There are countless ways to holiday in Thailand - luxury resort stays, cheap and cheerful backpacking trips, party-centric island hops and head-clearing yoga retreats to name a few. And if you're going on honeymoon in Thailand, it’s also wise to make room for the highlights, especially if it’s your first time in the country!
Some parts of Thailand are simply too marvellous to miss, so whether your plans revolve around touring temples in Ayutthaya, kicking back on the (relatively!) peaceful Railay beach, or finding the best street food in Chiang Mai, you should set aside time for widely-adored destinations like Ko Samui and Chiang Rai too.
And you’re in luck if Thailand is on the top of your honeymoon wish list! We’ve put together a two-week sample itinerary for you to work from, although we won’t blame you for following it to a tee… actually, we think that would be pretty darn fabulous!
We’ve designed this itinerary for November to March, when average temperatures range from 28°C to 35°C, so you should be able to avoid rainy season showers on most legs of the trip. If you’re travelling outside of these months, you should adjust the itinerary accordingly - unless you want to spend your honeymoon wringing out soggy clothes (you can do that at home!)
It's also important to note that any prices given are rough estimates.
Day 1 - Bangkok
Most international flights land in Bangkok, so this is where you’ll start your Thai adventure! Dive head-first into the culture by visiting a market (Wang Lang, Or Tor Kor or Chatuchak on weekends) for browsing and snacking on local dishes like deep fried pork, rich noodle soups and filled breads. Blow off the dust of your long-haul flight with a traditional Thai massage, but don’t be afraid to ask the masseuse to go easy on you if you’re feeling delicate. Chinatown is your spot for dinner - look for food stalls that appear to be popular with the locals! Budget will dictate where you stay, but there are equally great options for those seeking five-star luxury (The Mandarin Oriental, The Siam, The Waldorf Astoria), boutique and boho alternatives (Shanghai Mansion) and budget accommodation (Lub d Bangkok Silom).
Day 2 - Bangkok
Kick off a day of sightseeing with the iconic Grand Palace and the giant, golden reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Venture north east to see Wat Saket with its gilded stupa and take a boat over the Chao Phraya river to the beautiful and not-too-crowded Wat Arun temple, where it’s worth sticking around to watch the sun set over its distinctive prang or spires. For dinner, take advantage of Bangkok’s exciting fine dining scene with a world class meal in Nahm (Thai), Zuma (Japanese), Sushi Ichi (Japanese), or L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (French), priced from as little as €50 per person. Fancy a drink? Take yourself over to Sukhumvit on the city’s east-side for a spot of barhopping.
Day 3 - Ayutthaya
Travel to Ayutthaya on a guided day trip from Bangkok or hire a taxi and driver for the day. Both options should cost around €60. Here, you’ll drink in the crumbling temples of the one-time Siamese capital, including the impressive pagodas at the Historical Park and the beautiful monastic ruins at Wat Mahathat, where you’ll find a Buddha intertwined in the roots of a tree. Grab lunch at one of the restaurants at Wat Mahathat and don’t leave without trying local favourite Roti Sai Mai, Thailand’s impossibly Instagrammable answer to cotton candy.
Day 4 - Chiang Mai
Fly Bangkok to Chiang Mai. There are dozens of flights daily with various carriers and you should be able to secure a one-way seat for €20 to €60.
Your first stop is the famous Warorot Market, where you can buy just about anything - handcrafted textiles and jewellery, as well as the usual, tourist-friendly fare. It’s worth springing for a food tour to get an insider’s recommendations but it’s also fun to let your stomach guide you - must-eats include spiced lemongrass sausage and jackfruit curry.
Don’t miss the flower and fruit and vegetable markets on the river side - the colours are just incredible! Next, head west to the Old City and get lost down its many charming little laneways.
Chiang Mai has a growing coffee culture so grab a cup on your way to the National Museum or the Lanna Folklife Museum. You’re spoiled for choice with accommodation in Chiang Mai - you’ll find everything from quaint B&Bs (Baan Orapin Heritage B&B) to luxury suites (137 Pillars).
Day 5 - Chiang Mai
Venture outside the city to the stunning working monastery at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and climb the 309 steps for an exquisite panoramic view of the city. Animal attractions aren’t always a good choice in Thailand, but the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary about 40 miles outside the city, is one of the few centres where humans interact with animals in a safe environment. Set up by Chiang Mai locals and hill tribes, it invites visitors to feed bananas to the elephants and watch them wash off in the river.
On your way back into the city, stop off to admire the Silver Temple, featuring the highly-skilled silverwork of local craftsmen.
Day 6 - Chiang Rai
Travelling to Chiang Rai by private car or taxi costs around €30 to €40, and it’s really worth spending a bit extra for a driver who will accompany you on a few stops. Start by visiting the idyllic mountain village of Doi Pui, north of Chiang Mai, where you’ll see in locals in traditional dress and can treat yourself to some beautiful and truly unique Hmong crafts. Another worthwhile stop is the temple at Doi Saket with its enormous gold Buddha statue.
Day 7 - Chiang Rai
Take a break from history with the otherworldly white temple at Wat Rong Khun, the work of local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat which dates from 1997, then hire a driver to take you up into the mountains to Doi Mae Salong, a Chinese village with great views and serious charm.
Head back for dinner at Chiang Rai’s night market, where you can sample exotic delicacies like fried grasshoppers, silkworms and beetles, or, for something more familiar, try Thai hot pot, vegetable tempura or one of the vibrant and elaborate fish dishes on offer. For a place to stay, western travellers love the Baan Jaru and Le Patta hotels.
Day 8 - Chiang Rai/Krabi/Railay Beach
Fly from Chiang Rai to Krabi non-stop via Thai AirAsia (two flights daily). A seat should set you back €20 to €40. Travel straight to Railay Beach via a taxi (about €12) to Ao Nang and a 15-minute boat ride (about €3), and lay your heads down at one of the many affordable resorts if you’re keeping an eye on the pennies, or the impossibly luxurious Rayavadee if you’re not.
Day 9 - Railay Beach
You’ve earned yourself a beach day! Depending on your accommodation, you may have to take a longboat to the beach, but the journey will be quick and pleasant. Take in the glorious scenery and find yourself a spot on the sand. If you can sacrifice an hour of lounging, hike up to the viewpoint for a jaw-dropping view and climb down for a dip in the nearby lagoon. Food stalls will keep you topped up with water and snacks, including the unmissable Thai condensed milk pancakes.
Day 10 - Koh Lanta
Travel to Koh Lanta by Tigerline speedboat (1 hour, around €40) or Ao Nao Princess Ferry (2 hours, around €12). You could easily spend the day enjoying one of the island’s postcard-perfect beaches but we do recommend a stroll around Lanta Old Town in the south part of the island, where you can take advantage of the Andaman sea location with a seafood lunch in one of the laid-back local restaurants. Stay in an authentic fishing house (Lanta Pole Houses) or a luxury resort (Pimalai Resort and Spa).
Day 11 - Koh Samui
Return to Krabi for a flight with Bangkok Airways to Koh Samui (one flight daily, about €90). Now’s the time to splash out on a boutique resort - try Zazen or Hansar Samui in Bo Phut. There’s plenty to do on this picturesque island - see mountain farms and waterfalls on an Eco Jungle Safari Tour, and visit the beautiful, crimson Wat Sila Ngu, a temple perched right on the ocean. Of course, we won’t blame you if you just want to lounge on one of the palm-fringed beaches for the day!
Day 12 - Koh Tao
Take the ferry to the nearby Koh Tao island (€10 to €15 each way) for another day of beautiful beaches and some world class scuba-diving and snorkelling.
Day 13 - Koh Samui/Bangkok
Fly back to Bangkok from Koh Samui at a cost of around €100 to €130, or take the ferry to Suat Thani and an overnight train from there for about €30. If you have time left on Koh Samui and you haven't been yet, head out to the lovely, low-key Fisherman’s Village for some fresh seafood, a massage and another Thai must-eat - mango with sticky rice!
Day 14 - Bangkok
Fly home from Bangkok, but not before you’ve had one last meal in one of the many stalls and restaurants in the buzzing Saphan Taksin and the Bang Rak area of town. Fit in a stroll through the tranquil Lumpini Park too, if you can.
Check out our guide to the most amazing places to stay in Thailand.
Feature image: Kuoni
