My Phuket to Singapore trip with Khao Lak Island

Mixing Thailand and Singapore is excellent for a twin-centre escape, especially if you fly with Singapore Airlines. If you’re keen to add a city break to your itinerary but you’ve already visited Bangkok, this is the perfect solution. Soak up the sunshine on Thailand’s tropical beaches before getting lost amidst the bright lights of Singapore.

When to travel from Phuket to Singapore 

I travelled in mid-November, which is a brilliant time to visit both destinations. November is a great time to start exploring Southeast Asia - especially Thailand – as it marks the beginning of the dry season. If you’re after a beach vacation with plenty of sunshine and calm seas, November is a safe bet. As the dry season is just kicking off, tourist numbers are still low, which makes for peaceful island-hopping in the Andaman Sea and Phang Nga Bay.

On the flip side, November marks the beginning of the monsoon season in Singapore, but please don’t let this put you off! While you might experience some heavy showers, these usually don’t last, and it will be sunny and warm for the rest of the day. By travelling in November, you avoid peak season prices and find fewer crowds. For me, this was perfect.

Flying with Singapore Airlines 

At the start of my trip, I flew with Singapore Airlines from London Gatwick to Phuket, with a brief transit in Singapore. After exploring Thailand, I flew from Phuket back to Singapore and spent a few nights there before finally flying home to Gatwick. The itinerary worked perfectly. 

I highly recommend Singapore Airlines in all aspects. Both my outbound and inbound journeys went smoothly, with all flights departing and arriving on time. The customer experience is excellent, and the app is very user-friendly, so getting the boarding pass and checking in was a breeze. This makes such a big difference when you’re embarking on a long journey.

Where Singapore Airlines truly shines is the onboard experience. The seats are comfortable and spacious in all cabins, with excellent entertainment systems and decent legroom. The food is also excellent, with plenty of snacks and drink options in between meals. 

The onboard staff provided the most helpful and professional service I have ever experienced, and this is standard across all Singapore Airlines flights. They really go the extra mile to make your flying experience pleasant. 

On top of this, Singapore Changi Airport is one of the best airports in the world. There’s so much to see and do during a transit here. For example, you can explore The Jewel, a nature-themed entertainment and shopping complex within the airport that’s home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Going through customs at Changi is also very efficient, which makes a refreshing change!

Staying on Kata Beach, Phuket 

I started my trip with a stay at the SIS Kata, a gorgeous four-star hotel perched on the hilltop with sweeping views over Kata Beach. The facilities are excellent, from the signature restaurant to the inviting swimming pool area. The rooms are really comfortable and well- designed. Even better, most of them have a private jacuzzi!

Exploring Phuket Old Town 

During my stay, I visited Phuket Old Town, with its lively market walking street. This is a great place to shop for souvenirs, with a buzzing atmosphere and dozens of street food stalls. I also stopped by the beautiful Wat Chalong Buddhist temple, one of the biggest and most famous temples in the area. It was a lovely local and cultural day out, which made a change from going to the beach.

Island-hopping to Ko Racha Yai 

On my second day, I took an island-hopping tour to Ko Racha Yai, one of the many islands south and southeast of Phuket. You can choose to get there by speedboat, longtail boat or catamaran, depending on the experience you’re looking for. I chose a catamaran trip, which included some wonderful snorkelling spots and gave me a chance to test my sea legs. 

In the evening, I ate at the Kan Eang Restaurant, a beautiful and very tasty seafood place right by the water. The food was delicious, and the evening atmosphere was very welcoming. I highly recommend eating here after an island-hopping tour, as the restaurant is near the pier.

Stopping at Beyond Skywalk Nangshi 

The next day, I moved toward Khao Lak. On the way, I stopped for lunch and a visit to the new Beyond Skywalk Nangshi adventure. Located on the edge of Phang Nga Bay, it offers the opportunity to see the iconic limestone formations from the amazing viewpoint, and the restaurant has the same breathtaking views. I highly recommend it for a short stop between Phuket Island and Khao Lak or Krabi, as it breaks up the two-to-three-hour journey.

Dining at the Devasom Khao Lak 

After arriving in Khao Lak, I had some time to freshen up before setting off for an amazing dining experience at the Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas. This is an exceptional five-star resort tucked away from the main town. It’s an exclusive, secluded spot for an indulgent luxury escape or a special occasion holiday.

Staying at the Khao Lak Emerald Beach Resort & Spa 

I stayed at the Khao Lak Emerald Beach Resort & Spa, an amazing four-star property with a grand variety of room types and three dining options. I stayed in their Deluxe Room with direct pool access, and it was such a great experience. The staff are amazing, there’s beach access from the hotel, and they run all kinds of events at their beach bar.

Visiting an elephant sanctuary 

The following day, I set off to an elephant sanctuary to see elephants rescued from hard labour and farming. There are many elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, but be sure to choose an ethical one where you don’t physically interact with the elephants. The most responsible sanctuaries only allow you to observe the elephants from a safe distance and sometimes prepare their snacks. It’s very important to steer clear of any so-called sanctuaries that offer elephant washing or riding.

Enjoying a traditional Thai massage 

After spending the morning with the elephants, I went to the wonderful “La Vita Sana” wellness centre, one of the only centres in the area that isn’t located within a five-star resort. La Vita Sana has very professional staff who provide amazing massages, as well as many other treatments. It’s such a great place to be pampered, so a must-do if you stay in Khao Lak.

Setting off for Singapore 

The next morning, I travelled back to Phuket Airport for my flight to Singapore, where I would spend two nights and two full days. On landing, I hopped straight onto a bus for a free Singapore tour provided by Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport. This tour is available for any Singapore Airlines passenger with a layover in Singapore of more than 5.5 hours. It gave me a great first taste of the city, before settling down to dinner at the hotel and a good night’s sleep.

Staying at the Shangri-La Singapore 

While in Singapore, I stayed at the Shangri-La Singapore, a wonderful property in the heart of the city with a variety of room types. Surrounded by 15 acres of tropical gardens, it is a great hotel for families and a real retreat from the urban side of Singapore. There’s a luxury family programme, a luxurious spa, and ten inviting bars and restaurants.

My Singapore sidecar tour 

The next morning, I took a quirky sidecar tour of the city. Right now, Singapore is the only place that offers sidecar tours, so it’s a unique experience! The tour is really popular (so be sure to book ahead), and it gives you a different perspective on the city. It was very entertaining, and I absolutely loved it.

Exploring The Gardens by the Bay 

After my sidecar adventure, I set off to explore the Gardens by the Bay area. This area is a real must-see of Singapore and a true highlight of any visit. You can dedicate an entire day to the Gardens by the Bay, visiting the Flower Dome, the Cloud Forest and the iconic Supertree Grove. I highly recommend staying after sunset to watch the evening light and music show (Garden Rhapsody).

Drinking beer at the highest brewery in the world 

I finished the day with a pint at the highest urban microbrewery in the world. Situated on the 33rd floor of the Marina Bay Financial Centre, LeVeL33 is an unforgettable place to have an organic beer, with amazing views over the entire city. The menu cleverly features dishes that highlight brewing ingredients, such as lager pickles, beer sauces, and spent grain breads.

Exploring Singapore’s island playground 

On my last day, I set off for Sentosa Island. This is basically a big vacation playground, with numerous hotels, beaches, water parks, Universal Studios Singapore, golf, karting, and indoor playgrounds. It’s an ideal place for kids and just a short distance from the city. You can even use Sentosa as a base to visit Singapore or combine the city and the island over a week-long vacation.

My thoughts about mixing Phuket with Singapore 

In summary, Phuket, Khao Lak and Singapore offer a wonderful combination for a multi-stop trip in Asia, and flying with Singapore Airlines is the best way to combine all three destinations. Get lost in tropical nature, relax on golden beaches, soak up street food culture and sip a cosmopolitan Singapore Sling. It’s a trip that offers real variety at a relaxed pace – try it for yourself!

Interested in visiting Thailand and Singapore? 

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