Heading to Thailand for 7 days and need help planning your trip? Check out this 7-day itinerary of how I spent my time in Thailand by visiting the city of Bangkok and the island Koh Samui. Note that this itinerary includes inter-country flights to get in-between these cities.
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Table of Contents
- Intro
- Recommended Tours & Activities
- THAILAND 7-DAY ITINERARY
- Day 0: Arrive Bangkok
- Day 1: Shopping & Rooftop Luxury
- Day 2: Bangkok Views & Tuk Tuk Food Tour
- Day 3: Temple Hopping
- Day 4: Depart Bangkok, Arrive Koh Samui
- Day 5: Adventure at Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Day 6: Ethical Elephant Encounter & Central Samui
- Day 7: Relax and Unwind on Koh Samui’s Best Beaches
- Final Words
Check Out
Intro
Thailand is a beautiful country with an incredible capital city full of culture, traditional temples and luxury, but it’s also known for its beautiful beaches that you can’t miss! This 7-day itinerary includes the best of both these worlds by spending some time in the bustling city of Bangkok, then hoping over to the island of Koh Samui to experience island life as well as be immersed in nature.
Note that this itinerary is jam-packed with activities to see as much as you can in a short amount of time. So of course, feel free to tailor this itinerary to fit your own interests, pace, and/or schedule.
Recommended Tours & Activities
Book unforgettable experiences and check out the below recommended tours, activities and attractions that are mentioned throughout this post:
- Chao Phraya River Hop-on Hop-off Boat
- Mahanakhon Skywalk
- Bangkok Midnight Food Tuk Tuk Tour
- Private Full Day Bangkok City Tour
- Longtail Boat Canal Cruise
- Koh Samui to Angthong National Marine Park Trip By Big Boat
- Elephant Nature Care, the largest elephant sanctuary on Koh Samui
THAILAND 7-DAY ITINERARY
The above map shows all the points of interest mentioned in this BANGKOK & KOH SAMUI itinerary. The points are color-coordinated as:
- Day 1 Points of Interest → RED
- Day 2 Points of Interest → ORANGE
- Day 3 Points of Interest → YELLOW
- Day 4 Points of Interest → GREEN
- Day 5 Points of Interest → TEAL
- Day 6 Points of Interest → DARK BLUE
- Day 7 Points of Interest → PURPLE
HOW TO USE THE ABOVE THAILAND: BANGKOK & KOH SAMUI MAP:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Click a Colored Point of Interest | Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest |
| Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right | Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account |
| On Larger Map view, click the STAR ☆ under “Thailand: Bangkok & Koh Samui“ | Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account to access anytime on Computer* or on Phone App** |
| * On Computer: In your Google Maps, Click “Saved” on left bar → Click “Maps” → Click “Thailand: Bangkok & Koh Samui“ | ** On Phone App: In your Google Maps app, Click “You” on bottom bar → Scroll to bottom → Click “Maps” → Click “Thailand: Bangkok & Koh Samui“ |
High-Level Itinerary
| 🛬 Arrive Bangkok | Day 0 |
| 🛍️ Shopping & 🌃 Rooftop Luxury | Day 1 |
| 🏙️ Bangkok Views & 🛺 Tuk Tuk Food Tour | Day 2 → Entry Tickets to Skywalk →Tuk Tuk Food Tour |
| 🪷 Temple Hopping | Day 3 →Day Tour to Bangkok Temples |
| 🛫🛬 Depart Bangkok, Arrive Koh Samui | Day 4 |
| 🏝️ Adventure at Ang Thong National Marine Park | Day 5 →Day Tour to National Park |
| 🐘 Ethical Elephant Encounter & 🎆 Central Samui | Day 6 →Day Tour to Elephant Home |
| 🏖️ Relax and Unwind on Koh Samui’s Best Beaches | Day 7 |
| 🛫 Depart Koh Samui | Day 8 |
Day 0: Arrive Bangkok
“Day zero” is your arrival at Bangkok airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Thailand. Get to your hotel, check-in, and settle in. Your 7-day itinerary in Thailand begins now!
For more details of how the next 3 days will look like in Bangkok, check out my more detailed post The Best Bangkok 3-Day Itinerary: Temples & Views.
Day 1: Shopping & Rooftop Luxury
On your first day of your 7-day itinerary in Thailand, start it off experiencing the opulent side of Bangkok!
Head to the luxurious mall of ICONSIAM, located right at the edge of Chao Phraya River. Explore the mall and be sure to check out the SookSiam market and the outdoor balcony. Then take advantage of your fancy hotel,
at Millennium Hilton Bangkok Hotel, and relax and sunbathe at the hotel pool!
At night, enjoy a luxurious dinner and drinks atop the Lebua at State Tower! On Lebua’s rooftop, you can visit the Lebua No. 3 bar, have a fancy dinner at Sirocco, then end with drinks at the Sky Bar while admiring the twinkling lights of the city.
Luxurious Malls & Rooftops • photos by Jeanie A
Day 2: Bangkok Views & Tuk Tuk Food Tour
On the second day of your 7-day Thailand itinerary, enjoy incredible views and go on a fun and tasty Tuk Tuk Food Tour!
Start the day enjoying views of Bangkok from the Chao Phraya River by riding a hop-on hop-off River Ferry. Book your tickets by clicking here. Then for some amazing panoramic views with a touch of thrill, go to the King Power Mahanakhon and experience the Mahankhon Skywalk!
Here, you can roam the exhibit, get a drink at the rooftop cafe, or relax on the tiered amphitheater seating while surrounded by panoramic views of Bangkok. And if you’re seeking more of a thrill, you can stand on a thick glass that looks down to the below ground. Book your entry tickets here.
Then at night, go on a Tuk Tuk Food Tour where you’ll ride with a local in their tuk tuk who will bring you to local restaurants and areas. You’ll try a variety of delicious foods and Thai cuisine, and see some amazingly-lit attractions. Click here to book your Tuk Tuk Food tour.
Mahanakhon Skywalk & Tuk Tuk Food Tour • photos by Jeanie A
Day 3: Temple Hopping
On the third day of your 7-day itinerary in Thailand, see some Bangkok highlights by visiting iconic Temples and cruising through the canals.
**If you want to experience all the stops on the first half go this day with a live tour guide who also provides transportation, then book it here.**
Start your day by going to the Grand Palace and exploring the complex filled with intricate and elaborate architectural designs. Then head over to Wat Arun and admire the intricate design of each of the towers.
The last temple is Wat Pho, home of the golden reclining Buddha.
In the afternoon, hop on a long-tail boat and cruise into the Chao Phraya River canals. Witness local life on the canals and make a brief stop at a canal-side market.
Temple Hopping & Canal Ride • photos by Jeanie A
Day 4: Depart Bangkok, Arrive Koh Samui
On the 4th day of your 7-day Thailand itinerary, you will check out of your Bangkok hotel and make your way to the Bangkok Airport (BKK). Catch your short domestic flight to Kok Samui (UMS) and get to your Koh Samui hotel. Check-in, settle in, and prepare for the next 3 days.
For more details of how the next 3 days will look like in Koh Samui, check out my more detailed post How to Spend 3 Amazing Days in Koh Samui: Nature, Wildlife & Relaxation – Itinerary.
Day 5: Adventure at Ang Thong National Marine Park
On the fifth day of your 7-day itinerary in Thailand, take a full-day tour and island hop from Koh Samui to the nearby archipelago of Ang Thong National Marine Park.
On this full day tour, you’ll board a big boat and cruise through Ang Thong National Park. This park is known for its limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons. You can also experience being immersed in the park’s beauty with hiking and kayaking adventures. Book this tour by clicking here.
Ang Thong National Marine Park • photos by Jeanie A
Day 6: Ethical Elephant Encounter & Central Samui
On the sixth day of your Thailand 7-day itinerary, head to an ethical elephant sanctuary for an unforgettable animal experience, then end the day exploring central Samui and watch a fire dance!
Check off a bucket list item and have an ethical elephant encounter at Samui Elephant Home! To experience this, purchase tickets here. Samui Elephant Home is an ethical elephant rescue that takes a humane approach. Here, you can interact with rescued elephants in a respectful and enriching way by preparing their food, feeding them, and rinsing them after their mudding.
At night, be sure to catch an iconic beach fire show at one of the many beach clubs along the coast!
Samui Elephant Home & Central Samui • photos by Jeanie A
Day 7: Relax and Unwind on Koh Samui’s Best Beaches
End your 7-day itinerary in Thailand by relaxing and unwinding on Koh Samui’s beaches!
Relax and sunbathe at one of the many amazing beaches, or if you’re looking for more of an adventure, partake in some water sports! Check out Khalifa Samui who offer a wide range of watersport activites you can do.
If you want to experience a Beach Club during the day, you can also do so at one of the many beach clubs. They typically have pools you can relax in and can also have a DJ playing music:
- ArkBar Beach Club
- #LOVE Beach Club
- Elephant Beach Cub
- Lub d Beach Club
- Cabanas Koh Samui Beach Club
- Sandbox – Pink Sand Beach Club
Relaxing on the Beach & Beach Clubs • photos by Jeanie A
Final Words
Thailand is an amazing country where you can experience a large metropolis city as well as tranquil beaches. This 7-day itinerary will have you experience the best of Thailand with visits to amazing temples, incredible viewpoints, thrilling adventures, and island life. Bon Voyage!
Whether you’re planning or reminiscing, I’d love to hear what you think.
Let’s chat in the comments below!
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