Thailand
Pearls of Thailand: Bangkok & Phuket
Fly direct to Bangkok's temples and on to the turquoise bays of the Phi Phi islands, in six nights
Bangkok · Phuket · Phi Phi Islands
Overview
This route combines Thailand's two most sought-after sides at a balanced pace: Bangkok, with its temples, canals and street food, and Phuket, gateway to the limestone islands of the Andaman Sea. Spending three nights in each leaves time both to explore and to unwind.
A Bangkok city tour pairing the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun with a long-tail boat ride along the canals is included, as is a Phi Phi islands speedboat trip with lunch. On our 26 December departure you welcome the new year on a warm Phuket night.
We fly direct between Istanbul and Bangkok with Turkish Airlines and take a domestic flight between Bangkok and Phuket. A Turkish-speaking tour leader accompanies you from Istanbul.
Highlights
- Direct Turkish Airlines flights between Istanbul and Bangkok
- The Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho's Reclining Buddha
- A long-tail boat ride through the Thonburi canals to Wat Arun
- A speedboat trip to the Phi Phi islands, Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon
- A snorkelling stop in the clear waters of the Andaman Sea
- A free beach day in Phuket and a New Year's Eve departure
Itinerary
Day 1 Istanbul – Bangkok
We meet our tour leader at Istanbul Airport and fly direct to Bangkok with Turkish Airlines. The flight takes around 10 hours and we spend the night on board.
Day 2 Arrival in Bangkok
Our local guide meets us at Suvarnabhumi Airport and we transfer to our hotel. After checking in and resting, the rest of the day is free. In the evening you can join an optional dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River or sample street food near the hotel.
Day 3 Bangkok City & Temples Tour
After breakfast we begin with the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, home of the Emerald Buddha. After seeing the gold-covered Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, we board long-tail boats to glide through the Thonburi canals past wooden houses on stilts. We finish at Wat Arun with its porcelain-decorated tower, and the evening is free.
Day 4 Free Day in Bangkok
The day is entirely yours. You might explore the shopping centres of Siam, the street food of Yaowarat Road in Chinatown or, if it falls on a weekend, Chatuchak Market. For those who wish, our tour leader arranges an optional floating market excursion.
Day 5 Bangkok – Phuket
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for a domestic flight of about 1.5 hours to Phuket. After checking in, free time on the beach. In the evening you can head to the lively streets around Patong Beach.
Day 6 Phi Phi Islands Speedboat Tour
Early in the morning we transfer to the pier and head out onto the Andaman Sea by speedboat. At Phi Phi Leh we see Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, enclosed by limestone cliffs, and stop to snorkel in permitted coves. After lunch on Phi Phi Don we make a short beach stop on the way back and return to Phuket in the late afternoon.
Day 7 Free Day in Phuket
A free day to relax on the beach or by the pool. Those who wish can join an optional trip to Phang Nga Bay, known for its limestone islets, or an island tour taking in the Big Buddha and Old Phuket Town. On our last evening in Phuket, why not try the seafood at a beachfront restaurant.
Day 8 Phuket – Bangkok – Istanbul
After breakfast we transfer to Phuket Airport. We take a domestic flight to Bangkok and then fly direct to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, where our tour comes to an end.
Accommodation
You stay in 4★ hotels with breakfast: in central Bangkok and close to the beach in Phuket. Hotel names are confirmed 7 days before departure.
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Bangkok4★ city-centre hotel near public transport
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Phuket4★ hotel near the beach
Transport
Direct Turkish Airlines flights link Istanbul and Bangkok, with a domestic flight between Bangkok and Phuket. An air-conditioned private vehicle is used for transfers and the city tour, and a speedboat for the Phi Phi trip.
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Istanbul (IST)Bangkok (BKK)
Flight · Direct evening flight · approx. 10 h
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Bangkok (BKK)Phuket (HKT)
Flight · Domestic flight · approx. 1 h 25 min
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PhuketPhi Phi Islands
Ferry · Speedboat · approx. 1 h
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Phuket (HKT)Bangkok (BKK)
Flight · Domestic flight · approx. 1 h 25 min
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Bangkok (BKK)Istanbul (IST)
Flight · Direct return flight · approx. 11 h
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Per person | Single supplement | Child (2–12) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8–15 Nov 2026 | €1,349 | +€390 | €1,149 | Available |
| 26 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027 | €1,649 | +€520 | €1,449 | Few seats left · Last 3 seats |
| 5–12 Feb 2027 | €1,449 | +€420 | €1,249 | Guaranteed |
| 16–23 Apr 2027 | €1,399 | +€400 | €1,199 | Available |
Prices are per person in a double room and subject to availability.
What's Included / Not Included
What's Included
- Return direct Turkish Airlines flights Istanbul – Bangkok – Istanbul, economy class (airline baggage allowance)
- Domestic flights Bangkok – Phuket – Bangkok
- 6 nights in 4★ hotels: 3 in Bangkok and 3 in Phuket
- Daily breakfast at the hotels
- Bangkok city and temples tour with entry to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun and a canal boat ride
- Phi Phi islands speedboat tour with lunch, snorkelling gear and national park fee
- Airport – hotel – airport transfers
- Turkish-speaking tour leader from Istanbul and local guides
- Compulsory professional liability insurance
Not Included
- Turkish departure fee (yurt dışı çıkış harcı)
- Travel health insurance (can be added on request)
- Meals, drinks and excursions not listed in the programme
- Compulsory New Year's Eve gala dinner supplement charged by hotels on the 26 December departure (where applicable)
- Guide and driver service fee: €40 per person (paid in cash to the tour leader on day one)
- Personal expenses
Visa Information Visa-free
Thailand does not require a visa from Turkish citizens holding ordinary passports for short tourist visits. The online Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) must be completed in the days before arrival, and our adviser will guide you through it. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return date and have at least 2 blank pages. As requirements can change, current conditions are confirmed before departure.
Important Information
- Shoulders and knees must be covered when visiting the Grand Palace and temples.
- The Phi Phi boat trip depends on weather and sea conditions; if conditions are unsuitable, it is moved to another day in Phuket.
- Speedboat travel is not recommended for pregnant guests or those with back or neck problems.
- On the 26 December departure, some Phuket hotels charge a compulsory gala dinner on 31 December; the amount is confirmed at booking.
- The tour operates with a minimum of 15 participants; the child price (ages 2–12) applies when sharing a room with two adults on an extra bed.
Cancellation & Refunds
Bookings are confirmed with a written package tour contract finalised with our adviser. Cancellation charges based on the time remaining before departure, non-refundable items (visa fees, insurance, special-fare flights) and your rights if a tour is cancelled are explained on our Cancellation & Refund Policy page. Tour-specific terms are stated in the contract.
Cancellation & Refund PolicyGallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we spend New Year's Eve on the 26 December departure?
You spend 31 December in Phuket. Some hotels charge a compulsory gala dinner that evening, confirmed at booking; afterwards you can join the celebrations on the beach.
What is included in the Phi Phi trip?
Speedboat transport, visits to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon, snorkelling gear, the national park fee and lunch are all included. Swimming is not permitted at Maya Bay; snorkelling stops take place in permitted coves.
How can I spend the free day in Bangkok?
Our tour leader arranges optional trips such as a floating market excursion, or you can choose street food in Chinatown, shopping in Siam or exploring by river boat. The BTS Skytrain and river boats are handy ways to get around the city.
Enquire about this tour
Fill in the form for availability, room options and current prices; our adviser will get back to you shortly. No payment is taken on the site.