Two Weeks in Thailand: The Krabi to Koh Lipe Route I’d Book (and What Our Khao Lak Trip Taught Me)
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Two Weeks in Thailand: The Route I’d Book After Khao Lak
Our one Thailand trip was nine days based at a single resort in Khao Lak, day-tripping to the Similan Islands and diving Richelieu Rock. We never got south to Krabi, Koh Lanta, or Koh Lipe, and we never made it to Bangkok. This is the route I’d book to close that gap — pieced together from ferry schedules, dive shop listings, and what other travelers report after doing exactly this stretch of coast, with the Andaman Sea conditions and boat-day realities I can vouch for from our own week on that water.
Headed further into Asia? The India Golden Triangle pairs well with a Southeast Asia loop on the same long-haul ticket.
Quick Reference: The Route I’d Book — Andaman Coast Extension
- Route: Krabi > Koh Lanta > Koh Lipe > Phuket > Bangkok
- Duration: 14 days
- Flights: researched at ~70,000 miles per person on partner programs, or $800-1,200 cash
- Hotels: 2,000-4,000 baht/night ($55-115), per current listings
- Best island (traveler consensus): Koh Lipe for water clarity | Koh Lanta for pace
- Best food (from what I’ve read): Bangkok Chinatown
- Skip, per repeated traveler feedback: the Phi Phi day trip, Patong Beach
- Best time (confirmed from our own January trip): January-March, dry season, Andaman coast
The Route I’d Book: South Along the Andaman Coast
The obvious version of this trip flies into Phuket, ferries to Krabi, island-hops south to Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe, then backtracks to Phuket to fly out through Bangkok. Several trip reports flag the same problem with that shape: you pass through Phuket twice, and coming back through it after Koh Lipe’s water makes the town feel loud and redundant by comparison. Worth planning around before you book flights, not after.
The 14-Day Itinerary I’d Book
- Days 1-2: Fly into Phuket. Big Buddha, Old Town, Kata Beach. Get Phuket out of the way while you’re fresh.
- Days 3-5: Ferry to Krabi/Ao Nang. Railay Beach, Four Islands tour, diving (2 days).
- Days 6-9: Speedboat to Koh Lanta (90 min). 4 nights minimum. Scooter the island, Old Town, Koh Rok snorkeling, national park.
- Days 10-12: Speedboat to Koh Lipe (2 hrs). Sunrise Beach, Walking Street, diving at Koh Adang.
- Days 13-14: Fly from Hat Yai or Trang to Bangkok. Temples, Chinatown, Chatuchak. Fly home.
This order moves south the entire trip — no backtracking. It starts at the busiest place (Phuket), builds toward the quietest (Koh Lipe), and finishes with Bangkok’s chaos as a deliberate reset. The alternative — Phuket after Koh Lipe — is the one multiple trip reports warn against, for the same reason: it’s dessert before the steak.
What I’d Book
Fly into Krabi (KBV) directly instead of Phuket. There are direct flights from Bangkok and Singapore. The Phuket-to-Krabi ferry transfer costs two hours and adds nothing, per every routing thread on this. If you’re starting on the Andaman coast, start where the coast actually gets interesting.
Krabi and Ao Nang: The Starting Point
Ao Nang is the main tourist hub on the Krabi coast. The beach itself is fine but not spectacular, by most accounts — the real draws are the day trips and the diving. Three days is the base length most itineraries settle on, and that matches how the day trips below are timed.
Railay Beach
A 15-minute longtail boat ride from Ao Nang and it’s a different world by every account: towering limestone karsts, clear water, no roads in or out — you can only arrive by boat. Plan a full day for climbing around the caves and swimming at Phra Nang Beach, where a cave shrine sits right at the waterline. The karst geology is the same family of limestone we saw at Phang Nga Bay from Khao Lak, minus the James Bond Island crowds. Travelers who’ve done both say Railay alone justifies staying in Krabi.
Four Islands Tour
The classic Krabi day trip: Chicken Island, Tup Island, Poda Island, and Phra Nang Cave. A private longtail runs about 1,500 baht ($45), and travelers who book it over the group boats say the flexibility to linger justifies the premium at the quieter spots. Multiple reports rate the snorkeling off Chicken Island as surprisingly good — on par with, or better than, some paid snorkel tours elsewhere in the region.
Diving in Krabi
Multiple PADI shops operate out of Ao Nang. Divers report visibility around 15-20 meters on the fun-dive sites off the coast, with reef sharks, moray eels, and large schools of fusiliers coming up repeatedly in trip logs. A two-dive day trip runs about 3,000-4,000 baht ($85-115) including equipment — in the same range as what we paid for gear-inclusive diving out of Khao Lak.
What I’d Book
Budget more than two dive days. At $85-115 for a two-dive day trip with gear, this is in line with what we paid diving Richelieu Rock out of Khao Lak — roughly half the cost of comparable Caribbean diving for equivalent or better marine life density. If Krabi’s sites deliver anything close to what Richelieu Rock did for us, that’s not a corner to cut. Sites further out from Ao Nang reportedly have better visibility than the closer ones.
Koh Lanta: The Island I’d Build the Trip Around
Of the islands on this route, Koh Lanta is the one that comes up most often as the trip highlight — travelers consistently describe it as more authentic, greener, and less touristy than Krabi or Phi Phi. A speedboat from Krabi runs about 90 minutes, much faster than the 4-hour ferry.
The west coast beaches run from busy in the north (Long Beach, Klong Dao) to nearly deserted in the south. The southern end gets the most consistent recommendation — fewer people, better sunsets, a more laid-back atmosphere. Renting a scooter (about 250-300 baht per day) is the standard way to see the whole island, which by most accounts changes character every few kilometers.
The east coast has an Old Town with stilted houses over the water and, per multiple reviews, some excellent small restaurants — the local life, away from the tourist beach strips. The national park at the southern tip has a lighthouse with views across the water to neighboring islands; the short hike through the jungle to get there is described as muggy but repaid at the top.
A four-island snorkeling trip from Koh Lanta that includes Koh Rok comes up repeatedly as the single best snorkeling day trip on this coast — the water clarity reports rival what we saw at the Similan Islands from Khao Lak. If you only book one snorkeling day trip on this route, this is the one travelers point to.
What I’d Book
Book at least four nights on Koh Lanta, not two. The consistent complaint in trip reports that try to do it in two nights is that it feels rushed for an island whose whole point is slowing down. Four nights fits one day of scooter exploration, one snorkeling trip, one dive day, and one genuine rest day.
Koh Lipe: Thailand’s Maldives
Koh Lipe is a tiny island near the Malaysian border, and getting there takes some effort — speedboat from Koh Lanta runs about two hours over open water. Every account we’ve read says it’s worth the journey.
The water is reported as absurdly clear, the beaches are white sand, and the island is small enough to walk across in 20 minutes. Sunrise Beach on the east side is the best strip of sand by most rankings, and the snorkeling right off the beach is excellent enough that clownfish, parrotfish, and sea turtle sightings show up in trip report after trip report without anyone getting on a boat.
Walking Street runs through the center of the island with restaurants, bars, and shops. It gets lively at night but reportedly never feels overwhelming. Three nights is the length most itineraries settle on — the island is small and there is not a ton to do beyond beach time, diving, and eating. That’s the point.
Diving here is regularly ranked among the best in Thailand — the sites around Koh Adang and Koh Rawi have healthy coral, strong visibility, and manta ray sightings in the right season, per multiple dive shop logs.
What I’d Book
Take seasickness medication before the Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe speedboat. I know from our own speedboat day out of Khao Lak to Phang Nga Bay — calmer, sheltered water compared to an open Andaman crossing — that even a short, protected leg had half the boat feeling it by the end. A two-hour crossing over open water with no land in sight is a different order of problem. Dramamine or its equivalent is 30 baht at any pharmacy; take it an hour before departure.
Phuket: Honestly, You Could Skip It
After the smaller islands, Phuket reads as big and busy in nearly every comparison. We only transited Phuket’s airport on the way to Khao Lak and never stayed in town, but Kata Beach comes up repeatedly as the middle ground between the chaos of Patong and the quieter southern beaches.
The Big Buddha viewpoint above Chalong is worth a visit for the panoramic views, by most accounts, and the Old Town in Phuket City has Sino-Portuguese architecture and good street food. A day trip to Racha Yai island for diving — good visibility, a submerged shipwreck — is a common way to close out a Phuket stop. Two dives including equipment and lunch run about 4,500 baht ($130).
The Siam Niramit show, a cultural performance with elaborate sets and hundreds of performers, is on most Phuket shortlists. Reviews call it touristy but impressive in scale — a decent overview of Thai history and culture in one evening.
What I’d Book
Put Phuket at the beginning of the trip or cut it entirely. After Koh Lipe’s water, Phuket’s more crowded shores read as a downgrade in trip report after trip report. If you keep it, do it first — the Big Buddha, Old Town, and Racha Yai diving are well-reviewed, but they play better as an opener than a closer. Two nights max; the extra time is better spent on Koh Lanta.
Bangkok: Temples, Markets, and Street Food
Finishing with three days in Bangkok is the move most itineraries land on — a city reset after that much beach time. By every account, Bangkok is intense, hot, loud, and endlessly interesting.
The Temples
The Grand Palace and Wat Pho (the reclining Buddha) are the obvious starting points, and multiple sources agree they’re popular for a reason. Go early — 8am early — to beat the worst of the crowds and heat. Wat Arun across the river is reportedly just as impressive and much less crowded, especially at sunset. The ferry across costs almost nothing, and the views of Wat Arun from the water are consistently rated among the best photos you’ll take in Bangkok.
Chinatown (Yaowarat Road)
Yaowarat Road at night comes up as the best food in Thailand more often than any other single recommendation across the trip reports and Reddit threads on this — pad thai from a cart, grilled prawns, mango sticky rice, fresh coconut ice cream. Travelers consistently price a full street-food dinner for two around 500 baht ($15), and rate it above restaurant meals elsewhere on the route. If you only have one night in Bangkok, this is where people say to spend it.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Over 15,000 stalls spread across 35 acres — half a day reportedly covers only a quarter of it. Good for clothes, home goods, vintage items, and people-watching.
What I’d Book
Get to Chatuchak at 9am when it opens, not midday. The recurring complaint in reviews that arrive around noon is that the heat inside the covered sections is staggering — minimal air circulation and tens of thousands of bodies in a space built for a fraction of that. Morning shoppers skew local and vendors are said to negotiate more before the tourist rush hits.
What This Route Would Cost
Thailand 14-Day Cost Breakdown (per person)
| Flights | ~70,000 AA miles | or ~$800-1,200 cash |
| Hotels (13 nights) | $715-1,495 | 2,000-4,000 baht/night |
| Island ferries/speedboats | $70-175 | 600-1,500 baht/leg, 4 legs |
| Diving (3 days x 2 dives) | $255-390 | 3,000-4,500 baht/day |
| Day trips and tours | $75-130 | Four Islands, Koh Rok snorkel, Siam Niramit |
| Food (14 days) | $280-560 | street food $3-6, restaurants $9-17 |
| Scooter rental | $20-25 | 250-300 baht/day, 3 days on Koh Lanta |
| Thai massage | $35-70 | 200-400 baht/hr, budget one per day |
| Total (excluding flights) | $1,450-2,845 |
Thai massage is listed as a line item because you should treat it as non-negotiable, not optional. 200-400 baht per hour is $6-12. Budget one per day and your body will thank you after the diving and island hopping.
Thailand Tips That Actually Matter
Timing and Season
January is peak season on the Andaman coast — dry, warm, clear water. Book ferries and hotels in advance, especially for Koh Lipe where capacity is limited. The Gulf coast islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) have different weather patterns and are better in spring.
Getting Around
Speedboats between islands are worth the extra cost over slow ferries. The time savings is massive and the slow ferries aren’t meaningfully cheaper once you factor in the half-day you lose. Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber) works well in Phuket and Bangkok but doesn’t exist on the small islands — arrange transport through your hotel.
Money
Cash is still king on the smaller islands. ATMs exist but charge 220 baht per withdrawal regardless of amount — withdraw large amounts to minimize fees. Get a local SIM card at the airport: AIS or TrueMove have tourist packages for about 300 baht with plenty of data.
Diving Value
Thailand diving is some of the cheapest quality diving in the world. If you have any interest at all, don’t wait for “another trip.” A two-dive day trip with full gear runs $85-130. The same experience in the Caribbean or Mediterranean costs $200-300. The Andaman Sea marine life — reef sharks, manta rays, whale sharks in season — rivals destinations that charge three times the price.
Sunscreen and Coral
Bring reef-safe sunscreen. The coral around Koh Lipe and Koh Rok is too beautiful to damage, and regular sunscreen chemicals demonstrably kill coral. This isn’t a suggestion — several marine parks are starting to enforce it.
If we book this extension, the plan above is where we’d start: more nights on Koh Lanta than the two-night version most people try, real dive days in Krabi, and Chatuchak before the heat kicks in. Nothing here replaces going, but between the ferry schedules, the dive shop pricing, and what our own January week in Khao Lak told us about this coast in this season, it’s the closest thing to a tested plan we can hand you without having done it ourselves.
Book Tours and Activities
Book on Klook:
- Phi Phi Islands Day Trip
- James Bond Island Tour
- Similan Islands Snorkeling Day Trip
- Bangkok Temple and Grand Palace Tour
Find Flights to Bangkok
Cheapest Flights to Bangkok
| Departure at | Return at | Stops | Airline | Find tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2026 | 2 June 2026 | Direct |  |
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Thailand Tips
- January is peak season — book ferries, speedboats, and hotels in advance, especially for Koh Lipe where accommodations are limited and fill early
- Speedboats are worth the price premium over slow ferries on every leg. The time savings compound over a multi-island trip
- Get a local SIM at the airport on arrival. AIS and TrueMove both have tourist packages for about 300 baht that work well across the islands
- Cash is king on the smaller islands. ATMs exist on Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe but charge 220 baht per withdrawal. Stock up in Krabi or Phuket before heading south
- Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber equivalent) works in Phuket and Bangkok but not on the small islands. Factor walking or scooter time into Koh Lanta logistics
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen and use it. The coral around Koh Rok and the dive sites near Koh Adang is some of the healthiest in the region — oxybenzone-based sunscreen is a real problem
- Thai massage is everywhere and costs 200–400 baht per hour. After days of diving and hiking, this is not optional
- Book Chatuchak on Saturday rather than Sunday — more vendors open and slightly less crowded. Either way, go at opening (9 AM) not midday
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Gear and Guides We Recommend
Planning a similar trip? Here are some items we found useful:
- Thailand travel guide
- reef-safe sunscreen
- waterproof dry bag
- compact snorkel set
- travel insect repellent
- motion sickness tablets (essential for the Koh Lanta–Koh Lipe crossing)
These are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support this site.
Book Activities in Thailand:
- Thailand tours on GetYourGuide
- Thailand activities on Klook
- Thailand ferry and speedboat tickets on 12Go
Compare flights on Skyscanner — and grab an Airalo eSIM before you land so you have data the moment you arrive.
Tours: Singapore tours on Viator
Frequently Asked Questions
Book hotels: Search Booking.com hotels
Is two weeks enough for Thailand?
Two weeks covers the Andaman coast plus Bangkok comfortably, based on the itinerary above: Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe, Phuket, and Bangkok. Two weeks works if you’re decisive about where to spend the nights; add a third week if you want to fold in Gulf coast islands like Koh Samui or Koh Tao.
What is the best time to visit Thailand?
January through March for the Andaman coast — dry season, clear water, manageable crowds before European spring break. November through February for the Gulf coast (Koh Samui side). Avoid April and May on either coast: extreme heat, rain building on the Gulf side, and April in Bangkok is genuinely punishing.
Is Koh Lipe worth the effort to get there?
Yes, by every account we’ve read. The water is reported as the clearest in Thailand, the beaches are white sand, and the island is small enough to feel manageable rather than overwhelming. The speedboat from Pak Bara on the mainland takes about 90 minutes; from Koh Lanta it’s around two hours. Take seasickness medication for the open-water crossing — the effort is real, but so is the payoff.
Should I fly into Phuket or Krabi?
Krabi if your first stop is the southern islands. Phuket if you’re starting in Phuket or want maximum flight options. Krabi airport (KBV) is smaller with fewer international connections, but Bangkok Airways and other carriers connect it to Bangkok with short flight times. Flying into Krabi and skipping the two-hour ferry transfer from Phuket saves time and starts the trip in the right place.
How does diving in Thailand compare to other destinations on value?
Yes — Thailand is one of the best value dive destinations in the world. A two-dive day trip with equipment runs 3,000–4,500 baht ($85–130). That’s roughly half the cost of comparable diving in the Caribbean, and the conditions in January are excellent: warm water, good visibility, healthy marine life. If you dive, this trip should have more dive days than you think you need.
Is Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi better?
Koh Lanta, and it’s not close for the kind of trip this itinerary describes. Koh Phi Phi is famous and the scenery is spectacular, but it’s also extremely crowded, the party scene dominates, and it doesn’t have the island character that makes Koh Lanta memorable. Phi Phi is worth a day trip from Krabi to see the scenery; Koh Lanta is worth staying on for three or four nights. They’re solving different problems.
Travel Insurance: We use SafetyWing for travel insurance on every international trip. It covers medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and lost luggage starting at $45/month with no fixed end date — useful for multi-island itineraries where plans change.
Related: Southeast Asia Tours Worth Booking
Need a rental car? Compare car rental prices for your trip.
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Written by Jenna Fattah
I have visited 25+ countries across 6 continents, attended 7 Formula 1 races, and spent 4 years writing about what actually works and what I would do differently. Every recommendation on this site comes from trips I planned and paid for myself. Read more about me
