5 Cheapest Southern Thailand Islands for Backpackers

If your budget loves quiet sands and slow sunsets, Koh Jum is your best friend. This low-key Krabi island blends rustic beach life with prices that make long stays tempting. Fan bungalows and simple wooden huts line relaxed stretches like Ao Si and Ting Rai, often with hammocks out front and family kitchens serving curry and stir-fries at local rates. Beer is cheap at village shops and beach shacks, and happy hours keep sunset sips affordable. Getting here is easy via Laem Kruat Pier from Krabi, with frequent longtails. There’s little nightlife, which keeps costs down, and scooter rentals are inexpensive for exploring. ATMs are limited, so bring enough cash. For travelers chasing the classic Thailand vibe without the crowd markup, Jum packs maximum value into minimal fuss.

No cars, wide beaches, reggae bars, and wallet-friendly prices make Koh Phayam a backpacker staple. Ao Yai and Buffalo Bay are the main draws, with bamboo bungalows tucked under casuarina trees and simple cafes doing cheap Thai plates and banana pancakes. Beers are easy on the wallet, especially at sunset bars with nightly specials, and you’ll often find long-stay discounts outside the peak New Year window. Getting here is straightforward via speedboat from Ranong Pier, and renting a scooter is the best way to hop between bays and mellow beach bars. Wi-Fi is decent for checking onward ferries, but come for offline days of hammocks, bonfires, and beach volleyball. Bring cash, as card acceptance is patchy, and expect the island to quiet right down by 10 pm, which keeps costs pleasingly low.

Famous for the Emerald Cave but friendly to tiny budgets, Koh Mook balances a real-deal fishing village with laid-back beach life. Around the pier and in the village lanes, you’ll find basic guesthouses, homestays, and fan rooms at prices that suit long-term backpackers, plus noodle shops, roti stands, and seafood grills at local rates. Sunset Beach and Sivalai’s sandbar offer idyllic swims without luxury price tags, and beers are cheapest at corner shops or simple beach shacks. Longtail trips to Emerald Cave are the big splurge here, but you can join shared boats to keep it affordable. Ferries connect smoothly to Trang’s Pak Meng Pier and other nearby islands. Expect early nights, early mornings, and plenty of value in between.

Bigger and better connected than most budget islands, Koh Lanta wins on choice and competition. Dorms, fan bungalows, and no-frills rooms cluster around Long Beach and Klong Khong, and off-peak deals can be superb for week- or month-long stays. Street stalls, Muslim kitchens, and markets keep food costs down, and happy hours make sundowners affordable, especially if you stock up at convenience stores first. Days are easy: explore quiet southern beaches, stroll Lanta Old Town’s waterfront, or scooter through the national park area. Nightlife is present but mellow by Thai island standards, which helps the budget. With frequent vans from Krabi and ferry links to Phi Phi and beyond, Lanta is a smart, low-stress base for backpackers who want cheap beds, simple bars, and a reliable island vibe.

A tiny gem near the Malaysian border, Koh Bulon Lae is all about clear water, soft sand, and uncomplicated living. There’s no scene, just a handful of bungalow operations and beach restaurants serving inexpensive Thai staples and the day’s catch. Electricity can be limited in some spots, but that helps keep prices in the budget lane and evenings blissfully quiet. Beers are cheapest from small shops, and basic huts remain excellent value compared with flashier neighbors. Snorkeling straight off the beach is the island’s headline act, so you can skip pricey tours. Ferries connect from Pak Bara Pier and nearby islands, but bring enough cash since there are no ATMs and card machines are rare. If you want a peaceful, affordable reset between busier stops, Bulon Lae delivers beautifully.