Bangkok to Chiang Mai Express: Self-Launched

Arrive in Bangkok and get yourself settled in Chinatown (Yaowarat), one of the city's most atmospheric neighbourhoods. Spend your first evening exploring the neon-lit street food stalls along Yaowarat Road — try the roast duck, dim sum, and mango sticky rice. Book into a well-reviewed hostel or guesthouse in the area to keep costs low while staying centrally.

🚌Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Hua Lamphong station, then taxi or MRT to Chinatown (~£4-6 total)

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Chinatown, e.g. Lub d Bangkok Silom or NapPark Hostel @ Chinatown (~£12-18/night)

• →Arrive and check into hostel/guesthouse in Chinatown
• →Self-guided evening wander along Yaowarat Road (Bangkok's Chinatown)
• →Street food dinner on Yaowarat Road (budget ~£5-8)

Start the day with a self-booked klong (canal) boat tour to see Bangkok from the water, then visit the stunning Wat Pho temple complex with its famous reclining Buddha. In the afternoon, catch a public bus from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Kanchanaburi (~3 hours). Check into a riverside guesthouse or rafthouse — these are affordable and give you the iconic River Kwai experience.

🚌Public bus from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) to Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal (~£2.50). Local songthaew (shared taxi) to guesthouse (~£1).

🛏Riverside rafthouse or guesthouse in Kanchanaburi, e.g. Apple's Retreat & Guesthouse or Sam's House (~£10-15/night)

• →Klong riverboat tour — book via GetYourGuide or take the public Chao Phraya Express Boat (~£1-2) and explore canals independently
• →Visit Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) — entry ~£4
• →Take public bus from Bangkok Southern Terminal to Kanchanaburi (~£2.50, ~3 hrs)
• →Check into riverside rafthouse guesthouse on the River Kwai

A full day exploring Kanchanaburi's two iconic attractions. Head to Erawan National Park in the morning to swim in the turquoise tiered waterfalls — one of Thailand's most beautiful natural spots. Return to town in the afternoon to visit the Bridge on the River Kwai, then browse the JEATH War Museum. The Bridge is freely walkable and the surrounding area has great local restaurants for dinner.

🚌Shared songthaew or local minivan to Erawan National Park (~£2-3 each way, departs from Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal)

🛏Riverside guesthouse in Kanchanaburi, e.g. Good Times Resort or similar budget option (~£10-15/night)

• →Erawan National Park & Falls — take a public songthaew (~£2 each way) or minivan from Kanchanaburi town; park entry ~£4
• →Swimming in the tiered pools at Erawan Falls
• →Walk across the Bridge on the River Kwai (free)
• →Visit the JEATH War Museum (~£1.50) or Allied War Cemetery (free)

A big travel day with a rewarding stopover. Start with a visit to the Thai-Burma Railway Centre and Allied War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi before heading out. Take a bus to Ayutthaya — Thailand's ancient former capital — and spend a few hours exploring the spectacular temple ruins by bicycle (hire one for ~£2). Late afternoon/evening, take the overnight train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai to save on a night's accommodation.

🚌Bus from Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya via Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (~£4). Bicycle hire in Ayutthaya (~£2). Train from Ayutthaya station to Chiang Mai (~£12-20 for 2nd class sleeper).

🛏Overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai (saves a night's accommodation cost — budget for a 2nd class sleeper berth)

• →Visit Thai-Burma Railway Centre (~£5) and Allied War Cemetery (free)
• →Bus from Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya (~£4, ~3 hrs via Bangkok)
• →Hire a bicycle in Ayutthaya (~£2) and explore the Ayutthaya Historical Park temple ruins independently
• →Optional: Visit Chan Kasem National Museum (~£1) or Chao Sam Phraya National Museum (~£2)
• →Take the overnight train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai (~£12-20, book via 12Go.Asia or the State Railway of Thailand website)

Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning (the overnight train typically pulls in around 7-8am). Drop your bags at your guesthouse, freshen up, and spend the morning on a self-guided walk through Chiang Mai's charming Old Town, exploring the ancient city walls, moat, and temples. In the afternoon, take a shared songthaew up to Doi Suthep — the golden temple on the mountain overlooking the city, offering incredible views. Evening: dive into Chiang Mai's legendary street food scene.

🚌Arrive by overnight train. Shared red songthaew (local shared pickup truck taxi) for getting around the city (~£0.50-1.50 per ride). Shared songthaew to Doi Suthep (~£1.50 each way).

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse near Old Town, e.g. Stamp Chiang Mai Hostel or Deejai Backpackers (~£10-15/night)

• →Chiang Mai Old Town self-guided orientation walk — explore temples like Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh (entry ~£1-2 each)
• →Doi Suthep Temple visit — shared red songthaew from Chiang Mai University (~£1.50 each way); temple entry ~£2
• →Chiang Mai Street Food Crawl — head to the Sunday Walking Street or local night markets for dinner (~£5-8)

Spend a full day soaking up Chiang Mai's food and culture. Book yourself onto a Northern Thai cooking class — these are fantastic value, typically half-day, and you'll come home with real skills. Choose a class that includes a market visit for the most authentic experience. Spend the afternoon relaxing or hire a bicycle to explore the Old Town and surrounding temples at your own pace. In the evening, head to the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or Nimman area for street food and browsing.

🚌Shared red songthaew or bicycle for local transport (~£1-3)

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse near Old Town (~£10-15/night)

• →Northern Thai Cooking Class — book via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£20-30 including ingredients and recipe book)
• →Optional: Half-day cycling tour of Chiang Mai on a hired bicycle (~£3-5/day hire) exploring temples outside the old city walls
• →Evening street food walk at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or Nimman Night Market (~£5-8 for dinner)

On your final day, choose your own adventure. If you want to extend your trip, book a half-day or full-day hilltribe trek into the surrounding mountains — these are easily bookable directly through guesthouses or local agencies in Chiang Mai and are much cheaper than through a tour operator. Alternatively, visit the Golden Triangle (best done as a day trip from Chiang Mai, or as part of a longer extension). Depart from Chiang Mai Airport or take an overnight bus/train back to Bangkok.

🚌Shared songthaew or Grab (Thai ride-hailing app) to Chiang Mai Airport (~£3-5). Or overnight bus to Bangkok (~£8-12) via Arcade Bus Terminal.

🛏Check out — depart or book an extra night (~£10-15) if extending

• →Optional: Half-day hilltribe village trek — book directly with a local Chiang Mai agency (~£15-25 per person)
• →Optional: Full-day Golden Triangle tour from Chiang Mai via local agency or GetYourGuide (~£25-35)
• →Browse the Saturday or Sunday Walking Street market if departing in the evening
• →Depart from Chiang Mai International Airport or take overnight bus/train to Bangkok