I have 2 weeks in Thailand; should I visit the north too or just explore Bangkok and then head south? [closed]
![I have 2 weeks in Thailand; should I visit the north too or just explore Bangkok and then head south? [closed] - From above closeup of fearful brown termites with ribbed shells and long antennae exploring shabby surface in zoological garden](/assets/images/i_have_2_weeks_in_thailand_should_i_visit_the_north_too_or_just_explore_bangkok_and_then_head_south_closed_0.jpeg "I have 2 weeks in Thailand; should I visit the north too or just explore Bangkok and then head south? [closed] - From above closeup of fearful brown termites with ribbed shells and long antennae exploring shabby surface in zoological garden")
I am backpacking Thailand in the first two weeks of February. This is my first time out of Europe but have traveled a decent amount throughout the old continent. So far I've come up with two itineraries:
Plan A: Bangkok [3 days] -> Chiang Mai [5 days] -> Krabi [6 days]
Plan B: Bangkok [5 days] -> Krabi [9 days]
I am leaning towards the Plan A but am worried I've cramped too much in two weeks. On the other hand I would like to see the less touristy north part of the country and I've read that a few days in Bangkok is enough.
My plan for the whole stay is really to just roam around and go see the interesting places along the path together with all the must-sees (as far as time permits). I guess I am more of an adventurer and have made up my mind to rent a bike for a couple of days (both in south and north, IF I'll go there) and go see the rural parts on my own. Finally, I am not targeting what the experience should be like but rather experience it the way it unfolds naturally.
Which plan should I take?
Best Answer
Personally since you have limited time, I would blow off Bangkok all together and add those days to your Chiang Mai and Krabi stops. While Bangkok is different than say Frankfurt, it is still another big city like every other big city.
Chiang Mai is also a fairly big city, but has a small town feel to it when you are in the historical center. And armed with a bike (be it pedal or motor) it is easy to slip out of town on small roads to explore the countryside. Chiang Mai itself has a lot of neighborhoods to explore, temples, museums and cafes to check out.
For your Krabi stay are you thinking about staying in Krabi town (away from the beach) or are you pondering being at the beach in a place like Ao Nang? If at the beach, you may find your time too long, as Ao Nong and such are touristy beach towns. You can get some boat trips to places like Koh Phi Phi, but you can also get away by bike to explore the back roads through the Karst hills.
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![I have 2 weeks in Thailand; should I visit the north too or just explore Bangkok and then head south? [closed] - Closeup of fearful brown pismires with black antennae and paws crawling on uneven surface in zoological garden in daylight](/assets/images/i_have_2_weeks_in_thailand_should_i_visit_the_north_too_or_just_explore_bangkok_and_then_head_south_closed_1.jpeg "I have 2 weeks in Thailand; should I visit the north too or just explore Bangkok and then head south? [closed] - Closeup of fearful brown pismires with black antennae and paws crawling on uneven surface in zoological garden in daylight")
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Where should I go in Thailand for 2 weeks?
2 weeks in Thailand: Itinerary for first-time visitors- Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai.
- Ang Thong National Marine Park, near Ko Samui.
- A longtail boat on the Chao Phraya River near Wat Arun, Bangkok.
- Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai province.
- Railay Beach, Krabi.
- Street food in Bangkok's Chinatown district. ...
- Nai Yang Beach, Phuket.
What is the best itinerary for Thailand?
A Two-Week Travel Itinerary to Thailand- Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok and go shopping.
- Day 2: Visit Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and Wat Phra Kaew before dinner in Chinatown.
- Day 3: Fly to Phuket, swim at Freedom Beach, and go out on Bangla Road.
- Day 4: Head to Koh Phi Phi and head to the viewpoints.
How long do you need in Northern Thailand?
Two weeks is a great amount of time to explore Northern Thailand as long as you have the time. While Thailand may be known for its beaches, the jungles and smaller northern cities are definitely worth your time, too. Not to mention the amazing food on offer in this part of the country.Is South or North Thailand better?
Therefore, if you're on a budget, the north might be the better place to visit. Southern Thailand costs nearly double as much as northern Thailand, from the food to the accommodation. Even the major cities like Chiang Mai are much cheaper than most cities in the south of Thailand.THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDE - 2 Weeks in Paradise!
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Jimmy Chan, Jimmy Chan, Jimmy Chan, Nikita Belokhonov