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7 Days Bangkok to the South: City to Beach Paradise
7 Dayscentral-southernFrom $350-500

7 Days Bangkok to the South: City to Beach Paradise

The perfect week combining Bangkok's urban excitement with Southern Thailand's tropical beaches. Start with 3 days of temples, markets, and street food in the capital, then head south for Phuket's beaches and Krabi's dramatic limestone scenery.

Overview

The perfect week combining Bangkok's urban excitement with Southern Thailand's tropical beaches. Start with 3 days of temples, markets, and street food in the capital, then head south for Phuket's beaches and Krabi's dramatic limestone scenery.

7
Days
3
Cities
$350-500
Min Budget
6
Highlights

Trip Highlights

Grand Palace
Chatuchak Market
Phi Phi Islands
Railay Beach
Patong Beach
Tiger Cave Temple

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1

Arrive in Bangkok & Temple Tour

bangkok

Activities

Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
500 ($15)2-3 hours

Arrive at 8:30 AM opening. Cover shoulders and knees. The Emerald Buddha sits inside Wat Phra Kaew.

Wat Pho
200 ($6)1.5 hours

46-meter Reclining Buddha. Try a traditional Thai massage at the temple school (420 baht/hour).

Wat Arun
100 ($3)1 hour

Cross-river ferry (4 baht). Climb the steep prang for panoramic river views.

Yaowarat (Chinatown) Street Food
200-500 ($6-15)2-3 hours

Best after 6 PM. Try grilled seafood on Soi Texas, T&K Seafood for crab omelets, and mango sticky rice for dessert.

Meals

Breakfast
Jok (rice porridge) near your hotel (40-60 baht)
Lunch
Pad Thai at Thipsamai (60-100 baht)
Dinner
Chinatown street food crawl (200-500 baht)

Where to Stay

Boutique hotel near Wat Pho (1,500-3,000/night)
Airport Rail Link + BTS (45 baht) or taxi (200-400 baht + tolls).
2

Markets, Shopping & Nightlife

bangkok

Activities

Chatuchak Weekend Market
Free entry3-4 hours

15,000+ stalls. Sat-Sun only. Weekdays, visit Or Tor Kor Market next door for premium food.

Siam Area & MBK Center
Free entry2 hours

MBK for bargain electronics and clothes. Siam Paragon for luxury brands. All connected by BTS.

Lumpini Park
Free1 hour

Peaceful green oasis. Giant monitor lizards roam freely!

Rooftop Bar Experience
300-800 ($9-24) per drink2 hours

Sky Bar at Lebua or Octave Rooftop at Marriott Sukhumvit. Smart casual required.

Meals

Breakfast
Thai iced tea and toast at a local cafe (60-100 baht)
Lunch
Chatuchak food stalls or MBK food court (50-150 baht)
Dinner
Dinner at Thong Smith boat noodles or Somboon Seafood (200-800 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel near BTS Siam (1,500-3,500/night)
BTS Skytrain all day. Day pass: 140 baht.
3

Floating Market & Fly to Phuket

phuket

Activities

Morning Floating Market Visit
200 ($6) boat ride3 hours (including transport)

Quick early morning visit to Damnoen Saduak or Taling Chan (closer to city). Return by 11 AM for your flight.

Afternoon Flight to Phuket
1,500-4,000 ($45-120)1.5 hours

Multiple daily flights on AirAsia, Thai Lion, and Bangkok Airways. Book early for best prices.

Patong Beach Sunset
Free2 hours

Arrive, check in, and head straight to the beach for sunset. Feel the sand between your toes!

Bangla Road Evening
200-500 ($6-15)2 hours

Phuket's famous party street. Live music, bars, and neon lights.

Meals

Breakfast
Quick breakfast before floating market (grab on the go)
Lunch
Airport or in-flight (100-300 baht)
Dinner
Seafood dinner at No. 6 Restaurant, Patong (200-500 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Kata or Karon (1,500-3,500/night)
Flight Bangkok to Phuket: 1,500-4,000 baht (1.5 hours). Airport taxi to Patong: 600-800 baht.
4

Phi Phi Islands Day Trip

phuket

Activities

Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Tour
1,500-3,500 ($45-105)8-10 hours

Visit Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach, and snorkeling spots. Includes lunch and equipment. Book via Klook for discounts.

Maya Bay
400 ($12) park feeIncluded in tour

The famous beach from The Beach movie. Now restored and limited visitors. Swimming may be restricted.

Snorkeling at Bamboo Island
IncludedIncluded in tour

Crystal clear water and white sand. One of the best snorkeling spots in the region.

Meals

Breakfast
Early hotel breakfast (tours depart 7-8 AM)
Lunch
Lunch on Phi Phi Island (included in tour)
Dinner
Fresh grilled fish at a beach restaurant (200-500 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Kata Beach (1,500-3,500/night)
Tour includes hotel pickup from most Phuket hotels.
5

Phuket Highlights & Transfer to Krabi

krabi

Activities

Big Buddha Phuket
Free (donation)1 hour

45-meter marble Buddha with 360-degree views. Morning visit recommended.

Phuket Old Town Quick Visit
Free1 hour

Colorful Sino-Portuguese buildings and great coffee shops on Thalang Road.

Transfer to Krabi
300-600 ($9-18)2.5-3 hours

Minivan or bus from Phuket Bus Terminal. Or ferry if available (seasonal).

Ao Nang Beach Evening
Free2 hours

Settle into Krabi with a sunset walk along Ao Nang's beachfront promenade.

Meals

Breakfast
Hotel breakfast in Phuket
Lunch
Lock Tien in Old Town or en route (60-200 baht)
Dinner
Seafood dinner at Ao Nang beachfront (200-500 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Ao Nang (1,500-3,500/night)
Minivan Phuket to Krabi: 300-600 baht (2.5-3 hours).
6

Railay Beach & Rock Climbing

krabi

Activities

Longtail Boat to Railay Beach
200 ($6) return15 minutes

Boats from Ao Nang leave when full. Only accessible by boat - no roads!

Railay Beach & Phra Nang Cave Beach
Free3-4 hours

Walk from Railay West to Phra Nang Cave Beach for the most dramatic scenery with towering limestone cliffs.

Rock Climbing or Kayaking
800-2,500 ($24-75)2-3 hours

Half-day climbing courses available for beginners. Alternatively, kayak to hidden lagoons and caves.

Railay Viewpoint Hike
Free1-1.5 hours

Steep, slippery hike to lagoon and viewpoint. Proper shoes essential - no flip flops!

Meals

Breakfast
Breakfast at Ao Nang hotel or cafe (80-200 baht)
Lunch
Fresh coconut and Thai food at Railay beach restaurant (150-300 baht)
Dinner
The Grotto at Railay or seafood in Ao Nang (300-700 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Ao Nang or Railay Village (2,000-4,000/night)
Longtail boat Ao Nang to Railay: 100-200 baht each way.
7

Tiger Cave Temple, Emerald Pool & Farewell

krabi

Activities

Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
Free2 hours

1,237 steps to the summit. Start early (7-8 AM) to avoid the midday heat. Bring lots of water. The views from the top are incredible.

Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot)
200 ($6)1.5 hours

Crystal clear emerald pool in the rainforest. Swim in the natural pool surrounded by jungle. Don't miss the Blue Pool (no swimming).

Klong Thom Hot Springs
200 ($6)1 hour

Natural hot springs near Emerald Pool. Perfect way to relax tired muscles after Tiger Cave.

Farewell Sunset at Ao Nang
Free1.5 hours

End your trip with a final sunset over the Andaman Sea. Cheers!

Meals

Breakfast
Early breakfast at hotel before Tiger Cave (6-7 AM start recommended)
Lunch
Local restaurant near Emerald Pool (80-200 baht)
Dinner
Farewell dinner at Lae Lay Grill with panoramic sea views (400-800 baht)

Where to Stay

Hotel in Ao Nang (1,500-3,500/night)
Hire taxi/songthaew for day trip: 1,500-2,000 baht. Flight from Krabi airport back home.

Transport Between Cities

bangkokphuket
flight
1.5 hours
1,500-4,000
bus
12-14 hours
500-900
phuketkrabi
bus
3-4 hours
200-400
taxi
2.5-3 hours
2,000-2,500
ferry
2-3 hours
400-800

Packing Tips

Light clothing for city and beach
Swimsuit and rash guard
Reef-safe sunscreen
Temple-appropriate clothing
Water shoes
Waterproof phone case
Hiking shoes for Tiger Cave Temple
Light rain jacket

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does 7 days in Thailand cost?

A 7-day trip to Thailand costs approximately $350-500 on a budget, $800-1,200 for mid-range travel, and $2,000-3,500 for a luxury experience. This includes accommodation, food, transport, and activities.

What is the best time to visit central-southern Thailand?

The best time to visit central-southern Thailand is November to March. This period offers the most favorable weather and fewer crowds.

Is 7 days enough for Thailand?

Yes, 7 days is a great amount of time to explore multiple destinations. This itinerary covers bangkok, phuket, krabi with a well-planned day-by-day schedule.

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New content added regularly! Check back often for the latest Thailand travel guides and tips!