8-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Thailand

  • Day 1: Bangkok Grand Palace
    30 minutes (10.4 km) from Suvarnabhumi Airport

    The Bangkok Grand Palace is a stunning complex of buildings that served as the former residence of the King of Thailand. The palace features impressive halls and temples, including the Wat Phra Kaew temple, which houses the famous Emerald Buddha.

  • Day 2: Chatuchak Weekend Market
    30 minutes (10.1 km) from Bangkok Grand Palace

    The Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the largest markets in the world, covering over 35 acres with more than 15,000 stalls. Here you'll find everything from clothing and accessories to handcrafted souvenirs and street food. Don't forget to bargain!

  • Day 3: Ayutthaya Historical Park
    1 hour 45 minutes (80 km) from Chatuchak Weekend Market

    The Ayutthaya Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was once the capital of Thailand. You can explore the ruins of ancient temples, statues, and other historical landmarks that showcase the country's rich history and culture.

  • Day 4: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
    1 hour (7.9 km) from Chiang Mai International Airport

    The Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a bustling market that offers a wide variety of goods, including clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, and street food. Live music and cultural shows are often performed in the area, making it a fun night out for the family.

  • Day 5: Doi Inthanon National Park
    2 hours (93 km) from Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

    Doi Inthanon National Park is home to Thailand's highest peak, and it's a great place for a family hike. The national park offers several trekking trails, stunning waterfalls, and scenic views. Don't forget to bring a jacket - it can get chilly at the top.

  • Day 6: Elephant Nature Park
    1 hour 15 minutes (54 km) from Doi Inthanon National Park

    The Elephant Nature Park is an animal sanctuary that provides a safe and loving environment for rescue elephants. Visitors can feed and bathe the elephants while learning about the animal's history and the conservation efforts in Thailand.

  • Day 7: Phuket Fantasea
    1 hour (41.7 km) from Phuket International Airport

    Phuket Fantasea is a theme park that showcases Thailand's history and culture through entertaining shows and performances. The park features an impressive laser display, cultural dances, and a buffet of authentic Thai food.

  • Day 8: Phi Phi Islands
    2 hours 30 minutes (61 km) from Phuket Fantasea

    The Phi Phi Islands consist of six stunning islands with turquoise waters and abundant marine life. Visitors can take a boat tour, go snorkeling or scuba diving, or simply relax on the beach. It's the perfect way to spend your last day in Thailand.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Bangkok Grand Palace (2-3 hours, ฿500/$16)
  • Chatuchak Weekend Market (4-5 hours, ฿500/$16)
  • Ayutthaya Historical Park (4-5 hours, ฿1000/$32)
  • Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (3-4 hours, Free entry)
  • Doi Inthanon National Park (5-6 hours, ฿300/$10)
  • Elephant Nature Park (6-8 hours, ฿2500/$80)
  • Phuket Fantasea (5-6 hours, ฿2200/$70)
  • Phi Phi Islands (8-10 hours, ฿2000/$64)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ฿10,200/$329 per person

Transportation

Thailand is well-connected by buses, trains, and domestic flights. Depending on your itinerary, you may choose to use a mixture of different modes of transportation. Taxis and Grab apps are also readily available options for getting around cities. Transportation costs vary, but a rough estimate of total transportation costs for this itinerary would be around ฿5,500/$177 per person.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the Sukhothai Historical Park, the Erawan National Park, or the Khao Yai National Park. If you have less time, consider skipping the Phuket Fantasea show and spending more time at the beach or exploring the city.

Airports

Thailand has two main international airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok and Phuket International Airport (HKT) in Phuket. Both airports are well-connected with major cities around the world. Suvarnabhumi Airport is located 30 km east of Bangkok and is approximately a 30-minute drive from the city center. Phuket International Airport is located 32 km north of Phuket Town and is approximately a 40-minute drive from the city center.

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