Epic Thailand Itinerary 1 Month Travel Guide! Unique & Popular Destinations
Looking for the ultimate Thailand Itinerary for one month? We have you covered. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the pristine shores of Phuket, Thailand beckons with promises of unforgettable experiences and boundless adventures.
Whether you’re craving the buzz of city life or the serenity of island living, this vibrant country has it all – and then some.
So, grab your flip-flops, pack your sense of adventure, and prepare for the ride of a lifetime as we map out the ultimate one-month itinerary for exploring Thailand’s entire journey!
Thailand Essentials
Cheapest Flights
Book Your Transfers
The Best Tours / Experiences in Thailand!
Thailand Visa Info
Nomad Insurance (Insure whilst abroad!)
Table of Contents
Best Time to Go to Thailand:
Planning your adventure in Thailand involves considering the best time to visit this enchanting destination. The country experiences three distinct seasons – hot, calm, and wet – each offering unique experiences.
The peak tourist season from November to February boasts cooler temperatures and dry weather, perfect for exploring outdoor attractions.
However, this period also sees higher prices and larger crowds. Shoulder seasons from March to May and September to October offer a balance of fewer tourists and lower prices despite occasional rain showers.
Moreover, aligning your visit with Thailand’s vibrant festivals, such as Loy Krathong and Songkran, can add cultural richness to your journey.
How to Travel Around Thailand:
Navigating Thailand’s diverse landscapes is part of the adventure, and the country’s well-connected transportation system makes it a breeze.
Train travel in Thailand is extensive and perfect for avoiding those long overnight buses or those who wish to see more of Thailand from the comfort of their seat! I loved travelling by train in Thailand, one of the best rail networks I have seen in Asia.
Trains and buses are affordable for budget-conscious travellers, offering comfortable sleeper services for long journeys between cities. Alternatively, domestic flights provide convenience and time-saving benefits for those covering vast distances.
12GO is our go-to app for booking travel within Southeast Asia!
Prices in Thailand:
Thailand caters to travellers of all budgets, offering a range of accommodation, dining, and activity options to suit every taste. For budget travellers, guesthouses, hostels, and street food stalls provide affordable options without compromising comfort or flavour.
Basic accommodations can be found for as little as $10-20 USD per night, while street food offers delicious meals for $1-2 USD. Mid-range travellers can enjoy boutique hotels and local restaurants, with prices ranging from $50-100 USD per night for accommodation and $5-15 USD per meal.
Those seeking luxury can indulge in upscale resorts and fine dining experiences, with prices starting from $150 USD per night for accommodation and gourmet meals costing upwards of $50 USD per person. Whether you’re a budget backpacker, mid-range explorer, or luxury seeker, Thailand offers unforgettable experiences for every traveller.
The Best Thailand Itinerary 1 Month
BANGKOK
To Stay: For most people, this trip will start in Asia’s ping-pong capital (and I’m not talking about the sport). Kho San Road is an experience… let’s say that. You will hit the jackpot here if you are a backpacker looking for a party. If it’s more cultural and leisure you are after, stay near the river and the temples.
To Do: Wat Pho and Wat Arun are not to be missed. There are many temples in Bangkok, but these are the most popular… Bangkok is also situated on the water. So make sure you do a ‘Backwaters of Bangkok’ tour. It was the highlight of my time in the capital. Watch the word go by as you watch locals living in stilted shacks on the riverside.
Of course, the famous Bangkok floating markets are a tourist hotspot but a must-see while in the capital. The ultimate off-the-beaten-track experience is to wander in the concrete jungle of Bangkok.
However, getting lost in there is not something you’d want to add to the bucket list. Be sure to download all the countries you are visiting on Maps Me. It is an absolute lifesaver when travelling to any new country!
KANCHANABURI
Next on our Thailand travel route is a unique, scenic train journey through the centre of Thailand that will take you to the historic city of Kanchanaburi. If you are a history fan, this is where you can see the infamous bridge of the River Kwai and learn all about the dark history there.
But there’s much more to this place than macabre stories. There is also the stunning Sai Yok National Park, where you can swim in crystal clear waterfall rock pools and explore the winding paths through the rainforest. You can also see caves, elephant sanctuaries and train rides in the area!
Kanchanaburi Waterfalls
Bridge over the River Kwai and an Elephant Sanctuary.
THAI ISLANDS
From Bangkok, most backpackers tend to head straight down to the islands to drink luminous poison in buckets. However, I feel some of the Thai Islands are sadly now ruined by tourism. However, no Thailand travel route is complete without a beach, so we have listed our favourite, lesser-known, below
Railay Beach in Krabi, on the peninsula’s west coast, is a beautiful place to visit. It has white sand beaches and turquoise waters. It has been named one of the most beautiful places in Thailand!
On the eastern side of Bangkok, Koh Chang is also a real off-the-beaten-track gem of an island many people miss out on. I would be more inclined to head north and on into Laos, south through Vietnam, and down to the Islands of Cambodia, which I touch on in my Blog, Most Beautiful Cambodia Travel Route and Highlights!
East Thailand Islands
However, suppose you are going to some islands. In that case, I recommend Koh Tao for incredible diving and sunsets, Koh Samui for upmarket resorts and yoga teacher training, and Koh Phangan, but not the ‘full moon party’ side; the other side, known as the ‘hippy’ section of the island, for a laid-back and chilled island vibe.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
Get covered whilst abroad!
With Safety Wing, you can enjoy flexible month-to-month payments and freedom from lock-in contracts, perfect for free-spirited Nomads!
Also, I highly recommend boat tours to the surrounding islands and archipelagos so you can kayak and snorkelling! On a Thailand Itinerary 1 Month travel route, you have time to explore many of the islands if you wish.
SUKHOTHAI NATIONAL PARK
If sacred architecture is your thing, then a visit to this national park will be a highlight of your unique Thailand travel route! Littered with temples, Sukhothai UNESCO HERITAGE ruins have Instagram-worthy photo opportunities!
Its ancient Buddha statues have naturally deteriorated over time and are surrounded by ponds with lotus flowers and trees. It very beautiful.
CHAING MAI
A great town in the north to base yourself in and enjoy the night markets, street food and surrounding jungle tours and treks! There’s also a large lagoon in the Chaing Mai Canyon which is great for swimming.
From Bangkok, there are many ways to get up north to Chaing Mai, a beautiful little town in its own right. Stop to explore for a day or two.
The canyon is gorgeous and a great place to go rock jumping. You can also go zip-lining through the forest too. It’s also the most ethical place to see and spend the day with Elephants.
However, more importantly, the main connection route to PAI is a three-hour, stomach-turning, windy-winding road that leads directly from Chaing Mai up to my favourite place in the world.
PAI
A hippy’s paradise town, it is nestled among rolling mountains and filled with beautiful people. Rows of lush rice paddies and the most incredible night market offer delicious Thai treats.
Head to Spirit Bar for some live music among fluorescent art, or have a laid-back night watching spoken word at Art in Chai.
To Do: Learn to ride a bike here, as the roads are quiet and take off into the mountains to explore Pai’s outstanding natural beauty. Make sure you head back to Pai Canyon in time for sunset.
Another must is to hike up to the Great White Buddha. The views are amazing and well worth the 300-step climb!
We also did a Jungle trek/homestay, where you trek and stay in the jungle. You can also cook an authentic dinner with the hosts and drink their questionable homemade liquor. It was a fantastic experience with incredible food. They were the most hospitable hosts who welcomed us into their homes.
To Stay: The Circus Hostel Pai is a magical place. This crazy and wonderful hostel is home to a private swimming pool overlooking the mountains, a tight rope, fire shows, hula hoops, and a fairy-light-lit path down the hill into the village.
They have both dorms or private huts for you to choose from, at very low-cost prices too. If you don’t fancy a hostel, there are many beautiful private bungalows in Pai, but the circus is worth a day’s visit!
MAE HONG SON
To Do: Mae Hong Son is a remote, mountainous province in northern Thailand, bordering Myanmar (Burma). This quaint little town is a must if you want to go off the beaten track.
It’s ethnically diverse and home to hill tribes such as the Shan and Hmong. You can take a tour to visit a hill tribe village and see where these incredible native people live.
Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu is a Burmese-style monastery with two ornate white Chedis (stupas) built in the 19th century. Wat Chong Kham is a temple on the lake that is a must-see when illuminated at night. It is an extraordinary place to visit.
MAE SOT
If you are interested in volunteering to teach English or medical studies, you can head further down the border of Myanmar to a town called Mae Sot.
There is a refugee camp here where you can apply to volunteer. It would be a life-changing experience to help those with a tragic and heartbreaking past.
To Stay: Stay in the hotels and guesthouses on the river, as they offer the most beautiful views of the temple.
CHAING RAI
My last stop in Thailand was the town of Wat Rong Khun, home to the Architectural wonder Wat Rong Khun, a contemporary, unconventional art exhibit in the form of a Buddhist temple. I didn’t stay here, but I’m sure there will be many other attractions and great places to stay before heading back to Bangkok.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel around Southeast Asia, you can include Chaing Rai as a stopover in the river cruise from Pai to Laos.
Continuing your Thailand Itinerary 1 Month route through Laos is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime journey and is highly recommended.
If you head back to Pai from Mae Hong Son, you can take a two-day, one-night longboat excursion to Luang Prabang. We have a great blog post on our off-the-beaten-path route around Laos!
It was a great couple of days winding through the rivers of Laos. This is the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded travellers on the same route around SEA as you.
Thank you for reading our Thailand Itinerary 1 Month Travel Route!
If you enjoyed this post, check out our South East Asia Travel Guides Here.
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