Thailand has a lot to offer; from rich culture to beautiful temples to scenic beaches, bustling nightlife and adventure sports. Whether you are on a family trip or travelling solo, vacationing with a group of friends or enjoying a romantic honeymoon, Thailand will give you an experience of a lifetime. This post is your Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide to help you plan an amazing Thailand Trip.

1. Best Time to Visit Thailand

Thailand is a popular tourist destination all year round. Although tourists numbers fall most around September when monsoon is on full swing.

November to February: This is the best time to visit Thailand. Weather is cool and dry; average temperature is 20*C. Christmas and New Year celebrations are an icing on the cake. But this also means that these are the busiest months, hotels and flights are very expensive if not booked well in advance.

March to May: Weather is extremely hot especially in the north. Average temperature is about 35*C. However, it is still a good time to visit S-W islands (Phuket, Krabi, etc.) where average temperature Is 20-30*C. SongKran festival is a big tourist attraction in April.

June to October: Its hot and humid monsoon season in Thailand and a low season in Thai Tourism. Although there is a good tourist traffic in June, July, upto mid-August and October as mostly, the rains are mild and short lived. Additionally, these three months are a good time to visit the eastern islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phanagan and Koh Tao which experience very low rains in this period.

However, mid- August to September monsoon is on full swing and various services including ferries and island tours may be closed. But the good thing is that at this time everything from flights to hotels to bars are cheap.

Songkran Festival

This festival is the Thai counterpart of Holi in India, it is an annual festival that takes place between April 13th to 15th every year to celebrate the traditional New Year in the country. An event where people drink, dance, and play with water. If you are planning trip in April, don’t miss Songkran. The best and the wettest would be in Chiang Mai. Other popular destinations for this festivals are Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.

2. Places to Visit in Thailand

There are many destinations in Thailand each offering a unique experience and even a month can fall short in fully exploring Thailand. Hence, chances are you won’t be able to visit them all in a single trip unless you are backpacking Thailand for at least 4 weeks. Here are the top places to visit in Thailand:

2.1 Bangkok

bangkok city view from the airplane
Bangkok City View

Bangkok will give you more of a cultural and commercial experience along with a happening nightlife.

Places to see/ things to do:

  • Go for a Khlong (canal) Tour which will take you to top attractions like Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Buddha), and the Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha).
  • Enjoy the nightlife at Khao San road, Paptong, Nana Plaza, RCA, Soi Cowboy. Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy are the red-light districts in Bangkok.
  • Visit the Art in Paradise, 3-D ‘trickeye’ museum which is great for pictures (is there in Pattaya too).
  • Shop at Ratchada Train Night Market and Chatuchak Weekend Market (coconut- ice-cream recommended).
  • Take a day tour of Ayutthaya, the ancient temple town where Rama was born according to the Thai version of Ramayana. You can also stay there for a day or two to explore the temples at ease peacefully if you are into history and culture.

Transport in Bangkok: Use BTS train system( fast & affordable), boat buses, buses, tuk-tuks,etc. Preferably book a hotel near a BTS Station.

2.2 Pattaya

view of pattaya skyline from the pattaya view point.
Pattaya Viewpoint

Pattaya has much to offer beyond its naughty nightlife for which it is known in the world.

  • Take a half-day tour of Coral Island along with water-sports, avoid scuba-diving or sea-walking in Pattaya, better do it in Phuket.
  • Go for a Pattaya day tour and visit: Floating Market (must have experience, there’s one in Bangkok as well), Underwater World (may skip if not a fan), Art in Paradise Museum (must for families), Nongnooch Pattaya Garden (may skip if not a fan), Sanctuary of Truth.Visit Walking Street and Beach road in night for being awestruck with Pattaya’s nightlife (may avoid if with family). Avoid going into the sea on Pattaya Beach, the water is real dirty.
  • Pattaya hosts an array of shows, here are some must-see one’s, may choose as per your taste:
  1. Alcazar show (can also see in Bangkok/Phuket)
  2. Fantasea Russian show (There’s nudity involved so choose accordingly)
  3. Thai Show (There’s nudity involved so choose accordingly).
view from a boat of the floating market, Pattaya
Pattaya Floating Market

2.3 Phuket

It has stunning sandy beaches, crystal clear sea, rain forest, and beautiful mountains.

  • Visit the stunning beaches of Phuket Patong beach, Karon beach, etc.
  • Visit Bangla Road, small sis of Walking Street in night to enjoy Phuket nightlife.
  • Visit to the Phuket FantaSea cultural theme park.
  • Half/ Full day trip to Phi Phi Island by a speed boat is a must. The whole view is picturesque throughout the trip. Enjoy the sight of limestone cliffs, discover hidden bays, chill on white sand beaches en-route, indulge in snorkeling, the view of the greenish sea is just breathtaking.
view of the monkey island, phi phi island tour, phuket
Monkey Island
  • Phuket offers one of the best scuba-diving experience in south-east asia. You may do it on the Phi Phi island tour itself, if it’s your first dive.
  • May stay on Phi Phi Don for a night or 2-3 nights to fully explore the island and enjoy the wild beach parties.
  • James Bond Island Tour: The island located in the Phang Na Bay is famous since the James bond 1974 Classic ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ . The experience is as amazing yet different from the Phi Phi Tour as you canoe through caves and inner lagoons admiring the limestone cliffs and stop on island en route to chill out.

2.4 Krabi

From limestone cliffs to some of the world finest beaches, Krabi is a must-see when in Thailand. There’s a thriving nightlife scene and a stretch of golden beach surrounded by stunning natural scenery.

  • Chill on Railay beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.The towering limestone cliffs are perfect for rock climbing.
  • Party through the night in soi RCA.
  • Soak in the nature at Khao Yai and Ao Luek Tai waterfalls. You can even cool down at the Krabi Tiger Cave Temple, Wat Kaew Korawaram, and Wat Sai Thai.
  • Go island hopping on the small islands around Krabi. Visit the Mu Ko Lanta and Than Bok Khorani national parks.
  • Swim in the emerald pool that changes color depending upon the time of the day and bathe in the hot water springs.
  • Krabi offers Scuba Diving, bungee jumping and rock climbing for you to get high on the adrenaline rush .

2.5 The Eastern Islands

The eastern islands -Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao offer a mini holiday in Thailand itself. If your plan is to explore most of thailand in a week or less, skip them for another time.

How to reach:

  • Take a direct flight to Koh Samui and further take a boat to KohPhangan/ Koh Tao.
  • A Cheaper option is to take a Flight to Surat Thani and further take a ferry to Koh Samui/ Koh Phangan/ Koh Tao. You can also reach Surat Thani by Train or Bus to save more money. But keep in Mind the journey from Surat Thani Airport to your hotel in Samui/Phangan/Tao will take 4-5 hrs, so plan accordingly.

2.5.1 Koh Samui

Also read: Top 20 Things to do in Koh Samui

  • Visit Chaweng Beach- most popular, vibrant and crowded, Lamai Beach(quieter), Bophut (further quieter and a very long beach).
  • Take a day tour via rented scooter Secret Buddha Garden, the Big Buddha Temple, and Fisherman’s Village, Na- Muaeang Waterfall, Big Buddha, Hin Ta/ HIn Yai rocks, Mummified Monk, Fisherman’s Village.
  • Take a full Day island tour to Ang Thong National Park. Enjoy Snorkeling and Kayaking and trek to the top at Ang Thong national Park for some mesmerizing views.  It cost us 1550 THB including the National Park entry fee. You can book it with any agent once you reach Samui or for cheapest prices check it here on Klook.
  • Enjoy its nightlife in Chaweng and Lamai. The best night clubs to party in Chaweng, Samui are The Green Mango Club and ARKbar Beach Resort.

2.5.2 Koh Phangan

This island off the east coast is set in shimmering tropical waters. It is famous for its legendary Full Moon parties that take place once a month. It’s best for the party freaks.

  • In day chill by its beaches, explore the forested interior of the island with some beautiful waterfalls.
  • Koh Phangan hosts the world famous Full Moon Party, the biggest beach party in the world on the full moon every month. At Full Moon, head to Haad Rin Beach for the ultimate rave. Fire breathing, glow paint, buckets of cocktails and dancing until dawn on beats of International DJ’s.
  • Click to know the party dates- Full Moon Party Dates.

2.5.2 Koh Tao

Koh Tao is the island to enjoy a more peaceful and serene time. If you are a scuba diving enthusiast then Koh Tao has to be on your bucket list. It has the best and cheapest scuba diving services in the entire country. You can even try a few adventure sports such as cliff jumping and zip-lining while you are here.

2.6 Chiang Mai

In the north of the country,Chiang Mai is the ideal destination for foodie fanatics, anyone looking to find serenity in ancient temples and those looking to get close to nature.

  • Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple, dating back to the 11th century.
  • Night markets buzz to life as the sun goes down and this is the best place to sample the north’s impeccable food.
  • The Elephant Nature Park is a memorable experience for an entire family.The park is actually a picturesque animal sanctuary nestled in a lush green valley surrounded by mountains.
  • Must visit beautiful Wat Rong Khun, or White Temple.

3. Transportation in Thailand

Getting around Thailand is easy and cheap. Domestic flights are quite inexpensive and the most convenient way to travel around the country if you are short on time else railways is yet cheaper but time taking option. Taking ferries is the best way to get between the islands, and mini-buses (or 15-passenger vans) are the best to travel short distances.

For local travel use Skytrain/ MRT in Bangkok (Bangkok’s Overhead/ Underground Metros), Tuk-tuk which is the Thai version of shared auto in India, buses, taxis, mini-buses.

4. Food in Thailand

Thai food is dominatingly non-vegetarian, though it is not very tough to find vegetarian options. Thai street food is pretty hygienic and cheap, it is the best option if you are on a budget trip.

For Indians, Authentic Thai food is not going to feel good to the taste buds. So, you can just head over to an Indian restaurant; there are a lot of Indian restaurants in all the major cities in Thailand. Indian Thali vary from THB 150- THB 200 in most budget places.

Must Try dishes/ delicacies in Thailand: Pad Thai, Fruit Pancakes, Fried Ice-cream.

Fried ice-cream in patong, phuket, thailand
Fried Ice Cream

5. Accommodation in Thailand

All kinds of accommodation- Hotels, Hostels, AirBnB’s, Guesthouses, etc are available in surplus in Thailand- irrespective of the destination and they’re really cheap (even cheaper than what you find in India). Although, accommodation in islands is slightly costlier than what you will find in the mainland. Sign up using this link to get 2200 AirBnB Voucher.

Also Read:  

The best website to find accommodation in Thailand at best rates is Agoda.com. In my experience Agoda has a huge inventory of Hotels/Hostels at the best prices. On the other hand, the best website for booking Hostels is Hostelworld and has the biggest inventory of Hostels.

  • If you are a backpacker and want to socialize in the cosmopolitan world with people from other countries, Backpacker Hostels are the best place to make some new friends and have the best parties of your life.
  • If you are a party animal, than you must stay in Party Hostels and you will witness some of the craziest parties of your life here. You’ll find party hostels in almost all cities in Thailand.

Get the Best Deals on Agoda:

6. Budget for Thailand

Thailand attracts travelers with all budgets. Thailand is quiet affordable for everyone whether you are a backpacker, honeymooner or a digital nomad.

For Indians:

A week’s holiday in Thailand would cost around Rs. 30k-40k for a budget traveller and Rs. 50k-1 Lac for a mid range traveller.

Snapshot for general cost:

  • Flights: From New Delhi to Bangkok: Rs. 14k-18k (Varies with season).
  • Hotels/Hostels: A decent Hotel room with all basic amenities: Rs.1200- Rs.2000 per night, A bed in a Hostel: Rs. 500- Rs.1000 per bed per night.
  • Food: Street food: Rs. 100 per meal, Budget Indian Food- Rs 300 per meal
  • Beer : At 7eleven Store: Rs.120/ 600ml
  • Thai Massage: Dry Massage: 200 Baht , Oil Massage: 300 Baht

7. Scams in Thailand

Tourists face various types of scams in Thailand. Popular ones are Jet Ski scam, MotorBike Scam, Gem Scam, Extra Bills Scam, Tuk-tuk scam, hotel scam, get off the bus scam, rigged tax meter scams. There are many more and need a whole article separately but all of them can be avoided with some general precautions:

  • Don’t fall for anything free. It’s a trap, you don’t get anything for free in Thailand.
  • Don’t take any precious belongings out, keep them in your Hotel locker. Be conscious of your passport, wallet and phone all the time.
  • Get the mini-bar in your Hotel emptied on check-in unless it’s a big reputed hotel.
  • Always cross-check your bills.
  • Before renting anything duly check its condition, take its pictures and acknowledge anything abnormal to the owner.
  • Check the fare of bus/Taxi/Tuk-tuk before boarding it, check your ticket, do not de-board anywhere other than your destination. Tuk-tuk are like shared taxis, the fare is generally under 20 Baht.

8. General Tips for Visiting Thailand

  1. Visa: Visa on Arrival facility is available for various nationalities including Indians. Once you reach the airport its a 1-2 hour process unless there’s huge rush. Visa On Arrival fee is currently 2000 THB (~Rs. 4400), taking Visa from India would cost Rs.4000, but Visa on Arrival is a more convenient way. Also, in recent years Thai Government have been waiving off the Visa on Arrival fee from mid-November to mid- January. By planning your trip in this period, you can save some good money.
  2. Currency Exchange: Carry cash in Thai Baht or Dollars (if travelling to multiple countries or for longer periods). ATM’s, forex cards, credit cards and exchanging INR in Thailand can be expensive. Also, carry your home currency for emergencies.
  3. Travel Sim cards are available at the Bangkok airport itself at standard rates only or you may buy them from 7 eleven stores in the city.
  4. Pack as less as you can. You’ll not just feel at ease throughout the trip but also save money on check-in luggage.T-shirts and shorts are enough for pretty much everywhere in Thailand, except for Temples where you should prefer jeans respecting local traditions. Also, if you are travelling by air within Thailand, only hand baggage is free up-to 7 kg in budget airlines.

9. Cheapest Travel Resources

Book Your Flight
I use Skyscanner to find cheap flights. This is one of the best flight search engines mainly because they list all major search websites and airlines around the globe.

  • Hostelworld has the largest inventory of Hostels ans is my favorite go to website for booking hostels.
  • In my experience, ninety percent of the time MakeMyTrip offers the cheapest rates for hotels in India and even sometimes for International Hotels.
  • For booking International Hotels in S-E Asia Agoda is quite unbeatable most of the time.
  • However, Booking.com has a presence all over the globe and can sometimes offer really good deals.

Must Have Travel Accessories:

  1. Packing Cubes: Must-have accessory.
  2. Neck Pillow and Eye mask
  3. Universal power adapter
  4. LifeStraw Reusable filter water bottle
  5. A key or combination lock, Ziplock bags

Gears I Use:

Small Medical Kit: Band-aids, antibacterial cream (Betadine tube), Paracetamol, any tablet for food poisoning, hand sanitizer.

10. Watch Thailand Series on YouTube

If videos are more appealing and convenient to you than the written posts, checkout my Thailand Series on YouTube. The videos are made in Hindi Language and are available with English subtitles.

Thailand Series Playlist-2

Did you find this Thailand Travel Guide helpful? If yes, consider subscribing, so you don’t miss any amazing destination. And don’t worry, we won’t spam. We write only a post per week at max. Feel free to ask any queries in the comment box. To subscribe leave your email here:

Also, please do check out my Instagram – click here and get real time updates of my travels. Thanks! 🙂

Bon Voyage!


Abhinav Goel

Abhinav Goel is a travel blogger and a YouTuber. He is always looking for an escape to explore new destinations and cultures. He loves taking the road less traveled and having the authentic local experiences. Like most travelers, he wants to travel the world and has already embarked upon that journey. He started BookPackTravel to guide and inspire others to travel and make the most of their lives.

15 Comments

Rolandomio Travel · March 31, 2019 at 7:40 pm

Excellent post! Thanks a lot! Cheers, Roland

Abhinav Goel · April 1, 2019 at 4:08 pm

Thanks man. Cheers !

Arianne · April 4, 2019 at 11:02 pm

Incredible points. Great arguments. Keep up the good work.

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    Abhinav Goel · April 16, 2019 at 4:11 pm

    Thank You very much. Would love to have you back.

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Abhinav Goel · April 16, 2019 at 4:12 pm

Thank You very much. Would love to have you back on the blog. 🙂

Maheswari · September 4, 2019 at 10:07 am

Quite an exhaustive guide to Thailand. Thanks for the detailed coverage of all of Thailand’s important destinations.

    Abhinav Goel · September 5, 2019 at 8:36 am

    It was lovely to hear that. Thanks a lot.

Freebies · February 15, 2020 at 8:02 am

It抯 really a cool and useful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

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