SmartVoyage
Get started
5 days · Limestone islands, beaches & longtail boats

Phuket & Krabi, Thailand Itinerary: 5 Perfect Days

This 5 days in Phuket & Krabi itinerary pairs Thailand's two Andaman Coast icons into one island-hopping week. Three days in Phuket cover its old Sino-Portuguese town, the big temples and viewpoints, and a full day among the limestone towers of the Phi Phi Islands; then a scenic ferry transfer delivers you to Krabi for Railay's cliff-ringed beach and the famous Four Islands tour. Come for the beaches, stay for the boat days — and time it to the dry season if you can, because the Andaman Sea rewards calm-water travellers.

Build my own Phuket & Krabi, Thailand planHow the AI planner works
Golden-hour aerial view over the Andaman Sea near Phuket and Krabi, Thailand, with limestone karst islands rising from turquoise water, a longtail boat crossing the bay and a white-sand beach beneath a glowing sunset sky

Best time to visit

November to March is the Andaman Coast's dry season — sunny, 23–32°C, with calm seas that make every island trip run smoothly; December and January are the busiest and priciest. April and May are hottest (up to 35°C) but quieter, with the Songkran water festival in mid-April. The southwest monsoon runs roughly May to October: expect afternoon downpours, choppier seas, cancelled boat trips and red-flag swimming days — but hotel rates can halve. If you travel in the green season, build flex days and check sea conditions the night before every island tour.

Getting around

In Phuket there is no rail, so use the Grab app for cars (cheap and everywhere), local songthaew buses on the main routes, and scooter rentals (₿250–350/day, license and helmet required) for confident riders. Between Phuket and Krabi, take the ferry from Rassada Pier to Ao Nang or Railay (about 2 hours in high season) or a shared minibus over the Sarasin Bridge (3–4 hours) — book a day ahead. In Krabi, Ao Nang is walkable and longtail boats shuttle to Railay from the beach all day (₿100–200 per person each way). Agree on longtail prices before boarding and carry cash: the islands and boats are a cash world.

The 5-day Phuket & Krabi, Thailand itinerary

Day 1

Phuket: Old Town, the Big Buddha and Promthep Cape sunset

  1. Morning

    Museum ₿150–250; breakfast ₿80–150

    Old Phuket Town's Sino-Portuguese streets

    Ease in with Phuket's most surprising quarter: the Old Town's shophouse streets — Thalang, Dibuk and Soi Romanee — where pastel Sino-Portuguese facades, Chinese shrines and colonial mansions line up under the bougainvillea. Duck into the Thai Hua Museum for the tin-mining history that built them, browse the indie shops and galleries, and graze a breakfast of roti or khanom chin from a local coffee house. Weekend mornings, the Walking Street market takes over Thalang Road.

    Old Phuket Town, Thalang Road, Phuket, Thailand

  2. Afternoon

    Free; scooter rental ₿250–350/day

    Big Buddha, Wat Chalong and Karon beach

    Ride or drive up Nakkerd Hill to the 45-metre marble Big Buddha, visible from half the island and serene up close, then descend to Wat Chalong, Phuket's most important temple, gilded and alive with worshippers. Shoulders and knees covered at both. Finish the afternoon on Karon or Kata beach — the sand is broad, the water warm, and a mango smoothie under an umbrella is the correct way to wait out the heat.

    Big Buddha Phuket, Chalong, Phuket, Thailand

  3. Evening

    Free; seafood dinner ₿300–600

    Promthep Cape sunset and a seafood dinner

    Claim a spot at Promthep Cape, the island's southern tip and its most famous sunset viewpoint — arrive 45 minutes before sundown because half of Phuket does the same. Watch the sky go orange over scattered islets, then head to Rawai's seafood strip or a beachfront restaurant on Kata for grilled fish, tom yum and Som Tam by the water. An easy, classic first Andaman evening.

    Promthep Cape, Rawai, Phuket, Thailand
Day 2

The Phi Phi Islands: Maya Bay, Bamboo Island and the lagoons

  1. Morning

    Full-day speedboat tour ₿1,500–2,500; park fee ₿400

    Speedboat to Phi Phi and Maya Bay

    The trip's big boat day: from Rassada or Ao Po pier, a speedboat crosses to the Phi Phi archipelago, where sheer limestone towers rise from water so clear the boats seem to float on air. The first stop is usually Maya Bay of 'The Beach' fame — reopened with strict protection rules (swimming is banned in the bay itself; you view it from the shallows and the boardwalk). Early tours beat both the crowds and the midday glare, so take the earliest departure you can stomach.

    Maya Bay, Ko Phi Phi Le, Krabi, Thailand

  2. Afternoon

    Included in tour; snacks ₿100–200

    Bamboo Island, Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave

    Continue around the archipelago: a swim-stop at white-sand Bamboo Island, snorkelling over coral gardens off Phi Phi Don (many tours include masks and a reef guide), the emerald, cliff-walled Pileh Lagoon — the day's best photographs happen here — and a slow cruise past Viking Cave, where bird's-nest harvesters' scaffolds cling to the rock. Lunch is usually included on Phi Phi Don between swims.

    Ko Phi Phi Don, Krabi, Thailand

  3. Evening

    Market dinner ₿150–300

    Back to Phuket for a night-market dinner

    Return to the pier by late afternoon with salt on your skin, and shower off before dinner. Head to a Phuket night market — Chillva Market on Thursday–Saturday or the weekend Walking Street — for boat noodles, grilled squid, roti pancakes and fresh shakes at stall prices, or book a table at a Blue Elephant-style refined Thai dining room if the day earned it. Sleep well: tomorrow you change islands.

    Chillva Market, Yaowarat Road, Phuket, Thailand
Day 3

To Krabi: the ferry transfer, Ao Nang and an evening by the karsts

  1. Morning

    Ferry ₿350–700; shuttle ₿150–250

    Ferry from Phuket to Krabi

    Check out early and make your way to Rassada Pier for the morning ferry to Krabi — two scenic hours across Phang Nga Bay, with the same limestone scenery the day-trippers pay for rolling past the windows. In high season boats run to Ao Nang and Railay directly; otherwise land at Krabi Town's Klong Jilad pier and take a shared shuttle (30 minutes) to Ao Nang. Overland instead? Buses and minibuses cross in three to four hours. Book the day before and confirm departure time.

    Rassada Pier, Phuket, Thailand

  2. Afternoon

    Massage ₿300–450; lunch ₿80–150

    Ao Nang beach, noodles and a Thai massage

    Settle into Ao Nang, Krabi's easygoing base beneath a wall of jungle-covered karsts. Walk the beachfront promenade, swim off the main beach, and get a late lunch of Krabi specialties — look for khanom jeen nam ya (rice noodles with fish curry) at a local shop. Then book the classic Thai or oil massage at one of the beachfront parlours: an hour costs less than lunch back home and resets every beach-worn muscle.

    Ao Nang Beach, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand

  3. Evening

    Market dinner ₿150–300; cocktail ₿150–250

    Sunset cocktails and the Ao Nang night market

    Watch the sun drop behind the limestone silhouettes from a beachfront bar — Ao Nang's west-facing beach throws a proper sunset most dry-season evenings. Then graze the night market on Soi RCA: massaman curries, roti, grilled prawns and fruit shakes at picnic tables, with live music most nights. Krabi runs slower than Phuket; let it.

    Ao Nang Night Market, Soi RCA, Ao Nang, Thailand
Day 4

Railay Beach: karst walls, the viewpoint hike and a fire-show evening

  1. Morning

    Longtail ₿100–200 each way

    Longtail to Railay and Phra Nang Cave Beach

    Ten minutes by longtail boat from Ao Nang and you're on Railay — a peninsula cut off from the mainland by cliffs, reachable only by boat. Start at Phra Nang (Princess Cave) Beach, often ranked among Thailand's best: white sand, dripping stalactite caves, a shrine of carved phalluses left by fishermen, and rock climbers dangling from the overhangs above the water. Swim before the midday boats arrive.

    Phra Nang Cave Beach, Railay, Krabi, Thailand

  2. Afternoon

    Viewpoint free; climbing half-day ₿1,000–1,500

    The Railay viewpoint and lagoon hike, or a climbing lesson

    Take the steep 20-minute scramble through the jungle to the Railay viewpoint, where the twin bays of the peninsula appear below the karst rim — steep, rooted and muddy after rain, so wear real shoes. The adventurous continue down to the hidden lagoon beneath. Prefer vertical fun to mud? Railay is one of the world's great climbing schools: a half-day beginner course on the limestone takes you up your first real wall with the sea behind you.

    Railay Beach Viewpoint, Railay, Krabi, Thailand

  3. Evening

    Dinner ₿200–500; beer ₿80–120

    Sunset drinks on East Railay and a fire show

    Stay for the evening — Railay at dusk is a different place. Walk to East Railay's mangrove-side strip for sunset drinks, then dinner at a cliff-foot restaurant; many bars run fire shows on the sand after dark, and the night sky over the karsts is genuinely dark. A longtail back to Ao Nang runs until early evening; later, some hotels arrange pickups, or book a night on the peninsula if you want a slow morning in paradise.

    East Railay Beach, Railay, Krabi, Thailand
Day 5

The Four Islands tour and a farewell fish barbecue

  1. Morning

    Group tour ₿800–1,500; park fee ₿400

    Four Islands by longtail: Phra Nang, Tub, Chicken and Poda

    Krabi's signature trip is delightfully simple: a half- or full-day longtail or speedboat hop across the Four Islands just off Ao Nang — snorkel stop at Chicken Island, the sandbar walk to Tub Island at low tide (the famous 'splitting sea'), swimming off Koh Poda's postcard beach and a return past Phra Nang. Group tours run ₿800–1,500 with lunch; a private longtail for the circuit costs ₿1,800–2,500 split between you. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and cash for park fees.

    Koh Poda, Nuea Khlong District, Krabi, Thailand

  2. Afternoon

    Free; snacks ₿100–200

    Last beach hours at Ao Nang or Nopparat Thara

    Back by mid-afternoon, spend the last hours the way the coast intends: a final swim at Nopparat Thara, the long, quiet local beach just past Ao Nang, or a hammock and a book at your hotel pool. Squeeze in the last of the mango sticky rice and an iced Thai tea — and if a souvenir hunt is on the list, Ao Nang's tailor and craft shops along the beach road close around eight.

    Nopparat Thara Beach, Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand

  3. Evening

    Seafood dinner ₿400–800

    Farewell seafood barbecue in Ao Nang

    Finish the trip Krabi-style: pick your prawns, snapper, squid and crab fresh on ice at one of the seafood-barbecue places along Ao Nang's beach road, where they grill your choices over coals and serve them with garlic, lime and chilli sauce at tables on the sand. One last sunset-coloured cocktail, one last look at the karst silhouettes going dark — the Andaman Coast signs off in style.

    Ao Nang Beach Road seafood restaurants, Ao Nang, Thailand

What 5 days in Phuket & Krabi, Thailand costs

Mid-range estimate: a three-star hotel or boutique pool room, a mix of Thai eateries and beach-club dinners, two full island boat tours, and a ferry transfer between Phuket and Krabi. Beach resorts and private longtail charters push you to the top; guesthouses in Ao Nang, night-market dinners and group speedboat tours keep it near the bottom. Islands, boats and national-park entries are cash expenses — carry baht.

Estimated daily total

฿2,800–฿6,000 (US$80–$170) per person, per day

Accommodation (per person, shared room)
฿1,250–฿2,700
Food & drink
฿700–฿1,500
Island tours, park fees & entries
฿550–฿1,200
Transport (ferries, longtails, Grab & songthaews)
฿300–฿600

Phuket & Krabi, Thailand weather by season

SeasonTypical range
Dry season (Nov–Feb)23–32°C / 73–90°F
Hot season (Mar–May)25–35°C / 77–95°F
Monsoon (May–Oct)24–31°C / 75–88°F
Shoulder (Oct–Nov)23–32°C / 73–90°F

SmartVoyage shows the live forecast, or seasonal averages for far-off dates, next to every day of a generated itinerary.

Practical tips for Phuket & Krabi, Thailand

  • Respect the flags: red flags on Phuket and Krabi beaches mean dangerous currents, not decoration — several west-coast beaches have serious rip tides, especially in monsoon season. Swim between the flags on patrolled beaches.
  • Book island tours and the Phuket–Krabi ferry a day or two ahead in high season, and always the night before in green season — sea conditions cancel trips regularly, so keep one flex day if you travel May–October.
  • Carry cash everywhere on the water. Longtail boats, park fees, island snacks and many beach restaurants are cash-only, and ATMs on the islands charge ₿220 per withdrawal.
  • Agree longtail prices before boarding and know the local rate: Ao Nang to Railay is ₿100–200 per person each way by day, more after dark. Charter boats are per-boat, not per-person — sharing splits the cost.
  • Dress code applies at the Big Buddha, Wat Chalong and any working temple: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off at the door. The Big Buddha also requests no topless sunbathing photos on the viewpoint terrace — it's a sacred site, not a viewpoint with a statue.
  • Watch the jet-ski scam that gives Phuket a bad name: photograph any rented jet ski or scooter from every angle before use, decline the 'damage' shakedown calmly, and rent from reputable operators with printed price lists.
  • Maya Bay has strict protection rules — swimming in the bay is prohibited and visits are time-limited. Choose tour operators who follow the rules; the reef is why you came, and it only stays worth coming for if the boats play nice.
  • Pack reef-safe sunscreen (some marine parks ban the ordinary kind), a dry bag for boat days, and real shoes for Railay's viewpoint trail — flip-flops are how that hike earns its reputation. A light rain shell earns its place year-round.

Phuket & Krabi, Thailand itinerary questions

Is 5 days enough for Phuket and Krabi?
Yes — five days lets you do both properly: three days in Phuket (Old Town, temples and viewpoints, one full island day) and two in Krabi (Railay and the Four Islands). Add a sixth day for Phang Nga Bay's James Bond Island and sea caves, or an overnight on Phi Phi if you'd rather wake up there.
What is the best time of year for Phuket and Krabi?
November to March — the dry season, with calm seas, sunshine and 23–32°C, ideal for every island tour in this itinerary. May to October is the southwest monsoon: cheaper hotels but real rain, rougher seas and cancelled boats. April and May are the hottest months, eased by Songkran's citywide water festival in mid-April.
How do I get from Phuket to Krabi?
The scenic way is the ferry from Rassada Pier to Ao Nang or Railay (about 2 hours, ₿350–700 in high season); the fast way is a shared minibus or bus overland (3–4 hours, ₿250–450), which runs year-round when seas are rough. Flights connect the airports in 50 minutes but rarely make sense for two beach towns this close.
How much does 5 days in Phuket and Krabi cost?
Budget ฿2,800–฿6,000 (US$80–$170) per person per day mid-range — roughly US$400–$850 for the five days including hotels, both island tours and the ferry between them. Guesthouses, night markets and group tours can pull it near US$60 a day; beach resorts and private longtail charters push it well past US$200.
Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay or the Four Islands — which tours do I really need?
Do one full-day trip from Phuket (Phi Phi for beaches and lagoons, Phang Nga Bay for the James Bond sea caves and canoe-through-the-rock experience) and the half-day Four Islands tour from Krabi. Together they cover the coast's two very different seascapes; doing both full-day trips from Phuket would repeat the idea.
Is Phuket and Krabi safe for tourists?
Yes — both are well-touristed and generally safe with normal sense: watch belongings on boats and at markets, use metered or app-based cars, and above all respect the sea. Rip currents, not crime, are the real hazard: obey red flags, snorkel with your tour, and check weather before any independent boat hire.

Want this plan built around your dates?

SmartVoyage generates a personalized Phuket & Krabi, Thailand itinerary with your budget, interests and live weather — your first one is free, no account needed.

Plan Phuket & Krabi, Thailand free

More destination itineraries

3 days in New York City, United States

3 days · Manhattan & Brooklyn

3 days in San Diego, United States

3 days · Coast, park & bay

3 days in Washington, D.C., United States

3 days · Mall, museums & neighbourhoods

3 days in Austin, United States

3 days · Music, food & the springs

3 days in London, United Kingdom

3 days · Westminster, the City & South Bank

3 days in Paris, France

3 days · Paris

3 days in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

3 days · Dubai

3 days in Rome, Italy

3 days · Ancient Rome & Vatican

3 days in Tokyo, Japan

3 days · Tokyo, Japan

10 days in Costa Rica

10 days · Volcano, cloud forest & Pacific coast

3 days in Barcelona, Spain

3 days · Gaudí, Gothic & the sea

3 days in Las Vegas, United States

3 days · Strip, downtown & desert

7 days in Portugal

7 days · Lisbon, Sintra & Comporta

5 days in Chicago, United States

5 days · Loop, lakefront & neighbourhoods

3 days in Amsterdam, Netherlands

3 days · Canals, museums & neighbourhoods

3 days in Dublin, Ireland

3 days · Georgian streets, history & coastal air

3 days in Venice, Italy

3 days · Canals, Byzantine art & the lagoon islands

4 days in Bangkok, Thailand

4 days · temples, river life & street food

3 days in Kyoto, Japan

3 days · temples, bamboo & old Kyoto lanes

5 days in Bali, Indonesia

5 days · Ubud, rice terraces, temples & the Bukit

4 days in Cancún, Mexico

4 days · Hotel Zone, Chichén Itzá, cenotes & Tulum

3 days in Mexico City, Mexico

3 days · Centro Histórico, Chapultepec, Coyoacán & Teotihuacán

3 days in Santorini, Greece

3 days · Oia, Fira & the caldera

3 days in Athens, Greece

3 days · Acropolis, Plaka & the Riviera

3 days in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

3 days · Christ the Redeemer, beaches & Sugarloaf

4 days in Istanbul, Turkey

4 days · Hagia Sophia, the Bosphorus & the bazaars

3 days in Miami, United States

3 days · South Beach, Wynwood & Calle Ocho

4 days in Maui, United States

4 days · Haleakala, Road to Hana & West Maui

3 days in Prague, Czech Republic

3 days · castles, bridges & spires

5 days in Reykjavik & the Ring Road, Iceland

5 days · waterfalls, glaciers & black sand

3 days in Marrakech, Morocco

3 days · medina, gardens & Atlas views

4 days in Seoul, South Korea

4 days · palaces, markets & neon nights

6 days in Ho Chi Minh City & Hoi An, Vietnam

6 days · Saigon energy & lantern-lit Hoi An

3 days in San Francisco, United States

3 days · Fog, bridges & neighborhood wandering

3 days in Portland, United States

3 days · Roses, bridges & food carts

3 days in Hong Kong, China

3 days · Skyline, dim sum & island trails

5 days in Bora Bora & Tahiti, French Polynesia

5 days · Lagoons, motus & overwater dreaming

4 days in Sydney, Australia

4 days · Harbour, beaches & the Blue Mountains

4 days in Queenstown, New Zealand

4 days · Alpine lake, adrenaline & fjords

4 days in Buenos Aires, Argentina

4 days · Tango, steak & grand avenues

7 days in Patagonia (El Calafate & Torres del Paine), Argentina & Chile

7 days · Glaciers, granite towers & two countries

5 days in Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru

5 days · Inca citadel, Sacred Valley & high Andes