10 Day Thailand Itinerary: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Krabi

I just got back from a 10-day sprint through Thailand — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Krabi — and honestly, it felt like the right pace for a first trip. Not too rushed, not too lazy. You get the chaos of the capital, the mountain calm of the north, and then beach time to reset before flying home. Here’s exactly how I’d do it again, with the hotels I’d rebook and the spots I’d skip.

Is 10 days enough for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Krabi?

Yes, if you move every 3-4 days and fly between cities. I did Bangkok first (3 nights), then Chiang Mai (3 nights), then Krabi (3 nights), with the last night back in Bangkok for an early flight. That split let me cover the big stuff without feeling like I was on a bus tour.

Internal flights are cheap. I booked AirAsia from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (about $40) and Thai Lion Air from Chiang Mai to Krabi (about $50). Both were on time and painless. The only drag is getting to and from airports — budget 45-60 minutes for traffic.

What should I do in Bangkok for 3 days?

Bangkok hits you immediately — heat, noise, smells of grilled meat and diesel. I stayed in Sukhumvit near Asok BTS station, which made getting around easy. The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are your friends; taxis get stuck.

Day one I hit the big temples: Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho (the reclining Buddha is genuinely massive). Wat Arun across the river was less crowded and I liked it more — climb the central prang for a river view. Afternoon, I walked through Yaowarat (Bangkok’s Chinatown) and ate at Jay Fai for the crab omelette. Yes, the line is real (2 hours), but it’s worth it once. If you don’t have that time, the street stalls on Soi Texas serve a solid pad see ew.

Day two I did a long-tail boat tour through the Bangkok Noi canals — it’s touristy but seeing the stilt houses and floating markets from water level is the real Bangkok. Booked it through a kiosk near Tha Tien pier for 1,500 baht for two hours.

Day three was shopping and eating. Chatuchak Weekend Market is overwhelming but you’ll find everything from vintage sneakers to dried squid. If you’re not there on a weekend, Siam Square has good indie shops. Dinner at Thip Samai for pad thai wrapped in an egg sheet — it’s famous for a reason.

What’s the best way to spend 3 days in Chiang Mai?

Chiang Mai is smaller, slower, and cooler in temperature and vibe. I stayed in the Old City inside the moat — walked everywhere. The Sunday Night Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road is a block party of food stalls, crafts, and live music. Don’t miss the khao soi from Khao Soi Khun Yai (a short queue, but moves fast).

Day one I did the Doi Suthep temple — take a red songthaew (shared pickup truck) from the old city up the mountain for 60 baht. The 306-step naga staircase is a workout but the gold chedi and view over the valley are worth it.

Day two I booked a half-day cooking class at Mama Noi’s Organic Thai Cookery School. We visited a local market first, then cooked five dishes (I made a killer green curry). It’s hands-on, not a demo. Book ahead — they fill up.

Day three I visited Elephant Nature Park — a rescue sanctuary, not a riding camp. You feed, wash, and observe the elephants in a big open area. It’s a full day (pickup at 7am, back by 4pm), but ethically done. I’d skip the hill tribe treks if you’re short on time — they felt too packaged.

How do I split time between Ao Nang and Railay Beach in Krabi?

Krabi’s coastline has two main hubs: Ao Nang (main town, lots of hotels and restaurants) and Railay Beach (only accessible by boat, no roads, cliffs). I stayed in Ao Nang at Aonang Cliff Beach Resort — decent pool, walking distance to the beach and night market. Railay is a 15-minute long-tail boat ride away.

Day one I took a long-tail from Ao Nang to Railay Beach West — it’s the main beach with soft sand and clear water. Walk through the jungle path to Phra Nang Cave Beach (10 minutes) — it’s quieter and has a lagoon at low tide. The rock climbers on the limestone cliffs are fun to watch.

Day two I did the 4-island tour (Poda Island, Chicken Island, Tup Island, and Phra Nang Beach). It’s a half-day trip, usually 500-700 baht including snorkel gear. The snorkeling at Chicken Island is average (murky water), but the sandbars between Tup and Chicken at low tide are photogenic. Skip the lunch they serve — it’s sad white rice and overcooked chicken.

Day three I just relaxed at Ao Nang Beach and ate at The Hilltop restaurant — it’s on a cliff with a view of the bay. The tom yum goong was spicy and sour in the right way. Book a table for sunset.

Where should I stay in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Krabi?

I tried three different price points and would recommend all of them:

Bangkok: Hotel Once Bangkok in Thonburi — modern rooms with river views, quiet area, and a free shuttle to the BTS. About $60/night.
Chiang Mai: Baan Orapin — a converted wooden house with a garden pool, right on the moat. Owners are lovely, breakfast is homemade. About $45/night.
Krabi: Aonang Cliff Beach Resort — big rooms, two pools, and a 5-minute walk to the beach. About $55/night.

If you want a splurge, the Ritz-Carlton Bangkok near Chong Nonsi BTS is worth it for the rooftop bar alone. In Chiang Mai, 137 Pillars House is a colonial boutique hotel with a serious pool.

Is it better to book tours in advance or on the spot?

I booked the cooking class and Elephant Nature Park online before my trip because they sell out. Everything else — long-tail boats, island tours, songthaews — I booked the day before at my hotel or a street kiosk. The prices were the same as online, and I could negotiate a bit (always ask for a discount if paying cash).

One thing I’d do differently: skip the packaged Phi Phi Island day trip from Krabi. It’s 2 hours each way by speedboat, you get 45 minutes on Maya Bay with a hundred other tourists, and the coral is bleached. Stick to the 4-island tour or hire a private long-tail for a custom route.

FAQ

Is 10 days enough for Thailand? Yes, if you focus on three destinations and fly between them. You’ll see a good mix of city, culture, and beach without burning out. Add a day if you want a buffer for jet lag.

What’s the best time of year for this itinerary? November to February is dry and cooler (75-85°F). March to May is hot and hazy. June to October is rainy season — you’ll get afternoon downpours but fewer crowds and lower prices. I went in late November and had perfect weather.

Do I need a visa for Thailand? Most nationalities (US, UK, EU, Australia) get a 30-day visa exemption on arrival. Just show your passport and an onward ticket. No fee. If you’re staying longer, apply for a tourist visa beforehand.

Conclusion

Fly between cities — don’t waste time on overnight trains or buses for a 10-day trip.
Stay in Sukhumvit (Bangkok), Old City (Chiang Mai), and Ao Nang (Krabi) for convenience.
Book cooking classes and ethical elephant sanctuaries in advance; book boat tours on the spot.
Skip the Phi Phi day trip — the 4-island tour from Krabi is better value.
Eat street food in Bangkok, khao soi in Chiang Mai, and seafood on Railay Beach.