Thailand was the first destination I traveled to solo, and let me tell you it was a trip I will never forget. From eating street food in Bangkok to island hopping south Thailand, the Land of Smiles truly has something for every traveler. Now, let’s talk about the Thai islands!
The islands are famous for their wonderful beaches, laid-back vibe, and excellent activities, such as scuba diving.
What’s more, Thailand offers an affordable escape compared to other tropical destinations—when I was there in 2011 I managed on a budget as low as $20 a day. If you travel at the right time of year, you will find that island hopping is a great way to take in this stunning part of the country.
So, I’ve compiled a list of the best islands in Thailand to explore on your next trip!
Here’s my ultimate guide to island hopping in Thailand!
To help inspire your planning, here’s a rough outline of my personal Thailand islands itinerary from my experience backpacking in Thailand. I’ve included how many days I spent in each destination, how to travel around Thailand islands, and the price of transportation.
My Thailand Island Hopping Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok to Phuket
- Flight from Bangkok to Phuket (Approx. $50 USD)
- Overnight stay in Phuket
Day 2: Phuket to Koh Phi Phi
- Ferry from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi (Starting from $10)
- 3 nights in Koh Phi Phi
Day 5: Koh Phi Phi to Krabi
- Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi (Negotiate for the best price, starting from $10)
- 2 nights in Krabi
Day 7: Krabi to Koh Samui
- Bus and Ferry from Krabi to Koh Samui (Starting from $15)
- 3 nights in Koh Samui
Day 10: Koh Samui to Koh Pha Ngan
- Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Pha Ngan (Starting from $5)
- 3 nights in Koh Pha Ngan
Day 13: Koh Pha Ngan to Koh Tao
- Ferry from Koh Pha Ngan to Koh Tao (Starting from $10)
- 2-3 nights in Koh Tao
Day 16: Koh Tao to Bangkok
- Ferry and overnight bus from Koh Tao to Bangkok (Starting from $30)
- 3 nights in Bangkok
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Traveling from Bangkok to Phuket
Wondering how to get to Thailand islands? Most people travel from Bangkok to start their hopping in Phuket, as I did.
There are several different ways to get to Phuket from Bangkok. Taking the bus is often the most economical choice, setting you back around $20 USD, but be prepared for the journey to stretch out to 13-16 hours and it might be a tad cramped.
Alternatively, you can take a train (with a stopover in Surat Thani) followed by a bus ride. This route takes a bit longer, approximately 16 hours, and costs around $30.
If time is of the essence, flying is your best bet. It’s the quickest and most convenient option, usually costing around $40 to $50 if booked in advance
Although the plane is the quickest, the railway and bus journey offer interesting scenery while also being a more environmentally friendly way to travel.
Best Thai Islands to Visit
These are my recommended spots to include on your Thailand island-hopping itinerary.
Phuket
While Phuket was my least favorite destination on my trip based on Patong Beach’s huge backpacker party scene, it’s well worth renting a private villa in a more remote area. Patong Beach does have an amazing weekend night market which I highly recommend visiting!
Koh Phi Phi
This is the natural next stop on your Thai island hopping adventure when leaving Phuket, with a regular ferry service provided by several companies between the two islands. There are excellent dive sites, and individual Phi Phi islands (including the famous “Beach” movie location, Maya Bay).
Koh Samui
After Koh Phi Phi, many travelers typically swing back to the mainland in Krabi before hopping on a bus to catch a ferry to Koh Samui. The ferry ride typically takes around 4-5 hours, but if you’re looking for a quicker journey, flying is also an option.
Once you’re in Koh Samui, you’ll discover idyllic beaches like Lipa Noi, plus, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you entertained, from day trips to iconic landmarks like the Big Buddha Temple to exploring the Na Muang Waterfall.
Koh Pha Ngan
Koh Pha Ngan is well-known for the Full Moon Party, which is a monthly festival that draws thousands of people from around the world to the beach for a world-famous dance party. While the party can be quite rowdy and commercialized today—it’s definitely a fun time!
Koh Tao
Koh Tao is an inexpensive ferry ride from Ko Pha Ngan, taking around an hour and a quarter. This is an island where you can really get into contact with nature, whether it’s helping with sea turtle rehabilitation or learning to scuba dive.
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Staying Safe As You Explore Thailand’s Islands
It is important to be careful when you are island hopping, as the ferries between each island may be inexpensive, but they don’t always have the best safety record.
Ensure that you have a look at the ferry to check there are sufficient lifeboats and that it isn’t too crowded before boarding, and if you have any doubts, it may be best to go with another ferry company.
Thai people are generally very friendly, hence the nickname “The Land of Smiles,” but always use your best judgment. Also, Thai drug laws are also incredibly strict, so don’t take any risks.
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I’m currently backpacking through Asia with my girlfriend and found your article very useful! We are trying to travel as long as possible and therefore our budget is very tight. We want to spend a week or so on the southern islands, especially ko lanta but found that the ferry prices online are very steep. Do you think it’s safe to arrange ferry’s and other transport when we get there? We also wanted to pre-book accommodation to get the best deal and are not sure if we should leave that up to chance.
Hey Whitt! I completely understand about wanting to extend your budget as far as possible. When I was there I pretty much booked everything on a whim and didn’t plan that much ahead—as it was more of a spontaneous trip and seeing where the days took me. So, at least in my experience, it worked to arrange when I got there. Your girlfriend is welcome to join the TBA Travel Tribe on Facebook – she can ask the ladies there about their suggestions! https://www.facebook.com/groups/947813952040668/
That’s an amazing itinerary! Although going from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand it is a bit time consuming.
If you go to Thailand from November to April, I’d recommend to stay at the Andaman Sea where the weather is better and where you can find lots of interesting islands.
Anyway, interesting article!
Cheers from Bangkok!
Hi Pol! Thank you for the tip — I’ll keep that in mind for the future 🙂