Thailand Travel Guide
Thailand is the rare destination that works for a first big trip and a tenth visit alike. Bangkok's temples and rooftop bars, the old kingdom of Ayutthaya, the mountains and night markets of Chiang Mai, and two completely different island coasts, all linked by cheap domestic flights, sleeper trains and ferries. The catch is timing: the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe) and the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) have their rainy seasons at different times of year, so the right islands depend on when you travel. This guide covers which coast to pick in which month, two tested routes for two and three weeks, how island-hopping really works, where to stay, temple etiquette, what to eat, ethical elephant visits and the entry rules that changed in September 2026.
Best time to visit Thailand
Cool season (November to February)
The classic time to go: dry, sunny and less humid in Bangkok and the north, calm seas on the Andaman coast. Peak prices over Christmas and New Year, so book islands early.
Hot season (March to May)
Bangkok regularly reaches 35°C and the north can be hazy from agricultural burning in March and April. Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, runs 13–15 April.
Rainy season (June to October)
Usually short, heavy afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain. The Andaman coast gets rough seas; the Gulf islands are at their best in July and August. Lower prices and green landscapes.
Gulf islands' wet spell (October to December)
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao get most of their rain from October to early December, exactly when the Andaman side dries out. From January to August the Gulf is reliable.
Thailand weather by month
Approximate average daytime highs in Bangkok and sea temperatures around Phuket (°C). The sea is warm all year; what changes is rain and wave height. The Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui) follows a different pattern from the Andaman coast, noted below.
| Month | Bangkok | Andaman (Phuket) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 28° | Peak season everywhere: dry in Bangkok and the north, calm Andaman seas. The Gulf islands dry out from mid-month. |
| February | 33° | 28° | Arguably the best month overall. Both coasts are good; Chinese New Year can push up prices. |
| March | 34° | 29° | Heat builds. Great beach weather on both coasts, but smoky haze often settles over Chiang Mai. |
| April | 35° | 30° | Hottest month. Songkran on 13–15 April turns every street into a water fight. Beaches still good. |
| May | 34° | 30° | Rains begin on the Andaman coast and seas get choppier. The Gulf islands stay mostly dry. |
| June | 33° | 29° | Green season. Phuket and Krabi get rain and rough seas; Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are a better bet. |
| July | 33° | 29° | Summer holiday crowds on the Gulf islands, which are dry and sunny. Andaman beaches may fly red flags. |
| August | 32° | 29° | Gulf still good, Andaman wet. Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi closes each year in August and September. |
| September | 32° | 28° | Usually the wettest month in Bangkok and on the Andaman coast. Cheapest hotels of the year. |
| October | 32° | 29° | Rains ease in the north and on the Andaman side late in the month; the Gulf's wet season starts. |
| November | 32° | 29° | Andaman season opens, Chiang Mai is fresh and green, and Loy Krathong lights up rivers at the full moon. Gulf still wet. |
| December | 31° | 28° | Dry and busy on the Andaman coast and in the north; rain lingers on Koh Samui early in the month. Book festive dates months ahead. |
Where to go in Thailand
Bangkok3 days
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, Wat Arun across the river, Chinatown's night-time food stalls on Yaowarat Road and the weekend Chatuchak Market. Use the river boats and the BTS Skytrain to skip the traffic, and do temples before 10am.
Chiang Mai3–4 days
A walled old town with more than 300 temples, the golden chedi of Doi Suthep on the mountain above, Sunday Walking Street market, cooking classes and the best khao soi in the country. Base for Doi Inthanon, Chiang Rai's White Temple and the mountain town of Pai.
Ayutthaya1 day
The ruined capital of the old Siamese kingdom, a UNESCO site 80 km north of Bangkok. Rent a bicycle and ride between Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Chaiwatthanaram, which is spectacular at sunset. Easy by train from Bangkok, or as a stop on the way north.
Kanchanaburi2 days
The Bridge on the River Kwai and the moving Death Railway museum and war cemetery, plus the turquoise seven-tiered Erawan Falls in the national park nearby. Stay in a raft house on the river and take the slow train over the Wang Pho viaduct.
Phuket and Phang Nga Bay3–4 days
Thailand's biggest island has an international airport, dozens of beaches and every kind of hotel. Skip Patong if nightlife isn't your thing and stay at Kata, Karon or Kamala. The day trip not to miss is Phang Nga Bay by longtail or sea kayak, among limestone towers such as James Bond Island.
Krabi, Railay and Koh Phi Phi3–5 days
Ao Nang is the practical base; Railay, reachable only by boat, is the headline act with its cliffs, climbing and Phra Nang beach. Koh Phi Phi is 1.5–2 hours by ferry: stay a night to see Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon before the day boats arrive. Koh Lanta, further south, is the calmer family choice.
Koh Samui3–4 days
The Gulf's biggest and most comfortable island, with its own airport, villa resorts and the Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai. Chaweng is lively, Lamai relaxed, Bophut's Fisherman's Village good for dinner. Day trips go to the Ang Thong Marine Park.
Koh Phangan and Koh Tao4–6 days
Koh Phangan is famous for the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin, but most of the island is quiet beaches, yoga retreats and jungle. Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive; don't miss the viewpoint over the three linked islets of Koh Nang Yuan.
Thailand itineraries: 2 and 3 weeks
Both routes start in Bangkok and use one domestic flight to skip the long trip south. Swap the islands for the other coast depending on the month (see below).
2 weeks: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Andaman coast
The classic first trip, best from November to April.
- Days 1–3Bangkok
Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun on day one; Chinatown and a river boat on day two; a market morning and a rooftop sunset on day three.
- Day 4Ayutthaya, then the night train
Train to Ayutthaya in the morning, cycle around the ruins, then board the evening sleeper to Chiang Mai from Ayutthaya station.
- Days 5–7Chiang Mai
Old-town temples, Doi Suthep at sunrise, a cooking class and a half-day at an observation-only elephant sanctuary.
- Day 8Fly to Krabi
Direct flights take about two hours. Transfer to Ao Nang or straight to Railay by longtail.
- Days 9–11Railay and Ao Nang
Phra Nang beach, the Railay viewpoint, a four-islands boat trip and kayaking among the cliffs.
- Days 12–14Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta
Ferry to Phi Phi for snorkelling and Maya Bay, or to Lanta for long quiet beaches. Fly home via Krabi or Phuket.
3 weeks: the north, Kanchanaburi and Gulf island-hopping
Works year-round except October to early December, when the Gulf is wet. In that window, use the Andaman islands instead.
- Days 1–3Bangkok
Temples, Chinatown, markets and the river.
- Days 4–5Kanchanaburi
Bridge on the River Kwai, the war museum and cemetery, Erawan Falls and a night in a raft house.
- Day 6Ayutthaya
Back towards Bangkok via the old capital, then the overnight train north.
- Days 7–10Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai's temples and markets, then a day trip to the White Temple and Blue Temple in Chiang Rai, or two nights in Pai.
- Day 11Fly to Koh Samui
Bangkok Airways flies direct from Chiang Mai to Samui on some days; otherwise connect in Bangkok.
- Days 12–14Koh Samui
Big Buddha, Fisherman's Village and a boat day in Ang Thong Marine Park.
- Days 15–17Koh Phangan
Quiet beaches in the north, a jungle waterfall, and the Full Moon Party only if the dates line up and you want it.
- Days 18–21Koh Tao
A four-day open-water diving course or snorkelling trips around the island, then the ferry and flight back to Bangkok.
Where to stay in Thailand
Thailand has excellent value hotels at every level. Location matters more than stars: in Bangkok stay near a Skytrain or river-boat stop, on the islands pick the beach that suits your trip.
Bangkok
Riverside hotels for views and easy boat access to the temples; Sukhumvit or Silom near a BTS station for restaurants, shopping and nightlife.
See hotelsExpedia →
Chiang Mai
Inside or just outside the old-town moat, you can walk to the temples and the Sunday market. Nimman is the café and boutique-hotel district.
See hotelsExpedia →
Krabi
Ao Nang has the most choice and easy boat connections; Railay has fewer resorts but feels like an island. Good for families and couples.
See hotelsExpedia →
Koh Samui
Pool villas and beach resorts at good prices compared with other tropical islands. Choose Bophut or Choeng Mon for calm, Chaweng for nightlife.
See hotelsExpedia →Buying through these links supports these guides.
Which islands when? Andaman vs Gulf coast
Thailand's two beach coasts sit on opposite sides of the peninsula and catch different monsoons. The Andaman Sea on the west (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe) is best from November to April and gets rough from May to October, when many boats stop and some Koh Lipe resorts close. The Gulf of Thailand on the east (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) is drier through most of the year and gets its heaviest rain from October to early December.
So the rule of thumb is simple: winter trip, Andaman; summer trip, Gulf. From January to April both coasts are good, which is why a two-coast trip works best then.
- November to April: Andaman coast at its best: Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta, Lipe. January to April the Gulf is excellent too.
- May to September: Gulf islands: Samui, Phangan and Tao are sunny while the west coast is choppy.
- October to early December: Avoid the Gulf; the Andaman coast improves from mid-November.
- First-timers: Krabi and Railay (with Phi Phi) or Koh Samui (with Koh Tao) give the most variety with the least effort.
How island-hopping works
Ferries and speedboats connect the islands on each coast, but not the two coasts with each other: getting from Phuket to Koh Samui means a flight (via Bangkok or direct on Bangkok Airways) or a long bus-and-boat day across the peninsula.
On the Andaman side, ferries link Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi (Ao Nang and Klong Jilad pier) and Koh Lanta in 1–2 hours, with seasonal speedboats south to Koh Lipe. In the Gulf, Lomprayah, Seatran and Raja ferries run Donsak–Samui–Phangan–Tao; Samui to Phangan takes about 30 minutes by speedboat, Phangan to Tao 1–2 hours. Combined bus-and-boat tickets run from Bangkok too.
- Book ahead in peak season: Ferries sell out over Christmas and around the Full Moon Party. Online booking platforms show all operators.
- Travel early: Morning seas are calmer, especially at the edge of the monsoon.
- Keep a buffer day: Boats can be cancelled in bad weather, so don't plan an island crossing on the day of your flight home.
- National park fees: Maya Bay, Similan, Ang Thong and other marine parks charge an entry fee, often not included in cheap tour prices.
Temple etiquette
Temples are working religious places, and the big ones in Bangkok check dress at the gate. Cover shoulders and knees (a light scarf and loose trousers solve it), take shoes off before entering any building with a Buddha image, and never point your feet towards a Buddha or a monk.
The royal family is deeply respected and the lèse-majesté law is strict: don't make jokes about the King, and stand when the royal anthem plays before cinema screenings.
- Monks: Women shouldn't touch a monk or hand things to him directly; place the item nearby instead.
- Heads and feet: The head is considered sacred and the feet lowest: don't touch anyone's head, including children's.
- The wai: Palms together with a slight bow is the Thai greeting. Return one if offered; a smile works too.
Travelling smoothly in Thailand
Thailand is one of the easiest countries in Asia to travel in, and a few habits make it smoother still. Use Grab or Bolt for taxis in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket so the price is fixed in the app. If you take a tuk-tuk or a metered taxi, agree the fare or ask for the meter before you set off.
Check opening hours of the big sights on their official websites and head straight to the main entrance. Book tours through your hotel or a platform with reviews, and keep valuables zipped and in front of you in crowded markets, as you would in any big city.
- Scooters: Only ride with a motorcycle licence valid in Thailand and a helmet; many travel insurance policies won't cover you otherwise.
- Rental deposits: Photograph a jet ski or scooter before you ride, and leave a cash deposit rather than your passport.
- Full Moon Party: Drink from sealed bottles, stay with friends and keep a note of your accommodation address.
- Sea safety: Red flags on Andaman beaches from May to October mean strong currents. Take them seriously.
What to eat
Thai food is regional, and eating your way through the country is half the trip. Street stalls and small shophouse restaurants are where the best food is, and a busy stall with a queue of locals is always a good sign.
- Bangkok: Pad thai, boat noodles, mango sticky rice and the night stalls of Yaowarat (Chinatown).
- The north: Khao soi (curry noodle soup), sai ua sausage and khan tok dinners in Chiang Mai.
- The northeast (Isan): Som tam (papaya salad), larb and grilled chicken with sticky rice, found everywhere.
- The south: Fiery curries such as gaeng som and massaman, plus fresh seafood on the islands.
- Spice level: Say mai phet (not spicy) or phet nit noi (a little spicy). Tap water isn't for drinking, but ice in restaurants is factory-made.
Responsible elephant encounters
Seeing elephants is on many Thailand wish-lists, and how you do it matters. Riding, circus-style shows and painting all involve training that harms the animals. The good sanctuaries, mostly around Chiang Mai, let you watch elephants roam, feed them and walk with them, without riding.
Look for places that limit visitor numbers, don't allow bathing sessions with crowds, and explain where their elephants came from. Many of the best book out weeks ahead in high season.
Before you go
Entry and visa
Since 15 September 2026, UK, US, Canadian, Australian and most EU passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism (it was 60 days before). Your passport should be valid for six months. Rules change often, so check the Thai embassy website before you fly.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)
Every foreign visitor must fill in the free online TDAC at tdac.immigration.go.th within the three days before arrival. Use only the official site; copycat sites charge a fee.
Flights
Thai Airways and EVA Air fly nonstop from London Heathrow to Bangkok in about 12 hours. From North America there are no nonstops; connect in Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong or the Gulf.
Plugs and money
Sockets are a mix of Types A, B, C and O at 220 V, so UK plugs won't fit and US plugs need a 220 V-compatible device. The currency is the Thai baht (THB); foreign cards pay a fee of around 220 baht per ATM withdrawal, so take out larger amounts.
Getting around Thailand
Domestic flights
Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai Vietjet and Bangkok Airways connect Bangkok (both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang) with Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui in about an hour, often for less than a long bus ride.
Sleeper trains
The overnight train from Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat station to Chiang Mai takes 11–13 hours. Book a lower berth in second-class air-con on the official SRT site; it's a highlight, not just transport.
Buses and minivans
VIP buses are comfortable and cheap between cities; minivans cover shorter hops such as Chiang Mai–Pai and Krabi–Koh Lanta.
In Bangkok
The BTS Skytrain, MRT metro and Chao Phraya Express boats beat the traffic. The Airport Rail Link runs from Suvarnabhumi to the city in about 30 minutes.
On the islands
Songthaews (shared pick-ups) and taxis on the big islands, longtail boats between beaches. Grab works in Phuket and Koh Samui.
How much does a trip to Thailand cost?
Budget
£25–40 / US$30–50 a day- Hostels and simple guesthouses
- Street food and local restaurants
- Buses, trains and ferries
Mid-range
£60–110 / US$75–140 a day- Boutique hotels and beach bungalows with a pool
- Restaurants, cooking class, massages
- Domestic flights and island tours
Comfort
£200+ / US$250+ a day- Pool villas and luxury resorts
- Private longtail trips and guides
- Fine dining and rooftop bars in Bangkok
What to pack for Thailand
Thailand sells everything, but these make island days and temple visits easier from the first day.
Universal travel adapter
Thai sockets are a mix of types and UK three-pin plugs won't fit. One adapter covers every hotel.
View on AmazonAmazon →SPF 50+ sunscreen spray
The tropical sun is intense, and sunscreen on the islands is expensive.
View on AmazonAmazon →Autan insect repellent
Mosquitoes are active year-round, especially at dusk and in the rainy season.
View on AmazonAmazon →Dry bag
Longtail boats and speedboats get splashy; keeps your camera and clothes dry on island trips.
View on AmazonAmazon →Waterproof phone pouch
Photos while snorkelling, kayaking in Phang Nga Bay or getting soaked at Songkran.
View on AmazonAmazon →Buying through these links supports these guides.
Book before you go
Boat trips from Phuket and Krabi into Phang Nga Bay, to James Bond Island and the Hong Islands, are among Thailand's most popular tours and fill up in high season.
Thailand eSIM
Online from the moment you land, with no queue at the airport SIM counters.
Get an eSIMAiralo →Buying through these links supports these guides.
Quick tips
Learn two phrases
Sawasdee (hello) and khop khun (thank you), adding kha if you're a woman or khrap if you're a man.
Cash for markets
Carry small notes; street stalls and songthaews rarely take cards, though QR payments are everywhere.
Temple outfit
Keep a sarong or scarf in your day bag; it saves buying one at the gate.
Reef-friendly sunscreen
Sunscreens with oxybenzone and a few other chemicals are banned in marine national parks; check the label.
Tipping
Not expected, but rounding up the bill or 20–50 baht after a massage is appreciated.
7-Eleven
Open 24/7 almost everywhere, for snacks, cold drinks, SIM top-ups and sun cream.
Thailand travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November to April is best for most of the country, with dry weather in Bangkok, the north and on the Andaman coast. From May to September go to the Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao), which are dry while the west coast is rainy.
Which Thai islands are best for first-timers?
Krabi with Railay and a night on Koh Phi Phi, or Koh Samui combined with Koh Tao. Both have easy flights, plenty of hotels and the classic Thai scenery.
How many days do you need in Thailand?
Two weeks covers Bangkok, Chiang Mai and one island area. With three weeks you can add Kanchanaburi and hop between several islands. With only 7–10 days, pick Bangkok plus either the north or the beach.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Not for tourism if you hold a UK, US, Canadian, Australian or most EU passports: since 15 September 2026 you can stay up to 30 days visa-free. You must also complete the online Thailand Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival. Check the Thai embassy website for your passport.
Is Thailand safe for tourists?
Yes, Thailand is one of the most visited countries in the world and generally very safe. The main risks are road traffic and the sea: wear a helmet, ride only with a proper licence and respect red flags on the beach.
Phuket or Koh Samui?
Phuket for November to April, lots of beaches, day trips to Phang Nga Bay and Phi Phi, and more nightlife. Koh Samui for May to September, a calmer resort feel and easy access to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Do I need an adapter in Thailand?
If you're coming from the UK, yes: Thai sockets don't take three-pin plugs. US two-pin plugs usually fit, but check your devices work at 220 V.
Is it ethical to visit elephants in Thailand?
It can be, if you choose a sanctuary where elephants aren't ridden or made to perform. Observation-only sanctuaries around Chiang Mai are the best choice.
Planning a trip to Thailand?
If you'd like help choosing the right coast for your dates and planning your route, I'm here.
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