Overview
This page covers two separate one-week routes - the Andaman coast (Route A) and the Gulf island chain (Route B). Both are designed as standalone weeks or as the southern leg of a 2–3 week Thailand trip. See also the Thailand island hopping itinerary for a dedicated island-focused route.
Route A: Andaman Coast - Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta
Best season: November to April
Arrival: Fly Bangkok to Krabi (1h20m, from ฿900 on AirAsia). Or fly to Phuket and take a bus or taxi to Ao Nang (1.5 hours).
Day 1: Ao Nang, Krabi
Arrive Krabi. Transfer to Ao Nang Beach (30 minutes). Settle in, walk the beachfront, arrange tomorrow’s longtail to Railay.
Day 2: Railay Beach
Longtail from Ao Nang to Railay (15 minutes, ฿150 per person). Full day on the peninsula: Railay West beach in the morning, walk across to Phra Nang Cave Beach (the most spectacular cove). Afternoon: optional rock climbing intro session with Hot Rock or King Climbers (฿1,200–1,800). Return to Ao Nang by longtail at sunset.
Day 3: Four Islands day trip
Full-day longtail tour covering the Four Islands near Krabi - Koh Gai (Chicken Island), sandbar walk at Koh Tub, snorkel stop, beach at Koh Daeng. Departs 9am, returns 4pm. ฿600–900 per person. Browse Krabi tours and Four Islands trips or book through your guesthouse.
Day 4: Travel to Koh Phi Phi
Ferry from Ao Nang to Koh Phi Phi Don (45 minutes speedboat or 2 hours ferry). Check in. Afternoon: hike the viewpoint (20 minutes, ฿30) for the signature Phi Phi view of both bays simultaneously. Evening: Ton Sai village.
Day 5: Maya Bay and snorkelling
Join an early snorkel tour (departs 7:30am) covering Maya Bay before the crowds, Viking Cave, and the offshore reef sites. ฿700–1,200 per person. Afternoon: second viewpoint visit for sunset, or rest on Long Beach.
Day 6: Travel to Koh Lanta
Speedboat from Phi Phi to Koh Lanta (1 hour, ฿500–700) or via Ao Nang (via ferry). Check in to a beach guesthouse on Klong Dao or Klong Nin. Afternoon: settle, rent a scooter.
Day 7: Koh Lanta’s southern beaches
Scooter the west coast road: Klong Nin → Kantiang Bay (the most beautiful beach) → Bamboo Bay → Koh Lanta National Park (lighthouse, viewpoint, ฿200 entry). Return to Klong Dao for sunset and dinner. Depart: ferry from Koh Lanta to Krabi (1.5 hours), then fly home or continue.
Route B: Gulf Islands - Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao
Best season: February to August
Arrival: Fly Bangkok to Koh Samui (1h15m, Bangkok Airways, ฿2,500+) - expensive but direct. Budget option: fly to Surat Thani (฿900) + ferry to Koh Samui (2.5 hours, ฿300 Lomprayah). If combining the Andaman islands, book Phuket–Phi Phi–Krabi ferry tickets through your guesthouse or at the pier.
Days 1–2: Koh Samui
Day 1 - Arrive, settle on Chaweng or Bophut. Evening at Fisherman’s Village and the Friday Night Market (if Friday).
Day 2 - Ang Thong Marine National Park day trip (departs 8am from Ban Rak pier, ฿1,500–2,000) - the best day trip from Samui.
Day 3: Travel to Koh Phangan
Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (30 minutes, ฿200). Check in. If it’s Full Moon night: Had Rin (be prepared for crowds). If not: explore the island by scooter, head to Thong Nai Pan beach (northeast coast, 40 minutes by scooter - the island’s best beach).
Day 4: Koh Phangan
Full day on Thong Nai Pan or the north coast beaches. Haad Salad has good snorkelling. Yoga drop-in class at one of the north coast shalas (฿300–500).
Day 5: Travel to Koh Tao
Ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao (1 hour, ฿250). Check in, organise the next days with a dive school.
Days 6–7: Koh Tao diving or snorkelling
Two options:
- Diving: If you have a PADI/SSI certification, book 2 fun dives per day (฿700–900 per dive). Chumphon Pinnacle on day 7 if you’re Advanced Open Water.
- No certification: Half-day snorkel tour on day 6 (฿500–700, covers Japanese Gardens and Shark Bay). Day 7: rent a scooter, visit Hin Wong Bay and Tanote Bay independently.
Depart: ferry to Koh Samui or Surat Thani, then flight home.
Budget comparison
| Andaman (Route A) | Gulf (Route B) | |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (to/from Bangkok) | ฿1,800–3,600 | ฿1,800–5,000 |
| Accommodation (7 nights avg) | ฿7,000–21,000 | ฿5,600–21,000 |
| Activities (key items) | ฿5,000–8,000 | ฿4,000–10,000 |
| Food (7 days) | ฿2,100–4,200 | ฿2,100–4,200 |
| Estimated total | ฿15,900–36,800 | ฿13,500–40,200 |
Prices listed are approximate as of 2026.
Where to stay - Route A (Andaman Coast)
Ao Nang / Krabi (Days 1–3)
Ao Nang is the practical base for this leg - most boats to Railay and the Four Islands depart from here. Budget: Pak-Up Hostel in Krabi town (฿250–400 dorm) is the best budget base for boat connections, with straightforward transport links to Ao Nang pier. Mid-range: Aonang Princeville Resort on the beach strip offers reliable comfort at approximately ฿1,800–3,500/night. Upscale: Centara Anda Dhevi Resort has hilltop pool villas with Andaman views at approximately ฿3,500–7,000/night.
Koh Phi Phi (Days 4–5)
Accommodation on Phi Phi concentrates around Ton Sai Bay. Budget: Bay View Resort in Ton Sai has fan rooms at approximately ฿800–1,500/night. Mid-range to upscale: Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is on Laem Tong Bay - the quietest bay on the island, accessible by longtail only - with rooms at approximately ฿3,500–7,000/night. Book ahead in high season (December to February).
Koh Lanta (Days 6–7)
Budget: Lanta Riviera on Klong Dao beach from approximately ฿800–1,500/night. Mid-range: Pimalai Resort & Spa on Kantiang Bay - the best beach on the itinerary - at approximately ฿5,000–12,000/night; book well in advance between December and March. Budget travellers can also base themselves in Lanta Old Town on the east coast, where guesthouses start from approximately ฿500/night.
Where to stay - Route B (Gulf Islands)
Koh Samui (Days 1–2)
The north coast is quieter than Chaweng. Budget: The Tango Beach Resort in Maenam at approximately ฿800–1,500/night. Mid-range: Bo Phut Resort & Spa in Bophut at approximately ฿2,500–5,000/night, close to Fisherman’s Village. Upscale: Anantara Bophut faces north toward Koh Phangan and has rooms at approximately ฿5,000–10,000/night.
Koh Phangan (Days 3–4)
Budget: Haad Salad Resort on the quiet north coast at approximately ฿800–1,500/night, near decent snorkelling. Mid-range: Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan on Koh Ma bay has a private-feeling location with good offshore snorkelling at approximately ฿4,000–8,000/night.
Koh Tao (Days 5–7)
Budget: Blue Wind Bakery & Bungalows on Sairee beach from approximately ฿400–600/night. Mid-range: ACTV Resort has hillside rooms with sea views at approximately ฿1,500–3,000/night. Most dive schools on the island offer basic accommodation from approximately ฿300/night when booked alongside a course.
Restaurant recommendations by stop
Ao Nang: Lae Lay Grill is a panoramic seafood restaurant perched above the bay - expect approximately ฿300–700/person. The beachfront food stalls along the main strip do pad thai and fresh spring rolls at ฿60–100.
Koh Phi Phi: Papaya Restaurant in Ton Sai village handles Thai staples reliably at approximately ฿150–300/person. Le Grand Bleu is the better option for fresh seafood on the island at approximately ฿400–800/person.
Koh Lanta: Lazy Days on Klong Nin beach has good Thai and Western food with sunset views at approximately ฿300–600/person. The Fish & Chips Shop on Klong Dao is unexpectedly consistent for a casual meal at approximately ฿200–400/person.
Koh Samui: The Fisherman’s Village Friday Night Market in Bophut is the best evening for street food, with individual dishes at ฿60–150. Zazen in Bophut covers Thai-European fine dining at approximately ฿400–800/person.
Koh Tao: Café del Sol on Sairee handles breakfast well at approximately ฿150–300. Barracuda Bar & Restaurant on Sairee is the most reliable evening option, with meals at approximately ฿300–600/person.
See also: Krabi travel guide · Koh Phi Phi guide · Koh Lanta guide · Koh Samui guide · Koh Tao diving guide · Koh Phangan Full Moon Party · Thailand island hopping itinerary
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