1 Week in Thailand: Ultimate 1 Week Itinerary

Camille L.

1 Week Thailand: recommended itinerary

Are you going to visit Thailand during your vacation?

Excellent choice!

I have prepared two 7-day itineraries in Thailand to help you optimize your stay.

Organized according to the airport where you will arrive ( Phuket or Krabi ), these circuits in the South of the country will allow you to discover the most beautiful islands of the Andaman Sea and their dream beaches!

If you want to visit Bangkok, Ayutthaya and the city of Chiang Mai in the North instead , you can read my other itinerary: 7 Days in Thailand.

For each step, you will also find my selection of the best accommodations, as well as my advice and tips to make sure everything goes well during your Thailand itinerary.

So, what to do and see in Thailand in 7 days?

Itinerary: 1 Week in Thailand from Phuket

Day 1-3: Phuket

For this first sample of 1 week Thailand Itinerary, I recommend landing in Phuket.

The island has an international airport with many direct flights every day from all destinations. It is therefore super practical to start a holiday in the South of the country. You can compare flight prices to Phuket at the end of this article.

From the airport, which is in the north, there are buses , taxis or a private transfer (click here for info) to reach either Phuket Town (Phuket town) or Patong, the busiest area of the island. It all depends on the location of the hotel you have booked:

For this first day in Phuket, and just to get over the flight and jet lag, I suggest you spend part of the day on Patong beach.

Although very busy, you will always have room to put your towel on the 2 km long stretch of sand. Sunbathe, swim or try one of the many water activities such as parasailing or towed buoys.

Patong

At the end of the day, head for the Bangla Road, still towards Patong. This street, with its shops, bars, restaurants and night club is the liveliest in all of Phuket!

In particular, you will be able to attend a ladyboy show, these very pretty ladies who are very well made up and dressed, who are actually men! The best known in Phuket is the one that takes place at the Simon Cabaret.

The place is full every night, so it is important to reserve your seats in advance. You can buy them directly by clicking here.

If you want a little more action for your first night in Phuket, I recommend attending a muay thai boxing match instead . It’s Thailand’s national sport, almost all shots are allowed!

The fights also take place in Patong, and here too, it is better to book your tickets because the Thais love it.

Spend the night in Phuket.

For your second day of this 7-8 day trip to Southern Thailand, continue exploring Phuket.

I recommend that you focus on the East area, towards Phuket Town and the surrounding area.

If you are staying in Patong, you can easily get there by bus or rent a scooter. Phuket Town being the capital of the island, it is well served.

If you prefer, there is also a very complete organized excursion to see some of the must-sees that I recommend.

I especially advise you to take a walk in the old town, which includes several buildings and houses in the Sino-Portuguese style, very colorful and perfectly renovated. The neighborhood is really charming and pleasant.

Not to be missed during your walk:

Chinese Temple in Old Phuket Town

Then go to Monkey Hill, which bears its name very well since you can see lots of monkeys there. They are used to the presence of humans and are only waiting for one thing: that you feed them!

The business is also well established, there are sellers of bananas or peanuts everywhere.

In addition to seeing the monkeys, do not hesitate to climb the path to the top of the hill to admire the panorama of the island. 

Speaking of views, you can also take advantage of being in the Phuket Town area to go to the Khao Rang Hill Viewpoint, which offers a view of the entire city.

On the way before arriving, stop at Wat Khao Rang temple to admire the large golden Buddha statue there.

End the day at the beach and spend another night in Phuket.

For your last day in Phuket, you have the choice between several options, according to your desires:

1) Take a day trip to Koh Phi Phi to discover Thailand’s most famous island.

This outing is also available in a luxury version on a very beautiful catamaran. Click here to book!

Koh Phi Phi

2) Take an excursion to the Similan Islands, one of the most beautiful diving and snorkeling spots in the world.

3) Spend a morning at an elephant sanctuary to feed and wash them. Book directly here!

Or take a Thai cooking class to discover the secrets of an excellent Pad Thai or panang curry. Book here!

In the afternoon, you can stay at the beach or enjoy a slightly more sporty activity by going zip-lining at Phuket’s most famous park. You can book your zipline activity right here!

4) Rent a scooter and visit the southern part of the island via:

Spend one last night in Phuket.

For even more details on things to do in Phuket, I advise you to read our article: Itinerary with Top Things to Do in Phuket

Tips for your Thailand itinerary:

Important point for  excursions and activities in Phuket and Thailand in general: some agencies are extremely lax with regard to safety standards and respect for the environment. There are also fairly regular accidents!

To do your activities safely, it is best to book in advance those that I propose in the article. It’s not more expensive, and you are guaranteed to do your excursion or activity with a serious agency.

Accommodation in Phuket

If you want to be in the heart of the action, I have prepared a selection of accommodation for you near Patong:

If you prefer to stay in Phuket Town, here is my selection of hotels:

Phuket Marriot Resort & Spa – Luxury Hotel in Phuket

Day 4-6: Another South Island

For the second stage of your 1 week Thailand itinerary, I suggest you leave Phuket to discover another island in the South.

There are several possible alternatives from Phuket, so I have selected 2 islands easily accessible by boat:

Option 1: Koh Yao Noi (3 days)

Koh Yao Noi is only 30 minutes by boat from Phuket.

The departure is from the port of Rang Bang Pier, in the North-East of the island. To reach it, you have to take a taxi from your hotel. Then count 300 Bahts for the boat trip. 

Arrived at Koh Yao Noi, collective taxis await you to take you to the various hotels. The race is 100 Bahts per person.

For this first day in Koh Yao, I suggest you rent a scooter (250-300 Bahts/day) to explore the most beautiful beaches on the island. Stop whenever you want to swim.

Spend a first night in Koh Yao Noi.

Explore Koh Yao Noi by scooter

 

The next day, you absolutely must do the 4 islands excursion. This is the excursion that I preferred during my vacation in Thailand.

The islands on the program are simply magnificent, the beaches superb and the water translucent. An idyllic day enjoying landscapes worthy of postcards!

You will have the chance to discover:

All hotels in Koh Yao Noi offer this excursion. Remember to book it the day before. Count 2500 Bahts for the boat, to be divided between the number of people participating in the excursion.

Stay another night in Koh Yao Noi.

4 Islands Tour, Koh Yao Noi

 

Today, last day in Koh Yao, you have the choice:

1) Take a boat trip to Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island.

On the same principle as yesterday’s excursion, you will leave by boat to visit the islands of the bay. No swimming on the program here but more photo stops in sublime landscapes.

The most famous island on this day is James Bond Island where scenes from ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ were filmed.

You will also have the opportunity to take a kayak tour to visit caves.

The tour also includes a stop on Koh Panyee where there is a large floating market where you can eat and buy souvenirs from your 7-day stay in Southern Thailand.

Tariff of 4500 Bahts per boat, always to be divided between the number of passengers.

2)  Take a morning  cooking class at Mina’s Cooking Classes or The Paradise Koh Yao.

Rent a kayak in the afternoon (or vice versa) to discover Koh Yao from the sea.

3) Spend a day in Koh Yao Yai.

The neighboring island, although larger, is even more unspoiled by tourists. There are only a few hotels and you may find deserted beaches just for you!

It is only 10 minutes by boat from Koh Yao Noi.

Spend one last night on the island.

From Koh yao Noi, 4 Islands excursion

The next day unfortunately means the end of your 1 week Thailand itinerary. Take the boat in the opposite direction to Phuket and then reach the airport by taxi (about 700 Bahts).

Find even more details on Koh Yao Noi in our dedicated article: Visit Koh Yao Noi.

Tips for your Thailand itinerary:

The differences between high tide and low tide on the island of Koh Yao Noi are truly impressive. The sea recedes over more than a hundred meters, it then becomes impossible to swim on certain beaches where only pebbles remain.

For this, the beach of the Koh Yao Seaview hotel is really great: you will have to walk a little to reach the water at low tide but it is largely doable because there is only sand.

Plan a stay on Koh Yao Noi in a hotel with a swimming pool so you can cool off during low tide. I have selected the best for you just below.

Accommodation in Koh Yao Noi
Six Senses Yao Noi – Luxury Hotel in Koh Yao Noi

Option 2: Koh Lanta (3 days)

If you prefer to continue your 7-day itinerary in Thailand via Koh Lanta instead of Koh Yao Noi, then here is an idea of ​​a program for these 3 days!

To get to Koh Lanta from Phuket, you will need to take a ferry from Rassada Port, close to Phuket Town. Do not hesitate to ask your hotel to make the reservation for you, they sometimes manage to negotiate cheaper rates.

For example, we paid 700 Baht instead of the 1000 Baht displayed on the booking site.

The journey to Koh Lanta is done in 2 stages: a first boat for Koh Phi Phi (2h30 journey) then another boat for Koh Lanta (about 1h15).

If you prefer to go faster and directly to Koh Lanta, it is also possible to make the trip by speedboat but there are not a lot of places. For this transfer it is better to book well in advance. You have the information by clicking here!

In the boat, you are offered to book your transfer to your hotel. You can take it, it doesn’t cost more than once landed. The price varies depending on the location of the hotel.

For the afternoon, I advise you to rent a scooter and explore the west coast of the island where all the most beautiful beaches are . You will be able to test several places for swimming. The further south you go, the fewer people there are.

And if you don’t feel like renting a scooter, you also have the option of landing on the beach closest to your hotel.

I have listed the beaches of Koh Lanta for you in this article: Visit Koh Lanta.

The beaches of Koh Lanta

 

For the second day on Koh Lanta, I recommend that you do the 4 islands excursion. This is for me the best outing on the island!

The islands are heavenly and there are plenty of snorkeling and swimming stops to swim with the fish.

In the program:

For 1000 Baht per person, everything is included: snorkeling equipment, transfer to the port from your hotel, lunch and drinks.

Book this excursion here.

This tour is done on board a longtail, a traditional Thai boat, but if you wish, you can also  take the same trip by speedboat.

You must then book by clicking directly on the link here!

Excursion des 4 iles, Koh Lanta

 

Third and last day on Koh Lanta, you have different choices:

1) Take another boat trip but this time to discover the splendid island of Koh Rok. 

On the same principle as that of the 4 islands, you can snorkel and swim. Everything is also included in the price of around 1700 Bahts per person.

To be sure to go through a serious agency, I advise you to book this excursion to Koh Rok here.

If this excursion is already full, you can also  book with another provider by clicking here  (it’s exactly the same thing).

2) Explorer Koh Lanta:

To know everything about things to do in Koh Lanta, it’s in our article: What to see and do in Koh Lanta?

The next day marks the end of your 1 week Thailand itinerary. Take the boat in the opposite direction to Phuket and reach the airport.

Tips for your Thailand itinerary:

If your tour in Thailand lasts 8 days, you have the choice between spending an additional day in Phuket, Koh Yao Noi or Koh Lanta.

Accommodation in Koh Lanta
Pimalai Resort & Spa Koh Lanta

Itinerary: 7 Days in Thailand from Krabi

Day 1-3: Krabi

For the second example of a 7-day circuit in Southern Thailand, this time I suggest you arrive in Krabi.

Krabi Province also lies towards the Andaman Sea, but on the other side from Phuket.

Krabi also has an international airport, so the province is the perfect place for a holiday in southern Thailand. On the other hand, unlike Phuket, it is quite possible that you will first arrive in Bangkok and then have to take a connection to Krabi.

You can compare all flight prices for Krabi at the end of our article thanks to our comparator.

From the airport, I suggest you go directly to Ao Nang, the main tourist area of ​​the province where the beaches closest to Krabi are located and where you will be staying.

For this, you can take a shuttle at the airport (about 150 Bahts), a taxi (just over 1000 Bahts) or book your group transfer (from 280 Bahts). For the latter case, the driver will be waiting for you on arrival. If you are interested, reservations are made directly here!

 Private transfers are  also available and it really doesn’t cost much more if you are 2 or 3.  I put the link here with all the information.

Spend the quiet end of the day at Ao Nang Beach, a wide sandy beach ideal for recovering from flight hours and jet lag. A little further, you also have Noppharat Thara Beach,  which is wilder and less crowded.

Spend a first night in Ao Nang.

Yes Nang

 

The next day, I suggest you discover one of the most beautiful places in Krabi province: Railay.

To get there, you have to take the boat from Ao Nang beach. Count 200 Bahts round trip for 10 minutes.

No need to book your crossing in advance, just buy it the same day at the hut by the beach. There are boats all the time.

Arrived at Railay, you will quickly notice that the setting is splendid and the beaches are heavenly. You will also realize that there are really a lot of people, but that’s the price of success!

The 2 prettiest beaches are those of Railay West Beach  (the one where you land) and Phra Nang Beach. These are large sandy beaches, bordered by karst cliffs and forest. In addition to swimming, you can also rent kayaks and paddles.

There is also an area with bars and restaurants.

The more athletic can tackle the climb that leads to the Railay viewpoint. 10-15 minutes of climbing using ropes are necessary to reach it but the view is really worth it!

And if you’re not afraid of heights, Railay is recognized as one of the top destinations to go to in Thailand for rock climbing. There are over 700 routes!

If you want to book a rock climbing lesson, just click here.

Return to stay a night in Ao Nang.

Railay

 

Today, for your last day in Krabi, I recommend going on a boat trip for the day.

There are several to choose from from Ao Nang Beach:

1) The 4 islands excursion to discover Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Koh Tup and the Phra Nang Cave.

2) An excursion to Koh Phi Phi, one of Thailand’s most famous islands.

3) An excursion to the Hong Islands.

All these excursions are organized according to the same principle with snorkeling and swimming stops throughout the day.

Transfers from your hotel, the day boat trip, lunch, water and equipment with masks and snorkels are included in the price.

If you want more details about Krabi, I invite you to read our article: What to do in Krabi?

Accommodation in Krabi / Ao Nang

Hong Islands Tour

Day 4-6: Koh Lanta

To continue this 7-day stay in Thailand, I suggest you leave Krabi to reach an island in the South: Koh Lanta.

For this you will have to take the boat. The journey takes about 2h30 and costs around 350 Bahts per person. In the boat, you will be offered a collective taxi to reach your hotel in Koh Lanta. It’s not more expensive than those offered on arrival so you can accept, or even negotiate a little.

For the rest of the day, rent a scooter and explore the west coast of the island, where all the beautiful beaches are.

Spend the night on Koh Lanta.

For this second day, I recommend the excursion to do absolutely from Koh Lanta: that of the 4 islands. Although it is called the same as the one I told you about in Krabi, it is not the same, the islands to visit are different.

On the other hand, it takes place in the same way with stops to dive and observe the many fish and corals. You will discover the islands of:

Sleep again in Koh Lanta.

Fisherman’s Islands, Koh Lanta

 

On the last day of your vacation in Koh Lanta, you will have the choice between several activities:

1) A boat trip to Koh Rok

2) Introduce you to scuba diving in one of the centers of Koh Lanta.

3) Kayaking or boating in the mangroves, with a guide or independently. For this you will have to go to the port of Tungyeepeng, to the North-East.

After kayaking, you can take the opportunity to reach Koh Lanta Noi, the little sister of Koh Lanta. By scooter, you can follow the road that goes around it and discover deserted beaches.

4) Spend a morning or afternoon at an elephant sanctuary.

You can feed them and participate in the mud bath. 

You will find even more things to do in our article: Top 15 places to visit in Koh Lanta.

Spend one last night in Koh Lanta.

The next day, end of your 7-8 day road trip in Thailand. Take the boat in the opposite direction to Krabi and from there reach the airport.

Tips for your Thailand itinerary:

If your trip to Thailand lasts 8 days, you have the choice of spending an extra day in Krabi or Koh Lanta.

Accommodation in Koh Lanta

1 Week in Thailand on a Single Island in the South

If you do not want to visit Thailand in 7 days by discovering several islands, you have of course the possibility of spending your entire stay in the same place.

There is plenty to do and see in 7 days in Thailand on Phuket, Krabi or Koh Lanta.

To organize your days, you will find all the information in these articles:

Do not hesitate to give us your opinion and suggestions on our 7-day itinerary in Thailand!

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Discover all our articles about Thailand: all articles about Thailand are listed here.

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