Phuket & KrabiThailand in 5 nights

An easy Thai beach holiday on the Andaman coast: three nights in Phuket with a speedboat day to the Phi Phi islands, then two in Krabi among the limestone cliffs. We fly into Phuket and out of Krabi, so there is only one road transfer and no backtracking. It suits couples, families and friends who want sea, sand and two good boat days.

Day 1

Arrive Phuket (3 Nights)

About 40 km · 45 minutes–1 hour by road

Welcome to Thailand. Your driver meets you at Phuket arrivals with a name board for a private transfer of about 45 minutes to an hour down the west coast to your hotel near Patong, Kata or Karon beach. Check in and rest after the flight. Towards evening, walk down to the beach for sunset and a first swim. Patong has many Indian and vegetarian restaurants within walking distance of the beach, and Kata and Karon have several too. Overnight in Phuket.

• Patong, Kata or Karon beach
• Bangla Road, Patong (evening)

Prafull’s tipFill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online within three days before you fly. It saves time at immigration.

No meals included today

Day 2

Phuket – Phi Phi Islands Day Trip

Hotel pick-up at about 7 am in a shared minivan for the pier on Phuket's east coast, then a shared speedboat of about an hour to the Phi Phi islands. You walk to Maya Bay along a boardwalk from the back of Phi Phi Leh, then cruise into the emerald water of Pileh Lagoon and past the cliffs of Viking Cave. There are snorkelling stops, with gear provided, and lunch on Phi Phi Don, usually with vegetarian dishes. Back at your hotel by about 5 pm. Overnight in Phuket.

• Maya Bay
• Pileh Lagoon
• Viking Cave
• Phi Phi Don
• Khai or Bamboo Island

• Note: Maya Bay usually closes in August and September each year; swimming in the bay is not allowed at any time.
• Note: Speedboats are shared, with about 30–40 guests. A private speedboat can be arranged at extra cost.

Prafull’s tipAsk for the earliest departure we can get. Maya Bay before the crowds is a different place, and the sea is calmer in the morning.

Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3

Phuket

A private half-day tour with your driver. First the Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hill, 45 metres of white marble looking over Chalong Bay, then Wat Chalong, Phuket's most important temple. Stop at the Karon viewpoint over three bays, then on to Phuket Old Town's Sino-Portuguese shophouses on Thalang Road and Soi Romanee, with time for coffee in an old cafe. You are back at the hotel by early afternoon, with the rest of the day for the pool or the beach. Overnight in Phuket.

• Big Buddha
• Wat Chalong
• Karon viewpoint
• Phuket Old Town
• Promthep Cape (optional, sunset)

• Note: The Sunday walking street market on Thalang Road runs on Sunday evenings only.

Prafull’s tipThe Big Buddha and Wat Chalong need covered shoulders and knees. Sarongs are lent at the Big Buddha, but bring your own scarf.

Breakfast

Day 4

Phuket – Krabi (2 Nights)

About 165 km · 2.5–3 hours by road

A slow breakfast, a last swim and check-out at about 11 am. Your private car crosses the Sarasin Bridge off the island and runs through the limestone hills of Phang Nga to Ao Nang, about 2.5 to 3 hours. Check in and rest. In the evening, walk the Ao Nang beachfront at sunset, with the cliffs lit up behind the beach and longtail boats pulled up on the sand. The beach road has plenty of Indian and vegetarian restaurants. Overnight in Krabi.

• Sarasin Bridge
• Phang Nga limestone country
• Ao Nang beach

Prafull’s tipAo Nang has plenty of Indian restaurants along the beach road; Jain food is possible if you ask a day ahead.

Breakfast

Day 5

Krabi – Four-Island Tour

A boat day from the beach at Ao Nang. You leave at about 8.30 am by shared longtail or speedboat for Phra Nang Cave beach on the Railay peninsula, with its limestone walls and fertility shrine. Then the rock pinnacle of Chicken Island, snorkelling over the reef, and the sandbar that joins Tup Island to its neighbours at low tide. Lunch is served on Poda Island, where you have time to swim off the white sand. Back in Ao Nang by about 3 pm. Overnight in Krabi.

• Phra Nang Cave beach
• Chicken Island (Koh Kai)
• Tup Island sandbar
• Poda Island

• Note: Boat trips can be cancelled in rough seas, especially from May to October; we rebook or refund the tour.

Prafull’s tipWear water shoes. The sandbar at Tup Island and some beaches have broken coral underfoot.

Breakfast & Lunch

Day 6

Krabi – Departure

About 30 km · 30–45 minutes to Krabi airport

A slow breakfast and a last swim, or an early walk along the Ao Nang beachfront while the cliffs catch the morning light. Check-out is usually at noon; ask us about a late check-out if your flight is in the evening, or leave your bags with the hotel. Your driver collects you about three hours before your flight for the drive to Krabi airport, which is small and easy to get through. Most flights home to Mumbai connect through Bangkok. Your holiday ends here.

• Ao Nang beach
• Krabi International Airport

Prafull’s tipKrabi airport queues build quickly before evening flights. We plan to have you there with time in hand.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels are confirmed when you book. If a hotel is full, we give you one of the same category in the same area, and tell you before you pay.

Optional add-ons

Not in the price. Prafull can book them for you or you can pay locally.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Indian passports currently get visa-free short stays; we confirm the rules when you book. Passports need six months' validity. Fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before you fly.
• Maya Bay closes every year for about two months, usually August and September, to let the reef recover.
• The Andaman sea is calmest from November to April. In the monsoon, boat trips can be changed or cancelled for safety.
• Thailand is 1.5 hours ahead of India. The currency is the baht; exchange counters in town give better rates than the airport.
• Pack reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes and a dry bag for the boat days.
• Families: Phuket and Ao Nang have shallow beaches and plenty of child-friendly food; boat days are long for under-fives.

When to go

November to April. Dry season on the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi). Koh Samui is at its best from January to August. May to October brings rain to the west coast.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Cancellations must be sent in writing, on email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Flights, trains, visa fees and non-refundable hotel or activity bookings are refunded only as their own rules allow.
• Date changes are free when made 30 days or more before travel, subject to hotel availability and any difference in price.
• Refunds are paid within 14 working days of us receiving them from the hotels and suppliers.
• No refund is possible for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.

Questions about this holiday