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A holiday in Thailand means beautiful nature, stunning beaches, diverse culture and delicious food. With regular travel links to Bangkok, the capital city, from all around the world, Thailand is a popular destination among backpackers and honeymooners alike.

From the beaches of Koh Samui to the waterfalls of Erawan National Park to the vibrant streets of Chiang Rai, there are many places to enjoy while vacationing in Thailand. Read on to find out more about planning a trip to Thailand.

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You head to Erawan National Park while planning a trip to Thailand.
If you are planning a trip to Thailand, spring is the best season for a holiday to this beautiful island country.

The best time to visit Thailand is during the springtime, from November to March. If you are heading solely to the north of the country, the best time to visit is during September and October, when the monsoon rains are drifting through southern Thailand.

November to March is considered the peak season in Thailand, thanks to the cool and dry conditions. This is the best time to enjoy everything the country has to offer without worrying about oppressive heat or monsoon rains.

More information:
Thailand in October
Thailand in November
Thailand in December
Thailand in January
Thailand in February
Thailand in March

What Not to Miss in Thailand

Visit the Buddhist temple complex in Ayutthaya.
Explore ancient architecture in Ayutthaya while vacationing in Thailand.
Have the Thai curry noodle dish, Khao Soi, while visiting Thailand.
Try the local cuisine such as Khao Soi while touring the cities in Thailand.

There are lots of interesting places to go and things to do in Thailand. Here are our top picks.

  • Dive into history in Ayutthaya: The former capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya is a must-visit place for anyone interested in the history of Thailand. Explore the plethora of ancient temple ruins and learn about Thailand’s culture and history.
  • Cook up a storm in Chiang Mai: Northern Thailand is famous for its delicious cuisines like Khao Soi. Chaing Mai, the main city of the region, is the perfect place to learn to cook authentic Thai food. Locals run cooking classes all over the city, so you can take your pick. Check out our tours in Chiang Mai.
  • Hike through tribal hill villages: Northern Thailand is an ideal location for hiking, with various trails offering different levels of
    intensity and length. Combine your hike with a homestay in one of the hill tribe villages, such as Ban Hua Tung or Ban Mae Klang Luang.
  • Sail the Andaman Sea: Southern Thailand is home to the country’s most beautiful beaches and islands. The best way to visit them all is by boat. Ditch the public ferries and book a sailing tour if you are up for a more luxurious tour.
  • Snorkel in Phi Phi Leh: Thailand has some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the world. Go snorkeling off the coast of the Phi Phi islands for an unforgettable experience.

More information:
Adventure tours in Thailand
Water sports tours in Thailand

The floating markets of Damnoen Saduak are a must-see in Thailand.
Hop on a boat and get a unique shopping experience in the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak.

Ideally, you should spend two weeks in Thailand and not shorter than a week. If you are planning a trip to Thailand for one week, make a point of at least exploring Bangkok, visiting the floating market of Damnoen Saduak, and touring Chiang Mai. With two weeks to spare, you can also include national parks and Koh Samui boat cruise in your itinerary.

Not sure how many days to spend on your Thailand vacation? Check out our different itinerary options for visiting Thailand.

More information:
10 days in Thailand
7-day tours to Thailand
14-day tours to Thailand
10-day tours in Thailand

How to get to Thailand

Suvarnabhumi is a popular airport in Thailand.
The most popular way to enter Thailand is on a plane to Bangkok.

Bangkok is the main entry point into Thailand. If you are from the US, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways offer regular flight service to Bangkok. Since there are no direct flights, the average flight time from the US to Thailand is nearly 18 hours.

There is also a major airport in Chiang Mai in the north, and cruise terminals both in Phuket and the port of Laem Chabang, two hours south of Bangkok. If you are heading overland on a backpacker trail, you can get buses from neighboring countries pretty easily. For example, Nattakan Bus Station operates a 12-hour-long bus service from Phnom Penh in Cambodia to Bangkok.

Getting around

Trains are a good option of getting around Thailand.
Getting on a train is a budget-friendly option for traveling in Thailand.

Getting around Thailand is pretty easy. If you are planning a trip to Thailand on a budget, we suggest you take the country’s bus or train service. The 751 km journey between Bangkok and Chiang Mai by train takes around 11 hours. Train schedules are available on the website of the State Railway of Thailand. There are also tourist bus services such as the Patsornchai tour. They are slightly more expensive than conventional coaches, but they are certainly a lot more comfortable. For short journeys, you can always hop on the ubiquitous tuk-tuks.

Budget and money

Thailand has itineraries to suit all budgets. For a mid-range budget holiday, you will need between *USD50 to 100 a day. This includes a double room, shopping and local transport. For a more luxurious experience with guided temple tours, island hopping on a speedboat and spa treatment, you will need a daily budget of USD200 to 400. Backpackers can make do with USD20 to 40 a day. You can get a dorm bed and local street food for this price.

More information:
Thailand Budget Tours
Thailand Luxury Tours

*Note: The prices mentioned are of March 2022 and are subject to change.

What You Didn’t Know (But should)

Wat Phra Singh is a popular temple in Chiang Mai.
Make sure to dress appropriately and respect the local culture while entering temples in Thailand.

Take our advice to save yourself from committing cultural faux-pas during your Thai holiday.

  • Make sure that you cover up your knees and elbows when you are visiting temples
  • When making conversation, do not talk about the King at all, for this is an easy way to end up in big trouble.
  • Curiously, the popular Thai beer brands also make bottled water, so be clear to your waitress or waiter when you order Singha Beer or Chang Water, or vice versa.

Safety

Take safety precautions in shopping markets while touring in Thailand.
Thailand is generally a safe destination but you should always take precautions while traveling.

Here are a couple of safety tips if you are traveling to Thailand.

  • To avoid getting scammed, try and get a local to help you book transport.
  • As with any tourist destination, watch out for pickpockets.

If you are planning a trip to Thailand, there are a lot of great things to see and do. From beautiful beaches to challenging mountain treks to amazing cuisine, Thailand is a great destination for travelers of all preferences.

Reach out to our travel experts for customized tours to Thailand. Or find out more, including event calendars and visa information here.

Tours Options in the Country

Published by Tim Green, updated on August 8, 2023
Plan a trip to ThailandWe offer different tour types. You can also chat with a local travel specialist if you want a customized tour to Thailand.
  • Matilda Lindh
    Matilda LindhTravel Expert in Thailand
  • Nitipong Jansang
    Nitipong JansangTravel Expert in Thailand
  • Carmen Castrovillari
    Carmen CastrovillariTravel Expert in Cambodia & Thailand
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