If you’re planning a South Thailand itinerary but don’t know where to start, I’ve got you covered!
I’ve been to Thailand 6 times and explored the country extensively from north to south but South Thailand remains my all-time favorite.
Boasting some of the most stunning beaches in the world where gentle waves lap against fine white sand and towering karst cliffs, a diverse underwater world offering excelling diving opportunities, and numerous hiking trails to explore, a visit to South Thailand is a must!
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to plan the perfect South Thailand itinerary for 3 to 4 weeks and I’ll also give some alternatives for both 1 and 2-week trips.
I’ll also explain how to travel between each destination and offer recommendations on where to stay and the best things to do.
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South Thailand Itinerary Route
Koh Samui: 2-4 days
I recommend starting your South Thailand itinerary in Koh Samui as it’s easy to get to from Bangkok.
Just note that flights to Koh Samui are quite expensive so if you’re on a budget, you can instead fly or take the night train to Surat Thani followed by a ferry or speedboat. I recommend checking on 12go.asia to get an idea of prices.
Tip: If you’re coming from other parts of Asia such as Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, or Hong Kong, you can fly directly to Koh Samui.
Koh Samui is the most popular island to visit in the Gulf of Thailand with lots of things to do, from beach hopping to visiting temples, waterfalls, and viewpoints.
While Koh Samui is indeed beautiful, it wasn’t my favorite as I found it to be quite touristy and much more expensive compared to other parts of Thailand.
It’s still worth spending a couple of days there, especially if you want to see the Ang Thong National Park, which is the reason why I decided to visit Koh Samui in the first place.
Things to do in Koh Samui
- Beach hopping – Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach, Bhoput Beach, Lipa Noi Beach, Nathon Beach, Bang Po Beach
- Day trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Fisherman’s Village Night Market
- Visit the temples- Wat Plai Laem, Big Buddha Temple, Wat Ratchathammaram (Red Temple), Guang Yu Shrine, Wat Phra Chedi Laem So
- Lad Koh Viewpoint
- Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks
- Na Muang Waterfall
- Khun Si Waterfall
- Overlap Stone Viewpoint
- See the mummified monk at Wat Kunaram
- Watch a Muay Thai Match
- Admire the view from Pra Buddha Dīpankara
- Day trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan
Where to stay in Koh Samui?
Luxury: Centara Reserve Samui, Ammatara Pura Pool Villa
Mid-range: Samui Resotel, La Vida Samui
Budget: Nantra Chaweng Beach Hotel, Kerton Hostel
FIND MORE HOTELS IN KOH SAMUI HERE
How to get from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan?
There are two ways of getting from Samui to Koh Phangan – by ferry or speedboat. The trip takes around 30-45 minutes. You can check prices and book your ticket on 12go.asia.
I personally traveled with Seatran ferry and preferred it over the speedboat as it was less bumpy.
The ride was very smooth, plus the ferry was very spacious and even had a small convenience store where you could buy snacks and coffee, a toilet, and an upper deck with more seats.
Koh Phangan: 2-3 days
The next destination on this South Thailand itinerary is Koh Phangan.
Located north of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan is famous for its full moon parties where backpackers from all over the world meet once a month.
But if partying the night away with your body covered with glow-in-the-dark paint and Thai buckets in hand isn’t your idea of fun, you can still visit Koh Phangan for its beaches.
Koh Phangan is actually very quiet and laidback (when there isn’t a party going on) with several beautiful beaches and even waterfalls and viewpoints to explore.
I visited one week before the full moon party and enjoyed my time by cycling around the island, visiting beaches, and eating yummy food at the night markets.
If you’re visiting for the full moon party, I recommend staying at least three days in Koh Phangan otherwise, two full days should be enough to see the main sights.
Things to do in Koh Phangan
- Full Moon Party
- Beach hopping – Malibu Beach, Chaloklum Beach, Mae Haad Beach, Bottle Beach, Haad Yao Beach, Hin Kong Beach, Srithanu Beach, Salad Beach, Haad Rin Beach
- Day trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Walk along the sandbar to Koh Ma Island
- Haad Rin Viewpoint
- Bottle Beach Viewpoint
- Pantip Market
- Saturday Walking Street Night Market
- Visit the temples – Wat Phu Khao Noi, Wat Khao Tham
- Phaeng Noi Waterfall
- Day trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan
Where to stay in Koh Phangan?
Luxury: Green Papaya Beach Resort
Mid-range: Silan Residence, Maehaad Bay Resort
Budget: Blessings Hostel
FIND MORE HOTELS IN KOH PHANGAN HERE
How to get from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao?
To get from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao, you have the choice between the Lomprayah speedboat and Songserm ferry. The speedboat takes around 1 hour while the ferry takes around 1h45.
Both will drop you off at Mae Haad Pier and from there, you can take a taxi to your hotel in Koh Tao.
You can check the price and book your tickets on 12go.asia.
Koh Tao: 2-3 days
If you’re looking for world-class diving or snorkeling opportunities, look no further than Koh Tao!
Koh Tao features some of the most pristine coral reefs and you can even spot blacktip reef sharks and giant turtles in its crystal-clear waters.
Apart from diving, there are plenty of things to do here, from beach hopping to snorkeling or hiking to one of the many viewpoints.
Things to do in Koh Tao
- Beach hopping – Sairee Beach, Freedom Beach, Mango Bay, Shark Bay, Chalok Baan Kao Bay
- Take a day trip to Koh Nang Yuan and hike to the viewpoint
- Go on a scuba diving trip or snorkeling trip
- Hike to one of the many viewpoints – John Suwan, Sun Suwan 360 View & Bar, Love Koh Tao, Deisha Viewpoint
Where to stay in Koh Tao?
Luxury: Blue Tao Beach Hotel
Mid-range: Koh Tao Heritage
Budget: Tommy Resort, Savage Hostel
FIND MORE HOTELS IN KOH TAO HERE
Plan your trip to Koh Tao:
How to travel from Koh Tao to Khao Sok?
From Koh Tao, take a high-speed ferry to Surat Thani followed by a van to Khao Sok. The total trip duration is around 5 hours. You can check the price and book your ticket on 12go.asia.
Khao Sok National Park: 2 days
Khao Sok National Park was one of my favorite places I visited during my South Thailand itinerary.
It’s home to the stunning Cheow Lan Lake which boasts emerald waters, towering karst cliffs, and a dense rainforest teeming with wildlife, including elephants, water buffalos, hornbills, and more.
Since this is a national park, there’s an entrance fee of 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children to visit.
I spent one night at Coco Hostel in Khao Sok Village, which btw, has several hiking trails to explore, and then headed for an overnight tour of Cheow Lan Lake.
I booked the tour with Smiley Bungalows and paid 2,500 baht. This included hotel transfers, a private floating bungalow, food, drinks, activities such as boat safari, guided hike to a waterfall, kayaking, and all transportation including van and longtail boat.
Things to do in Khao Sok
- Go on a safari boat ride to spot elephants, water buffalos, etc
- Kayaking
- Swim in the lake
- Hike to the “sticky” waterfall
- Hike to Kri Sorn Viewpoint
- Jungle trekking in Khao Sok Village
- Snap a photo with the Guilin Rocks
- Cave trekking – Nam Talu Cave or Pakarang Cave (coral cave)
Where to stay in Khao Sok?
Luxury: Panvaree The Greenery
Mid-range: 500 Rai Floating House
Budget: Smiley Bungalows, Coco Hostel
FIND MORE HOTELS IN KHAO SOK HERE
Plan your trip to Khao Sok:
How to get from Khao Sok to Krabi Town?
From Khao Sok, take a shared mini-van to Krabi Town. The trip should take around 3 hours.
You can choose to be dropped off at the Krabi bus terminal or directly at your hotel. You can check the price and book your ticket on 12go.asia.
Krabi Town: 1 day
Capital of the Krabi Province, Krabi Town is popular among backpackers thanks to its wide range of cheap accommodations.
While most people only go to Krabi Town to visit the Krabi Night Market, I highly recommend spending a bit more time there.
A full day should be enough to check out some temples, viewpoints, and caves.
During my recent South Thailand itinerary, I opted to spend one night in Krabi Town but if you prefer, you can instead stay in Ao Nang and take a day trip from there.
Things to do in Krabi Town
- Krabi Night Market (weekend only) or Black Crab Night Market (daily)
- Wat Kaew Korawaram
- Boat ride and visit to Khao Khanabnam Cave
- Krabi Urban Forest and Viewpoint
- Stroll along the Pak Nam River Walk
- Hike to the Tiger Cave Temple
- Day trip to the Emerald Pool and Krabi Hot Springs
Where to stay in Krabi Town?
Mid-range: The Brown Hotel
Budget: Pak Up Hostel, Lada Krabi Express
FIND MORE HOTELS IN KRABI TOWN HERE
Plan your trip to Krabi Town:
How to get from Krabi Town to Ao Nang?
Getting from Krabi Town to Ao Nang is easy and cheap, with buses running every 10 minutes and costing around 50 baht per person. The total journey takes around 30 minutes.
Ao Nang, Krabi: 3-4 days
The very first time I visited Thailand, I chose to stay in Ao Nang and since then I’ve gone back four times already. That’s how much I love this place!
Although Ao Nang can feel a bit touristy for some, it doesn’t get the crowds of Phuket so it’s still possible to have a relaxing trip.
What I love the most about Ao Nang is its strategic location close to some of the most breathtaking beaches like Railay and Pai Plong and islands like Koh Hong, Koh Poda, and even Koh Phi Phi.
Inland you’ll find emerald swimming holes surrounded by a lush forest and stunning viewpoints like the Dragon Crest Mountain and Tiger Cave Temple.
The Krabi International Airport is also only a 30-minute drive from Ao Nang so it’s easy to get to.
3 to 4 days in Krabi should be enough for a first visit but if you have more time, I recommend staying up to a week or more.
Things to do in Ao Nang
- Go on a 4 Islands tour
- Visit the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market
- Watch a fire show on Ao Nang Beach
- Day trip to Railay Beach
- Day trip to Hong Island and Hong Lagoon
- Kayaking at Klong Root Mirror Lake
- Hike the Dragon Crest Mountain
- Visit Pai Plong Beach
- Day trip to the Emerald Pool and Krabi Hot Springs
- Guan Yin Bodhisattva Mountain Temple
- Hike to the Tiger Cave Temple
- Kayaking at Ao Thalane
- Visit the lesser-known beaches near Ao Nang – Nopparat Thara, Klong Muang Beach, and Tubkaek Beach
- Day trip to Koh Phi Phi
Where to stay in Ao Nang?
Luxury: Centara Ao Nang Beach, Aonang Princeville Villa Resort & Spa
Mid-range: Sea Seeker Krabi Resort, The L Resort Krabi
Budget: Golden Beach Resort, Pop-In Hostel
FIND MORE HOTELS IN AO NANG HERE
Plan your trip to Ao Nang, Krabi:
How to get from Ao Nang to Railay Beach?
The only way to get from Ao Nang to Railay is by longtail boat. Be sure to read my guide on how to travel to Railay from Ao Nang for details about pricing, schedule, and other helpful tips.
Railay Beach: 1-2 days
Surrounded by huge limestone cliffs, soft white sand, and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Railay Beach is by far the most beautiful place to visit on this South Thailand itinerary.
If you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Ao Nang, I highly recommend spending a few days there.
Given the fact Railay Beach is only accessible by boat and that the only way of getting around is by foot, you’ll definitely feel like you’re on a small remote island.
Things to do in Railay Beach
- Watch the sunset on West Railay Beach
- Go rock climbing
- Phra Nang Beach and Cave
- Hike to the Bat Cave
- Escape the crowds at Tonsai Beach
- Check out the restaurants and bars on Railay Walking Street
- Hike to Railay East Viewpoint and Princess Lagoon
- Visit the Diamond Cave
- Go kayaking around the cave formations
Where to stay in Railay?
Luxury: Rayavadee
Mid-range: Avatar Railay, Sand Sea Resort
Budget: Blanco Hideout Railay, Rapala Rock Wood Resort
FIND MORE HOTELS IN RAILAY HERE
How to get from Railay to Koh Yao Noi?
To get to Koh Yao Noi, you need to take a speedboat from East Railay Pier. The trip should take around 1 hour. You can check the price and book your ticket on 12go.asia.
You’ll be dropped off at Manoh Pier in Koh Yao Noi and from there, you can take a songthaew to your hotel for around 100 baht.
Koh Yao Noi: 2 days
Situated in the Phang Nga province, Koh Yao Noi is one of the few islands that’s still fairly unknown among tourists.
Located a short boat ride from Ao Nang, Koh Yao Noi is the perfect island for those wishing to escape away from it all.
The list of things to do in Koh Yao Noi isn’t huge, so it’s the perfect opportunity to slow down and relax for a couple of days.
But if you prefer something more active, you can rent a motorbike to visit the beaches and viewpoints or check out Koh Yao Noi’s bigger sister island, Koh Yao Yai, which is even less touristy.
Things to do in Koh Yao Noi
- Beach hopping – Tha Khao Beach, Klong Jark Beach, Pasai Beach, Long Beach, Little Long Beach, Paradise Beach, Kian Bay
- Tha Khao Night Market
- Hornbill Viewpoint
- Rent a motorbike and drive around the island
- Island hopping to Koh Kudu and Koh Roi
- Thakow Waterfall
- Day trip to Koh Yao Yai
- Day trip to Hong Island
- Day trip to James Bond Island
Where to stay in Koh Yaoi Noi?
Luxury: Cape Kudu, Six Senses
Mid-range: Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow
Budget: The Best Bungalow, Sabai Corner Bungalows
FIND MORE HOTELS IN KOH YAO NOI HERE
Plan your trip to Koh Yao Noi:
How to get from Koh Yao Noi to Koh Phi Phi?
The fastest way of getting from Koh Yao Noi to Koh Phi Phi is by speedboat. Note that the boat will also stop at Ao Nang and Railay Beach along the way.
The trip should take around 1-1.5 hours. You can check the price and book your ticket on 12go.asia.
Phi Phi Islands: 2 days
No South Thailand itinerary would be complete without a visit to the Phi Phi Islands, home to the famous Maya Bay.
But there’s more to Koh Phi Phi than just Maya Bay. The island features some of the most stunning beaches, two of my favorites being Ton Sai and Long Beach.
You can also hike to the Phi Phi Viewpoints, kayak around the island in search of secret beaches, or go to one of the many beach parties that happen every single night.
Similar to Koh Samui, I found the Phi Phi Islands to be very touristy and expensive.
While I was able to find some secluded beaches, it’s not somewhere I’d recommend staying for more than two days (well unless you love to party!).
Things to do in Phi Phi Islands
- Visit Maya Bay
- Hike to Koh Phi Phi Viewpoints 1, 2, and 3
- Watch a fire show on the beach
- Explore the beaches – Ton Sai Beach, Loh Dalum Beach, Long Beach, Loh Ba Kao Bay, Loh Lana Bay, Viking Beach, Nui Beach
- Go on a snorkeling tour
- Kayaking around the island
- Enjoy the nightlife and parties
Where to stay in Phi Phi Islands?
Luxury: SAii Phi Phi Island Village
Mid-range: PP Blue Sky Resort
Budget: Blue View House
FIND MORE HOTELS IN KOH PHI PHI HERE
Plan your trip to Phi Phi Islands:
How to get from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is actually very close to Koh Phi Phi, so you can travel between the two by speedboat in less than 1 hour. You can check the price and book your ticket on 12go.asia.
Koh Lanta: 2-4 days
Leave the crazy parties of Koh Phi Phi behind and make your way to the peaceful Koh Lanta that somehow has still managed to stay under the radar.
Koh Lanta hasn’t been hit by mass tourism (yet) so it’s less developed compared to other Thai islands.
The best thing to do here is to rent a motorbike and simply drive around the island stopping by the many empty beaches.
A must-visit is the Koh Lanta National Park where you’ll find an old lighthouse sitting on top of a cliff and a short jungle trail that can be explored in under one hour.
You can also check out the nearby islands such as Koh Talabeng and Koh Rok or practice yoga on the beach.
I spent 4 days in Koh Lanta which was the perfect amount of time to relax and explore all the main attractions.
Things to do in Koh Lanta
- Beach hopping – Ba Katiang Beach, Khlong Nin Beach, Long Beach, Klong Khong Beach, Bamboo Beach, Klong Dao Beach, Nui Bay
- See the lighthouse at Koh Lanta National Park
- Kayaking at Koh Talabeng
- 4 Islands and Emerald Cave Tour
- Koh Rok and Koh Haa snorkeling tour
- Visit the Old Town
- Rent a motorbike and drive around the island
- Watch a fire show on the beach
- Visit the Koh Lanta Animal Welfare
Where to stay in Koh Lanta?
Luxury: Pimalai Resort
Mid-range: Long Beach Chalets
Budget: CAT Bungalow, Lanta Baan Nok Resort
FIND MORE HOTELS IN KOH LANTA HERE
Plan your trip to Koh Lanta:
Hot to get from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe?
There are two ways of getting from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe. The fastest one is to take a speedboat, which takes around 4 hours.
I did this trip the opposite way and it was the most miserable 4 hours of my entire life! The ride was super bumpy and almost everyone on the boat got sick. And to make things worse, the boat engine even stopped working a few times in the middle of the ocean!
Luckily, we made it safely to our destination but if I had to do it again, I would’ve chosen the second option, which is to take a mini-van to Pak Bara Pier followed by a 1.5-hour speedboat to Koh Lipe.
The total trip should take around 7 hours but at least you won’t have to deal with a bumpy speedboat ride for 4 hours straight!
You can check the price and book your combo ticket for the minivan+ferry on 12go.asia.
Koh Lipe: 2-3 days
Located in the southernmost part of Thailand, Koh Lipe is a tiny island featuring some of the most stunning beaches with soft white sand and crystal-clear water.
The main thing to do here is to enjoy the beaches but you can also go scuba diving or snorkeling as the lagoon surrounding Koh Lipe is known to be one of the most beautiful in Thailand.
If you want to explore beyond Koh Lipe, you can take a day trip to Koh Adang to enjoy its empty beaches or hike to Chado Cliff Viewpoint.
Things to do in Koh Lipe
- Beach hopping – Sunrise Beach, Pattaya Beach, Sunset Beach
- Day trip to Koh Adang and hike to Chado Cliff viewpoint
- Go on a snorkeling or scuba diving trip
- Koh Lipe Walking Street
- Yoga on the beach
Where to stay in Koh Lipe?
Luxury: Idyllic Concept Resort, Serendipity Beach Resort
Mid-range: Harmony Bed and Bakery, Castaway Resort
Budget: Sangchan Hostel
FIND MORE HOTELS IN KOH LIPE HERE
Plan your trip to Koh Lipe:
What’s next?
Unfortunately, it’s now time to say goodbye to Thailand. From Koh Lipe, take a ferry and minivan to Krabi Airport and fly back to Bangkok or to your next destination in Asia.
If you’d like to extend your trip, you can instead take a ferry to Langkawi in Malaysia and spend a few days there. I recommend reading my 3-day Langkawi itinerary for the best things to do, including my tips to help you plan your trip.
And if you’d like to explore more of Malaysia, you can check out my other travel guides here.
How to modify this South Thailand itinerary?
The above itinerary starts in Koh Samui and ends in Koh Lipe but you can also do it the other way around. So if you’re already in Malaysia, you can take a ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe and start your trip there.
However, if you have only one week, I recommend choosing either the Krabi Province (Ao Nang: 4 days, Railay: 1 day, and Koh Phi Phi: 2 days) or the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui: 3 days, Koh Phangan: 2 days and Koh Tao: 2 days).
For those spending two weeks in South Thailand, you can simply combine the above two, that is, 7 days in Krabi and 7 days in the Gulf of Thailand.
Best Time to visit South Thailand
The best time to visit Thailand is generally between November and April when the weather is mostly dry.
However, there are some slight differences between the weather in Krabi and the Gulf of Thailand.
For instance, the rainy season in Krabi usually lasts until October as opposed to the Gulf of Thailand where the rain can persist up to January.
If you want to visit both Krabi and the Gulf of Thailand in a single trip, I recommend planning your trip in February or March when the weather is dry and not too hot.
I visited South Thailand in October, November, and February and had great weather with some rain on the odd days.
I hope you found this South Thailand itinerary helpful. If you have any questions about planning your trip, feel free to ask in the comments below.