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If you’re like me, Thailand has been on the top of my bucket list for a long time. The pandemic put a lot of those bucket list trips on hold. However, I was stoked to see that Thailand re-opened to visitors in the second half of 2021 which was perfect timing for the warm-weather vacation I needed. As Austin (my husband) is still in surgery training, we are limited on the duration of our vacations so we set out to plan the perfect Thailand 10 day itinerary. With more time, you can add additional locations or spend more time in each.

Traveling to Thailand During the COVID-19 Pandemic

A quick note on traveling during the pandemic. This is the third country I have visited during the pandemic (I went to Mexico and St Lucia in 2020 before many of the testing mandates and pre-vaccine). Despite being vaccinated, this trip was a new level of stress that I hadn’t experienced before. It is important to think about this before planning a trip out of the country. Would I do it over again? Absolutely. But it was not the care-free relaxed trip that you might be envisioning.

Check out this post if you want to see my Ultimate St. Lucia Travel Itinerary. And if you are looking for the Best Things to do in Tulum, Mexico, I’ve also got you covered.

There were many steps in the process of this trip where we really weren’t sure if we would make it to the next destination. We were approved under the Thailand Pass Test & Go Entry which Thailand subsequently canceled future applications after approving us. It was assured via their news that we would still be allowed in under that entry process, but would the government change their minds? (They didn’t, but they could have).

Additionally, at the time of our trip, Thailand required a negative PCR test taken 72 hours in advance of your departure time. Our test results were guaranteed in 1-2 days by 11:59pm. Because of the Omicron spike and the holidays, our COVID test results were late and resulted on day 3 at 4:30am and our flight was at 9:20am. They were both negative, but since Austin is a health care provider and I just returned home from a large work conference, we really were not sure what the results were going to be and we didn’t even pack until we got the email in the morning.

When we landed in Bangkok, the hotel transportation under the Test & Go strategy was required to take you to a PCR test immediately upon landing (~12am). We then went to our hotel and were not given a key to our room until negative test results came back. We were not sure if we would get the results back in time for our flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (we did, with a few hours to spare).

You get the idea. There were a lot of hurdles. Once again, it was worth it. But it was a different feeling than my previous international travels.

Thailand and the COVID-19 Pandemic

The above section was all about the hurdles of getting to Thailand. Here I want to decribe being in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thai people take COVID and the pandemic very seriously. Masks were worn everywhere by everyone, including in the outdoors. It was very common to see people wearing masks while riding alone on a motorcycle or while walking alone on the sidewalk. We were fortunate to be visiting Thailand during the “winter” but this is another consideration for your trip.

On our flights within Thailand, they did not serve any food or drink to ensure that people keep their masks on during the flights.

Thailand 10 Day Itinerary

Hopefully the above information did not deter you from planning an epic trip to Thailand. But I was to be as transparent with you as possible as I know that this is not something many people who are traveling internationally right now are talking about.

Let’s get on with the itinerary.

Days 1,2 – Travel Days

The main reason to plan no less than a 10 day Thailand itinerary is because of the travel to get there. We left in the morning on Friday and arrived at 11:30pm Saturday in Bangkok. Thankfully our flights were upgraded to Delta One Suites which made the trip much more enjoyable and relaxing than had we been in the main cabin. If you want to learn more about traveling hacking (using points and miles to get free and upgraded travel), check out this post here. I actually have all three American Express/Delta co-branded credit cards. If you want to check them out, click here.

Day 3 – Bangkok, Chiang Mai

The main reason we were in Bangkok was for the Test & Go program. Because we did not get our room key until after our negative PCR result came back, the only thing we did in Bangkok was go to a small market near our hotel. If you do have more time in Bangkok, consider taking a market tour.

However, if you have more time than we did then be sure to head to Khao Yai National Park. After all, Khao Yai is the third-largest national park in Thailand and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

So, it’s a place that invites travelers to explore pristine jungles and offers ample opportunities to spot wildlife, making it an absolute must during your 10-day adventure in Thailand.

Plus, the three-hour scenic drive that you will take from the city to this lush jungle is a great way to become acquainted with the diverse array of natural landscapes that Thailand is known for.

However, highlights include hiking through dense jungles, admiring Haew Narok Waterfall in the southern part of the park, and spotting elephants/exotic birds.

Then we took a flight to Chiang Mai. Thailand is a pretty long country so flying or taking an overnight train makes the most sense when getting around. Flights between cities are not very expensive (~30 USD if booked in advance).

We stayed at the Le Meridien Chiang Mai. It was in a good location and felt safe. The hotel had a very nice breakfast and the room was pretty massive. The infinity pool was also quite lovely. We stayed at this hotel for free using Marriott points. This is the credit card that I use for Marriott. It has a low fee that completely pays for itself with a free night certificate.

After getting settled at our hotel, we took a private night market food tour. I would highly recommend doing this, especially early in your trip. Thailand is famous for its good food so this tour helped us get the lay of the land and know what we wanted to order (besides just Pad Thai – because I definitely still ordered that haha). Our guide showed us a lot of different markets, vendors, and locations. It was the perfect activity to do right when we got to Chiang Mai. Check out this link to book a night market food tour. Our guide’s name was Wuthikorn. If you are really into the food, consider taking an authentic Thai cooking class. We did not have time for this but it sounds like it would have been awesome.

Day 4 – Chiang Mai

If you do any research about Chiang Mai, you will see that Doi Inthanon National Park is one of the most popular activities. And it is for a good reason. Doi Inthanon is beautiful. We took a full day private tour that included a hike (more of a downhill walk) to several waterfalls, a stop at the highest point in Chiang Mai and an opportunity to visit the beautiful King and Queen Pagodas. To take this private tour yourself, check out this link.

In the evening, we got a Thai massage at a small parlor close to our hotel. It was an hour long and less than 10 USD.

Day 5 – Chiang Mai

An activity that was hotly debated but came away as our favorite from the trip was when we took a visit to Chai Lai Orchid Elephant Sanctuary. Not only did this tour include feeding, bathing, and playing with elephants, but it also included a jungle hike (more of a hike than the day before), several waterfalls, making our own bamboo sticky rice over the fire, and bamboo rafting.

This was my favorite activity of the entire trip. If you’re feeling up to it, you can also stay at Chai Lai Orchid on their property and get an elephant wake up call. We did not do this since we stayed in town, but I would love to hear if anyone does this – maybe next time!

In the evening, we got another Thai massage at a different spot also close to our hotel. You can’t beat the prices.

Day 6 – Chiang Mai, Phuket, Koh Yao Noi

We started our last day in Chiang Mai off quite early with a 5am pick up to do a private tour of Doi Suthep, the most famous temple in Chiang Mai. We took this tour with an ex-Buddhist Monk. He was able to give us a lot of insight into the traditions of the monks without it being too overwhelming. The early timing allowed us to see the monks doing their morning chanting. We were also able to give the monks food during their morning collection. It was an awesome immersion experience. Check out this link to book an early morning temple tour. Our guide was Kit. If he is booked, here is another Doi Suthep tour you could consider.

Then we took a flight directly to Phuket from Chiang Mai.

We did not stay in Phuket however. We immediately hopped on a speedboat to Koh Yao Noi. Our accomodations in Koh Yao Noi were at one of the coolest hotels that I have ever stayed in – TreeHouse Villas. These villas were 2 stories with a private plunge pool and lounge area on the bottom and a lovely villa on the top. This entire hotel was adults only and absolutely amazing.

Once again, staying here was free with Chase points through travel hacking. If you aren’t into credit cards, consider joining a program like hotels.com where you get one night free after paying for 10 nights. Book TreeHouse Villas in Koh Yao Noi here.

Day 7 – Koh Yao Noi

If you notice from this Thailand 10 day itinerary, we did not build in much time for relaxing so today was our “relax” day. We chilled on the beach and in our private pool, ordered drinks, and just spent time in the sun.

Day 8 – Koh Yao Noi/Phuket

We took a private long boat tour in the morning. This tour took us to one of the nearby national parks (Hong Island) and got to spend time on the water. It was a beautiful tour.

After this we took the speedboat back to Phuket and checked into the JW Marriott Phuket. This hotel stay was (once again) free thanks to Marriott points. You can check out the credit card for yourself here.

Day 9 – Phuket/Bangkok

The reason we did this one day in Phuket was due to the requirements from the Thai government about getting a second COVID PCR test. There were no government facilities in Koh Yao Noi so we went to Phuket. If this was not a requirement, we would not have come to Phuket. Instead we would have just extended our time on Koh Yao Noi/visited Phi Phi Island, etc. However, it was another nice and relaxing day and we were able to get late checkout at the hotel.

In the evening, we flew to Bangkok on a local airline. Then we grabbed our bags to begin the flight home.

Day 10 – Bangkok, Travel Home

Our flight actually departed at 1am Bangkok time and we arrived back home in Portland at around 10am PT. This allowed us to relax and pick up Dex from boarding before heading back to work the next day.

Thailand 10 Day Itinerary – Things We Would Change

This itinerary was structured around having to fit the COVID requirements from the Thai government. If those were not in place, we would not have spent the first night in Bangkok or the time in Phuket. Also since Austin is still in medical training, this was the maximum amount of time we could be away. If you have more time, definitely take it. Add in another city or spend more time in each spot so it does not feel so jam packed. However, this Thailand 10 day itinerary was perfect for us.

Helpful Tips

If this is your first time visiting Thailand, here are a few tips to think about when planning your trip:

• The prices of things can vary drastically. A small/local hotel can be very inexpensive. But a more western/large chain hotel with air conditioning can be $100-$1500/night.
• Food prices were much more expensive at the hotel/resort. While this is not surprising, it is something to consider for budgeting.
• There are 7/11 convenience stores basically everywhere if you need a snack/etc.
• The conversion rate is very favorable for US travelers.
• If you are visiting a temple, make sure to dress modestly – shoulders and knees covered.

Thailand 10 Day Itinerary FAQs

1. Is 10 Days Enough to Visit Thailand?

While 10 days in Thailand isn’t enough to explore the entire country, it is enough time to visit place likes Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Ko Samui.

Moreover, If you’re more of a foodie, consider doing a side trip to Phuket for a culinary escapade.

2. How Many Days Are Ideal for Thailand?

For a perfect Thailand getaway, try to aim for at least around 10 days. This way you can visit iconic places like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui/Phuket, for a well-rounded experience.

3. How Much Money Should I take to Thailand for 10 days?

If you want to spend 10 days in Thailand then plan to spend between $50 and $85 per day (per person) for hotels, meals, and activities.

However, do adjust this figure based on your style and how luxurious you want your hotels and experiences to be.

4. How Much is a Taxi from Bangkok to Pattaya?

If you are trying to get from Bangkok to Pattaya by taxi then expect to pay 1500 baht ($43.00) from central Bangkok and 1110 baht ($31.88) from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

5. Is It Worth Going to Chiang Mai?

Absolutely yes! Chiang Mai is worth a visit so that you can sample amazing food, visit mountain temples, go trekking through the jungle, and visit one of the area’s amazing elephant sanctuaries.

6. Is $1000 Enough for a Week in Thailand?

Yes, you can easily live off of $1000 during a week in Thailand. However, it depends on the type of hotels you are staying at, where you are eating, and the type of activities you are enjoying.

So, expect to spend around $77.00 per day if you are traveling on a mid-range budget. Do this and you can stay at hotels that are around $40.00 per night, eat street food/at restaurants, and do several group tours.

Thailand 10 Day Itinerary

Have you ever visited Thailand? I would love to hear where you went and what you thought of your experience. Let me know in the comments.

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