Itinerary Ideas: Thailand for older travellers

Respect for the older generation is ingrained in Thai culture, and it’s one of the many reasons that make Thailand such a welcoming destination for older travellers. With excellent infrastructure, world-class hospitality and diverse destinations, Thailand ticks all the boxes for an unforgettable holiday.

Although being older doesn’t mean we’ve lost our sense of adventure, there are things to consider for mature travellers in Thailand. In particular, the heat and humidity can be tiring, and should be factored in when you plan where to go and what time of year to visit. For this edition of our Itinerary Ideas series, we’ve compiled an itinerary for senior travellers that combines city, nature and beach. We suggest a minimum of two weeks for this holiday, but it can easily be adapted if you’d like to stay for three weeks or more.

Bangkok: 2/3 days
Chiang Mai: 5/6 days
Khao Lak: 5/6 days

Best time to visit Thailand
Although any month can be a good month to travel to Thailand, we suggest visiting between November and February for this itinerary. These are the cool season months when the Thai weather is at its most comfortable. This makes it an ideal time to explore cities and relax at the beach with warm temperatures and low humidity.

Bangkok

To allow yourself to ease into your holiday, consider staying at one of Bangkok’s quality riverside hotels. Take it easy and acclimatise while enjoying the river views and a more tranquil introduction to the Thai capital. If you stay near the Chao Phraya River, you can take advantage of the cooler morning weather to take a boat trip and visit attractions like the Grand Palace or Wat Arun. An evening cruise on an elegant teakwood boat is also a relaxing way to end the day in Bangkok.

When the day is at its hottest, retreat to the comfort of your hotel or find shade to eat food and relax with a fruit smoothie or fresh coconut. Enjoy street food for lunch in the air-conditioned comfort of IconSiam or indulge in affordable luxury with a refined afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental. Alternatively, take a bus tour where you can stay cool and enjoy a fine dining experience while seeing many of the city’s main highlights. In the evening, try a guided food tour or visit a rooftop bar with views over the river, like the ThreeSixty Jazz Lounge and Rooftop Bar at the Millennium Hilton Hotel.

While there is so much to see and do in Bangkok, try not to overdo it at the start or end of your trip. This is solid advice, regardless of age. Take a look at the articles below for more Bangkok travel ideas:

• 2 days in Bangkok: What to see and do in 48 hours
• 6 of the best areas to stay in Bangkok
• Best way to travel around Bangkok
• 15 of the best museums and art galleries in Bangkok
• 30 of the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok

Chiang Mai

While many travellers choose to begin their holiday in Bangkok, there are advantages to heading straight to Chiang Mai when you arrive in Thailand. With regular domestic flights from Suvarnabhumi, the journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai only takes an hour. And with Chiang Mai Airport located near the city, you can be at your hotel within half an hour of landing.

Compared to Bangkok, starting in Chiang Mai offers a gentler introduction to Thailand. The city’s slower pace, rich cultural heritage, and scenic surroundings provide a relaxing contrast to the buzz of Bangkok. Spending time in North Thailand at the start of your trip allows you to ease into your holiday before heading south for a beach break. You can then finish off your holiday with two or three days in Bangkok. Whichever option you choose, Chiang Mai is a great option for mature travellers. 

The Old City area is home to many of Chiang Mai’s most famous temples, and the lack of traffic makes this historic area relatively easy to explore on foot. It’s also the location for the fabulous Sunday Walking Street Market. For a personal touch, stay at one of the Old City’s excellent boutique hotels, like Tamarind Village or U Chiang Mai. 

As an alternative to the Old City, the riverside area puts you close to the Ping River and the Night Bazaar with a choice of superb hotels such as Anantara, 137 Pillars House and Shangri-La. Another option would be to stay in the trendy Nimmanhaemin area in the west of the city. This area is filled with boutique shops, restaurants and cute cafes, and has a wide range of accommodation options. 

As with Bangkok, there is much to see and do in Chiang Mai. Taking a samlor tour is a wonderful introduction to the city and a great way to support responsible travel. A leisurely boat cruise along the Ping River takes you out into the countryside and is a pleasant way to while away a few hours. Outside the city, the temple at Doi Duthep is a cultural highlight, and if you can’t manage the stairs, there is a funicular railway to take you to the top.

Located outside the city, enjoy the flower gardens at the Royal Park Rajapruek or the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden. Both locations have a tram service that takes you around the grounds.  In the southwest corner of the Old City, stroll around the small but attractive Nong Buak Haad public park. This is a lovely spot at any time of the year, but the floral displays are at their best during and after the annual Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February.

Chiang Mai is a hub for wellness, and you shouldn’t leave without trying a foot massage to revive weary limbs or indulging in a luxury pampering session at Fah Lanna or Oasis Spa. Check out our articles here for more advice on what to see and do in Chiang Mai:

• 4 days in Chiang Mai: Itinerary for first-time visitors
• 25 of the best things to see and do in Chiang Mai
• 9 must-try Northern Thai dishes
• Thai wisdom and wellness at Baan Rai Kong Khing

Khao Lak

From Chiang Mai, fly direct to Phuket. From Phuket Airport, it’s a comfortable 90-minute taxi transfer to Khao Lak. We suggest Khao Lak for this itinerary because it’s on the mainland and saves the need to clamber in and out of longtail boats and speedboats. Khao Lak lacks the bustle of Phuket, and with a selection of attractive beaches, flat terrain, and a variety of accommodation options, is an excellent choice for couples and older travellers.

The Khao Lak coastline stretches for nearly 20 miles, and choosing where to stay can be a little confusing at first. While there is a small beach called Khao Lak, the name is generally used in guidebooks and by travel agents to describe a wider area made up of several beaches and small towns.

At the heart of the region is Nang Thong Beach, the most popular and developed part of Khao Lak. Here you’ll find the widest selection of accommodation, restaurants, and shops, making it a convenient base. Just north lies Bang Niang, another appealing area. In addition to its beach, Bang Niang is home to a lively night market and a small bus station, giving it a slightly more local atmosphere. Continue further north, and the pace slows again at the peaceful sands of Khuk Kaak Beach. Quieter and more secluded, this stretch is ideal for couples or those seeking relaxation. 

Wherever you choose to stay in Khao Lak, try visiting some of the excellent Michelin-recommended local restaurants. For day trips, the nearby Khao Sok National Park is always a highlight, as is a cruise of Phang Nga Bay. To enjoy a taste of local culture, visit the Old Town area of Takua Pa and Little Amazon. 

• 12 of the best things to see and do in Khao Lak
• Responsible Thailand Awards: The Sarojin, Khao Lak
• Khao Sok National Park

Advice for older travellers

Try not to schedule sightseeing during the hottest part of the day and instead use the time at midday and early afternoon for indoor activities or to rest in the shade. For travellers of all ages, it’s important to keep hydrated and a good idea to carry a small bottle of water with you. When you’re out and about, stop regularly for refreshments and don’t try to do too much in one day. Pocket umbrellas with UV protection are a cheap and easy solution to shade yourself from the sun. Pavements in Thailand are often uneven, so opt for comfortable shoes or trainers with some grip instead of flip-flops.

For more comfort and to allow yourself to go at your own pace, consider booking private tours instead of group tours. On a similar theme, using local transport and tuk-tuks can be fun, but they are not always practical if you have mobility issues. Taxis or hotel-arranged cars can be a better option.

Travel insurance is essential for all travellers, and if you travel with medications, bring the prescription with you and keep it in your carry-on luggage. If you wear glasses, either bring a spare pair with you or bring a copy of the prescription so you can have a pair made cheaply and quickly while you’re here.

• What to pack for your Thailand trip
• Best ways to avoid jet lag
• Handy apps for your Thailand trip
• Bringing prescribed drugs and medicine into Thailand
• Get the right travel insurance for Thailand
• Thailand travel advice for mature and older visitors

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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