7 Day South Thailand Itinerary From Bangkok
Thinking of taking a trip to Thailand but you’ve only got a week to spare? Never fear: there’s plenty of paradise for you to enjoy, and oodles of culture for you to dip your toe in, even though you’ve only got a short time.
So we’ve come up with a 7-day South Thailand itinerary that packs in some of Thailand’s Southern Highlights. Why the South? Because it is beau-ti-ful. If you’ve been there once, you’re bound to want to come back for more.
7 Day South Thailand Itinerary: Contents
- Bangkok
- Things to do in Bangkok
- Where to stay in Bangkok
- How to get from Bangkok to Phuket
- Phuket
- Things to do in Phuket
- Where to stay in Phuket
- How to get from Phuket to Ko Lanta
- Ko Lanta
- Things to do in Ko Lanta
- Where to stay in Ko Lanta
- How to get to Ko Lanta to Phi Phi Islands
- Phi Phi Islands
- Things to do in Phi Phi Islands
- Where to stay in Phi Phi Islands
- How to get from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket
Bangkok
This 7 day South Thailand itinerary starts in Bangkok. Bangkok is the big, beautiful and brash Thai capital. By far the biggest city in the country, this urban sprawl has a magnetic pull all of its own. Whatever you’re into, Bangkok’s got it. From glitzy rooftop bars and modern skyscrapers to the wonderfully whimsical soi (alleys) to stroll along and its amazing food, there’s so much to discover in this mad city.
You can easily soak up some of the best parts of the city in a night or two before heading off to enjoy the paradise islands that make up the southern part of Thailand.
Things to do in Bangkok
- Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Prakaew – home of the Thai King
- See all the sights and sounds of Bangkok’s huge Chinatown
- Eat street food (like, anywhere in the city)
- Take a day trip to experience the awesome Floating Market
- Shop for bargains at Chatuchak Weekend Market – Thailand’s largest
Where to stay in Bangkok
Dinsomon Hotel
The ideal place to stay for one or two nights in Bangkok, staying at Dinsomon Hotel means you’ll be close to Khao San Road and in walking distance to the Democracy Monument, too. There’s a delicious breakfast served up each morning, there’s an amazing pool – great for jumping into after a sweaty day exploring the city – and it’s easy to catch the local bus to the Floating Market from here, too.
Click here for availability – DINSOMON HOTEL
CHERN Hostel
CHERN Hostel is beautiful – much more like a boutique, design hostel than a backpackers hostel in Bangkok. The decor is minimalist and very, very cool. Choose from dorms or private rooms. It’s set in Rattanakosin – the “Old City” of Bangkok – and is just around the corner from some great street food in Samran Rat.
Click here for availability – CHERN HOSTEL
The LOL Elephant Hostel
This place looks more like a designer handbag store than a hostel. It’s honestly super chic and one of the coolest hostels in Bangkok. Spotlessly clean with professional, friendly staff, this place is in walking distance to Soi Rambuttri as well as Khao San Road. It’s the sort of hostel (complete with private rooms) that’ll become your go-to whenever you’re in Bangkok.
Click here for availability – LOL ELEPHANT HOSTEL
How to get from Bangkok to Phuket
Getting from Bangkok to Phuket can be done in different ways, and each one is pretty straightforward. It depends on your budget and how much you value your time. There are about 50 flights a day between Bangkok and Phuket, taking around 1 hour 15 minutes. Booking using a company such as Justfly, you’ll get the best deal possible.
The bus takes about 13 hours, which is pretty wild and would eat too much into your 7 day South Thailand itinerary. But is much cheaper than flying. Or take the train to Surat Thani and get the bus from there instead. Your choice!
Check Bangkok to Phuket tickets:
Phuket
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and has a culture all of its own. With an interesting Old Town, where you’ll find Peranakan and Chinese shophouses (and some amazing food), there’s also night markets and malls, and buzzing beaches like the notorious sun, sea and sand at Patong.
Though explorable in its own right, there’s nothing wrong with making the marvels of Phuket a one-night stopover, using it as a 7 day South Thailand itinerary launchpad for exploring further afield.
Phuket is also home to many of Thailand’s adventure activities!
Things to do in Phuket
- Witness the nocturnal liveliness along Patong’s Bangla Street
- Take a look at the Big Buddha at Chalong – it’s 45 metres tall!
- Relax on the beach: There’s more than 30 to choose from (best on the west coast)
- Hit up a night market in Phuket Town
- Discover the shophouses and history of Phuket Old Town
Where to stay in Phuket
Aekkeko Hostel
[https://www.booking.com/hotel/th/aekkeko-hostel.en-gb.html]
Set inside an old Chinese shophouse, this is one cool Phuket backpackers hostel. In fact, it’s more like a boutique hotel. The design throughout is pretty immense with traditional features and funky colour pops. You’ll even find cool places to hang out like a hammock suspended in the airwell. Private rooms here are beautiful. Stay here if exploring Phuket Old Town sounds more interesting than vegging out at the beach all day (and if you’re heading onto the islands anyway, the best of the beaches is yet to come).
Click here for availability – AEKKEKO HOSTEL
Baan Suwantawe
If you’re looking for a little more space, this awesome hotel in Phuket offers up spacious rooms, balconies and clean, modern decor for a very reasonable price. You can even get a studio with a bathtub. There’s a pretty cool outdoor pool, complete with sunloungers, but this one is also about its location. You’ll be right in the action of Phuket Town itself, with the very fun night market in easy reach; you can also get to Patong Beach by bus.
Click here for availability – BAAN SUWANTAWE
Mazi Design Hotel by Kalima
Affordable, a 5 minute walk from Patong Beach, and with a very stylish sense of design going on, Mazi Design Hotel is set in a lively location. The rooms are spacious, the balconies are amazing, the beds are super large – we love this one. Spend your days sunning yourself by the pool, taking a refreshing dip, getting involved in happy hour cocktails at the on-site bar, or dining at the (very reasonably priced) restaurant. Busy, if not notorious, Bangla Street is just a 10 minute walk away.
Click here for availability – MAZI DESIGN HOTEL
How to get from Phuket to Ko Lanta
Catch the ferry from Phuket Rassada Pier. The boat leaves every roughly every hour. Ferries cost $25 and take 4 hours 15 minutes – pretty long! But our 7 day South Thailand itinerary choice would be to take the speed boat, taking an hour and a half and costs $40, ending at Ko Lanta’s Saladan Pier via Ao Nang.
Ko Lanta
Chilled out Ko Lanta is made up of several islands. Unlike a lot of Thailand’s beach destinations, partying and soaking up the sun isn’t necessarily the number one thing on travellers’ minds here. Ko Lanta is famous for its nature. Think coral-fringed beaches, rainforests crisscrossed with hiking trails, and mangrove swamps to explore. You have to add this stunning island paradise to your 7 day South Thailand itinerary.
Things to do in Ko Lanta
- Invite yourself to one of Ko Lanta’s beach parties – good music and a mixed age group
- Visit the beaches (obviously). Long Beach is a winner
- Watch the sunset, ideally with a cocktail
- Get yourself on a boat trip to the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook
- Hike through the trails of Mu Koh Lanta National Park on the south of the island
Where to stay in Ko Lanta
Noble House Beach Resort
This is a seriously relaxing place to stay. With rooms boasting views of the ocean and set on Klong Dao Beach itself, staying here means you get to enjoy a pretty sizeable swimming pool and relax in the tropical shade of palm trees. The staff are always super helpful and attentive, making for a place you won’t want to leave.
Click here for availability – NOBLE HOUSE BEACH RESORT
Lanta Seafront Resort
One of the best things about Lanta Seafront Resort is having a room that opens up right onto the beach itself. And because it’s on the west side of the island, this mid-range hotel in Ko Lanta gets some incredible sunsets. Add to this beachfront dining (also best done at sunset), a compact but neat, clean pool, and a lush garden, and it’s definitely one of the better places you could find yourself staying on this island.
Click here for availability – LANTA SEAFRONT RESORT
Sleep In Lanta Resort
With its huge pool, tropical gardens, gleaming, spotless rooms and great location (just a few metres to the beach), Sleep Inn Lanta Resort is a great option for a mid-range hotel in Ko Lanta. Even so, this place is still super affordable and you get some great value for money. Though lacking an on-site restaurant, there are plenty of eateries to choose from nearby.
Click here for availability – SLEEP IN LANTA RESORT
How to get from Ko Lanta to Phi Phi Islands
The ferry to Phi Phi Don from Ko Lanta Saladan Pier takes just 1 hour and costs $25. By speedboat, it takes a mere 30 minutes to get there – but these are private and cost about 20,000 Baht!
Phi Phi Islands
Contrary to Ko Lanta, the Phi Phi Islands (or PP as they’re sometimes referred to) are a popular spot for visitors and, yes: this often involves some pretty active nightlife. Beyond that, however, lies a fascinating seafaring culture; the Phi Phi Islands are 80% Muslim and most of the islands themselves aren’t even inhabited.
If you want azure waters, soft sand beaches, the chance to discover tiny emerald islands on your 7 day South Thailand itinerary, then Phi Phi is for you. And – if you want to – partying late into the night. It’s Thailand “paradise” alright.
Things to do in Phi Phi Islands
- Hike up to Phi Phi Viewpoint to see the beautiful bays (don’t forget your camera)
- Take a trip to Bamboo Island: a tiny, beautiful tropical hangout with white sand
- Go on an island-hopping booze cruise. It’s PP, why not?
- Get yourself on a diving tour and discover the stunning underwater world here
- Take a longtail boat to Viking Cave and see the old, mysterious paintings
Where to stay in Phi Phi Islands
PP Insula
This guesthouse has a fantastic location: you’ll find it nestled in Tonsai Bay on Phi Phi Don. Bars, restaurants, the pier and the beach are all within a short stroll from the accommodation itself. Everything here is clean, the staff are friendly, rooms are spacious, but chances are you’ll be spending more time on the beach than inside!
Click here for availability – PP INSULA
Phi Phi Andaman Legacy Resort
A super stylish place to stay, you can expect a lot of effort with the design of this cool Phi Phi Islands hotel. The rooms here are spacious and airy, and come with very cool polished concrete bathrooms with glass bricks and minimalist design – we love this stuff. Set around a huge, central pool with fun inflatables to use, the grounds are nicely manicured, there’s a bar and restaurant, and the staff are great, too.
Click here for availability – PHI PHI ANDAMAN LEGACY RESORT
HIP Seaview Resort @ Phi Phi
A great place to relax away from the more touristed parts of Phi Phi Don, staying at this hotel means you’ll be situated up on a hill overlooking Long Beach. You get to stay in bungalows with sea views and generally just enjoy the relaxing environment of the place. With rentals and tours available, this is a great base to use for snorkelling. There’s also a very affordable, very tasty on-site restaurant serving up a range of dishes.
Click here for availability – HIP SEAVIEW RESORT
How to get from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket
From Phi Phi Islands’ Tonsai Pier to Phuket’s Rassada Pier it takes 2 hours by ferry and costs $20. A speedboat is going to be obviously cheaper and quicker, however, but various companies and options exist. Then the last part of your 7 day South Thailand itinerary is to fly back to Bangkok from here if you’re heading home.
Or head north with our 7 day Northern Thailand itinerary!
Conclusion
Southern Thailand is totally possible to “do” in just one week with this 7 day South Thailand itinerary. Being a well-trodden route, the journeys between the various islands and beaches are completely straightforward and (usually) run super smoothly. There’ll be no hiccups in your travel plans thanks to our handy itinerary for southern Thailand.
So all you need to do now is get booking, make sure you pack your snazziest swimming costume and prepare yourself for a week of awesomeness amongst the islands!
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