Note: I’m traveling this week with limited access to internet. Responses to comments and emails will be delayed.
Even though I have several exciting trips planned in the coming months, I’m always researching and dreaming about future vacations. My husband can attest to that. After 4 trips to Europe in the past 3 years and one more scheduled for next year, I want to start prioritizing travel to Asia.
My daughter and I traveled to Hong Kong last fall, and we will be exploring Japan and mainland China this summer. Maybe the White Lotus tv show is partly to blame, but I’ve got my sights set on getting to Thailand next.
My Ideal Thailand Itinerary
I’d start in Bangkok for 2-3 nights. In addition to seeing the Grand Palace and other shrines/temples, I’d love to experience the floating markets:
After Bangkok, I’d fly to Chiang Mai for 3-4 nights.
This mountainous area looks stunning. And of course, I’d have to see Wat Rong Khun white temple:
Visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary like Elephant Nature Park is high on my list.
Finally, I’d fly south to Phuket or Krabi to experience the beach and scenery for a few days.
Logistics of Thailand Trip
There are no direct flights from the USA to Thailand. I’d have to fly somewhere else in Asia (Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore) and then fly on to Bangkok. It makes for a long journey! Once in Thailand, I’d need two short flights to get to Chiang Mai and Phuket. With long flying times and my itinerary above, I’ll need almost two weeks for this trip.
My biggest challenges are:
- Finding the time to take this trip
- Finding award availability in Premium Economy or Business class. I don’t want to take this long flight in regular economy if possible (I know, I’m spoiled).
This will probably be a trip with just me and my daughter. Realistically, this trip won’t happen until 2026 0r 2027 at the earliest.
Have you been to Thailand?
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
What Christian said.
Visited Thailand the past two years in a row and my blog posts pretty much feature content from Thailand in every post it appears. Feel free to ask me via email as well. Thailand is great and I used to never go back to the same place a second time.
@TravelBloggerBuzz Thanks, I’ll check it out!
That sounds a fair bit like the first trip my wife and I took to Thailand with a week at each place. Your plan may be optimistic though with not much time to get to know each place but moving through at a pretty frenetic pace. Given your time constraints I understand but it seems worth mentioning.
Anyway it sounds like a nice cross section of places.
My wife and I were in Chiang Mai for Chinese New Year last year and that was fun. I’d definitely suggest visiting in the dry season. With school to consider for your daughter that might be tight for award space but going during a month when there’s twelve inches of rain is rough.
It’s not cheap but Singapore Airlines tends to have reliable premium economy and business class award space through their program just about a full year in advance.
@Christain Chiang Mai for Chinese New Year sounds like a blast!
Very nice looking trip plan!
It does need at least 10 days to complete with at least 1 full day flying/transfer time at both ends. Thailand is on my bucket list right on top, although with four trips to Asia and handful of Caribbean vacations in the past few years – I’m opposite to you with switching my travel to Europe and USA. I see that my timing is right with reasonably-priced awards to Asia being harder to find last two years, and increased miles required at most programs (old 50K Biz to 70-80K minimums now). Transatlantic flights seen some increases as well, not so drastic though.
Positive for Thailand travel is that hotel/food/transport prices are relatively low (hotels on points as well). I’ve been in Cambodia that has similar temples – they are amazing pieces of art: inside and out. If you’ll have extra 3-4 days to spare on your trip, I would highly recommend flying to Angkor Wat to explore area’s ancient temples. They have direct flights from HKG and BKK I believe – so it’s easy to add a stopover on your way back home.
Happy travels!!
@Aleks Don’t tempt me with another stop! This trip to Thailand keeps getting longer LOL.
I will be very interested to hear about your search and booking of flights. I would like to visit the Philippines, which is in that general area of the globe. Seems like I could easily spend more that a full day just getting there. I agree on trying to get at least a premium economy seat for that long of a flight. The prices I have seen, even with using points & miles are way more than my normal vacation budget. The pictures of Thailand look amazing! I will have to add this to my dream vacation list.
@Cari D Yes, getting there takes at least 2-3 days with flying time and time zone changes. I’m leaning towards going in the summer during off-season for a better shot at award flights. Unfortunately, it will be extremely hot and humid during those months.
It’s one of my favorite countries to travel to over the years: BKK, KBV, HKT. Krabi is still my favorite! Yet to do Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai!
@Ashish I always hear positive things from people who have visited Thailand!