No Thailand journey is full with out visiting the nation’s greatest and hottest island – Phuket!
Situated within the south of Thailand, within the attractive Andaman Sea, Phuket is thought for its stunning seashores, buzzing night time markets, breath taking pure surroundings and world-class resorts.
However being such a giant and vibrant island, which seashores, sights and different islands must you go to and the way do you match all of the highlights into one epic Thailand journey!? Nicely, this put up comprises all you have to know…
As an expat who has been dwelling in Phuket for over 3 years and has explored it from prime to backside, I’ve created what I believe is one of the best Phuket itinerary with my insider suggestions.
This fun-filled 7 day itinerary for Phuket, Thailand consists of the must-see’s, hidden gems, and island hopping to Koh Phi Phi and Krabi whereas skipping the over-rated locations to take advantage of your time right here.
The Final 7 Day Phuket Itinerary – Spend 7 Days in Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Krabi.
The primary a part of planning your Phuket itinerary is setting your dates and reserving in your flights and lodging.
One of the best time to go to Phuket weatherwise is between December and March and Phuket’s worldwide airport makes attending to the island simple. (extra information on this later within the put up) I all the time discover one of the best flight offers on >>>
The place To Keep in Phuket, Thailand
As Thailand’s largest island, there’s an enormous vary of various areas and locations to remain in Phuket to go well with all budgets and sorts of traveller.
From luxurious inns and household pleasant resorts, to price range inns and backpacker hostels, there’s no scarcity of alternative so one of the best place for you’ll actually rely upon what you might be searching for.
Every place has a really totally different vibe so you’ll find out extra about Phuket’s finest inns, resorts, and areas in my complete information on the place to remain in Phuket.
One of the best seashores in Phuket are situated on the West Coast. Full of life Patong Seaside is finest for nightlife and price range vacationers, whereas Kata seaside, Karon seaside and Kamala seaside are common with households and {couples} as they provide a extra balanced expertise.
Additional north, Bang Tao seaside and Mai Khao seaside supply unspoiled seashores, luxurious resorts and a peaceable environment. Outdated Phuket City is the historic and cultural coronary heart of the island and provides cafes, markets and vibrant, historic boutique inns.
To comply with this itinerary I’d suggest staying close to Nai Harn and Rawai within the south as these are essentially the most beautiful and stylish areas to remain proper now.
Listed here are my prime lodging picks for Nai Harn and Rawai that present a handy base for this Phuket itinerary:
- Finest Luxurious Resort: The Nai Harn – Perched on a hill overlooking Nai Harn seaside this beautiful 5 star resort provides a beach-club fashion pool and bar space and a tremendous breakfast buffet!
- Finest Mid-Vary Resort: Selina – Trendy “all-in-one resort” with a beachfront restaurant and pool, wellness deck, and co-working house good for digital nomads.
- Finest Price range Hotel: Roost Glamping – Distinctive and glamourous tenting expertise with a pool and correct beds in trendy bells tents surrounded by nature.
Bear in mind that it’s a 1-hour (or extra) drive from Phuket Worldwide Airport which is situated within the north of the island to Rawai within the South.
Staying at Kata Seaside can also be an excellent possibility as there’s a bit extra alternative and it’s extra centrally situated however the seashores are busier right here.
How Lengthy To Spend In Phuket
There’s so many stunning locations to go to and issues to do in Phuket {that a} weekend or 3 days in Phuket will not be sufficient time to see all of it.
Together with exploring totally different seashores and sights on Phuket island itself, you’ll additionally wish to go to a number of close by islands. And possibly you wish to see the close by provinces of Phang Nga or Krabi, too?
In that case, I extremely suggest staying not less than 7 days in Phuket (or extra). Seven days is simply sufficient time to take pleasure in all the highest choices of Phuket, plus try the well-known Phi Phi islands and a few elements of Phang Nga Bay and Krabi too.
Whereas the next itinerary can simply match into seven days, you probably have extra time and wish to take it slower I like to recommend staying in Phuket for 10 days or 2 weeks. You could possibly lengthen your keep in Krabi, add a pair extra island day journeys or keep a number of nights on Phuket’s different stunning islands like Koh Yao Yai.
For extra inspiration try my Phuket Island Hopping And Day Journeys information – I assure you received’t get bored!
However how will you match all of it into seven days? The next 7 days in Phuket itinerary will present you ways!
The Finest 7 Day Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive, Settle In and Loosen up
Ease into your 7 day Phuket itinerary by spending the primary day settling into your resort and having fun with the seashores and native sights.
When you’ve checked into your lodging, head to the gorgeous Nai Harn seaside to refresh within the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea and absorb the solar.
Simply earlier than sundown, drive or hike up the hill to The Windmill for an epic sundown. Alternatively, head to the close by Yanui seaside for a sundown kayaking session!
Go for dinner at one of many unbelievable seafood eating places alongside Rawai Seaside. I like to recommend Nikita’s (ebook forward to get a waterside desk!). After dinner, head throughout the street to Freedom Bar or Rawai Reggae Bar for dwell music and drinks.
Or, in case you are feeling jet lagged and wish to get an early night time for a giant day of seaside hopping tomorrow, deal with your self to one of many spa remedies at your resort.
Day 2 – Discover Phuket’s Well-known West Coast Seashores
Phuket is house to among the finest seashores in Thailand, so it solely is sensible to start your Phuket itinerary with a seaside day!
Morning
Begin the day by mountain climbing as much as Promthep Cape in Rawai – essentially the most southern level in Phuket. This beautiful peninsula will get crowded each night for sundown, however within the morning, it’s peaceable and delightful. You’ll be able to benefit from the view from the highest or hike all the way down to the tip of the cape.
From right here, head to Kata Seaside for a morning surf session however ensure to cease on the viewpoint the place you may get a shocking view of three seashores.
If you favor to sunbathe, try Kata’s smaller sister – Kata Noi Seaside. This tiny cove is house to quite a few luxurious resorts, giving it an virtually non-public seaside vibe.
Afternoon
Get pleasure from lunch in Kata city earlier than taking a brief drive to Karon Seaside, one of many longest and most beautiful white sand seashores in Phuket.
Alongside the way in which, cease on the stylish ‘A Blanket & A Pillow Cafe‘ for an iced espresso with an epic view overlooking the south of Karon seaside.
Conclude your afternoon with a protracted stroll or stress-free seaside therapeutic massage on Karon Seaside earlier than heading to Patong for the night.
Night
Hail one of many many tuk tuks for a enjoyable experience to the well-known Bangla Street at Patong seaside, a bustling strip of bars and nightclubs.
Tuck into some scrumptious and reasonably priced Thai delicacies at Patong Evening Market. Right here, you may get among the most cost-effective and tastiest Pad Thai, scrumptious contemporary fruit, and Thai desserts.
Patong is undoubtedly the hub of Phuket nightlife, however Bangla Street could be fairly noisy and seedy so isn’t everybody’s cup of tea but it surely’s value checking it out not less than as soon as.
In the event you desire a extra chilled and chic night, head to one of many rooftop bars for spectacular sundown views or again to Karon Seaside for cocktails and fireplace reveals at Tann Terrace.
Day 3 – Get pleasure from Unspoilt Seashores and Elephant Sanctuaries
For day 3 in Phuket, discover the island’s north, the place you can see many extra beautiful seashores and fabulous sights.
Morning
Bang Tao Seaside is 6 km of white sand with crystal clear waters best for swimming. The close by Surin Seaside is way smaller however has a wild, untouched vibe. Elements of it are additionally shaded by palm timber, serving to you escape the warmth!
Afternoon
I like to recommend having fun with a leisurely lunch full with an ice-cold beer at one of many seaside golf equipment, corresponding to Hugo Hug, Carpe Diem, or Catch.
After lunch, in order for you extra seaside time, head to Banana Seaside or Mai Khao Seaside, two peaceable and delightful seashores within the far north of the island.
In the event you’re all beached out, head to Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in Thalang. In contrast to a lot of Phuket’s ‘elephant camps, ‘ this moral elephant sanctuary doesn’t hurt elephants by providing rides or bathing classes. As a substitute, you’ll be able to admire the gorgeous mammals from above on a 1.5-hour cover walkway tour.
Night
On the lookout for an epic eating expertise? Then, on the way in which again to your resort, cease at Three Monkeys, certainly one of Phuket’s most well-known eating places. Three Monkeys boasts a breath taking hilltop location constructed amidst a lush rainforest. The foods and drinks are a bit dearer than different locations, but it surely’s value it as a result of the views and expertise are priceless!
Day 4 – Uncover Temples, Thai Tradition and Phuket Outdated City
Now you’ve seen a few of Phuket’s seashores it’s time for some Thai tradition! On day 4, go to Phuket city to see Phuket’s cultural hub and discover some close by temples.
Morning
Begin the day with a Thai cooking class the place you go to a neighborhood market to purchase the components earlier than making some well-known Thai meals corresponding to pad thai, vegetable spring rolls and inexperienced curry. On the finish of the cooking class, you’ll be able to style your creations, filling your stomach for a day of sightseeing.
Afternoon
Proceed your cultural exploration with a go to to Wat Chalong, certainly one of Phuket’s most important historic landmarks. This temple is simply as common with locals as it’s with vacationers. So you’ll be able to study first hand concerning the Thai tradition of merit-making, a Buddhist observe for clearing dangerous karma and bringing good luck.
For sundown head as much as the well-known Large Buddha close by. This isn’t your customary temple; it’s a 45-meter (148 toes) tall and 25.45-meter (83.5 toes) vast white Buddha statue sitting atop one of many highest mountains on Phuket island.
The concrete statue is roofed with Burmese white marble, and you’ll spot it from varied factors on the island. Nonetheless, it’s nicely value seeing it up shut, the place additionally, you will get an unbelievable view over the south of the island. It’s a well-liked sundown spot.
Night
Within the night, head to Phuket Outdated City to take a look at the colorful historic shophouses, boutiques and cafes. For dinner strive some top-quality Thai meals or worldwide delicacies.
In the event you’re visiting Phuket Outdated City on the weekend, try the night time markets for reasonable however scrumptious avenue meals. Attempt to go to on a Sunday to expertise the Phuket Sunday Strolling Road Market, when the streets actually come to life and an incredible place to choose up some cool and distinctive souvenirs and items!
In the event you’re there on a weekday, don’t fear, as there are many unbelievable eating places in Phuket City. Go Benz is extraordinarily common amongst locals, with lengthy queues main down the road each night time.
Then, for dessert, seize some French toast from Phuketique earlier than having fun with a cocktail or two at certainly one of Phuket City’s MANY cute bars.
One of the best and best solution to see all of those cultural sights is with a tour like this half day Phuket Metropolis Tour which takes you to the Large Buddha, Wat Chalong, Phuket City and a tremendous viewpoint.
Day 5 – Go to Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island
For day 5, it’s time to get out of Phuket and discover the beautiful Phang Nga Bay, situated within the subsequent province north of Phuket.
Morning & Afternoon
One of the common methods to discover Phang Nga Bay is with a boat journey to James Bond Island. This island grew to become well-known after getting used as a filming location for the 1974 James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun.”
There are lots of various kinds of boat journeys obtainable to James Bond Island, together with by way of pace boat, luxurious yacht, and conventional long-tail boat.
I like to recommend selecting a day journey that features kayaking, corresponding to this James Bond Island Day Journey With Lunch. This journey consists of kayaking by way of the caves of Panak Island and sea canoeing round Koh Hong Island’s emerald lagoons – the highlights of the Phang Nga Bay.
Night
As most James Bond Island hopping journeys final 8 to 9 hours, anticipate to return to your resort round 6 p.m.
As tomorrow includes one other massive day journey, I like to recommend a quiet dinner close to your resort earlier than an early night time. If you need one thing distinctive, try Rock Salt at The Nai Harn or Rustic And Blue overlooking Rawai Seaside.
Day 6 – Go to The Phi Phi Islands And Maya Bay
No itinerary for Phuket is full and not using a day journey to Phi Phi islands and the well-known Maya Bay. So set an early alarm to take advantage of this unbelievable a part of Phuket and Krabi!
Morning & Afternoon
The easiest way to get to Phi Phi islands from Phuket is by way of speedboat. There are MANY excursions obtainable, which you’ll ebook on-line or in particular person, or you’ll be able to take the public ferry straight from Rassada Pier in Phuket City.
Most excursions will decide you up out of your resort and embody a number of stops within the Phi Phi islands. For instance, this prime rated Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay Day Journey consists of three snorkeling stops, together with sightseeing stops in Maya Bay, Viking Cave, and Monkey Seaside (the place you’ll be able to see wild monkeys) and lunch.
Maya Bay is the preferred vacationer vacation spot within the Phi Phi islands, famed for being the filming vacation spot for the 2000 movie “The Seaside.” Whilst you can now not swim at Maya Bay it’s nonetheless a spectacular sight to witness. Bamboo Island is one other spotlight on Phi Phi island hopping excursions because of its serene location for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.
Night
If you wish to benefit from the island’s occasion vibe spend the night time on Phi Phi Don (the archipelago’s solely inhabited island). Whereas the island is significantly dearer than mainland Phuket or Krabi, there are many price range lodging alongside the luxurious inns.
If you wish to expertise the island’s nightlife keep someplace like Phi Phi Villa Resort. This beachfront resort is shut sufficient to Ton Sai Village to benefit from the events however far-off sufficient to get a peaceable nights sleep!
Alternatively, you’ll be able to take the ferry from Ton Sai pier in Phi Phi Don to Krabi and revel in a night in Krabi City or at Ao Nang night time market earlier than the ultimate day of your Krabi Phuket itinerary. There are lots of inns in Ao Nang however my favorite place to remain in Krabi is the beautiful Railay Bay Resort.
Bear in mind that the final ferry to Krabi is at 5 p.m. and takes 2 hours. You can even get a non-public speedboat switch at a time that fits you which ones solely takes 1 hour and features a switch to your resort or the airport.
Day 7 – Discover Krabi And Railay Seaside
On the ultimate day of your Phuket and Krabi itinerary, spend a while exploring the sights, sights, and seashores in Krabi.
Morning
In the event you stayed in Krabi final night time, you can begin the ultimate day of your Phuket Krabi Phi Phi itinerary brilliant and early. You could possibly even be a part of a jam-packed 4 Islands Krabi Day Tour, which visits the gorgeous Phra Nang Cave Seaside at Railay, together with stops at Koh Poda, Hen Island, Koh Tub, and Koh Mor.
Nonetheless, if you happen to stayed in Phi Phi the night time earlier than, take the primary ferry to Krabi at 9 a.m. or the ten a.m. speedboat, arriving by 11 a.m.
One must-visit in Krabi is Railay Seaside. You’ll be able to take a protracted tail boat right here to discover the unbelievable limestone cliffs, kayak by way of the hidden lagoons, and hike the spectacular bat cave.
Afternoon
When you’ve labored up an urge for food, eat lunch at one of many eating places alongside Ao Nang seaside earlier than a spot of sunbathing. Or escape the crowds by driving half-hour north to the peaceable Klong Muang Seaside.
In the event you’re up for extra of a jungle journey you possibly can discover the Tiger Cave Temple, and bathe within the sizzling springs and emerald pool. This Krabi Jungle Tour will take you there.
Night
In the event you’re leaving Krabi immediately, head to the airport to catch your flight. To keep away from touring again on your self to Phuket you may wish to take into account flying out from Krabi airport. In any other case, take pleasure in a remaining night time in Krabi City earlier than your onward journey tomorrow!
Extra Suggestions For Planning Your Itinerary For Phuket
Earlier than you ebook in your Phuket itinerary, right here’s a number of vital suggestions that will help you plan your journey to Phuket.
Finest Time to Go to Phuket
As a tropical island, Phuket is heat all 12 months spherical, however has totally different seasons that try to be conscious of.
One of the best time to go to Phuket is between December to March when you’ll be able to anticipate constantly good climate – blue skies and loads of sunshine but it surely’s not too sizzling and humid.
That is additionally the peak vacationer season and the busiest, and most costly, time to go to Phuket, so you must resolve in your itinerary upfront and ebook in your lodging, actions and day journeys earlier than arriving to keep away from disappointment.
I all the time use Reserving.com to ebook inns, flights and transfers. One of the best place to ebook actions, excursions and day journeys upfront is on Viator or Get Your Information, as a result of there’s numerous alternative and you’ll learn opinions so you recognize what to anticipate and might guarantee your journey is a memorable expertise for all the correct causes!
April and Could are an excellent time to go to if you happen to don’t thoughts the warmth. The island will not be too crowded by this time, however it may be highly regarded, starting from 27°C to 36°C, which makes sightseeing a bit uncomfortable.
Additionally take into account November, it may be a stunning month to go to as Phuket is comparatively quiet however the climate can unpredictable because it’s the tip of the wet season.
June to October is the wet season which sees quick however frequent tropical downpours, cloudy and overcast skies. You’ll nonetheless get some sunny, dry days however the climate could be fairly unpredictable and tough seas imply that it’s generally not secure to swim throughout this time.
Get to Phuket and Get Round
Touring to Phuket is simple because the island is house to Phuket Worldwide Airport (HKT) It’s Thailand’s second busiest airport and receives many direct flights from all around the world.
For this Phuket – Krabi itinerary you may wish to take into account flying into Phuket airport after which flying out from Krabi Airport to keep away from touring again on your self.
There are additionally buses from all around the nation, one of the best place to ebook buses, trains and even ferries in Thailand is on 12Go Asia. However as Phuket is roughly a 12-hours from Bangkok, flying may be the quickest and best possibility, even if you happen to’re visiting Phuket as half of a bigger journey round Thailand.
Most nationalities can both get a visa exemption for 30 days, or a visa on arrival, which makes coming into Thailand simple and handy.
When you arrive there are a number of choices for getting from the airport to your lodging. The simplest means is to ebook an airport switch by way of Reserving.com, your resort or a good firm. There are additionally taxi and bus providers on supply on the airport.
Taxis in Phuket could be costly, by Thai requirements, so agree the speed first earlier than hopping in. I like to recommend utilizing on-line apps like Seize or Bolt for a less expensive and extra handy possibility.
In the event you’re on a price range then you’ll be able to journey round Phuket by utilizing the Good Bus, which runs between the airport and Rawai stopping in any respect the key seaside cities. A single experience is 100 THB, and you can too purchase day or multi-day passes.
Using in a tuk-tuk is usually a enjoyable expertise that you must undoubtedly strive not less than as soon as whenever you’re in Thailand, however they’re dearer than taxis and best suited for brief distances.
For essentially the most freedom you’ll be able to lease a scooter or bike to discover Phuket. Nonetheless, the roads could be busy and windy so I’d solely suggest this if you have already got expertise driving in Thailand or Asia earlier than. Be sure to have a world driving license (the police do test) and insurance coverage that covers this too.
Prepared To Begin Planning Your Personal Phuket and Krabi itinerary?
I hope this 7-day Phuket itinerary has given you plenty of inspiration for what to do in Phuket. Koh Phi Phi and Krabi. This itinerary options all the highest sights of this magnificent Thai island in addition to the encompassing space and, as one of the numerous Phuket itineraries, there’s something for everybody.
Whether or not you discover temples fascinating, search serene snorkeling spots or the right mango sticky rice, or just wish to loosen up on picture-perfect seashores, following this itinerary for Phuket and Krabi will present you among the most beautiful locations in Thailand and is bound to be a tremendous journey!
I hope this itinerary helps you intend your journey to this superb a part of Thailand and don’t overlook to take a look at my different weblog posts and journey guides that will help you plan your journey to Phuket and the remainder of Thailand.
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