Turquoise waters, relaxed vibes, and plenty of islands easily accessible by ferry or speedboat – island hopping in Thailand is simply a must. Whether you’re traveling to Thailand for the first time or have been there several times before, the island world in the south is perfect for combining several places in one trip.

The route we’ll show you here is ideal for backpackers, individual travelers, couples, and even long-term travelers who want to be flexible. You’ll get a good mix of well-known islands like Phuket or Koh Samui, as well as quieter spots like Koh Yao Yai or Koh Lanta.

We were on the road for a total of 6.5 weeks and planned the entire route ourselves – with plenty of time to chill out, but also for little adventures in between. Everything is easily doable with public ferries and without much advance planning. So if you fancy the sea, palm trees, and variety, this route could be just the thing for you.

• Thailand Island Hopping – Route Overview
• Best Time to Go Island Hopping in Southern Thailand
• Island Hopping Transport: How to Get From A to B
• Island Hopping in Southern Thailand – All the Highlights
• How Much Time Do You Need for Island Hopping in Thailand?
• Costs & Budget Tips for Your Thailand Trip
• FAQ – The Most Important Questions & Answers
• Conclusion on Island Hopping in Thailand

Thailand Island Hopping – Route Overview

If you have around three weeks for Southern Thailand, you can explore several islands without stress – with enough time to chill out, but also for a few experiences along the way. Here is our suggested route for your island hopping, including stops and how many days you should plan for each:

• Start: Phuket (3 nights)
• Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi (2 nights)
• Ao Nang / Krabi mainland (3 nights)
• Koh Lanta (4 nights)
• Koh Phangan (4 nights)
• Koh Samui (3 nights)
• End: Bangkok (2 nights)

If you prefer to travel more slowly or have more time, you can of course skip a stop or extend it – the route is extremely flexible. And the best part: All connections are easily accessible by boat, minivan, or domestic flight.

Best Time to Travel for Island Hopping in Southern Thailand

If you’re planning island hopping in Southern Thailand, the weather naturally plays a major role – because nobody really needs nonstop rain on a trip like this. The best time to travel to Southern Thailand is generally from November to April. During these months, you have the best chance of sunshine, little rain, and calm seas – ideal conditions for island hopping.

What many people don’t realize, however, is that Southern Thailand has two weather sides. The west coast (Phuket, Koh Yao, Krabi, Koh Lanta) is particularly well-traveled from December to March. The east coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) is best visited between January and April – it often still rains there in November.

We traveled in January and February – a perfect decision. Sun almost every day, with only the occasional short shower. And the sea was calm, which is a real plus, especially for speedboat rides. So if you’re flexible, it’s best to plan your route during the dry season – that’s when island hopping is really fun.

Island hopping transport: How to get from A to B

The good thing about island hopping in southern Thailand? The connections between the islands are well-developed and easy to organize. You can even avoid domestic flights altogether. You usually get from island to island by ferries, speedboats, or longtail boats. For routes where necessary, you can also conveniently book bus or minivan connections.

And the best part: Somehow, you’ll always get from A to B in Thailand. Even if things seem chaotic at times, the Thais are truly talented organizers and somehow make anything happen. A bit of flexibility is required, but in the end, it (almost) always works out.

Ferry or speedboat?

• Ferries are usually larger, cheaper, and quieter—ideal if you’re traveling with more luggage.
• Speedboats are faster and get you quickly from A to B, but can be quite bumpy in rough seas.
• Longtail boats are mainly used for short distances, e.g., from Ao Nang to Railay Beach.

Booking Tickets

You hardly need to plan anything in advance – you can book many routes spontaneously on site, either at the port, directly through your hotel, or in a small “travel agency” on the side of the road. We like to book our tickets in advance via the website 12go.com*. There you can also see the travel times, providers, and prices. We find it simple, stress-free, and super transparent.

Island Hopping in Southern Thailand – All the Highlights

1. Phuket – The Perfect Start

Phuket is not only Thailand’s largest island, but also a great starting point for island hopping. Many international flights land here. For us, Phuket was the perfect place to arrive, acclimatize, and get rid of jet lag. Despite its size and the large number of tourists, we felt very comfortable on the island.

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle: Skip Patong and look for accommodation in the south (e.g., Nai Harn or Kata) or in the charming old town of Phuket Town. There are cool cafes, colorful colonial-style houses, and many small shops to browse.

Our highlights on Phuket

• Phuket Old Town
• Big Buddha
• Wat Chalong
• Freedom Beach, Ya Nui Beach
• Street food on Walking Street

2. Koh Yao Yai – quiet and pristine

After the hustle and bustle of Phuket, Koh Yao Yai is like a little break – in the best sense of the word. Only about 30 minutes away by speedboat, but it feels like a completely different world. Hardly any large hotels, no crowds of tourists, just quiet beaches, small villages, and palm trees as far as the eye can see.

The island is great for anyone who wants to take a few days off. It’s best to rent a scooter from your accommodation immediately upon arrival and explore the island on your own – the traffic is super relaxed, and the roads are mostly very well-developed. Alternative: Koh Yao Noi explore next door.

Our highlights on Koh Yao Yai

• Laem Had Beach in the north
• Klongson Beach
• Loh Pared Beach
• Lo Chak Beach

3. Ao Nang – Beach Stop on the Mainland

After a few days of island relaxation, it’s time to head back to the mainland: Ao Nang is located on the coast of Krabi and is a great stopover for those who like a bit more hustle and bustle – or simply looking for a convenient starting point for excursions to other islands.

The small town has a rather touristy main street (reminiscent of Ballermann), but as soon as you get to the beach or board the longtail boat, the area’s full beauty reveals itself. It’s best to stay here for two or three nights to take in everything. There’s so much to discover in the area!

Our highlights for Ao Nang

• Boat trip to Railay Beach
• Tour to Hong Island or 4-Islands tour
• Sunset on Ao Nang Beach
• Night market with delicious street food
• Din Daeng Doi Café at sunrise
• Kayaking tour on Mirror Lake

4. Koh Lanta – favorite island for chilling

Koh Lanta is one of those islands where you plan to stay for three nights – and then suddenly find yourself living there for two weeks. The vibe is super relaxed, the people are friendly, and there’s plenty to discover.

It’s best to rent a scooter here, too, as the island stretches a bit, and the most beautiful beaches are spread out along the west coast. We recommend staying at least 4 nights on Koh Lanta—or extend your stay!

Our highlights on Koh Lanta

• Sunsets & Fire shows on the beach
• Scooter tour to the Mu Ko Lanta National Park
• Excursion to the old town of Koh Lanta
• Beach hopping along the west coast
• Lanta Animal Welfare animal shelter

5. Koh Phangan – More Than Just Full Moon

For us, Koh Phangan has lost none of its charm even after more than 10 years. Sure, there are more accommodations, restaurants, and small shops today – but the relaxed vibe has remained. Even if many only think of the Full Moon Party – Koh Phangan has much more to offer.

Away from the party hustle and bustle, there are beautiful beaches, jungle trails, yoga retreats, and relaxed cafés with sea views. The west and northeast of the island are especially perfect for unwinding. A scooter gives you super flexibility, and there’s plenty to discover. It’s best to plan three to four nights here – or stay longer if you love the vibe.

Our highlights on Koh Phangan

• Sunsets on the west coast
• Scooter tour to the Bottle Beach Viewpoint
• Breakfast at the Blue Ocean Restaurant with a sea view
• Hiking in Than Sadet National Park
• Beach hopping from north to south

6. Koh Samui – touristy, but still beautiful

Koh Samui is significantly more touristy than the other islands on this route, but that can be an advantage – especially if you need a bit of comfort, infrastructure, and choice in between. The island is large, well-developed, and truly offers something for (almost) everyone: beautiful beaches, many restaurants, accommodations in all price ranges, and cool cafés with sea views.

If you prefer a quieter setting, avoid Chaweng and head to the south or west coast instead – it’s more relaxed there. Three nights are ideal for soaking up some more sun, enjoying a delicious meal, and doing a bit of shopping before continuing on to Bangkok.

Our highlights on Koh Samui

• Chaweng Beach, Silver Beach, Coral Cove Beach
• Temple hopping (Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, etc.)
• Tarnim Magic Garden
• Fisherman’s Village, Bophut
• Na Muang Waterfall 1+2

7. Bangkok – big city feeling at the end

After so much island feeling, Bangkok is the perfect contrast. Loud, chaotic, hot – and yet somehow really cool. For us, Bangkok is the ideal last stop before heading home: one last really good street food, strolling through temples, wandering through night markets and soaking up the hustle and bustle of the big city.

You don’t need to plan a week here – two nights are more than enough to get a first impression and end the trip in a relaxed manner. Perfect for jumping into the hotel pool again, inhaling the last of the Thai curries and maybe even doing a bit of last-minute shopping before boarding the plane again.

Our highlights in Bangkok

• Trip to Chinatown
• Boat tour on the Chao Phraya River
• Shopping in Bangkok
• Temple visit: Wat Pho & Wat Arun
• Sunset with a cocktail at a rooftop bar
• Last time with Thai food before the return flight

How much time do you need for island hopping in Thailand?

You can do island hopping in Thailand in two weeks as well as three, four, or more weeks – depending on how much you want to see (and how relaxed you want to take it). For the route we’ve presented here, we would recommend at least three weeks. This gives you enough time to get to know each place a little, not just rush from ferry to ferry – and even to do nothing for a couple of days in between.

We ourselves were on the road for a full 6.5 weeks and deliberately wanted to spend a bit of time overwintering in Thailand without planning every single day. The route we present here is an abridged version of our trip – adapted to the time frame most people probably have available. And even with three weeks, you can really get that island feeling – without stress and with enough space to go with the flow.

Costs & Budget Tips for Your Thailand Trip

Thailand is no longer a ridiculously cheap country, but island hopping in the south is still possible on almost any budget – depending on how you travel, where you sleep, and how often you eat out. We were on the road for 6.5 weeks ourselves and had a good mix of relaxed travel and the occasional treat – but without constantly watching every penny.

How much you end up spending depends, of course, on how you travel, where you sleep, and how often you treat yourself. But as a rough guide: For a relaxed, comfortable island-hopping trip without luxury, meaning nice accommodations, good food, a few tours, and the occasional extra, you can expect to pay approximately €2,500–3,200 per person for three weeks.

This is, of course, only a guideline – if you’re traveling on a tight budget or staying in one place longer, it will be cheaper. However, it can also be significantly more expensive if you include boutique hotels, domestic flights, or daily beach bar visits.

FAQ – The most important questions and answers

The best time is from December to April, as it is (mostly) dry and sunny then. The west coast (e.g., Krabi, Phuket) is ideal from December to March, while the east coast (e.g., Koh Samui) is ideal from January to April.

At least three weeks to experience several islands in a relaxed manner. Two weeks is also possible, but it’s better to plan fewer stops.

You don’t necessarily have to book tickets in advance. Arrange your tickets 1–3 days before your onward journey. You can also book online at 12go.com*. We would only recommend booking flights from Koh Samui to Bangkok in advance during peak season.

Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui are great places to start – good infrastructure, easy access, and a wide selection of accommodations. If you prefer a more secluded destination, you should head to Koh Yao Yai, Koh Chang, Koh Lipe, Koh Phayam, Koh Muk, or Koh Kood.

For a three-week trip, you should expect to spend €2,500–3,200 per person. This depends on your needs, of course.

Yes! With street food, affordable accommodations, and public ferries, you can spend 2-3 weeks under €1,500 (without flights).

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Summary on island hopping in Thailand

We love island hopping in Thailand! Each island had its own vibe – from bustling to quiet, from touristy to almost deserted. And that’s exactly what makes this route so special: You get a little bit of everything without having to rush.

The routes between the islands are easy, the on-site organization usually works amazingly well, and somehow a solution always works – typical Thailand. For us, it was one of the most beautiful trips of recent years. And honestly: We would go again in a heartbeat.