Suggested Thailand travel itinerary 5 days for First-Time Travelers

Are you about to travel to Thailand for the first time but don’t know what to prepare? Check out What to do in Thailand for 5 days: Thailand Travel Itinerary 5 Days 4 Nightsfor First-Time Travelers built by Living Nomads for the first-time independent traveler in Thailand below!

If you want to travel abroad alone for the first time, no country can “beat” Thailand. Close to Vietnam, no visa required, low cost, delicious food and friendly people make Thailand the leading tourism country in Southeast Asia. On your first trip to Thailand, visit the most famous tourist destinations in the country.

Is this exciting enough? Let Living Nomads create an extremely friendly itinerary for the first-time independent traveler.

Thailand travel itinerary 5 days — Day 1: Arrive at Bangkok Airport, Check in at Hotel, Enjoy Food

Take the Shuttle to the Hotel to Check-in

If this is your first time traveling to Thailand alone, you should book an airport shuttle in advance if you are not familiar with the airport train system. When arriving at Don Mueang Airport (DMK), you just need to find the driver waiting with your name on the board in the arrival hall and confirm to get on the bus to take you straight to the center of Bangkok, both convenient and secure.

Bangkok BTS Skytrain One Day Pass

The hotel is also something you should keep in mind. For those traveling to Thailand for the first time, when choosing a hotel, prioritize a location near the center to shorten the distance between attractions, food courts and shopping. Traveling in Bangkok, you should combine BTS for quick main routes and Tuk Tuk to enjoy the colorful street experience. This combination makes the journey both effective and interesting for the first time exploring.

Stroll the Streets and Enjoy Local Cuisine

After checking in at the hotel, take some time to rest and then go out to enjoy mango sticky rice, one of Thailand’s famous specialties with a sweet and fatty taste that is very addictive. In the afternoon, you can try Thai hot pot buffet restaurants, where diners are served a variety of hot dishes.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfers

In the evening, continue to walk around to explore the city, conveniently stopping by convenience stores to buy some supplies or snacks before returning to the hotel to rest. These chains of stores are located throughout Bangkok, operating 24/7, so it is very convenient for tourists.

Day 2: Visit the City, Temples in Bangkok

Visit the Famous Temples in Bangkok

Bangkok Wat Pho & Wat Arun Guided Walking Tour

For the first time traveling to Thailand alone, instead of having to fumble around to find your way or worry about missing important places, we suggest booking a half-day temple tour for both convenience and a complete experience. The tour has two flexible time slots, morning or afternoon, with a shuttle bus to the hotel so you don’t have to worry about transportation. Just show the voucher on your phone and the tour guide will assist you right from the start of the journey.

Bangkok Temple Tour: Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, Wat Arun

During the trip, you will visit the most famous temples in Bangkok such as Wat Traimit, Golden Buddha Temple, Wat Pho or Marble Temple. The sophisticated architecture, golden Buddha statue and sacred atmosphere here will definitely bring many unforgettable impressions.

After finishing the journey at around 11:30, the car will take you back to the hotel to rest and continue the afternoon schedule. This is a safe choice, saves time and helps you have a deeper look at Thai culture.

Experience Food and Shopping in China Town

After resting at the hotel, you can start the afternoon by visiting a traditional restaurant to enjoy Thai cuisine in a cultural space. In addition to the flavorful main dishes, many restaurants also serve dessert buffets with attractive specialties such as Thai sweet soup or crispy fried bananas. When night falls, Bangkok becomes more bustling than ever with vibrant culinary neighborhoods.

Ancient City Bangkok and Erawan Museum Ticket

In particular, Chinatown is where shops are concentrated, open until late at night, offering the opportunity to explore many special dishes from Peking duck to street snacks. If you have eaten your fill in the afternoon, you can still walk, take pictures and enjoy the bustling atmosphere before calling a Tuk Tuk back to the hotel.

Day 3: Leaving Bangkok and Arrive at Beautiful Pattaya

Travel to Pattaya – Visit the Floating Market

Because Bangkok is quite close to Pattaya, visitors can completely go back in the day, which is both convenient and does not take too much effort to move. If you want to “change the wind” away from the bustling urban life, a full Pattaya tour will be a reasonable choice.

The schedule usually departs from 9am at Gate 1, ground floor of Siam Paragon Mall, and it only takes about 2 hours by car to get there. Here, you will have a whole day to experience the highlights such as Pattaya Floating Market, 3D Art in Paradise Museum and the clear blue Pattaya Beach.

Among them, Pattaya Floating Market impresses with its bustling space on the water, where hundreds of stalls sell all kinds of Thai specialties, tropical fruits, souvenirs and handmade jewelry. No need to bargain, prices are clearly listed so shopping is very comfortable. Even if you are not good at English, you just need to give money and say the amount, the seller will return the correct balance.

Pattaya Floating Market Ticket

For convenience in spending, you should prepare some Baht before departure (reference exchange rate: 100 Baht ~ 75,000 VND). This is definitely a stop that is both full and bustling, opening the colorful Pattaya journey.

Art in Paradise Pattaya Gallery

Art in Paradise Pattaya Ticket

Continuing the journey, Art in Paradise Pattaya Gallery is an ideal stop for those who love art and photography. This is a famous 3D painting museum, where the works use optical illusion techniques to make 2D paintings come to life. Just pose a little skillfully, you will have impressive photos as if you are entering another world.

To fully experience, you should fully charge your phone battery or prepare a spare charger, because you will definitely find it difficult to stop after the first few photos. This attraction not only brings joy but also makes the trip to Pattaya more memorable with countless creative frames.

Pattaya Beach

After walking around the attractions during the day, Pattaya Beach is the place for you to relax and enjoy the fresh air. On the long sandy beach, visitors can choose to walk, lie down or enjoy a cool coconut. If you want to snack, the street vendors along the beach are always ready to serve fresh seafood at affordable prices, bringing a very “local” and close feeling.

When the sunset falls, one of the most unique experiences in Pattaya is the Colosseum Show which takes place around 6 pm. The show is elaborately staged with vibrant music, beautiful choreography and continuous performances that keep the audience glued to their eyes.

Colosseum Show Pattaya Ticket

The show ends at 7:30 pm, the car takes the group back to Bangkok and you will be at the original pick-up point around 9:30 pm. From here, you can still take the time to walk around the city, buy some snacks before returning to the hotel to rest, ending a perfect day in Pattaya.

Day 4: Sightseeing at the Grand Palace and Cruise on the River Bangkok

Visit the Grand Palace & Cruise

If you want to spend an extra day exploring Bangkok in a new and convenient way, you can choose a tour to visit the Grand Palace combined with a cruise on the Chao Phraya River. The tour departs at 9:30 am from Century Mall, taking you on a boat to see the sights along the river banks and then visit the iconic structures of the Thai capital.

The most prominent highlights are the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Khaew) – two of the most sacred places, preserving many cultural, historical and architectural values. The sparkling tiled roofs, intricate carvings and solemn atmosphere make this place a destination that anyone visiting Bangkok for the first time should experience.

Enjoy Lunch Like a Local

Continuing the journey, visitors will experience a ferry ride across the river to Wang Lang Market – a local stop and famous as a “street food paradise” in Bangkok. This is the ideal place to enjoy lunch with a series of typical dishes, both delicious and easy to taste.

Thai Bus Food Tour Experience in Bangkok

After lunch, the tour takes you on a cruise along the Chao Phraya River. The moment sitting on the deck, watching the sparkling water and the scenery on both sides of the river brings an extremely relaxing feeling. On the journey, you will admire iconic structures such as the majestic Temple of Dawn, the Royal Thai Navy headquarters or the majestic Royal Barges Museum.

Hop-On Hop-Off Chao Phraya River Cruise Package, Bangkok

Shopping at Asiatique Night Market

At 5pm, the bus stops at Asiatique Night Market, and at 6pm it stops at King Power. Visitors can choose a suitable drop-off point to freely shop and eat. Whether at Asiatique with its romantic riverside atmosphere or the bustling King Power with its rich merchandise, you can easily find countless attractive options, especially clothes and shoes, the items that many tourists “buy” the most.

Day 5: Go to BigC to Buy Gifts, Have Lunch, Go to the Airport to Return Home

On the last day in Thailand, we suggest you take a leisurely walk around to have enough energy to go to the airport to return home. After having a buffet breakfast at the hotel, you can go to BigC to buy gifts for the family and have lunch. BigC in Thailand has a similar arrangement to BigC in Vietnam, so it is not difficult for you to find the items you want to buy.

Chao Phraya Princess Cruise in Bangkok

If you are afraid that you do not have enough cash, you can bring your Visa card in case you buy a lot of things. After shopping, you return to the hotel, pack your luggage, check out and take the shuttle to the airport to return home.

Hotel Suggestions for First-Time Travelers to Thailand

Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok (klook, agoda)

• Address: 94 Ratchadamri, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok
• Reference price: from VND 3,100,000/night

JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok (klook, agoda)

• Address: 04 Sukhumvit Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Bangkok
• Reference price: from VND 4,159,000/night

Wyndham Grand Phuket Kalim Bay (klook, agoda)

• Address: 8-18/19 Moo 6 Kamala, Kathu, Phuket
• Reference price: from VND 2,858,000/night

Le Meridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa (klook, agoda)

• Address: 40.5 Thanon Surawong, Bangrak, Bangkok
• Reference price: from VND 4,167,000/night

Baiyoke Sky Hotel Bangkok (klook, agoda)

• Address: 222 Ratchaprarop Rd, Thanon Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok
• Reference price: from 1,460,000 VND/night

Must-Try Dishes When Visiting Thailand For The First Time

Thailand is a country famous for its rich and diverse cuisine, loved by many tourists. If you are planning a trip to Thailand, do not forget to enjoy the following dishes:

Pad Thai

Pad Thai is Thailand’s most famous fried noodle dish. The dish is made from rice noodles, eggs, shrimp, peanuts and a special spicy and sour sauce. Pad Thai noodles have an eye-catching orange-yellow color, soft and chewy noodles, rich spicy and sour sauce, sweet fresh shrimp, and fatty peanuts. This is a dish not to be missed when traveling to Thailand.

Tom Yum Goong

Tom Yum Goong is a spicy and sour soup with shrimp as the main ingredient. The dish has a rich spicy and sour taste, delicious and nutritious. Tom Yum Goong is cooked from fresh shrimp, coconut milk, tomatoes, lemongrass, lime leaves, chili and spices. The dish has a harmonious sour and spicy taste, the sweetness of coconut milk, the aroma of lemongrass and lime leaves.

Khao Soi

Khao Soi is a Thai-style stir-fried noodle dish with a rich, golden sauce. The dish is made from egg noodles, coconut milk, yellow curry, shrimp, chicken and vegetables. Khao Soi has delicious chewy noodles, a rich sauce, sweet fresh shrimp, and soft, fragrant chicken. This is a typical dish of Northern Thailand.

Som Tum

Som Tum is a famous spicy and sour papaya salad of Thailand. The dish is made from green papaya, dried shrimp, peanuts, roasted peanuts, lemon, chili and spices. Som Tum has a rich, sour and spicy taste, delicious and nutritious. The dish has the sour taste of papaya, the spicy taste of chili, the rich taste of peanuts and roasted peanuts.

Mango Sticky Rice

Mango Sticky Rice is a sticky rice dish served with ripe mango and coconut milk. The dish has a sweet, fatty and delicious taste. Mango sticky rice is also a popular dessert in Thailand.

Estimated Thailand travel itinerary 5 days Cost for First-Time Travelers

Category	Estimated budget (VND) ~	Note
Round-trip airfare	3,375,000 VND	Average ticket price from Hanoi/HCMC – Bangkok
4 nights hotel (3-4 stars)	3,000,000 VND	Central Bangkok hotel, convenient for travel
Food	2,250,000 VND	Average 700 - 800 THB/day (restaurant + street food)
Getting around the city	750,000 VND	BTS, MRT, Tuk Tuk, taxi Grab
Pattaya 1 Day Tour	1,350,000 VND	Includes shuttle, entrance tickets, Colosseum show
Half-day temple tour	900,000 VND	Wat Traimit, Wat Pho, Marble Temple…
Palace & Cruise Tour	1,200,000 VND	Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Chao Phraya
Chinatown food tour ticket / night experience	900,000 VND	Eat, drink, and experience night culture
4G SIM + 5-day data	225,000 VND	Airport pick up via Klook
Shopping and personal spending	2,250,000 VND	Clothes, souvenirs, knick-knacks
Total	About 16,200,000 VND	Suitable for first-time visitors to be able to sightsee and shop quite comfortably

What have you prepared for your first trip to Thailand?

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Bangkok you can refer to

• Bangkok City & Temples Tour by Tour East
• Classic Bangkok Tour: Floating Market, Elephant Village, Asiatique, & More by AK Travel
• Bangkok Landmarks Day Tour: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chao Phraya River & More
• Bangkok Sky Train (BTS) One Day Pass
• Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link (ARL) Ticket
• [SALE] BTS Skytrain Rabbit Card
• Chao Phraya Tourist Boat Bangkok Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Boat
• [SALE] Chao Phraya Princess Cruise
• Floating Markets Day Tour: Damnoen Saduak, Maeklong and Amphawa
• Safari World Bangkok Ticket
• Bangkok Safari World Shared and Private Transfers Service Tour
• Mahanakhon SkyWalk Ticket in Bangkok
• Chao Phraya White Orchid Cruise in Bangkok
• Ancient City Bangkok and Erawan Museum Ticket
• Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More by TTD
• Bangkok Day Tour: Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha
• [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
• 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand

Are you finding more Bangkok travel guide: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out our Bangkok travel blog — The fullest Bangkok travel guide blog for a budget trip to Bangkok (BKK).