Bangkok to the Beach by Rail

Day 1  Fly to Bangkok
Fly to Bangkok.

Days 2-4  Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel. Over the next few days, catapult yourself into the fray and soak-up everything that Thailand’s capital has to offer; whizz through packed streets in colourful Tuk-Tuks to visit glittering temples, haggle amidst the hullabaloo at maze-like markets, and scour food stalls and world-class restaurants alike for the city’s best Pad Thai. Admire Bangkok’s intoxicating skyline from a rooftop bar and as evening descends and the city becomes a spectacle of light, you’ll already be planning your return.    

Days 5-6  Bangkok to Koh Samui  
Say a fond farewell to Bangkok and transfer to Bang Sue Central station, where an English-speaking guide will help you board your overnight train to Surat Thani. From your basic but comfortable private cabin, watch as urban sprawl melds into verdant countryside. Upon alighting the train, you will be transferred to the port for a public ferry across to the island of Koh Samui and the next leg of your adventure.  

Days 7-10  Koh Samui      
The Gulf of Thailand’s bountiful jewel, Koh Samui, has it all. Whether you want to soak up the sun on a white-sand beach, feast on delectable Thai cuisine, shop until you drop or doze in a hammock slung between swooning palms, this plentiful isle will provide. Enjoy a morning swim in jade-hued waters and an authentic lunch at one of the many local restaurants in Fisherman’s Village, perhaps followed by a late afternoon hike to the famed cascading waters of the Na Munang Waterfalls before a well-deserved drink of your choice. A must for any Samui visit is a trip to Ang Thong Marine Park, pristine limestone karst gems that string across the turquoise waters, covered by sprawling jungle that caresses tranquil bays. Grab a snorkel or kayak and cut through the shimmering waters that pool around these emerald shards or hike up the viewpoint for a spectacular panorama.    

Days 11-14  Koh Phangan      
Continue your journey to Koh Phangan, Koh Samui’s enticing neighbour. A beacon for the intrepid, the island is heralded for its evergreen interior, secluded northern shores and vibrant coral reefs while its lively south-eastern towns hold penchant for backpackers. Recuperate with a traditional Thai spa treatment or simply tickle your toes among sugary sand and listen to the gently lapping waves and the hum of distant wildlife. Whether you are lounging by your hotel pool, trekking through the snarls of verdant forest or bathing in the warm ocean, Koh Phangan will captivate you.    

Days 15-16  Fly home
Enjoy a final boat transfer back to Koh Samui for your flight home.