Last Updated on 06/12/2024

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So you are planning a three week Thailand itinerary? This Thailand travel blog has many great suggestions with different options for figuring out your three weeks in Thailand itinerary. 

Things to think about during your planning stages are:

Activities you want to do 

Destinations and how close they are to each other

The airport you are flying into – likely to be Bangkok or Phuket

Your budget for travel

For the following three week itineraries in Thailand, I have used Bangkok as the route that visitors will likely fly into. If you fly into Phuket or Koh Samui then you can adapt the suggested Thailand 3 week itinerary found below. There are multiple options to play around with until you have found the perfect 3 weeks in Thailand for you and your trip.

Here is a one week in Thailand itinerary or a 14 day Thailand itinerary

Three Week Itinerary Thailand – Adventure

This is one suggested three week Thailand itinerary to suit travellers who love adventure and want to experience a little bit of everything, from cities, to jungles to beaches.

Bangkok – 3 days – go to a rooftop bar, party on Khao San Road, visit Bangkok’s temples and museums, eat at local street food markets, more Bangkok ideas here

Fly or take the night train to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai – 6 days –  adventure place, visit temples, go ziplining, visit elephant sanctuaries, go tubing, visit the ‘Grand Canyon’

Fly down to Krabi

Krabi – 5 days – Explore Krabi province, island hop to Railay, go rock climbing through a bat cave, hang out on the white sand beaches of Koh Hong and climb up to the viewpoint there, spend a morning swimming in the Emerald Lagoon, hike nearby national parks

Ferry or Speedboat from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi – 2 days-  known for its beach parties as well as its dive sites and snorkelling spots

Back to Ao Nang, Krabi and take a minivan to Khao Sok

Khao Sok National Park – 3 days – sleep in a treehouse in Khao Sok National Park in the jungle, sleep on floating bungalows on Cheow Lan lake, kayak and swim in the lake, climb up waterfalls and find monkeys and gibbons

Fly Krabi to Bangkok

3 Week Itinerary for Thailand – Islands and Beaches

Bangkok – 3 days

Fly down to Surat Thani, take the ferry to Koh Samui/Koh Phangan or Koh Tao. For this 3 week Thailand itinerary, Koh Phangan is used. You could split the 6 days between any of the three islands in the Gulf of Thailand

Koh Phangan – 6 days – enjoy beautiful beaches, delicious food, waterfalls, viewpoints and scuba diving Sail Rock – one of Thailand’s best dive sites.

Ferry and minivan to Krabi

Krabi – 5/6 days -spend 5 days exploring Krabi, use Ao Nang as a base and island hop around Krabi, hang out on Railay or stay there for a couple of nights, definitely don’t miss Koh Hong and a day trip to James Bond island or Koh Phi Phi are often popular.

Minivan and ferry/speedboat to Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe – 6 days  this island takes some time to get there so go for a longer stretch if possible. The best snorkelling and scuba diving in Thailand is found here as the coral reefs are healthy and full of fish and marine life. The island has white sand beaches, a chilled beach vibe and the clearest water in Thailand. Here is a full Koh Lipe Guide.

Fly from Hat Yai back to Bangkok (will take one day to travel)

Three Weeks Travelling Thailand – History & Culture

This is 3 weeks in Thailand is best for people who want to learn about history, both ancient and World War 2 history as well as visiting lots of temple and having tours with knowledgeable guides. 

Bangkok – 4 days – spend time visiting museums like Jim Thompson House and the Museum Siam. Take a walking tour of Chareon Krung, Bangkok’s oldest neighbourhoods and a bicycle tour with Ko Van Kessel around Chinatown and across the river to Thonburi. Check out the new Ancient City complex, home to re-imagined temples from Thailand’s history. 

Ayutthaya – 1/2 days – head to the Ancient Capital of Siam, rent bicycles and cycle around ancient temples, consider a boat tour up the river.

Take the train, minivan or own transport

Kanchanaburi – 5 days – learn about Thailand and its part in World War 2. Find out about Prisoners of War and the Romusha, Asian labourers who ended up as slaves during the Japanese occupation. Visit the Memorial Cemetery. Stay on a floating bungalow on the river Kwai, visit museums like the Death Railway and Hellfire Pass Museum. Hike the Hellfire Pass itself, see the River Kwai bridge, take a train journey along the route. Don’t miss the Erawan waterfalls while in this area.

Back to Bangkok and fly or take the night train to Sukhothai

Sukhothai – 3 days – explore more ancient ruins in the temple town of Sukhothai.

Alternatively, spend longer exploring Bangkok and do some day trips, for example to Lopburi province for more ancient temples and sunflower fields.

Take the train or fly up to Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai – 6 days – explore Chiang Mai’s history and temples, take a trip to Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand. Take a day trip or spend a couple of days heading to Chiang Rai to see the famous white temple.

3 week Holiday in Thailand for the Active

This 3 week Thailand itinerary is for those who are really active and would like to cram in as much as action and as many places as possible into their 3 weeks in Thailand with a beach relax at the end.

Bangkok – 2 days

Train or minivan to Hua Hin

Rescue Centre – 2 days – stay at the I Love Phants lodge and see rescue elephants, monkeys, gibbons, bears and support a wonderful organisation. A little bit of the jungle with some luxury!

Night train from Hua Hin to Surat Thani

Khao Sok National Park – 3/4 days – stay in a treehouse and then head to a floating bungalow on the lake

Minivan to Krabi

Ao Nang – 3/4 days – stay as a base and visit Railay, Koh Hong and nearby national parks and the emerald lagoon

Minivan and ferry/speedboat to Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe – 7 days – relax after your busy adventures on the best island in Thailand, white sand beaches, turquoise water and snorkelling and scuba diving

Travel back to Bangkok via Hat Yai airport – takes a day

3 week travel itinerary Thailand : Bangkok as a Base

This is a great 3 week Thailand itinerary for those who would like to use Bangkok as a base and explore from there. There are many great weekend getaways from Bangkok and you can relax in Bangkok in between  other travel destinations.

Bangkok – 3 days

Minivan to Pak Chong near Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park 3 days – spot wild elephants, monkeys, gibbons, eagles and more inside one of the oldest national parks in Thailand. Book a tour with an amazing wildlife guide

Return to Bangkok, minivan to Hua Hin

I Love Phants Rescue Centre – 2/3 days – stay at this animal rescue centre and see rescue elephants while sipping cocktails at the pool

Return to Bangkok. Minivan or train to Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi – 4/5 days – explore World War 2 history, see the amazing Erawan waterfall

Return to Bangkok. Take a minivan and speedboat/ferry to Koh Samet

Koh Samet – 4 days – stay on the closest island to Bangkok and enjoy some beach chill time at Ao Prao white sand beach on Koh Samet.

Backpacking thailand 3 weeks

For three weeks backpacking Thailand, you can definitely use and adapt the above three week Thailand itineraries. The best thing for backpacking is to use night trains and night buses. You can book through 12go Asia. This way you save on accommodation and and night trains and buses are always cheaper than flights in my experience post pandemic.