Trippa

Thailand: North to South

Route Overview

The full Thai backpacker experience, from the temples and street food of Bangkok up to the mountains and night markets of Chiang Mai, then back south to the Gulf and Andaman island paradises. Thailand's transport infrastructure is excellent and cheap, making it one of the easiest countries in the world to backpack independently. Roughly 2,000 km from the northern mountains to the southern islands.

Suggested duration: 3-6 weeks

Best Direction

Start in Bangkok, go north to Chiang Mai, return to Bangkok, then south to the islands. Bangkok is the natural hub, and this flow lets you explore the cultural north before relaxing on the beaches in the south. Most international flights arrive in Bangkok, making it the logical start and end point.

Best Time of Year

  • November to February is peak season -- cool, dry weather across the whole country, perfect beach conditions in the south, pleasant mountain temperatures in the north
  • March-May is the hot season -- searing heat (35-40C) in Bangkok and the north; the islands remain popular but inland travel is punishing
  • June-October is the rainy season -- afternoon downpours, but tourism drops off, prices plummet, and the landscape is lush. The Andaman coast (Krabi, Phuket) gets more rain than the Gulf coast (Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) from June-October

    • Stop-by-Stop Breakdown

    Northern Section

    1. Bangkok (2-4 days)

  • Temples, street food, Khao San Road, Chatuchak Market
  • See the Bangkok destination file for full details

    • 2. Bangkok → Chiang-Mai

  • Sleeper train: The classic backpacker option. Departs Hua Lamphong/Bang Sue station in the evening, arrives Chiang Mai the next morning. 13-14 hours. Air-conditioned 2nd class sleeper from 800-1,000 THB (~$23-29 USD). Book via 12Go Asia or at the station
  • Bus: 9-10 hours from Mo Chit Northern Terminal. VIP buses from 500-800 THB (~$14-23 USD)
  • Flight: Bangkok to Chiang Mai from 800-1,500 THB (~$23-43 USD) with AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air. 1.5 hours from Don Mueang Airport
  • Stay: 3-5 days (Old City temples, Sunday Night Market, cooking classes, Doi Suthep, elephant sanctuaries)

    • 3. Chiang-Mai → Pai

  • Minibus: 3 hours through 762 curves (yes, really). From 150-200 THB (~$4-6 USD). Runs frequently from the Chiang Mai arcade bus station
  • Motorbike: Rent from Chiang Mai for 200-300 THB/day (~$6-9 USD). The Mae Hong Son Loop is a legendary motorbike route
  • Stay: 3-5 days (canyon views, hot springs, Pai Night Market, waterfalls, chilled hippie vibe)

    • 4. Pai → Chiang-Rai

  • Return to Chiang Mai (3 hours, same minibus) then onward bus to Chiang Rai: 3-4 hours, 150-250 THB (~$4-7 USD)
  • Stay: 1-2 days (White Temple/Wat Rong Khun, Blue Temple, Black House, Golden Triangle, gateway to Laos)

    • Return to Bangkok

    5. Chiang-Mai → Bangkok

  • Same options as above in reverse (sleeper train, bus, or flight)

    • Southern Section

    6. Bangkok → Koh-Tao

  • Combined bus/train + ferry ticket: Book a joint ticket from Bangkok. Overnight bus or train to Chumphon (8-10 hours), then Lomprayah or Seatran catamaran to Koh Tao (1.5-2 hours). Combined ticket from 800-1,200 THB (~$23-34 USD)
  • Flight + ferry: Fly Bangkok to Chumphon (1 hour, from 1,200 THB / ~$34 USD) then ferry
  • Stay: 3-5 days (scuba diving -- one of the cheapest places in the world to get PADI certified from 9,000-11,000 THB / ~$260-315 USD including accommodation)

    • 7. Koh-Tao → Koh-Phangan

  • Ferry (Lomprayah or Seatran): 30-45 minutes, 350-500 THB (~$10-14 USD)
  • Stay: 2-5 days (Full Moon Party, Half Moon Party; outside party dates it is a beautiful, relaxed island. Haad Rin beach for parties, Thong Nai Pan and Bottle Beach for tranquility)

    • 8. Koh-Phangan → Koh-Samui

  • Ferry: 30 minutes, 200-350 THB (~$6-10 USD)
  • Stay: 1-3 days (more developed and upscale; Fisherman's Village, Ang Thong National Marine Park day trip from 1,800 THB / ~$52 USD)

    • 9. Alternative Southern Route: Andaman Coast

    Instead of (or in addition to) the Gulf islands, head to the Andaman coast:

    Bangkok → Krabi-Ao-Nang / Phuket

  • Overnight bus: 11-12 hours, 500-800 THB (~$14-23 USD)
  • Flight: 1.5 hours, from 800-1,500 THB (~$23-43 USD)
  • Stay in Krabi/Ao Nang: 3-5 days (Railay Beach by longtail boat, 4 Islands tour, rock climbing, kayaking)

    • Krabi-Ao-Nang → Koh-Lipe

  • Ferry (seasonal, November-May): 4-5 hours via Trang, from 1,500-2,000 THB (~$43-57 USD)
  • Stay: 2-4 days (crystal-clear water, snorkelling, Thailand's southernmost island paradise near the Malaysian border)

    • Transport Options Compared

    Trains

  • Booking: 12Go Asia (12go.asia) or at the station up to 60 days in advance
  • Bangkok-Chiang Mai sleeper: 800-1,000 THB (~$23-29 USD) for 2nd class AC sleeper
  • Pros: Romantic, comfortable sleepers save a night of accommodation, scenic, cheap
  • Cons: Slow, can be fully booked in peak season

    • Buses

  • VIP buses: 500-800 THB (~$14-23 USD) for most long-distance routes. 3 rows of seats, more legroom, blankets
  • Standard buses: 300-500 THB (~$9-14 USD). Less comfortable but functional
  • Minivans: Fast but cramped, 150-300 THB (~$4-9 USD) for shorter routes
  • Booking: At bus terminals or via 12Go Asia
  • Warning: Do not book buses from Khao San Road travel agents -- they use inferior operators and charge more

    • Flights

  • AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai VietJet fly domestic routes from Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
  • Typical prices: 800-2,000 THB (~$23-57 USD) for most domestic routes
  • Pros: Incredibly cheap if booked in advance, saves huge amounts of time
  • Cons: Luggage fees add up, Don Mueang is far from Bangkok centre

    • Ferries

  • Lomprayah and Seatran are the main Gulf island ferry operators
  • Andaman coast ferries run seasonally (November-May for smaller islands)
  • Booking: 12Go Asia, direct from ferry company websites, or at piers

    • Budget Comparison (Key Legs)

    RouteTrainBusFlight Bangkok → Chiang Mai800-1,000 THB500-800 THB800-1,500 THB Bangkok → Koh Tao (combined)800-1,200 THB800-1,200 THB2,000-3,000 THB Bangkok → KrabiN/A500-800 THB800-1,500 THB Bangkok → PhuketN/A600-900 THB800-1,500 THB

    All prices in THB. Approximate conversion: 35 THB = $1 USD

    Tips & Warnings

  • Full Moon Party dates -- check the calendar and book Koh Phangan accommodation well in advance. Prices triple around the Full Moon Party. If you want to avoid the madness, visit at other times
  • Scuba diving certification -- Koh Tao offers some of the world's cheapest PADI Open Water courses. Shop around, check reviews, and choose a reputable school. Ban's Diving, Crystal Dive, and Big Blue are well-established
  • 762 curves to Pai -- if you get motion sick, take medication before the minibus ride. Sitting in the front helps
  • Thai massage -- budget 200-300 THB (~$6-9 USD) for an excellent hour-long traditional Thai massage almost anywhere in the country
  • Songthaew (red trucks) -- in Chiang Mai these function as shared taxis. 30-60 THB per person within the old city
  • Grab app -- works in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and other cities. Use it to avoid taxi scams
  • Tourist Police: 1155
  • Motorbike rental -- widespread and cheap (200-300 THB/day) but the number one cause of travel insurance claims in Thailand. Wear a helmet, check brakes, and ensure your insurance covers motorcycles

    • Related Routes

  • Banana-Pancake-Trail -- the broader SE Asia circuit
  • Vietnam-North-to-South -- continue east into Vietnam
  • Cambodia-Circuit -- continue south into Cambodia