Quick answer: Thailand is Southeast Asia’s most popular destination. Beaches, temples, street food, value. Here’s your complete guide.
This complete guide covers everything you need: best time, getting there, getting around, where to stay, what to eat, etiquette, money, language, and safety.
Best Time to Visit Thailand
November to February is peak (dry and cool). March-May is hot. June-October is rainy season.
How to Get to Thailand
Bangkok (BKK), Phuket (HKT), Chiang Mai (CNX). 17-20 hour flight from US East Coast via stopover.
Getting Around
Domestic flights cheap. Bangkok BTS Skytrain and MRT. Long-distance buses, sleeper trains.
Where to Stay
Bangkok: Sukhumvit, Silom, Riverside. Chiang Mai: Old City. Phuket: Patong, Kata.
Top Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Pai, Ayutthaya.
What to Eat
Pad Thai, tom yum, green curry, mango sticky rice, som tam, khao soi, satay, street food everywhere.
Cultural Etiquette
Cover shoulders/knees in temples. Don’t touch monks. No tipping required.
Money Matters
Thai baht. Cash widely used. Cards at hotels, some restaurants. ATM fees ~$5 per withdrawal.
Language
English limited rural. Tourist areas fluent. Learn ‘sawadee’ (hello), ‘khop khun’ (thanks).
Safety
Generally safe. Avoid scams, bring DEET for mosquitoes.
Plan Your Trip
FAQs
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November to February is peak (dry and cool). March-May is hot. June-October is rainy season.
How long should I plan for Thailand?
7-10 days minimum for highlights. 14+ for deeper exploration.
How much does a trip to Thailand cost?
Mid-range: $130-220/day. Use our cost calculator.
Is Thailand safe?
Generally safe. Avoid scams, bring DEET for mosquitoes.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Depends on nationality. Check our visa guide.
Related Guides
{“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [{“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “When is the best time to visit Thailand?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “November to February is peak (dry and cool). March-May is hot. June-October is rainy season.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “How long should I plan for Thailand?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “7-10 days minimum for highlights. 14+ for deeper exploration.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “How much does a trip to Thailand cost?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Mid-range: $130-220/day. Use our cost calculator.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Is Thailand safe?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Generally safe. Avoid scams, bring DEET for mosquitoes.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Do I need a visa for Thailand?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Depends on nationality. Check our visa guide.”}}]}
{“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “Article”, “headline”: “Complete Travel Guide to Thailand”, “description”: “Thailand is Southeast Asia’s most popular destination. Beaches, temples, street food, value. Here’s your complete guide.”, “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Packzup”}, “publisher”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Packzup”}}