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If you’re planning a 5-day trip to Phuket, this detailed Phuket itinerary shares exactly how we spent our just under a week exploring one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands. Five days in Phuket isn’t enough to see everything, but it’s the perfect introduction to Thailand’s largest island.
Our stay at Beyond Kata Beach Resort was the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure and a few special touches to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. It was a couple’s trip, but the activities we chose are mostly family-friendly, so it’s easy to adapt this itinerary whether you’re visiting as a couple, solo traveller or family.
Thailand has been on our travel list for years — with its turquoise waters, stunning beaches, and endless day trips to nearby islands, it’s one of those places that truly lives up to the hype.
This itinerary includes our exact 5-day Phuket itinerary, along with ideas for day trips, and plenty of Thailand tips to help you make the most of your own stay — no matter if you’re there for a romantic escape or a sun-filled holiday with kids.
Our 5-Day Phuket Itinerary at a Glance
Accommodation: Beyond Kata, Kata Beach
Duration: 5 nights / 6 days
Best for: Couples, friends, or families
Getting around: Private transfers, bus + taxis or Grab for short trips
Currency: Thai Baht (฿)
Highlights
- A day trip to the Phi Phi Islands
- Exploring Old Phuket Town’s Sunday Market
- A morning with elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
- Relaxing beach days at Kata Beach
- Ziplining through the Phuket jungle
Phuket 5-Day Itinerary
This 5-day Phuket itinerary is aimed to help you plan your own itinerary, either doing it exactly like we did, or using it as a basic guide to help you put together your own perfect trip.
We based ourselves in Kata Beach, partly because we got a great all-inclusive resort package but also because it’s a quieter area with beautiful beaches.
Day 0 – Arrival in Phuket
After a long day of travel from Australia, we arrived in Phuket around sunset and headed straight to Beyond Kata Resort. It took around one hour and 20 minutes by private transfer to reach the resort. You can book a private transfer via Welcome Pickups.
The welcome drink and ocean breeze were exactly what we needed!
We unpacked and ended the night with a quiet walk along Kata Beach and a cocktail. The perfect start to unwind into holiday mode.
Day 1 – Beach Day, Local Food & Night Market
Start your trip with a slow day to unwind and get into island mode. After breakfast, head straight to Kata Beach — one of the prettiest beaches in Phuket — for a morning swim and some sunshine.
You can rent beach loungers and umbrellas for around 200 Thai Baht or find a quiet stretch to roll out your towel.
For lunch, try one of the nearby local spots. Look out for small Thai restaurants tucked behind the beach road — the ones packed with locals usually serve the most authentic (and budget-friendly) meals.
Dishes like pad kra pao, green curry, or massaman beef are always crowd favourites. Although I’m a sucker for pad thai!
In the evening, visit one of the Phuket night markets. The Kata Walking Street Market or Chillva Market (a short taxi ride away) are great options for browsing souvenirs, sampling street food, and listening to live music.
Grab a mango sticky rice or coconut ice cream to finish the night.
Day 2 – Phuket Old Town & Simon Cabaret
Head into Phuket Old Town to explore. The cheapest option is to take the Phuket Songthaew Bus (blue bus) to Old Phuket Town.
Our original plan had been to visit the Big Buddha and Wat Chalong on this day, but it was rainy and the Big Buddha is currently still closed after a landslide in 2024.
The blue buses are the cheapest form of transport in Phuket, and you will recognise them as they look almost like open trucks, so you can enjoy the scenic view along the slightly longer route. Much cheaper than a taxi, but it does take a little longer.
The old town is full of charm — colourful buildings, murals, cafés, and so much good street food. We sampled everything from satay skewers to Thai pancakes and loved the lively atmosphere.
If you’re lucky to be there on a Sunday, the Sunday Night market is the perfect chance to sample some local cuisine for dinner. A little bit of everything, if you’re a foodie like us! The market runs every Sunday night from 4 pm until late.
Or do as we did and go to the cabaret. Simon Cabaret in Phuket is quite the experience. They have cute drinks in the foyer before the show and then into the theatre you go.
From here, it’s around 90 minutes of performances, with singing and dancing and some of the most incredible costumes and sets.
It wasn’t really Simon’s thing (despite having the same name…) but it was worth seeing just for how well organised the show is. There were around 24 performers on stage at once during parts of the show, so it was quite elaborate. I enjoyed it!
At the end of the show they all come out for photos so you can see some of the costumes above.
You can also book Simon Cabaret with transfers to and from your hotel.
Insider Tip: If coming back after 6 pm, the Songthaew Buses will be finished for the day, so you will need to catch a Grab or a taxi back. Consider this for your budget since they are much more expensive.
Day 3 – Phi Phi Island Day Trip
The alarm went off early, but it was worth it! We spent the day exploring the Phi Phi Islands, visiting Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Monkey Beach. We did this exact day tour, and it was fantastic! You can read our full Phi Phi Islands day tour review here.
The water was crystal clear — perfect for snorkelling and swimming. Lunch was served on Phi Phi Don, and we were back at the resort at dinner time via the included hotel transfers.
If you only do one island tour while in Phuket, this is the one to choose. The islands really are as beautiful as the Instagram posts.
If you aren’t keen on Phi Phi, James Bond Island is another popular day trip option.
Day 4 – Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
After an early breakfast, head to the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary for a half-day morning tour.
This is one of the only ethical elephant experiences in Thailand, offering the chance to observe these gentle giants in a peaceful, natural setting. You get to watch them from Thailand’s largest canopy walkway, as well as getting a little closer but not so close to spook them, and learn their stories from knowledgeable guides.
The sanctuary is about an hour from Kata, and tours typically finish around midday. All of the elephants at the sanctuary have been rescued from animal tourism and are now cared for with veterinary care and free to roam in a natural environment.
Make sure you do your research before choosing an elephant experience because any that involve direct interaction with the animals are not ethical. That includes bathing with them, riding them, etc.
This is the exact tour we booked, including hotel transfers.
Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing back at your accommodation or in the local area — maybe a Thai massage, a dip in the pool, or some last-minute shopping.
For dinner, try one of the local Thai restaurants or treat yourself to an ocean-view meal along the beach.
Day 5 – Ziplining & Chill Afternoon
Time for a little adventure! We joined a half-day ziplining tour in Chalong, which was a fun and active way to see the Phuket jungle. It included hotel transfers and was so well organised.
Ziplining is something I’ve always wanted to do but never had the chance. Since we were kid-free on this trip, it was a great chance to give it a try and what an amazing place to do it in.
It is one of those things that is both scary and exciting, but wow, what a rush and our two guides were a lot of fun. We ended up doing our session with 3 other Aussies, making friends along the way.
They also have ATV tours, which were even more popular than the ziplines. I’m not that daring, but if you’re keen… it looks fun.
In the afternoon, enjoy your last night in Phuket with a special dinner or a clifftop bar. We had some lousy weather during the rainy season in October, so we stayed at our resort, Beyond Kata for dinner.
Day 6 – Departure Day
If you’re lucky enough to have a late departure, you can fit in a little extra before you go.
We had one last walk along Kata Beach before breakfast, packed our bags, and relaxed by the pool until our 4:10 PM airport transfer to the airport for our evening flight home.
Our flight left at 8:10 PM, giving us plenty of time to soak up those final hours in paradise.
Where to Stay in Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island — and it’s much bigger than many people expect! From the northern airport area down to the southern beaches, it takes around 1.5 hours to drive from one end to the other, depending on traffic.
The island is made up of many distinct areas, each with its own vibe:
- Patong: The busiest and most developed area, known for nightlife, shopping, and a central location.
- Kata & Karon: Relaxed beach towns with great swimming, dining, and fewer crowds.
- Phuket Town: The cultural and historical heart, ideal for foodies and boutique stays.
- Bang Tao & Surin: Upscale resorts and quieter beaches, popular with couples and long-term visitors.
We chose to stay at Beyond Kata Beach Resort, located right on Kata Beach on Phuket’s southwest coast. It’s a little further from the airport (over an hour’s drive) and around 40 minutes from Phuket Town, but the peaceful setting made it worth the distance.
Kata Beach turned out to be the perfect base for us — quiet, scenic, and walkable, with a long stretch of soft sand and calm water that’s perfect for swimming. There’s still a good range of restaurants, beach bars, and small shops within walking distance, but it has a much more relaxed atmosphere compared to Patong.
If you prefer nightlife, Patong might be a better fit. But if you want a beautiful beach, easy access to day tours, and a more laid-back vibe, Kata Beach is ideal for couples and families alike.
Phuket Travel Tips
- Transport: For cheap, use the Songthaew Bus or use Grab for quick, reliable rides. It’s affordable and easy to use across the island.
- Markets: The Sunday Walking Street Market in Phuket Old Town is a must, but arrive early to avoid crowds.
- Spa & massage: Affordable and everywhere — perfect for a relaxing afternoon.
- Sunset spots: Try Ska Bar, The Boathouse, or Kata Rocks for cocktails with a view. And of course, Karon View Point.
- Packing tip: Bring reef-safe sunscreen, sea sickness tablets if boating, insect repellent, and a lightweight rain jacket. Check out our Thailand packing list.
Our week in Phuket was a lot of fun. We had some less-than-perfect weather, as is expected with any tropical destination during the wet season, but it didn’t prevent us from doing any of the main things we wanted to do during our stay.
Staying in one place made it feel like a true holiday, and Kata Beach turned out to be an ideal base with easy access to both quiet beaches and exciting day trips.
Whether you’re planning a romantic Phuket getaway or a family-friendly island adventure, this itinerary offers a little bit of both — enough structure to make the most of your days, and plenty of space to relax and enjoy Thailand’s island magic.
And if you have more time, consider extending your stay to Bangkok, Koh Samui, or Chiang Mai next.