2 weeks in Thailand on a budget

Bangkok, the north and the islands in 14 days, with costs for every stop.

Updated October 2026 · Prices in baht with US dollars at about ฿33.5 = $1

Two weeks is enough for the classic Thailand loop: Bangkok's temples and food, the cool north, and a stretch of island time. This route keeps travel days to a minimum and costs about ฿17,300 ($516) for a backpacker, including the sleeper train, four paid highlights and a SIM, plus the leg from the north to the south and your international flights.

The route

  1. Arrive in BangkokAirport Rail Link (≤฿45) into the city. Street food dinner in Chinatown.
  2. Bangkok old townGrand Palace (฿500), Wat Pho (฿300), river ferry to Wat Arun (฿200).
  3. Ayutthaya day tripCheap train from Bangkok, bicycle around the ruins.
  4. Markets, then the night trainChatuchak or Lumphini Park, then the sleeper to Chiang Mai (lower berth ฿838).
  5. Arrive in Chiang MaiCheck in near the Old City. Temples on foot, Sunday or Saturday walking street if it is the weekend.
  6. Cooking classHalf-day class with a market visit (about $25–45).
  7. Doi SuthepShared songthaew up the mountain, temple entry about $1.50.
  8. Free day or elephant sanctuaryAn ethical sanctuary costs about $75–100, or rest and eat khao soi.
  9. Fly or bus south to KrabiCompare a domestic flight with an overnight bus. Ferry to Koh Phi Phi from ฿490.
  10. Koh Phi PhiSunrise at the viewpoint (฿30–50), afternoon on Long Beach.
  11. Maya Bay tripGroup longtail around Phi Phi Leh, ฿1,600–1,900 with the park fee.
  12. Ferry to Koh LantaQuieter beaches and cheaper bungalows.
  13. Koh LantaBeach day, scooter only if licensed.
  14. Back to Krabi or PhuketFerry and fly home, or continue your trip.

Backpacker budget

ItemCost
Bangkok, 4 days × ฿740฿2,960
Chiang Mai, 4 days × ฿610฿2,440
Islands, 6 days × ฿1,130฿6,780
Sleeper train Bangkok–Chiang Mai, lower berth฿838
Flight or bus Chiang Mai to the south, plus ferryvaries
Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun฿1,000
Cooking classabout ฿1,000
Phi Phi Leh longtail tour฿1,600
Tourist SIM, 15 days฿699
Total (without the north–south leg)≈฿17,300

Everyday rates are the backpacker figures from the budget calculator: bed, food, local transport and drinks. With private rooms and Grab, plan on roughly double.

Book your beds

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Changed the order? Going in the rainy season from May to October? Swap the Andaman islands for Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, which are usually drier in July and August.

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Questions people ask

How much does 2 weeks in Thailand cost?

About ฿17,300 (roughly $515) for a backpacker including the sleeper train, temples, a cooking class, a Phi Phi boat trip and a SIM, plus international flights and the leg from the north to the south.

Is 2 weeks enough for Thailand?

Yes for Bangkok, Chiang Mai and one island area. Trying to add both island coasts makes the trip rushed.

Should I go north or south first?

Either works. Ending on the islands lets you relax before flying home.

Do I need to book the sleeper train in advance?

Yes in high season, especially for lower berths, which sell out first.

Keep planning