Islands & Temples

From Suvarnabhumi to the City

The City Line Airport Express train to Phaya Thai station (around 45 minutes, ฿45) is the most reliable option given Bangkok’s traffic; from there, take a taxi or tuk-tuk to your hotel by the river.

The Grand Palace and Wat Pho

The residence of Thai kings since the 18th century and Thailand's main temple complex — the dress code is strict (covered shoulders and knees, no shorts). Nearby is Wat Pho with its 46-meter reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf, and the country’s oldest school of traditional Thai massage located at the temple.

Sunset at Wat Arun

The Temple of Dawn on the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River looks best at sunset — from the water or the embankment opposite, when the ceramic mosaic on the prang glows in the slanting rays. Crossing the river by boat takes a couple of minutes and a few baht.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

About an hour and a half from the city center – you need to leave early, around 6–7 am. The real morning trade of boat vendors with local buyers lasts for the first couple of hours; after that, the market turns into a tourist attraction with inflated prices.

Chatuchak Market

One of the largest weekend markets in the world – over 8,000 stalls under one roof: clothing, antiques, pets, food. It’s easy to get lost in the aisles—it's worth noting a couple of landmarks beforehand to find your way to the nearest subway station.

Street Food in Chinatown (Yaowarat)

In the evening, Yaowarat Road turns into one continuous street restaurant under neon signs – grilled seafood right on the sidewalk, noodles, oyster omelets. Establishments without English names often turn out to be the best—look for a queue of locals rather than the sign.

Flight and Boat to the Peninsula

The domestic flight from Bangkok to Krabi is about 1 hour 20 minutes. Then a taxi to Ao Nang pier and a boat to the Railay peninsula (10–15 minutes, around 100฿) — there’s no other way to get there; you can only reach it by water, which keeps the area calmer than neighboring beaches.

Railay's Towering Karsts

The peninsula is surrounded by vertical limestone cliffs rising directly from the water – one of the world's rock-climbing centers. Even without special training, you can watch climbers right from the beach. There’s a viewing lagoon inside the cliff mass—the climb up ropes takes about 20–30 minutes, not for everyone, but the views are worth it.

Evening on the Beach

After checking in — just a beach evening: sunset paints the cliffs pink, and the water is warm year-round. The infrastructure on Railay is minimalist – small bungalow hotels and beachfront bars, no nightlife like Patong.

Early Departure to Maya Bay

There’s a limit of 380 people at a time on the beach with a one-hour visiting window – mid-day often sees boats waiting in line outside the bay. An early tour departing between 6:00–7:00 from Krabi almost guarantees you the bay without the crowds. Entrance to the national park is 400฿ per adult, and it’s rarely included in the price of a tour booked through an agency – be sure to check beforehand.

Snorkeling and Lagoons

Besides Maya Bay itself, the itinerary usually includes Pileh Lagoon – a closed lagoon with emerald water inside the cliffs, accessible only by smaller boats, and snorkeling near the reefs of Phi Phi Leh with decent visibility and colorful fish even without deep diving.

Phi Phi Don

The more developed of the two islands — a village with restaurants, shops, and a viewpoint overlooking both bays; a convenient spot for lunch between water activities.

Ferry Krabi – Phuket

A direct ferry across the bay takes around 2 hours, which is more relaxed and scenic than the overland route through the mainland. Upon arrival, a transfer to your hotel — it's best to pack your luggage so you don’t have to open your suitcase on the ferry itself.

Big Buddha

This 45-meter marble statue atop a hill in southern Phuket is one of the island’s most recognizable viewpoints, visible from the sea for several kilometers. Admission is free; the road up is winding, so it's better to get there by rented transport than on foot.

Phuket Old Town

Colonial Sino-Portuguese architecture, colorful facades, cafes in historic mansions — a nice change of pace in the evenings after busy days by the sea. Thalang Road closes to traffic for a night market in the evenings.

Getting to the Airport

Phuket International Airport is located in the north of the island; getting there from the southern beach areas can take up to an hour, especially with traffic during peak season. Allow plenty of extra time, particularly if you have an early morning flight.

Trip Summary

6 days, 3 overnight stays — from Bangkok’s temples to Krabi’s towering cliffs and Phi Phi's lagoons, ending at the most developed resort in the region. Practical lessons learned from this trip are detailed in the postscript below.