Booking multi-destination trips can be SO overwhelming, especially when it’s in a place with endless possibilities. How to book a trip to Thailand is probably my most-requested blog post to date and understandably so. With the variety of islands and different destinations in the country, it’s hard to know how to go about reserving it all. I’m laying out all the details for flights, accommodations, transports, ferries and even prices, on a per person basis.
Here’s How to Book a Trip to Thailand – My Experience:
The Thailand Itinerary
Beginning with flying out of San Francisco to Taiwan, we had a small layover before continuing on to Bangkok. Stayed at Lebua State Tower for 2 nights before flying to Krabi, we took a ferry to the Phi Phi Islands. After 3 nights there, we took another ferry, a bus and then one more boat ride before arriving in Koh Samui for 2 days. One last ferry ride brought us to Koh Tao for 2 nights before heading back home. That route was achieved with a ferry to Koh Samui, a flight back to Bangkok and a connection in Taiwan, arriving back home in San Francisco.
Thailand
Read More about my time in Bangkok, Phi Phi, Koh Samui and Koh Tao
Getting to Thailand
First and foremost, sometimes purchasing a full round trip flight ends up being more expensive. I book one-way tickets a lot, which is exactly what I did for this trip. To get to Thailand, we left San Francisco at 1:20 AM, flew 13.5 hours to arrive in Taipei at 5:50 AM. Our connection was a 3.5 hour flight, arriving at 11:35 AM in Bangkok.
One-Way Flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Bangkok (BKK) → $220
Before arriving to the accommodation at Lebua State Tower, we call to ask how much we should expect to pay for a taxi. They tell us not to dish out more than 600 baht, or around $18. Using this price to negotiate with a taxi driver, he takes the deal, as long as we pay for the tolls too. DEAL!
Always negotiate prices with your taxi drivers before getting in. Most cover up their meter so you’re unable to see how much it really should be.
Taxi from Airport to Lebua State Tower → $18 (600 Baht)
Bangkok
Staying at Lebua State Tower in Bangkok was the best decision! From the rooftop bars to the stunning views of surrounding Bangkok, I would definitely stay here again. While it’s a bit pricier than most accommodations in Bangkok, I think it’s totally worth it.
Nightly Accommodation at Lebua State Tower → $120
As a day excursion, we take a wooden long tail boat ride to the the heart of Bangkok in Phra Nakhon District. After exploring around this area, we hop on a Tuk Tuk to Chinatown before walking back to Lebua. (Don’t forget to negotiate with your Tuk Tuk driver too!)
Read More: Bangkok in 48 Hours / Drinking at the Sky Bar at Lebua
When you’re at the capital, beware of scammers. You’ll be approached by men with maps, saying they’ll take you by Tuk Tuk around to the different tourist spots. After throwing a price at you that you can’t resist, they’ll show you the sights and then bring you to a shop where you’re basically forced to buy something before you can leave. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is!
One-Way Long Tail Boat Ride → $5 (160 Baht)
Tuk Tuk to Chinatown → $12.50 (400 Baht)
Getting to the Phi Phi Islands
I originally wasn’t going to the Phi Phi Islands until I talked with some bloggers who basically told me I couldn’t miss it. And holy moly am I SO glad I went! It’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been.
Read More: Spending 3 Days on the Phi Phi Islands
Arranging a taxi through Lebua in Bangkok, we ride to the DMK airport and hop on an 8:25 AM flight with Thai Lion, arriving to Krabi (KBV) at 9:50 AM.
Taxi From Lebua State Tower to Bangkok (DMK) Airport → $15 (500 Baht)
One-Way Flight from Bangkok (DMK) to Krabi (KBV) → $85
Instead of buying a taxi and ferry separate, I booked an entire transfer through Arunsiri Travel. Picking us up from KBV airport in a private, air-conditioned van, we ride 20 minutes to Krabi’s Klong Jilad Pier.
Taxi to Klong Jilad Pier and Ferry to Phi Phi → $20
Phi Phi
Upon arrival to the Ao Tonsai Pier on the Phi Phi Islands, there’s a 20 Baht ($0.63) charge landing fee for non-natives to “aid in the clean-up” of the islands.
Booking our accommodation through AirBnb, the Phuphaya Seaview Resort was everything we needed for a place to stay.
3 Night’s Accommodation at Phuphaya Seaview (Breakfast Included) → $60
While in Phi Phi we embark on a full day boat tour, stopping at various islands and snorkeling the reefs. They provide an included lunch and a stop at the National Park of Bamboo Island.
Full Day Boat Tour → $50 (1600 Baht)
Landing Fee for Bamboo Island → $12.50 (400 Baht)
Read More: Exploring the Phi Phi Islands by Boat
Getting to Koh Samui
It’s definitely not convenient to get to Koh Samui from Phi Phi. Since Phi Phi is the west side of Thailand’s archipelago and Koh Samui on the east, transfers require a full day of traveling, depending on the route you take.
Going with the cheapest option, I booked a full Koh Phi Phi to Koh Samui High Speed Transfer through GetYourGuide.com. Departing by ferry from Phi Phi’s Tonsai Pier at 9 AM, we arrived to Krabi’s Klong Jilad Pier at 11. A charter bus drove us 3 hours to the Donsak Pier in Surat Thani. At that pier, we hopped on a 2 hour ferry to Koh Samui, arriving to the Bangrak Pier at 4 PM.
Get Your Guide High Speed Transfer → $30
Koh Samui
Before heading on this trip, I read about the discrepancies with the taxis on Koh Samui so I downloaded the Navigo Thailand app before arriving. Upon landing at the pier, we pull up the app and go through the ordering process of finding a driver. I uses that price on the app to negotiate with the taxi drivers at the pier. While he didn’t seem very thrilled by my tactics, I did barter our transport down from 1200 to 600 Baht.
Navigo Taxi from Bangrak Pier in Chaweng to Lamai Beach → $18 (600 Baht)
For the first night in Koh Samui, I booked accommodation through Expedia with Am Samui Palace, a gorgeous hotel in Lamai.
Nightly Accommodation at Am Samui Palace → $50 (Breakfast Included)
After staying in Lamai for a night, we use the Navigo Thailand app again for transport over to the Mae Nam district. The driver takes us off the beaten path through the mountains in central Koh Samui, the trip taking about 40 minutes.
Navigo Taxi from Lamai to Mae Nam → $18
Since the plan is to depart from the Mae Nam pier early the next morning, staying somewhere close to that made sense. Booking one night stay with the Coco Palm Beach Resort, we lodged in our own private villa. While this place wasn’t the nicest of accommodations, it was exactly what we needed for the night. We killed some time by drinking and lounging in beach chairs and enjoying a 90 minute couples massage at sunset.
Nightly Accommodation at Coco Palm Beach Resort → $19
Couples Massage on the Beach → $19 (600 Baht)
Getting to Koh Tao
In order to navigate over to Koh Tao, I book a one-way ferry with Lomprayah from Koh Samui through FerrySamui.com. Leaving from the Mae Nam Pier at 8 AM, we arrive to Koh Tao’s Mae Haad Pier at 9:30 AM. One stop is made along the route at the island of Ko Pha Ngan.
One-Way Ferry from Koh Samui to Koh Tao → $18
After arriving at the Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao, our accommodation previously arranged transport for us to our AirBnb. Hopping in the bed of his pick-up truck, we arrive to the gorgeous Plantation near Sairee Beach.
This accommodation was, hands down, the most incredible place we stayed in Thailand. I mean, check out those views!
Nightly Accommodation at The Plantation → $85
While in Koh Tao, we try to take a taxi boat to Koh Nang Yuan but with the typhoon a-brewin’ in the Philippines, all boats were canceled. Completely gutted, we decide to get another couples massage before renting a scooter to explore the island.
Motorbike Rental → $3 (100 Baht)
Massages on the Beach → $12.50 (400 Baht)
Read More: Basking in the Paradise of Koh Tao: A Travel Diary
Leaving Thailand
And so begins the crazy trek to get home. The first part of it is leaving Koh Tao at 9 AM, riding on a ferry through Seatran Discovery and arriving back to the Bangrak pier in Koh Samui at 11 AM. I booked that transfer through FerrySamui.com as well.
One-Way Ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui → $18
After getting back to Koh Samui, we kill some time by going to the beach then walking 2 miles to Koh Samui’s airport. After hanging out around there, we fly from Koh Samui to Bangkok (BKK) from 7:25 PM to 8:40 PM.
One-Way Flight from Koh Samui (USM) to Bangkok (BKK) → $100
Arriving in Bangkok, we hang out there for a few hours before hopping on a 1:45 AM flight to Taiwan, arriving at 6:35 AM. A couple hours of layover in Taiwan, we catch our connection to San Francisco, leaving at 10:15 AM and getting to California at 6:30 AM
One-Way Flight from Bangkok (BKK) to San Francisco (SFO) → $220
How Much It Cost Me to Book a Trip to Thailand
In total, we were in Thailand for 10 days. With 6 flights, 5 ferries, 5 different accommodations, multiple taxis, random activities and a ridiculously amazing time later, the grand total it cost for me to go to Thailand was $1482.
Keep in mind that your trip to Thailand could end up being way cheaper or way more expensive than what I spent. If I really wanted to save more, I could’ve stayed in hostels or less-expensive accommodations. This was our big international trip of the year so we went all out for it. I couldn’t ask for a better experience for my first trip to Asia!
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