Beach Resort – Where I Stayed
Sensi Paradise Beach Resort – Best Rated on Booking.com
Jamahkiri Resort & Spa — Luxury Stay

» View all Koh Tao accommodations here!

DAYS 10-13: KOH SAMUI

Next, hop on a ferry to Koh Samui, Thailand’s second biggest island.

Koh Samui is home to beautiful beaches and a mountainous jungle landscape. Although it’s much bigger than Koh Tao, you can still scooter around the entire island in one day.

There’s a myriad of hotel options for every type of traveler, as well as restaurants, bars and white sandy beaches all over the island.

Best Things To Do In Koh Samui

• Hike through the jungle to Na Muang 1 and Na Muang 2 waterfalls
• Take a day trip to Angthong Marine Park
• Bar and restaurant hop at Chaweng Beach
• Enjoy a quieter afternoon at Lamai Beach
• Wander through Bophut, a traditional Thai fishing village

Where To Stay In KOh Samui

Samui Hills — Great Value
Visit Natural Detox Resort – Where I Stayed
Tropical Season Villa Resort – Best Rated on Booking.com
SALA Samui Choengmon Beach – Luxury Stay

» View all Koh Samui accommodations here!

DAYS 13-17: KRABI, RAILAY BEACH & NEARBY ISLANDS

As mentioned previously, Krabi is one of two gateways to the dreamy Thai islands.

A three-week Thailand backpacking route allows you more than enough time to spend a night or two in Krabi, as well as stay overnight in beautiful Railay Beach.

While based in Railay, you can take day trips to nearby islands like Hong Island, Poda and Phi Phi. The move here is to hire a guide for a private tour, so you can arrive at the islands before the rest of the tour groups do.

Best Things To Do in Railay Beach:

• Sunbathe at Railay and Phra Nang Beaches
• Go rock climbing
• Visit the Princess Cave, which is, interestingly enough, filled with penis-shaped wooden carvings
• Hike to Tonsai Beach right next door and wander through the quirky town
• Hike to the Railay Beach Viewpoint and continue on (with caution!) to the hidden lagoon in the middle of the jungle, hands down one of the coolest hikes I’ve ever done

Where To Stay In Railay Beach

Blanco Hideout Railay — Great Value
Avatar Railay Resort – Where I Stayed
Railay Phutawan Resort – Best Rated on Booking.com
Rayavadee – Luxury Stay

» View all Railay Beach accommodations here!

DAYS 17-20: KOH LANTA

Take the ferry over to the paradise that is Koh Lanta, an island I regret not visiting during my time in Thailand.

Koh Lanta is often skipped by backpackers who hop between Krabi and Phuket, which is why I find it so appealing. It’s less touristy than other islands yet it offers everything you need for an island getaway. Think paradisiacal white sandy beaches, a lush tropical rainforest and unforgettable sunsets.

Best Things To Do In Koh Lanta

• Go to a beach party at Pangea Beach Bar, Freedom Bar or Mushroom Bar
• Try riding a scooter for the first time, as the roads are easily navigable
• Watch the sunset from the beach
• Hike through Mu Koh Lanta National Park
• Visit as many beaches as you can

Where To Stay In Koh Lanta

Green Pepper — Great Value
Pimalai Resort & Spa – Best Rated on Booking.com
Layana Resort & Spa – Luxury Stay

» View all Koh Lanta accommodations here!

DAY 20-21: KRABI

It’s time to head back to Krabi, enjoy one last night in this incredible country and head to the airport the following day.

4-Week Thailand Backpacking

4-Week Thailand Itinerary Overview:
Days 1-5: Bangkok
Days 5-10: Chiang Mai
Day 6: Bangkok
Days 7-14: Koh Tao
Days 14-19: Koh Samui
Days 19-22: Krabi
Days 22-26: Railay Beach
Days 26-29: Phuket

In an ideal world, you’d have an entire month to explore Thailand! That’s how long my boyfriend Guil and I traveled through Thailand in 2018.

By the time we arrived in Thailand, we had been traveling nonstop for over eight months. As you’ll notice from our one-month Thailand itinerary, we were taking things a bit slow. We took our time in different towns and regions of the country, savoring everything from the rich culture and cuisine to the outdoor adventures that each destination had to offer.

If you’re similarly traveling long-term, this may be the best Thailand backpacking route for you.

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Travel Tip: U.S. citizens entering Thailand for fewer than 30 days don’t need a visa. This is why my boyfriend Guil and I kept our stay at 29 days exactly.

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DAYS 1-5: BANGKOK

There’s a whole lot to see in Bangkok, enough to justify spending a whole week here if you have the time!

The glorious temples, sky-high swimming pools, delicious food, vibrant night markets, crazy nightlife of Khao San Road… there’s more than enough to keep you busy for five days.

Something to keep in mind when visiting Bangkok is the heat. It was extremely hot when we visited, which made it impossible to explore outdoors (or visit temples) at any other time than early morning or late afternoon near sunset. I’m not going to lie: A big chunk of our days were spent cooling off in trendy cafes and lingering over a big lunch in local restaurants!

Best things to do in Bangkok:

• Visit famous temples like Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun and the lesser visited Wat Benchamabophit
• Take a food tour
• Experience the floating market
• Take a water taxi down the river
• Witness the backpacker chaos that is Khao San Road

WHERE TO STAY IN BANGKOK

House Of Phraya Jasaen — Great Value
Cacha Bed Heritage Hostel – Where I Stayed
Kinnon Deluxe Hostel Coworking Cafe – Best Rated on Booking.com
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit – Luxury Stay

» View all Bangkok accommodations here!

DAYS 5-10: CHIANG MAI

From Bangkok, we took an overnight train to Chiang Mai to save on airfare and a night of accommodation. We went with Thai Railways, and I highly recommend the experience!

We were fortunate to get on a really clean and updated train, and we were one of the only backpackers on board. It was so cool to walk through the aisles and spend the night among locals — it’s the kind of experience that makes me fall in love with traveling more and more each time.

Best things to do in Chiang Mai:

• Visit the temples in the Old City
• Spend the day at Elephant Nature Park, one of the more reputable animal sanctuaries in Thailand
• Wander through the Sunday night market 
• Day trip to Chiang Rai to see the White Temple 
• Take a cooking class to learn about traditional Thai cuisine

Where To Stay In Chiang Mai

Hnuphen Chiangmai Homestay — Great Value
Sabai House – Where I Stayed
The Entaneer Poshtel – Best Rated on Booking.com
The Inside House – Luxury Stay

» View all Chiang Mai accommodations here!

DAY 6: BANGKOK

After Chiang Mai, we headed back to Bangkok on another overnight train. This time, we were making our way down to the islands.

Unfortunately there was no southern train service that matched up with time we arrived in Bangkok, so we had over 12 hours to spare before hopping on another overnight train to our next destination, Koh Tao.

Since we didn’t want to book a hotel for just a day, we spent it at the movies in one of the most modern malls I’ve ever seen! Seriously, the malls in Bangkok are insane.

DAYS 7-14: KOH TAO

Our journey to Koh Tao wasn’t the easiest, but it was the cheapest for us at the time! We took an overnight train from Bangkok to a coastal town called Chumphon, arriving really early in the morning before the sun rose.

From there we got on a bus, which took us to a pier from which we’d catch the last leg of our journey, a two-hour ferry to Koh Tao.

I got my scuba diving certification in Koh Tao, which in and of itself took about four days. Then I spent a few extra days enjoying the slow island life (well-deserved after my hours long diving lessons)!

Best things to do in Koh Tao:

• Learn to scuba dive
• Go on a snorkeling cruise 
• Spend an afternoon snorkeling at the crystal clear Tanote Bay
• Enjoy the beachside nightlife
• Watch the sunset from Sairee beach

Where To Stay In Koh Tao

Aiya Resort Koh-Tao — Great Value
Wind Beach Resort – Where I Stayed
Sensi Paradise Beach Resort – Best Rated on Booking.com
Jamahkiri Resort & Spa — Luxury Stay

» View all Koh Tao accommodations here!

DAYS 14-19: KOH SAMUI

We also took it slow in Koh Samui. Our hotel had a nice pool and restaurant that we spent some time lounging in.

In just one day we were able to drive a scooter around the entire island, visiting hidden beaches and local restaurants along the way. I highly recommend renting one and getting to know the island this way!

We also went on a waterfall hike that took us deep into the jungle, another awesome thing to do in Koh Samui.

Best things to do in Koh Samui:

• Hike through the jungle to Na Muang 1 and Na Muang 2 waterfalls
• Take a trip to Angthong Marine Park
• Scooter around the entire island
• Bar and restaurant hop at Chaweng Beach, or enjoy a quieter afternoon at Lamai Beach
• Wander through Bophut, a traditional fishing village

Where To Stay In KOh Samui

Samui Hills — Great Value
Visit Natural Detox Resort – Where I Stayed
Tropical Season Villa Resort – Best Rated on Booking.com
SALA Samui Choengmon Beach – Luxury Stay

» View all Koh Samui accommodations here!

DAYS 19-22: KRABI

There are two things I remember most about our time in Krabi: It’s where we purchased our own scuba diving masks and snorkels, and it’s where we stayed in the nicest hostel we’ve found so far.

Guil and I booked a private room at the Moment Hostel in Ao Nang, which is near the beach and surrounded by plenty of restaurants.

For $20 a night, we got a massive room with an epic view of Krabi’s tallest limestone cliffs, plus a big flatscreen TV that came with Netflix. After eight months on the road, this was heaven on earth for us.

From Krabi we took a day trip to Hong Island, which was really beautiful but also really packed since we went with a tour group. If I were to redo it, I’d opt for a private tour instead!

Best things to do in Krabi:

• Take a day trip to Hong Island (try to book a private tour to beat the crowds!)
• Visit Railay and Tonsai beaches, neighboring seaside towns only accessible by boat 
• Bar hop in Ao Nang, where you’ll find the most active nightlife
• Visit the Tiger Cave Temple
• Hike the Hang Nak Trail for a bird’s eye view of the lush Krabi region

Where To Stay In Krabi

Surf Hostel — Great Value
The Moment Hostel – Where I Stayed in Krabi
Sea Seeker Krabi Resort– Best Rated on Booking.com
Panan Krabi Resort – Luxury Stay

» View all Krabi accommodations here!

DAYS 22-26: RAILAY BEACH

If you’ve skimmed over other itinerary options on this post, you already know Railay is my favorite beach of all time. Here we stayed at the Avatar Railay Resort, a beautiful (and affordable) resort with a stunning pool that flows up to the hotel rooms. I couldn’t recommend this hotel enough!

We spent most of our time here on Railay itself, lounging on its different beaches and tackling some wild jungle hikes.

Best things to do in Railay Beach:

• Sunbathe at Railay and Phra Nang Beaches
• Go rock climbing
• Visit the Princess Cave, which is—interestingly enough—filled with penis-shaped wooden carvings
• Hike to Tonsai Beach right next door and wander through the quirky beachside town
• Hike to the Railay Beach Viewpoint and continue on (with caution!) to the hidden lagoon in the middle of the jungle

Where To Stay In Railay Beach

Blanco Hideout Railay — Great Value
Avatar Railay Resort – Where I Stayed
Railay Phutawan Resort – Best Rated on Booking.com
Rayavadee – Luxury Stay

» View all Railay Beach accommodations here!

DAYS 26-29: PHUKET

Our final stop in Thailand was Phuket, which quite honestly, was my least favorite part of the trip.

I found the town really hectic and overrun with tourists, with the focus being on five-star resorts over local businesses and restaurants. Guil, however, had a great time surfing! If you’re a surfer, you’ll find plenty of surf-worthy beaches in Phuket.

Best things to do in Phuket:

• Stay in a luxury seaside resort
• View Phuket from above at the Karon View Point
• Spend a night out on Bangla Road
• Trek down to Freedom Beach for a less crowded beach experience
• Surf in one of the many surf-friendly beaches

Where To Stay In phuket

White Wall Poshtel — Great Value
Living Room Guesthouse & Cafe Bar – Where I Stayed
Book a Bed Poshtel – Best Rated on Booking.com
The Village Coconut Island Beach Resort – Luxury Stay

» View all Phuket accommodations here!

I hope this post has helped or inspired you to plan your own epic Thailand backpacking route! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

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