The Best Road Trips In Thailand You Need To Take This Year

Driving in Thailand has its obstacles – not least that many drivers don’t stick to the rules of the road. However, the Land of Smiles is often best explored by car. So start your engines as we reveal the best road trips in Thailand. And remember, you’ll need your driving licence to rent a car here.

Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai

Stop at the Si Satchanalai Historical Park to visit the Wat Chang Lom temple

Bid farewell to the ancient city of Ayutthaya and take to the roads to reach the northern capital of Chiang Mai. The seven-hour journey is a relatively easy one, passing through national parks, including the Doi Khun Tan, Wiang Kosai and Si Satchanalai.

Bangkok to Phetchabun

The five-hour drive from Bangkok to Phetchabun offers amazing countryside views. Leave the bustling capital behind with nothing but mountains, farms and a few petrol stations to see along the way. The journey is not a windy or steep one, so you don’t need to fear the treacherous stretches found elsewhere. Upon arrival, head to Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, a temple made almost entirely of colourful mosaic tiles.

Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

The Wat Rong Khun temple is one of the top attractions in Chiang Rai

Hop in a rental and make the four-hour journey from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. The mountainous region in northern Thailand has a few noteworthy stops along the way, including hot springs where you can cook an egg in the boiling water. One of the most popular attractions in Chiang Rai is Wat Rong Khun, otherwise known as the White Temple.

Chiang Mai to Pai

Watch out for wildlife if you take the rural roads near Pai

This four-hour journey is one of the most treacherous, the road seemingly twists and turns throughout. Because of this, make the trip during the day and only if you are comfortable driving on hilly, narrow roads. At the end, however, awaits Pai, offering a laidback vibe, plenty of things to see and do and excellent restaurants.

You can visit both Chiang Mai and Pai as part of Culture Trip‘s 10-day small-group Northern Thailand trip.

Rayong to Pattaya, Bangkok and Hua Hin

Venture to Hua Hin for a tropical beach retreat

The drive from Rayong to Pattaya only takes about an hour – spend a night on Walking Street before making your way to Bangkok. It takes a little over two hours to get to the capital; stay for the day and explore the temples, watch a Muay Thai fight or get a traditional massage. End your journey in the beachy city of Hua Hin, about three hours southwest of Bangkok.

Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

Take a dip in the seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall, one of the most popular waterfalls in Thailand

Only got a little time in Thailand? The drive from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi should only take a few hours, but there’s still plenty to do upon arrival. Make your way to the city centre to see the Khwae Yai River Bridge and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. About 40 minutes outside the city is the Erawan National Park, home to one of the most famous waterfalls in Thailand. Also make a pit stop at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, just outside the city.

Bangkok to Mae Sot, Sukhothai, Phetchabun and Lopburi

The ancient ruins of Lopburi are home to thousands of crab-eating macaques

Start your journey in the capital and make the six- to seven-hour drive to the western city of Mae Sot – one of the least visited cities in the country. Spend your time in the Burmese-influenced city swimming in waterfalls and visiting hot springs, before heading to historic Sukhothai, a little over two hours away.

From there, head southeast to Phetchabun and continue to Lopburi. Here you’ll discover amazing ruins, including Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat and the King Narai’s Lopburi Palace. The city is also home to thousands of crab-eating macaques – visit on the last Sunday of November to catch the Lopburi Monkey Festival. Your journey back to Bangkok will take about two hours.

Prefer to sit back and let someone else do all the planning for you? Join our 10-day trip to Northern Thailand – carefully planned by our team of travel experts and led by trusted local insiders to bring you a hassle-free, 100% authentic experience.

Did you know – Culture trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic trips, compact and action-packed Mini trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing trips.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.