Bangkok, Koh Samui & Koh Phangan in 8 Days with the Full Moon Party

Start the day with a guided Bangkok city tour of the capital's most famous landmarks. The Grand Palace was the royal residence for over 150 years, and within its walls Wat Phra Kaew holds the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred image. Next door, Wat Pho houses the 46-metre reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf, with mother-of-pearl inlaid soles.

There may be time to stroll a local market or take a quick boat ride on the Chao Phraya for a look at riverside life. After the tour you transfer to the airport for your flight to Koh Samui, about an hour. On arrival you check in at your beachside resort and begin the island part of the trip, with the evening free to relax or enjoy Samui's nightlife.

At a glance: Time needed: ~3 hrs sightseeing · Travel: ~1 hr flight, plus airport transfers · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning (around 8:30–11:30 AM): Breakfast and check out. Guided city tour: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, about 1.5–2 hrs.

• Late morning: Wat Pho and the reclining Buddha, about 45 min to 1 hr.

• Optional: A short Chao Phraya boat ride or a local market stroll, if your flight time allows.

• Noon / Afternoon: Transfer to the airport, about 1–1.5 hrs, and fly to Koh Samui, about 1 hr.

• Evening: Transfer from Samui Airport to your resort, about 30 min, and check in. Free to relax or enjoy the island nightlife.

Travel for the day

• City tour by private transfer.

• Bangkok hotel → Bangkok Airport ~1–1.5 hrs; Bangkok → Koh Samui ~1 hr by flight; Samui Airport → resort ~30 min.

Tips & what to carry

• The Grand Palace has a strict dress code: no shorts, sleeveless tops, ripped jeans or see-through clothes, for men and women. Shoes come off inside the temple halls.

• Ignore anyone outside the palace who says it is closed today; it is a well-known scam.

• Flights to Samui often have a lower checked baggage allowance; check yours in advance.

• Keep your luggage packed and in the car; you go straight from the tour to the airport.

Included today

• Private Transfers are Arranged in Bangkok & Koh Samui

Overnight: Koh Samui

After breakfast you set out on an island-hopping and snorkelling tour to two of the best-loved spots off Koh Samui. The first is Coral Island (Koh Tan), where the water is clear and shallow, and you snorkel over coral reefs busy with fish.

Then on to Pig Island (Koh Madsum), where the island's famous beach-dwelling pigs wander along the sand and into the shallows, and you have free time to swim, relax and take photos. A beachside lunch is included, with chances to kayak or simply lie in the sun. You are back at your hotel by late afternoon.

At a glance: Time needed: ~6–7 hrs tour · Travel: Boat transfers between islands · Pace: Moderate

Schedule

• Morning (around 8:30–9:00 AM): Breakfast and pickup for the pier; boat to Coral Island (Koh Tan).

• Late morning: Snorkelling at Coral Island, about 1–1.5 hrs.

• Noon: Beachside lunch, included.

• Afternoon: Pig Island (Koh Madsum), about 1–1.5 hrs: the pigs, swimming and photos. Kayaking if you wish.

• Late afternoon: Return to your hotel.

• Evening / Night: Free. Dinner on your own in Chaweng or Fisherman's Village.

Travel for the day

• Hotel → pier by road, then boat to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum and back.

• Return to the hotel by late afternoon.

Tips & what to carry

• Do not chase or feed the pigs junk food; let them come to you.

• Carry swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag; water shoes help on coral sand.

• Wear a T-shirt while snorkelling to avoid sunburn on your back.

• Sea conditions on the Gulf side are roughest from around October to December, when tours can be rescheduled.

Included today

• A delicious beachside lunch is included

Overnight: Koh Samui

After breakfast you check out and take the short ferry ride across to Koh Phangan, with hotel pickup and drop included with the ferry tickets. Once you arrive and check in, there is time to relax by the beach or explore the island's laid-back side before the big night.

As night falls, you head to Haad Rin Beach, where the Full Moon Party takes over the sand with music from a long line of beach bars, neon body paint, fire shows and thousands of partygoers from around the world. Dance under the moon, stay as long as you like, and pace yourself: the party runs until sunrise.

At a glance: Time needed: Party night, from around 9:00 PM · Travel: ~1 hr ferry, plus transfers · Pace: Full

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast and check out. Hotel pickup for the ferry to Koh Phangan, about 1 hr.

• Noon: Arrive, transfer to your hotel and check in.

• Afternoon: Free. Rest by the beach or pool; sleep a little if you plan to stay late.

• Evening: Dinner on your own before heading out.

• Night (from around 9:00 PM): Full Moon Party on Haad Rin Beach, as long as you like.

Travel for the day

• Samui hotel → pier → Koh Phangan by ferry, about 1 hr, with hotel pickup and drop.

• Hotel ↔ Haad Rin by local taxi (own cost), if your hotel is not on Haad Rin.

Tips & what to carry

• The party happens only on or around the full moon; your dates must be fixed around it, so book early.

• Carry only a little cash and a copy of your passport; leave valuables in the hotel safe.

• Wear shoes or old trainers on the sand; broken glass is common late at night.

• Drink water, avoid the shared buckets from strangers, and agree a meeting point with your group.

• Keep away from drugs: Thai drug laws are very strict and police checks are common.

Included today

• Hotel Pickup & Drop Included with Ferry Tickets

Overnight: Koh Phangan

After the party, today is about rest. Take a slow morning with breakfast by the beach and spend the day at leisure. Unwind at the resort, book a Thai massage, or explore the quieter side of Koh Phangan, where beaches such as Haad Yuan and Bottle Beach feel a long way from Haad Rin.

For nature lovers, a short hike to Phaeng Waterfall in the national park gives shade, cool water and views over the island. Otherwise chill by the pool, read in a hammock or find a local café. This is your day to settle into the calm island pace.

At a glance: Time needed: Free day · Travel: Optional local trips · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Late breakfast and rest.

• Noon: Lunch on your own at a beach café.

• Afternoon: Free. Resort pool, a Thai massage, or a quiet beach.

• Optional: Phaeng Waterfall short hike, about 1–2 hrs; or a boat to Haad Yuan or Bottle Beach (own cost).

• Evening / Night: Sunset at the beach and dinner on your own.

Travel for the day

• No fixed transfers today. Local taxis and longtail boats are paid locally.

Tips & what to carry

• Bottle Beach is easiest to reach by longtail boat; the road is steep and rough.

• Wear sandals with grip for the waterfall trail; rocks can be slippery.

• Rent a scooter only if you hold a valid licence and ride regularly; island roads are steep and accidents are common.

• Rehydrate: coconut water and electrolyte sachets help after a long night.

Overnight: Koh Phangan

After breakfast you check out and board the ferry back to Koh Samui, where you are transferred to your hotel for another relaxed day on the island. Use it to soak up the last beach time of the trip, book a spa treatment, or go shopping and eating in Chaweng or Lamai.

If you are up for more, visit the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai), a 12-metre golden Buddha on a small island joined to Samui by a causeway, or take a sunset walk along the coast. Fisherman's Village in Bophut is a good spot for dinner by the water.

At a glance: Time needed: Free afternoon · Travel: ~1 hr ferry, plus transfers · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast and check out. Ferry back to Koh Samui, about 1 hr.

• Noon: Transfer to your hotel and check in.

• Afternoon: Free. Beach, spa or shopping in Chaweng or Lamai (own cost).

• Optional: Big Buddha Temple, about 45 min.

• Evening / Night: Sunset walk along the coast and dinner on your own.

Travel for the day

• Koh Phangan → Koh Samui by ferry, about 1 hr, with transfers.

• Local taxis within Samui are paid locally.

Tips & what to carry

• Cover shoulders and knees at the Big Buddha Temple; shoes off on the upper terrace.

• Fisherman's Village has a walking street market on Friday evenings.

• Pack tonight; tomorrow is a flight day.

Overnight: Koh Samui

After breakfast you check out of your Samui hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Bangkok. On arrival in the capital you are met and transferred to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free. Do your last-minute shopping at MBK Center or Siam Paragon, explore a floating market, or have a final Thai dinner with a view of the Chao Phraya River.

At a glance: Time needed: Free afternoon · Travel: ~1 hr flight, plus airport transfers · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Breakfast and check out. Transfer to Samui Airport, about 30 min.

• Noon: Fly to Bangkok, about 1 hr, then transfer to your hotel, about 1 hr, and check in.

• Afternoon: Day at leisure and shopping: MBK Center or Siam Paragon (own cost).

• Evening / Night: A farewell Thai dinner by the Chao Phraya River (own cost).

Travel for the day

• Samui hotel → Samui Airport ~30 min; Koh Samui → Bangkok ~1 hr by flight.

• Bangkok Airport → hotel ~1 hr.

Tips & what to carry

• MBK is best for electronics and bargain shopping; bargain politely at the stalls.

• Floating markets are best early in the morning, so leave them for another trip if you arrive late.

• Keep space in your bag; shopping fills it quickly.

Included today

• Day at Leisure & Shopping

Overnight: Bangkok

A final morning in Bangkok. Check out of your hotel and, at the scheduled time, you are transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport for your flight home.

Leave a little time in the morning for a last walk or coffee near the hotel, flight permitting.

At a glance: Time needed: Free time, flight permitting · Travel: ~1–1.5 hrs to the airport · Pace: Easy

Schedule

• Morning: Free for a last walk or coffee near the hotel (own cost).

• Noon: Check out (usually by 12:00 noon).

• Departure: Transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport, about 1–1.5 hrs, reaching at least 3 hrs before an international flight.

Travel for the day

• Bangkok hotel → Suvarnabhumi Airport ~1–1.5 hrs by private transfer.

Tips & what to carry

• Allow extra time for traffic in the morning and evening rush hours.

• Keep your passport and flight details in your day bag.

• Spend or change your remaining baht before security.

Included today

• Airport Transfers has been Arranged for Departure