How To Plan Your First Trip To Thailand

Thailand is a historically Buddhist country, filled with immense temples, grand spirit houses, and beautiful jungles.

00:20 29 March 2023

Thailand is a historically Buddhist country, filled with immense temples, grand spirit houses, and beautiful jungles.

When you first travel to the country, you should see all the classic elements of the landscape. Look for the nuanced and unusual on your second trip - this one is all about the main experiences. 

Where In Thailand Are You Staying?

When you think of Thailand what do you see? Do you see the sandy beaches and beautiful blue skies? Do you see the jungle, nature, and wildlife? Or do you see the cities and vast culture?

Knowing what you want to experience will help you know where your journey starts.

Head to Southern Thailand for a beach vacation, Northern Thailand for a nature or animal-based vacation, and the Central Plains for a city getaway.

Need more help narrowing down your choice? Okay, here we go again! For the beach experience head to Phuket. Phuket is a Thai Island with lots of family-friendly activities where you can sip Thai iced tea on white sand beaches, just like this recipe created by Honest Food Talks.

Walk in nature by exploring Chiang Mai - perfect for couples trips, family friends, and culture trips. This area has the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple, amazon views, local street markets, and national parks.

And, of course, our city break suggestion is none other than Bangkok. You will see breathtaking architecture, gorgeous temples, ancient canals, and a floating market.

How Long Are You Staying?

For the best experience, you should visit all three places. This way you can really drink in the highlights of the areas.

If that plan sounds great, we suggest staying in Thailand for 10 days. Spend the first three in Bangkok for a culture explosion that doesn’t feel too dissimilar to our western way of life.

Then hop over to Chiang Mai for 3 days where you can explore the wilderness and reconnect with nature.

Lastly, relax in Phuket for a beach holiday for the remaining 4 days before you head back home.

When Should You Travel?

Thailand has two seasons - wet and dry. The wet season will be the cheapest, but the dry season will have more activities for you to enjoy.

The best time to visit the country is between November and March - the dry season.

What’s your Budget?

Thailand is an affordable country, so you can experience most of what they have to offer without breaking the bank. For example, a private tour is normally rejected by tourists because they are too expensive. In Thailand, they are very affordable and a fantastic way to view the area.

If you want to stay in a 4-star hotel, see the local attractions, hire a guide, and eat food out, we suggest bringing US$200 per day, per person.

If you want to stay in a 5-star hotel with all of the same ideas we mentioned before, bring up the price to US$250 per day, per person.

Guided Or Independent?

Lots of people travel to Thailand so they can explore the natural wildlife on an independent tour. However, many more prefer when local experts teach them about the history of the area and guide them to the best places in town.

The first option is cheaper, the second option is stress-free. If you want a guide, talk to your hotel. They will likely have a group of tour guides available for hire.

Know Your Visa Information

Most countries are exempt from needing a tourist visa when entering Thailand. If you’re from the US, UK, Canada, or Australia you won’t need to apply for a tourist visa.

However, not every country fits into this list. Before you hop on the plane, double-check if those from your country need a visa to enter.

Flying To Thailand

Most airplane companies don’t have direct flights to Thailand. Instead, you may need to use connecting flights. These connecting flights often have a layover in Dubai, Taipei, Hong Kong, Tokyo, or Seoul.

If your flight has a layover, consider extending your trip to include a day in the second country.

Final Thoughts

When you plan your first trip to Thailand, you need to consider where you want to go and what you want to do first. Luckily this country is very affordable, which means you don’t have to plan your budget first, instead plan the fun.

With your fun activities laid out, now you can plan the budget and figure out which hotels and activities are a little out of your price range.

Consider these little details so you can have fun exploring this beautiful country.