Bangkok and the Thai islands: a UK traveller's guide
5 min read · Updated 29 June 2026 · Wayfare Travels
Thailand is one of the best-value long-haul trips going: a few days in buzzing Bangkok followed by a week on the islands is the classic route, and it's easy to arrange from the UK.
Best time to visit
November to March is the cool, dry season and the best all-round time to visit Bangkok and most islands.
The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi) and the Gulf islands (Koh Samui) have slightly different weather patterns, so the ideal island can depend on your dates — worth checking before you book.
Getting there from the UK
Bangkok (BKK) is around 11–12 hours from London, often with one stop via a Gulf or Asian hub. Internal flights or ferries then take you to the islands.
Return fares from the UK can start from around £475 in quieter periods.
A simple first-timer's route
Spend 2–3 nights in Bangkok for the Grand Palace, the temples, the markets and the food, then fly south for a week on Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui.
If you have longer, add a few days in Chiang Mai in the north for a completely different, mountainous side of Thailand.
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