Thai islands on a budget
Five islands, two coasts, and how to choose the right one for your dates and budget.
Thailand's islands split into two groups on opposite coasts, with opposite weather. The Andaman side (Phi Phi, Lanta, Phuket) is best from November to April. The Gulf side (Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui) is best from about February to August. Pick the coast first, then the island.
The islands compared
| Island | Coast | Best for | Cost note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Tao | Gulf | Cheap diving, small and social | Open Water ฿12,000–14,000 |
| Koh Phangan | Gulf | Full Moon Party, quiet beaches elsewhere | Rooms pricier around party dates |
| Koh Samui | Gulf | Most comfort, airport, resorts | Most expensive Gulf island |
| Koh Phi Phi | Andaman | Scenery and nightlife | Hostels ฿400–700, park fee ฿400 |
| Koh Lanta | Andaman | Long quiet beaches, families | Ferry from Krabi ฿400–500 |
Getting to the Gulf islands
From Bangkok, take a bus (฿500–900) or train (฿400–1,000) to Surat Thani, then a ferry to Koh Samui (฿300–500) and on to Phangan and Tao. For Koh Tao, Chumphon is closer: the fast ferry costs ฿400–700. Joint bus-and-boat tickets from Bangkok bundle everything into one booking.
Getting to the Andaman islands
Fly or bus to Krabi or Phuket. From Krabi, ferries go to Koh Phi Phi (from ฿490) and Koh Lanta (฿400–500). From Phuket, ferries to Phi Phi cost ฿490–700.
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Island costs
A backpacker's everyday spend on the islands is about ฿1,130 ($34): dorm ฿300–500 (more on Phi Phi), food ฿300, a short boat hop, drinks and water. Add tours and diving on top. Scooters cost ฿150–300 a day, but only ride if licensed and insured.
Where to stay on the islands
Zoom into Koh Tao, Phangan, Samui, Phi Phi or Lanta to compare live prices.
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Learning to dive on Koh Tao
Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to get certified. An Open Water course costs ฿12,000–14,000 and fun dives ฿2,500–3,500 for two. Many schools include or discount a dorm bed during the course. Check that your travel insurance covers diving.
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Questions people ask
Which Thai island is the cheapest?
Koh Tao and Koh Lanta are usually the most affordable for backpackers. Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui cost the most.
Which Thai islands are best in July?
The Gulf islands: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, which have their rainy season later in the year.
How much does it cost to learn to dive on Koh Tao?
An Open Water course costs about ฿12,000–14,000 in 2026.
How do I get from Bangkok to Koh Tao?
Bus or train to Chumphon or Surat Thani, then a ferry. Joint bus-and-boat tickets cover the whole trip.