Thailand blends ancient kingdoms and modern energy with a culinary scene that thrills even seasoned travelers. From Rattanakosin’s gilded stupas to long-tail boats skimming limestone karsts, this 7-day itinerary balances Bangkok’s culture and cuisine with Phuket’s warm seas and lazy sunsets.

Founded as the capital in 1782, Bangkok grew around canals and the Chao Phraya River; you’ll still feel that waterside heartbeat on dinner cruises and klong rides. Down south, Phuket was once a tin-trading hub; today, it’s your gateway to the Andaman Sea, Phi Phi Islands, and photogenic Phang Nga Bay.

Expect heat and humidity year-round; pack light, breathable clothes and modest temple attire (shoulders and knees covered). ATMs are common, eSIMs are easy, and Grab works well for rides. Street food is stellar—follow the queues and eat where things cook to order.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a full-sensory city: saffron-robed monks at dawn, wok fire at night, and river breezes in between. Historic Rattanakosin holds the Grand Palace, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, and the riverside temple of Wat Arun. Across town, glittering malls, galleries, and rooftop bars showcase the city’s creative streak.

• Top sights: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Jim Thompson House, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, Chatuchak Weekend Market.
• Food highlights: Pad thai at Thipsamai (charred over charcoal), boat noodles at Victory Monument, royal Thai classics at Krua Apsorn, late-night tom yum at Jeh O Chula, and Thai desserts in Chinatown.
• Coffee stops: Sarnies (toasts and house roasts), Nana Coffee Roasters (signature cold brews), Gallery Drip Coffee (artsy pour-overs by BACC).
• Getting around: BTS Skytrain and MRT beat traffic; river ferries link temples. Use Grab for late nights.

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Bangkok or Hotels.com Bangkok.

• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — riverside legend, old-world service, stellar dining.
• The Siam Hotel — art-deco elegance with private boat to the Old City.
• Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort — resort feel on the river, family-friendly.
• Lub d Bangkok Siam — budget-friendly, steps from BTS National Stadium.
• Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel — heritage vibe near temples.
• Lub d Bangkok Silom — social, central, great for solo travelers.

Getting there: Compare flights on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. From BKK or DMK to town: 45–75 minutes by taxi (approx. 350–600 THB plus tolls) or Airport Rail Link to BTS.

Day 1: Arrive Bangkok, River Welcome

Morning: Fly into Bangkok. Aim to land early afternoon; grab a taxi or Airport Rail Link to your hotel and hydrate—the heat is real.

Afternoon: Ease in with a gentle Old City stroll: amble past Saranrom Park toward Wat Pho for a traditional foot massage near the temple. Coffee break at Sarnies or Gallery Drip Coffee to reset your jet lag.

Evening: Toast your first night with a Chao Phraya dinner cruise—temples lit like lanterns, live music, and Thai dishes on deck. Book: The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise.

After, sip a herbal cocktail at Tep Bar in the Old Town or watch river lights from your hotel lounge.

Day 2: Bangkok Icons with a Guide (Full Day)

Cover the essentials with a licensed expert—Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, flower market, and canal life—without navigation stress. This leaves room for stories of Chakri kings, mural symbolism, and the best vantage points.

Book: Private Tour: Best of Bangkok in A Day.

Dinner ideas afterward: Thipsamai (charcoal pad thai with silky egg wrap), Krua Apsorn (crab omelet, green curry), or refined Thai at nahm. Nightcap on a rooftop for skyline views.

Day 3: Floating Markets, Art, and Night Tuk-Tuks

Morning: Ride the train through Maeklong’s market and boat through Damnoen Saduak’s canals—touristy but unique and photogenic. Book: Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience.

Grab a coconut ice cream and fresh boat noodles while you’re there.

Afternoon: Back in town, browse the Jim Thompson House and the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre. Refuel at Phed Mark (fiery pad kra pao) or Pe Aor (creamy tom yum goong noodles).

Evening: Explore by tuk-tuk when the air cools and grills sizzle. Book: Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour.

Expect garlicky satay, holy basil wok-fire, and a quiet, after-hours temple stop.

Phuket

Phuket is your launchpad to the Andaman: sugar-sand beaches, emerald water, and karst spires. Inland, Phuket Old Town’s Sino-Portuguese shophouses hide cafes, Peranakan cuisine, and boutique galleries.

• Top sights: Phuket Old Town, Karon/Kata viewpoints, Phang Nga Bay, Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, island day trips.
• Where to eat: One Chun (Southern Thai), Raya (crab curry), Mor Mu Dong (rustic seafood on stilts), Go Benz (rice porridge with crispy pork), Tu Kab Khao (spicy Phuket flavors).
• Cafes: Campus Coffee Roasters (house roasts), The Feelsion (dessert escape), Gallery Cafe (brunch in Old Town).

Stay: Browse VRBO Phuket or Hotels.com Phuket.

• Amanpuri — serene headland hideaway with private beach cove.
• JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa — family-friendly, great pools on Mai Khao Beach.
• The Shore at Katathani — romantic villas with private pools (adults oriented).
• Trisara Phuket — ultra-private pool villas and fine dining.
• Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket — lagoon pools right on Karon Beach.
• Lub d Phuket Patong — social, budget-friendly option close to the action.
• Sunwing Kamala Beach — great for families on a mellow beach.

Bangkok → Phuket: Morning flight BKK/DMK to HKT is ~1h25m; budget fares often $35–$120 one-way. Compare on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Airport to resorts is 30–75 minutes by taxi; expect 700–1,000 THB depending on distance.

Day 4: Fly to Phuket, Old Town Flavors

Morning: Fly south to Phuket. Aim for an early departure; check into your beach or Old Town hotel by midday.

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town’s pastel shophouses on Thalang and Dibuk roads. Coffee flight at Campus Coffee Roasters and a peek at Sino-Portuguese courtyards; try a slice of Phuket pineapple tart at a local bakery.

Evening: Dinner at One Chun (Southern Thai heat—order moo hong pork belly and gaeng som curry) or Raya (blue crab curry with vermicelli). If it’s Sunday, stroll the Lard Yai Walking Street night market for snacks and local crafts.

Day 5: Phi Phi Sunrise—Island Hopping (Full Day)

Beat the crowds to Maya Bay and snorkel turquoise coves with a small group. Early start, soft-sand beaches, and clear-water reefs make this a highlight.

Book: Luxury Small Group Phi Phi Sunrise from Phuket.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and motion meds if needed. Back in Phuket, keep dinner casual at Go Benz (rice porridge with crispy pork and shrimp) or seaside seafood shacks.

Day 6: Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Sunset (Full Day)

Swap speedboats for a luxe daybed boat across sculpted karsts, kayaking sea caves and lingering for a fiery sunset. It’s relaxed, photogenic, and dinner on board feels cinematic.

Book: Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner.

If you’d rather keep it low-key, take a beach day at Kata or Kamala, then dine on Southern Thai at Tu Kab Khao (don’t miss the crab curry and moo hong).

Day 7: Elephants and Farewell

Morning: Spend a meaningful morning at Phuket’s leading ethical sanctuary—observe, feed, and walk alongside rescues in a forested refuge (no riding, no shows). Book a flight after 5 p.m. if you choose this.

Book: A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.

If you’re flying earlier, trade this for a sunrise walk on the beach and a cafe breakfast (The Feelsion or Gallery Cafe).

Afternoon: Airport transfer (allow 1–1.5 hours with traffic). Compare outbound flights on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Grab a last bowl of spicy kua kling or a mango sticky rice at the airport before takeoff.

Evening: Wheels up. You’ve touched temples, markets, reefs, and karsts—Thailand’s greatest hits in one tidy week.

Practical Tips

• Dress code: Shoulders and knees covered for Grand Palace and major temples; lightweight scarf helps.
• Money: ATMs plentiful; small bills for markets. Many street vendors are cash-only.
• Transport: BTS/MRT and river boats in Bangkok; metered taxis and Grab elsewhere. Ferries/boats for islands are weather dependent—July–Oct can be choppy.
• Health & safety: Stay hydrated, use sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Only book ethical elephant experiences (no riding).

Alternate Swaps (If You Want a Slower Pace)

• Swap Day 6 cruise for a spa day and sunset at Promthep Cape; add a Thai massage in Old Town.
• If Day 5 boats feel back-to-back, do the elephant sanctuary on Day 5 morning and slide Phi Phi to Day 6.

Transport Bookings at a Glance

• International and domestic flights: Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.
• Thai trains (if extending north to Ayutthaya or Chiang Mai another time): Trip.com (trains).

Bangkok Activities Linked Above (Quick Access)

• Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise
• Best of Bangkok in a Day (Private)
• Floating + Train Market
• Bangkok by Night Tuk-Tuk

Phuket Activities Linked Above (Quick Access)

• Phi Phi Sunrise (Small Group)
• James Bond Luxury Cruise
• Morning with the Elephants

In one week, you’ll taste Bangkok’s street food, glide past gilded spires at night, and swim the dappled blue of the Andaman Sea. Thailand rewards curiosity—leave room for spontaneous snacks, a temple detour, or an extra swim at sunset.