Planning a Thai Island vacation can be overwhelming, no doubt. There are loads of islands to choose from and they all offer something a little bit different and unique. If you only have a week though and you’re trying to get in as much as you can while hitting up some well known spots, I recommend three destinations: Krabi, Phi Phi, and Phuket. Places such as Railey Beach, Tiger Cave, Maya Bay, and Phuket’s Big Buddha can all be crossed off your list with this trip. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling alone or with others, you’re bound to have a great time and feel fulfilled on your Thai adventure.

On the map, Krabi, Phi Phi, and Phuket create an upside-down triangle: Krabi to the east, Phuket to the west and Phi Phi right in the middle to the south. Whether starting in either Krabi or Phuket, you want to do a loop before heading back to Bangkok or wherever else your travels may take you. I recommend flying into Krabi first and ending with Phuket, but compare your prices and see which one may make sense for you.

Krabi

Krabi is not actually an island, but instead a part of mainland Thailand. You can easily fly into Krabi from Bangkok for as low as 15 USD. There are different areas to choose from on
where to stay, but I recommend Ao Nang for this itinerary. It’s a big tourist area, which isn’t always my favorite, buttttt it provides a great location for taking advantage of your time in Krabi. Check out GLOW for hotel accommodations. It’s just up the road a bit from the main beach street and right next to the Ao Nang Night Market. The hotel itself is gorgeous and has great amenities including a pool, onsite bar, fitness center and a great breakfast in the morning. Super affordable as well.

Your first day in Krabi will be spent at Railey Beach! So throw on your suit, eat breakfast, and head down to the beach to catch a longtail boat. Tickets can be purchased at a booth right off the main road at Ao Nang Beach. You may have to wait a few minutes since the boats like to fill up before heading out. The ride only takes about 15 minutes though, so you’ll be there in no time. Once you arrive at Railey Beach, you’ll immediately realize why it’s one of Thailand’s must-see destinations and a great place to start your Thai excursion. The scenery is gorgeous with beautiful limestone cliffs framing either side of the beach. Spend the day soaking in rays, indulging in coconut shakes and just relaxing. If you’re looking for adventure instead, go and explore! There are other beaches to check out and loads of activities. You can head over to Phra Nang Beach and scope out Princess Cave or end up in Ton Sai for some rock climbing. Don’t forget to look into kayaking as well.

The longtail boats typically head back to Ao Nang before sunset, so make sure to catch one of them back! If you plan to stay later or end up missing the boat, expect to pay higher rates. Once you get back, you can freshen up at the hotel and then check out the Ao Nang night market. The market is on the smaller side, but it has all you need. Spend some time hopping around and sampling all the goods. When you can’t eat anymore, wobble your way back to the hotel and collapse in one of the lounge chairs by the pool and relax.

Day 2 in Krabi

Instead of your bathing suit today, lace up your sneakers and grab a couple water bottles. Tiger Cave is a Buddhist temple about a half hour away by car or motorbike. You can find a taxi or motorbike rental place down the main beach street in town. The grounds have a few places worth scoping out, but the main draw is the 1,237 steps to the top of the mountain. It will have you sweating and wishing you had made today another beach day, but it’s totally worth it- I promise! A giant Buddha awaits you at the top and the view is absolutely incredible. After spending some time catching your breath and taking in the view, make your way back down and reward yourself with a coconut ice pop from one of the many shops. If you rented a motorbike, you can explore the surrounding areas before ending back to Ao Nang. Otherwise, jump back in your taxi and shoot back to town.

Enjoy the rest of your afternoon hopping between shops, lounging on Ao Nang Beach or simply relaxing. For dinner, The Hilltop Ao Nang is the place to go! The restaurant sits up on the hilltop (in case you didn’t put that together) and looks out over Ao Nang and the Andaman Sea. Make an early reservation to watch the sunset, it’s simply incredible. Sip on crisp white wine paired with your favorite seafood dish as the sun sparkles down on the water and the sky projects a deep hue of orange. The limestone cliffs emerging throughout the water far into the distance just add to the breathtaking site. The Hilltop Ao Nang also has a shuttle that will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel free of charge. Considering all the walking you did earlier at Tiger Cave, you may want to skip the uphill walk and opt for the free ride.

Phi Phi

The next morning, catch a ferry to Phi Phi. Make sure to have an idea of the ferry schedule and maybe even have tickets ahead of time. Some ferries have transfer vans that will pick you up at your hotel, which is definitely helpful. The ride is about 2 hours but goes by quickly. Take advantage of the top deck outside space for some rays and incredible views.

The main island of Phi Phi is divided into two islands with a strip of land connecting them. This is where all the shops, restaurants and bars are located. Once arriving in Phi Phi, the ferry will spit you out at Tonsai pier, which is right in the middle of it all. Depending on where you decide to stay, someone from your hotel may meet you at the pier, throw your bags in a push wagon and guide you back to the hotel. Papaya Phi Phi Resort is a great spot to stay and is a bit back from the craziness of Phi Phi’s nightlife. It sits up the hill a little bit, which is great for views of the island and a glimpse of the water, but this also means lots of stairs! I loved it, but if you’re thinking, “…oh no…” maybe book elsewhere.

Once you get settled, slip into your bathing suit and grab a bite to eat at Garlic 1992. It’s a little gem right in the middle of the touristy madness. Here, you will find delicious Thai dishes and super sweet service. The portion sizes are great and so are the prices! Spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the streets, popping in and out of shops and then heading over to Loh Dalum Beach. This beach is on the opposite side of where the ferry dropped you. The beach inlet is surrounded by limestone cliffs and has shallow waters, making it perfect for basking in a gorgeous setting and remembering how beautiful life is. Although the beach is not littered with bars and restaurants, there are some beachside places you can definitely find if you’re thinking a cocktail would be the perfect addition to your day.

In the evening, head over to Hippies Beach Restaurant for seafood, live music, and a fire show. They have a full menu of food and drinks and even offer cocktail buckets. Pick out your own seafood and have it cooked up to your liking. The atmosphere is super chill and it’s nice to just hang out and relax. A fire show in Phi Phi is a must see so getting to enjoy one during your meal is a huge plus!

Day 2 in Phi Phi

In the morning head over to the Phi Phi viewpoint 1. Its actually not far from Papaya Phi Phi Resort. The steps will feel like a breeze after Tiger Cave! For a small fee, you not only get access to the viewpoint, but you can also wander the garden and even lounge in one of their hammocks. The immediate view is awesome, but it’s really just a taste of what’s to come if you continue up the path. Once you reach the top, you’ll look down on all of Phi Phi and out to the other side of the island, giving you a great view of both bays on either side. Hang out on the rocks and enjoy the view for as long as you want. There’s even a snack bar type place alongside the viewpoint that sells a variety of snacks and drinks.

By early afternoon, head down to the pier for your boating excursion. My friends and I chose to book a booze cruise, which obviously specialized in consuming classy beverages in an elegant style… Er, maybe it was shooting questionable beverages in a hysterical style? Either way, you have options at the pier, so don’t think you’re stuck booking a
booze cruise and nursing a hangover on your ferry the next day. These boating excursions will cruise you around to different islands and beaches, allowing you to see much more than just Phi Phi. I recommend booking ahead of time. This will just make the entire experience more enjoyable and you won’t have to waste valuable time hopping around and trying to choose a day trip that may or may not be available due to booking last minute.

For those interested in the booze cruise, we reserved spots on Captain Bob’s Booze Cruise. You can either choose a sailboat or a speedboat. We chose the latter. The day starts at the pier and then a beachfront bar for some pregaming. Next, the group is brought over to the boat and the excursion begins! Maya Bay, made famous by the movie The Beach, starring Leonardo Dicaprio, and Monkey Island are two of the stops on the cruise. Most the excursions from Phi Phi hit up these two spots, so expect loads of other people and boats lined up. You don’t have a crazy amount of time at either, but it’s still nice to see each place. The boat also anchors a couple times in deeper water to allow you to swim alongside the limestone cliffs. You can also snorkel or try your hand at stand up paddleboarding. After quite a few drinks though, neither was my forte. But maybe you’ll have better luck! The boat returns at 7PM and you head back to the same beachfront bar for the after party. Hang out and booze with unlimited drinks and enjoy the rest of your night.

Phuket

Depending on your condition after last night’s shenanigans, you may want to take a later ferry to Phuket. This is totally up to you. The ferry is about 2 hours to Phuket and although the schedule may shift a bit, there tends to be one in the morning and two in the afternoon. The afternoon ferries are great because they not only give you time to relax and sleep in, but they also give you time to enjoy one last beach day in Phi Phi and get you into Phuket after typical check-in times. You can arrange transportation to your hotel while on the ferry, which I definitely recommend. When you get off the ferry, cab drivers are everywhere and it’s super hectic. Arranging your car through the ferry allows you to skip over the mess of comparing taxi fares and trying to bargain with anyone. The prices through the ferry arent much more either. So it’s definitely worth it!

Have your arranged transportation take you to Patong Beach. There are loads of different areas to stay in and although Patong is really touristy, it’s also a good location for everything you need for your two days. Burasari Phuket is an incredible hotel with a prime location near the beach and I can’t recommend it enough. The amenities are amazing and I would go back just to spend hours eating their breakfast buffet and floating in their gorgeous pool! After you get situated at the hotel, hop in the pool or explore the area a bit. The beach is a two-minute walk from the hotel, and Bangla Rd, known for its nightlife is only a few streets down. For dinner, hit up Sea Hag for some delicious and super fresh seafood.

Day 2 in Phuket

Today you’re renting a motorbike/scooter and heading out to explore. Before leaving the hotel though, book yourself a massage for the afternoon when you get back. It’s your last night and not only are you probably exhausted and looking forward to relaxing but you’re also in Thailand and in desperate need of that Thai massage before you go! The hotel has an incredible spa, but there are also tons of massage places around town, including next door.

Once your massage is booked, head over to the beach with your passport. You don’t have to walk far before stumbling upon a man renting motorbikes and/or scooters on the side of the road. Hand over your passport (yes, I know this is a terrifying thought, but all rental places do it) and the payment and its that easy! Make sure to take photos of the condition the bike is in and where the gas is before taking off. Plug Big Buddha into Google Maps and off you go! If you don’t have data on your phone, no worries! Have Big Buddha pinned and use google maps like an old-school map, figuring out your way road by road. Sounds tedious, but its really not. You can easily pull off to the side of the road during your ride to check your location and make sure you’re on the right track. Having someone on the back of your bike gets you off the hook entirely, though. They have no other choice but to become your GPS and direct you.

The ride to Big Buddha is about an hour and so much fun. The site is situated at the very top of the Nakkerd Hills, so its not particularly the safest ride. There are loads of steep uphill, downhill, and twisty turns. If you aren’t an experienced rider or aren’t feeling confident, just opt for a taxi instead. Having the bike though gives you the freedom to stop along the way and take your time exploring different areas. Once you arrive at Big Buddha, park the bike and head in! If you aren’t dressed appropriately, there’s a stand at the entrance that lets you borrow scarfs to throw over your shoulders or wrap around your waist. It doesn’t cost anything to rent these, but you should consider giving a donation. Youll walk past some vendors set up and come across the Meditation Hall, where you may see monks meditating or chanting. Continue on around the bend and you’ve reached your destination! Sitting at 148 feet tall and made of Burmese alabaster, the Big Buddha is incredible! Walk up the wide, white staircase (FYI-it was not handicap accessible when I was there) leading up to the Buddha and turn around for the view. You’ll look out onto the rest of the island and to Kata Bay- it’s absolutely stunning. You can spend some time wandering the grounds before heading back down the mountain. Definitely take advantage of one (or more) of the many cafes along the road on your way down. Most of them offer great views and who can say no to some Thai spring rolls or a fresh smoothie?

From the Nakkerd Hills, head to Karon Viewpoint, the last stop of your trip! the viewpoint isn’t overly exciting, but the ride is nice and allows you to see more of the REAL Thailand instead of all the touristy beach spots you’ve been visiting on your trip. Getting to Karon Viewpoint from the Big Buddha will take you about 30 minutes. The drive takes you down the east side of Phuket, closer to where the ferry dropped you and loops up and around. From the viewpoint, driving back to Patong Beach will be about 25 minutes- the ride is mostly along the shoreline, which is beautiful. Once you get back to Patong, drop off the bike, (don’t forget your passport!) and head back to the hotel for your massage appointment.

After your massage, you may be wanting to chill and spend the rest of your evening relaxing by the pool. If this doesn’t sound like you, throw on some clothes and grab a cab to Patong Sunset View Restaurant for… you guessed it, the sunset! The view is incredible and its the perfect way to end your Thai Island vacation!

Thai Islands in One Week