The ultimate family trip through Thailand
Itinerary and best things to do
Exploring Thailand with children is like an adventure full of wonders, where you discover vibrant cities, enchanting beaches, and lush nature. Here is a perfect route for an unforgettable road trip through Thailand with your family. This ‘basic route’ is ideal for about 3 weeks. However, we also mention additional places so you can create a 6-week road trip for yourself.
The Ultimate Family trip through Thailand
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The Ultimate Family trip through Thailand - Koh Samui
Start your journey with an oasis of relaxation on the lush island of Koh Samui. While most travelers begin their Thailand adventure in the busy and hot streets of Bangkok, Koh Samui offers a calmer and more relaxed introduction, especially for families. It’s the perfect place to beat jet lag and unwind after the long trip.
Beaches and so much more
Koh Samui welcomes you with sprawling beaches and a variety of activities for children. Explore the enchanting Night Market Fisherman’s Village, where colorful stalls and local delicacies excite the senses. Visit the majestic Wat Plai Laem Big Buddha Temple and create unforgettable memories at Lipa Noi Beach. Be amazed by the enchanting Tarnim Magic Garden and admire the beautiful elephants at the Samui Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary.
The best tours in Koh Samui can be easily booked online through GetYourGuide. Below you will find some inspiration.
Beautiful beach clubs and hotels
For the ultimate relaxation, the numerous beach clubs like Coco Tam’s, Elephant Beach Club, and Nikki Beach Resort Spa Koh Samui are perfect for unwinding while the children enjoy beach activities. Staying on this beautiful island is a pleasure, with a variety of child-friendly hotels that guarantee a comfortable stay. Here you will find the most child-friendly hotels in Koh Samui.
Stay: 7 nights (+4 optional)
We stayed a full week on the enchanting island of Koh Samui, which was the perfect duration for us to experience the magic of this destination.
For those interested in exploring more islands nearby, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao are fantastic options for day trips or even multi-day adventures. If you’re considering visiting these additional islands, we recommend extending your stay by at least half a week. This way, you can fully enjoy the unique experiences and discover the diversity of each destination without feeling rushed.
The Ultimate Family trip through Thailand - The Krabi region
It’s time for the next stop on this beautiful road trip through Thailand with the family. From Koh Samui, you can fly or take a boat to Krabi, an incredible region that enchants you with its beautiful beaches and breathtaking natural beauty. Krabi, with its base at Ao Nang Beach, offers an abundance of options for adventurous family outings.
The most beautiful beaches in Thailand
A highlight of Krabi is a visit to the pristine Railay Beach, a gem that is only accessible by boat and enchants you with its limestone cliffs and azure waters. Be sure to set out early so you can have the beach largely to yourself. In the afternoon, the crowds increase with the arrival of several boats. A recommendation is to have lunch at Summer Fresh @ Railay Beach.
Explore other enchanting beaches and islands that are easily accessible as day trips from Ao Nang Beach, such as Hong Island, Koh Gai, and Koh Poda.
Nice restaurants
Along the boulevard of Ao Nang Beach, there are several dining establishments worth visiting. For lunch and dinner, REEVE Beach Club Krabi and Nang An Beach Bar are good choices, while for a delicious breakfast, you might consider The Coffee Time and THE COFFEE CLUB – Ao Nang.
Stay: 4 nights (+3 optional)
Stay at least four nights in Krabi to fully experience the beauty of the surroundings. The Centara Anda Dhevi Resort Spa Krabi is an excellent recommendation, especially for families with children. The resort offers an ideal setting with a pool that includes a slide and a kids’ club. While the breakfast is somewhat limited, the area offers plenty of opportunities for a lovely breakfast out.
Also consider a visit to the famous Phi Phi Islands, where an overnight stay on the main island of Koh Phi Phi is definitely preferred over a fleeting day trip. This way, you can add two to three nights to your road trip. Look below for a complete tour to Koh Phi Phi.
The Ultimate Family trip through Thailand - Khao Sok National Park
After the beaches of Thailand, it’s time to dive into the jungle at the breathtaking Khao Sok National Park. From Krabi, you can easily travel by taxi (we paid around 65 euros in 2023) to Khao Sok National Park. This park offers a wealth of adventures for the whole family.
Monkey watching
Fun activities for families in Khao Sok National Park include a visit to the Monkey Temple, where you can buy an entrance ticket from the monks for a few cents. This temple is small and located on a quiet grounds, but the highlight is undoubtedly the interaction with the curious monkeys that will eat from your hand. Upon entry, you receive a bunch of bananas, and as you walk towards the temple, the monkeys will catch the scent of the bananas and emerge en masse from the jungle. It’s a beautiful spectacle to see how they gather. For my daughter Lizzy, this was the absolute highlight of our visit to Khao Sok National Park.
A walk through the jungle
Another recommendation is a walk through the National Park, which you can easily do on your own from the visitor center. There are several hiking trails of varying lengths available. We chose a walk of one kilometer each way, during which we saw monkeys, lizards, beautiful butterflies, large fish, turtles, and even a snake. A fun experience is also taking a bamboo raft ride on the Khao Sok River.
The highlight: Cheow Lan Lake
A highlight of the national park is a visit to the breathtaking Cheow Lan Lake, an enchanting water-rich area where you can read more in our blog Cheow Lan Lake with children.
Stay: 4 nights(+7 optional)
To truly enjoy all these wonderful activities, it is advisable to stay at least four nights in Khao Sok National Park. This way, you have enough time to explore the diversity of the park and enjoy the enchanting nature with your family. Enjoy a stay at accommodations such as Khaosok Rainforest Resort, Rock and Tree House Resort, Our Jungle House, Our Jungle Camp en Khao Sok Morning Mist Resort, which offer you a real jungle experience
You can choose to go to Chiang Mai after Khao Sok National Park before heading back to Bangkok. Read more about this in Ramona’s blog: Thailand with children – route. This way, you can add a week to the itinerary.
The Ultimate Family trip through Thailand - Bangkok
After the natural beauty of Khao Sok National Park, it’s time to head to the bustling Bangkok. This is the final stop on the family tour of Thailand. This metropolis captivates you with its contrasts and cultural riches
The most beautiful temples and palaces
Explore the stunning architecture of The Grand Palace, admire the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and enjoy the breathtaking views from Wat Arun.
A visit to Chinatown, King Power Mahanakhon and ICONSIAM should also be on your list when you’re in Bangkok with kids. Be sure to check out Gosia’s insider tips for Bangkok with children as well.
The Other Side of Bangkok
A boat trip through the klongs of Bangkok offers you a unique perspective on daily life along the river and is an experience that is both educational and fascinating for the children. Read all about it in our blog Boat trip Klongs Bangkok with children.
Stay: 4 nights
Stay at least 4 nights in Bangkok. We stayed at the Royal Princess Larn Luang.
A trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Did you know that you can extend your trip through Thailand with a visit of about 5 days to Siem Reap and the famous temples of Angkor Wat? Read all about it in our article on Siem Reap with children for an unforgettable addition to your journey.
Do you want to start planning your trip to Thailand right away?
When planning your trip to Thailand, there are various ways to book your accommodation and activities. If you prefer to arrange everything yourself, you can easily find accommodations that suit your needs through Booking.com. For unique excursions and tours, GetYourGuide is an excellent choice. Would you rather have everything arranged at once? Then TUI offers complete packages for a hassle-free vacation. If you’re looking for more flexibility and want to customize your trip, take a look at Riksja, where you can build your ideal journey with building blocks.
All our articles about Thailand
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HI, GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE!
Welkom op mijn blog! Ik ben Marlyn en samen met mijn man en twee kinderen (uit 2018 en 2020) een reislustig gezin uit de omgeving van Rotterdam.
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