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A tour of southern Thailand is simultaneously an adventurous discovery of Thailand’s island world. But it offers much more than just beaches, as it also includes beautiful landscapes with limestone cliffs, such as in Krabi or the Khao Sok National Park. While a Northern Thailand tour focuses more on culture, here, of course, beaches and the sea are at the forefront.
Southern Thailand Itinerary – Paradise Islands and Beautiful Landscapes
There’s a lot to discover on a southern Thailand tour. In our Southern Thailand itinerary, you will find popular islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao on the west coast as well as places like Phuket, Khao Lak, or Koh Phi Phi on the east coast. Some of the locations couldn’t be more different.
In this Southern Thailand itinerary, we show you two interesting route suggestions for the south. You might be thinking now: “Just beach and sea gets boring after a while”. But the islands have much more to offer: temples, waterfalls, hiking trails, markets, and the fantastic sunsets are just a few highlights.
Of course, you can also combine the places mentioned below on the east and west coasts, as southern Thailand is very well connected overall. If you don’t like a place, you can simply skip it.
Starting Point West Coast: Getting to Phuket
The quickest way to get to Phuket is by direct flight. This can be done either from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur, or even from Europe and many other places. The price depends on the airline and the route, so no exact details can be given here. It’s best to compare prices on Skyscanner.
Other ways to get there include the bus or minivan from many parts of Thailand. Whether it’s from Khao Lak, Bangkok, or Surat Thani, you’ll always find a way to get to Phuket. The journey can take up to 12 hours (from Bangkok) or just two hours from Khao Lak. You can find connections and prices with our partner 12go.asia. Booking is absolutely straightforward, and we often use the site ourselves.
Starting Point East Coast: Getting to Koh Samui
The easiest and quickest way to get to Koh Samui is by direct flight from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore. However, it’s cheaper if you arrive via Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat on the mainland of Thailand, e.g. with AirAsia. At the destination airport, you can then take a bus to Donsak Pier or Tapee Pier and from there take the ferry to Koh Samui.
The cheapest flights to Koh Samui can be found on Skyscanner. For example, we highly recommend Thai Lion Air. There are also bus and train connections if you want to arrive even cheaper. Tickets and information on times can be found with our partner 12go.asia.
Southern Thailand Itinerary – West Coast
1. Phuket (3-4 days)
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and is very touristy. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t also experience exciting things there that take place away from tourism. Phuket is especially known for the district Patong in the southwest with its extravagant nightlife. But it would be wrong to reduce the island to just that.
Also worth a visit on the island is the picturesque old town of Phuket Town. There you will get a completely different view than at the well-known beach destinations. Of course, you shouldn’t miss out on beaches in Phuket! Apart from the busy beaches like Patong, Kata, or Karon, there are many other beaches worth discovering.
Even after that, there’s still plenty more to see with the attractions on Phuket. Markets, temples like the Big Buddha, and stunning viewpoints round off your stay at the first stop of your South Thailand round trip.
Many avoid Phuket, but if you give the island a chance and look beyond the obvious, you’ll see that it offers something for everyone.
Our hotel recommendation for Phuket: Amari Phuket
2. Koh Phi Phi (2-3 days)
Almost everyone who visits Koh Phi Phi thinks of the movie The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio, as it was filmed on location. This refers to the smaller of the two Koh Phi Phi islands: Koh Phi Phi Leh. It’s perfect for day trips. Even if the Maya Bay is currently officially closed, there are still other picturesque places there. Koh Phi Phi is more than just Maya Bay!
The main tourism takes place on the larger island Koh Phi Phi Don. With many hotels, restaurants, bars, and even Muay Thai Boxing events, most visitors head to Tonsai Village.
The further you move away from the main town (on foot, of course, as there are no vehicles here), the quieter it gets. Visit the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint with its breathtaking view, the Long Beach, or rent a longtail boat to explore the other side of the island.
Our hotel recommendation for Koh Phi Phi: ChaoKoh Koh Phi Phi Hotel & Resort
3. Koh Lanta (2-3 days)
Unlike Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta is a very calm island that belongs to the Krabi region. You won’t find a vibrant nightlife here, but instead plenty of peace, nature, and beautiful beaches on Koh Lanta. Especially on the west coast of Koh Lanta, you can explore one beach after another during a Southern Thailand tour. After visiting the bustling places you’ve been to before, Koh Lanta can be a wonderful change to recharge your batteries.
With a scooter, you can discover Koh Lanta on your own. In addition to the beaches and places on the west coast, there are mangrove forests in the east or the small town of Lanta Old Town to explore. Don’t miss the Mu Koh Lanta National Park in the south of the island with its lighthouse and jungle trails.
Our hotel recommendation for Koh Lanta: Royal Lanta Resort & Spa
4. Krabi/Ao Nang (3-4 days)
Scenically, the Krabi region with the town of Ao Nang is definitely one of the most beautiful in Thailand! This place can’t be missed in any Southern Thailand itinerary! The massive limestone cliffs, tropical forests, islands with white sandy beaches, and turquoise-blue sea – it doesn’t get any better. While most visitors arrive in Krabi Town, this place is only used as a stopover to continue traveling to Ao Nang or, for example, to visit the Tiger Cave Temple.
Off the coast of Ao Nang, you can visit countless islands, such as Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Hong Island, and more. But the mainland also offers impressive places, some of which, like the Railay Peninsula or the Tonsai Beach, can only be reached by boat. There are day trips in Ao Nang aplenty.
Apart from island life and the beaches, Krabi or Ao Nang has a lot to offer. Lagoons like the Emerald Pool, hikes to the Dragon Crest Mountain, markets, temples, or visiting neighboring towns Klong Muang and Tubkaek. For us personally, this was the most beautiful stop on this Southern Thailand tour!
Our hotel recommendation for Ao Nang: Deevana Krabi Resort
5. Khao Lak (2-3 days)
Khao Lak is a very popular holiday destination in Thailand, yet a bit confusing for first-time visitors. The name Khao Lak actually refers to the entire region stretching north of Phuket along the coast. The most well-known places where most visitors look for accommodations are Bang La On and Bang Niang. There, you’ll find everything your heart desires: hotels, beaches, massages, restaurants, bars, and markets as well.
Outside of these tourist centers, there’s much more to discover in Khao Lak. From memorials for the 2004 Tsunami to viewpoints, waterfalls, and fantastic tours to the Similan Islands or Surin Islands, you’ll never get bored here.
Tip: If you have some extra time in Khao Lak, you can also visit the Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani from here. It’s not too far away and is therefore a great excursion option. For more information, see point 5 of the Southern Thailand – East Coast tour.
Our hotel recommendation for Khao Lak: Mai Khao Lak Beach Resort & Spa
Southern Thailand Itinerary – East Coast
1. Koh Samui (3-4 days)
On the South Thailand round trip on the East Coast, Koh Samui is our starting point. It is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand and the “Coconut Island”, as Koh Samui is sometimes called, offers something for everyone. For some travelers, it’s certainly a dream island, for others, it’s already too touristy. However, in Koh Samui you can find everything you want. We always love to be there!
From a vibrant nightlife, weekly Walking Streets, impressive temples to busy or even secluded beaches on Koh Samui, the choice could hardly be greater. In the mountains of Koh Samui as well as in the south and west, there is also the popular originality that you can explore away from the tourist crowds.
To explore Koh Samui, a scooter tour on your own is worth it. But the organized tours are also an exciting change. In both ways, you can discover many facets and get your own impression of the tropical island.
Our hotel tip for Koh Samui: Amari Koh Samui
2. Ang Thong National Park (1 day)
The Ang Thong National Park is an archipelago located far off the coasts of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. Day trips to Ang Thong are offered from both islands, with the destinations varying depending on the starting point. There can be significant price differences depending on the provider and whether the tour is conducted on a speedboat or a wooden boat is offered.
Special highlights of a tour might include the island of Koh Mae Ko with its blue lagoon, Koh Wua Ta Lap with a breathtaking viewpoint over the national park, or Koh Phaluai with a small local village.
For more information, you can read our article on the day trip to the Ang Thong National Park.
3. Koh Phangan (2-3 days)
Koh Phangan is primarily known for one thing: the monthly Full Moon Party. But even apart from that, there’s plenty of nightlife for party-goers. The Half Moon Festival, the Loi Lay Floating Boat, the Waterfall Party, or Hollystone are just a few options. The fire shows on the beach are also universally popular. There’s never a dull evening on the island of Koh Phangan!
But if you only associate Koh Phangan with parties, you’re missing out on the island’s most beautiful aspects. These are far away from the parties and are best explored by scooter. How about a boat tour to Bottle Beach with a visit to the viewpoint? Or a short walk over the sandbar from the beach in Mae Haad to the small island of Koh Ma?
Need more inspiration for beautiful beaches? Then read our article on 10 beaches on Koh Phangan that you should visit.
To ensure you’re never bored, Koh Phangan offers much more. Discover the waterfalls, go on hikes in the jungle (e.g., to Khao Ra, the island’s highest mountain) or enjoy the peace in the jungle temples. By the way, the best way to end the day on Koh Phangan is in one of the countless Sunset Bars in the west or south of the island.
Our hotel tip for Koh Phangan: Sea Love Bungalows
4. Koh Tao (2 days)
The island of Koh Tao is especially popular among divers and snorkelers on a tour of southern Thailand, as it offers excellent spots for these activities. There are some places where you can snorkel directly from the amazing beaches of Koh Tao, e.g., the Mango Bay. But there are also other snorkeling and diving spots like the Sail Rock or Koh Nang Yuan that are often visited from Koh Tao.
Otherwise, Koh Tao is very small, and you can cover the island in 20 minutes with a scooter. Nevertheless, the island offers several other activities and things to do besides swimming, snorkeling, diving, and sunbathing. Nightlife at Sairee Beach, fascinating viewpoints like the John Suwan Viewpoint, or a whale skeleton are just a few more options.
Find more in our article Koh Tao – 16 Things to Do.
Our hotel recommendation for Koh Tao: Palm Leaf Resort
5. Khao Sok (1-2 days)
If you want to experience more than just beaches and islands on a South Thailand tour, then you shouldn’t miss the Khao Sok National Park! It belongs to the province of Surat Thani, as do the islands Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. With the Ratchaprapha Dam, the Cheow Lan Lake, and the diverse wildlife with wild elephants, tigers, and more, the Khao Sok National Park is among the most beautiful landscapes in South Thailand.
What we highly recommend is an overnight stay in the water bungalows and a tour with the longtail boat. From the water, the landscape is truly breathtaking, and rock formations like Hin Sam Glur seem as if they’re straight out of a picture book. But you can also go hiking, visit waterfalls, and experience other activities on site.
Note: If you decide on a Southern Thailand tour along the west coast, you can still include the Khao Sok National Park. Numerous tours are also offered from Khao Lak, as it’s not far away.
Our hotel tip for the Khao Sok National Park: Keereewarin
Southern Thailand: Tours and Tickets
Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Southern Thailand in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Southern Thailand and the rest of Thailand.
Have you already done a Southern Thailand tour? How did you like our Southern Thailand itinerary and can you recommend any other places? Leave us a comment.
Photos: Photo 3 (Muay Thai), Photo 10 (Koh Phangan), Photo 12 (Khao Sok): backpackerpack.de
