Thailand, the land of smiles! Whether you love nature, culture or fine dining, you’ll find it all in Thailand. It can be a challenge to put together a round trip in Thailand, because the country is so big and you can easily travel around here for months and still not see everything. In this article we share the ideal itinerary that takes you past the most captivating places in southern Thailand. You start in the bustling capital city of Bangkok, pass by the ancient rainforest of Khao Sok and end on one of the many beautiful islands in the south. Discover the ideal tour of southern Thailand here in 3 weeks, how to get around and where to stay!
Practical information for your trip to Thailand
Thailand is the ideal destination for first-time travelers to Asia. The country is safe, you can get around easily and it is a budget-friendly destination! Because it is such a large country, you will inevitably have to make choices if you only have 3 weeks or less to travel around. In this article, we share the ideal itinerary through southern Thailand. You will depart in Bangkok and end in Phuket, both are cities with international airports. Fortunately, traveling in Thailand is very easy and you can easily customize this itinerary to suit your needs.
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How to get around in Thailand.
Thailand is a huge country with vast distances, which makes transportation one of the more expensive aspects of your trip. Therefore, it is helpful to plan an efficient travel itinerary that is friendly to your wallet. Consider in advance how you want to travel during your tour of Thailand and what form of transportation you will use, especially in the south with its various islands. You can easily book most transfers locally at your accommodation or online. Domestic flights or the night train are best booked in advance. A handy tip is Asia12Go, where you can easily book your travel itineraries and related tickets, whether you need the plane, boat, train or bus.
How to visit Thailand.
The capital Bangkok is a major hub in Southeast Asia and often the starting point for a tour of Thailand. Direct flights are available from Schiphol Airport, but from Brussels you will need at least one transfer. An alternative airport for your trip to southern Thailand is Phuket. Both from Belgium and the Netherlands, you can reach this city with just one transfer. In addition, you take a domestic flight in Thailand very smoothly if needed. Through Skyscanner you can find the most economical prices.
Ideal itinerary for 3 weeks in southern Thailand
Day 1-3: Bangkok
The capital of Thailand is the ideal starting point of your tour in Thailand and should not be missed! Bangkok is a gigantic metropolis where there is an awful lot to do. Be sure to visit some temples such as Wat Arun, take a trip on the Klong River and taste the delicious Thai street food in Chinatown. We found Bangkok to be one of the nicest cities in Southeast Asia.
Where to stay in Bangkok
There is certainly no shortage of accommodations in Bangkok. From hostels and guesthouses to larger, luxurious resorts.
- Budget ($): Once Again Hostel
- Comfort ($$): Lamphu Tree House Boutique Hotel
- Luxurious ($$$): Ayahtorn Bangkok
Day 4-6: Koh Tao (or Koh Samui or Koh Phangan)
Day 4 will be a long but wonderful travel day towards Koh Tao, Koh Phangan or Koh Samui. A visit to one of these three islands on the east coast of Thailand cannot be missed during your tour of Thailand. You have to get up early to take the bus that takes you through the jungle landscapes of central Thailand. Then take the ferry to the island that best suits your needs. If you prefer to stay in Bangkok a little longer and don’t mind traveling on a sleeper bus, this trip can also be made at the end of Day 4.
- Koh Tao: Are you a fan of snorkeling or would you like to learn to dive? Then Koh Tao is a true paradise. The island has several dive centers and a beautiful underwater world to explore. In addition, you have beautiful beaches and cozy bars. Located on the beach is the Lücke Boutique Hotel, a nice hotel for your stay here. If you are traveling on a more limited budget, then the Wonderland Jungle Hostel highly recommended.
- Koh Phangan: Known for its Full Moon Parties but also for its beautiful nature, Koh Phangan is also a wonderful destination. This is the largest island of the three. If you’re coming for the parties on the island, then you should look for stays close to Haad Rin, such as Vannee Golden Sands. If you prefer to take it a little easier, stay in the west of the island.
- Koh Samui: If you prefer something more laidback, with a mix of nature and atmosphere, Koh Samui will not disappoint. This island with its many beautiful beaches is ideal for those who want to laze around. We ourselves stayed here in White Whale Villas, highly recommended! A cheaper alternative is the J4 Samui Hotel, which also has a good location.
If you want to extend your trip, you can also choose to visit multiple islands since the islands are close to each other. There are several ferries a day between these islands, making for a smooth connection.
Day 7-9: Khao Sok
After your first island of your tour in Thailand, you return to the mainland on Day 7. Take the ferry and then a bus or private cab to travel to Khao Sok National Park. In Khao Sok you will find one of the world’s oldest rainforests, imposing limestone cliffs and wildlife such as gibbons and even elephants. After arriving at Khao Sok Village, you can take a walk in the rainforest before nightfall.
The next day you can embark on an unforgettable two-day adventure to the heart of Khao Sok National Park. Here you will sleep in a floating bungalow, do jungle trekking both during the day and night, and constantly search for the most tropical animals during this multi-day adventure. A good budget-friendly organization to book this experience with is Smiley Bungalows. The first night you will sleep in a dome before leaving for your floating bungalow. All activities and food are included in the price. After your two-day jungle adventure, you can take a shuttle to Krabi that same day. However, for an even better experience, we would now 500 Rai Floating Resort recommend. The experience here is even better with a nicer finish!
TRAVEL TIP: If you’re not a fan of the jungle and prefer beautiful beaches and palm trees, a tour to the Similan Islands are a nice alternative. You can book either a day tour or a multi-day cruise to take you to this piece of paradise. If you have more than 3 weeks, this is definitely worth a visit after Khao Sok.
Day 10-13: Ao Nang (Krabi)
At the end of day 9, you will arrive in Krabi. Krabi itself is not directly on the beach, for that it is best to stay in Ao Nang. During these three days, there are several fun things to do. A visit to the famous Tiger Cave Temple and an island tour should not be missing from this list. In addition, you can also take a boat towards Railay Beach. Here you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand and you can also do rock climbing if you wish. Finally, Krabi is also a great place to enjoy delicious food at local restaurants or lively night markets.
Where to stay in Ao Nang (Krabi)
Complete the experience by sleeping at one of Ao Naong’s beautiful beachfront resorts such as at Centara Ao Nang. Or choose a more budget-friendly alternative such as Anda Sea Tales Resort. You can also choose to book your stay near Railay Beach such as Avatar Railay, but you can only get here by boat.
Day 14 – 17: Koh Lanta
From Krabi you can easily by boat or by minibus to Koh Lanta. It is also nice to stay here for a few days. A must-do is the 4-island tour where you pass beautiful snorkeling sites and beaches. Furthermore, it is an ideal island to explore by scooter. Koh Lanta is also known for its spectacular sunsets, so be sure to catch a few during your stay and who knows, you might even see a fireworks show on the beach yourself.
Where to stay in Koh Lanta
Stay on Koh Lanta near Saladan, close to the most beautiful beaches. At your accommodation you can rent a scooter and get around the island easily.
- Budget ($): Lanta Grand House
- Comfort ($$): My Home Lantawadee
- Luxurious ($$$): Twin Bay Resort Koh Lanta
Day 18 – 20: Koh Yao Noi
A less visited island, located between Phuket and Krabi, is Koh Yao Noi. Here you won’t find mass tourism yet, making it ideal to spend a few quiet days to end your trip. As in most islands, you can explore the island by scooter in search of the most beautiful beaches. Given its compact size, you can even rent a bike to get out and about. Or take a day trip to the nearby island of Koh Yao Yai. From Koh Yao Noi, you can easily travel on to Phuket to finish your trip. Stay in Rimlay Bay View or at Six Senses which is located on the most beautiful beach on Koh Yao Noi.
TRAVEL TIP: Koh Yao Noi is a still relatively unknown part of Thailand, and we love it. If you prefer a little more partying, you can replace this island with the world-famous Koh Phi Phi. The island is beautiful, but you have to share it with very many tourists.
Where to stay in Koh Yao Noi
On Koh Yao Noi you’ll find plenty of small-scale guesthouses where you’ll feel right at home. But also here you will find some beautiful resorts to relax completely.
- Budget ($): Anattaya Holiday Home
- Comfort ($$): Hillhouse Koh Yao Noi
- Luxurious ($$$): Six Senses Yao Noi
Day 21: Phuket
Your tour of Thailand ends on one of Thailand’s most famous islands. Phuket is known as a party destination but here you will also find beautiful beaches, impressive temples and a huge night market. If you like to combine some tropical beaches with vibrant nightlife, we recommend skipping Koh Yao Noi and spending a few extra days in Phuket. In Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel do so in comfort! With its international airport, Phuket is also the ideal final destination to travel back home. If you want to extend your trip even further, you can take a domestic flight from Phuket to Chiang Mai to explore northern Thailand.
Where to stay in Phuket
Stay near the Old Town and rent a scooter to explore more of Phuket. Another option is to stay near Patong Beach, which is known for its vibrant nightlife.
- Budget ($): Baan Old Town Boutique Stay
- Comfort ($$): Beyond Patong
- Luxurious ($$$): Noku Phuket
Best travel time Thailand
Thailand is a vast country that brings with it the necessary variation in climate. Most of the country has a tropical monsoon climate, which can be divided into three seasons. The best period to visit Thailand is from November through March. These are the months with pleasant temperatures (25-30 degrees Celsius) and little precipitation. Thailand is also good to travel in July and August, but keep in mind that this is the rainy season. Don’t let this deter you, however, often there is a lot of rain during short periods, interspersed with a few hours of sunshine. The heavy rains occur mainly in the afternoon or evening.
Still have questions about your tour in Thailand? Let us know in a comment below! Or discover all our blogs about beautiful Thailand here. Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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