3-week itinerary for a family holiday in Thailand

For this edition of our Itinerary Ideas series, the focus is on family holidays. The school summer holidays are the ideal opportunity to spend an extended time exploring Thailand. The period from June to August corresponds with the low season for much of Thailand which means you can often find good deals on accommodation and internal flights. This suggested 3-week itinerary balances city adventures, cultural experiences, beach relaxation, and nature exploration. 

For a three-week summer holiday in Thailand, we suggest an itinerary that looks similar to this:

• 2 days in Bangkok on arrival
• 8 days in Chiang Mai and North Thailand
• 9 days in Southern Thailand (Gulf Coast)
• 1 or 2 days in Bangkok to finish

This itinerary will give you and your family a taste of the different regions without rushing around too much. If you can only get away for a fortnight, you could adapt this for a two-week holiday by spending five or six days in the North, a similar amount of time in the South and a few days in Bangkok.

Bangkok

Bangkok can be overwhelming for first-time visitors, especially when you’re tired from a long flight. With this itinerary, we suggest having a few days in the Thai capital at the start of your holiday to shake off the worst of any jet lag and another couple of days at the end of your trip. On a family holiday, consider staying in accommodation close to the river or the historic Rattanakosin area of the city. 

For travellers of all ages, it can take time to adapt to the heat and humidity so try not to overdo things in the first few days. Doing some sightseeing on the river boats or taking a longtail boat tour of the canals is a pleasant way to ease into your Thailand adventure. You can also enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of locations like IconSiam during the day and take a tuk-tuk tour of the city or join a food tour of Chinatown in the evening when it’s cooler. 

Take advantage of the modern, air-conditioned BTS Skytrain and MRT Metro to visit any of Bangkok’s parks. One of the best for people of all ages is the wonderful Benjakiti Forest Park which links up via a walkway with Lumpini Park. Lumpini is famous for its water monitor lizards. Children often describe these amazing creatures as ‘mini-dinosaurs’ and they can be spotted in areas with lakes including Lumpini Park and Saranrom Park (opposite Wat Pho) Bangkok is full of family-friendly attractions and activities. Visit the excellent Siam Discovery Museum, take a bike ride to explore quieter areas of the capital, or embark on a fun detective game and see another side to Bangkok.

One thing that enchants children of all ages, is the different ways to get around Bangkok. Hop on a river taxi to check out the many floating markets (don’t miss the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat) and take a cycle rickshaw to some of the temples. Wat Pho (famous for its reclining golden Buddha) is always a big hit with kids, hop on a tuk-tuk to visit the Grand Palace or glide down the Chao Phraya River on a longtail boat.

Caroline Dolby-Bingham, Thailand travel expert for family adventure specialists, Stubborn Mule Travel. 

Bangkok to Chiang Mai

With Chiang Mai a one-hour flight away from Bangkok, it’s a convenient option to fly. For something more adventurous, consider taking the overnight sleeper train. The sleeper trains in Thailand are a fun way to travel and are something that all travellers should try at least once. 

Although there are plenty of locations to choose from in North Thailand, basing yourself in the city of Chiang Mai is the best option for most families. The capital of the north is full of great value accommodation and packed with things to do for all ages. Family-friendly activities include:

• Bamboo rafting
• Cooking school
• Ethical elephant experience
• Elephant poo poo paper park
• Huay Teung Thao Lake
• River boat cruise
• Samlor tour
• Tuk-tuk tour

Chiang Mai itinerary
25 of the best things to see and do in Chiang Mai

From Chiang Mai,  take the comfortable bus service (operated by the Green Bus company) across to Chiang Rai and spend a day or two exploring here before returning to Chiang Mai. An alternative option would be to visit Chiang Rai on a day tour.

Another recommended excursion from Chiang Mai is to take the local train to Lampang and spend a night in this laidback riverside town before returning to Chiang Mai the following day. 

Chiang Mai to the Gulf Coast

From Chiang Mai, you can fly directly to either Hua Hin or Surat Thani to begin your adventures on Thailand’s Gulf Coast.

Gulf Coast weather June to August
Monsoon weather patterns impact Thailand’s coastal areas at different times of the year. This means that while the Andaman Coast can see a lot of rain between June and August, the opposite Gulf Coast sees more settled weather with plenty of sunshine and clear skies making it a good option for this summer holiday itinerary.
July in Thailand
August in Thailand

If you opt to fly to Surat Thani, travel inland and spend at least a night or two in the magnificent Khao Sok National Park. Accommodation options here include the award-winning Elephant Hills and Anurak Community Lodge. They are both at the forefront of responsible travel in Thailand and are an excellent place to stay if you visit Khao Sok.

After soaking up the wonders of Khao Sok, travel to the coast for some beach time. For somewhere off the tourist radar, stay on the mainland and enjoy the quiet charms of Khanom. Alternatively, take the ferry across to Ko Samui. The island of Ko Samui is more developed compared to Khanom and sees more tourists which also means a wider choice of accommodation options and more to do for youngsters.

An alternative route from Chiang Mai would be to fly to Hua Hin (Air Asia runs direct flights between Chiang Mai and Hua Hin) and spend three or four days there. Hua Hin is an international resort town where you’ll find waterparks and lots to do for children. 

From Hua Hin, you could take the train down to the lovely coastal town of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Hire bicycles to explore the quiet roads and see the monkeys at Khao Chong Krachok. Another option would be to continue by train to Chumphon and explore this understated area of Thailand.

Depending on where you decide to travel to, you can either take the train back to Bangkok (from Chumphon, Hua Hin or Surat Thani or Hua Hin) or fly back to the Thai capital (from Chumphon, Ko Samui or Surat Thani).

16 of the best things to see and do in Hua Hin
6 of the best day trips from Hua Hin
7 of the best things to see and do in Chumphon

Practical tips for a family holiday in Thailand

• Can I book an all-inclusive holiday to Thailand?
• What to pack for your Thailand trip
• 9 of the best ways to beat the heat in Thailand
• Handy apps for your Thailand trip
• Advice for first-time visitors to Thailand
• Booking domestic travel in Thailand
• Why Thailand is ideal for a family holiday
• Visiting Thailand in July
• Visiting Thailand in August

Itinerary Ideas
This article is part of our Itinerary Ideas series. These particular itineraries are for anybody, but may appeal more to repeat visitors to Thailand looking to explore different destinations on their next trip or anyone seeking meaningful travel experiences. If you’re a first-time visitor to Thailand or looking for more ideas of where to go and what to do, check out these articles too:
2-week Thailand itinerary
3-week Thailand itinerary
4-week Thailand itinerary

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