Road Cycling Bangkok To Phuket

This is Thailand’s most popular road cycling journey, and for good reason! There’s nothing quite like gliding along excellently paved roads that snake past tropical shorelines, savoring delicious Thai cuisine, and enjoying the world-renowned hospitality of the Land of Smiles. From the coconut groves and sandy beaches along the Gulf of Thailand, through the ancient rainforest of Khao Sok National Park, and on to the Andaman Coast, road bike touring in Thailand simply doesn’t get better than this.

We meet in Bangkok and whisk ourselves away to the countryside for a gentle warm-up ride leading to the quiet coastal area of Pranburi. From there, we ride south along the Gulf of Thailand shoreline, passing the limestone cliffs of Sam Roi Yot and hopping from one scenic headland to the next. Our route regularly veers inland through an agrarian world of coconut, palm oil and rubber plantations interspersed with exotic fruit orchards. On day 6 we trade white sands for green jungle as we cycle to Khao Sok National Park, home to a massive karst-studded lake and one of the world’s oldest rainforests. After making our way across the peninsula’s hilly spine, we roll down towards the Andaman Sea, soaking in the Old-World charm of Takua Pa, a historic tin-mining town, before planting our feet in the sun-kissed sands of Khao Lak Beach. A final zip down the Andaman Coast leads us to Phuket, where we conclude our ride with the iconic crossing of the Sarasin Bridge. The tour ends with a night in Phuket.

On this tour we ride mostly along well-paved secondary roads that hug the coast or pass through agricultural areas, including coconut groves and rubber and oil palm plantations. Occasionally, we also veer onto narrow country lanes where potholes, road debris, and patches of gravel can be common. There are a few sections on busier streets near towns and cities as well as time spent on main provincial roads, which can be either unavoidable or used tactfully to cover distances more quickly. There is usually a wide shoulder to ride on and, while they can be busier in more populated areas, become noticeably quieter in rural regions. While we have scheduled our departures to avoid the wettest months of the year, showers can occur at any time. We generally ride rain or shine, but based on the guide’s discretion or your comfort level, modifications to the planned route can be made. It’s all part of the adventure!