Best travel tips for Thailand on a trip for backpackers

Are you planning a trip to Thailand on your own? If so, here’s a list of travel tips for Thailand that will help you avoid unpleasant surprises and make the most of your experience. Although Thailand is a very touristy destination and famous for how easy it is to travel around the country, being well-informed from the start can make a huge difference.

After traveling around Thailand for two months (both with friends and solo) and living there for four months teaching English, I’ve had the opportunity to explore the country in depth: from the mountains in the north and the most remote provinces in the center, to the southern beaches.

Based on all that experience, I’ve gathered the best travel tips to help you explore Thailand with safety, confidence, and freedom. This practical guide will provide you with the keys to make your adventure much more comfortable, safe, and enjoyable. Let’s start preparing for an unforgettable adventure!

1. Practical Travel tips for Thailand: Before go

Currency and visa for Thailand

• If you are Spanish you don’t need to get a visa in advance to go to Thailand. Just arriving at the airport you get a 60 day visa for free.
• To get a visa you will need:
  • A passport valid for more than 6 months.
  • Fill in the immigration form that you are given on the plane or at the airport.
  • Show the ticket of exit of the country (sometimes they ask for it, sometimes not)
• From the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs you can obtain a lot of useful information such as emergency contacts and travel recommendations.
• If you are one of those who don’t like to book in advance, at least take the address of a hotel with you. Many times at the border you are also asked to write down the address of where you will be staying during your first night in Thailand.

Thai Currency

• The Thai currency is called Baht.
• Currently, 1 euro is equivalent to 33.80 Baht.
• You can change money only by arriving at the airport, either at exchange offices or at ATMs.
• It is recommended that you either withdraw from the ATM or change something so that you can at least pay for the transport to your hotel. Then change more in the center which is usually cheaper.

2. What vaccinations are required for travel to Thailand?

If you have never been to Asia before, you will most likely need to be vaccinated. Remember to make an appointment at the International Vaccine Center well in advance.

• Mandatory vaccinations: Yellow Fever (if coming from an endemic country).
• Generally recommended: Tetanus-diphtheria/Tetanus-pertussis, MMR, Hepatitis A, Typhoid fever
• Recommended in special situations: Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Cholera, Rabies, Influenza, Pneumococcal.

2. Practical Travel tips for Thailand: Prices and Gastronomy

Prices and expenses in Thailand

• If you want to spend less, meet nice and friendly people and see the most authentic Thailand and you don’t mind suffering from mosquitoes; go to the north.
• If you don’t mind spending a little more, you want to see amazing islands and enjoy beach parties; go south.
• Haggle whenever you can. Except for eating.
• The most expensive are alcoholic drinks, tours and transportation. Everything else is almost free.
• In central and northern Thailand you can eat on the street for something more than 50 – 150 Baht (2-4 euros).
• In the south you can eat for about 100 or 250 Baht (3 to 7 euro).

Thai Gastronomy

• Thai cuisine is characterized by a mixture of acid, salty, sweet and spicy flavors.
• The most typical Thai dish is the Pad Thai, which is basically wok-fried noodles combined with chicken, beef or fish. Great! But after a week of eating it, it would be good to try other things…
• Thai sweets are very famous and very varied. I encourage you to try as much as you can without fear, you’ll love them!
• Say “Mai Ped” if you don’t want spicy and “Aroi mac” to tell them it’s delicious.

3. Travel tips for Thailand: climate, transport and places

The climate in Thailand, when to travel to Thailand?

• If you want to avoid the monsoon, don’t go to Thailand from May to mid-September.
• From October to February is when it’s better, it’s hot but you can stand it and it doesn’t usually rain.
• The worst month is March and April, which is very hot and since it does not rain it is almost unbearable.
• During the monsoon, it usually falls short but intense downpours, so if you see that it starts to rain you better take shelter just in case.

What places and cities to see in Thailand?

• Bangkok, the capital. A chaotic place, full of beautiful temples, street life and partying.
• Chiang Mai, the city of temples and one of the most beautiful cities in all of Thailand.
• Chiang Ray and Pai, surrounded by nature and famous for its tranquility and trekking to lost villages.
• Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, ancient capitals of the kingdom of Thailand. Ideal to see ruins and Buddha statues.
• Khao Yai National Park, to take a route through the jungle and see wild animals.
• Phuket, the islands of Koh Phi Phi and Ao Nang to enjoy dream beaches.
• Koh Samui, Koh Phangnan and Koh Tao for diving, snorkeling, enjoying the beaches, the tranquility during the day and the partying at night.

Transport in Thailand

• The fastest transports are the tuk-tuks but watch out for them. Agree on the route of the trip, the price, and tell him NO STOPS. Otherwise, they will always want to stop at some store to take commissions and you will lose a lot of time.
• Taxi is the cheapest and safest thing, but always ask them to use the meter.
• If you are travelling alone and can’t find people to share a taxi just to get to Bangkok you can take the metro to the city center, although it doesn’t exactly leave you on Khao San Road.
• To travel between cities you can take the train or buses. I recommend the buses, they are comfortable, usually clean and cheap.

How to travel cheap aroun Thailand

• If you want to save a few euros, don’t buy bus or train tickets at the agencies because it will be a bit more expensive. Take a cab or a bus to the nearest station and buy it there. Thailand is a very touristy country, so there are always buses everywhere and at all hours.
• However, if you don’t mind spending a bit more and you prefer a little bit of comodity, help yourself with the agencies. For 5-10 euros more, they will pick you up at your hotel, take you to the station, pick you up at the destination station and take you to your new hotel. All comfort.
• The most used transport companies for agencies to go to the islands are: Boonsiri and Lombrayah. You can go directly to their website and buy the ferries from there. Then you look from where they pick you up and once you arrive everything is done since the prices include the buses and cabs to your hotel.

4. Travel tips for Thailand: culture and customs

Thai culture and customs:

• Barefoot when entering temples and buses with beds.
• Be careful where you put your feet or shoes, for Thai people it is the dirtiest part of the body.
• Salute reverence mode the more the better, it serves both to show appreciation, respect, and apology.
• Don’t get behind the buses at all, it’s a place reserved for monks.
• Smile at people, they will always dissolve your smile (especially in the north).
• Be patient with people who come to sell you things and if you want say “Mai ao krap” which means: “I don’t want to, thank you”.

Partying in Thailand

• If you love party, you’re in the right country: in Thailand, you’ll find a lively atmosphere almost anywhere.
• In Bangkok, you can’t miss Khao San Road, one of the most vibrant streets in Asia, known for its festive ambiance, music, bars, backpackers, and endless nights.
• That said, be cautious with some shows and situations in the nightlife scene. For example, the famous “ping pong shows” may seem intriguing at first, but they are often associated with scams or inflated prices for compulsory purchases.
• Also, keep in mind that in some tourist areas or nightclubs, it’s common for people to approach you with a lot of friendliness and charm. Sometimes, it may seem like just a friendly gesture or flirting, but it could actually be someone offering sexual services or expecting some form of monetary compensation, even though it’s not explicitly mentioned. There’s nothing wrong with that if both parties are in agreement, but it’s important to recognize these situations to avoid misunderstandings or unwanted confusion.
• Regarding trans people, commonly referred to in Thailand as “ladyboys” (a term widely used and accepted in the country), they are a visible and integral part of the nightlife scene. There’s nothing to worry about; just like anywhere else, it’s important to treat everyone with respect and common sense.
• If you want to save money, avoid drinking too much at bars. A single beer can cost around €2.50, which is almost the same as what you’d spend on a full meal or dinner at an inexpensive restaurant.
• A good alternative is to buy alcohol at 7-Eleven, open 24 hours. You can buy it until 11 PM, and you can also pick up something to eat before heading back to your accommodation.

Discover more about Thailand!

And most importantly: don’t be afraid. Thailand is much safer than many people think. It’s full of friendly people who are always willing to help without asking for anything in return. Enjoy with peace of mind, use common sense, and let yourself be surprised by the local hospitality.

Also, before leaving for your trip, you can take a look at my other posts about Thailand to learn more about this fascinating country. And if you are on your way through Asia, you may be interested in the post on Possible routes for a trip to Southeast Asia.

Take some flexibility, humor and patience with you. Come expecting the unexpected, be prepared to go with the flow, be prepared for an adventure rather than a vacation.

– Lonely Planet –