Thailand Island Hopping: Choose an Andaman or Gulf Route

A good Thailand island-hopping trip leaves time to enjoy the islands between ferry journeys. Start by choosing one coast: the Andaman side, with Phuket and the Phi Phi islands, or the Gulf route linking Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. They are separate travel regions, so moving between them needs a planned transfer rather than another short island hop.

This guide offers two suggested seven-night routes, plus an extension for travellers with longer. The night allocations are planning suggestions, not fixed packages. Check your actual arrival, departure and sailing options before committing to accommodation.

Choose the coast that suits your holiday

Choose the Andaman route if your shortlist includes Phuket, Phi Phi and Krabi’s limestone coastline. Phuket is an island; Ao Nang, in Krabi province, is a mainland base for boat outings. Combining them lets you mix an island stay with a final stop that does not depend on a ferry to reach the mainland.

Choose the Gulf route if you want to spend longer on Samui and Phangan, perhaps adding Tao. Pick the island and neighbourhood around your preferred evenings, beach access and transport needs. A hotel described as secluded may suit a restful stay but also require more transfers for dinner.

If you prefer a trip with fewer boat connections, compare this with our seven-day Bali itinerary, which uses two bases on the main island.

Match the route to your dates

Thailand’s two southern coasts do not share one identical rainy season. The Thai Meteorological Department describes heavier southwest-monsoon rainfall on the west coast, with a September peak, while the east coast receives more northeast-monsoon rain, peaking in November. These are broad climate patterns, not a forecast for your week.

Use the season to narrow your shortlist, then check local forecasts, marine warnings and the operator’s current service notices. Avoid treating any month as guaranteed sunshine. Keep at least one flexible day for a boat outing, and have a land-based alternative rather than making every day depend on clear water and calm seas.

Suggested Andaman route: seven nights

Nights 1–3: Phuket

Settle into one area instead of crossing the island repeatedly. Use your first full day for a beach and a relaxed meal, then give another day to Phuket Town or an outing you particularly want. Let your hotel location determine the order. Staying near your evening plans can be more useful than choosing a room by its photographs alone.

Before booking the next stay, check which Phi Phi arrival pier serves your accommodation. A hotel that needs an extra boat transfer changes both your arrival plan and the total cost.

Nights 4–5: Phi Phi Don

Make the transfer your main task on arrival day. Check in, locate dinner options and keep the evening open. Two nights give you one full day without moving your luggage. Choose either a guided boat excursion or a slower day around your accommodation, depending on conditions and your interests.

Andaman Wave Master lists Phuket–Phi Phi and Phi Phi–Krabi ferry routes. Confirm the date, pier, check-in requirement and baggage terms directly for your chosen sailing; a route appearing online does not guarantee every departure.

Nights 6–7: Ao Nang, Krabi

Continue to Krabi and arrange the onward transfer to Ao Nang. Use the remaining full day for a nearby boat outing if conditions allow, or stay on the mainland. Ao Nang is a launching point for trips towards Railay and nearby islands, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Depart on day eight. Check your airport transfer separately from the ferry booking. If your flight instead leaves from Phuket, rebuild the final part around that airport rather than assuming an effortless same-day connection.

Suggested Gulf route: seven nights

Three nights Samui, three nights Phangan, one night Samui

This version deliberately includes two islands. Begin with three nights on Samui, giving yourself time to settle in and enjoy a beach day. Transfer to Phangan for three nights, then return to Samui for the final night if your onward travel leaves there.

On Phangan, choose accommodation according to the area you actually want to explore. Avoid planning a different distant beach every morning. One organised outing, one day near your hotel and a spare afternoon can make a better holiday than a packed checklist.

The final Samui night creates some separation between your ferry and flight, though no buffer eliminates disruption. Check the exact departure pier and onward airport connection. Lomprayah publishes its current Gulf ferry network and timetable, including Samui, Phangan and Tao.

With more time: add Koh Tao

For a ten-night version, add three nights on Tao between Phangan and your return to Samui, subject to suitable sailings. Tao is particularly associated with diving and snorkelling. If a course is your priority, choose it first and confirm its schedule and requirements with the operator before arranging the rest of the route.

Plan transfers from hotel door to hotel door

A quoted sailing duration covers only part of a moving day. You also need checkout time, a transfer to the correct pier, check-in, boarding, baggage collection and transport to the next hotel. Avoid placing a prepaid activity immediately after arrival.

• Confirm the pier names, not just the island names.
• Check whether hotel pickup is included and which area it covers.
• Read baggage limits and the cancellation or weather-disruption terms.
• Keep tickets and accommodation details available offline.
• Leave room in the budget for an additional transfer or night if plans change.

The same habit helps elsewhere: our guide to Italy’s coastal towns considers how a base and its transport links shape a trip. In Thailand, the connection between your hotel and pier deserves just as much attention as the boat itself.

Spend on the experiences you will enjoy

Price the full route before choosing hotels: accommodation, meals, airport transfers, ferries, local transport and activities. A cheaper room far from your planned evenings may create extra travel costs. Fewer accommodation changes also mean fewer transfers to pay for.

Use Travacate’s flight and hotel searches to compare the arrival and departure points first. Once the route works, browse Thailand activities on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab) and read each listing’s departure location, inclusions and conditions. Choose activities that fit your base rather than reshaping the entire trip around a long list of attractions.

Finally, use the AI Trip Planner to organise your preferences into a draft itinerary. Check its suggested movements against current transport information before booking, and leave a few unplanned hours for the island you came to enjoy.