Travel guides
Every Thailand guide, in one place
Independent, researched and updated guides to plan each step: choosing when and where to go, getting around, where to sleep, what it costs and how to stay safe.
By Kylian DevPlan your trip
When, where and for how long.
- Thailand in NovemberWhere to go and the weather this month
- Weather by destinationRain and temperatures by month
- Sample itineraries7, 10, 14 or 21 days, stop by stop
- Things to doThe unmissable experiences, by theme
- Thailand islandsWhich island to pick, coast by coast
- Best beaches in Thailand15 picks, coast by coast
- Map of ThailandRegions, islands and distances
- First trip to ThailandMistakes to avoid, classic route
- Rainy seasonWhere to go during the monsoon
- Best Thailand itinerary plannersRanked comparison of 10 sites
- Thailand or Vietnam?An honest comparison
- Where to go in ThailandAll 28 destinations sorted by travel style, month and coast.
On the ground
Where to stay, getting around, food and travelling with family.
- Where to stayThe best areas, destination by destination
- Transport & ferriesTrains, buses, flights and island boats
- Thai foodDishes to try and street food tips
- Is Thailand safe?Real risks and how to avoid them
- Thailand with kidsBest places and tips for families
- Honeymoon in ThailandRomantic islands and route ideas
- Phuket beaches12 beaches compared
- Koh Samui beaches10 beaches compared
- Maya BayRules and fees explained
- Isan (north-east)Khon Kaen, Phanom Rung, Nong Khai and the Mekong
- Khao San RoadThe backpacker street near the Grand Palace
- Chinatown (Yaowarat)Bangkok's Chinese quarter, around Yaowarat Road
- Chatuchak MarketThailand's largest market, at the weekend
- Siam SquareBangkok's central shopping district
- Koh PhayamA quiet island off Ranong, near the Myanmar border
- Koh Yao YaiThe big, quiet island of Phang Nga Bay
- Koh KradanWhite sand and snorkelling in the Trang islands
- Koh NgaiThe comfortable resort island of the Trang coast
- Surat ThaniGulf port city, departure point for the Samui boats
- ChumphonGulf stopover town and gateway to Koh Tao
- Hat YaiThe south's biggest city, gateway from Malaysia
- Doi InthanonThailand's highest peak, from Chiang Mai
Festivals & experiences
Songkran, Loy Krathong, the Full Moon Party and ethical elephant encounters.
- FestivalsSongkran, Loy Krathong, Full Moon…
- Floating markets near BangkokDamnoen Saduak, Amphawa, Maeklong: days, hours and boat prices
- SongkranThai New Year water festival
- Loy Krathong & Yi PengFestival of lights: dates and where to go
- Full Moon PartyDates, tips and safety on Koh Phangan
- Ethical elephant sanctuariesHow to choose, and what to avoid
- Diving in ThailandKoh Tao, Similan, Phi Phi: seasons, course prices and choosing a school
- James Bond Island and Phang Nga BayWhich boat to choose from Phuket or Krabi, sea canoeing in the hongs, Koh Panyee and crowd-free timing.
- Similan Islands: diving and day tripsOpening season, speedboat day trip or liveaboard from Khao Lak, park fee and the best dive sites.
- Koh Samui day tripsAng Thong, Koh Tao, Pig Island: the 7 best trips, prices and seasons.
- Khao Sok toursCheow Lan Lake, raft houses, canoeing, jungle hikes: prices, fees and seasons.
- Chiang Mai day tripsDoi Inthanon, Chiang Rai, ethical elephants: the 8 best day trips.
- Phuket day tripsPhang Nga, Phi Phi, Similan, Racha: the 8 trips worth a full day, with prices and seasons.
- Krabi day trips4 Islands, Hong, Phi Phi, Railay, Emerald Pool: the best trips from Ao Nang and what they cost.
- Phi Phi island toursMaya Bay at dawn, Bamboo Island, plankton, diving: the best trips when you stay on Phi Phi.
- Khao Lak day tripsSimilan, Surin, Khao Sok, Phang Nga: the best trips from Khao Lak, season by season.
- Bangkok day tripsAyutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Erawan, Ko Kret: trains, entry fees and prices for days out from Bangkok.
- Koh Lanta day tripsKoh Rok, 4 Islands, Emerald Cave, mangroves: prices, park fees and opening seasons.
- Chiang Rai day tripsWhite Temple, Golden Triangle, Doi Tung: hours, fees and the day trip from Chiang Mai.
- Muay Thai in ThailandWhere to watch a real fight (Rajadamnern, Lumpinee), ticket prices, where to train and what a camp costs.
Practical & money
Budget, bank fees, insurance, health, TDAC, time zone and borders.
- Practical guideMoney, SIM, safety, etiquette
- Travel budgetReal prices and daily budgets
- Money & bank feesATMs, cards and how to avoid fees
- Travel insuranceWhat cover you really need
- Vaccines & healthVaccines, malaria, dengue, first-aid kit
- TDAC arrival cardFree, 3 days before arrival
- Time in ThailandLive clock and time difference
- Border crossingsLaos, Cambodia, Malaysia by land
- eSIM and SIM cardeSIM or local SIM: AIS, True and dtac prices, coverage and setup
Popular routes
Bangkok to the islands and the north, island hopping and airports.
- Bangkok to Chiang MaiNight train, flight or bus
- Bangkok to Koh SamuiFlight, train + ferry, bus
- Bangkok to PhuketFlight, bus or train + bus
- Bangkok to KrabiFlight, bus or train + bus
- Bangkok to Koh TaoTrain, bus + boat or flight
- Bangkok to PattayaEkkamai bus, airport bus and taxi compared
- Bangkok to Hua HinTrain, bus and taxi compared
- Koh Samui to Koh TaoLomprayah, Seatran and slower ferries compared
- Krabi to Koh LantaMinivan, ferry and speedboat compared
- Phuket to Koh Phi PhiFerries, speedboats, seasons
- Chiang Mai to PaiMinivan, private car and scooter compared
- Koh Samui airportFlights, transfers and tips
- Suvarnabhumi airportDistance, road time and train to Bangkok
- Phuket airportDistance and road time to the beaches
- Krabi airportDistance and road time to Ao Nang
- Thailand island hoppingThree island routes with ferries, prices and seasons
- Surat Thani to Koh Samui ferryDonsak pier, Raja Ferry, Seatran, Lomprayah and combined tickets
- Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferrySeatran, Lomprayah and the Haad Rin Queen compared
- Phuket to Koh SamuiLomprayah or Phantip bus + ferry, or via Surat Thani
- Bangkok to Koh SametMinibus + ferry from Ekkamai, speedboat or private car
- Bangkok to AyutthayaTrain from Krung Thep Aphiwat, minivan or taxi
- Bangkok to KanchanaburiRiver Kwai train from Thonburi, minivan or taxi
- Bangkok to Khao YaiBus from Mo Chit, train to Pak Chong or car
- Bangkok to Koh ChangBus 999, minibus, flight to Trat or car, and the ferry
- Chiang Mai to Chiang RaiGreenbus from Arcade, car via the White Temple or day tour