10 Daysmulti-regionFrom $450-650

10 Days North to South: The Ultimate Thailand Tour

The ultimate Thailand experience in 10 days, covering the entire country from north to south. Start in the mountain temples of Chiang Mai, explore the Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, discover Bangkok's electric energy, and end on the tropical beaches of Krabi. This is Thailand at its finest.

Overview

Days

Cities

$450-650

Min Budget

Highlights

Trip Highlights

Doi Suthep

White Temple

Golden Triangle

Grand Palace

Chatuchak Market

Phi Phi Islands

Railay Beach

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Arrive in Chiang Mai & Old City

chiang-mai

Activities

Wat Phra Singh

40 ($1.20)1 hour

Chiang Mai's most revered temple with stunning Lanna murals in the Lai Kham chapel.

Wat Chedi Luang

40 ($1.20)1 hour

14th-century ruined chedi. Join the free Monk Chat program (9AM-12PM daily).

Old City Exploration by Bicycle

50-100 ($1.50-3) bike rental2 hours

The compact Old City within the moat is perfect for cycling. Discover hidden temples and local life.

Night Market

Free entry2-3 hours

Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen) is the best. Saturday Night Market on Wualai Road. Daily Night Bazaar on Chang Klan.

Meals

Breakfast

Khao Soi Khun Yai for northern curry noodles (50-80 baht)

Lunch

SP Chicken for the best grilled chicken in Chiang Mai (60-100 baht)

Dinner

Night market street food - Sai Ua, Khao Kha Moo, mango sticky rice (100-200 baht)

Where to Stay

Boutique hotel in Old City or Nimman (1,200-2,500/night)

Taxi from airport: 150-200 baht. Red songthaew around city: 30-50 baht.

Doi Suthep & Cooking Class

chiang-mai

Activities

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

30 + transport 100-1502-3 hours

306 steps up or funicular (50 baht). Go early for clear views. The golden chedi is spectacular.

Thai Cooking Class

900-1,500 ($27-45)4-5 hours

Learn pad thai, green curry, tom yum, and more. Thai Farm Cooking School and Mama Noi are top-rated.

Nimman Road Evening

Free (food/drinks extra)2 hours

Hip cafes, art galleries, and craft beer bars. Great coffee at Ristr8to or Akha Ama.

Meals

Breakfast

Coffee and pastries at Ristr8to (100-200 baht)

Lunch

Cooking class lunch - eat your creations (included)

Dinner

Huen Phen for Lanna cuisine (150-350 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Nimman area (1,200-2,500/night)

Songthaew to Doi Suthep: 50-80 baht/person.

Elephant Sanctuary & Travel to Chiang Rai

chiang-rai

Activities

Elephant Nature Park (Half Day)

2,500-3,500 ($75-105)4-5 hours

Morning half-day at the ethical sanctuary. Feed, bathe, and walk with rescued elephants. Book in advance!

Afternoon Bus to Chiang Rai

200-350 ($6-10)3-4 hours

Green Bus from Arcade Terminal. Scenic mountain road journey.

Chiang Rai Night Bazaar

Free entry2 hours

Intimate night market with hill tribe crafts and nightly live music performances.

Meals

Breakfast

Hotel breakfast (early pickup for elephants)

Lunch

Lunch at Elephant Nature Park or grab food before bus

Dinner

Night Bazaar food stalls (80-150 baht)

Where to Stay

Le Meridien Chiang Rai (1,500-3,000/night)

Elephant sanctuary: pickup included. Bus to Chiang Rai: 200-350 baht (3-4 hours).

White Temple, Golden Triangle & Black House

chiang-rai

Activities

Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

100 ($3)1.5 hours

Contemporary art masterpiece in gleaming white. Arrive early for fewer crowds. No photos inside the main hall.

Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)

Free45 minutes

Stunning blue interior. Less crowded than the White Temple.

Golden Triangle

Free (boat 400, museum 200)2 hours

Where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Take a boat to a Laotian island. Visit the Opium Museum.

Baan Dam (Black House)

80 ($2.40)1 hour

Dark art museum with 40 black buildings by artist Thawan Duchanee.

Meals

Breakfast

Hotel breakfast (50-100 baht)

Lunch

Local restaurant near Golden Triangle (100-250 baht)

Dinner

Chivit Thamma Da riverside bistro (200-500 baht)

Where to Stay

The Riverie by Katathani (1,500-3,000/night)

Hire car/driver for the day: 1,500-2,500 baht. Or group tour: 800-1,200 baht.

Fly to Bangkok & Old City Temples

bangkok

Activities

Morning Flight Chiang Rai to Bangkok

1,500-4,000 ($45-120)1.5 hours

Direct flights on AirAsia and Nok Air from Chiang Rai's Mae Fah Luang Airport.

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

500 ($15)2-3 hours

Thailand's most sacred site. The Emerald Buddha is here. Strict dress code.

Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)

200 ($6)1.5 hours

46-meter Reclining Buddha. Get a Thai massage at the temple school.

Chinatown Street Food

200-500 ($6-15)2-3 hours

Yaowarat Road after dark for grilled seafood, dim sum, and local delicacies.

Meals

Breakfast

Airport breakfast or hotel in Chiang Rai

Lunch

Pad Thai at Thipsamai (60-100 baht)

Dinner

Chinatown food crawl (200-500 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Banglamphu (1,500-3,000/night)

Flight Chiang Rai to Bangkok: 1,500-4,000 baht. Airport Rail Link + BTS to hotel.

Bangkok Markets & Culture

bangkok

Activities

Chatuchak Weekend Market

Free entry3-4 hours

15,000+ stalls. Best on weekends. Or Tor Kor Market next door for food.

Wat Arun

100 ($3)1 hour

Cross the river for Bangkok's Temple of Dawn. Climb the prang for views.

Jim Thompson House

200 ($6)1 hour

Silk merchant's traditional Thai house museum. Guided tours every 20 minutes.

Rooftop Bar Sunset

300-800 ($9-24) per drink2 hours

Sky Bar at Lebua or Vertigo at Banyan Tree for spectacular Bangkok skyline views.

Meals

Breakfast

Chatuchak food stalls - coconut pancakes and Thai tea (60-100 baht)

Lunch

Som Tam and grilled chicken at the market (80-150 baht)

Dinner

Somboon Seafood for curry crab (800-1,200 baht for two)

Where to Stay

Hotel near Siam (1,500-3,500/night)

BTS all day. Day pass: 140 baht. Ferry for Wat Arun: 4 baht.

Bangkok Experiences & Fly to Krabi

krabi

Activities

Morning Thai Massage

300-600 ($9-18)1.5 hours

Health Land chain for quality mid-range massage. Or Wat Pho school for the most authentic.

Afternoon Flight to Krabi

1,500-4,000 ($45-120)1.25 hours

Multiple daily flights. Book AirAsia or Nok Air for best prices. Krabi airport is 30 min from Ao Nang.

Ao Nang Beach Sunset

Free2 hours

Arrive and head straight to the beach for your first Andaman sunset. Limestone karsts glow golden.

Meals

Breakfast

Hotel breakfast or Terminal 21 food court (35-80 baht)

Lunch

Airport or in-flight (100-300 baht)

Dinner

Seafood at Ao Nang beachfront (200-500 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Ao Nang (1,500-3,500/night)

Flight Bangkok to Krabi: 1,500-4,000 baht (1.25 hours). Airport taxi to Ao Nang: 500-700 baht.

Railay Beach & Rock Climbing

krabi

Activities

Longtail Boat to Railay

200 ($6) return15 minutes

Only accessible by boat. Among the world's most beautiful beaches.

Phra Nang Cave Beach

Free3 hours

Walk from Railay West to Phra Nang for the most spectacular limestone cliff scenery.

Rock Climbing or Kayaking

1,000-2,500 ($30-75)3 hours

World-class climbing on limestone karsts. Beginner courses available with all equipment.

Railay Viewpoint Hike

Free1.5 hours

Steep jungle hike to a lagoon and panoramic viewpoint. Bring proper shoes.

Meals

Breakfast

Ao Nang cafe breakfast (80-200 baht)

Lunch

Railay beach restaurant - Thai food with sea views (150-300 baht)

Dinner

The Grotto at Railay or back in Ao Nang (300-700 baht)

Where to Stay

Railay Village Resort or Ao Nang hotel (2,000-4,000/night)

Longtail boat Ao Nang to Railay: 100-200 baht each way.

Four Islands Tour

krabi

Activities

Four Islands Tour

800-1,800 ($24-54)7-8 hours

Visit Koh Tup (sandbar), Koh Mor, Koh Poda, and Phra Nang Cave Beach. Longtail boat is the classic way.

Snorkeling at Koh Poda

IncludedIncluded

Excellent coral and tropical fish. Equipment usually included in tour.

Walking the Sandbar

IncludedIncluded

At low tide, walk between Koh Tup and Koh Mor on an exposed sandbar. Magical!

Meals

Breakfast

Hotel breakfast before tour

Lunch

Beach picnic on Koh Poda (usually included)

Dinner

Gecko Cabane for Thai-French fusion (300-600 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Ao Nang (1,500-3,500/night)

Tour includes pickup. Boats depart from Ao Nang beach.

Tiger Cave, Emerald Pool & Farewell

krabi

Activities

Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)

Free2 hours

1,237 steps to the summit. Start early (7 AM) to beat the heat. Golden Buddha and 360-degree views at the top.

Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot)

200 ($6)1.5 hours

Swim in a crystal clear emerald natural pool in the rainforest. Also visit the Blue Pool.

Klong Thom Hot Springs

200 ($6)1 hour

Natural 40-42 degree hot springs in the jungle. The perfect relaxing end to your trip.

Farewell Sunset

Free1 hour

One last sunset at Ao Nang before heading to the airport.

Meals

Breakfast

Early breakfast before Tiger Cave (6-7 AM)

Lunch

Local restaurant near Emerald Pool (80-200 baht)

Dinner

Farewell dinner at Lae Lay Grill with panoramic views (400-800 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Ao Nang (1,500-3,500/night)

Hire taxi for day trip: 1,500-2,000 baht. Krabi airport taxi: 500-700 baht.

Transport Between Cities

chiang-maichiang-rai

bus

3-4 hours

200-350

taxi

3 hours

2,500-3,500

chiang-raibangkok

flight

1.5 hours

1,500-4,000

bus

10-12 hours

500-800

bangkokkrabi

flight

1.25 hours

1,500-4,000

bus

11-13 hours

500-900

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Packing Tips

Warm layers for northern mountains (Nov-Feb evenings)

Light beach clothing

Swimsuit and rash guard

Temple-appropriate clothing

Comfortable walking shoes

Hiking shoes for Tiger Cave

Reef-safe sunscreen

Insect repellent

Waterproof phone case

Dry bag

Rain jacket

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does 10 days in Thailand cost?

A 10-day trip to Thailand costs approximately $450-650 on a budget, $1,100-1,700 for mid-range travel, and $2,800-5,000 for a luxury experience. This includes accommodation, food, transport, and activities.

What is the best time to visit multi-region Thailand?

The best time to visit multi-region Thailand is November to February. This period offers the most favorable weather and fewer crowds.

Is 10 days enough for Thailand?

Yes, 10 days is plenty of time for a comprehensive Thailand experience. This itinerary covers chiang-mai, chiang-rai, bangkok, krabi with a well-planned day-by-day schedule.