Setting Your Budget and Visas
A trip to Thailand from India is famously budget-friendly. For a 10-day trip covering these three cities, a comfortable budget is between ₹45,000 and ₹70,000 per person. Backpackers can manage on as little as ₹40,000. Your biggest costs will be flights.
Booking 6-8 weeks in advance from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata can land you a round-trip ticket to Bangkok for ₹15,000–₹20,000. As of September 2026, Indian passport holders can enter Thailand for tourism visa-free for up to 30 days. However, you must carry proof of a return ticket, accommodation, and sufficient funds—officially THB 20,000 per person. You also need to fill out the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before you fly.
Crafting the Perfect 10-Day Itinerary
To experience the best of all three locations without feeling rushed, a 10-day itinerary is ideal. A logical and cost-effective route is to fly into Bangkok, then take domestic flights to Chiang Mai and Krabi. Flying is the most efficient way to travel between these distant regions. A recommended split is: 3 days in Bangkok, 3 days in Chiang Mai, and 4 days in Krabi. This allows you to soak in the capital's chaos, explore the cultural heart of the north, and finally relax on the southern beaches. Budget airlines like AirAsia and Nok Air offer cheap domestic flights, often costing between ₹2,500 and ₹4,000 one-way if booked in advance.
Bangkok: The Energetic Capital (3 Days)
Start your adventure in Bangkok, a city of contrasts. Stay in budget-friendly areas like Sukhumvit or Silom for great transport links via the BTS Skytrain and MRT. A daily budget of ₹2,500–₹4,000 is realistic. For food, embrace the street food culture, where a delicious meal like Pad Thai or chicken rice can cost as little as ₹80-₹150. Visiting the grand temples comes at a small cost: Wat Pho is around THB 300 and Wat Arun is THB 200. To save money, explore the city's vibrant markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market, take a public boat along the Chao Phraya River, and use ride-sharing apps like Grab for affordable taxi rides.
Chiang Mai: The Cultural North (3 Days)
From Bangkok, take a short flight to Chiang Mai, the relaxed and affordable 'Rose of the North'. Here, your money stretches even further, with a daily budget for backpackers around 1,750 THB (approximately ₹4,000). Stay within the walls of the Old City, where you can explore countless ancient temples for free or for a very small fee. The best way to get around is by renting a scooter (around 300 THB/day) or using the local red trucks called songthaews. Don't miss hiking up to Doi Suthep temple for panoramic views, eating Khao Soi noodles at the Night Bazaar, and perhaps visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary, though this will be a splurge item.
Krabi: The Coastal Paradise (4 Days)
Your final stop is the stunning coastal province of Krabi. Fly from Chiang Mai and base yourself in Ao Nang, which offers a great balance of affordability and access to beaches and islands. Budget travelers can get by on $35-50 (around ₹2,900-₹4,200) per day. Accommodation in guesthouses starts from as low as ₹1,000-₹1,500 per night. The highlight of Krabi is island hopping. Instead of expensive private speedboats, opt for shared long-tail boat tours like the '4 Islands' tour, which offers fantastic value. For food, avoid the main beachfront restaurants and walk a few streets inland to find authentic Thai food for a fraction of the price. Must-do free activities include climbing the 1,260 steps to the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) and relaxing on Ao Nang or Noppharat Thara Beach.
