Destinations
Nineteen places in six regions, from Ayutthaya, about 80 km and 1.5 hours north of Bangkok, to Ubon Ratchathani on the Mekong, about 600 km away, each with its distance and realistic drive time, official status, best months and how to get there.
Updated · Distances and times checked Sep 2026
Drive times are realistic estimates for a private car, not traffic-free minimums.
Mid-October to mid-February is the most comfortable season almost everywhere.
| Destination | Region | From Bangkok | Official status | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Central | BKK airport about 30 km, 45–60 min | — | Nov–Feb |
| Ayutthaya | Central | About 80 km, about 1.5 h | UNESCO World Heritage (1991); historical park | Nov–Feb |
| Damnoen Saduak | Central | About 100 km, 1.5–2 h | — | Year-round, early morning |
| Hua Hin | Central | About 200 km, 2.5–3 h | Kaeng Krachan (UNESCO, 2021) about 1 h away | Nov–Feb |
| Kanchanaburi | West | About 130 km, about 2.5 h | Erawan National Park nearby | Nov–Feb |
| Sai Yok | West | About 200–215 km, 3–3.5 h | Sai Yok National Park | Nov–Feb |
| Pattaya | East | About 150 km, about 2 h | — | Nov–Feb |
| Koh Samet | East | About 200 km to Ban Phe, 2.5–3 h, plus a boat | National park | Nov–Feb |
| Koh Chang | East | About 320 km to the pier, 4–4.5 h, plus a ferry | Mu Ko Chang National Park | Nov–Feb |
| Chiang Mai | North | About 700 km, 8–9 h; most fly | Doi Suthep–Pui and Doi Inthanon national parks | Nov–Feb |
| Chiang Rai | North | Fly, or about 200 km (about 3 h) from Chiang Mai | — | Nov–Feb |
| Sukhothai | North | About 440 km, 5.5–6 h | UNESCO World Heritage (1991); historical park | Nov–Feb |
| Khao Yai | Northeast | About 180–200 km, about 2.5 h | National park; UNESCO World Heritage (2005) | Nov–Feb |
| Korat and Phimai | Northeast | About 250 km, 3–3.5 h (Phimai 1 h more) | Phimai Historical Park | Nov–Feb |
| Khon Kaen | Northeast | About 440 km, 5.5–6.5 h | — | Nov–Feb |
| Udon Thani and the Red Lotus Sea | Northeast | About 565 km, about 8 h; most fly | Ban Chiang (UNESCO, 1992) in the province | Dec–Feb |
| Ubon, Khong Chiam and Pha Taem | Northeast | About 600 km, 8 h or more; most fly | Pha Taem National Park | Nov–Feb |
| Phuket | South | About 850 km, 10–12 h; most fly | — | Nov–Apr |
| Krabi | South | Fly; about 170 km (2.5–3 h) from Phuket Airport | Marine national park (Phi Phi) | Nov–Apr |
Central Thailand
All within about 3 hours of Bangkok.
The capital on the Chao Phraya river: the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown and the markets. Most trips start here, at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK).
Bangkok airport transfers at fixed pricesAirport options compared
The former royal capital of Siam, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991: Wat Chaiwatthanaram by the river, the Buddha head in tree roots at Wat Mahathat, and the three chedis of Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Most visitors come for a day.
The best-known floating market, on the Ton Khem canal in Ratchaburi province. It is a morning market: private trips usually leave Bangkok at 06:00–07:00, and many add the Maeklong Railway Market.
A relaxed beach town on the upper Gulf coast with a long beach, night markets and a historic railway station. The Kaeng Krachan forest complex, UNESCO-listed since 2021, is about an hour inland.
Western Thailand
River Kwai history, waterfalls and raft houses toward the Myanmar border.
The River Kwai town: the Death Railway bridge, the Allied war cemetery and railway museums. Erawan Falls, in Erawan National Park, is about 1.5 hours from town.
Raft-house resorts on the River Kwai Noi along Highway 323, about 55–105 km beyond Kanchanaburi town, with Sai Yok Noi waterfall, Hellfire Pass and Sai Yok National Park.
Eastern Thailand
The beaches closest to Bangkok. Both islands are reached from mainland piers; no taxi drives onto them.
A busy beach city with Jomtien, Naklua and Pratumnak, and attractions such as the Sanctuary of Truth and Nong Nooch garden.
A small island off Rayong with white-sand beaches, inside a national park (an entry fee applies). There is no road link: boats leave from Ban Phe.
Thailand's second-largest island, in Trat province near the Cambodian border and mostly within Mu Ko Chang National Park: forested hills, waterfalls and west-coast beaches.
Northern Thailand
Temples, mountains and early capitals. Most travelers fly north and drive between the cities.
The north's main city: a moated Old City of Lanna temples, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on the mountain above, and walking-street markets. Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak (2,565 m), is a day trip.
The far north: Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), the Blue Temple, and the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong.
The 13th-century Thai capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991 with Si Satchanalai, about 55 km north. The historical park's chedis and Buddha images are best seen by bicycle; Loy Krathong (24 November 2026) is a highlight.
Isan
A UNESCO forest, Khmer temples, the Red Lotus Sea and the Mekong border with Laos. Korat is the gateway by road; Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani have airports.
Thailand's first national park (1962) and part of the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005: waterfalls such as Haew Narok and Haew Suwat, wildlife, viewpoints, and vineyards around Pak Chong.
Korat, officially Nakhon Ratchasima, is the gateway city to Isan. About 60 km north-east, Phimai Historical Park protects Prasat Hin Phimai, a large Khmer sandstone temple complex.
A university city in the heart of Isan, home to Khon Kaen University and Srinagarind Hospital, with the nine-tiered pagoda of Wat Nong Waeng beside Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake.
The Red Lotus Sea (Talay Bua Daeng) covers Nong Han lake at Kumphawapi, about 45 minutes from Udon Thani, peaking December to February; the flowers are open from about 06:00 to 11:00. Nong Khai and the Friendship Bridge to Laos are about 55 km north.
Khong Chiam, about 81 km (1 h 20) from Ubon Ratchathani, sits on the Mekong opposite Laos; Pha Taem National Park, roughly 15–20 km beyond, has prehistoric rock paintings on cliffs above the river and is known for its sunrise.
Southern Thailand
Beaches, limestone cliffs and island trips. The Andaman side is wettest from May to October.
Thailand's largest island: west-coast beaches from Patong to Karon and Kata, Old Phuket Town's Sino-Portuguese shophouses, and boats to Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi islands.
Limestone karst coast: Ao Nang beach, road-less Railay (about 15 minutes by long-tail boat) and island trips to Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Yao.
Fly the long hops and use licensed road transport for the rest: the official taxi rank, a certified app, buses and trains, or a car booked in writing at a fixed price per vehicle. See our licensed taxis guide, entry requirements and temple and park rules.
The destination links go to the regional booking sites of the Smile Taxi Service network: fixed prices per vehicle with tolls included, nothing charged when you book, free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup. Fares change, so each site shows its own. More on our trusted services page.
Transparency: Smile Taxi Service and the regional transfer sites linked on this page are affiliated with Approved Thailand. Everything we say about them comes from the operator's published terms.
By car it is about 440 km and 5.5–6 hours. Or fly to Sukhothai (THS) from Suvarnabhumi, or to Phitsanulok (PHS) from Don Mueang, about an hour's drive from Sukhothai.
Yes, for most visitors. The UNESCO-listed old capital is about 80 km and 1.5 hours away, and its main temples fit in a day.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists December to February as peak season. Go between about 06:00 and 11:00, before the flowers close.
Transfers end at the mainland pier: Ban Phe (Rayong) for Koh Samet boats, Laem Ngop (Trat) for Koh Chang car ferries. With a transfer you board as a foot passenger.
For most regions, the cool season from mid-October to mid-February; for Phuket and Krabi, November to April.
