1 Month: Ultimate Thailand Itinerary

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My Journey through Thailand

Hello! Welcome to my Travel Blog!
Today I bring everything from my travel journal about Thailand directly to you. 

I was in Thailand for one amazing month. One month in one country is already a great start to get the feel of a place, especially if you travel within. The idea was to stay just 2 weeks and continue to Malaysia, but we absolutely loved the country and we stayed until the end of our visa before going to Australia!

Because there are simply so many things to do in Thailand, it has taken me a very long time to compile an itinerary and prioritize a list for travelers, both new and seasoned, who wish to discover one of the world’s most fascinating nations and my second home, Thailand.

In this itinerary, I will bring you the ultimate trips to get to enjoy Thailand on your 2-week – 1-month itinerary! 

The majority of the points on this Thailand itinerary can be done in 2 weeks. We stayed more or less 4-5 days in each location but this can be done in less time.

The best things to do in Thailand in one month 

The key to this itinerary is to pay attention to what you want to include more on your trips and then make your own itinerary based on your time in this incredible place. 

I will also leave a map, so you see the distances between places. 

If you want to visit more jungles and mountains and not so many islands, you can check the “give me more” section at the end of this itinerary!

Also, it is very important to consider travel time between places. My ultimate advice if you want to maximise your travel time is to take overnight trains/flights/buses. I know it can be uncomfortable, but you can sleep better at the next destination (ahah!)  + these forms of transport are normally cheaper. 

Let’s start with currency: The currency of Thailand is Baht (TBH) you can exchange this in your home country beforehand, the reason why I recommend exchanging beforehand is that in your country they need your currency. E.g if you are in the UK, you use £ on every day. But attention NOT ALL exchange bureaus abroad will provide better rates than the rates you will find in your own home country. Avoid exchanging money at the airports and in banks. Try to shop around before converting your money. This way you will get the best exchange rates.

Thailand Bangkok is about 14/17 hours from Europe (London/Lisbon/Paris/Madrid) but be aware that normally long-haul flights will do a stop-over in another country. This depends on the airline. I flew with Emirates, and the layover was in Dubai airport – Dubai airport is insane, 4km long – Trust me, I got lost!

Welcome to Thailand! You are now in Bangkok! 

The first thing you will notice when you land is the temperature and the smell. Thailand and all of Southeast Asia have a special smell. It is paradise. Some people here will disagree, but when I returned to Asia years after Thailand, it was very nostalgic the smell of this part of the world!

Bangkok is not like any other city; it is huge and has a lot to be lived and I would recommend 2-3 days here if not more. The main method of transport is by TukTuk – I was glad I asked our driver for his number and he became our Bangkok friend for the 4 days we stayed there. However, it is not the cheapest. If you are on a budget get the Skytrain, Metro, or Transit Boat. 

From the Airport you should not be paying more than 500/600 baht. Taxis in Thailand are very cheap relative to Western countries. The starting taxi fare is just 35 baht and the meter increases relatively slow to the distance travelled.

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Where to stay in Bangkok 

Part of the beauty of any Southeast Asian country is that you can stay in amazing places for so much less than what you would spend if you were in Europe for example and the quality is top!

Thailand is no different.

I stayed 3 days in Bangkok, there are tons of things to do in Bangkok but if you are more of a nature person you will find that 3 days is more than enough. 

Make sure you check Koh San Road and stay around this area for a vibrant night out. Good places to stay are: 

– Chillax Resort – SHA Extra Plus (from £40 per night)

– Here Hostel (from £18 per night)

If you want to be in a more luxurious type of place not far from all the vibes of the city, I would like to recommend these places: 

– Lebua Hotel (Where Hangover III was filmed)

– Avani Hotel (Top breakfast!)

Here are my top 7 things to do in Bangkok: 

In terms of things to do – the world is your oyster.

It is very easy to lose track and time in Bangkok, every quarter is different and full of new corners to explore. 

• Royal Grand Palace Tour from Bangkok with Wat Phra Kaew 
• Old Town City Tour of Bangkok with Wat Suthat, Wat Saket & Wat Ratchanadda (The Golden Mount)
• Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple)
• Chatuchak Weekend Market 
• Party in KonSan Road
• Check out the Floating Market
• Visit China Town

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Getting to Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan

Thailand is full of little islands and each one has its magic spirit. I got to stay and experience 3 of the islands in the East of Thailand (Gulf of Thailand): Koh Tao, Koh Phangan (Full-moon party), and Koh Samui, and then 2 others in the South: Koh Lanta and Koh Kradan. Yes, I didn’t go to Kho Phi Phi. To be fair I did go on the fairy to Koh Phi Phi but the amount of people jumping to this island put me off. So, we left and changed island, we went to Koh Lanta instead. 

How to get to Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan

From Bangkok, the cheapest way is to take an overnight bus or the train. We did this and saved money in transportation as we arrived by the morning to Donsac Pier where we took a ferry to Koh Samui. There is no way of getting to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao by aeroplane. The closest airport is Surat Thani or in Koh Samui island and from there you take a transfer and a ferry.

By air: Fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui or Surat Thani (flights start at £30 with AirAsia). Then from Surat Thani airport, take a taxi to the pier and from there a ferry to the island. 

Bus & Ferry: the least pricey route. Take a bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani overnight. It leaves at roughly 6 p.m. and gets to Surat Thani the following morning. Once at Donsak, take a ferry to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.

Train & Ferry:  Although slightly more expensive than the bus alternative, the overnight train from Bangkok to Sura Thani is far more comfortable. Bus to Donsak again, then boat to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan or Koh Tao.

To view the schedules and plan the trip, click HERE.

Sumui was our first island, this is also the largest island of the three. Consider getting a motorbike to go around the island or a taxi.

Koh Phangan is about 2 1/2 hours from Surat Thani Province. There are ferries between Surat Thani, Samui, and Phangan. 

The location of the train station in Bangkok is HERE. Save this to your bookmarks for when you are there, this is valid for all the other travel tips here mentioned.

If you are looking to buy tickets in advance you can check here: 

You can also check for travel information with your hotel or directly at the gate of the station.

Where to go and stay in Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao? 

Koh Samui – mini Iberia

I call Koh Samui mini Iberia because its shape looks so much like Portugal and Spain (haha!).
Above I mentioned that Koh Samui Island is the biggest island of the three, and this is also the same for the accommodation choices. 

We stayed in a mixture of hotels on this island. A budget bungalow and a 5-star hotel. Great for the purpose. With the budget hotel, I wanted to experience rural Koh Samui and with the 5-star hotel, I wanted to relax and eat as I knew the weeks ahead would be long.

In Koh Samui, we mainly explored the markets, bars, and cafes and went for sunset vibes. One thing I would recommend is water activities if you have the time and budget. 

Here is the coolest 3 Hours Jet Ski Safari from Koh Samui to Koh Tan & Koh Mudsum

We managed to meet the owner later at the sunset party at the Nikki Beach Resort Koh Samui. Best vibes until 1 am!!

Cute Koh Tao 

The best way to get to Koh Tao island is by ferry, (check how here). The ferries run from Koh Samui, Surat Thani/Donsak or Koh Phangan directly to Mae Haad (Koh Tao’s Pier). Sometimes the ferry will do a stopover in one of the islands such Koh Phangan before arriving to Koh Tao.

This island is famous for its blue waters and diverse marine animals. Koh Tao has the best snorkeling and scuba diving sites in the whole country, so if you are thinking of trying scuba, here is the best spot. 

We stayed in Taatoh Seaview resort and got the motorbikes to go around the island. There are other ways to go around the island. Try asking the hotel for a taxi, they will do this for you for a small fee. 

Koh Tao is the smallest of the three islands, it is called “turtle island” locally. Sae Ree is where you will find many bars and backpackers. There is plenty to explore in Koh Tao as the island is one big road, you can adventure yourself to pretty much everywhere. But without a local or someone who already knows the place might be a bit risky. 

I highly recommend visiting the Freedom Beach – insane sunset! 

Must activities to do in Koh Tao: 

Island hopping and snorkeling 

Koh Tao is the best island to do and try Scuba Diving. You have several options from introduction to a 3-day course you have the one by PADI Open Water (click here for the page)

If it is your first time diving and you just want to try with an expert with you, then PADI Discover Scuba Diving in Koh Tao – half day with two dives is the best option (click here for the page)

Beaches of Koh Tao

Amazing Koh Phangan 

Koh Phangan is definitely my favourite island in Thailand, maybe alongside Koh Lipe and Koh Kradan. Regardless, this is defo my favourite island among the three islands of Eastern Thailand. 

The island is so diverse, you find yourself surrounded by backpackers, honeymooners, nomads, and so on. Everyone is very friendly, and you have a real feel for nature. Sometimes you encounter elephants on the side of mountains, or you can simply get approached by a monkey (true story!!). Koh Phangan is also the island of the famous Full-moon Party, see here the official dates for the full moon party this year, located at Haad Rin – Sunrise Beach.  

We stayed for about 4 days on this island, and we motorbiked everywhere. It costs about £3 per day to rent a scooter (please be aware that not every place sells gas, so sometimes you will have to buy from a local in the middle of the street). 

 

To get a direct ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan you can click here.

 Check all beaches in the map!

Top 6 hotels I stayed and would recommend across the three islands: 

• The Eden Samui (Budget hotel bungalow) – Koh Samui 
• The Sea Koh Samui Resort (5* from £70 per night) – Koh Samui
• Koh Tao Heritage (Stunning and affordable)– Koh Tao 
• Sensi Paradise Beach Resort (one-in-a-lifetime stay) – Koh Tao
• The Secret Beach Bungalows (the best sunset views here!) – Koh Phangan 
• Nice Sea (perfect for more budget stays) – Koh Phangan 

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Phuket, Krabi & Koh Kradan 

We stayed in Krabi for a fairly amount of time, and this is definitely the best hub to go to other islands such as Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Kradan, Koh Lipe, etc. However, you need to consider the distance to go and to return. Not all ferries run every day. So, the best way to plan this is definitely by visiting 12Go (12Go offers online bookings and planning tools for Thailand and many more countries in Asia, you can also buy directly from the page). 

Koh Kradan was the best island in terms of relaxation that I have ever been to. For starters it was very random, we were supposed to go to Koh Phi Phi but then we continued with the boat to Koh Lanta pier (last stop of the Ferry) and asked for a ride towards Koh Krandan. We then got a lift by the local boat to this paradise island in the middle of nowhere and that was it.

There were only two hotels on this island. We stayed first in this local hut and then in the hotel across a dense jungle. 

We did not go to Koh Phi Phi, only because there were a lot of people, but I would like to think that things are different now. If you have the opportunity to go and it is part of your dream trip – have the best time and let me know how it was. 

Places where we stayed in Phuket, Krabi and Koh Krandan:

By the end of our trip to Thailand, we were a bit more conscious of where we were spending our money because in the space of a week, we were moving to Australia. We were very lucky with the hostels where we stayed as these were super cheap and clean. We don’t normally share accommodation either so our double accommodation was actually worth it. 

In Krabi, we stayed at Whale Hotel and it was superb! We only stayed for the night, but after traveling so much through the islands, it was a great night’s sleep. 

Best Stay in Phuket Old Town (from £11 per night) This hotel is in Phuket old town, about 15-minute motorbike drive from Karon Beach and the big Budha. 

We stayed in a hotel close to the airport and very practical to explore the most underrated beach: Naithon Beach. We stayed in Nayang Beach Hotel with very comfy beds (you can rent motorbikes from the hotel which was definitely a plus).

I hope the links and the adventures are useful and feel free to reach me at @miriam.memoirs or share your adventures on the contact page!

Safe Travels!

Miri x 

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