Travel Guide 2026

Visit Thailand.
Beyond the Postcard.

40M+ visitors a year — but only you know where the real Thailand lives. Use our guides to go deeper.

40M+Annual Visitors
1,430Islands
40,000Buddhist Temples
300+Sunshine Days
$35Avg. Daily Budget
Top Destinations

Find Your Thailand

Every traveller finds a different Thailand. Here are the five worlds waiting for you.

Bangkok
Temples, street food, infinite energy
Phuket
Beaches, resorts, nightlife
Chiang Mai
Culture, elephants, mountains
Koh Samui
Luxury islands, water sports
Krabi
Cliffs, hidden beaches, diving
Experiences

Six Ways to
Experience Thailand

Temples & Culture

From Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok to Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai — Thailand's 40,000 temples are its soul. Dress respectfully, arrive early, leave amazed.

Islands & Beaches

1,430 islands and counting. From the party scene of Koh Phangan to the silence of Koh Lipe — find your perfect strip of sand.

Food & Street Markets

Pad Thai for 40 baht. Khao Soi for 60. Mango sticky rice everywhere. Thailand's street food scene is one of the world's great culinary adventures.

Wellness & Yoga

World-class retreats in Koh Samui and Chiang Mai. Traditional Thai massage for $6/hr. Muay Thai training camps. Yoga by the sea.

Adventure Sports

Rock climbing in Krabi. Diving in Koh Tao. Zip-lining in Chiang Mai. Jungle trekking in Khao Sok. Thailand has adventure for every level.

Nightlife & Entertainment

Bangkok's rooftop bars. Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar. Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan. Thailand's nightlife runs the full spectrum from chaos to class.

When to Go

Thailand Season
by Season

Peak Season

Cool & Dry

The best weather across most of Thailand. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, perfect beaches. Book early — it's popular.

November — February
Shoulder Season

Hot & Sunny

Scorching in Bangkok but perfect for the islands. Songkran (Thai New Year water festival) falls in April — unmissable.

March — May
Green Season

Wet & Lush

Lush landscapes, fewer tourists, lower prices. Rain is usually short and heavy — not all day. West coast is wet; East coast is fine.

June — August
Transition

Pre-Peak

Weather improving, tourists thinning out, great value. September-October sees some of the cheapest flights and hotels of the year.

September — October
Getting Around

Transport
Made Easy

Trains & Buses

Overnight trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and the south — comfortable, affordable, and a great experience. Book via 12Go Asia.

Book via 12Go →

Domestic Flights

AirAsia, Nok Air, and Bangkok Airways cover the whole country. Bangkok–Phuket from $15–30 if you book ahead. Often quicker than you'd think.

Compare flights →

Ferries & Speedboats

Inter-island ferries are frequent and cheap. Surat Thani to Koh Samui takes 1.5hrs. Ko Phi Phi to Krabi is 90 minutes by speedboat.

Book ferries →

Taxis & Motorbikes

Grab (like Uber) works in all major cities. Tuk-tuks are for tourists — always negotiate. Rent a motorbike for 200–350 baht/day on the islands.

Book activities via Klook →

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Tell our AI your dates, budget, and interests — get a personalised itinerary in seconds.

Use Trip Planner →
Practical Information

Everything You
Need to Know

01

Visa on Arrival

Citizens of 57 countries get free 30-day entry. Many nationalities can extend to 60 days. Check our Visa Wizard for your passport.

02

Travel Insurance

Never travel Thailand without it. Hospital costs can be surprisingly high. SafetyWing covers you from $42/month.

03

Money & ATMs

ATMs everywhere but charge 220 baht per withdrawal. Wise card gives you real exchange rates with low fees. Essential for extended trips.

04

SIM Cards

Buy a local SIM at the airport. AIS and DTAC offer tourist SIMs from 299 baht with 30GB data. Skip the roaming charges entirely.

05

Health & Safety

Thailand is very safe for travellers. Tap water: don't drink it. Mosquitoes: use DEET in jungle areas. Hospital quality in Bangkok is excellent.

06

Cultural Etiquette

Cover shoulders and knees in temples. Never touch anyone's head. Remove shoes before entering homes and many shops. Smile — it works wonders.

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