Best Road Trips in Thailand with Scenic Views
Heading to Thailand for your next adventure? If you are planning to do more sightseeing on the road, we've got lots of road trip inspiration for you!
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Buckle up and be enchanted by the Land of Smiles' scenic routes by going on a Thailand road trip. Apart from the bustling streets of Bangkok and the white sand beaches of Phuket, Thailand is also home to majestic mountains, sacred temples, pristine animal sanctuaries, and captivating coastlines. And they are all waiting for you to explore!
But first, your chariot. Get your car rental settled with Klook! Klook’s car rental service is serviced by top-rated suppliers and familiar names for your peace of mind such as Hertz, Europcar and Avis. You can quickly book top car rental brands at a very affordable rate, and have the freedom to choose anywhere in Thailand to pick up and drop off your rental.
Another perk when booking with Klook is that you can conveniently cancel your booking as long as it's made before pick-up! For example, if there are changes to travel restriction guidelines before your trip, you can still get a full refund if you cancel within the free cancellation period.
Ready to hit the road? We've rounded up the most picturesque routes and destinations for your Thailand road trip. Whether you have a few hours or days to spare, we got you covered—all you have to do is think of what to bring and your road trip playlist!
- Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai
- Bangkok to Phetchabhun
- Rayong to Pattaya, Bangkok, and Hua Hin
- Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
- Bangkok to Phuket
- Bangkok to Khao Yai
- Bangkok to Khao Kho
- Chiang Mai to Pai
1. Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai
How many days? You can complete this road trip in a day! The journey takes seven hours on the road, but feel free to spend more time at your stops.
Up for a Thailand road trip that takes you back in time? Venture from the ancient city of Ayutthaya to the northern capital of Chiang Mai! The journey takes seven hours on the road and gives glimpses of the kingdom's old splendour through Ayutthaya's gigantic monasteries and Chiang Mai's golden temples.
Start your trip bright and early with the Ayutthaya day tour, and explore the former royal capital through ruins and well-known temples. You can head to Chiang Mai after you're done exploring Ayutthaya.
Along the way, you'll be passing through different national parks. Head over to Doi Khun Tan or Wiang Kosai for picturesque sights of virgin pine forests and majestic waterfalls, or stop by Si Satchanalai Historical Park for its ancient temples.
Once you've arrived at Chiang Mai, take your time wandering around from one temple to another. Want to immerse yourself in the hill tribe life? Make sure to visit the Don Pui Village if you're interested in the Hmong tribe or the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary for the Karen hill tribe.
2. Bangkok to Phetchabhun
How many days? You can complete this road trip in a day! It takes five hours if you drive non-stop from Bangkok to Phetchabun.
Watch towering buildings transform into majestic mountains on this Bangkok road trip to Phetchabun. This five-hour drive is quite an easy journey, especially for drivers who prefer less steep and winding roads.
This road trip starts from the capital city, where there is no shortage of fun activities. While you're in Bangkok, we recommend a stopover at Safari World to meet and greet animals such as giraffes, ostriches, and the mighty king of the jungle.
You'll see bustling cityscapes change into tranquil countryside views as you make your way over to Phetchabhun, where plenty of rural delights await you.
The area's most famous attraction is Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, a kaleidoscopic temple adorned with multicolored mosaic tiles. You may also explore Khao Kho and watch over the well-known Sea of Mist to see what it's like to be above the clouds and do a wine tour too!
3. Rayong to Pattaya, Bangkok, and Hua Hin
How many days? We recommend you spare two days for this trip! Spend a night on Walking Street before heading to Bangkok and Hua Hin.
Looking for a road trip that brings you Thailand's famed nightlife, beaches, and city adventures in one journey? Start your trip at Koh Samet in Rayong Province for a dose of vitamin sea.
From here, continue traveling for an hour to Pattaya, where you can spend the rest of your day. You might consider visiting Art in Paradise Pattaya or taking a rest before partying the night away on Walking Street.
On your second day, spend two hours on the road to reach Bangkok, where you can spend half of the day exploring temples or getting a traditional Thai massage. After you've rested, drive over to the beautiful resort city of Hua Hin, where you can sip on cocktails just in time for an idyllic sunset by the beach.
4. Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
How many days? You can complete this road trip in a day! The journey takes three hours on the road, but feel free to spend more time at your stops.
Image credit: @ridingwiththeranas
Got a little time to squeeze in a quick Thailand road trip? This Bangkok to Kanchanaburi journey only takes three hours! Start your road trip from Bangkok and soak in fantastic views of rural landscapes.
Once you've arrived at Kanchanaburi, you're spoilt for choice. History buffs might be interested in the historic Khwae Yai River Bridge and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery at the city center. Or revel in nature at Erawan National Park, home to one of Thailand's iconic waterfalls, or at Tree Top Adventures for jungle swings and ziplines!
5. Bangkok to Phuket
How many days? The itinerary can be done within two days. If you have more time to spare, you may also dedicate at least seven days for the whole trip by spending a night at each of the stops we mentioned above!
Want the ultimate Thailand road trip? Travel on the road from Bangkok to Phuket! This itinerary has six stops and can last for two days up to one week, depending on how many days you can spare. Take it to the next level by going on a week-long trip to spend a day at each stop!
Start your road trip from Bangkok and take a tour around its popular Thai floating markets! Weave through Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Amphawa Floating Market aboard a long-tailed boat for souvenirs to bring home.
Afterward, make your way south to the sleepy town of Hua Hin, where people visit for its white-sand beach or for Maruekhathaiyawan Palace. In case you wanna spend a night here, Hua Hin's Night Markets are also a great place to enjoy retail therapy.
Or, continue along the journey to Prachuap Khiri Khan if you prefer a more quiet place to spend the night. Here, you can relish fresh seafood at restaurants along the beach road before retreating to your room at the Prachuap Grand Hotel.
The latter half of this Thailand road trip takes you to more scenic nature landscapes as you spend more time on the road. From Prachuap Khiri Khan, drive for about two hours to Chumphon, known for its coral reefs and pristine coastlines.
Also, a two-hour drive away from here is Surat Thani (check out the beautiful view at Thamma Park 'Ban Khao Na Nai'!) and Khao Sok National Park, a nature reserve with breathtaking rock formations, caves, and expansive lakes.
The penultimate stop on this road trip lands at a tiny island near Phuket called Koh Yao Noi. To get here, drive from Surat Thani for two hours to the pier at Krabi, where you can either hire a speedboat or a ferry. Koh Yao Noi is the perfect escape for those who want to spend their day on a quiet beach away from the crowd.
Finally, get back to Krabi by boat and drive for 40 minutes to reach Phuket, home to the famed Phi Phi islands, Phang Nga Bay, and the Big Buddha. Looking for a fuss-free Phuket tour? Join this half-day discovery tour to explore all of the city's well-known attractions with a friendly guide. You can either park your car near the meet-up place or be picked up from your Phuket accommodation.
6. Bangkok to Khao Yai
How many days? A day! It takes approximately a little over two hours to drive from Bangkok to Khao Yai National Park.
The quickest way to see everything Khao Yai offers is through a three-hour drive northeast of Bangkok. If you’re looking for a road trip with majestic views and fun adventures along the way, we recommend you reach Khao Yai through the south.
Head east and prepare to bid goodbye to Bangkok as your surroundings become the countryside. Be on the lookout for fruit stalls by the road—you might want to stop over and buy fresh fruits such as the durian! You’ll also be gazing over the serene Bang Pakong River and its freshwater fish farms as you drive nearer to Khao Yai.
On this route, you’ll be arriving first by the southern tip of Khao Yai, where different creatures await you, including elephants, gibbons in the thicket, and wild deer, among others. While in Khao Yai, visit PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, Farm Chok Chai, and the Chocolate Factory and Restaurant before heading back home.
7. Bangkok to Khao Kho
How many days? We recommend you spend three days and two nights on this trip.
Want a change of scenery? Trade Bangkok's retail wonderland for Khao Kho's alpine sights! With a five-hour drive, you'll be casting your eyes upon the Thai Alps and savouring the cool mountain breeze.
From Bangkok, drive towards Lopburi, your first pitstop. Here, you have enough postcard-perfect attractions to visit for a day. Make sure to snap photos for Insta when you visit the Saraburi Sunflower Fields, Peacock Temple, and Wat Phra Buddha Badh. We recommend visiting between mid-November to January, so the sunflowers are in full bloom!
Afterward, cool down at the emerald Wang Kan Lueng Waterfall before driving to Khao Kho, where your dreamy holiday awaits. Choose whether you want to hike Phu Thap Boek Mountain, visit the Khao Kho Wind Farm, or feast on seafood at Bannaitoi. The possibilities are endless!
8. Chiang Mai to Pai
How many days? The itinerary can be done within a day!
In the mood for something adventurous? The route between Chiang Mai and Pai is one of the most thrilling out here, as the road seems to twist and turn throughout the trip. If you're comfortable driving down narrow and winding streets, you might want to check this Thailand road trip out!
Fret not—you'll be reaching Pai, the golden pot at the end of the challenging road, after four hours, and it's smooth sailing from then onwards. Spend your day touring around Pai's key attractions that backpackers love to visit. If you're craving more of the thrill—explore the Pai Canyon or go river tubing!
