Thailand travel guide
Thailand travel guide: cities, islands, and the right route
Thailand remains Southeast Asia's most accessible adventure - top beaches, exceptional food, two-month visa-free for most nationalities, and an infrastructure that handles 40 million tourists yearly without losing its texture.
Destinations we cover in Thailand
Country overview
Thailand is a tropical-monsoon country with a clear November-February dry season window and a separate northern hill region with distinct climate. The new TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card, free, takes 3 min online) is required from mid-2025.
- Language
- Thai. English common in Bangkok, Chiang Mai tourist areas, and at major hotels; limited elsewhere.
- Currency
- Thai Baht (THB). ATMs widely available; SuperRich exchange booths offer the best rates.
- Best time to visit
- November-February for cool dry season. Avoid March-May extreme heat. June-October monsoon is workable in Bangkok but tougher in the north (haze can be severe).
- Trip highlights
- Bangkok's temples + rooftop bars + street food, Chiang Mai's mountain villages + ethical elephant sanctuaries, the Songkran (April) + Yi Peng (November) festivals.
Thailand travel guide
Thailand is Southeast Asia's easy-to-love classic — temples, street food, beaches and warm hospitality at great value.
- Bangkok — temples, markets and the Grand Palace.
- Chiang Mai — northern culture, temples and ethical elephant sanctuaries.
- The islands — Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui for beaches.
When to go & budget
The cool, dry season (November-February) is best. Thailand is famously affordable — street food costs a couple of dollars, and mid-range travel runs $70-120/day.
Know before you go
Dress modestly at temples, carry cash (baht), use the BTS in Bangkok to beat traffic, and use cheap domestic flights to link regions. Ten days covers Bangkok, the north and the islands.
Thailand Travel Guide FAQ
What's the best itinerary for Thailand?
Bangkok, Chiang Mai in the north, and a few days on the southern islands — about 10 days.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November to February — the cool, dry season with the most comfortable weather.
Thailand like a local: the smart route, regions & food
The classic route
A great 10–14 day loop: Bangkok (2–3 days) → Chiang Mai in the north (3, temples + ethical elephants) → fly south to the islands (Phuket/Krabi/Koh Samui, 3–5).
Choosing islands
Krabi/Railay for dramatic limestone and rock climbing; Phi Phi for parties and day-trip beauty; Koh Lanta for calm; Koh Samui/Koh Tao on the Gulf side (opposite monsoon timing).
Food to chase
Pad thai and mango sticky rice, of course — but go deeper: khao soi (northern curry noodles) in Chiang Mai, southern curries, and night-market street food everywhere.
When to go
November–February (cool, dry) is best nationwide. Note the Gulf islands (Samui) have opposite rains — best around Feb–Sep.
Budget
$30–50/day budget, $70–120 mid-range. Use the BTS in Bangkok, cheap domestic flights between regions, and agree taxi fares or use Grab.
Thailand Travel Guide FAQ
What's the best Thailand itinerary?
Bangkok, Chiang Mai (north), then the southern islands — about 10–14 days.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November–February nationwide; the Gulf islands (Koh Samui) are best Feb–Sep.