Thailand Island Hopping: 5 Best Routes for Your Itinerary
Island hopping in Thailand is what dreams are made of: you simply can’t beat the feeling of drifting off into the horizon on a speedboat surrounded by limestone karsts. We’ve had a range of different experiences in the Thai islands, from short stays on one specific island to lengthy journeys across different island chains where the days seem to blur together blissfully. We never get tired of pulling up to a remote beach somewhere, sinking our toes into the sand and enjoying the incredible scenery on offer.
The good news is that you’re spoiled for choice in Thailand, with over 40 inhabited islands to choose from. The bad news (if you could call it that) is the islands are scattered throughout the Gulf and deep into the Andaman, making island hopping more complicated than what you might expect. The biggest mistake travelers make is trying to cram too many far-flung islands into one trip. Unless you have months of free time, your best bet is to pick an island group or two and plan your itinerary from there.
We like to view the islands of Thailand as five different groups, all with a natural base which you can plan your route around. There’s the Trat Islands to the east with Koh Chang, the Gulf Islands surrounding Koh Samui, the islands by Phuket, the Krabi islands with Ao Nang Beach as your base, and the Trang Islands that can easily be reached from Koh Lanta - stretching all the way south to Koh Lipe. Let us explain in more clear detail below.
Koh Kood
Surin Islands
5 Best Island Hopping Routes in Thailand
1. Trat Islands
The Trat Islands, otherwise known as the Eastern Gulf Islands or Koh Chang Islands, are located to the east of Bangkok and reached from the ferry piers of Trat. The big three here include Koh Chang, Koh Kood and Koh Mak, with a few hidden gems that can also be visited such as Koh Wai and Koh Ngam. We love this part of Thailand because it’s so close to Kat’s family in Chanthaburi - making it easy to combine a family trip with some relaxing island time. It takes about 4 hours to reach Chanthaburi by bus or van, and then another couple of hours to arrive on the shores of Koh Chang.
If you’re not wanting to venture too far from Bangkok, but still explore a beautiful little archipelago, then the Trat Islands are a fantastic choice. The only downside is that you can’t island hop any further in this region unless you head back to the capital and fly to Koh Samui, Phuket or Krabi. But after soaking up the energy of Koh Chang, the tropical beaches of Koh Kood, and the laidback vibe of Koh Mak - do you really need anything else?
Typical route:
Bangkok → Chanthaburi (4-5 hours by minivan or bus)
Chanthaburi → Trat (1-2 hours by taxi or minivan)
Trat → Koh Chang (30-40 minutes by ferry)
Koh Chang → Koh Mak (1 hour by ferry)
Koh Mak → Koh Kood (30 minutes by speedboat)
You can also fly directly to Trat from Bangkok and then it’s just a short trip to the pier. However, the only airline available for this route is Bangkok Airways and they tend to have higher prices than the budget airlines. We recommend stopping over in Chanthaburi for a few nights to break up the trip - it’s a local city that boasts a charming waterfront, a bustling gems market, delicious seafood and a few hidden gems off the tourist trail.
Koh Kood
Koh Chang
Koh Chang
Koh Mak
Koh Kham near Koh Mak
2. Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands usually refer to the trio of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao - all very different but incredible places in their own right. The most direct route from Bangkok is a flight with Bangkok Airways, who actually own the Samui Airport, but most backpackers choose the budget option of a bus or train ride down to Chumpon or Surat Thani. Once you’ve made it to Koh Samui, you have several options for island hopping. You can visit the main three as well as take a day trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park and stay a night on Nang Yuan Island - famous for its sandbar.
The diversity of all three means there’s something on offer for everyone. Families will love Koh Samui for its range of resorts and endless activities, backpackers will be drawn to Koh Phangan for its Full Moon Parties and hippie vibe, while diving enthusiasts will find their Mecca in Koh Tao. Combining them together on an island hopping trip is a wonderful way to spend a week or so - something we’ve done in the past and really enjoyed.
One of the perks of the Gulf Islands is that they sit in a different weather system to other Thai islands. Most of Thailand gets heavy rain from June to September, but the Gulf Islands remain largely sheltered and sunny (its rainy season starts later in November/December). So, we recommend coming here instead of the Trat or Andaman islands during this period.
Typical route:
Bangkok → Koh Samui (1 hour by airplane)
Koh Samui → Koh Phangan (30 minutes by ferry)
Koh Phangan → Koh Tao (45-60 minutes by speedboat)
Nang Yuan Island
Koh Samui
Ang Thong National Marine Park
3. Phuket Islands
The entire Andaman Sea and Phang Nga Bay is right on your doorstep in Phuket, meaning an island adventure is never too far away. You can jump on a liveaboard experience or boat tour to the Similan Islands, venture all the way to the Surin Islands or even as far as Koh Phayam (which some love for its “Thailand of old” atmosphere), or island hop to Koh Yao Noi/Koh Yao Yai.
The great thing about Phuket is that the travel routes are well established and there’s plenty of tour companies, ferries and speedboats to get you where you need to go. Lots of people choose to start their island hopping journey from Phuket because it’s so easy to reach the Krabi Islands and from there embark down to the Trang Islands. However, the only real drawback of Phuket is that it’s super crowded and in certain areas super touristy, which is why we prefer visiting the Trat or Trang Islands.
Typical route:
Phuket → Similan Islands (2 hours by van + 90 minutes by speedboat)
Phuket → Surin Islands (2 hours by van + 2 hours by speedboat)
Phuket → Koh Yao Yai (30-40 minutes by speedboat)
Although it’s not an island, heading to Khao Sok National Park for a few nights can also add something special to your Phuket trip. It takes between 2.5-3 hours in a shared minivan but the reward is massive: floating bungalows, ancient rainforest, and a vast lake surrounded by limestone cliffs. In our opinion, it’s one adventure in Thailand that you shouldn’t miss.
Similan Islands
Similan Islands
Surin Islands
Khao Sok National Park
4. Krabi Islands
Krabi is the main competitor (so to speak) of Phuket with an international airport and close access to another cluster of islands in the Andaman Sea including the popular Koh Phi Phi, the laidback Koh Lanta, and the hidden gem of Koh Jum. You’ve also got Ao Nang Beach and Railay Beach on the mainland, which act as both destinations and transport hubs at the same time - with daily tours running out to Koh Poda and the Hong Islands.
Our favorite island here would have to be Koh Phi Phi - it’s a classic for a reason and even the touristy stuff doesn’t put us off. One moment you can be drifting into Wang Long Bay on a longtail, surrounded by limestone cliffs, and the next watching a Muay Thai fight at the rowdy Reggae Bar. We also love Koh Lanta for its wide open beaches, rich local life and digital nomad scene - making it a place you could easily wile away a few weeks.
Koh Lanta offers fantastic day trips out to the Trang Islands as well, such as the snorkeling adventure to Koh Rok and Koh Haa (highly recommended), and the 4 Islands Tour which gives you a taste of some of Thailand’s most pristine and spectacular beaches. We’d recommend spending 2-weeks island hopping in Krabi and, if you’ve got the time, an additional week exploring the Trang Islands of Koh Ngai, Koh Mook and Koh Kradan.
Typical route:
Bangkok → Krabi (90 minutes by airplane)
Ao Nang Beach → Koh Phi Phi (50-60 minutes by ferry)
Koh Phi Phi → Koh Lanta (30 minutes by speedboat)
Railay Beach
Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi
Koh Rok
5. Trang Islands
If you’re searching for quiet, unspoiled paradises - look no further than the Trang Islands. These small, remote islands are famous for having some of clearest turquoise waters and powdery white sand in all Thailand, especially Koh Kradan which often ranks as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. Although, in our opinion, Koh Ngai’s main beach is more pleasing to the eye - with stunning views out toward three little islets.
Koh Mook gives you more of a local feel, with a bustling local village that you can explore - plus the Emerald Cave which is a must-do. So too does Koh Libong, famous (mainly with Thais) for its wild dugongs. If you’re really after an adventure, heading as far south as Koh Lipe is also possible from the Trang Islands - many regard it as “Thailand’s answer to the Maldives”.
Prices definitely start to increase as you leave Koh Lanta and head to Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan - there’s only a few resorts and bungalows available and they get snapped up pretty quickly in the high season. But as a way to treat yourself for a few nights, it’s a wonderful experience. To get to the Trang Islands directly from Bangkok all you need to do is fly to Trang Town (AirAsia is a good option) and then jump in a taxi to Pak Meng Pier.
Typical route:
Koh Lanta → Koh Ngai (30-40 minutes by speedboat)
Koh Ngai → Koh Kradan (20-40 minutes by speedboat)
Koh Kradan → Koh Mook (10-15 minutes by speedboat
Koh Mook → Koh Lipe (1-2 hours by speedboat)
Koh Ngai
Koh Ngai
Koh Ngai
FAQs About Island Hopping in Thailand
When should I go island hopping in Thailand?
November to April is the peak island hopping time in Thailand and for good reason. It’s sunny pretty much everyday and the seas stay calm for boat rides. That being said, there are still places that can work in the rainy season: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are relatively dry from June to September, and Koh Samet (close to Bangkok) can be visited year-round due to its unique microclimate. If none of those appeal to you, but you still want to come in the rainy season, then we recommend Phuket. There’s plenty of indoor activities and local life to enjoy if the weather turns sour.
Is it expensive to go island hopping in Thailand?
If you want to hop across several different islands, say from Phuket all the way to Koh Lipe, the truth is that it will cost a fair bit. Speedboat tickets, boat tours and resort accommodation (especially on far-flung islands) can add up quickly. But like anything, you get what you pay for. There’s still a few islands in Thailand that won’t break the bank: Koh Chang, Koh Lanta, and Koh Phangan can be good value for money if you know where to look. You can always book basic bungalows and eat at local markets if you’re traveling on a tight budget - this is how most backpackers do it.
What are the best islands in all of Thailand?
This is highly subjective but the best islands in Thailand for us are Koh Kood, Koh Ngai and Koh Phi Phi. We’ve listed our personal favorites and ranked them in order in the article below. Have a read through if you’d like more inspiration for your island hopping adventure in The Land of Smiles.
Read more: 15 Best Islands in Thailand: The Ultimate Guide to Paradise
Koh Kood
Koh Rok
