Thailand Round Trip with a Baby - Route, Tips & Highlights

While searching for the perfect destination for our parental leave with our then 8-month-old daughter, we quickly came across Thailand for a variety of reasons.
Without much hesitation, we decided to spend one month of our five-month parental leave trip there.

Wanting to discover as many facets of the country as possible, we quickly agreed that staying in one place wouldn’t be enough. So, we planned a road trip through Thailand—with our baby!

Looking back, we can say with full conviction: It was the absolute best decision! That’s why, in this post, we want to share all our experiences of traveling through Thailand with a baby, our itinerary, and our personal highlights. Ideally, this will also help you with your own travel planning.

OUR ROUTE THROUGH THAILAND

1. BANGKOK

Our Accommodation: iSanook Bangkok
Recommended Stay: At least 3 to 4 days or longer

Our journey began in Bangkok, and for a simple reason: there was a direct flight from Munich to Bangkok.
We didn’t want to subject our daughter to another flight, even a short one, to places like Phuket or Koh Samui after such a long trip.

Of course, during the planning phase, questions crossed our minds, like: “Is it even a good idea to travel to Bangkok with a baby right at the start of the trip, or will it just be stressful?” and “What can we do in Bangkok with a baby?” We also considered the heat, jet lag, and other potential challenges.
Today, we can confidently say that, in our case, all these concerns were completely unfounded. If you take your time, stay relaxed, and are willing to make a few compromises while sightseeing, you’ll find that visiting Bangkok with a baby is not only manageable but also incredibly enjoyable.

Thailand’s capital welcomed us with sunny 35°C and a wealth of big-city impressions. Thanks to our extended parental leave trip, we were able to spend a full week in Bangkok.
This allowed us to start our journey through the "Land of Smiles" at a relaxed pace, giving us time to recover from jet lag and adjust to the high temperatures.
It also meant we had plenty of time for leisurely sightseeing.

Our Tip: If, like us, you arrive in the capital early in the morning, consider booking your hotel room for the night before.
This way, you can check in immediately after arrival, rest after the long flight, and let your baby enjoy a peaceful nap in an air-conditioned room.
Otherwise, you might find yourself having to kill time until the official check-in in the early afternoon – possibly with your luggage in tow.

By the way, if you're wondering what to pack for your baby, check out our post "Packing List for Traveling with a Baby to Asia".
Additionally, we’ve written another post, "Traveling Thailand with a Baby – Tips, Information & Our Experiences", where we share all our knowledge about exploring the Land of Smiles with a little one.

Now back to our stay in Bangkok. To avoid wandering aimlessly through the city in the extreme heat, we created a rough sightseeing plan in advance.
Since the sprawling metropolis is so vast, we focused on one district and its attractions each day. In our opinion, this approach proved to be very effective.

HERE’S A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES WE EXPLORED DURING OUR STAY:

• Chinatown: The lively neighborhood around Yaowarat Road
• The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo
• Wat Pho Temple
• Wat Arun Temple
• Lumphini Park: Bangkok's green oasis
• Siam District: Known for its many shopping malls
• King Power Mahanakhon: Offering the best views over the city skyline
• Khao San Road: The tourist party hotspot

Getting Around: To get from point A to point B, we mostly used Grab, as it was comfortable, air-conditioned, and took us directly to our destination.
Of course, we occasionally hopped into one of Bangkok’s many tuk-tuks, which are often loud and fast.
However, we’d recommend riding in a tuk-tuk with a baby only in the evening, when the heat has subsided.

We also used the Skytrain several times, but since Bangkok’s public transport system is operated by different providers, you need a separate ticket for each mode of transport.
Additionally, the lines and schedules are not well-coordinated, which can sometimes feel a bit chaotic.

Our daughter was mostly carried in a baby carrier, which proved to be the ideal solution for us, especially in public transport or tuk-tuks.
We also brought the stroller along a few times, particularly for strolling through the shopping malls in the Siam district.
Transporting the stroller with Grab was never an issue; most drivers even helped us load it into the car.

2. CHIANG MAI

Our Accommodation: Stay with Nimman
Recommended Stay: zwischen 3 bis 6 Tagen

After an eventful week in the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, we flew to Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand and the country’s second-largest overall.

From the moment you arrive at the airport, it’s clear that life in Chiang Mai moves at a much calmer pace compared to the hectic energy of Bangkok.
Although Chiang Mai is also a major city, it exudes a much more relaxed atmosphere. The city is renowned for its countless temples, which you’ll seemingly find around every corner.
Don’t even try to visit them all during your stay—it would simply be impossible!

The Old Town is located within a square bordered by a historic city wall and a moat. Here, you’ll find not only the most significant temples but also many other attractions, the popular weekly night market (Sunday Walking Street), as well as numerous cafés and restaurants. The Old Town is best explored on foot.
A stroller is less practical here, as the sidewalks are often narrow or sometimes non-existent. That’s why we opted to use a baby carrier exclusively.
Another reason for this was that our accommodation was not located directly in the Old Town but in the trendy Nimman neighborhood, which we’ll discuss in more detail shortly.
To get to the Old Town, we either had to take one of the red shared taxis called Songthaew or ride a scooter—both of which were much easier for us to manage with a baby carrier.

Our Accommodation in the trendy Nimman neighborhood was simply perfect with a baby.
While there aren’t any traditional sights here, the area offers a wide range of hip cafés, restaurants, and hotels.
You can leisurely stroll from one café to the next, treat yourself to a relaxing session in one of the many massage salons, or enjoy a refreshing dip in the hotel pool.
Throughout the neighborhood, we used the stroller exclusively, even though sidewalks are often absent. The streets, however, are well-paved, lightly trafficked, and mostly flat.
Since not every café has a high chair, the stroller allowed us to enjoy our coffee or meal “in peace” while our daughter rested safely in the stroller.

Of course, Chiang Mai has much more to offer beyond the old town, its attractions, and the trendy Nimman neighborhood.
Here’s a brief overview of the sights and activities we explored during our stay:

• ‍Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: An absolute must-visit for every Chiang Mai traveler.
• Doi Pui View Point: Offers stunning views.
• Anusarn Market: A night market located slightly outside the city center.
• Ploen Ruedee Night Market: Not a typical night market, but more of a food market.
• Sunday Walking Street: The city’s most famous night market and another must-see for Chiang Mai visitors.
• Ginger Farm: Especially interesting for young children and older babies, featuring a petting zoo and a small playground.  ‍
• I Love Flower Farm: Perfect for beautiful photos amidst the flower fields.

Getting Around Chiang Mai: As mentioned earlier, we primarily used a rented scooter and the red shared taxis to get from point A to point B. In addition, we explored many places on foot.

By the way, you can find detailed information and useful tips about renting a scooter in Thailand in this blog post: Renting a Scooter in Thailand – Helpful Tips & Information.

Are you curious about our experiences riding a scooter with our daughter, not just in Chiang Mai but throughout the country?
Then check out our post, „Traveling Thailand with a Baby – Tips, Information & Our Experiences“.

3. AO NANG (KRABI)

Our Accommodation: Sea Seeker Krabi Resort
Recommended Stay: Between 3 to 7 days

After all the cultural experiences, it was time for some beach and sea. So, we took a two-hour flight from Chiang Mai to Krabi, which we had booked in advance through 12go.asia.
Upon arriving in Krabi, a hotel-organized minivan brought us to our accommodation in Ao Nang in about 40 minutes.
We spent a total of nine days in Ao Nang – looking back, it was a bit too long for us, but more on that later.

We chose the Sea Seeker Krabi Resort because it is particularly family-friendly. The resort offers amenities such as a small children’s pool, a supervised play area, baby cots, high chairs in the restaurant, spacious rooms, an elevator, stroller-friendly pathways, and much more. With so many other families staying there, we always felt welcome.
We never had the impression that children, whether due to noise or other behavior, were a disturbance to other guests.

Another positive aspect for us was the location of the hotel. It is situated only about a 15-minute walk from the town’s main beach.
The route was easily manageable with a stroller, thanks to the wide sidewalks.

For families with babies and toddlers, the expansive, fine white sand beach is ideal, especially in the morning.
At that time, there are still plenty of shaded spots under the many trees and palm trees. The water is very shallow, making it perfect for little ones.
By midday, however, the shaded spots become scarce due to the sun’s position, and during peak season, the beach quickly fills up, with visitors lying close together.
For us, this didn’t feel like a relaxing vacation. That’s why we usually returned to the hotel around noon, giving our daughter the opportunity to enjoy a restful nap in the air-conditioned room.

If you want to visit the surrounding islands, such as the famous Railay Beach peninsula or Koh Poda, you’ll need to head to Ao Nang’s main beach.
From there, the so-called longtail boats depart daily to the nearby islands. Tickets can be purchased directly on-site, and the boats leave as soon as there are enough passengers.
We visited both the Railay Beach peninsula and the slightly more distant island of Koh Poda with our daughter. In our opinion, the boat ride is manageable even with a baby.
However, it’s important to note that there are no life jackets for babies on board. If this is a priority for you, be sure to bring your own life jacket from home.
We used the Secumar Bravo life jacket during our trip. Transporting a stroller to the islands, let alone using it there, is virtually impossible. So don’t forget to bring your baby carrier instead.

In the evening, as the sun set and the heat subsided, we enjoyed leisurely strolls along the main street, browsing the shops and later taking in the stunning sunsets at the beach.
Afterward, we either ended the day in one of the many restaurants or visited the night market, which was located a bit further away.
For trips to the night market, we always used one of the many scooter taxis with sidecars (be sure to negotiate the price well before the ride).
The sidecars were spacious enough to fit all of us, including our small, practical stroller, without folding it down.
Our daughter either stayed in the stroller or sat on our lap, thoroughly enjoying the ride, the breeze, and the colorful lights passing by.

Ao Nang struck us as more of a typical mass tourism destination. Authentic Thailand is hard to find here, but there’s no shortage of activities for everyone, including families with small children. That said, the prices are slightly higher than in less touristy parts of the country.

For us, Ao Nang was perfect for recovering from the previous weeks of intense sightseeing. However, six days would have been enough, as the mass tourism vibe isn’t really our thing.

Since we don’t usually stay at the beach for too long and quickly feel the urge to explore and discover new places, we rented a scooter for several days.
We highly recommend this for anyone who doesn’t want to spend their entire time at the beach. The Krabi region has so much more to offer than just Ao Nang.
If riding a scooter with a baby isn’t an option for you, you can either rent a car or hire a private driver.

Here’s a brief overview of the sights and activities we explored in the Ao Nang area:

• Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary
• Wat Phu Khao Phra Maha Bodhisattva
• Din Daeng Doi
• Kuan Nom Saow Viewpoint – Highly recommended.
• Wat Tham Suea – Not recommended for families with babies and toddlers. Reaching the viewpoint and the temple requires climbing over 1,200 uneven steps.

4. KHAO LAK

Our Accommodation: Khao Lak Laguna Resort
Recommended Stay: 5 to 10 days

Our drive from Ao Nang to our next destination, Khao Lak, took around three hours by rental car.

For a small fee, we rented a car seat for our daughter. Since she hadn’t used a car seat during any of our previous drives in Thailand, her excitement about it was understandably limited. However, we were thrilled to finally be able to drive "relaxed", without having to hold her on our laps or come up with constant distractions to keep her seated calmly.
In fact, she fell asleep in the car seat rather quickly and only woke up shortly before we arrived in Khao Lak – a luxury only parents can truly appreciate!

In Khao Lak, we once again chose a very family-friendly hotel, the Khao Lak Laguna Resort, located directly on the beach.
Looking back, our time in Khao Lak was probably the most enjoyable of our entire trip to Thailand, and the hotel played a significant role in that.
We can highly recommend this accommodation to families with babies and young children.

Khao Lak is also a popular destination among tourists. Despite the number of visitors, we didn’t experience the feeling of mass tourism here, as we did in Ao Nang.

If you’re looking for a dreamy beach vacation on long stretches of fine white sand, Khao Lak is the perfect place.
Most of the region’s well-known beaches have at least one or more beachfront restaurants that also rent out sun loungers and umbrellas.
For those looking to save money, bringing your own beach mat is a great option, as there are plenty of shady spots near the restaurants that remain uncrowded, even during peak season. Our absolute favorite beach was White Sand Beach.

You can find more information about Khao Lak in our separate post, "Khao Lak: Tips & Attractions for Thailand’s Beach Paradise".

5. KOH SAMUI

Our Accommodation: Samui Blue Bird
Recommended Stay: Between 4 and 14 days

To continue our journey to Koh Samui, a hotel-organized driver first took us from Khao Lak to Phuket Airport in about an hour.
From there, we flew to Koh Samui in just 25 minutes on a small propeller plane. Upon arrival on the island, another driver was already waiting to take us to our accommodation in Maenam.

We decided to spend the next 10 days in a small, family-run accommodation with just three bungalows. Babies were more of an exception here, but that didn’t bother us at all.
The cozy bungalows, each with a fenced veranda—a true luxury for parents with crawling babies—and the well-maintained garden with a pool provided everything we needed.
The two warm-hearted Swiss owners, who are grandparents themselves, even provided us with a baby cot.
Sabina, one of the owners, was so delighted to have our daughter as a guest that she spent every free moment playing with her or keeping her entertained.
We felt completely at home throughout our stay.
If you don’t mind staying in a place that’s not overly child-focused but offers affordable rates and a peaceful atmosphere, this is the perfect spot for you!

For many parents, Koh Samui is considered the ultimate family-friendly island. Its numerous all-inclusive resorts, excellent medical facilities, and the large number of families with children of all ages make it especially appealing. Traveling to the island is generally straightforward, with direct flights available from various international hubs.
If you're looking for a relaxing beach holiday, you can easily spend 10 days or more here and have a truly wonderful time.

We, on the other hand, were looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation. That’s why we rented a scooter through our accommodation to explore the island on our own in the days ahead.
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Important Note: If you’re staying near Chaweng Beach or in the far north of the island, it’s advisable to rent a scooter only if you are an experienced scooter or motorcycle rider—especially if you’re traveling with a baby. Otherwise, opting for a rental car is a safer choice. During the day, the streets can be quite chaotic: party tourists, some under the influence of alcohol, inexperienced tourist riders, and numerous locals transporting all kinds of items on their scooters all share the narrow roads.
The large number of cars further intensifies the traffic congestion.

In contrast, the northwest and central parts of the island are much more relaxed, making riding a scooter there significantly more enjoyable.

During our time on the island, we visited the following attractions and enjoyed these activities:

• Big Buddha
• Wat Plai Laem with the Yao Mae Kuan Im statue.
• Chaweng Beach
• Fisherman’s Village Walking Street - The most popular night market takes place here on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Lamai Beach
• Tarnim Magic Garden
• Tree Bridge Coffee
• Nathon – One of the island’s few public playgrounds is located near the hospital here.

What’s important for us to mention here is that alongside our sightseeing program, it was equally important to ensure that our then 9-month-old daughter had a great time as well. Admittedly, this was sometimes a bit challenging for us in Koh Samui. Of course, we spent a lot of time with her at the beach, especially at Bang Makham Beach.
This beach was just a short scooter ride from our accommodation, offered very shallow water where she could crawl several meters with ease, and the shade usually lasted until midday.
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At that time, our daughter was a very active baby who loved watching and, of course, playing with other children.
Since our accommodation didn’t have a play area or playground, we searched online for public playgrounds and indoor play areas, which are particularly beneficial during the hot midday hours. Unfortunately, during our stay, we found very few playgrounds or indoor play areas available.

Here’s an overview of the playgrounds we visited:

• Outdoor playground at the hospital in Nathon – Unfortunately, there’s no shade after 11 am.
• Fun House Samui
• Clever Kids
• Skippy Land  
• Luk Khai Lek - A restaurant/café with a playground,

Good to know: No matter where your accommodation is located on the island, every activity requires some travel. If this feels too stressful over time or in general, it might be a good idea to book a family resort with its own play area. This would provide significantly more comfort and convenience in such cases.

Family Restaurant Tip: Homemade Burgers and Sandwiches. This restaurant stands out with its wide selection of toys, keeping little ones happily entertained before and after meals—allowing parents to enjoy their food in peace. The friendly staff deserves special mention for their attentive care and understanding of children’s needs.
It’s a hidden gem for anyone looking to combine great food with relaxed family time!

6. HAT YAI

Our Accommodation: Hatyai Signature Hotel
Recommended Stay: Between 2 and 3 days

Our original plan was to take the ferry from Koh Samui to the mainland and then board the night train directly to Malaysia.
However, as we left the island a bit earlier than planned, we discovered that no night trains were available at that time.

The entire journey to Georgetown, Malaysia, by car and train without longer breaks seemed too long and exhausting for our daughter.
So, we decided spontaneously to rent a car on the mainland and drive to Hat Yai.
There, we returned the rental car and stayed overnight, allowing us to continue our journey to Malaysia the next day feeling relaxed and well-rested.

Let’s get straight to the point: this unplanned stop in Hat Yai turned out to be a real stroke of luck and was absolutely worth it.

Hat Yai, the largest city in Songkhla Province in southern Thailand, is a destination that attracts many visitors from neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore but is less frequented by international tourists. The city offers a unique mix of traditional culture, bustling urban life, and plenty of opportunities for affordable shopping.
Due to its relatively long distance from popular tourist hotspots like Bangkok or Phuket, we recommend visiting Hat Yai only if you’re already planning onward travel to Malaysia—the journey otherwise might simply be too far.

Travel advisories often caution against traveling to the region and the city itself, which we took into account during our planning.
Nevertheless, we decided to visit Hat Yai with our baby, and we didn’t regret our decision. At no point did we feel unsafe, even during evening walks through the city.

Highlights in Hat Yai include the Kim Yong Market, a true shopping paradise offering everything from clothing and electronics to exotic snacks.
The night markets, such as the Greenway Night Market and the ASEAN Night Market, are also worth a visit.
These bustling markets feature countless street food stalls and local products, providing an authentic glimpse into the region’s cuisine and culture.
One of the most impressive attractions is the Phra Phuttha Hattha Mongkhon Buddha Statue at Wat Hat Yai Nai—one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand.
It serves as both a spiritual site and a viewpoint overlooking the city.
For those looking to explore the surrounding area, Tang Kuan Hill in Songkhla offers breathtaking views and the opportunity to ascend the hill via a cable car.

Getting to Hat Yai is straightforward: Hat Yai International Airport is located just about 9 kilometers from the city center and serves many domestic and regional flights.
Within the city, Songthaews (converted pick-up taxis) and Tuk-Tuks are the most affordable and popular modes of transportation, especially for shorter distances.
For more flexibility, renting a scooter is also a great option.

Our verdict on the city: For us, it was a hidden gem in southern Thailand, offering an authentic glimpse into Thai culture and lifestyle—an experience rarely found in the more tourist-heavy hotspots. With a variety of attractions and vibrant markets, the city is an appealing destination for anyone looking to explore a less touristy, more genuine side of Thailand.

How our journey continued into neighboring Malaysia and the experiences we had during our trip through the country are detailed in our separate post, "Malaysia Road Trip with a Baby – Itinerary, Tips & Highlights".

THIS POST WASN’T ENOUGH FOR YOU? YOU WANT EVEN MORE TIPS, INSPIRATION, AND ATTRACTIONS FOR YOUR TRIP TO THAILAND? THEN MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR FOLLOWING POSTS:

• Thailand Travel Planning: Tips & General Information for Your Trip to Thailand
• Khao Lak: Tips & Attractions for Thailand’s Beach Paradise
• Renting a Scooter in Thailand – Helpful Tips & Information
• Packing List for Traveling with a Baby to Asia
• Traveling Thailand with a Baby – Tips, Information & Our Experiences

Enjoy browsing and planning!

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable Transfers with 12Go.com
• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• Discover the best accommodations
• The best Travel Guides for Thailand
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Thailand

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Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.