Getting To Thailand
Planning how to reach Thailand is more than just booking flights, it's the start of the adventure. In this section, we break down our full route from Edinburgh to Phuket, including flight details, travel times, and why we chose this path. Whether you're looking to replicate our journey or compare options, this is where it all begins.
We flew with Turkish Airlines from Edinburgh to Phuket, transiting through Istanbul. Since our itinerary focused on southern Thailand, we made the deliberate choice to bypass Bangkok altogether. While flights directly into Phuket often come at a premium compared to those landing in the capital, we preferred to avoid the extra time and hassle of a domestic connection. For us, the convenience of arriving closer to the islands outweighed the additional cost.
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The first leg of our journey, from Edinburgh to Istanbul, exceeded expectations. The aircraft was modern and comfortable, with generous seating and a solid in-flight entertainment system. Unfortunately, the second leg to Phuket was aboard an older plane that felt noticeably more cramped, challenging for an 11-hour stretch in economy.
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Still, Turkish Airlines delivered well on service. Meals were served on both flights and were better than average for long-haul economy: a choice of mains, decent portion sizes, and snacks that actually satisfied. On the longer segment, we were provided with a basic amenity kit including slippers, a blanket, pillow, toothbrush, toothpaste, and an eye mask. It wasn’t luxury, but it helped ease the journey.
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That said, 11 hours in economy is always going to be a test of endurance. A business class upgrade would have made a world of difference, though at more than triple the fare, it just wasn’t justifiable for us.
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Flight Summary
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Airline: Turkish Airlines
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Route: Edinburgh → Istanbul → Phuket → Istanbul → Edinburgh
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Total Cost: £1,698.84 (~฿80,840, ~$2,205, ~€2,008) for two adults, return
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Flight Duration: Approximately 16.5 hours out and 24 hours return (inc. layovers)
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Why Phuket: Flying directly into Phuket gave us immediate access to southern Thailand’s beaches and islands, cutting out the need for an additional domestic flight. Ideal if you’re heading straight to the coast.
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Tip: Fares to Phuket often fluctuate more than Bangkok. Keep an eye out for flash sales or set price alerts to snag the best deal.
Our Route At A Glance
1–2 March: Edinburgh to Phuket
Flight 1: Edinburgh → Istanbul — 4 hrs 20 mins
 Layover: Istanbul — 2 hrs 20 mins
 Flight 2: Istanbul → Phuket — 9 hrs 30 mins
Total Travel Time: Approx. 16.5 hours (excluding immigration and transfers)
2–8 March: Kata, Phuket
 Transfer from Airport to Kata: 1 hour by minivan
 Highlights: Tropical beach base, buzzing night markets, peaceful resort stay, and an ethical elephant experience
8–13 March: Ao Nang, Krabi
Transfer to Pier: 30 mins by minivan
Ferry to Krabi: 2 hours
Transfer to Ao Nang: 15 mins by minivan
Highlights: Towering jungle cliffs, unforgettable longtail boat trip, vibrant town vibe, and the chaos of Railay Beach
13–18 March: Koh Samui
Transfer to Pier: 3 hours by minivan
Ferry to Samui (Catamaran): 1 hour
Transfer to Bophut: 30 mins by minivan
Highlights: Instagram-worthy resort, tranquil temples, emotional visit to a rescued elephant sanctuary, and surreal snorkelling at Pig Island
18–20 March: Khao Sok National Park
Transfer to Pier: 30 mins by minivan
Ferry to Mainland (Donsak Pier): 1.5 hours
Transfer to Khao Sok: 3 hours by minivan
Highlights: Off-grid treehouse stay, cinematic lake tour, floating bungalows, and otherworldly jungle adventures
20–22 March: Kamala, Phuket
Transfer from Khao Sok to Kamala: 3 hours by minivan
Highlights: Laid-back beach town, peaceful wrap-up to the trip, close to Phuket International Airport
22–23 March: Return to Edinburgh
Transfer to Airport: 40 mins by minivan
Flight 1: Phuket → Istanbul — 11 hrs 5 mins
Layover: Istanbul — 8 hrs 30 mins
Flight 2: Istanbul → Edinburgh — 4 hrs 35 mins
Total Travel Time: Approx. 24 hours including layover
Why We Chose This Route
As first-time visitors to Thailand, we weren’t sure how easy it would be to navigate the south. We’d seen countless videos of tuk-tuks, ferries, longtail boats, and minivans weaving through chaotic traffic, but when it came to planning, we opted for destinations with well-established infrastructure.
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Our itinerary included Kata (Phuket), Ao Nang (Krabi), Koh Samui, Khao Sok, and Kamala, each chosen not only for its beauty but also for its accessibility. These locations offered solid transport links, a wide choice of reliable local tour operators for transfers, and tourist-friendly amenities that made getting around remarkably straightforward.
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What we discovered surprised us: travelling between destinations was far easier than expected. Transfers were easy to arrange (often the day before), well-organised, and generally ran to time. Even the more rugged legs of the journey such as the transfer to Koh Samui or the journey into Khao Sok National Park felt manageable and well supported.
Now that we’ve found our feet, we’ll be venturing further next time. With confidence in the transport options and local support available, we’re ready to explore more remote, less-touristed corners of Thailand.
