Trip planningBy Clever Tourists · Published
Thailand is a good family destination because it is cheap, the food is mild if you ask, and the standard Bangkok, Chiang Mai and beach route can be done with short transfers. The planning questions are heat, how many long moves to ask of children, and which animal attractions to skip. We spent about six weeks in Thailand from December 2022 to January 2023 as a travel-and-photography trip, and do not claim to have travelled with children; this page uses our route for ideas and published sources for the family logistics. The route had Bangkok (10 days across two visits), Ayutthaya (3), Sukhothai (2), Lampang (3), Chiang Mai (6), Chiang Rai (7), Mae Hong Son (3), Khao Sok (4) and Ao Nang (4).
Free toolConvert to your own currency at live rates →Live mid-market rates for all 17 currencies we used, so you can see what a price actually costs.For two weeks with children, three bases beat six: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a beach. Our own plan for two weeks is in Thailand in 2 weeks, and the full route is in the 6-week route. In Bangkok, use the BTS and MRT to avoid road traffic: where to stay in Bangkok and the Bangkok guide. A day trip to Ayutthaya is the easy history stop: Bangkok to Ayutthaya by train or minivan.
Chiang Mai (we spent 6 days there) is cooler in the dry season, with temples, markets and nature day trips: where to stay in Chiang Mai, how many days in Chiang Mai and the Chiang Mai guide. Ao Nang (4 days in January 2023) is the Krabi beach base with boat trips to nearby islands: Bangkok to Krabi and Ao Nang. Khao Sok (4 days) is jungle and lake country and best for older children.
The overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai can be a highlight for children. The first-class fares in our guide were about 1,446 baht upper and 1,646 baht lower on train 9, or about 2,446 baht for sole use of a two-berth compartment, and a family of three or four should book a compartment together rather than risk sharing; see first vs second class. Fares and children's rules can change, so check the State Railway of Thailand before you book.
For flights and buses, see getting around Southeast Asia. In Bangkok, ride-hailing is safer than hailing taxis: Grab vs Bolt and taxi scams. Tuk-tuks have no seatbelts, so for a family a car ride is the better default.
Heat is the main practical limit. Plan outdoor sights in the morning and a pool or air-conditioned break in the afternoon. The UK Foreign Office (updated October 2026) reports severe flooding in parts of Thailand, including districts of Bangkok, so check the forecast before you fly. For season choice, see best time to visit Thailand, Thailand in December and January and Thailand in November.
For health, ask your doctor or a travel clinic about vaccinations for your children well before you leave, since requirements depend on age. Choose travel insurance with medical cover: travel insurance for international trips. Safety overall: is Thailand safe to visit; the usual tourist route avoids the far-south provinces and Cambodian border areas the UK advises against.
Children tolerate one big sight a day. In Bangkok that means a morning at the Grand Palace area or a river boat, then a break in the hotel pool; in Chiang Mai, a morning temple or market visit and an afternoon rest. Long travel days should be kept for their own day with nothing planned. The northern loop we travelled (Lampang, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son) involves many hours on the road and is better with older children, while Chiang Mai and Ao Nang suit younger ones.
Eat early. Many Thai dishes can be ordered mild by asking for no chilli, and fruit, rice, grilled chicken and fried eggs are easy defaults. Street food is fine where there is a queue of locals and food is cooked in front of you, but wash hands before eating and carry wipes. See what to eat in Thailand for dishes.
Pick elephant visits that are observation-only, with no rides, shows or chains, and check how a sanctuary describes its practices before booking. Day trips in Chiang Mai that include waterfalls and temples are easier on children than a long day at a single sight. Temples require covered shoulders and knees for visitors of all ages: temple dress code in Thailand. Sukhothai Historical Park is flat and rewarding by bicycle for older children: Sukhothai tickets and bicycle guide.
Our model's typical band for Thailand is US$30 to $50 per person per day on a budget and US$60 to $120 at mid-range, from published 2025 and 2026 cost guides, not what we spent, and based on a shared room, which suits a family room. The biggest costs are the islands and beach areas and flights; ATM fees run roughly 220 to 250 baht per withdrawal on foreign cards. Children's meal costs are low if you eat where locals eat: what to buy at a grocery store in Thailand. Full budget: how much a trip to Thailand costs. Tipping: tipping in Thailand.
Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival and check how the guide treats families, and read do I need a visa for Thailand. Save 1155 for the Tourist Police (24 hours, English-speaking operators), 191 for police, 1669 for medical emergencies and 199 for fire. Packing: what to pack for Thailand.
Two weeks is workable with three bases: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a beach such as Ao Nang. Fewer, longer stays suit children better than many short moves.
Often yes. In our guide, first class fares were about 1,446 baht upper and 1,646 baht lower on train 9, or about 2,446 baht for a whole compartment, which a family should book together.
Our model's typical band is US$30 to $50 per person per day on a budget and $60 to $120 at mid-range, assuming a shared room. Islands and flights are the big costs.
1155 for the Tourist Police, 191 for police, 1669 for medical and 199 for fire.
Heat, plus flooding in the wet season. Plan outdoor sights for the morning and check the forecast, since the UK reported severe flooding in parts of Thailand including Bangkok in October 2026.
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