Destination guide

Thailand trip planner

Golden temples, spicy street food, and turquoise-water islands for every budget.

Thailand is the easiest big-adventure country in Southeast Asia. Start in Bangkok, head north for temples and jungle, or south for islands — the mix is up to you.

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Canonical: https://haienaplan.com/destinations/thailand

Best time to visit

Nov–Feb (cool, dry)

Currency

Thai Baht (THB)

Language

Thai

Top experiences in Thailand

Bangkok temples & markets

Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chatuchak weekend market, rooftop bars.

Chiang Mai's old city

Wat Phra Singh, night bazaar, ethical elephant sanctuaries.

Krabi & Phi Phi

Longtail boats between limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons.

Koh Samui & Koh Phangan

Beach resorts, waterfalls, full moon party if that's your thing.

Average temperatures in Thailand

Bangkok — hot; monsoon Jun–Oct.

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	32° / 90°F	33° / 91°F	34° / 93°F	35° / 95°F	34° / 93°F	33° / 91°F	32° / 90°F	32° / 90°F	32° / 90°F	31° / 88°F	31° / 88°F	31° / 88°F
Low	22° / 72°F	24° / 75°F	26° / 79°F	27° / 81°F	26° / 79°F	26° / 79°F	26° / 79°F	25° / 77°F	25° / 77°F	25° / 77°F	23° / 73°F	21° / 70°F

Temperatures shown in °C (with °F). Averages based on long-term climate normals for the country's main hub.

Sample itinerary

Days 1–3: Bangkok — Grand Palace, Wat Arun, longtail canal tour, street food.
Days 4–6: Fly to Chiang Mai — temples, cooking class, elephant sanctuary.
Days 7–10: Fly to Krabi — Railay Beach, Phi Phi and Hong island tour.

Foods to try

Pad thaiGreen curryTom yumMango sticky riceSom tamMassaman curryBoat noodles

Getting to Thailand

Bangkok (BKK Suvarnabhumi) is the main hub with cheap connections across Asia; Don Mueang (DMK) handles most budget carriers. Fly directly into Phuket (HKT), Krabi (KBV), or Chiang Mai (CNX) to skip Bangkok if you're focused on islands or the north.

Getting around

Domestic flights

AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Lion connect Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Krabi in ~1.5 hours for under $50.

Overnight trains

The Bangkok–Chiang Mai sleeper is a classic; second-class A/C sleepers are comfortable and cheap.

Grab & Bolt

Ride-hailing apps work in cities — safer than metered taxis and no haggling.

Ferries & speedboats

Connect islands from Krabi, Phuket, and Surat Thani. Book combo bus+boat tickets on 12Go.

Where to stay

Bangkok — Sukhumvit

Best base for first-timers: BTS Skytrain access, malls, restaurants, and nightlife.

Bangkok — Old City (Rattanakosin)

Walking distance to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho; quieter and more traditional.

Chiang Mai — Old City

Inside the moat, temples on every corner, best for cafés and cooking classes.

Krabi — Ao Nang or Railay

Longtail boats to hidden beaches; Railay is only reachable by boat.

Daily budget guide

Budget

$25–40

Guesthouses, street-food meals, songthaew or Grab short hops.

Mid-range

$60–120

4-star hotel, one nice dinner, a massage, and paid tours or islands.

Luxury

$250+

Beach resorts, private longtail charters, and 5-star Bangkok stays.

Rough per-person, per-day estimates excluding flights.

Culture & etiquette

Never touch someone's head — it's considered sacred.
Point feet away from Buddha images and people; feet are considered low.
Show respect to the monarchy — jokes about the king are illegal.
Cover shoulders and knees at temples; remove shoes before entering.

What to pack

Lightweight, breathable clothingTemple-appropriate cover-upReef-safe sunscreenInsect repellent with DEETFlip-flops + water shoesRain jacket (rainy season)Type A/B/C plug adapter

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Thailand?

10–14 days lets you combine Bangkok, one northern stop (Chiang Mai), and an island. 3 weeks if you want multiple islands.

When is the best time to visit Thailand?

November to February — cool, dry, and comfortable. March–May is very hot; June–October is rainy season (cheaper, still travelable).

Is Thailand safe for solo travelers?

Yes, one of Asia's easiest destinations. Watch for common scams (gem shops, tuk-tuk drivers) and secure valuables on overnight buses/trains.

Do I need a visa for Thailand?

Most Western passports get 30–60 days visa-free on arrival. Longer stays need a tourist visa arranged in advance.

Travel tips

Grab and Bolt work in Bangkok and most cities — safer than street taxis.
Dress modestly at temples: covered shoulders and knees, shoes off.
Watch out for tuk-tuk gem scams around the Grand Palace.
SIMs are cheap at the airport — AIS and TrueMove both work well.

Ready-made Thailand itineraries

Day-by-day plans you can copy into haienaplan and tweak to your dates.

10 days

10-day Thailand itinerary

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and a Krabi or Koh Samui beach.

2 weeks

2-week Thailand itinerary

Add Ayutthaya, Pai's mountain villages, and a second island.

Browse all itineraries →

Compare 10 days vs 2 weeks →

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