Thailand blends centuries-old kingdoms with a modern rhythm. From the gilded spires of Bangkok’s Grand Palace to Krabi’s otherworldly karst cliffs, you’ll move from bustling street markets to empty white-sand coves in a single week. This 7-day itinerary focuses on two destinations—Bangkok and Krabi—so you savor more and rush less.

Bangkok, once a riverine village, rose as the capital of the Siamese kingdom in 1782. Its historic temples sit beside sleek sky bars, and its kitchens—from humble carts to Michelin-star counters—define Southeast Asian dining. Krabi, a gateway to the Andaman Sea, offers Railay Beach, Phi Phi Islands, and underwater life that’s easy for first-time snorkelers yet thrilling for pros.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered). Dry season (Nov–Apr) brings calmer seas; monsoon (May–Oct) means occasional rain and choppier boat trips. Cash is king at small vendors; ATMs are widespread. Use Grab for rides, refill water, and be wary of “too-cheap” tuk-tuk tours.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a kaleidoscope: saffron-robed monks at dawn, long-tail boats churning the Chao Phraya by day, and neon-lit alleyways after dark. The old town (Rattanakosin) holds the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun, while Chinatown (Yaowarat) is a nocturnal food hunt.

Highlights include temple-hopping by riverboat, street food crawls in Chinatown, and rooftop sunsets with skyline views. Don’t miss award-winning bars in the creative Talat Noi/Chinatown pockets and a quick escape to Ayutthaya, the ruined former capital.

• Where to stay: Riverside for heritage and views; Old Town for temples; Sukhumvit/Silom for nightlife and BTS access. Browse stays on VRBO Bangkok and Hotels.com Bangkok.
• Getting in: Fly into BKK (Suvarnabhumi) or DMK (Don Mueang). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Airport Rail Link and taxis connect quickly to downtown; expect 45–75 minutes by car depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok (Afternoon Arrival)

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs along the Chao Phraya. Hop the orange-flag public boat to Tha Tien Pier (about 16 THB) for river breezes and first glimpses of Wat Arun across the water. Duck into Pak Khlong Talat, the 24/7 flower market, for rainbow orchids.

Evening: Dinner at Thip Samai for its famous pad thai cooked over charcoal; try the “Pad Thai Haw Kai Goong” wrapped in a silk-thin omelet. For dessert, seek out Kor Panich near Sanam Luang—over a century old—for fragrant mango sticky rice (jasmine rice scented with pandan).

Night: Toast your first night at Octave Rooftop Bar (Marriott Sukhumvit) for 360° city views, or head to Mahanakhon SkyWalk for a glass-floor thrill. Prefer a quieter nightcap? Vesper in Silom mixes refined classic cocktails.

Day 2: Temples, River, and Chinatown Bites

Morning: Breakfast at On Lok Yun, a 1930s diner serving Thai-style American breakfast, or grab specialty pours at Gallery Drip Coffee near the Art & Culture Centre. Visit the Grand Palace (allow 2–3 hours; entry ~500 THB). Continue to Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha; ~200 THB) for Thai massage heritage.

Afternoon: Cross the river to Wat Arun (~100 THB); the porcelain-inlaid prang shimmers in the sun. Lunch riverside at Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien)—try moo cha muang (stewed pork with sour leaves) and crab som tam. After, wander Talat Noi’s street art and photogenic alleys of old shophouses.

Evening: Chinatown food crawl: start with Nai Mong Hoi Thod (crispy oyster omelet), then Guay Jub Ouan Pochana (peppery rolled rice noodle soup), and grilled prawns at T&K Seafood. Finish with black sesame dumplings in ginger syrup at Sweet Time. For drinks, slip into Tep Bar (herbal Thai infusions, live traditional music) or Teens of Thailand (gin-focused, intimate).

Day 3: Ayutthaya Day Trip (UNESCO Ruins)

Full-day excursion to the former Siamese capital, a tapestry of prang-topped temples and headless Buddhas. Travel by train (about 1–1.5 hours from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal; 15–60 THB in 3rd/2nd class) or arrange a driver/boat combo. For rail timetables and tickets, check Trip.com trains.

Must-sees: Wat Mahathat (Buddha head in tree roots), Wat Chaiwatthanaram at sunset, and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Lunch at The Summer House Ayutthaya for river views and light Thai plates (pomelo salad, grilled river prawns). Return late afternoon.

Back in Bangkok, book Jeh O Chula (queue moves fast late evening) for the famous tom yum “mama” noodles crowned with seafood and runny egg, or try seasonal Thai at Michelin-starred Le Du (advance booking). Cap the night at Tropic City (tropical cocktails, Asia’s 50 Best Bars alum).

Krabi

Krabi is the Andaman’s dramatic side: limestone towers, jade lagoons, and beaches reachable only by boat. Base in Ao Nang for easy transport, or Railay for postcard scenery and car-free paths shaded by palm trees.

Highlights include long-tail boat trips to the 4 Islands, a speedboat day to the Phiphi Islands, rock-climbing or cave exploring in Railay, and hikes to jungle viewpoints. Evenings are mellow—think grilled seafood, sunset bars, and gentle waves.

• Where to stay: Ao Nang (convenience, dining), Railay (scenery, seclusion), Krabi Town (local markets). Browse stays on VRBO Krabi and Hotels.com Krabi.
• Getting there from Bangkok (Day 4): Morning flight BKK/DMK → KBV is about 1h25m; fares ~$35–$90 one-way on local carriers. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Airport to Ao Nang is ~35–45 minutes (shared minivan ~150–200 THB; private car ~600–900 THB).

Day 4: Fly to Krabi, Railay Beach Afternoon

Morning: Fly Bangkok → Krabi. Drop bags at your hotel and grab a light brunch: Cafe 8.98 in Ao Nang does excellent flat whites and breakfast bowls; Buzz Organic Food offers tasty Thai omelets and smoothies.

Afternoon: Take a shared long-tail boat from Ao Nang to Railay (about 100–120 THB, 10–15 minutes). Swim at Railay West, stroll to Phra Nang Cave Beach, and watch rock climbers scale the orange cliffs. If tides allow, scout the short trail to the viewpoint.

Evening: Sunset on Railay West, then boat back to Ao Nang. Dinner at Lae Lay Grill (hillside seafood with sweeping views—order the grilled squid with chili-lime dip) or the beloved Ton Ma Yom Thai Food (homey green curry, stir-fried morning glory). Crave a nightcap? Live music awaits at Boogie Bar on Ao Nang beachfront.

Day 5: The 4 Islands by Long-tail Boat

Full-day island-hopping to Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Tup Island (watch the sandbar appear at low tide), and back to Phra Nang. Expect snorkeling over coral gardens, powder-soft beaches, and clear shallows perfect for beginners. Shared tours run ~600–900 THB per person; a private long-tail is ~2,500–3,500 THB per boat. National park fee: ~200 THB (foreign adults).

Most trips include water and a simple lunch; pack reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard. Back mid-afternoon for a Thai massage along Ao Nang’s main road (1-hour Thai massage ~300–500 THB). Dinner at Krua Thara (choose your seafood from tanks; spicy crab curry is a favorite) or Ruen Mai in Krabi Town (authentic southern Thai, aromatic curries in a lush open-air setting—go by taxi).

Day 6: Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Adventure

Full-day speedboat trip to the Phi Phi Islands: weave into Pileh Lagoon, snorkel vibrant reefs, and visit Maya Bay via the designated boardwalk (no swimming—reef protection rules apply). Continue to Bamboo Island for white-sand lazing. Tours typically run 9:00–16:00; expect ~1 hr cruise each way. Price ~1,800–2,500 THB including lunch; marine park fee ~400 THB (foreign adults).

Back in Ao Nang, go casual at May & Zin (flavorful pad kra pao, seafood glass noodle salad) or splurge on sunset seafood back at Lae Lay Grill. If you’ve got energy, boat over to Railay East’s The Last Bar for a fire show and laid-back cocktails.

Day 7: Fly Krabi → Bangkok (Departure Day)

Morning: Transfer to Krabi Airport for a morning flight to Bangkok (about 1h25m). Check options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. If your outbound flight is late afternoon/evening and logistics allow, a quick stroll and lunch in Bangkok is possible.

Afternoon: Last-minute eats at Pier 21 Food Court (Terminal 21 mall; bargain, excellent variety—try boat noodles and mango sticky rice) before heading to the airport for your international departure.

Evening: Fly home with sand still in your shoes and a camera roll full of temples, long-tail boats, and sunsets.

Insider Dining & Coffee Cheatsheet (quick picks):

• Bangkok coffee: Gallery Drip Coffee (hand-poured), Nana Coffee Roasters (Yaowarat).
• Bangkok eats: Thip Samai (pad thai), Jeh O Chula (late-night tom yum noodles), Supanniga Eating Room (regional Thai), Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelet).
• Krabi coffee/breakfast: Cafe 8.98, Buzz Organic Food.
• Krabi dinners: Lae Lay Grill (views, seafood), Ton Ma Yom Thai Food (local favorite), Krua Thara (seafood), Ruen Mai (southern Thai).

Transport costs and times are estimates as of March 2025. Boat schedules can be tide- and weather-dependent; check locally the day before, and carry cash for park fees.

In one week, you’ve traced Thailand’s story from royal Bangkok to the sea-sculpted islands of Krabi. Expect to leave with a new favorite noodle dish, a deeper sense of Thai hospitality, and a promise to come back for the north—or another sunset on Railay.