Thailand With Kids: A 2-Week Family Itinerary (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai & Phuket)

If you're looking for a 2-week Thailand family itinerary, this is the exact route we followed with our 8-year-old son, travelling through Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket during the August school holidays.

Quick answer: how should you spend 2 weeks in Thailand with kids?

We'd recommend splitting your time between Bangkok (3 days), Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai (5 days) and Phuket (6-7 days). This route combines Thailand's most famous sights with Northern Thailand's culture and scenery, before finishing with beaches, island tours and family-friendly activities in Phuket. It's the exact route we followed with our 8-year-old son Joshua and it struck the right balance between sightseeing, adventure and relaxation.

One of the first decisions we made was how much of Thailand we could realistically cover. If you're still deciding between a 1-week, 10-day or 2-week trip, see Choosing the Right Thailand Itinerary for Your Family: What We'd Do With 7, 10 or 14 Days.

If you're still deciding whether Thailand is right for your family or planning the wider logistics, I'd start with How We Planned Our 2-Week Thailand Family Trip: Route, Hotels, Costs & What Worked.

Just a quick note: some links in this guide are affiliate links. We only recommend hotels, tours and services we personally used or would happily book again.

Our Thailand Route at a Glance

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Bangkok → Chiang Rai → Chiang Mai → Phuket → Bangkok

This gave us:

• City sightseeing

• Temples and culture

• Nature and mountain scenery

• Family-friendly hotels

• Island hopping

• Adventure activities

• Beach and pool time

One of the reasons this route worked so well is that every destination felt completely different from the previous one.

The best destination and activities often depends less on the destination itself and more on your children's ages and interests. See Thailand With Kids: What Age Is Best? Toddlers vs Teens vs School-Age Kids for a breakdown by age group.

Bangkok (3 Full Days + Arrival Day)

Bangkok was the first stop on our Thailand itinerary and, for most families, it will be too. As Thailand's main international gateway, most routes start here, making it the perfect introduction to the country before heading north or down to the islands.

We deliberately limited our time in Bangkok to three full days. That gave us enough time to see the major highlights, experience the river, visit Ayutthaya and adjust to the time difference without spending too long in the city.

Day 0: Overnight Flight

We flew overnight from Heathrow via Zurich, arriving into Bangkok the following morning.

Day 1: Arrival and Recovery Day

We landed in Bangkok at around 9am and pre booked a hotel pick up via booking.com which took any stress away from what to expect on arrival. We headed straight to our hotel, the Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok.

One of the biggest advantages of an overnight flight is arriving with almost a full day ahead of you, but after a long journey we knew it would be unrealistic to jump straight into sightseeing. Fortunately, the hotel was able to check us in early, which made a huge difference.

Rather than trying to squeeze too much into the day, we kept things deliberately simple.

After unpacking, we spent some time by the pool before taking the hotel's complimentary river shuttle across to ICONSIAM. This turned out to be the perfect first activity in Thailand. It was easy, air-conditioned, family-friendly and required very little energy after a long flight.

We spent the afternoon:

• Exploring ICONSIAM

• Browsing the shops

• Getting our bearings

• Picking up dinner from the excellent food court

• Enjoying our first views of the Chao Phraya River

Joshua was completely fascinated by the river traffic and boats coming and going, which ended up building excitement for the days ahead.

Looking back, I wouldn't change this arrival day at all. Thailand can be overwhelming at first, and easing ourselves into the trip rather than rushing around attractions helped everyone adjust to the heat, humidity and time difference.

The Royal Orchid Sheraton also proved to be an excellent choice for a first stop. The riverside location made Bangkok feel much calmer than we expected, the pool gave us somewhere to recharge and the complimentary boat shuttle quickly became one of our most-used hotel perks.

For a full breakdown of the hotel, room type, facilities and why we'd happily stay again, see Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok Review: Is This the Best River Hotel for Families?

By the time we headed to bed that evening, we felt refreshed, adjusted and ready to start exploring Bangkok properly the following morning.

Day 2: Bangkok by River Boat

This ended up being one of our favourite days in Bangkok and a great example of how sightseeing can be made much easier with kids.

Rather than relying on taxis and sitting in traffic, we spent the day using the Hop-On Hop-Off River Boat, starting directly from Si Phraya Pier, which is conveniently located beside the Royal Orchid Sheraton. The river quickly became one of our favourite ways to explore the city. Not only was it practical, but it also kept Joshua entertained between attractions and provided a completely different perspective of Bangkok.

Our first stop was Chinatown, where we wandered along Yaowarat Road, explored the surrounding streets and visited Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, one of Bangkok's most important Chinese Buddhist temples. From there, we continued upriver towards the historic heart of Bangkok.

The next major stop was the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). These are among Bangkok's most famous attractions and, while undeniably impressive, they're also busy and very hot by late morning. Arriving by boat early in the day helped us avoid some of the larger crowds.

What made the day work so well wasn't necessarily the temples themselves. It was the way the river connected everything together. Travelling by boat turned what could have been a hot day of walking into something that felt much more like an adventure.

If you're planning a similar day, see Bangkok Hop-On Hop-Off River Boat Review, where I break down the route, cost and whether it's worth it for families. For a broader overview of the attractions we thought deserved a place in a Bangkok itinerary, see 12 Bangkok Attractions Worth Visiting With Kids (And Which Ones We'd Skip).

Evening: Bangkok River Dinner Cruise

That evening, we headed back out onto the river for a Bangkok dinner cruise.

This was one of those experiences we booked on a bit of a whim after seeing the boats passing up and down the river. We expected it to be quite touristy, and it was, but it was also a lot more enjoyable than we anticipated.

Seeing Bangkok illuminated at night while drifting past landmarks we'd visited earlier in the day felt completely different from the daytime experience. There was food, music and plenty to watch, which meant Joshua never got bored.

After a full day of sightseeing, it was also surprisingly relaxing. No walking, no queues and no navigating the city, just great views and a chance to reflect on everything we'd seen.

It ended up being one of our favourite evenings in Bangkok and a fitting end to what was probably our most enjoyable day in the city.

If you're wondering whether it's worth adding to your itinerary, see Bangkok River Dinner Cruise With Kids where I break down the different cruise options, costs and whether we'd do it again.

Day 3: Ayutthaya Day Trip

For our final full day in Bangkok, we decided to visit Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand and one of the country's most important historical sites.

Rather than booking a guided tour, we travelled independently using Grab. This worked really well for us because it allowed us to leave when we wanted, move at our own pace and avoid being tied to a fixed schedule. Once we arrived, we hired a local tuk tuk driver who took us around the main sites for the day. Looking back, I'd choose this approach again over a guided tour, and I share the costs, logistics and how we arranged everything in Ayutthaya With Kids: DIY Day Trip or Guided Tour? Which Is Better?

Ayutthaya combines history with enough variety to keep children interested, and travelling between the ruins by tuk tuk made the experience feel much more like an adventure than a traditional sightseeing day.

Some of the highlights included:

• Wat Mahathat, home to the famous Buddha head entwined within tree roots.

• Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the city's most iconic temple complex and one of the largest historical sites in Ayutthaya.

• Exploring the extensive ancient ruins that are spread throughout the city.

• Travelling between sites in our tuk tuk, which Joshua enjoyed just as much as many of the attractions themselves.

One thing we liked about Ayutthaya was the amount of space. Unlike some attractions in central Bangkok, the temple grounds felt open and easy to explore, allowing Joshua to move around without constantly feeling confined to crowded walkways.

The ruins also varied enough that the day never felt repetitive. While temple fatigue can become a real thing later in a Thailand itinerary, Ayutthaya stood out because it felt more like exploring an ancient city than simply visiting another temple.

We stopped for lunch locally before continuing around the remaining key sites, and by mid-afternoon had seen everything we wanted without feeling rushed.

For our full breakdown, including costs, transport, whether we'd choose DIY or a guided tour, and tips for visiting with children, see Is Ayutthaya Worth It With Kids? What We Loved, What We Didn't & Family Tips.

Back in Bangkok, we spent our final evening at ICONSIAM, picking up dinner from the food court and enjoying one last wander along the river before continuing on to Northern Thailand the following day.

Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai (4 Days + Travel Day)

After three days in Bangkok, we headed north to experience a completely different side of Thailand.

Day 4: Fly to Chiang Mai and Drive to Chiang Rai

We took a mid-morning Thai Airways flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, which took just over an hour. Rather than staying in Chiang Mai immediately, we picked up a rental car from Chiang Mai Airport and drove directly to Chiang Rai, a journey of roughly three hours.

Driving in Northern Thailand proved much easier than we'd expected. The roads were generally quiet, navigation was straightforward and having our own car gave us the flexibility to visit attractions before the tour buses arrived. If you're considering self-driving, see Driving in Chiang Mai: Is It Safe, Easy and Worth It for Families?

By mid-afternoon we arrived at The Riverie Chiang Rai, which immediately became one of Joshua's favourite hotels of the entire trip.

While much of our time in Chiang Rai would be spent exploring temples and cultural attractions, the hotel itself played a huge role in making the destination work so well for a family holiday. After sightseeing, Joshua could head straight for the:

• Water slides

• Lazy river

• Large swimming pools

• Spacious riverside grounds

Having these facilities available made it much easier to balance cultural sightseeing with things an 8-year-old genuinely wanted to do.

The hotel also has a fantastic riverside setting overlooking the Kok River, and after several busy days in Bangkok, the slower pace was immediately noticeable. We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the grounds, relaxing by the pool and settling into what would become one of our favourite stays in Thailand.

For our full review, including room types, pool facilities, location and whether we'd stay again, see The Riverie Chiang Rai Review: Is This the Best Family Hotel in Chiang Rai?

Travelling straight to Chiang Rai rather than stopping in Chiang Mai worked well because it broke up the Northern Thailand section of the itinerary and meant we could comfortably explore Chiang Rai's main attractions the following day.

Day 5: Chiang Rai Temples

We started early and spent the day exploring some of Chiang Rai's most famous attractions. One of the benefits of having our rental car was the flexibility to arrive before the larger tour groups, which made the morning much more enjoyable.

Our first stop was the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), which opens at 8am. This was probably the most impressive temple we visited during the entire trip. Unlike traditional Thai temples, it feels more like an art installation, with its striking white architecture, intricate details and unusual modern references hidden throughout the site.

From there, we continued to the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten). While much smaller than the White Temple, the vivid blue interior and enormous white Buddha made it one of the most visually striking temples we visited. It's also free to enter and easy to explore in a relatively short amount of time.

Next came the Red Temple (Wat Huay Pla Kang), which was one of Joshua's favourites. The giant white Guan Yin statue towers over the surrounding countryside, and the elevator ride inside the statue to the viewing platform added something a little different compared to a traditional temple visit.

By late morning we stopped at Lalitta Café, which became one of the highlights of the day. The waterfall-themed gardens, fish-filled streams and relaxed setting provided a welcome break from sightseeing. We enjoyed coffee and mango smoothies while feeding the carp, and it was one of those places that felt much more family-friendly than many of the cultural attractions.

Our final stop was the Big Buddha at Wat Huay Pla Kang, where the views across Chiang Rai were excellent. If you have additional time, you could also visit Singha Park, explore the tea plantations or take the tram ride to the giant golden Singha statue, but we found the temples and Lalitta Café provided more than enough for one day.

By early afternoon, we'd seen everything we wanted to see and headed back to The Riverie Chiang Rai. This is one of the reasons the hotel worked so well for families. Rather than spending an entire day sightseeing, we could return to the hotel and enjoy the pools, lazy river and slides while escaping the afternoon heat.

That evening, we treated ourselves to dinner at the hotel's rooftop steak restaurant. It wasn't cheap by Thai standards and was probably closer to UK restaurant prices, but the food was excellent and the views across Chiang Rai made it a memorable end to the day.

For a detailed breakdown of the temples, timings and what we thought was genuinely worth prioritising, see Chiang Rai Temples With Kids: Which Ones Are Actually Worth Visiting? (+ Our Half Day Itinerary). If you're wondering whether the café lives up to the social media hype, Lalitta Café Chiang Rai review covers our experience in more detail.

Day 6: Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai

We left Chiang Rai early and made the drive back to Chiang Mai. Although the journey takes around three hours, the roads were straightforward and it gave us the flexibility to leave when we wanted rather than working around public transport schedules.

Rather than cramming lots of attractions into the day, we used it as a chance to explore Chiang Mai at a slower pace. Compared to Bangkok, Chiang Mai immediately feels calmer and easier to navigate, making it one of the most family-friendly cities we visited in Thailand.

We spent the day exploring parts of the Old City, wandering between temples, cafés and local streets before heading up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Chiang Mai's most famous attractions. The temple sits high above the city and offers some fantastic views across Chiang Mai. One of the highlights for Joshua was taking the cable car rather than climbing the stairs, while we enjoyed the cooler temperatures and scenery.

For lunch, we stopped at a local restaurant and enjoyed one of our most common meals throughout Thailand, fried rice and chicken. It wasn't particularly adventurous, but it was always reliable and became a favourite with Joshua.

By mid-afternoon, we checked into Grand Napat Serviced Apartments.

This proved to be one of the most practical hotel choices of the entire trip. After several hotel stays, having a separate bedroom, kitchen area, living space and pool made a huge difference. The apartment gave us room to spread out, relax and feel settled for a couple of nights.

We spent the rest of the afternoon by the pool before heading out for dinner at a small local restaurant near the hotel. The menu wasn't heavily translated, so much of the ordering involved pointing and hoping for the best. Thankfully, everything we ordered was excellent and it ended up being one of our favourite meals in Chiang Mai.

Grand Napat isn't the most luxurious hotel we stayed in, but it was one of the best value and worked brilliantly for a family. If you're looking for extra space without paying resort prices, read Grand Napat Chiang Mai Review: Why This Budget Family Hotel Surprised Us.

We only scratched the surface of what Chiang Mai has to offer. If you're planning a longer stay, see Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai With Kids: What We Loved and What We'd Skip Next Time, where I cover the attractions, markets, day trips and experiences that we think are genuinely worth prioritising for families.

Day 7: Doi Inthanon National Park

This was one of the days we were most looking forward to before travelling.

Known as the "Roof of Thailand", Doi Inthanon National Park is home to Thailand's highest mountain and is one of the most popular day trips from Chiang Mai. We left early and made the two-hour drive to the park, aiming to arrive before the biggest crowds and tour groups.

Unfortunately, this was the one day where the rainy season really caught up with us.

Heavy rain followed us for much of the day, and the mountain views we'd hoped to see were hidden behind cloud and mist. Normally, visitors can enjoy sweeping views across Northern Thailand, but on our visit visibility was extremely limited.

Despite that, it was still a really enjoyable day and showed just how different Thailand can feel outside the cities and beaches.

Some of the highlights included:

• Wachirathan Waterfall, which was particularly impressive after heavy rainfall.

• The famous Twin Pagodas, surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens.

• Exploring the forest trails and mountain scenery.

• Experiencing a much cooler climate than we'd found elsewhere in Thailand.

In many ways, the rain gave the park a completely different atmosphere. The waterfalls were at full power, the forest felt more dramatic and the mist rolling through the mountains made everything feel very different from the Thailand we'd experienced up to that point.

That said, if we had complete flexibility with our itinerary, this is probably one of the days we would have moved. Doi Inthanon is very much a destination that benefits from clear weather, which is why I'd recommend keeping your plans flexible where possible if you're visiting during the rainy season.

For a full breakdown of the route, the key attractions, driving times and whether we'd recommend visiting in wet weather, see Doi Inthanon With Kids: Is Thailand's Highest Mountain Worth the Trip in the Rain?

By the time we returned to Chiang Mai, the weather had improved significantly. Rather than heading back to the hotel, we spent the evening exploring one of Chiang Mai's night markets, which ended up being another highlight of the day. The atmosphere was fantastic, there were countless food stalls to choose from and it felt far more modern than we'd expected. Joshua's standout discovery was an Oreo milkshake that he still talks about now, and after spending most of the day getting soaked in the mountains, it was the perfect way to finish our final evening in Northern Thailand.

Phuket (6 Days + Travel Day)

Phuket was our beach and activity section of the trip.

Day 8: Fly to Phuket

After our time in Northern Thailand, we headed south for the beach portion of the trip.

We flew Air Asia from Chiang Mai to Phuket, choosing a lunchtime flight that fitted nicely with hotel check-out and check-in times. The flight itself was straightforward and took around two hours. On arrival, we booked a Grab to our hotel, Villa Zolitude, located in the rainforest-covered hills above Chalong in South Phuket.

The transfer took around an hour, and as soon as we arrived it felt completely different from anywhere else we had stayed in Thailand.

Rather than a traditional beach resort, Villa Zolitude consists of private villas spread throughout the jungle. We had our own private pool, plenty of outdoor space and views across the surrounding rainforest. After several busy sightseeing days in Bangkok, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, it felt like the perfect place to slow down for a while.

We deliberately kept the rest of the day simple:

• Enjoying our private pool

• Exploring the villa and resort grounds

• Happy hour at the hotel bar

• A game of pool in the small games room

• Ice cream for Joshua

• Early dinner and a relaxed evening

This slower arrival day worked really well. Phuket has plenty of activities, but there was no need to rush straight into them. Simply enjoying the villa became part of the holiday itself.

In fact, Villa Zolitude ended up being one of our favourite hotels of the entire Thailand trip. Before travelling, I assumed Joshua's favourite accommodation would be one of the resorts with slides and children's facilities. Instead, some of our best family memories came from having our own private pool, spotting wildlife around the villa and spending time together in a setting that felt completely different from a standard hotel.

For our full review, including room types, floating lunch, private BBQ experience and whether we'd stay there again, see Villa Zolitude Phuket Review: Is a Private Pool in a Jungle Villa Worth It With Kids?

By the end of the evening, we understood why so many people fall in love with Phuket. The pace was slower, the weather was warmer and we still had almost a week of beaches, island tours and family adventures ahead of us.

Day 9: Island Hopping

This was one of the highlights of our entire Thailand itinerary and a day Joshua had been looking forward to for months.

We had an early start, with pickup from Villa Zolitude around 6:15am, before heading to the marina. While the start was early, it was absolutely worth it. The further we travelled from Phuket, the more dramatic the scenery became, with towering limestone cliffs, turquoise water and small islands appearing in every direction.

Throughout the day we visited a mixture of islands, beaches and swimming spots. One of the things we enjoyed most was that the day never felt repetitive. We weren't just sitting on a boat all day. Instead, the trip combined sightseeing, beach stops, swimming and plenty of opportunities to get out and explore.

Highlights included:

• Dramatic limestone karsts rising out of the sea

• White sand beaches

• Crystal-clear water

• Speedboat rides between islands

• Swimming and beach time

• Some of the most scenic views of the entire trip

What made it work particularly well as a family activity was the constant change of scenery. There was always another island, beach or viewpoint coming up, which kept Joshua engaged throughout the day.

It was also one of the days where Phuket really justified its reputation as a family destination. The combination of beautiful scenery and adventure felt very different from the cultural sightseeing we'd been doing in Bangkok and Northern Thailand.

If I were planning a Phuket itinerary again, an island-hopping day would be one of the first things I'd include.

The biggest decision is choosing which tour to book. We spent a lot of time debating whether to visit James Bond Island, Phi Phi Islands, or try to do both. If you're weighing up the options, see James Bond Island vs Phi Phi Islands: Which Boat Trip Is Better for Families? Can You Do Both?, where I compare the scenery, travel times, beaches and which option I think works best with children.

By the time we returned to Villa Zolitude late that afternoon, everyone was tired, sun soaked and very happy. It was exactly the kind of family holiday day we'd imagined when planning our trip to Thailand.

Day 10: Villa Day

This ended up being one of our favourite days in Phuket.

With so many activities available, it can be tempting to fill every day with tours, island trips and sightseeing. Phuket certainly has enough to keep families busy. Between James Bond Island, Phi Phi, ATV tours, bamboo rafting, elephant experiences and beaches, you could easily spend a week doing something different every day. If you're looking for ideas, see Best Things to Do in Phuket With Kids

Instead, we deliberately spent the day enjoying Villa Zolitude itself. The morning started slowly with breakfast overlooking the jungle before returning to our private pool. Later, we booked one of the hotel's signature experiences, a floating lunch, which turned out to be every bit as fun as it looks in the photos and was something Joshua particularly enjoyed.

The rest of the day was spent:

• Swimming in our private pool

• Relaxing on the terrace

• Enjoying the rainforest views

• Watching wildlife around the villa

• Making use of the space we'd paid for

It was a completely different pace to the previous day's island-hopping adventure and, looking back, probably exactly what we needed.

That evening, we finished the day with the villa's private BBQ experience. Rather than finding a restaurant, staff came directly to the villa and prepared dinner while Joshua continued swimming. It felt much more personal than going out for a meal and became one of those experiences we still talk about when looking back on the trip.

This day also reinforced an important lesson about family travel. Sometimes the most memorable experiences aren't the major attractions. They're the opportunities to slow down and enjoy where you're staying.

For us, the floating lunch and private BBQ ended up being just as memorable as some of Phuket's headline attractions, which says a lot about how much we enjoyed our stay.

Day 11: Transfer to Mai Khao

After three nights at Villa Zolitude, we moved across the island to Mai Khao Beach in North Phuket.

We booked a Grab, loaded our luggage into the car and made the journey in around an hour. One of the reasons we chose to split our stay was to experience two completely different sides of Phuket. Villa Zolitude had given us a peaceful jungle retreat close to South Phuket's attractions, while Mai Khao offered a quieter, more resort-focused beach experience.

We checked into Splash Beach Resort, which we had originally chosen because of its family facilities and water park. Unfortunately, the splash park was closed during our stay, which definitely affected our overall impression of the hotel. However, we still enjoyed spending the afternoon exploring the resort, relaxing by the pool and getting our bearings in a new part of the island.

The contrast with South Phuket was immediately noticeable. Mai Khao felt quieter, less developed and much more focused on beaches and resort holidays.

For our full experience, including what worked, what didn't and whether we'd stay there again, see Splash Beach Resort Phuket Review

Day 12: Beach and Pool Day

After several busy days of travelling and excursions, we deliberately kept this day simple.

Mai Khao Beach is very different from many of Phuket's more famous beaches. It feels much larger, less crowded and more relaxed, making it ideal for families who simply want space to enjoy the coast.

We spent the day:

• Walking along Mai Khao Beach

• Swimming in the pool

• Hiring a mini jet ski

• Exploring the resort

• Watching aircraft fly overhead

One of the unexpected highlights was the famous plane-spotting beach close to Phuket Airport. Because aircraft approach directly over the beach when landing, planes pass surprisingly low overhead. We initially thought we'd spend a few minutes watching before moving on, but Joshua was fascinated and happily spent far longer there than we expected.

The mini jet ski rental was another hit and became one of Joshua's favourite activities of our time in North Phuket. Sometimes the simplest days end up being the most enjoyable, and this was a good example of that.

This slower day was exactly what we needed before another full-day excursion. It also reinforced an important lesson from the trip: not every day in Thailand needs to be packed with attractions. Having time to enjoy the beach, the pool and your surroundings can be just as valuable as sightseeing.

Day 13: Bamboo Rafting & ATV Tour

This was probably the most adventurous day of the entire trip and a welcome change from beach days and sightseeing.

We were picked up from the hotel at around 8:30am and spent the day exploring a completely different side of Phuket. While many people associate Phuket with beaches and island tours, there are also plenty of jungle-based activities in the interior of the island.

The day combined:

• Bamboo rafting

• ATV riding

• Turtle sanctuary

• Scenic drives through the countryside

• Views of Phuket's tropical landscapes away from the coast

The ATVs were probably Joshua's highlight. Riding through muddy tracks and jungle scenery felt like a genuine adventure and was completely different from anything we'd done elsewhere on the trip.

The bamboo rafting was another experience that exceeded expectations. A storm had moved through the area earlier, so conditions weren't exactly dry, but once we were drifting down the river in the rain it actually added to the fun. We were already wet, so it really didn't matter. In some ways, it made the experience feel even more memorable.

One of the reasons this day worked so well was the variety. Rather than spending hours doing one activity, we constantly moved between different experiences, which helped keep Joshua engaged from start to finish.

By the time we returned to the hotel, we were exhausted, muddy and completely ready for a shower and a swim, always a good sign after an adventure day.

If you're wondering whether combining all of these activities into one trip is worth it, see Phuket ATV & Bamboo Rafting Tour Review where I break down the itinerary, travel times, suitability for children and whether I'd book it again.

Return Journey

Day 14: Phuket to Bangkok

After almost a week in Phuket, it was time to begin the journey home.

Rather than trying to connect directly from Phuket to our international flight, we decided to break up the journey with one final night in Bangkok. We booked a lunchtime Air Asia flight from Phuket to Bangkok, which gave us a relaxed morning before heading to the airport.

On arrival, we transferred to Summit Windmill Golf Residence, located close to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. This wasn't one of the most exciting hotels of the trip, but it was probably one of the most practical. After moving between multiple destinations over two weeks, having a spacious apartment-style room, a swimming pool and a quiet location close to the airport made the final night feel surprisingly relaxing.

We spent the remainder of the day:

• Relaxing by the pool

• Taking advantage of the larger apartment-style accommodation

• Having a final Thai dinner

• Repacking our luggage for the flight home

This extra night was definitely worthwhile. It removed the pressure of worrying about traffic, flight times and airport transfers on departure day and gave us one last chance to unwind after a fairly busy itinerary.

For families with evening arrivals or early international departures, I'd happily recommend this approach and would stay at the hotel again. For our full experience, see Summit Windmill Golf Residence Bangkok Review.

Day 15: Fly Home

After breakfast, it was a short transfer to Bangkok Airport for our flight home.

By this point we'd travelled through Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Phuket, experienced temples, markets, waterfalls, island tours, tuk tuks, boats, wildlife encounters and more swimming pools than Joshua could count.

The extra overnight stop meant departure day felt calm rather than stressful, which was the perfect way to end what had been an incredible two-week family adventure around Thailand.

Internal Flights, Transport and Hotels

Internal Flights

For a route like this, internal flights are absolutely worth it.

Thailand is much bigger than it looks on a map, and trying to connect Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket overland would have consumed a significant amount of holiday time. By flying between the main destinations, we maximised sightseeing time and minimised long travel days.

Our internal flights were:

• Bangkok → Chiang Mai (Thai Airways)

• Chiang Mai → Phuket (Air Asia)

• Phuket → Bangkok (Air Asia)

We deliberately booked flights around lunchtime wherever possible. This worked well because it aligned with hotel check-out and check-in times, meaning we weren't sitting around airports for hours or arriving somewhere before our room was ready.

In all cases, we added checked luggage. Although you can customise baggage allowances on Thailand's domestic airlines, we generally opted for 25kg baggage allowance, which closely matched our international flights and removed any concerns about weight restrictions as we moved around the country.

If you're planning a similar route and want to compare flights, trains, driving and Grab, see Getting Around Thailand With Kids.

Hotel Choices

One thing we were very deliberate about throughout this trip was hotel selection.

Every hotel we booked had a swimming pool, which proved far more important than we expected in Thailand's heat and humidity. We didn't necessarily choose the cheapest hotels, nor did we always choose the most luxurious. Instead, we focused on finding the best balance between:

• Location

• Family facilities

• Value for money

• Good reviews

• Activities nearby

Our approach was to choose hotels that supported the type of experience we wanted in each destination. In Bangkok, location mattered most because it reduced travel time between attractions. In Northern Thailand, we prioritised space and family-friendly facilities. In Phuket, we wanted a mix of unique accommodation and resorts that worked well for families.

Looking back, choosing the right hotels made a bigger difference than we expected. They weren't just places to sleep. The pools provided a break from the heat, the locations reduced transfer times, and several of the hotels became memorable parts of the trip in their own right.

If you're deciding where to stay, see Best Thailand Family Hotels: Where We Stayed & Would Book Again (Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai, Phuket Route), where I compare every hotel we used, who they're best suited to and whether we'd book them again.

Our Biggest Tips for Following This Thailand Itinerary

After completing the route, there are a few things we'd definitely recommend to other families.

• Book popular tours and activities in advance, particularly during school holidays.

• Start sightseeing early whenever possible to beat both the crowds and the heat.

• Use internal flights rather than long overland journeys.

• Consider hiring a car in Northern Thailand if you're comfortable driving.

• Don't underestimate travel days when planning your itinerary.

• Choose hotels with pools because you'll use them more than you think.

• Be selective with temples and attractions rather than trying to see everything.

• Make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance before you travel.

Perhaps the biggest lesson we learnt was that Thailand rewards sensible pacing. Many attractions look close together on a map, but transfer times can add up quickly. Building realistic travel times into the itinerary made the trip feel far more relaxed and allowed us to enjoy each destination properly.

Final Verdict

For our family, this route delivered almost everything we hoped for from a first trip to Thailand.

Over two weeks we experienced city life in Bangkok, explored ancient ruins in Ayutthaya, discovered Northern Thailand's temples and mountain scenery, relaxed in private pool villas, visited tropical islands, rode ATVs through the jungle and spent plenty of time by pools and beaches.

What worked particularly well was the variety.

Every destination felt different. Bangkok provided the culture and iconic sights, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai gave us a more traditional side of Thailand, and Phuket delivered the beaches, activities and relaxation that rounded off the trip perfectly.

If we were planning the same itinerary again, we'd follow a very similar route. The only significant changes we'd probably make would be spending slightly longer in Phuket and being a little more selective about how many temples we visited across Northern Thailand.

As a first introduction to Thailand with kids, though, this itinerary struck a really good balance between sightseeing, adventure and downtime.

If you're looking for a family-friendly Thailand route that combines the country's most famous highlights with plenty of opportunities to relax and have fun, I'd happily recommend this exact itinerary again.

plan your TRIP TO thailand

If you’re planning your family trip to Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.