A week in Thailand is enough for a first look at both sides of the country: two days of temples, markets and river ferries in Bangkok, then five days on the Andaman coast between Phuket and Krabi, with boat trips to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay. This Thailand itinerary for 7 days keeps the transfers short and puts one flight in the middle.
Know before you go
- Route: Bangkok (2 nights), Phuket (2 nights), Krabi (2 nights), plus your arrival night.
- Transfers: one domestic flight from Bangkok to Phuket, then a road or ferry transfer from Phuket to Krabi.
- Fly home from: Krabi, Phuket or back via Bangkok, depending on your ticket.
- Grand Palace: open daily, tickets sold 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, 500 baht for foreign visitors.
- Best season for the beaches: the Andaman coast is generally drier from about November to April.
- Before you book: check the entry rules in our Thailand visa guide for Indians.
- Last checked: 27 October 2026 (sources under Official resources below).
In this Article
Thailand 7 day itinerary at a glance
| Day | Base | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangkok | Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun |
| 2 | Bangkok | Ayutthaya day trip, or Chatuchak market at the weekend |
| 3 | Phuket | Fly to Phuket, Old Phuket Town and the Big Buddha |
| 4 | Phuket | Boat day to Phang Nga Bay or Phi Phi |
| 5 | Krabi | Transfer to Krabi, evening in Ao Nang |
| 6 | Krabi | Railay and Phra Nang beaches |
| 7 | Krabi | Island hopping, then fly home |
If you would rather spend more time on the beach, cut the Ayutthaya day and fly south on Day 2.
Day 1: Bangkok’s royal temples
Start early at the Grand Palace on Rattanakosin Island, the old royal heart of the city. The official site lists it as open daily, with tickets sold from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The 500 baht ticket for foreign visitors includes Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles inside the same compound.
There is a dress code because the palace is a place of reverence. Sleeveless tops and other revealing clothes are not allowed, so wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Check the palace’s schedule page before you go, since royal ceremonies can close it.
Walk south to Wat Pho, home of the large Reclining Buddha, then take the short cross-river ferry to Wat Arun on the west bank of the Chao Phraya. Wat Arun’s central prang is decorated with pieces of coloured porcelain and is a good place to end the day as the light drops.
In the evening, try the food stalls around Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, or take a river boat back towards your hotel.
Day 2: Ayutthaya or Chatuchak
Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam, is about 80 km north of Bangkok by road. The ruins of its temples and palaces form the Historic City of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best-known sight is the stone Buddha head held in tree roots at Wat Mahathat. Trains, minivans and hired cars all make the trip, and the ruins are spread out, so hire a tuk-tuk or rent a bicycle to move between them.
If your second day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Chatuchak Weekend Market is the alternative. It is a large covered market of clothes, crafts, plants and street food, next to the Chatuchak Park and Kamphaeng Phet metro stations. Go in the morning before the heat builds.
Day 3: Fly to Phuket
Bangkok has two airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, and both have flights to Phuket. Check which one your ticket uses before you leave for the airport. A morning flight gives you most of the day on the island.
Spend the afternoon in Old Phuket Town. Thalang Road, Dibuk Road and Soi Rommanee are lined with restored Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafes and small museums. Later, drive up to the Big Buddha, a large white marble statue on a hilltop in the south of the island, which has wide views over Chalong Bay.
Day 4: Phang Nga Bay or Phi Phi
Phuket is the starting point for two classic boat days. Pick one, or do the other from Krabi on Day 7.
Phang Nga Bay, north east of Phuket, is a sea of limestone islands and sea caves. Tours of the bay usually include Ko Tapu, the thin rock pillar known as James Bond Island after it appeared in The Man with the Golden Gun, and some add sea canoeing through caves into enclosed lagoons.
The Phi Phi islands lie between Phuket and Krabi. Ko Phi Phi Don is the larger, inhabited island with hotels and a village. Ko Phi Phi Leh is uninhabited and has Maya Bay, which has been closed in the past to let the reef recover. Check the national park’s current notices before you choose a tour that promises it.
Day 5: Phuket to Krabi
Phuket and Krabi are neighbours, but the road goes around the top of Phang Nga Bay. The drive from Phuket Town to Ao Nang is about 180 km. Ferries between Phuket and the Krabi coast are the other option and some routes stop at Phi Phi on the way, so you can combine the transfer with an island visit. Check the season, since some sea routes do not run all year.
Base yourself in Ao Nang, the main beach town in Krabi, which has the boat piers for Railay and the islands.
Day 6: Railay
Railay sits on a peninsula cut off from the mainland by limestone cliffs, so the only way in is by longtail boat from Ao Nang or Krabi town. It has several beaches close together. West Railay is the wide sandy one, Phra Nang beach has a cave shrine at the foot of the cliffs, and East Railay faces mangroves. The cliffs are known for rock climbing, and there are climbing schools for beginners.
Plan the return boat before sunset, and check the last departure time with the boat counter when you arrive.
Day 7: Island hopping and home
If you have a late flight, take a half day island tour from Ao Nang. Typical routes include Poda, Chicken Island and Tup Island, where a sandbar links the islands at low tide. If you did Phang Nga Bay from Phuket, this is also the day to see Phi Phi from the Krabi side.
Krabi airport is a short drive from Ao Nang. Flying home from Krabi, or from Phuket, saves the backtrack to Bangkok if your airline allows an open jaw ticket.
Changing the plan
Thailand itinerary for 7 days for couples
Keep the route and add a night on Phi Phi Don instead of a day trip. Railay’s quieter evenings, once the day boats leave, suit couples too.
Thailand itinerary for 7 days with kids
Drop Ayutthaya, which is hot and spread out, and take the morning flight south on Day 2. Choose calmer beaches, such as those on Phuket’s west coast in the dry season, and shorter boat trips. Ask tour operators about life jackets in children’s sizes.
Thailand itinerary for 7 days on a budget
Stay in Old Phuket Town and Ao Nang guesthouses, use shared minivans and ferries rather than private cars, and eat at night markets. Compare fares for the domestic flight early.
When to go
The Andaman coast, where Phuket and Krabi sit, is generally drier from about November to April. The months outside that window bring more rain and rougher seas, and some boat trips may not run. Bangkok is warm all year, and the midday heat is strongest in the hot months before the rains, so plan temple visits for the morning.
Before you go
- Check the entry rules for your passport in our Thailand visa guide for Indians.
- Pack clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temple visits.
- Carry cash for boats, markets and national park fees, which are often paid on the spot.
- Use reef safe sunscreen and avoid touching coral on snorkel trips.
FAQ
Is 7 days enough for Thailand?
Seven days is enough for Bangkok and one beach area. This route covers Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi by keeping the transfers short. Northern Thailand, such as Chiang Mai, needs extra days.
How many days are required for a Thailand trip?
A week covers Bangkok and the Andaman coast. With ten days or more, you can add Chiang Mai in the north or slow down on the islands.
Should I stay in Phuket or Krabi?
Phuket has more hotels, nightlife and flight options. Krabi is quieter and closer to Railay and the limestone islands. This itinerary gives two nights to each.
What should I wear to the Grand Palace?
The Grand Palace has a dress code. Sleeveless tops and other revealing clothes are not allowed. Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
How do I get to Railay Beach?
Railay can only be reached by boat. Longtail boats leave from Ao Nang beach and from Krabi town.
When is the best time to visit Phuket and Krabi?
The Andaman coast is generally drier from about November to April, which is the usual season for beaches and boat trips.
Official resources: Grand Palace practical information; Historic City of Ayutthaya, UNESCO
Photo credits
Featured image: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Day 1: Bangkok’s royal temples: Nawit science / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 1: Bangkok’s royal temples: Original image: Ninara from Helsinki, Finland. Edit: TSP / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Day 1: Bangkok’s royal temples: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Day 2: Ayutthaya or Chatuchak: Jatoo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 2: Ayutthaya or Chatuchak: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Day 3: Fly to Phuket: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 3: Fly to Phuket: Subhrajyoti07 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Day 4: Phang Nga Bay or Phi Phi: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Day 4: Phang Nga Bay or Phi Phi: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Day 6: Railay: kallerna / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
