Bangkok to Koh Samui: The Classic Loop
Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first Thailand trip — long enough to hit the highlights without feeling rushed, short enough to leave you already planning a return. This loop takes you from Bangkok’s glittering temples up to Chiang Mai’s misty mountains (via the legendary overnight train), across to Krabi’s dramatic karst coastline, then out to the Gulf islands — Koh Samui’s coconut-palm beaches and Koh Tao’s world-class snorkelling. It’s the itinerary that sells Thailand to the sceptics and satisfies the believers. Estimate budget: €700–1100.
14-Day Itinerary Overview
Route: Bangkok (2 nights) → Overnight train → Chiang Mai (3 nights) → Flight → Krabi/Railay (2 nights) → Ferry → Koh Samui (4 nights) → Ferry → Koh Tao day trip → Samui departure
Best for: First-time visitors wanting the full Thai experience, active travellers comfortable with multiple transport modes
Budget: €700–1,100 per person (excluding international flights)
Direction: Clockwise loop: Bangkok → North → Andaman → Gulf → fly out from Samui
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok Arrival & River Orientation
Arrive and settle in. Take the orange-flag Chao Phraya River express boat from the Central Pier down past the Royal Palace, Wat Arun, and the glittering temples that line the river. Get off at Saphan Taksin and explore the riverside neighbourhoods. Dinner at a street-side restaurant in Banglamphu — pad kra pao (holy basil stir-fry) and Singha beer. Watch the river taxis buzz past as Bangkok’s neon lights come alive.
Accommodation: Banglamphu guesthouse (€12–25/night).
Transport: Airport Rail Link + river boat (€3–5).
Day 2: Bangkok Temples & Overnight Train North
Full temple day — Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. Pace yourself; the heat is real. Pack your bag and head to Hua Lamphong Station for the 6:30pm overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai. This is a Thai rite of passage — you’ll eat dinner in the dining car as the city lights fade into farmland, then wake up in the mountains.
Temple entries: Grand Palace (€10), Wat Pho (€5), Wat Arun (€3).
Night train: 2nd class sleeper air-con, lower berth (€22–28).
Day 3: Arrive Chiang Mai & Old City Temples
Roll into Chiang Mai station around 7am, groggy but thrilled. Take a songthaew to the Old City. Drop your bags and immediately walk to the Sunday Walking Street if it’s a Sunday — or just explore the Old City moat and its temples at a relaxed pace. Visit Wat Chedi Luang, the massive ruined chedi that once housed the Emerald Buddha. Evening khao soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai — the original and the best.
Accommodation: Old City guesthouse (€10–20/night).
Food: Khao Soi dinner (€2–3).
Day 4: Doi Suthep & Nimmanhaemin
Morning climb (or songthaew ride) up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The 306-step naga staircase leads to the golden chedi that’s visible from anywhere in Chiang Mai. Spend the afternoon exploring Nimmanhaemin Road — a trendy district full of art galleries, designer boutiques, and exceptional coffee shops. It’s a different Chiang Mai from the Old City — modern, creative, and refreshing. Evening: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
Transport: Songthaew to Doi Suthep return (€4).
Temple entry: Doi Suthep (€2).
Day 5: Chiang Mai Cooking Class & Evening Flight to Krabi
Morning cooking class with market tour — learn to make pad Thai, green curry, tom yum, and mango sticky rice. Afternoon free for last Chiang Mai explorations. Take an evening flight from Chiang Mai to Krabi (about 2 hours). Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay Beach for your Andaman segment. The night air by the sea is your first taste of the tropics.
Cooking class: Half-day with market tour (€20–30).
Flight: Chiang Mai to Krabi (€25–40, AirAsia).
Day 6: Railay Beach & Phra Nang Cave
Take a longtail from Ao Nang to Railay Beach — a five-minute ride that feels like entering another world. Spend the day between Railay West and Phra Nang Cave Beach. Climb the viewpoint trail for a panorama of the karst-studded coastline. Kayak through the Railay East mangroves in the golden afternoon light. Dinner at one of the beachside restaurants with your feet in the sand.
Accommodation: Railay bungalow (€15–30/night).
Activities: Kayak rental (€8–12/2hrs).
Day 7: Four Island Tour & Monkey Cave Temple
Join a Four Island longtail tour visiting Poda, Chicken, Tup, and Phra Nang — each island more beautiful than the last. The snorkelling is excellent. Late afternoon, visit Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Temple) near Krabi Town if you have energy for the 1,260-step climb. The view from the top is a panorama of the entire Krabi karst landscape.
Tour: Four Island tour with lunch (€15–20).
Tiger Cave: Free (donation suggested).
Day 8: Krabi to Koh Samui Ferry
A travel day, but an interesting one. Take a longtail from Railay to Ao Nang, then a bus to the pier at Laem Thuat or Donsak for the ferry to Koh Samui. The journey takes about 4–5 hours total and crosses the Gulf of Thailand. Arrive on Samui’s north or east coast — Chaweng is the lively party beach, Lamai is more relaxed, and Bophut has the Fisherman’s Village. Settle in and have a welcome dinner by the sea.
Transport: Longtail + bus + ferry (€25–35).
Accommodation: Samui beach bungalow (€15–35/night).
Day 9: Samui Island Exploration
Rent a scooter and circumnavigate Koh Samui. Visit the Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai), a 12-metre golden statue visible from the air. Continue to the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram. Hike to the Na Muang waterfalls for a freshwater swim. Drive up to the viewpoints on the ring road. Finish at Fisherman’s Village in Bophut for the night market — excellent food, live music, and a relaxed vibe.
Scooter rental: (€6–10/day).
Entry: Big Buddha free, Na Muang waterfall free.
Day 10: Koh Tao Snorkelling Day Trip
Take the early ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao (about 1.5 hours). Koh Tao means “Turtle Island” and the snorkelling lives up to the name — clear warm water, vibrant coral, and abundant marine life. Join a snorkelling tour that visits Shark Bay (blacktip reef sharks), Ao Leuk, and Mango Bay. The boat trip around the island is a highlight in itself — Koh Tao’s rugged coastline is stunning. Return ferry in the late afternoon.
Ferry: Samui ↔ Koh Tao return (€25–30).
Snorkel tour: Full-day with lunch and gear (€20–30).
Day 11: Samui Beach Day & Spa
You’ve earned a proper rest day. Pick a beach — Chaweng for energy and people-watching, Lamai for quiet and the famous Hin Ta Hin Ya rock formations, or Maenam for a near-empty stretch of sand. Afternoon Thai massage or spa treatment — Samui has excellent wellness offerings at reasonable prices. Evening: sunset cocktail at a beachfront bar on the northwest coast, where the sun dips directly into the sea.
Spa: 1-hour Thai massage (€8–12).
Sunsets: Best on Samui’s west coast (Nikhom Beach, Bang Po).
Day 12: Ang Thong Marine Park Day Trip
A full-day trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park — a 42-island archipelago of lush green peaks rising from emerald water. Kayak through sea caves, hike to the iconic Emerald Lake (a saltwater lagoon in the middle of an island), snorkel in hidden coves, and eat lunch on a deserted beach. This is the landscape that inspired Alex Garland’s “The Beach” — wild, raw, and utterly pristine.
Tour: Ang Thong full-day trip, kayaking, lunch (€35–50).
Park fee: National park entry (€10, usually included).
Day 13: Final Samui Sunset & Seafood Feast
Your last full day. Sleep in. A final swim. Pick up souvenirs at the Fisherman’s Village market. Spend the afternoon at a lazy beachfront cafe with a book. In the evening, treat yourself to a proper seafood dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants — grilled prawns, whole snapper with garlic and lime, and a bottle of cold white wine. Watch one last Thai sunset and raise a glass to the journey.
Dinner: Beachfront seafood feast (€15–25).
Day 14: Departure from Koh Samui
One last swim if an early flight allows. Koh Samui Airport is unique — it’s an open-air terminal designed like a tropical garden, with wooden pavilions instead of a conventional building. A fittingly beautiful exit from a beautiful country. Fly out with memories of golden temples, misty mountains, limestone karsts, and turquoise seas.
Transport: Taxi to airport (€10–15).
Budget Summary: 14-Day Classic Loop Itinerary
Estimated Total: €700–1,100 per person
- Accommodation (13 nights): €150–300
- Night train Bangkok–Chiang Mai: €22–28
- Flight Chiang Mai–Krabi: €25–40
- Ferries and island transfers: €80–120
- Temple entries and national parks: €30–45
- Cooking class: €20–30
- Ang Thong Marine Park tour: €35–50
- Food and drinks (14 days): €140–220
- Misc transport, scooter rental, incidentals: €60–100
Best Season: December to March (good weather everywhere)
Recommended For: First-time Thailand visitors wanting the complete experience, two-week vacation travellers
Disclaimer: Prices are estimates and may vary by season. Multiple transport modes mean flexibility is key — always check monsoon seasons for both the Andaman (Nov–Apr) and Gulf (Feb–Sept) sides. This itinerary is for general reference only.