Is Thailand your next vacation destination? We’ve put together a step-by-step guide on how to organize a trip to Thailand on your own—no need for traditional travel agencies. Nowadays, many people, like you, choose to pack their backpacks and explore Thailand independently, so we’re sure this article will be a great help in your planning.
Thailand offers what’s called a “Visa Exemption,” allowing you to stay in the country for up to 30 days without needing a visa. However, if you plan to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a Thai visa.
The link above (coming soon) includes all the information, including entry requirements related to COVID-19.
You’ll most likely arrive in Thailand via Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. We’ve written a helpful article on finding cheap flights to Thailand—why pay more for the same journey?
If travel insurance was recommended before, it’s even more essential now, post-COVID. With so many options available, we’ve created a dedicated article on travel insurance for Thailand to help you choose the right one.
After years of traveling around Southeast Asia, we’ve learned a lot about the climate—and made our share of packing mistakes. Now, we know exactly what to wear.
Whenever friends visit us in Thailand or Malaysia, they always ask: “What should I pack?” Our answer is in the article “Clothes to Wear in Southeast Asia,” (coming soon) featuring tips from fellow backpackers who’ve traveled with us.
We only provide information, not medical advice. For those interested, there’s a list of recommended vaccines for Thailand. As always, we suggest consulting your doctor for personalized, professional guidance.
How much money should you bring? Thailand is a budget-friendly destination, especially compared to Europe. It caters to all kinds of travelers.
If you’re planning a trip on a budget, you can stay in affordable hotels and eat in simple restaurants or enjoy Thailand’s famous street food.
For $12–24 per night, you can get a double room with a private bathroom almost anywhere in the country—perhaps a bit more in beach areas. Meals usually cost between $6–12 per day per person, plus $3–4 for a beer if you’re a fan of this precious liquid.
Thailand uses the baht (THB) as its official currency. You can withdraw money from ATMs, though there’s a fee of at least 220 THB per withdrawal. If you prefer, you can exchange currency before your trip through Ria, which offers one of the best rates. The link above explains everything in detail.
One of the main concerns when planning a trip to Thailand is the monsoon season. Most people prefer to avoid rainy months, but unless you’re planning a beach-only trip, it might not be a big issue.
So, when is the best time to visit Thailand? It depends—on the region you plan to visit and the activities you want to do. In the link above, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of Thailand’s weather by month, region, and rainfall, plus an easy-to-read map.
Getting around Thailand is easy thanks to its well-developed infrastructure. These days, you can book transport in advance using several helpful platforms. We recommend 12go.asia, which we use regularly.
If you plan to rent a motorbike or car, don’t forget to get an international driver’s license. You can now apply online and have it delivered to your home—no need to visit the traffic office. Full details are in the link above.
Our original philosophy was to book the first night and wing it from there—but as tourism has grown, availability has become more limited. Thankfully, many reliable booking platforms are now available.
With just a click, you can choose from tons of hotels and guesthouses before you even arrive at your destination.
We recommend Booking.com and Agoda.com, both of which are widely used across Southeast Asia.
Back in the day, we used to book tours at local agencies once we arrived. Now, thanks to technology, you can book your activities online ahead of time.
We recommend checking out platforms like GetYourGuide where you’ll find a wide variety of excursions all over Thailand.
