Last Updated on September 8, 2025 by Natalia
Planning a trip to Thailand can feel a little overwhelming. There’s no shortage of amazing places to enjoy, from Bangkok’s magnificent temples to Koh Phi Phi’s pristine beaches, so building the perfect Thailand itinerary can be hard if you don’t know where to start. Thankfully, we’ve put together this guide to cover everything you need to know for your first visit, from visa information and how to book internal transport to the best time to visit. Beyond practical advice, you’ll also find must-do activities, like getting a traditional Thai massage, and some of the country’s hidden gems like Sam Roi Yot. Here’s how to plan a trip to Thailand.
How to plan the perfect trip to Thailand
Accommodation
Finding the right accommodation is a big part of planning your trip to Thailand, and thankfully, there are plenty of options to suit all budgets. In Bangkok, you’ll find everything from luxurious five-star hotels to low-cost hostel dorms, while destinations like Phuket and islands such as Koh Phi Phi offer everything from private pool villas to simple guesthouses.
Most accommodations have air conditioning, which is essential for cooling off from the Thai heat, but some cheaper options may only provide a fan. It’s also worth knowing that if you pay by card, some properties may charge a 3–5% surcharge, so it’s often best to pay online in advance or pay by cash.
The easiest way to find and book accommodation is through Booking.com, which offers a massive selection of hotels, guesthouses, and villas. There are some amazing options for unique stays, from scenic overwater bungalows in Khao Sok National Park to simple beach huts on Koh Phangan. Book as far in advance as possible for the best prices and availability, though it’s still possible to find decent options at the last minute.
Click here to explore incredible accommodation options on the Booking.com website!
Flights
Thailand has several international airports, but the ones you’re most likely to use are Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK), and Phuket (HKT). Suvarnabhumi is Thailand’s main international airport, so chances are that’s where you’ll start your trip, but if you’re traveling with a low-cost airline like AirAsia, then you’ll probably fly into Don Mueang.
Phuket International Airport is a great option if you’re heading to southern islands like Koh Lanta, while Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is the main gateway to the north, though its international routes are mostly from other parts of Asia.
To find the best flight deals, use an aggregator like Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare your options. Try to be flexible with your travel dates if possible, and consider flights with a layover, since direct routes are almost always more expensive.
Keep in mind that flight prices increase significantly during peak periods like Christmas and summer holidays, so aim to book at least six months in advance to avoid overpaying.
We recommend booking a private airport transfer to take the hassle out of getting from the airport to your hotel once you arrive, as it’s much easier than navigating public transport or waiting for a taxi after a long flight.
Getting around Thailand
Exploring multiple destinations in Thailand is easy and affordable, with a range of transport options available for those venturing beyond Bangkok and Phuket. Options include domestic flights, trains, buses, and minivans, as well as an extensive network of ferries for island hopping. Although you can book transport in person at stations or travel agents once you’re in the country, it’s normally easier and just as cheap to book online.
The best way to book travel within Thailand is through 12Go, as you can easily book transport between most places in the country. The site makes it easy to compare all your options to find the best value, and it’s especially useful for journeys that combine buses/minivans and ferries, as they offer guaranteed connections on routes to islands like Koh Lipe.
Click here to find the best options for your trip on the 12Go website!
You can normally book tickets for domestic travel within Thailand at the last minute, but make sure to book well in advance if you’re traveling during peak season or have a fixed itinerary. Always check baggage allowances before you book, and consider that paying extra for air-conditioned transport or a comfier seat can make long journeys more bearable.
Tours and activities
Thailand offers no shortage of exciting tours and activities, from hands-on Thai cooking classes and street food tours of Bangkok to island-hopping adventures and snorkelling trips. Your options depend on where you’re visiting, but popular choices include visiting the idyllic Maya Bay, exploring the ancient temples of Ayutthaya, and touring Bangkok’s iconic floating markets.
The easiest way to find and book activities is through Klook and Get Your Guide, with both offering hundreds of tours and experiences across the country, ranging from adventurous jungle treks and private longtail boat trips to budget-friendly walking tours. It’s a good idea to book ahead to secure your spot, and Get Your Guide even offers free cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand for most activities, so you always have the flexibility to change your plans later if you need to.
Click here to check out the amazing tours and experiences available through Get Your Guide!
While some activities can be arranged once you’re in Thailand, either through your accommodation or via a travel agent, booking ahead means you can guarantee you do everything you want to on your trip. An essential experience for anyone visiting Thailand is a traditional Thai massage, and even these can be easily booked online in advance.
When booking activities, please be mindful of unethical animal experiences. Almost all elephant ‘sanctuaries’ are unethical and mistreat the animals, so avoid any activities where you can ride, wash, or touch elephants or other animals. Thankfully, there are plenty of other ways to experience Thailand’s incredible wildlife, including seeing wild elephants in Kui Buri National Park.
Where to go
Arguably the most important part of planning a trip to Thailand is deciding exactly where you want to go. Bangkok is an obvious starting point, and it’s worth spending at least a couple of days there to explore its stunning temples, visit the Grand Palace, and tuck into authentic street food at night markets like the Jodd Fairs Night Market.
Phuket is the go-to beach destination and offers ferry connections to some of Thailand’s most beautiful islands. You can easily reach spots like Koh Phi Phi, where you can find paradise beaches and visit the iconic Maya Bay, and Koh Lanta, a more peaceful island with a scenic national park on its southern tip. Both islands have great snorkelling opportunities, as does Koh Lipe, a beautiful spot further down the Andaman coast.
Other popular islands include Koh Tao, widely considered one of the best and most affordable places in the world to learn to scuba dive, Koh Phangan, which is famous for its lively Full Moon Parties, and Koh Samui, a more developed island that’s perfect for relaxing beach days.
Chiang Mai is the gateway to northern Thailand and a great base for jungle trekking and exploring more temples, while the ruins of Ayutthaya are an easy day trip from Bangkok.
Nature lovers shouldn’t miss Khao Sok National Park, where you can enjoy incredible karst scenery and adventurous activities like river tubing. Alternatively, head to Ao Nang or Railay Beach in Krabi for dramatic cliffs, world-class rock climbing, sandy beaches, and island-hopping trips.
There are still plenty of hidden gems in Thailand, like Sam Roi Yot National Park, so it’s worth doing your own research if you want to go beyond the typical tourist spots.
Apps
Before you arrive, it’s worth downloading a few key apps that will make a huge difference to your trip. The most essential app is Grab, which is Thailand’s version of Uber for taxis, and can also be used for food deliveries.
You’ll also want to download LINE, the most popular messaging app in the country, which can be useful for everything from messaging your accommodation to booking a massage. And, if you want to stay connected on the go, an eSIM app like Airalo is the perfect solution, allowing you to set up a data plan to avoid hefty roaming charges without needing to find a physical SIM card when you arrive.
Don’t forget obvious choices like Google Translate, which has a handy camera feature to translate menus and signs, and Google Maps; remember to download offline maps so it’s useful even if you don’t have an eSIM for data.
There are plenty of other helpful apps too, so read our guide on the best apps for traveling Thailand to find out more.
Best time to visit Thailand
Thailand is a wonderful year-round destination, so there’s no single best time to visit, but the period from December to March is generally the driest and most comfortable for the majority of the country. It’s a particularly great time to visit islands like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao, as the weather is ideal for relaxing on the beach or diving and snorkelling. The weather is also perfect for exploring Bangkok, but avoid Chiang Mai during its burning season, which brings heavy smog from February to April.
The rainy season runs from around May to October for the majority of the country. Expect heavier rainfall on the Andaman coast during July and August, but even during the wet season it doesn’t normally rain for the entire day, so you can still normally find a sunny spell or two for a trip to the beach.
For a unique experience, time your visit to coincide with Songkran, a festival celebrating Thailand’s New Year with water fights across the country. But if you’re trying to keep costs down, avoid Songkran and other popular periods like Christmas, as accommodation prices increase due to demand.
Visas
When looking into how to plan a trip to Thailand, one of the first steps is to figure out your visa situation. As of 2025, nationals of 93 countries (including the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia) get an exemption for visa-free entry for up to 60 days.
If you’re a national of another country, you may be eligible for a 15-day Visa on Arrival (VOA), but for longer stays, you’ll need to apply for a Tourist Visa before your trip. Officials may ask for proof of onward travel and proof of funds (฿20,000 per person), though we’ve only ever been asked to prove we had a ticket for a flight out of Thailand.
All non-Thai nationals need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online in the three days leading up to their arrival. Keep the confirmation email in case you need it at immigration upon entering the country.
Passports must be valid for at least six months upon arrival in Thailand, and if you’re planning a longer stay, some visas can be extended for an additional 30 days at a local immigration office in major hubs like Bangkok, Phuket, and Hua Hin.
Since visa rules can change quickly, always check with the Thai embassy and your home government for up-to-date information before you travel.
Currency
Thailand’s official currency is the Thai baht (฿). While it can be worth exchanging for some baht before your trip, it’s normally easier to just withdraw currency once you arrive. You’ll generally get a better rate from ATMs in Thailand than from currency exchanges back home, especially if you have a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Most ATMs charge a fee for withdrawals, typically around ฿200–250 per transaction, so it’s best to get out a large sum all at once rather than making several smaller withdrawals. ATMs normally give large notes of either ฿500 or ฿1,000, which smaller vendors at markets often won’t have change for, but you can always get change for these by buying something small at a larger store or a 7-Eleven.
Card payments are widely accepted in cities and hotels, but cash is still king in smaller shops and markets, so having baht on hand is essential. A crucial tip for all card payments and ATM withdrawals is to always choose to pay in baht, as choosing your home currency will always result in a worse exchange rate that costs you more.
You’ll get the best exchange rate by using a fee-free card like Monzo or Revolut. These cards give you the interbank exchange rate and help you avoid foreign transaction and conversion fees that your normal debit and credit cards will incur.
Please note that some links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This money is used to support this website and cover the costs of keeping it online and free to access!
