10 days in Chiang Mai and Hua Hin: family itinerary
Sleep Old City or Mae Rim first, then move to Hua Hin after a Southern Line or van hop of about 4 hours from the beach. Skip stacking Andaman and Gulf on the same week.
A Chiang Mai pool week and Hua Hin sand fit families who fly into Chiang Mai Airport and leave through Bangkok. Sleep five nights using Chiang Mai where to stay or Mae Rim, leave at 07:00 for Doi Suthep (30 THB, songthaew 60 to 100 THB), and keep island boats off the second half. Book a half-day ethical sanctuary. Khao soi lunch is 55 to 90 THB Monday to Saturday at Mae Sai.
Hop to Hua Hin via Bangkok plus the Southern Line about 4 hours (often 200 to 500 THB), or a child-seat van from the airport. Sleep four nights using Hua Hin where to stay. Night-market plates run 50 to 120 THB. Skip Patong and island boats. Family notes sit on family travel. Arrival-card steps live on visas and TDAC; file the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before you fly.
Day by day
1 Land CNX
Pool hotel in Old City, Nimman, or Mae Rim. No sanctuary on landing day.
2 Old City morning
One or two wats before the heat. Juice and a rest.
3 Doi Suthep 07:00
30 THB plus songthaew 60 to 100 THB. Back for a pool afternoon.
4 Elephant half-day
Named sanctuary, no riding. Van with listed seats.
5 Mae Rim or Inthanon
Rice terraces or a cooler hill day. Early dinner.
6 Fly or van toward Hua Hin
CNX to BKK about 70 to 75 minutes, then the beach hop.
7 Hua Hin sand
Town beach or Khao Takiab. No scooter.
8 Shallow day
Hotel beach and a night market hour if bedtime can move.
9 Optional Sam Roi Yot
Older kids only. Otherwise a second pool day.
10 Exit BKK
Van or train to the airport city. Same-day long-haul from Hua Hin is tight.
Hills first, then a mainland beach
This is not a Phuket week. Hua Hin is the Gulf train town. For Bangkok plus Hua Hin only, use the 7-day kids page.
| Block | Sleep | Move |
|---|---|---|
| Nights 1 to 5 | Chiang Mai or Mae Rim | Doi Suthep 07:00; sanctuary half-day |
| Hop | BKK then Hua Hin | 70 to 75 minutes plus train about 4 hours |
| Nights 6 to 9 | Hua Hin | Shallow sand; optional Sam Roi Yot |
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- Why skip Bangkok temples?
- Ten days already spend a travel day. Add two Bangkok nights only if you land BKK and cannot fly CNX first.
- Is Mae Rim worth it with kids?
- Yes if you want a rice-terrace resort and a quieter night. Old City is better for walking-street dinners.
- Child seats on the Hua Hin hop?
- List them on the voucher. Street taxis rarely carry a seat.