The Ultimate Phuket Itinerary + Koh Phi Phi & Krabi! (2026)

Phuket and Krabi are two of the most beautiful places in the south of Thailand! This tropical paradise with soft white sand beaches, sparkling turquoise waters, lush green jungles, and dramatic limestone cliffs offers an easily accessible Thai island hopping adventure, complete with world class resorts and great infrastructure making it ideal for first timers.

Together, Phuket and Krabi, contain many of the highlights of all of Thailand – and they are so close together you can easily see them in one trip. If you want to find out how to explore both then this Phuket and Krabi itinerary will help you plan an epic Southern Thailand adventure!

I’m an expat living in Phuket and have explored the island from top to bottom. So I’ve created what I think is the best Phuket itinerary for first timers with my insider tips to help you make the most of your time here.

This fun-filled 1 week/ 7 day itinerary for Phuket, Thailand includes the best beaches, cultural attractions, markets, nightlife and island hopping in Phang Na Bay, Koh Phi Phi and Krabi for the ultimate Thai experience.

If you’re confused trying to work out which beaches, attractions and other islands are worth visiting on your trip to Phuket, and how you can fit all the highlights into a one week holiday, then this post contains all you need to know…

The Ultimate Phuket Itinerary + Koh Phi Phi & Krabi!

Phuket and Krabi – Why Visit Both

Phuket is the country’s biggest, most diverse and most popular island, with so many attractions and accommodations if has something to suit every type of traveller and budget. Phuket international airport makes getting there easy and there’s so many island hopping trips you can do from Phuket so it’s the perfect place to start exploring southern Thailand.

Just across the water lies Krabi, a large and less developed province home to more peaceful beaches and islands, towering limestone karts and unspoilt jungle ripe for adventure. Krabi is also home to famous places like the Phi Phi islands and Railay beach, so adding Krabi to your Phuket itinerary is a must if you want to experience the most beautiful places in Thailand.

But how can you fit it all into seven days? The following 7 days in Phuket itinerary will show you how and help you plan an epic trip!

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Tips for Planning Your Phuket Itinerary

The first part of planning your Phuket itinerary is setting your dates and booking in your flights and accommodation – then you can start deciding all the fun things you’re going to do!

Phuket’s international airport makes getting to the island easy, with connections to over 70 destinations in 30 countries. Krabi also has an airport but it’s has limited international flights.

The best time to visit Phuket weatherwise is between December and March. This is also the peak season so book your flights, accommodation and activities like island hopping trips in advance.

If you need more tips on when to visit and how to get around Phuket, you’ll find these at the end of this post.

How Long To Spend In Phuket

There’s so many beautiful places to visit and things to do in Phuket that a weekend or 3 days in Phuket is not enough time to see it all.

Along with exploring different beaches and attractions on Phuket island itself, you’ll also want to visit a few nearby islands like Koh Phi Phi, and maybe you want to see the nearby provinces of Phang Nga or Krabi, too?

If so, I highly recommend staying at least 7 days in Phuket (or more). Seven days is just enough time to enjoy all the highlights of Phuket, take a day trip to Phang Nga Bay and check out the famous Phi Phi islands and Krabi too.

While the following itinerary can easily fit into seven days, if you have more time and want to take it slower I recommend staying in Phuket for 10 days or even 2 weeks. You could extend your stay in Krabi, add a couple more island day trips or stay a few nights on Phuket’s other beautiful islands like Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi.

However long you stay in Phuket- I’m sure you won’t get bored!

Where To Stay in Phuket

As Thailand’s largest island, there’s a huge range of different beaches, areas and places to stay in Phuket to suit all budgets and types of traveller.

From luxury hotels and family friendly resorts, to budget hotels and backpacker hostels, there’s no shortage of choice so the best place for you will really depend on what you are looking for.

The West Coast beaches are the best beaches in Phuket. Lively Patong Beach is the most famous and the best for nightlife. Most first timers go straight to Patong beach but, in my opinion, there’s much better places to stay in Phuket unless you’re just here to party.

I much prefer places like Kata beach, Karon beach and Kamala beach. These beautiful beaches are still centrally located with plenty of amenities and are popular with families and couples as they offer a more balanced experience.

Further north, Surin Beach, Bang Tao beach and the Laguna area boasts stunning luxury resorts, lakes and golf courses, while Nai Yang beach and Mai Khao beach, near the airport, have surprisingly unspoiled beaches and a peaceful atmosphere.

Then there’s Old Phuket Town, the historical and cultural heart of the island home to temples, shrines, museums, cafes, markets and colourful, heritage and boutique hotels. It’s not on the beach but is a great base for island hopping as it’s near the pier.

In the far south, you find Rawai, a fishing village with amazing seafood restaurants, the stunning Nai Harn beach and Promthep Cape – the most southern point in Phuket and a popular sunset spot.

To follow this itinerary I’d recommend staying somewhere central like Karon Beach or Kata Beach so that you can easily explore all the island has to offer. Of the two, Karon Beach is quieter and better for couples, whereas Kata Beach has plenty going on for families.

Here are my top accommodation picks for Kata and Karon that provide a convenient base for this Phuket itinerary:

Best Hotels in Phuket

• Best Luxury Hotel: Katathani Beach Resort – Located on peaceful Kata Noi beach this stunning beachfront 5 star hotel offers no less than 6 amazing swimming pools and dining options right on one the very best beaches in Phuket. The private pool sea view villas at The Shore by Katathani – the resort’s Adult’s only section perched on the cliff – are worth it if your celebrating a special occasion.

• Best Family/Mid Range Hotel: OZO Phuket – A great mid range hotel just a few minutes walk from Kata beach and Kata night market with great amenities and pools, including a kids pools, fitness centre and kids club, surrounded by tropical garden. Perfect for families with children or anyone wanting a fun filled beach holiday.

• Best Budget Hotel: Kata Beachwalk Hotel and Bungalows – These simple but clean, comfortable, air-conditioned rooms are great value for money and just steps from Kata beach.

For more information about the different beaches and areas of Phuket, along with hotel recommendations for all budgets, check out my comprehensive guide on where to stay in Phuket.

The Ultimate 7 Day Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi Itinerary

So how can you fit all the highlights of Phuket and Krabi into just one week/7 days. Here’s a quick overview of the ideal itinerary – carry on reading for a detailed day by day guide.

• Day 1 – Arrive, settle in and relax on the beach
• Day 2 – Jungle adventures and beach hopping.
• Day 3 – Day trip to Phang Na Bay and James Bond Island
• Day 4 – Explore Phuket Old Town’s temples and night markets
• Day 5 – Day trip to Koh Phi Phi
• Day 6 – Explore Krabi and Railay
• Day 7 – Back to Phuket

How to Spend 7 Days in Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Krabi

Day 1 – Arrive, Settle In and Relax on the Beach

Ease into your 7 day Phuket itinerary by spending the first day settling into your hotel and enjoying the beaches and local attractions, relaxed with a massage and eating some tasty Thai food.

Kata and Karon are about a 1 hour drive south from Phuket airport. You can get a taxi at the airport or prebook an airport transfer to ensure your arrival smooth and stress free and avoid getting ripped off by taxis.

Once you’ve checked into your accommodation and unpacked, head to the beach to soak up the sun, sip a fresh coconut under the palm trees and cool off in the sparkling turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea – you’ve finally arrived in Phuket!

Today is all about relaxing, settling in, and enjoying the beach and resort. There’s a couple of beaches you can check out in this area – lively Kata Beach, Kata Noi beach and Karon beach.

If the surfs up and you want to enjoy some watersports, head to popular Kata Beach, or if you want to relax with a beach massage and take a long walk head to nearby Karon Beach, one of the longest and most stunning white sand beaches in Phuket. If you want to get away from check out Kata’s smaller sister, Kata Noi Beach, a smaller cove home to the Katathani luxury resorts that feels almost like a private beach.

If you’re up for a bit more adventure you could head up to Karon Viewpoint for a stunning view over three of Phuket’s best beaches. Enjoy a drink with a view at Hidden Cafe Phuket and watch the sunset.

Go for dinner at The Boathouse Restaurant, one of the only high-end eateries located directly on Kata beachfront, and the perfect place to toast to your first day in Phuket.

If you’re on a budget check out Kata night market for cheap and delicious Thai food like pad thai, green curry and mango sticky rice.

Afterwards, either explore the shops and bars in the area or, if you are feeling jet lagged, treat yourself to a massage or spa treatment and get an early night.

Day 2 – Jungle Adventures and Beach Hopping

Whilst Phuket boasts MANY stunning beaches, there’s also plenty of things to do in Phuket beyond the beaches, from visiting elephant sanctuaries and waterfalls to ziplining through the rainforest. So make some time in your Phuket itinerary for some jungle adventures too.

If you’re an animal lover, visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary is one of the highlights of a holiday in Phuket – but choose wisely as some of Phuket’s ‘elephant camps‘ still allow elephant riding which is harmful to these gentle giants.

One ethical place you can visit is Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in Thalang which does not harm elephants by offering rides or bathing sessions. Instead you can feed, learn about and observe these rescued elephants from above on a scenic canopy walkway as they freely roam, bathe, and socialise in their natural environment.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary offer half day (morning or afternoon) or full day packages which include transfers and a vegetarian lunch. I recommend doing the morning with the elephants package.

If you’re a thrill seeker, a fun way to explore the tropical paradise of Phuket is on an ATV (Quad Bike) Tour where you drive an all terrain vehicle up through the jungle to get great views over the island. Another exciting activity in Phuket is experiencing the rush of ziplining through the jungle.

This ATV and Zipline package includes a fun ATV ride and zipline experience as well as return transport.

In the afternoon, either relax on the beaches nearby or if you’re feeling more adventurous you could rent a car/scooter/taxi/tuk tuk and explore more of Phuket’s beautiful beaches.

Head north to explore Freedom Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, Surin Beach and Bang Tao beach. If you’re looking for unspoilt natural beauty, Freedom Beach is worth the short hike.

Bang Tao beach, backed with lakes, lagoons and golf courses, is one of the best for swimming and is home to some fabulous beach clubs like Carpe Diem – perfect for a lazy afternoon in the sunshine.

Alternatively, you could head south to Rawai beach, stopping by Karon Viewpoint on the way if you didn’t yesterday and checking out the excellent seafood restaurants on Rawai beach if you’re feeling hungry.

Spend some time on the stunning Nai Harn Beach and then head to Promthep Cape – the most southern point in Phuket which offers great views – it’s especially popular at sunset.

If you want to experience the infamous Phuket nightlife, spend the evening in popular Patong.

Patong is home to the infamous Bangla Road, a bustling strip of girly bars, cannabis cafes, and nightclubs. Bangla Road can be pretty noisy and seedy so it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (especially if you are a family traveling with children) but if you’re not easily offended then why not check it out at least once when you’re in Phuket.

Patong is also a good place for shopping, with many local markets and the big Jungceylon Shopping Centre offering international brands. Before you hit the bars, tuck into some delicious and affordable Thai cuisine at Patong Night Market where you can get some of the cheapest and tastiest Thai food like vegetable spring rolls, green curry and ice cream rolls.

Another option for your evening in Patong is Simon Cabaret, a long running show featuring plenty of colour, sparkle, music and laughter. I don’t recommend some of the other shows in Phuket, as they still use animals to perform tricks which is unethical.

If you prefer a more chilled and elegant evening, head to one of the rooftop bars for spectacular sunset views.

Day 3 – Visit Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island

Phuket is a great base for island hopping and there’s plenty of options to choice from. One trip that you won’t want to miss from your Phuket vacation is explore the stunning Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island.

Phang Nga Bay is a mesmerising stretch of water located between Phuket Island and the mainland province of Phang Nga. It’s part of Ao Phang Nga National Park, and it’s famous for its dramatic limestone karsts with towering cliffs and unique rock formations that rise almost vertically from the emerald-green sea.

The bay is dotted with small islands, mangrove forests, hidden lagoon and sea caves that can only be accessed by kayak at low tide.

Phang Nga Bay is also home to the island of Koh Tapu, which is also known as James Bond Island after it was used as a filming location for the 1974 James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun.”

Another highlight is is Koh Panyee, a tiny Muslim fishing village built entirely on stilts over the water, where you can see houses, shops, and even a floating football pitch.

The best way to explore Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island is with a boat tour. There are many different types of boat trips available from shared speed boat trips to private long-tail boat tours to luxury yacht cruises at sunset.

I recommend choosing a day trip that includes kayaking and lunch on Panyee island, such as this James Bond Island Day Trip which includes kayaking through the caves of Panak Island and sea canoeing around Koh Hong Island’s emerald lagoons – the highlights of Phang Nga Bay.

As most Phang Nga Bay tours last 8 to 9 hours, expect to return to your hotel around 6 p.m. If you want a quick snack refuel at the night market, or enjoy cocktails and fire shows at Tann Terrace.

Day 4 – Discover Temples, Thai Culture and Old Phuket Town

Once you’ve seen some of Phuket’s beaches and islands, make time in your itinerary for Phuket to explore some Thai culture!

So on day 4, take a break from the beach to visit Phuket town, the island’s cultural hub, and explore some nearby temples and markets.

By now you’ve probably got an appreciation for the incredible Thai cuisine so what tastier way learn about Thai culture than by learning to recreate your favourite Thai dishes in a Thai cooking class.

Start the day with a Thai cooking class where you visit a local market to buy fresh ingredients before making some famous Thai food such as pad thai, tom yum soup, green curry and many more.

Don’t make any lunch reservations because, at the end of the cooking class, you will get to taste all your creations, filling your belly for an afternoon of sightseeing.

No Thailand trip is complete without visiting at least one Thai temple and learning a bit about Buddhism.

So in the afternoon, continue your cultural exploration with a visit to Wat Chalong, one of Phuket’s most significant temples and historical landmarks. This beautiful temple is popular with both locals and tourists.

It’s best to go with a local guide so that you can really understand and appreciate what you are seeing. You’ll learn first hand about Buddhism and the Thai culture of merit-making, a Buddhist practice for clearing bad karma and bringing good luck. (Make sure you cover arms and knees to enter the temple.)

Next, head up to the famous Big Buddha nearby. This is not your standard temple; it is actually a 45-meter (148 feet) tall and 25.45-meter (83.5 feet) wide white Buddha statue sitting atop one of the highest mountains on Phuket island.

The concrete statue is covered with Burmese white marble, and you can spot it from various points on the island. Still, it’s well worth seeing it up close, where you will also get an incredible view over the south of the island. The Big Buddha is also a popular sunset spot.

In the evening, head to Phuket Old Town to check out the colourful historic shophouses, boutiques, cafes, street food and night markets.

Try to visit on a Sunday to experience the Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market, when the streets come to life with hundred of stalls. It’s a great place to pick up some cool and unique souvenirs and gifts! There’s also lots of street food you can try, both Thai food and international cuisine are on offer.

If you’re there on a weekday, don’t worry, as there are plenty of incredible places to eat in Phuket Town, including some of the most famous restaurants in Phuket. One of my favourites is One Chun Restaurant – I love the crab curry with noodles and the historic atmosphere. Then, for dessert, grab some French toast from Phuketique before enjoying a cocktail or two at one of Phuket Town’s MANY cute bars.

Unless you rent a car, the best and easiest way to see all of these cultural attractions is with a tour like this half day Phuket City Tour which takes you to the Big Buddha, Wat Chalong and Phuket Town. It’s cheaper and less hassle than using multiple taxis and the guide will help you understand more about the local culture.

Day 5 – Visit The Phi Phi Islands And Maya Bay

No itinerary for Phuket is complete without at least a day trip to the Phi Phi islands and Maya Bay.

The Phi Phi islands are a group of six islands in Krabi Province just 47 km or 29 miles from Phuket. With towering limestone cliffs, sparkling turquoise waters and an amazing underwater world perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving, it’s not surprising that these islands are one of the most popular places to visit in all of Thailand.

Maya Bay, on Koh Phi Phi Leh, is undoubtedly the most popular tourist destination in the Phi Phi islands, famed for being the filming destination for the 2000 film “The Beach.”  After being closed for several years due to environmental concerns it is now much recovered. It’s an unbelievably beautiful beach and is well worth a visit, even though, to save the environment, you can no longer swim at Maya Bay.

There’s two ways to get there – either:

• Join a day trip from Phuket by speedboat which includes hotel transfers and visits all the top spots

Or,

• Take the ferry to Koh Phi Phi Don (the archipelago’s only inhabited island) and then take a boat trip from there to explore the other islands.

If you are planning a 1 week holiday to Phuket then the quickest and easiest way to visit the Phi Phi islands is on a day tour. There are MANY tours available, choose between shared or private depending on your budget.

Most Phi Phi island hopping tours will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the pier. It only takes 1 hour by speedboat to get there and the tour makes multiple stops so you’ll see all the highlights in just one day without worrying about logistics.

For example, this top rated Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay Day Trip includes three snorkeling stops, along with sightseeing stops in Maya Bay, Phi Ley Lagoon, Viking Cave and Monkey Beach (where you can see wild monkeys) and lunch on Bamboo Island.

If you want to DIY, get a taxi to Rassada Pier in Phuket Town and take the public ferry ( 2 hours) to Koh Phi Phi Don. Make sure to book your ferry on 12Go Asia in advance if traveling in the peak season.

Where to Stay on Koh Phi Phi Don

You can stay on Koh Phi Phi Don and enjoy the island’s party vibe, hike to the viewpoint, or escape to a secluded beach. While the island is considerably more expensive than mainland Phuket or Krabi, there are plenty of budget accommodations and backpacker hostels alongside the luxury hotels.

Ton Sai Village, the main part of Phi Phi Don, isn’t for everyone and gets noisy at night. So, if you want to experience the island’s nightlife but still get a good nights sleep, I recommend staying somewhere like Phi Phi Villa Resort. This beachfront resort is close enough to Ton Sai Village to enjoy the parties but far away enough to get some rest!

To travel onwards, you can take the ferry from Ton Sai pier in Phi Phi Don straight to Krabi. Just be aware that the last ferry to Krabi is at 5 p.m. and it takes 2 hours. You can also get a private speedboat transfer at a time that suits you which only takes 1 hour and includes a transfer to your hotel or the airport

Check out my full Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide for more tips.

Day 6 – Explore Krabi And Railay Beach

To complete your exploration of the most stunning places in southern Thailand head to Krabi.

You’ve got two options:

• If you returned to Phuket last night, take the morning ferry from Phuket to Krabi, it takes 1 hour by speedboat or 2 hours by ferry.

Or,

• If you stayed on Koh Phi Phi, you can take the ferry from Ton Sai pier in Phi Phi Don straight to Krabi. 

Krabi is a large province, less developed than Phuket, with stunning scenery and many beaches, islands and jungles to explore. Krabi is generally less crowded and more peaceful than Phuket so it makes a great spot for a relaxing last few days of your holiday.

One place you can’t miss from your Phuket Krabi itinerary is Railay beach. This is where you’ll see those dreamy, iconic scenes of colourful longtail boats against karst limestone cliffs – it’s even more beautiful in real life! Those towering cliffs make Railay a thrilling place for rock climbing, but beginners can try their hand too.

These cliffs mean that Railay is cut off from the mainland and only accessible by boat. You can take a long tail boat here from Ao Nang in only 10 minutes and you feel like you’ve entered another world. There’s no vehicles in Railay and everything is within walking distance giving you those relaxed, magical, small island vibes.

Either relax on the beautiful beach, take a short hike to Phra Nang beach where you’ll find a cave with a unique phallic shrine, or try a rock climbing lesson.

If you’re up for more island hopping, join the 4 Islands Krabi Day Tour which visits Koh Poda, Chicken Island, Koh Tub, Koh Mor and the beautiful Phra Nang Cave Beach. Or, if you’re looking for something more off the beaten track, head to the Hong Islands where you’ll find a dreamy beach, hidden lagoon and 360 degree viewpoint.

Alternatively, if you’re all beached out and up for more of a jungle adventure you could join the Krabi Jungle Tour to hike up to the Tiger Cave Temple for amazing views and a dose of spirituality before soaking in the hot springs and emerald pool.

Where to stay in Krabi

Most people get confused thinking that Krabi is just one beach – but it’s a whole province. The most convenient area to stay in Krabi is Ao Nang Beach – a lively strip of hotels, restaurants and shops – but that’s not all there is.

In my experience, there’s many other, better, places to stay in Krabi like Railay beach and Klong Muang beach. If you had more time to spend in Krabi you might want to consider visiting Koh Lanta, but it would be too rushed to fit that into a 1 week itinerary.

There’s also Krabi Town, a nice, surprisingly authentic, small riverside Thai town with cheap accommodation, however it does not have a beach.

If you only have 1 night to spend in Krabi then I recommend taking a longtail boat 10 minutes to the magical Railay Beach and staying at the stunning Railay Bay Resort.

Enjoy the sunset and have dinner at one of the restaurants along Railay walking street and enjoy a relaxed evening in this unique place.

Check out my full guide to where to stay in Krabi for an overview of all the different areas, beaches and islands and hotel recommendations for all budgets.

Day 7 – Back to Phuket

Enjoy one last morning on Krabi’s dreamy beaches before traveling onwards or making your way to the airport.

You’ve got two options here, either:

• If you’re flying out from Phuket airport take the ferry or bus back to Phuket and stay on Mai Khao beach near at the airport

Or,

• If you want to avoid traveling back on yourself to Phuket consider flying out from Krabi airport, although international connections are more limited.

If heading back to Phuket stay somewhere like Mai Khao Beach so you’ll be close to the airport. Enjoy one last sunset on the beach, one more foot massage and maybe a spot of souvenir shopping and another mango shake before you go.

You might be tempted to book your flight out of Phuket for tonight but this is not recommended, in case of any ferry delays due to bad weather.

It’s rare in the dry season and there is also the option to travel overland by minivan from Krabi Town to Phuket Town. It takes about 4 hours and, personally, I preferred the boat rides, but it’s good to know it’s an option if the seas are rough or if sea sickness is a concern for you.

Top Tip – If you are prone to seasickness its better to opt for a slow big boat rather than a small speedboat which can be a bumpy ride in rough seas – this shouldn’t be a problem in the dry season though.

Phuket Travel Guide: More Tips For Planning Your Itinerary For Phuket and Krabi

Before you book in your Phuket itinerary, here’s a few important tips to help you plan your trip to Phuket and Krabi.

Best Time to Visit Phuket and Krabi

As a tropical island, Phuket and Krabi are warm all year round, but have different seasons that you should be aware of.

The best time to visit Phuket and Krabi is between December to March when you can expect consistently good weather – blue skies and plenty of sunshine but it’s not too hot and humid.

This is also the peak tourist season and the busiest, and most expensive, time to visit Thailand, so you should decide on your itinerary in advance and book in your accommodation, activities and day trips before arriving to avoid disappointment. I use Booking.com and Agoda to book hotels as they have the biggest selection at the best prices.

April and May are a good time to visit Southern Thailand if you don’t mind the heat. The islands are not too crowded by this time, but it can be very hot, ranging from 27°C to 36°C, which makes sightseeing a little uncomfortable.

Also consider November, it can be a lovely month to visit as Phuket and Krabi are relatively quiet but the weather can unpredictable as it’s the end of the rainy season.

June to October is the rainy season which sees short but frequent tropical downpours, cloudy and overcast skies. You’ll still get some sunny, dry days but the weather can be quite unpredictable and rough seas mean that it is sometimes not safe to swim during this time.

How to Get to Phuket and Get Around

Traveling to Phuket is easy as the island is home to Phuket International Airport (HKT) It’s Thailand’s second busiest airport and receives many direct flights from all over the world. Krabi also has an international airport but it doesn’t receive as many flights as Phuket does.

I find the best connections and cheapest flight deals with WayAway and even get cashback, but it’s worth checking Air Asia for affordable flights too.

For this Phuket – Krabi itinerary you could fly into Phuket airport and then fly out from Krabi Airport to avoid traveling back on yourself, but it’s often cheaper to get your international return flight to Phuket and then add an internal Krabi to Phuket flight or take the ferry or buses between Phuket and Krabi – it only takes about 2.5 – 3 hours and is more environmentally friendly.

There are also buses and ferries from all over the country, the best place to book buses, trains and even ferries in Thailand is on 12Go Asia. But as Phuket is approximately a 12-hours from Bangkok, flying might be the quickest and easiest option, even if you’re visiting Phuket as part of a larger trip around Thailand. (P.S If your visiting the capital first check out my Bangkok itinerary too!

Most nationalities can either get a visa exemption for 30 days, or a visa on arrival, which makes entering Thailand easy and convenient. You can extend this for another 30 days by visiting the immigration office.

Once you arrive there are several options for getting from the airport to your accommodation. The easiest way is to book an airport transfer through your Viator, your hotel or a reputable company. There are also taxi and bus services on offer at the airport but taxis often overcharge.

Taxis in Phuket can be expensive, by Thai standards, so agree the rate first before hopping in. I recommend using online apps like Grab or Bolt for a cheaper and more convenient option.

The best place to book activities, tours and day trips in advance is on Viator or Get Your Guide, because there’s a lot of choice and you can read reviews so you know what to expect and can ensure your trip is a memorable experience for all the right reasons! If you’re visiting multiple places in one day a tour can be better value than taking lots of taxis.

If you’re on a budget then you can travel around Phuket by using the Smart Bus, which runs between the airport and Rawai stopping at all the major beach towns. A single ride is 100 THB, and you can also buy day or multi-day passes. 

Riding in a tuk-tuk can be a fun experience that you should definitely try at least once when you’re in Thailand, but they are more expensive than taxis and most suitable for short distances.

For the most freedom you can rent a scooter or motorbike to explore Phuket. However, the roads can be busy and windy so I’d only recommend this if you already have experience driving in Thailand or Asia before. Make sure you have an international driving license (the police do check) and insurance that covers this too.

Ready To Start Planning Your Own Phuket and Krabi itinerary?

I hope this 7-day Phuket itinerary has given you lots of inspiration for what to do in Phuket. Koh Phi Phi and Krabi. This itinerary features all the top sights of this magnificent Thai island as well as the surrounding area and, as one of the most diverse Phuket itineraries, there is something for everyone.

Whether you find temples fascinating, seek serene snorkeling spots or the perfect mango sticky rice, or simply want to relax on picture-perfect beaches, following this itinerary for Phuket and Krabi will show you some of the most stunning places in Thailand and is sure to be an amazing adventure!

I hope this itinerary helps you plan your trip to this amazing part of Thailand. If you’re also considering visiting Koh Samui check out my Phuket vs Koh Samui post to see how they compare.

And, if you’re traveling to other parts of the country check out other travel blogs and guides for more tips. My comprehensive Thailand Travel Guide and list of the best places to visit in Thailand will give you plenty more inspiration and handy tips. 

Read More Thailand and Phuket Blog Posts:

• All My Thailand Blog Posts
• The Perfect 2 Week Thailand Itinerary: Best of North and South
• Things to do in Phuket
• Where to Stay in Phuket
• Best Island Hopping Tours and Day Trips from Phuket
• My Honest Koh Phi Phi Travel Guide
• 3 – 4 Days Bangkok Itinerary
• 4 – 5 Days Chiang Mai Itinerary

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