Thailand Two-Week Itinerary: Bangkok, Koh Lanta, Krabi & Phuket

An honest travel guide for first-time visitors

Thailand had been high on our travel wishlist for years, and this two-week itinerary finally made it happen. From the energy of Bangkok to the laid-back beaches of Koh Lanta, the dramatic limestone cliffs of Krabi, and the turquoise waters around Phuket, this trip offered the perfect balance of culture, adventure, nightlife, and relaxation.

This guide covers our exact route, how we got around, where we stayed, what we loved, what we’d skip next time, and practical tips to help you plan your own Thailand adventure.

Thailand Itinerary at a Glance

  • Duration: 2 weeks
  • Route: Bangkok → Koh Lanta → Krabi (Ao Nang & Railay) → Phuket
  • Best for: First-time visitors, island hopping, food lovers, mixed-pace travel
  • Travel style: Mid-range with a few luxury experiences
  • Getting around: Flights, ferries, taxis, organised transfers

Bangkok: Temples, Rooftop Bars & River Cruises

Arrival into Bangkok was super easy and smooth. The airport is easy to navigate, and most major taxi apps work here (download Grab before you arrive).

We spent 3 days / 2 nights in Bangkok, splitting our time between shopping, sightseeing, and bar-hopping around Chinatown and the backpacker district. If you’re visiting over a weekend, Chatuchak Weekend Market is an absolute must. It’s enormous and sells everything from clothes and food to furniture and even pets. There’s a map at the entrance, but you could easily spend an entire day wandering.

Bangkok has countless shopping malls for fashion, tech, and food, so we used ChatGPT to narrow down which ones best suited what we were looking for.

For nightlife, staying near Chinatown and the backpacker area worked well. There are plenty of lively bar streets where people sit outside drinking, and of course the infamous Khao San Road, which is quite frankly… mental. It’s worth seeing once just to tick it off the list, but you definitely need to be in the mood for serious party vibes. A calmer alternative nearby is Chana Songkhram Alley, which still has a great atmosphere without the chaos.

With limited time, one of the best ways to see Bangkok’s landmarks is by water. We skipped the large dinner cruises and hopped on a public hop-on/hop-off ferry from ICONSIAM, which offered great views of many of the main temples along the river.

That evening, we visited Eagle Nest Rooftop Bar, overlooking Wat Arun’s Thonburi pagoda. Seeing it illuminated at night is spectacular and well worth the visit. We then treated ourselves to a Michelin-star dinner at Nusara. Bangkok is home to 8 of the World’s Top 50 Restaurants, making it an incredible destination for food lovers.

We’d have loved more time to explore the luxury rooftop bars and restaurants in the east of the city—but we’ll save that for next time.

Koh Lanta: Raw Beaches & Old-Town Charm

There are no words to describe how gutted I was that it rained for our entire stay in Koh Lanta. This was the part of the trip I was most excited about, often described as “Thailand 10 years ago”—and it truly is. It feels raw, quiet, and far more stripped back than other destinations we visited. The beaches are stunning, and relaxed beach bars line much of the coast.

To get here, we flew from Bangkok to Krabi, then booked a transfer directly from Krabi Airport to our hotel via GetYourGuide (around £20 per person).

We had planned a four-island boat trip, including the Emerald Cave, but unfortunately had to cancel due to the weather.

We did manage one excursion to Koh Lanta Old Town, a short street filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants right by the sea, offering lovely coastal views.

Despite the rain, I’d still say: definitely go. With better weather, this would have been a standout stop.

Krabi: Island Tours, Railay Beach & Snorkelling

The best thing about Krabi was that the weather finally improved. We stayed in Ao Nang, often considered the central hub of the area. It’s packed with restaurants and bars and is ideal for booking excursions, but it is very busy. If you’re looking for something quieter, staying further out—or in Railay—is a better option.

We took a short boat ride (around 10 minutes) from Ao Nang to Railay Beach, which was absolutely stunning. We hired a kayak, paddled around the bay, and stopped for swims along the way. The town itself is small, laid-back, and surrounded by dramatic scenery.

Excursions:
We joined a Phi Phi Islands tour, which was a great way to explore the islands and snorkel. Try to book an early departure, as the islands—especially Maya Bay, made famous by The Beach—get extremely crowded. We booked this through GetYourGuide.

Ao Nang recommendations:

  • KoDam Kitchen – excellent, authentic Thai food
  • Boogie Bar – great live music and solid happy-hour deals

Phuket: Similan Islands & Where to Stay (and Avoid)

Phuket was our final stop. Although this was meant to be our relaxing leg of the trip, we still managed to keep busy. The ferry from Ao Nang was smooth, with beautiful views throughout the journey.

We stayed on Karon Beach, choosing it for a calmer atmosphere while still being well connected. The beach is beautiful, but there isn’t a huge amount nearby. If you want bars and shops within walking distance, Kata Beach is a better option.

The highlight of Phuket was a day trip to the Similan Islands (fair warning: it’s a long day). We were picked up at 6am and didn’t return until around 8pm. After a long transfer to the pier and roughly a two-hour boat ride, we arrived at some of the most beautiful islands we’ve ever seen. The snorkelling was incredible—we saw clownfish and a huge variety of marine life that we hadn’t encountered around Krabi.

If nightlife crowds and chaos aren’t your thing, Patong is best avoided. It was extremely busy and felt like the more seedy side of Thailand that people often mention. Staying north of Patong or on the east coast of Phuket offers a far more enjoyable experience.

From Phuket, we flew back to Bangkok before catching our direct flight home to Amsterdam.

Final Thoughts

If we’d had more time, I would have loved to explore more of Thailand’s smaller, quieter islands—something already firmly on the list for our next visit, which we 100% plan to make.

Top Tips for Travelling in Thailand

– Check visa requirements in advance and apply online if needed to save time on arrival.

– We travelled through both Bangkok airports (BKK and DMK). Both were clean and easy to navigate, though BKK is larger and passport control can take longer.

– Download Grab and Bolt before you arrive—taxis are cheap, reliable, and easy to use.

– Be mindful of rush hours, particularly in Bangkok, where traffic can be heavy.

– In Bangkok, toll fees aren’t always included in app fares when highways are used—you’ll need to pay these directly to the driver (cash or added as a tip in-app).

– 12go.asia is excellent for booking non-air transfers (ferries and minibuses). All our transfers ran exactly as booked.

– GetYourGuide is ideal for excursions. Many local booths sell the same tours, but booking ahead saves time and hassle.

– Cash is king. Cards are accepted in larger establishments, but often with a 3%+ surcharge—cash is usually the better option.

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