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Man admiring breathtaking sunset view of Koh Nang Yuan Island in Thailand.

Backpacker route · 2–3 weeks

Thai islands: the Gulf (Koh Tao, Koh Phangan) and the Andaman coast

A two-to-three-week island route that starts on the Gulf of Thailand at Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, crosses the peninsula to Ao Nang, and finishes at Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Each hostel is booked separately.

Photo: Darren Lawrence / Pexels

Thailand has two island coasts with different weather. Koh Tao and Koh Phangan sit in the Gulf of Thailand on the east side of the peninsula; Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta lie on the Andaman Sea to the west. This route links them in one trip by working across the peninsula once, rather than doubling back.

Ferries are the main transport, and sea conditions matter. UK government advice notes that boats can be overloaded or poorly maintained and that rough seas in the monsoon raise the risk, so choose a reputable operator and follow weather warnings. Some boat services are reduced or suspended in the wet season on both coasts. Each hostel on the route is booked separately.

Each hostel on this route is booked separately with Hostelworld. There is no combined package, and transport is booked with each operator. Duration basis: Estimated by adding the suggested nights at each stop (roughly 14–19 nights) to the ferry and transfer days between them. Several legs are combined bus-and-boat journeys that take most of a day.

  1. To Koh Phangan: Passenger ferry, typically around 1–1.5 hours. Services run daily but can be cancelled in rough weather.

  2. To Ao Nang: A combined ferry, bus or minivan journey via the mainland (Surat Thani area) to Krabi, typically around 8–10 hours in total. Many travellers book a through-ticket; ask your hostel to check the current timetable.

  3. To Koh Phi Phi: Ferry or speedboat from the Krabi area, typically around 1.5–2 hours depending on the pier and boat.

  4. To Koh Lanta: Ferry or minibus-and-boat combination, typically around 1.5–2 hours. Schedules are reduced in the wet season.

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Route tips

  • Check the season for each coast. UK government advice says the rainy season is generally May to October, and November to March around Koh Samui and the south-east, so travelling between about January and April is often easiest, but check yourself.
  • Allow slack for weather. Ferries can be cancelled or delayed, so don't book a flight on the same day as a boat.
  • Swimming conditions can be hazardous: currents can be extremely strong, and UK government advice says jellyfish can come close to shore between May and October.
  • Fly into Samui (USM) or Surat Thani (URT) for the Gulf, and out of Krabi (KBV) from the Andaman side.
  • Each hostel is booked separately, so confirm check-in times for late ferry arrivals.

Sources and review

Reviewed by the HostelConnect editorial team on 8 November 2026. Check entry rules, transport and conditions with official sources before you travel.