Best of Thailand – East Coast Islands: Self-Launched Edition

Arrive in Bangkok at any time. Take the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport to central Bangkok (~£1.50). Check into a highly rated hostel or guesthouse in the Banglamphu/Khao San Road area — a great hub for solo travellers. Spend the evening exploring the lively streets, grab a street food dinner, and plan your next few days.

🚌Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai (~£1.50), then taxi/tuk-tuk to hostel (~£2-4)

🛏NapPark Hostel, Lub d Bangkok, or similar rated hostel in Banglamphu (~£12-16/night)

• →Arrive and settle in
• →Explore Khao San Road and surrounding streets
• →Street food dinner — try pad thai and mango sticky rice

Start the day with a self-booked longtail boat tour of the Chao Phraya River and Thonburi klong (canal) network — book via GetYourGuide or directly at the pier (~£8-12). Visit Wat Pho to see the giant Reclining Buddha, its feet inlaid with mother-of-pearl (entry ~£3). In the afternoon, catch a public bus or minivan from Bangkok's Mo Chit or Southern Bus Terminal to Kanchanaburi (~£4-6, ~2.5 hrs). Check into a floating rafthouse guesthouse on the River Kwai — a classic and memorable stay.

🚌Longtail boat (~£10), taxi to bus terminal (~£3), public bus/minivan to Kanchanaburi (~£5)

🛏Floating rafthouse guesthouse on the River Kwai, e.g. Sam's House or similar (~£12-18/night)

• →Longtail boat tour of Chao Phraya River and Thonburi canals (book via GetYourGuide, ~£10)
• →Visit Wat Pho – Reclining Buddha (~£3 entry)
• →Travel to Kanchanaburi by public bus or minivan (~£5)
• →Check into a floating rafthouse guesthouse on the River Kwai

A full day of sightseeing around Kanchanaburi. Take a songthaew (shared truck taxi) to Erawan National Park (~£3) and hike through the jungle to the famous seven-tiered turquoise waterfall — swim in the natural pools along the way (park entry ~£7). In the afternoon, head back to town and walk across the historic Bridge on the River Kwai. Board a local train that crosses the bridge for an authentic, low-cost taste of the historic wartime route (~£1-2).

🚌Songthaew to Erawan (~£3 each way), local train (~£1-2)

🛏Floating rafthouse guesthouse (same as Day 2)

• →Shared songthaew to Erawan National Park (~£3)
• →Hike and swim at Erawan Waterfall – seven turquoise tiers (entry ~£7)
• →Walk the Bridge on the River Kwai
• →Take a short local train ride across the bridge (~£1-2)

Spend the morning visiting the Allied War Cemetery (free entry, deeply moving) and the JEATH War Museum or Thailand-Burma Railway Centre (~£4 entry) to learn about the region's wartime history. Catch an afternoon minivan or train to Ayutthaya (~£5-8). Arrive and check into a guesthouse near the historical park. Rent a bicycle (~£2-3/day) to begin exploring the ancient ruins at dusk — the temples are magical at golden hour.

🚌Minivan or train Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya (~£6), bicycle rental (~£2-3)

🛏Guesthouse near Ayutthaya Historical Park, e.g. Baan Are Gong or Tony's Place (~£10-14/night)

• →Visit Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery (free)
• →Thailand-Burma Railway Centre / JEATH War Museum (~£4)
• →Travel to Ayutthaya by minivan or train (~£6)
• →Rent a bicycle and explore Ayutthaya Historical Park at dusk (~£2-3)

Spend a full day cycling around Ayutthaya's UNESCO World Heritage temples — Wat Mahathat (the tree-root Buddha face), Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Ratchaburana are must-sees (entry per temple ~£1-3). Optionally visit Chan Kasem or Chao Sam Phraya National Museum (~£1-2 each). In the evening, board the overnight sleeper train from Ayutthaya or Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Chiang Mai — book second-class AC sleeper berths in advance at seat61.com or directly via the State Railway of Thailand website (~£15-20). A fantastic, scenic, and budget-friendly experience.

🚌Bicycle rental (~£2-3), overnight train Ayutthaya/Bangkok to Chiang Mai (~£15-20)

🛏Overnight sleeper train (2nd class AC berth, ~£15-20 — counts as accommodation)

• →Cycle Ayutthaya Historical Park – Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Ratchaburana (~£1-3 per temple)
• →Optional: Chan Kasem or Chao Sam Phraya Museum (~£2)
• →Board overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai (~£15-20 for 2nd class AC sleeper)

Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning, check into your hostel in the Old City area, and freshen up. After lunch, take a red songthaew (shared taxi) up to Doi Suthep temple (~£2-3 each way) — the golden stupa perched above the city offers stunning views and is one of Thailand's most sacred sites (entry ~£1.50). Spend the evening wandering the Old City moat area, visiting a local café and exploring the night bazaar.

🚌Train arrival (overnight), red songthaew to Doi Suthep (~£2-3 each way)

🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Chiang Mai Old City, e.g. Stamps Backpackers, Deejai Backpackers (~£10-16/night)

• →Arrive Chiang Mai, check in and explore the Old City
• →Shared songthaew to Doi Suthep temple (~£2-3 each way)
• →Doi Suthep temple visit – golden stupa and city views (~£1.50 entry)
• →Evening stroll around the Old City moat and Night Bazaar

A full free day in Chiang Mai to explore at your own pace. In the morning, join a highly-rated Thai cooking class with a market visit — book via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£25-35 including market tour and 4-5 dishes with dinner). Popular options include Thai Farm Cooking School or Zabb-E-Lee. In the afternoon, optionally rent a bicycle to explore the Old City (~£3), visit the Sunday Walking Street or Warorot Market, or treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage (~£6-10/hr).

🚌Bicycle rental (~£3) or walking

🛏Same hostel/guesthouse as Day 6

• →Morning market visit and Thai cooking class with dinner (~£25-35, book via GetYourGuide/Klook)
• →Optional: Bicycle tour of the Old City (~£3 rental)
• →Optional: Traditional Thai massage (~£6-10/hr)
• →Optional: Warorot Market or Night Bazaar shopping

Take a public bus or minivan from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal to Chiang Rai (~£5-7, ~3 hrs). Arrive in the afternoon and check into a guesthouse. Spend the rest of the day exploring Chiang Rai's compact, relaxed centre — visit the striking Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten, free) and stroll the Night Bazaar for dinner.

🚌Public bus or minivan from Chiang Mai Arcade (~£5-7)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Chiang Rai, e.g. Baan Bua Guest House or Mem Guesthouse (~£8-14/night)

• →Public bus or minivan Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (~£5-7)
• →Visit Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple, free entry)
• →Explore Chiang Rai Night Bazaar for dinner

Start the morning with a visit to Wat Rong Khun, the extraordinary White Temple (~£3 entry) — one of Thailand's most photogenic sites. Then take a local bus or songthaew north to Mae Sai, Thailand's northernmost town on the Myanmar border (~£3). Visit the Hall of Opium museum at the Golden Triangle (~£6 entry) — a fascinating and sobering exhibition on the history of the opium trade in Southeast Asia.

🚌Local bus/songthaew to Mae Sai and back (~£6 total)

🛏Same guesthouse as Day 8

• →Visit Wat Rong Khun – White Temple (~£3 entry)
• →Local bus/songthaew to Mae Sai border town (~£3)
• →Visit Hall of Opium Museum at the Golden Triangle (~£6)

Travel south from Chiang Rai to Lampang by public bus (~£5-7, ~2.5 hrs). Lampang is a charming, less-touristy city known for its horse-drawn carriages and traditional Lanna culture. Arrange a homestay in a local Lanna village through a community-based tourism organisation (ask your guesthouse or book via a local operator, ~£15-20 including dinner and breakfast). This is an authentic cultural highlight of the trip.

🚌Public bus Chiang Rai to Lampang (~£5-7)

🛏Community homestay in a traditional Lanna village near Lampang (~£15-20/night including meals)

• →Public bus Chiang Rai to Lampang (~£5-7)
• →Explore Lampang's old town and horse-drawn carriage streets
• →Traditional Lanna village homestay experience (~£15-20 including meals)

Explore Lampang's beautiful temples, including Wat Phra That Lampang Luang — one of northern Thailand's most revered and oldest temple complexes (free entry, small donation welcome). Optionally visit the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre near Lampang, the oldest elephant hospital in Thailand (~£10-15 entry, no riding, ethical observation only). Return to Lampang town for the evening.

🚌Songthaew or local taxi to sites (~£3-5)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Lampang (~£8-12/night)

• →Visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang (free)
• →Optional: Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (~£10-15, ethical, no riding)
• →Explore Lampang's old town on foot or by local bicycle

Take an early bus or train from Lampang back to Bangkok (~£10-15 by bus or train, ~7-8 hrs), or book a budget domestic flight to Bangkok (~£25-45 if booked ahead via AirAsia or Nok Air). From Bangkok, connect to a night bus or train heading south toward Surat Thani for the island leg of the trip. Alternatively, fly directly from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani/Samui if budget allows.

🚌Bus/train Lampang to Bangkok (~£12), overnight bus Bangkok to Surat Thani (~£12)

🛏Overnight bus (seat, ~£10-15 — counts as travel/accommodation)

• →Travel Lampang to Bangkok by bus or train (~£10-15)
• →Brief stopover in Bangkok — grab street food near the station
• →Board overnight bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani (~£10-15)

Arrive in Surat Thani in the morning and take a combined bus-and-ferry ticket to Koh Samui (~£5-8). Check into a guesthouse or beach bungalow — Chaweng or Lamai Beach areas offer the most variety. Spend the afternoon acclimatising: swim, snooze in a hammock, and explore the local beach strip. Grab a fresh seafood dinner from a beachside restaurant.

🚌Bus and ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui (~£6)

🛏Beach bungalow or guesthouse on Koh Samui, e.g. Chaweng Beach area (~£14-22/night)

• →Ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Samui (~£5-8)
• →Check in and explore Chaweng or Lamai Beach
• →Swim and relax on the beach
• →Fresh seafood dinner at a beachside restaurant

Rent a scooter (~£6-8/day) and explore Koh Samui independently. Visit Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks, free), the Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai (free), and Na Muang Waterfall inland (~£1 entry). Return to the beach in the afternoon for swimming and sunset. The island is easy to navigate solo by scooter.

🚌Scooter rental (~£6-8/day)

🛏Same bungalow/guesthouse as Day 13

• →Scooter rental to explore the island (~£6-8/day)
• →Hin Ta & Hin Yai Rocks (free)
• →Big Buddha – Wat Phra Yai (free)
• →Na Muang Waterfall (~£1 entry)
• →Afternoon beach and sunset swim

Book a stand-up paddleboard session along Koh Samui's calm coastline — available to self-book directly from beach vendors or via Klook (~£15-20 for 1-2 hrs). The warm, generally calm waters here are perfect for all levels, and you'll be tempted to jump in for a swim. Spend the rest of the day at leisure: snorkelling, beachside massages (~£6-8/hr), or simply relaxing.

🚌Scooter or songthaew (~£3-5)

🛏Same bungalow/guesthouse as Days 13-14

• →Stand-up paddleboarding along Koh Samui's coastline (~£15-20, book via Klook or direct from beach vendors)
• →Snorkelling from the beach
• →Optional: Traditional Thai beach massage (~£6-8/hr)

Take a short ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (~£5-8, 30 mins). Check into a bungalow on Haad Rin or the quieter north of the island. Spend the afternoon hiking one of Koh Phangan's jungle trails — Khao Ra, the island's highest peak, offers panoramic views and a rewarding hike (~2-3 hrs, free or small donation at the trailhead). Self-navigate using Maps.me or AllTrails.

🚌Ferry Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (~£6), scooter rental (~£5-7)

🛏Beach bungalow on Koh Phangan (~£12-18/night)

• →Ferry Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (~£5-8)
• →Check in and explore the island by scooter (~£5-7/day)
• →Hiking Khao Ra – highest point on Koh Phangan (free, ~2-3 hrs)

A second day of self-launched exploration on Koh Phangan. Hike to Phaeng Waterfall inside the island's national park (~£1 entry), swim in the natural pools, then continue to Than Sadet National Park on the eastern coast — a stunning hidden beach once visited by Thai royalty. Spend the afternoon at one of the island's quieter beaches such as Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat) or Haad Salad.

🚌Scooter rental (~£5-7/day)

🛏Same bungalow as Day 16

• →Hike to Phaeng Waterfall and national park swim (~£1 entry)
• →Visit Than Sadet National Park – secluded royal beach
• →Afternoon at Bottle Beach (Haad Khuat) or Haad Salad

Take the morning ferry from Koh Phangan to Ko Tao (~£8-12, ~1.5 hrs). Ko Tao is one of the world's best and most affordable places to learn to dive. Check into a bungalow and book a Discover Scuba Diving intro session (~£55-70) or a full PADI Open Water course (~£250-280 over 3 days) if you have time. Even non-divers can snorkel straight off the beach — rent gear for ~£3-5.

🚌Ferry Koh Phangan to Ko Tao (~£10)

🛏Beach bungalow or guesthouse on Ko Tao, e.g. Sairee Beach area (~£12-18/night)

• →Ferry Koh Phangan to Ko Tao (~£8-12)
• →Check in and explore Ko Tao's Mae Haad village
• →Book Discover Scuba Diving intro (~£55-70) or snorkel gear rental (~£3-5)
• →Sunset at Sairee Beach

Spend the day exploring Ko Tao's underwater world. Join a two-dive fun dive trip with a local dive shop (~£35-45 for two tanks, book directly on the island — New Heaven, Big Blue, or Scuba Junction all come highly rated). Alternatively, join a snorkelling day trip to Shark Bay and Koh Nang Yuan (~£15-20 via local longtail boat). Rent a scooter to explore the island's viewpoints in the afternoon (~£5-7).

🚌Longtail boat snorkelling trip (~£15-20) or scooter (~£5-7)

🛏Same bungalow/guesthouse as Day 18

• →Two-tank fun dive trip with a local dive shop (~£35-45)
• →OR snorkelling day trip to Shark Bay and Koh Nang Yuan (~£15-20)
• →Optional: Scooter ride to John Suwan Viewpoint (~£5-7 rental)
• →Final evening seafood dinner on Sairee Beach

Enjoy a final morning sunrise on Sairee Beach or grab one last coffee overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Depart via ferry to Surat Thani (~£15-18, ~3-4 hrs) and then connect to Bangkok by bus or flight for your onward journey home. Book ferries and onward transport in advance via 12Go.asia or directly with Lomprayah or Songserm ferry companies.

🚌Ferry Ko Tao to Surat Thani (~£16), bus or flight to Bangkok (~£10-40)

🛏N/A – departure day

• →Final sunrise or beach breakfast on Ko Tao
• →Ferry Ko Tao to Surat Thani (~£15-18)
• →Onward bus or flight to Bangkok for departure