Budget Overview
Backpacker
$25–40/day
per day
Mid-range
$70–100/day
per day
Luxury
N/A for this itinerary
per day
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- 1
Arrive Bangkok — Khao San Road Base
Bangkok- Check in to hostel dorm near Khao San Road
- Street food crawl on Khao San and side streets
Hostel dorm near Khao San Road (200–300 THB/night)$30·$80·$200 - 2
Bangkok's Free & Cheap Highlights
Bangkok- Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (500 THB entry — budget for it)
- Free Wat Pho entry with temple pass add-on
Same Bangkok hostel$35·$80·$200 - 3
Bangkok Markets & Night Life
Bangkok- Chatuchak Weekend Market (free to browse)
- Silom street food and Lumphini Park run
Same Bangkok hostel$30·$70·$180 - 4
Overnight Train to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai- Board the overnight sleeper train at Hua Lamphong (~19:00)
- Wake up arriving into Chiang Mai (~07:00)
Overnight train Bangkok–Chiang Mai (12 hr)2nd class sleeper train (600–700 THB) — saves a night's accommodation$25·$70·$200 - 5
Chiang Mai Old City
Chiang Mai- Old City moat walk — many temples are free
- Nimman Road cafés (cheap coffee and coworking)
Hostel in Old City (200–300 THB/night)$25·$65·$180 - 6
Doi Suthep & Night Market
Chiang Mai- Doi Suthep by songthaew (200 THB return)
- Sunday Walking Street (best value night market)
Same Chiang Mai hostel$30·$70·$180 - 7
Chiang Mai Day Trip on the Cheap
Chiang Mai- Cheap songthaew to Doi Inthanon National Park (400 THB entry + transport)
- Pack your own lunch to cut costs
Same Chiang Mai hostel$35·$80·$220 - 8
Bus South to Bangkok
Bangkok- Daytime bus back to Bangkok (VIP bus 700–800 THB)
- Evening arrival and rest
VIP bus Chiang Mai–Bangkok (9 hr)Same Bangkok hostel$30·$70·$180 - 9
Overnight Bus to Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan- Overnight bus + ferry combo from Bangkok to Koh Phangan
- Check in and beach rest on arrival
Night bus + ferry to Koh Phangan (10–11 hr)Beach bungalow Haad Yao or Baan Tai (400–600 THB/night)$35·$90·$250 - 10
Koh Phangan Beach & Snorkel
Koh Phangan- Snorkel at Haad Khom or Bottle Beach
- Rent a scooter for 200 THB and explore
Same bungalow$30·$80·$220 - 11
Koh Phangan Waterfalls & Viewpoints
Koh Phangan- Phaeng Waterfall hike (free)
- Viewpoint sunset on a rented scooter
Same bungalow$25·$70·$200 - 12
Koh Phangan Relax Day
Koh Phangan- Morning yoga (free beach sessions available)
- Cheap pad thai and fresh coconuts on the beach
Same bungalow$25·$70·$200 - 13
Day Trip to Koh Samui
Koh Samui- Ferry day trip to Koh Samui (300 THB return)
- Or Tor Kor market / Big Buddha visit
Return to Koh Phangan bungalow$40·$100·$280 - 14
Depart
Koh Phangan- Ferry to Surat Thani pier
- Bus or fly back to Bangkok for onward travel
Ferry + bus or fly to BangkokN/A$35·$80·$200
Plan Your Trip
Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Koh Phangan
Disclaimer
Daily budgets are approximate and based on typical costs. Prices vary by season, exact accommodation choice, and spending habits. Always check current transport prices before booking.