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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Thailand holiday planning / itinerary

6 replies

SkiTurtle · 02/10/2025 19:33

DH and I are planning a trip to Thailand in February for 14 to 16 days. We've mainly travelled in Europe and the US so this is a totally new experience for us.
I'm not sure whether we should do a guided package tour or arrange stuff ourselves which seems a bit daunting. We would like to start in Bangkok, end with a few relaxing beach days, and have plenty of sightseeing in between.
I'm looking for any tips or recommendations on what we should include, or any travel companies that fit the bill.

OP posts:
Curlybrunette · 02/10/2025 20:40

Hi, we’re planning Thailand next September (I keep reading it’s a bad time to go as it’s rainy season and I’m completely ignoring that 🤣🙈☔️)

The itinerary I’ve seen is 3 nights in Bangkok, fly to Krabi, 3 nights in Krabi, 2/3 nights at an (ethical) elephant sanctuary, 3 nights Khao Lak.

This looked good as I thought we’d be really busy all the way until Khao Lak and then could chill before coming home.

I’ve never been so all my research is from the internet.

I found the itinery online and have given it to my sister to package as she’s a travel agent. I am happy to book things myself but for big trips I like the security of a travel agent. I don’t think
its worked out any more expensive booking a package for this trip.

For the flights, all transfers and 5* B&Bs plus the sanctuary stay it’s £2019pp.

JDM625 · 02/10/2025 21:13

I've been to Thailand multiple times, but admittedly, the last time was pre covid. There are several airlines which fly internally, so easy enough to book your own flights. I can understand as 1st time visitors you might want the support of a travel agent or tour though. Booking hotels and flights from there used to be incredibly easy, with local travel agents on every corner. Also day trips etc are easy to organise there.

If you weren't going in Feb, I'd have suggested Bangkok, Chiang Mai and an island. Feb is the start of the burning season in the north so best avoided due to the smoke and smog. Anything specific you want to do? Do you snorkel/scuba dive, trek, foodies, rock climb, sun bake each day? I don't know anything about booked tours there I'm afraid. You have enough time to spend a decent time in each place- rather than packing and moving every few days. If you were into it, there are eco elephant sanctuaries, waterfalls, cooking classes etc which would be day trips but staying a the same base hotel.

Depending on your interests, you could fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Few days there, then the ferry to Koh Phangan. Its well know for their full moon parties, but there are much quieter parts of the island which are lovely.

Another option would be Bangkok to Krabi. Few days there, then ferry to Koh Phi Phi. I was last there pre the tsunami, so I'm sure alot has changed. From Phi Phi, you could return to Krabi, or get the ferry across the bay to Phuket. If you do go to Phuket, do not stay in Patong! There are much nicer quieter places down the coast. Kata, Karon or further south. Phuket does have an international airport, so its possible you could fly back from there, rather than going via Bangkok. I'm sure others will have better suggestions if they've been more recently than me.

vincettenoir · 02/10/2025 21:23

I wouldn’t try to do too much. Maybe Chang Mai, an island such as Ko Pi Pi and back to Bangkok sounds good.

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 02/10/2025 21:54

We did Bangkok chiang mai then koh Chang a couple of Easter’s ago with pre teens. My DH booked it all.

SkiTurtle · 02/10/2025 22:37

Thank you for all your replies. It's given me somethings to think about.

@Curlybrunette I've looked at a few itineraries online and yours sounds similar to what I'd like to do and about the same price that I was expecting.

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onwards2025 · 02/10/2025 22:46

We went same time of year and weather was perfect - definitely recommend chiang mai, it's a great mix with Bangkok and then a beach further south. Elephant experiences out of chiang mai too and super easy local airport. You can fly back out from the south too after the beach without needing to go back up to Bangkok.

I would go with mix of booking flights and hotel with transfers and then sort rest yourselves - mostly all done via WhatsApp with local providers

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