2 days in Phuket: an itinerary day by day
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 4 of 5 free; paid: Phi Phi Islands
- Duration
- 2 days, 9:30 to 17:09 each day
- Start and finish
- Phuket Old Town → Phi Phi Islands
- On foot
- ≈ 0 min in total
- Transport
- 3 rides, ≈ 1 h 39 min
- Lunch
- around 13:06
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- November to April: calm seas.
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Phuket09:30–17:09 · 4 places · 7 h 40 min
Phuket Old Town
· 2 h · Free
- 36 min · transport or taxi
Wat Chalong
· 1 h · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 25 min · transport or taxi
Big Buddha
· 1 h · Free
- 38 min · transport or taxi
Promthep Cape
· 1 h · Free
Day 2 · Phuket09:30–13:30 · 1 place · 4 h
Phi Phi Islands
· 4 h · Park fee ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
4 of 5 are free; 1 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Phuket Old Town | 41 | 2 h | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Wat Chalong | 35 | 1 h | Free |
| 3 | Big Buddha | 34 | 1 h | Free |
| 4 | Promthep Cape | 29 | 1 h | Free |
| 5 | Phi Phi Islands | 29 | 4 h | park fee ≈ 400 baht, children ≈ 200 |
| Total | 9 h | 4 of 5 free |
Tips for each stop
Day 1
- 1
Phuket Old Town. Pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses on Thalang and Dibuk Roads and Soi Romanee. Free; the Lard Yai market runs on Sunday evenings.
- 2
Wat Chalong. The island's main temple with a 60 m stupa. Free, 7:00–17:00; shoulders, chest and knees covered.
- 3
Big Buddha. A 45 m white marble statue on Nakkerd Hill. Free, reopened in March 2026; sarongs at the gate.
- 4
Promthep Cape. Phuket's southern tip and its best sunset. Free — arrive an hour before sunset.
Day 2
- 5
Phi Phi Islands. Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh with Maya Bay. About an hour by speedboat, park fee around 400 baht; no swimming in Maya Bay.
Who this route is for
- A week at the beach with two days out
- A first trip to Phuket
- Island and sea
- Maya Bay is closed from 1 August to 30 September
- Boats are cancelled in storms — keep a spare day
November to April: calm seas.
How the two days work
Day one is the one-day Phuket itinerary, north to south until sunset. Day two is a boat trip to Phi Phi: boats leave Rassada and Chalong piers in the morning and return by late afternoon.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Phi Phi: what to know
The national park fee is about 400 baht for adults and 200 for children, collected on landing. Swimming in Maya Bay is not allowed, boats do not enter the bay, and it closes completely from 1 August to 30 September. Phi Phi Don has a village, cafés and beaches.
The speedboat is faster but bumpy in waves; the ferry is slower and smoother.
Is 2 days in Phuket enough?
For the island and Phi Phi, yes. James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay is day three. In the evening there is Bangla Road in Patong.
How to do it right
- Go to Phi Phi early in your stay: boats are cancelled in storms, so keep a spare day.
- Pay the park fee in cash on landing.
- Temples want shoulders and knees covered — no vests or shorts; shoes come off at the door of the halls. Sarongs are often lent at the gate or for a deposit.
- Thailand uses the baht (THB). Temples, markets, longtails and songthaews want cash; Grab and Bolt are the easiest taxis.
- For the boat: sunscreen, a hat and a dry bag for your phone.
Questions
What to do with 2 days in Phuket?
Day one: the Old Town, Wat Chalong, the Big Buddha and Promthep. Day two: the Phi Phi Islands.
How long is the boat to Phi Phi?
About an hour by speedboat, about two by ferry.
How much is the Phi Phi park fee?
About 400 baht for adults, 200 for children.
Can you swim in Maya Bay?
No; and from 1 August to 30 September the bay is closed altogether.
Can I go to Phi Phi without a tour?
Yes, on the ferry from Rassada pier; most people go on a speedboat tour.
Is 2 days in Phuket enough?
For the essentials, yes; James Bond Island needs a third day.
How much does it cost?
Day one is free apart from transport; day two is the boat or tour plus the park fee of about 400 baht.
Is it good with kids?
Yes; with toddlers the ferry is easier than a speedboat.
When is the best time?
November to April.
What currency is used in Thailand?
Thailand uses the baht (THB). Temples, markets, longtails and songthaews want cash; Grab and Bolt are the easiest taxis.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Department of National Parks, Thailand: Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
