Phuket 7-Day Itinerary: Day-by-Day Plan with Map and Prices
One week in Phuket is just enough time to see the whole island: hit the best beaches, take a boat trip to the islands, try street food, and even squeeze in a full day of poolside relaxation. I've been living here for several years and regularly put together itineraries for friends who fly in to visit. This plan is the result of dozens of such trips. Everything is personally tested, and prices are current for 2026.
The itinerary is balanced: active days alternate with relaxed ones, organized excursions with independent exploring. It works for couples, families with kids, and groups of friends. I break down the budget across three tiers -- budget, mid-range, and comfort.
Day 1: Arrival, check-in, getting to know Patong
Don't overload the first day. After a long flight, your body needs rest, not heroics. Here's the plan:
Morning/afternoon: Arrival at Phuket airport. Transfer to your hotel takes 40 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the area. A Grab taxi costs 600-1,000 THB ($17-$28), a minibus is 200 THB ($6) per person. Check in and head to the beach -- Patong is ideal for day one because everything is within walking distance.
Evening: Stroll down Bangla Road -- the main party street. You don't have to go into the bars, just walk through and soak up the atmosphere. Dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants: tom yum from 120 THB ($3.50), pad thai from 80 THB ($2.30), fresh juice from 60 THB ($1.70).
Tip: If you arrive late at night, just order food via GrabFood to your hotel and go to sleep. Phuket isn't going anywhere.
Day 2: Full-day excursion -- Phi Phi or Similan Islands
Day two is the most packed. I recommend one of two island excursions, which I compared in detail in a separate article.
Phi Phi: Available year-round. A speedboat picks you up from your hotel at 7:30 and brings you back by 17:00. Cost is 1,500-3,500 THB ($42-$98) depending on boat type. You'll see Maya Bay (yes, the one from the movie "The Beach"), go snorkeling with tropical fish, and have lunch on the island.
Similan Islands: Open from October 15 to May 15. If your dates line up -- this is a must. The water is cleaner, the coral is more vibrant, and there are fewer people. Price is 2,500-4,500 THB ($70-$126), transfer from Phuket included, but it's about 1.5 hours to the pier.
A detailed guide to all Phuket excursions is in a separate article.
Tip: Book 2-3 days ahead, especially during high season (December-February). Bring a waterproof phone case and SPF 50 sunscreen.
Day 3: Phuket Town, Old Town, Wat Chalong, Big Buddha
Cultural day. Rent a scooter or grab a taxi and hit the island's main landmarks.
Morning (9:00-12:00): Old Town -- the historic heart of Phuket. Colorful Sino-Portuguese buildings, coffee shops, galleries. Be sure to walk along Thalang, Dibuk, and Phang Nga streets. Iced coffee costs 60-90 THB ($1.70-$2.50), dim sum breakfast 150-300 THB ($4-$8).
Afternoon (12:00-15:00): Wat Chalong -- Phuket's main Buddhist temple. Free entry. Here you can see a fragment of Buddha's bone (according to legend) and climb the pagoda with an observation deck. More details about Phuket temples in a separate guide.
Evening (15:00-18:00): Big Buddha -- a 45-meter statue atop Nakkerd Hill. The road up is winding, but the views are worth it. From the platform you can see several beaches at once. Free entry, but it's customary to leave a donation of 20-100 THB.
Dinner: Head down to Chalong and feast on seafood. A platter of shrimp, squid, and fish for two costs 600-1,200 THB ($17-$34).
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Message usDay 4: Southern beaches -- Nai Harn, Promthep Cape, Rawai
Southern Phuket feels like a different island. It's quieter, greener, and more atmospheric. A detailed beach review is in my best Phuket beaches ranking.
Morning: Nai Harn Beach -- one of the most beautiful on the island. White sand, calm water in season, few sunbeds and vendors. A sunbed costs 200 THB ($6), a coconut 60 THB ($1.70).
Afternoon: Promthep Cape -- the southernmost point of Phuket. People come here for sunset, but it's beautiful during the day too, and there are no crowds. Nearby is the Windmill Viewpoint, where you can see Racha Island.
Lunch/evening: Rawai -- a fishing village. On the waterfront there's a seafood market where you can buy fresh seafood and have it cooked at a neighboring restaurant. A kilogram of tiger prawns costs 400-600 THB ($11-$17), cooking is 100 THB per dish. A lobster (about 500g) runs 800-1,500 THB ($22-$42).
Day 5: Adventure in the morning, massage in the evening
A day of contrasts: adrenaline first, then total relaxation.
Morning (8:00-13:00): Pick one activity:
- White-water rafting in Phang Nga -- 1,500-2,500 THB ($42-$70). Medium difficulty, suitable for beginners.
- Ziplining through the jungle (Hanuman World or Flying Hanuman) -- 2,000-3,500 THB ($56-$98). 28 platforms, up to 300 meters long. Scary, but safe.
- ATV quad bikes -- 1,500-2,500 THB ($42-$70) for 1-2 hours. Mud, jungle, hills.
Evening (16:00-19:00): Thai massage. After an active morning, this is pure bliss. A traditional Thai massage at a good salon costs 300-500 THB ($8-$14) per hour, oil massage 500-800 THB ($14-$22). More details in my guide on the best massage spots in Phuket.
Day 6: Kata and Karon, shopping, night market
Morning: Kata or Karon Beach. Kata is more compact and cozy, Karon is long and spacious. Both are great for swimming. Surfing in low season -- board rental 200-300 THB ($6-$8) per hour.
Afternoon: Shopping. Central Phuket (Floresta + Festival) is the main mall. It has everything from Thai brands to international ones. Jungceylon in Patong is also a solid option, plus it has a cinema with movies in English.
Evening: Night market. Best options:
- Naka Weekend Market (Saturday-Sunday) -- huge, lively, with food and souvenirs.
- Chillva Market (daily from 17:00) -- compact, trendy, lots of street food.
- Phuket Walking Street (Sunday) -- in Old Town, atmospheric.
Dinner for two at the market costs about 300-500 THB ($8-$14): pad thai, satay skewers, mango sticky rice, fresh juice.
Day 7: Free day and departure
Leave the last day unplanned. Options:
- Morning by the hotel pool. Finally make use of what you paid for.
- Late breakfast at a cafe with sea views.
- Return visit to your favorite beach or market.
- One last massage before the trip home -- your legs will thank you.
Departure: If your flight is in the evening, you have the whole day. If it's in the morning, book a taxi the night before. From Patong to the airport takes about an hour, from Rawai about 45 minutes. The airport has a Duty Free zone, but prices aren't the best -- do your shopping in town.
Summary table: day-by-day itinerary
| Day | Activities | Budget (THB) | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, Patong, Bangla Road | 1,500-3,000 | Don't overdo it |
| 2 | Phi Phi / Similan Islands | 2,000-5,000 | Book 2-3 days ahead |
| 3 | Old Town, Wat Chalong, Big Buddha | 800-2,000 | Scooter or taxi |
| 4 | Nai Harn, Promthep, Rawai | 1,000-3,000 | Seafood at the market |
| 5 | Rafting/ziplining + massage | 2,000-4,500 | Active morning, relaxed evening |
| 6 | Kata/Karon, shopping, night market | 1,500-4,000 | Market is cash only |
| 7 | Free day, departure | 500-2,000 | Book taxi in advance |
Total 7-day Phuket budget (per person)
Calculated without flights -- on-island expenses only. Rate: 1 THB = approximately $0.028.
| Expense | Budget (THB) | Mid-range (THB) | Comfort (THB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (7 nights) | 7,000 | 17,500 | 42,000 |
| Food | 5,600 | 10,500 | 21,000 |
| Transportation | 2,100 | 4,900 | 10,500 |
| Excursions and activities | 3,000 | 7,000 | 14,000 |
| Massage and spa | 600 | 2,000 | 5,000 |
| Souvenirs and shopping | 1,000 | 3,000 | 8,000 |
| Total (THB) | 19,300 | 44,900 | 100,500 |
| Total (USD) | ~$540 | ~$1,260 | ~$2,815 |
Budget -- hostels or guesthouses, street food, public transport, one group excursion. Mid-range -- 3-4 star hotel, cafes and restaurants, Grab taxi, 2-3 excursions. Comfort -- 4-5 star hotel or villa, restaurants, car rental, private excursions.
Practical tips for the itinerary
Transportation. The most convenient way to get around is renting a scooter (300-500 THB/day) if you have a license. Without experience -- use Grab taxi. More details on Phuket public transport.
Weather. High season (November-April) is dry and sunny. Low season (May-October) brings rain, but usually short showers. The itinerary works year-round, but in low season the Similans are closed and western beaches can have waves.
Connectivity. Buy a SIM card at the airport: AIS or TrueMove -- 300-600 THB for a week of unlimited data. Without internet it'll be tough: maps, Grab, translator -- everything is on your phone.
Money. ATMs are everywhere, but there's a 220 THB fee per withdrawal. It's cheaper to exchange cash at exchange offices (best rate at SuperRich in Phuket Town) or pay by card where accepted.
Safety. Phuket is a safe island. Main risks: sunburn, dehydration, scooter accidents. Always apply SPF 50 sunscreen, drink water, and wear a helmet.
How to customize this itinerary
With kids: Replace rafting/ziplining (day 5) with Splash Jungle water park (1,500 THB/adult, 900 THB/child) or Phuket Zoo. Kids love the night markets too.
For couples: Add a romantic dinner on the beach (1,500-3,000 THB for two), a couples spa package (3,000-6,000 THB), and a sunset yacht cruise (2,500-5,000 THB/person).
For the active: Replace day 7 with scuba diving (one day -- 3,500-5,000 THB for 2 dives) or a snorkeling trip to Racha Island.
In low season: Instead of the Similans (closed), choose Phi Phi or the Phang Nga islands (James Bond Island). Surfing at Kata is a low-season bonus.
What NOT to do in Phuket
- Don't go to elephant shows that offer riding -- it's cruel. Ethical sanctuaries exist, but check reviews first.
- Don't buy excursions from street touts -- higher prices, lower quality.
- Don't rent a scooter without experience -- tourist accidents happen in Phuket every day.
- Don't forget sunscreen -- the tropical sun is deceptive, and you can burn in 30 minutes.
Final thoughts
Seven days in Phuket is the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. In a week you'll see the best beaches, visit the islands, taste Thai cuisine from street food to market seafood, soak up the culture, and take home a tan and a ton of photos. And if you still have energy left, check out my guide on things to do in Phuket -- there are another dozen places that didn't fit into this itinerary.
If you have questions, drop a comment or reach out on my Telegram channel. I'm happy to help adjust the itinerary for your dates and interests.