Thailand is a great place to travel because its so easy to get around; tuc-tucs, songtheaws, boats and minivans will take you wherever you want to go and there are tour shacks pretty much around every corner in the tourist hotspots where you can book day trips, and arrange transportation.
Our tried and tested itinerary will take you on a month long journey through the must-see destinations in Thailand from street food and temple hopping in The City of Angels, to beach hopping and snorkelling in the paradise islands.
- FOUR WEEK ITINERARY -
Bangkok (3 Days) - Surat Thani (1 Night) - Koh Samui (5 days) - Koh Pha Ngan (3 Days) - Krabi (3 Days) -
Koh Lanta (4 Days) - Phi Phi (2 Days) - Phuket (3 Days) - Chiang Mai (5 Days)
- KOH PHI PHI -
Koh Phi Phi, like Ko Pha Ngan, panders to the party scene. The island itself is beautiful, however it is severely scarred by infinite bars and clubs it hosts. There is very little that remains of the island that hasn't been commercialised. We found the island to be much more expensive than the majority of the other islands we had visited, and it was nearly impossible to find any Thai food! However, if you're looking for a destination to have a boozey couple of nights out, then Phi would be perfect - and there are hoards of europeans that will join you.
Our favourite thing about the island was the day trips to Maya Bay, and the four island tour which includes snorkelling (and was some of the best snorkelling we have done to date).
- KOH PHA NGAN -
Ko Pha Ngan is the neighbouring island to Koh Samui with a very different appeal. While it does still have nice beaches offering both western and Thai eateries, the main pull factor is the nightlife and the infamous full moon party (Entry fee 100baht). Due to the dominance of the party scene, the island itself is much less charming than its neighbour and much more commercial. However, if you do like partying then Ko Pha ngan is an unmissable destination. Cheap accommodation, alcohol and beach parties are the perfect recipe for a boozey getaway with friends and a chance to let your hair down, have a dance and meet fellow travellers!
There are still some hidden gems on the island; secluded private beaches with your very own beach bungalows are the perfect place to recover from the night before and nurse that hangover! Accommodation prices tend to rocket for the full moon party and usually require a 3 day booking, but don't panic - you can stay in Koh Samui and easily get the ferry across for the night ahead. The last ferry is at 18.30pm however if you miss this you can get a speedboat over but will cost you some dollar.
If you don't just want to party and want to see some of the natural wonders this beautiful island has to offer, hop on a scooter and ride around exploring all the different beaches including Mar Haat Beach where two different tides meet. Away from the beach there are waterfalls which are well worth checking out. Feeling hungry head over to the Thong Sala Night market or learn to cook like a local with one of the many cooking classes.
- KRABI -
It is easy to reach Krabi from Koh Pha Ngan, there are plenty of tourist shops that offer the boat/ bus service but it pays to look around for the best price.The best thing about Krabi is the night market that runs every weekend in the town centre. Here you can find an incredible variety of local cuisine, frantically cooked for hungry market goers. The other half of the market is dedicated to material goods such as t-shirts, sunglasses and souvenirs like magnets and bespoke leather engraved keyrings.
Due to its location, Krabi is also an ideal place to stay while exploring the nearby islands which are accessible through day trips that should cost between £15 and £25. Ao Nang is only a short drive away and is picture postcard, with its white sandy beach. Its also one of the main starting places for the island hopping trip which usually goes to limestone islands such as Ko Hong, Ko Poda and Chicken Island.
Railey Beach is a short ferry ride away and can be visited on the island hopping tour or you can stay a few nights on one the islands hotels. However these hotels tend to be quite expensive (around £30pn) compared to the rest of Thailand but is definitely worth it for the view.
- PHUKET -
Phuket is Thailand's largest island and one of the most well equipped for western tourism. With shopping malls, cinemas and hotels centered around Patong Beach the island caters for the more affluent traveller, though some budget options are available. Although we didn't go, Rough Guides hails Phuket as the diving capital of Thailand with views of spectacular colourful reefs which are well worth a visit.
Due to the overbearing focus on tourism, the island has much more of a resort feel to it which makes it a great place to stay if you are missing certain luxuries from home. Patong beach is a highlight, and although much more crowded than other beaches in Thailand, there is always something interesting that catches your eye as you walk around Patong. For us though it is not one of our favourites and we believe there are better beaches in Thailand.
- KO LANTA -
Ko Lanta is similar to Koh Samui in that it is a popular beach destination for tourists and its easy to see why. The beaches are postcard perfect and a lot of resorts offer direct beach access with beachside restaurants. Aside from sunbathing, the island has a national park, caves and markets which you should explore by hiring a moped (most hotels offer this as well). The roads are mostly very wide with little traffic, so Ko Lanta is a perfect place to get to grips with a bike if you haven't ridden one before!
We highly recommend stopping off at the restaurant at the top of the hill, as you make your way to the national park because of its panoramic views of the islands coastline. Plus, you will need a hearty lunch for the 2k nature trek around the national park; not necessarily the longest trek but definitely one of the steepest! You'll meet some cheeky monkeys on the way, and get some great views of the lighthouse and the beach.
- CHIANG MAI -
We chose to fly to Chiang Mai from Phuket which you can find relatively cheap flights for - booking in advance makes costs slightly lower. Chiang Mai is Thailand's second city, but unquestionably the adventure capital of the country. A much more relaxed ambience fills the warm air of the green hills as the pace of life is significantly slower than that of Bangkok. We stayed in Chiang Mai for 5 days and we didn't fit in nearly half of what we wanted to! There are infinite tours and day trips that operate from Chiang Mai that there is always too much to do and not enough time! From white water rafting and elephant trekking to cooking classes there is a tour to suit everybody. Check out our blog on 'Things Not To Miss in Chiang Mai' for some activity ideas!
In the evenings, markets light up the rustic streets where vendors sell food, typical tourist 'tat' as well as some real charming gifts and souvenirs that we are yet to see anywhere else.
BANGKOK - KOH SAMUI - KO PHA NGAN - KRABI - PHUKET - KO LANTA - KOH PHI PHI - CHIANG MAI
ITINERARY
THAILAND
GALLERY
COMING SOON
- KOH SAMUI -
From Bangkok you can catch a flight to Surat Thani or take the sleeper train - we decided to fly because it was marginally more expensive (still cheap though) and took a fraction of the time. From Surat Thani you catch a ferry to take you to Koh Samui. Like most of Thailand's islands, it is hard not to like the relaxed holiday vibe and its easy to lose track of time sunbathing on the picturesque beaches. What makes Koh Samui especially charming is that despite being a holiday hotspot, it maintains its authenticity; street vendors line the edge of the island sitting in the sun drying out various catches of the day. Plus, if you're not quit acclimatised to the asian cuisine its as easy to order pizza as it is a Thai Green Curry.
The best way to get around the island is either via songthaew (a converted pick up truck with two benches in the back), taxi or moped, which you can rent for a few pounds per day! Always make sure you look over the bike before hiring, even take photos to prevent any nasty damage scams!
From the island there are day trips going to the nearby Angthong National Park which offers incredible panoramic views of the Emerald Lagoon and kayaking through the caves that border jurassic islands. This remains one of our favourite day trips ever so don't miss out!
In the evening, why not head to a night market where you can find knock off branded goods at very lucrative prices so long as you are prepared to haggle (read our blog here for top haggling tips!! Be sure to try the market food as well, especially as it is much cheaper and tastier than nearby restaurants.
- BANGKOK -
Bangkok is a really exciting city, and a great place to start travelling through Thailand. Accommodation is quite cheap even in the heart of the city, and the MRT train network is really efficient, easy to use and cheap - so as long as you're based near a station, it's easy to explore as much as the city as you have time for!
We recommend staying at least three full days in Bangkok so you have an opportunity to see all of the temples, markets and get your fill of the amazing street food!
Watch out for locals trying to scam you though, as a general rule if anybody approaches you out of the blue - they're probably not helping you out altruistically. It's a shame, because Thai people are some of the nicest we've ever met - but Bangkok is particularly notorious for having individuals con foreigners so have your wits about you, and if it's too good to be true - it probably is! Check out our blog on 'Things Not To Miss' in Bangkok.
R E L A X.
ANGTHONG NATIONAL PARK - KOH SAMUI
TRIED, TESTED & APPROVED
BY
Rachel & William
WEEK ONE: BANGKOK, SURAT THANI, KOH SAMUI
Eat. Sleep. Swim
