Thailand Travel Itinerary: 8 Days in Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand and want a realistic, honest breakdown of what we did (and what we actually had energy for), this is it. From rooftop bars in Bangkok to elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai and rainy days in Phuket, here’s our 8-day Thailand itinerary with tips, highlights, and lessons learned.
Days 1–2: Bangkok Arrival & Temples
We arrived in Bangkok at 5 AM after nearly 30 hours of travel and checked into Avani+ Riverside Bangkok. The hotel was beautiful, clean, and came with an excellent breakfast (highly recommend).
Jet lag hit hard. We accidentally slept most of Day 1 away, but made up for it that night at Sin Rooftop Bar, which easily had some of the best skyline views in Bangkok. Incredible sushi, great cocktails, DJ vibes — a perfect first night. Later, we headed out to Bafros, an Afrobeats club, where we got a section and hookah for under $300 USD. Bangkok nightlife is unmatched.
Day 2 was ambitious and humbling. We planned temples, floating markets, and shopping. What we actually did was visit the Grand Palace, sweat through an insane amount of walking, and realize we weren’t dressed properly. We had to buy cover-ups on the spot — including elephant pants that still make us laugh.
Travel tip: Don’t overschedule your first full day. Jet lag is undefeated.
Day 3: Chiang Mai & Thai Cooking Class
We flew to Chiang Mai mid-day (domestic flights are easy — arrive about an hour early). Luggage weight limits are strict, so weigh everything. After checking into the Chiang Mai Marriott, we took Grandma’s Thai Cooking Class, which was one of the best experiences of the trip. We made: Khao Soi, Pad Thai, Panang Curry, and Mango Sticky Rice. Hotel pickup and drop-off were included, and we left full, happy, and exhausted.
Day 4: Elephants & Self-Care
We started with light shopping and nail appointments at the mall — $60 total for two manicures and pedicures. In the afternoon, we visited an ethical elephant sanctuary for a half-day experience. We fed, played with, and bathed the elephants, followed by lunch. Transportation was included, which made everything seamless. We later planned to hit a night market but fell asleep instead. Again, our exhaustion overpowered our ambitious plans.
Day 5: Birthday & Travel to Phuket
My birthday started with a decorated hotel room, massages, and pool time before flying to Phuket. We landed around 6:30 PM and quickly realized our first hotel wasn’t it. We checked out of the Hyatt Regency and checked into Twin Palms Hotel, which was much better. Room service and an early night followed.
Day 6: Rainy Phuket Day
Rain season ruined our Phi Phi Island plans, so we pivoted and spent time at Phuket Central World Mall. That night, we grabbed drinks at FLYO Rooftop Bar, then checked out Club Sugar Phuket for hip-hop nightlife before calling it a night.
Day 7: Back to Bangkok
We flew back to Bangkok and checked into the Sofitel, wanting to be closer to the city center. We walked along Sukhumvit, popping into what felt like endless malls and luxury stores. Planned to visit Pratunam Market for souvenirs, but heavy rain shut that down. Dinner at the hotel’s Japanese restaurant was a standout — the salmon truffle sushi still lives rent-free in my mind.
Day 8: Departure
On our final day, we had breakfast and stopped by SoHo House Bangkok for departure drinks before beginning our 27-hour journey home.
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t a “see everything” itinerary — it was a real one, jet lag, naps, rain and all. Thailand is vibrant, affordable, and unforgettable but also exhausting if you try to do too much. Build in rest, expect plans to change, and let the trip unfold naturally. Also, it probably is best not to take a gamble with time of year you visit. Definitely avoid monsoon/rain season. It is not worth traveling 30 hours to reach a destination only to have to miss out on a lot of experiences due to rain.
