Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destinations. The country has something for everyone: beautiful beaches, pristine waters and coral reefs; unique temples; delicious food and drink; friendly locals; exciting nightlife—you name it! It’s also home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites. Thailand is an ideal destination for everyone. The land of smiles has so much to offer and you don’t even need to travel far to discover its beauty. Below you can find a complete Travel Guide to Thailand that will help you to plan your next vacation:
How to travel to Thailand
If you’re looking to travel to Thailand, there are many ways to get there. You can drive or fly in, or take a boat or train. No matter your preferred mode of transportation, it’s important to know the rules and regulations regarding tourists before entering the country.
How to travel around Thailand
The best way to get around Thailand is by plane and train. Many local bus companies also run public buses and long-distance buses. You can purchase tickets in advance through the internet or at a ticket office before boarding your plane or train, which will save you time at the airport or station.
Bus travel is cheaper and more flexible if you have a lot of luggage or don’t mind taking long journeys without any entertainment available on board. Train travel has the advantage of allowing you to see more countryside as well as being fairly comfortable compared with buses; however, trains aren’t always reliable either so make sure your tickets are confirmed before setting off!
Boats are an excellent way for seeing some spectacular scenery while getting from A-to-B – whether it be a river cruise along Thailand’s Chao Phraya River or cruising from one island to another in Southern Thailand’s beautiful Andaman Sea (where we’d recommend stopping at Koh Samui).
The country’s domestic flights are very affordable, so if you want to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai or Phuket, then flying would be a good option for you.
The most popular modes of transportation within cities include tuk-tuks (motorized three-wheeled taxis), motorcycle taxis known as “songthaew” (minivans) and songtaews (buses), regular taxis, Uber/Grab car services that use smartphones to connect riders with drivers via text message for payment processing purposes instead of cash payments like traditional cabs do elsewhere around Asia), motorbike rentals etc…
Best time to visit Thailand
The best time to visit Thailand is from November to February. The weather is pleasant and the temperature is warm, but not too hot. There’s a good chance you’ll see some rain, but it won’t be too much of a problem if you plan on visiting the country during this time.
You might also enjoy traveling to Thailand between May and September, especially if you’re an outdoor enthusiast looking for beach activities or water sports like scuba diving or snorkeling. However, keep in mind that there are two rainy seasons: one in July-August and another in November-December (the latter being more severe).
Things to see and do in Thailand
- Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is known for its temples and amazing street food.
- Chiang Mai is a great place for nature lovers, with beautiful waterfalls and mountains to hike around. It’s also home to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which you can climb up to for panoramic views over the city below!
- Phuket has tons going on in terms of festivals, nightlife, and beaches—so much so that it’s often nicknamed “the island of happiness”! If you go during Chinese New Year (which occurs around February 1st), there will be parades with floats featuring dragons moving through town before being burned at midnight; then afterward people dance around burning firecrackers until sunrise! This tropical island has many activities like water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling, and parasailing as well as land-based activities such as hiking through dense jungle trails or exploring its rich history at one of many museums along the way.
- Koh Samui has many resorts that are great for families looking for relaxing beach vacations; however, if you want more thrill than relaxation there are also some amazing scuba diving experiences available here too! Koh Samui is a tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand. With its powdery white sand beaches and turquoise waters, it’s no wonder that this island is a popular destination for tourists. The best time to visit this island is during low season when you can get great deals on hotels and flights.
- Krabi is located near various other islands such as Koh Phi Phi Don where there are lots of water sports available including snorkeling trips or hiking along cliffs overlooking Phi Phi Leh Island where one can admire the sunset from above while admiring the beauty surrounding them from below.
Typical costs to travel to Thailand
You can expect to spend around $50–$120 USD per day in Thailand on your trip. This will cover your transportation costs. The best time to visit this island is during the low season when you can get great deals on hotels and flights, or taxi, accommodations, food, and activities. You can find budget hotels for as low as $15 per night and mid-range hotels for $35–90 per night. If you’re looking for luxury accommodations and want to splurge a little more on your trip I would recommend staying at the Shangri-La in Bangkok which has an awesome rooftop bar with a stunning view of the city!
In Thailand, especially in the larger cities, food is incredibly affordable. Street food can be purchased for as cheap as $1, but if you want a very hearty lunch, expect to pay $3 per meal. If you only eat Thai cuisine in good local restaurants, the worth of meals will cost you up to $10.
While traveling in Thailand it’s best to have cash on hand so that you don’t get hit with exchange fees when using your card at restaurants or shops. Some places do accept cards but they may charge up to 5% extra which can add up quickly if you’re spending more than $100 USD each day! The currency used is the Thai Baht (THB). While there aren’t any ATMs that accept foreign debit cards yet so make sure that you bring enough cash into the country before leaving home!
Suggest Budget Trip
Budget between $20 to $40 (around 1000 bath to 1500 bath) each day if you’re a backpack traveler. Using public transit to go around, sleeping in a dorm room, eating food from street vendors, having a few drinks daily, and participating in generally free or inexpensive activities like swimming, hiking, and resting on the beach are all possible on this budget.
If you’re a mid-range traveler and still want to enjoy good food in restaurants you can budget $40 to $100 (1500 bath to 3200 bath). You can travel between cities by train or low-cost flight, stay in a private hostel room or guesthouse with air conditioning, eat a few meals at Western or sit-down restaurants, or rent a motorcycle or scooter.
For luxury travellers, the budget is unlimited. You can expect to spend more than $100 per day. But no worries, Thailand is one of the most affordable prices and value money for traveling in Asia.
Food in Thailand
Thailand is known for its delicious cuisine. Thai food is one of the best in the world, and there are several reasons why. Thai cuisine has a lot of variety because it’s influenced by many different cultures and cooking styles—from neighboring countries like Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia and Burma; from Thailand’s former colonies like Vietnam; from India through its use of spices; and from China through wok techniques.
Thai food can be spicy or mild depending on what you order at a restaurant or buy at the market (in Thailand). If you’re not used to spicy foods then try ordering something that’s not spicy first before trying anything else!
The main ingredients used in Thai cooking are fresh herbs like basil leaves (for example), chilies (especially red ones), lemongrass stalks and roots which add flavor to soups/stews called “Tom Yum”/”Tom Kha Kai.” This soup is made with seafood broth along with tomatoes – if you eat meat then there’ll be some chunks added too!
How to Stay Safe in Thailand
When you are traveling in Thailand, it is important to be aware of the inherent risks and how to avoid them. It is also important to remember that Thailand is a very safe country overall and most trips will be trouble-free.
- Avoid scams by not believing everything you hear and never giving up your passport as collateral for any service offered on the streets.
- Stay away from drugs: Though illegal in Thailand, drug use remains rampant among tourists due to its easy availability at clubs and bars. If you do decide to indulge, be sure that it’s something you can handle (e.g., don’t take anything if you’re not familiar with it), and always have someone nearby who knows what’s going on in case something bad happens!
- When traveling alone, make sure someone knows where exactly where they should meet up if anything goes wrong or makes them uncomfortable—whether that means calling home during long bus rides or making sure they have a friend who can take them home safely after being out late at night.
Prepare before traveling to Thailand
You’ve decided to travel to Thailand, but not sure what to expect. Here are some things you should know before traveling to this beautiful country:
- What to wear: In Thailand, it’s very hot and humid during the summer months (March-May). Jeans and long pants are recommended for men and women. Women should bring shorts that cover their bum–you’ll be amazed at how many women do not follow this rule! And don’t forget plenty of sunscreens!
- What to pack: Make sure you pack comfortable shoes or sandals for when you’re sightseeing; flip flops also work well on airplanes, buses, etc… You’ll want a nice bathing suit too because Thailand has some beautiful beaches! Don’t forget your camera–there are so many amazing places in Thailand that will make great photos!
- What to expect: If you have never been on an adventure trip before then this is the perfect time for one because everything is included–your flights, transportation between cities (by plane), meals while we’re away from our hotels/ guesthouses eating local food etc…
Thailand travel visa requirements
Most countries can travel to Thailand without a visa, but you need to check the requirements of your specific nationality. The following countries are granted visa-free travel to Thailand for a period of up to 45 days.
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, UAE, UK, USA, Brazil, Republic of Korea, Peru, Hong Kong, Vietnam.
If you do need a visa, you must apply for it before traveling to Thailand.
If you are eligible for e-visa, it is recommended that you apply online instead of through an embassy or consulate in another country. The cost varies depending on your nationality and where you apply.
At the airport, you might need to provide primary identification documents as well as ticket proof that you will leave Thailand within 45 days from the arrival date.
For more information you can check our detailed article about: travel visa requirements for Thailand.
Conclusion
This article has given you a lot of information about Thailand, from how to get there, to the best time of year to visit. It also covered some of the best places and things to do while you’re there. I hope our Travel Guide to Thailand helps you decide whether or not this amazing country is right for your next holiday!