Planning big trips can be equal parts thrilling and stressful when you think about all the beautiful things you want to see and how to make them happen. If you’ve been thinking about a trip to Thailand but feel intimidated by the planning, keep on reading.
It’s not uncommon for people to believe that international travel is a luxury reserved for the wealthy. However, Thailand is one of the top destinations in the world, mainly due to the wonders it has to offer for less than you might spend on a trip to one of the top destinations in the U.S.
If you’re ready to get your first stamp on your passport or only your first this year, Thailand is a destination that has something for every kind of traveler. As you begin preparations for your trip and planning the perfect vacation, you may want to consider what type of traveler you are to ensure the best use of the time you have to spend.
What Kind of Traveler Are You?
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone who’s just beginning to get their traveler’s feet wet, it’s a good idea to consider how you might best enjoy your time away. Here are several things to think about the type of traveler you are before you finalize plans for your trip to Thailand.
Stay In vs. Go Out
Is your idea of a good time laying by the pool with someone bringing you drinks all day, or would you rather be on the move as much as possible? Not everyone likes one or the other; a mixture is OK too.
You should plan if you’d rather be at a resort that includes sunbathing poolside, yoga, and massages versus traversing the city. If soaking up the culture and haggling over souvenirs and local foods in the markets are more your fancy, consider that in your planning stages.
Seeing The City vs. Getting Out In Nature
I know tons of people who wouldn’t trade city life for the world, even on vacation. If the travel planning is left up to me, though, I’d rather spend a few days off the map exploring the natural wonders of my vacation spot.
So, think about whether you want to visit the best restaurants and whatever the cities of Thailand have to offer or if you’d rather see some of the lush natural landscapes there. If you have enough time, you might be able to plan for a little bit of both.
Are Big Crowds Your Thing?
There are tons of activities and tourist attractions in Thailand where you might be exposed to large crowds. If you’re not up for sharing your personal space with other folks while on vacation, consider planning some more leisurely, sparsely populated activities.
Whatever kind of traveler you may be, try to plan for activities that bring you the most joy and fulfillment when you’re on vacation. For most of us regular folks, our trip to Thailand will be few and far between if not once-in-a-lifetime.
Things You Should Know About International Travel
Planning a trip to an exotic locale like Thailand is sure to have anyone feeling wild and carefree. But, before you dive in, remember that you have some bases to cover when it comes to international travel.
Passports & Visas
Making sure your passports and visas, if necessary, are up to date are easily the most critical aspects of planning for your trip. Your passport shouldn’t expire within six months of your return travel date, or you may not be allowed into the country.
If you need to renew your passport, you can head over to the U.S. Department of State’s website to find the nearest location for passport renewals. You can also find more information about traveling to Thailand here.
Remember that renewing your passport can take up to six weeks to process, so you’ll want to get an early start. If you’re pressed for time, you can pay for expedited processing or use a third-party processing service, which generally cuts down on time for a higher fee.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to have a copy of the information and visa page(s) of your passport with you when you travel. If you can, pack these separately from your passport and try not to become separated from them.
It seems likely that you won’t need to drive in Thailand, but if you’re planning on renting a car, you’ll want to prepare for that too. You’ll need to be 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license held for at least two years. You can read more about the requirements here.
Get Your Financials in Order
Depending on how long your trip is, you may not want to travel abroad, carrying a large sum of cash. Plan to take one to two of your credit cards with you and make sure you can withdraw money from at least one card. If you have higher fees on cash withdrawals from a credit card, you might opt for a Visa debit card.
Thailand has tons of ATM withdrawal machines, so you shouldn’t have trouble accessing them while you’re visiting. You should be aware, though, that fees for ATM withdrawals are typical $6-7, plus whatever your bank charges. Some banks may have a charge for converting your US dollars to local currency.
Write down the international phone numbers in case you need to call your provider after losing a card. The toll-free numbers won’t work while you’re in Thailand, and you don’t want to be without the information you need. It’s also a good idea to write down your card numbers, but keep them separated from your wallet.
Medications & Vaccinations
If you’re going to Thailand for a short trip, you might not be too worried about prescriptions or vaccinations. But, even the shortest trips can end in disaster if you aren’t properly prepared.
You can head over to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to get the most detailed information about required and recommended vaccinations. The U.S. Department of State’s website will show you any warnings that your country of travel may be experiencing.
Always pack more medication than you’ll need for your trip, in case you run into any trouble. Prescription medications should be packed in your carry on in marked prescription bottles. We recommend having copies of your prescription, stored separately from the medicines.
When it comes to packing medications and ensuring that you’re up to date on vaccinations for traveling abroad, it’s best to lean towards caution. Vaccinations are a good investment that tends to last several years while it’s better to overpack than under pack on prescriptions that you need.
Consider Registering Your Trip
Did you know that you can register your international travel itinerary? Head back over to the U.S. Department of State’s website to register online; it’ll prompt you to add the details of your itinerary. Once done, you’re covered in case of an emergency, meaning that the U.S. government will be aware that you’re in another country, and they’ll be able to contact you.
Registering your itinerary is free, and there’s an option to allow your information to be shareable with third parties. When this option is selected, your friends and family will be able to contact the Department of State in the event they need to locate you.
How To Plan Your Trip To Thailand
You’ve had time to consider the type of traveler you are, and you’ve become aware of the most critical aspects of international travel. It’s time to dive in and start planning your dream trip! Keep reading for all of the best advice for planning your trip and enjoying your time in Thailand.
Planning Your Budget
Traveling to Thailand is one of the most budget-friendly trips you can take overseas. If you’ve ever planned a trip to Hawaii from the mainland of the U.S., you’ll likely spend less on your journey to Thailand. It’s always a good idea to save a little more than you think you need, just to cover all your bases.
There are tons of ways to save while in Thailand, so the bulk of your travel dollars will likely be spent on airfare. You’ll find that for the amount of money you spend on things like hotels, you get much higher standards than you may think possible.
Don’t be fooled into taking one airliner to Thailand. You can save a ton of money by choosing domestic flights to popular hubs like JFK and LAX before switching carriers to fly through to Thailand.
Once you’re on the streets in Thailand, depending on the types of adventures you’re into, you won’t need a ton of cash. The cost of local food is budget-friendly, and souvenirs aren’t too costly.
Will You Fly Solo or Stick With A Group?
For some folks, the idea of planning the itinerary of a trip is mind-boggling. Tons of companies will lure you in by planning your travel for you by way of organized group trips. If that’s your thing, you can undoubtedly go for it.
However, you can have just as much fun planning your trip with friends or hitting Thailand on your own. Many of the things you’ll do in Thailand don’t require planning. You can arrange for transportation and the activities you’re interested in once you get there.
Many of the folks you’ll run into while traveling to Thailand speak English well enough to help you and will be willing to do so. You can find tons of travel agencies there that will help you book your activities, and your hotel staff may offer some services too.
It may seem a little too frivolous to leave everything up to chance when you get there, but Thailand isn’t the travel destination where you need to plan each minute of your day time to make the best of it.
The Best Time of Year To Visit Thailand
You may have to plan your vacation around using up the last of your PTO before it expires or considering your work and school schedules. If you can go any time, a lot of people like to go in the dryer season between November and April.
Thailand has a rainy season, which will be the best time for budget travelers to go. Even during the wettest months, you may get some days full of sunshine. One thing to keep in mind is that the dryer months have the worst traffic if you plan to be in the cities.
Tons of big festivals happen each year in Thailand. If they interest you, plan your trip around those dates, or avoid them if you’re not into large crowds.
Packing For Thailand
Thailand is a beautiful place with many things to see and do. If you have a general idea of the types of activities you’re planning to do, you can base your packing on those. There are outdoor malls, huge indoor malls, temples with dress codes, and street markets that you’ll visit.
Your best bet is to pack lightly because you don’t need much at all. If you’re heading to specific temples, you’ll need to make sure that your shoulders and knees are covered to enter. Though you may experience warmer weather for much of your trip, it’s wise to back appropriate wear for these types of activities.
Since there are tons of cheap places to shop, anything you didn’t bring can be acquired cheaply once on the ground, and the Thais will benefit from your business, so leave nonessential items at home.
Here are some essentials to bring.
- Lightweight and quick-dry clothing
- One conservative outfit
- One lightweight but warm jacket or coverup for air-conditioned travel or colder weather
- Only essential electronics, leave the rest at home
- Proper shoes if you plan on attending upscale or rooftop bars or dining
- Flip flops and sandals are standard for daily use, consider picking these up when you get there rather than packing many pairs
- Important travel documents
- A diverse mix of money – some cash, credit cards
Here are some items you can skip packing and buy locally.
- Bug spray and mosquito repellent – Your best option for protection against Dengue fever. There’s no need to pack these items, though; you can find them locally. Grab some Mosquito coils to burn if you plan on relaxing on your balcony or outdoors.
- Sunscreen – Locals don’t often use sunscreen, so look for trusted brands in pharmacies rather than souvenir shops.
- Hand sanitizer – you won’t always find it in bathrooms, so pick some up along the way to keep with you throughout your trip. The same advice applies to toilet paper.
- Sunglasses – Another item you might want to have on your trip, but don’t bother bringing yours from home. Grab a pair or two from local shops inexpensively. This way, if they get lost or broken, it’s no big.
- Flashlight – Some places in Thailand are known for relying on generated power during frequent power outages. If you need light for reading or seeing your way around, grab a cheap LED flashlight. You can keep one on your keychain or in your pocket along your travels there.
- Pocket knife – if you plan to eat local from markets on a budget, find a small pocket knife, so you don’t have to ask for fruit or other food items to be cut for you.
Think About Using Travel Insurance
When traveling to faraway lands, remember that anything can happen. From emergency sickness and injuries to the once-in-a-lifetime mishaps, you’ll want your trip and costs covered in case something comes up.
Travel insurance policies vary, so make sure you talk to the agency about what, specifically, you want to be covered. Most policies don’t penalize you for having prior medical conditions, but it’s always best to ask. With travel insurance, you’ll have peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, you’re covered!
Deciding Where to Go and What to Do
This is easily the most exciting part of planning your trip! Thailand is so big and robust with experience for any type of adventure you want to experience. The number of activities you plan for may depend on the amount of time you have to spend in Thailand, but don’t worry yourself with trying to cram things in.
Remember that exploring Thailand can mostly be done at your leisure without too much planning or booking involved. The best way to ensure you get to experience most of what you want is to create a list of your top must do’s, and a shortlist of things to throw in if the opportunity comes up or time allows. Here are some of our top recommendations.
Northern Thailand
For those of you who love to explore the scenic beauty that new countries have to offer. In the northern parts of Thailand, there are tons of opportunities to get out into nature and explore the natural wonders of the country. If you love animals and mountains, it’s the place for you.
While in the northern parts of Thailand, you’ll be able to do some backpacking, exploring local villages, and trying new foods throughout the open-air markets. You’ll be surprised at just how many new and exciting foods there are to try!
If you’re interested, there are elephant sanctuaries where guests can do some interacting with the animals. It’s best to do your research about which sanctuaries use ethical practices with their elephants.
Southern Thailand
Does the beach bum within your desire to lay out near the ocean and catch rays while on vacation? If so, you can head down to southern Thailand to experience some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
There are several islands to choose from, so do a little research before you decide on your favorite. You can easily island hop too, no need to spend all your time in one place.
What If I Have Plenty of Time?
If you have plenty of time to spend in Thailand and you know that you’re only able to visit once, you could try to include some stops in the northern and southern parts of Thailand. You may need to travel by motorbike, bus, or boat to see all the best parts of Thailand, but you’ll be glad you did!
If you have about seven to ten days to spend, you could easily plan to see many beautiful parts of Thailand. Here’s what hitting all the best spots might look like for you.
Whether you start in the northern or southern parts of Thailand, first is up to you. You should check out an island or two for at least a day, experience the relaxing beaches and slower pace.
If you love city life, history, and cultural experiences, Bangkok is an absolute must-do for at least one to two nights. You’ll be able to explore Temples, museums, the best rooftop bars, and dining, along with some great markets along the way.
Take some time to visit Chiang Mai. You won’t want to miss seeing the ancient Lanna Kingdom, which features relics from the past. The weather is often beautiful, and it’s easy to navigate your way around. There are plenty of day trips possible from Chiang Mai, beautiful scenery, and more local foods to indulge.
In the end, you should spend your time in Thailand doing all of the things that will bring you the most joy. Thailand is so diverse that there are many things for all types of people to enjoy. Pick your favorites and explore!
Are There Risks to Traveling to Thailand
Many people get so excited about an upcoming trip that they throw caution to the wind and forget to plan for the risks. Keep reading to find out if there are any risks we recommend you keep your eye on while traveling to Thailand.
Losing Valuables
Hitting the jetway to an exotic locale could have you feeling on top of the world. Let’s face it, in a beautiful place like Thailand, you know there’s going to be tons of photo ops. However, leave your valuables like expensive jewelry and electronics at home. Your photos for the ‘gram will look just fine without them.
If you’re concerned that anyone may go through your luggage while traveling or at the hotel, consider locking your luggage. There are TSA approved locks, but these can be cut while in other countries if other countries don’t recognize them. Do your due diligence with locks, and you should be OK.
Risks for Illness
There are no specific vaccinations you need to get for traveling to Thailand, but you should get the recommended vaccinations for Asia for all international travelers. If you’re going to Thailand for a short trip, you’re not likely to become ill from anything. If you’re going for a more extended period, a month, or more, the risk may increase.
Although many people believe that they could become very ill when traveling to Thailand, the most significant risk you might face is dengue fever from mosquito bites. With a little protection from clothing and bug spray, you should be just fine.
Theft, Fraud, & Scams
As a tourist in a foreign country, you could be at risk for theft and fraud. That’s why we encourage you to leave your valuables at home. Don’t carry large sums of money on you and take precautions like having photocopies of relevant documents kept somewhere safe with you.
Keep your eye out for scam artists who might target you. The folks in Thailand can be super friendly and unassuming; many are very helpful to tourists because it brings their country money. But scammers use the ploy of being sympathetic to win you over.
Drugs
Thailand has some fantastic nightlife that some people love to see. Although less common, some people will be tempted to buy, sell, or use drugs like amphetamines, hallucinogenic mushrooms, or opium “when in Rome.” We can’t discourage this enough.
With Marijuana’s widely accepted use in the states, tons of people will be tempted to use it on vacation, too. You should be aware that Thailand has strict punishments for the trafficking and possession of any such drugs, and you won’t catch a break for being a foreigner.
Conclusion
Planning a trip to Thailand doesn’t have to be hard or stressful. Following this guide, step by step will help you ensure that all your bases are covered, and there’s nothing you’re forgetting. All you have to do is decide which activities interest you most and choose which parts of Thailand you want to see with the time you have.
While on your trip, don’t forget to relax and enjoy all that the locale has to offer. Safe travels!