Thailand Island Hopping – East Coast (Self-Guided)

Arrive in Bangkok at any time. No pre-arranged activities today — use the time to settle in, grab street food on Khao San Road, and prep for an early start tomorrow. Stay near Khao San Road or Silom for easy access to transport links. Exchange some cash (super-ATMs are everywhere) and download the Grab app for affordable taxis.

🚌Arrive independently. From Suvarnabhumi Airport take the Airport Rail Link to the city (~£1.50) or a Grab taxi (~£8-10).

🛏NapPark Hostel or Lub d Bangkok Silom — dorm from ~£10/night, private room from ~£25/night

• →Explore Khao San Road and surrounding streets
• →Street food dinner — try pad thai, mango sticky rice, and fresh coconut
• →Download Grab app and plan your Day 2 morning flight

Head to Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi Airport for an early morning flight to Chumphon. From Chumphon Airport or bus station, take a shared songthaew or minivan to Chumphon Pier (~£3-5). Grab lunch independently at one of the pier-side restaurants before boarding the Lomprayah or Songserm express ferry to Koh Tao (~2.5 hrs). Arrive in the afternoon, check in, and explore the beachside town of Mae Haad or chill on Sairee Beach.

🚌Flight Bangkok to Chumphon (~£25-45 booked in advance on AirAsia/Nok Air) + shared minivan to pier (~£4) + Lomprayah ferry to Koh Tao (~£16).

🛏Spicytao Backpackers or Koh Tao Backpackers — dorm from ~£8/night, private bungalow from ~£20/night

• →Morning flight Bangkok to Chumphon (book via AirAsia or Nok Air in advance)
• →Shared minivan or songthaew from Chumphon to the pier (~£3-5)
• →Lomprayah High Speed Ferry Chumphon to Koh Tao (~£15-18, book at lomprayah.com)
• →Explore Sairee Beach and Mae Haad village on arrival
• →Sunset beers at one of Sairee Beach's many beach bars

Join a self-booked full-day snorkelling trip around Koh Tao's best spots — these are widely available directly from operators on Sairee Beach and Mae Haad pier, or book via GetYourGuide/Klook the night before. The standard day trip covers Koh Nang Yuan, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Ao Leuk, and Shark Bay — the exact same route as the G Adventures itinerary — and typically includes lunch on board. In the evening, explore the beach bars and share stories over a Chang beer.

🚌No inter-island transport today. Local songthaew around the island ~£1-2.

🛏Spicytao Backpackers or Koh Tao Backpackers — dorm from ~£8/night, private bungalow from ~£20/night

• →Self-booked full-day snorkelling trip around Koh Tao (book directly on Sairee Beach or via GetYourGuide — ~£20-25 including lunch)
• →Snorkel stops: Koh Nang Yuan, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Ao Leuk, Shark Bay
• →Free time on Sairee Beach in the afternoon
• →Evening at Koh Tao's beach bars and night market

After breakfast, head to Mae Haad pier and board the Lomprayah ferry to Koh Pha Ngan (~30 mins). Check into your guesthouse and spend the afternoon independently exploring — options include Ang Thong viewpoint, the Than Sadet or Phaeng Waterfalls, swimming in the natural lagoon at Bottle Beach, or simply relaxing at Haad Yao or Haad Salad beach. Book dinner at a local beachside restaurant this evening — try the fresh seafood.

🚌Lomprayah ferry Koh Tao to Koh Pha Ngan (~£9). Rent a scooter on the island for ~£6/day.

🛏Coco Garden Resort or Pha Ngan Backpacker Hostel — dorm from ~£9/night, private bungalow from ~£22/night

• →Lomprayah ferry Koh Tao to Koh Pha Ngan (~£8-10, ~30 mins)
• →Visit Than Sadet or Phaeng Waterfall (free entry, hire a scooter for ~£6/day)
• →Swim at Bottle Beach or Haad Khuad (accessible by longtail boat ~£4 return)
• →Snorkel or relax at Haad Yao beach
• →Fresh seafood dinner at a local restaurant on the beach (~£8-12)

A full free day to explore Koh Pha Ngan at your own pace. Head to the north of the island for quieter beaches like Haad Khom and Bottle Beach, or rent a scooter and loop around the island's viewpoints and hidden coves. If you're visiting around the full moon, the famous Full Moon Party on Haad Rin beach is a must. Alternatively, book a yoga class or Thai massage for a more relaxed day.

🚌Scooter rental ~£6/day. Longtail boat to remote beaches ~£4-6 return.

🛏Coco Garden Resort or Pha Ngan Backpacker Hostel — dorm from ~£9/night, private bungalow from ~£22/night

• →Scooter rental to explore the island's northern beaches and viewpoints (~£6/day)
• →Visit Haad Khom or Bottle Beach for a secluded swim
• →Thai massage on the beach (~£6-10 for 1 hr)
• →Optional: yoga class at one of the island's many studios (~£8-12)
• →Optional: Full Moon Party at Haad Rin (entrance ~£10-15, if dates align)

Grab breakfast before heading to Thong Sala pier and boarding a Raja or Lomprayah ferry to Koh Samui (~30-45 mins). Check into your accommodation and spend the afternoon exploring independently. Chaweng Beach is the island's liveliest strip — great for beach clubs, markets, and restaurants. Alternatively head to quieter Lamai Beach or explore the quirky Big Buddha and Grandfather & Grandmother Rocks nearby.

🚌Raja Ferry or Lomprayah from Thong Sala to Koh Samui (~£9, ~45 mins). Songthaew around the island ~£1-3.

🛏Lub d Koh Samui or Chaweng Budget Guesthouse — dorm from ~£10/night, private room from ~£25/night

• →Ferry from Thong Sala Pier, Koh Pha Ngan to Koh Samui (~£8-10, Raja or Lomprayah)
• →Explore Chaweng Beach and the night market
• →Visit Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) — free entry
• →Relax at Lamai Beach
• →Street food and local restaurant dinner on Chaweng or Lamai (~£6-10)

Join a self-booked full-day excursion to Ang Thong National Marine Park — one of the Gulf of Thailand's most spectacular natural attractions, covering 42 islands. Tours depart from Na Thon Pier on Koh Samui and are widely available to book directly or via GetYourGuide and Klook. The day typically includes kayaking, snorkelling, hiking to a viewpoint, lunch, and a visit to the emerald salt lake that inspired Alex Garland's 'The Beach'. Return to Koh Samui in the late afternoon.

🚌Songthaew or Grab to Na Thon Pier (~£3-4). Day trip boat included in tour price.

🛏Lub d Koh Samui or Chaweng Budget Guesthouse — dorm from ~£10/night, private room from ~£25/night

• →Full-day Ang Thong National Marine Park boat trip (book via GetYourGuide or directly at Na Thon Pier — ~£35-45 including lunch, park fees, kayaking, and snorkelling)
• →Hike to the panoramic island viewpoint
• →Kayak through sea caves and around limestone karsts
• →Snorkel in crystal-clear waters
• →Visit the emerald salt lake (Thale Nai)

Enjoy a final breakfast in Koh Samui. Head to Koh Samui Airport for a flight back to Bangkok. Flights to Bangkok (Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi) depart regularly with Bangkok Airways and AirAsia — book in advance for the best prices. Note: your flight should not depart before 15:00 if you want a relaxed final morning. Arrive back in Bangkok and onward to your next destination.

🚌Flight Koh Samui (USM) to Bangkok (~£30-55). Book in advance on Bangkok Airways or AirAsia.

🛏N/A — depart today

• →Final breakfast at a beach café or local market
• →Last swim at Chaweng or Lamai Beach if time allows
• →Grab or songthaew to Koh Samui Airport (~£5-8)
• →Flight Koh Samui to Bangkok (~£30-55 on Bangkok Airways or AirAsia)