Thailand: A Guide for Planning Your Own Trip
Thailand is not a single resort but two coasts with different seasons, a capital of temples and markets, and a mountainous north. The Andaman Sea lies along the west of the country with Phuket and Krabi, while Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Pattaya and Koh Chang sit in the Gulf of Thailand. These coasts are dry in different months, so your dates matter more than your hotel. This page is meant as an overview from which you put the trip together yourself: where to go, where to stay, how to get around, when to fly and what the total is made of. Each section leads on to our detailed articles. There are no prices here: they differ so much between seasons and islands that a single figure would be misleading.
What to See: Temples, Ruins and Nature
Away from the beaches, Thailand rests on a handful of places. In Bangkok these are the Grand Palace with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho with its statue of the Reclining Buddha: they are ten minutes apart on foot. Ayutthaya, the old capital with brick stupas and palace ruins, is about an hour and a half by road from Bangkok.
In the north, the main sites are grouped around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai: the monastery of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep above the city, Doi Inthanon National Park with the highest point in the country, and the White Temple with its mirror mosaic. In the resorts, these are the Sanctuary of Truth and Nong Nooch Garden in Pattaya, the Big Buddha and the old town on Phuket, and the temples and waterfalls of Koh Samui.
The most striking landscape in the country is the limestone cliffs of the Andaman Sea: Railay, Phang Nga Bay, the Phi Phi Islands. Maya Bay on Phi Phi is closed every year from the beginning of August to the end of September, and swimming in the bay itself is not allowed.
Our articles on this
- 9 Places in Thailand worth leaving the beaches for
- What to see in Phuket: 18 places with prices and opening hours
- What to see in Pattaya: 30 places, ticket prices and opening hours
- 30 Main attractions of Koh Samui: what to see and how to get there
- Pattaya is not only about bars: 8 places worth seeing
- Koh Samui: six places for a first visit and how to get to the island
- Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya: tickets, opening hours and what to see inside
- Nong Nooch Garden in Pattaya: tickets, hours and garden route
- Beaches of Thailand: five shores worth reaching
- Phuket beaches: 25 shores for swimming, surfing and family holidays
- Koh Samui beaches: 28 shores where to swim and where to just walk
- Beaches of Phangan: 26 shores for swimming and snorkeling
Regions and Resorts: Where to Go
Beach Thailand divides into three parts. The Andaman Sea in the west means Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe: cliffs, bays and the widest choice of islands. The southern Gulf means Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. The eastern Gulf near the border with Cambodia means Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood, where there is more jungle and quiet. The rainy seasons of Koh Samui and Koh Chang differ, even though they share the same gulf.
Phuket is bigger and louder, with the widest choice of hotels and entertainment. Koh Samui is smaller, calmer and convenient for families: the island has its own airport and a hospital. Krabi with Ao Nang is a base for island trips. Koh Tao is chosen for a first diving course, and Koh Phangan is known for the Full Moon Party and for quiet beaches in the west and north. Koh Lanta and Koh Chang suit a long, peaceful stay, while people go to Pattaya for entertainment, shows and excursions.
Within a resort, the neighborhood matters more than the hotel category. On Phuket, Patong is noisy until morning, while Karon and Kata are calmer. On Koh Samui, Chaweng and Lamai are lively, while Maenam and Bophut are quieter. In Bangkok, choose a hotel near a BTS or MRT station.
| Resort | Who it suits | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Phuket | Those who want the widest choice of hotels and entertainment | Bigger and louder; Patong is noisy until morning, Karon and Kata are calmer |
| Koh Samui | Families and those looking for calm | Has its own airport and a hospital; Chaweng and Lamai are lively, Maenam and Bophut are quieter |
| Krabi and Ao Nang | Those who want to head out to the islands every day | Krabi has an international airport |
| Koh Tao | A first diving course | Can only be reached by water |
| Koh Phangan | The Full Moon Party or quiet beaches | The quiet beaches are in the west and north; can only be reached by water |
| Koh Lanta and Koh Chang | A long, peaceful stay | They lie in different seas and have different seasons |
| Pattaya | Entertainment, shows and excursions | The nearest airport is U-Tapao |
Our articles on this
- Islands of Thailand 2026: 15 destinations for recreation and diving
- Where to stay in Phuket: 10 areas, prices and hotels for 2026
- Which Bangkok district to stay in: 8 zones for different needs
- Where to stay in Pattaya: three areas and ten hotels
- Where to stay on Koh Samui: 7 areas and hotels by budget
- Where to stay in Krabi: 6 areas from Ao Nang to Krabi Town
- Phuket and Samui: comparison by seasons, beaches and prices in 2026
- Phuket or Samui: which island of Thailand to choose for a vacation
- Ko Chang: beaches, waterfalls and a quiet alternative to Phuket
- Phi Phi and Phangan: how to get there, what to see and where to stay
Hotels: What to Look For in Thailand
Choose the coast and the neighborhood first, then the hotel. The words “beachfront” mean different things: on Phuket some hotels stand on the cliffs and take guests down to the water by shuttle, in Pattaya on Beach Road a road separates the hotel from the beach, and on Koh Samui there are almost no high-rise buildings by the sea, with villas and bungalows predominating. The shore in Thailand is open to everyone: a hotel only looks after the stretch in front of it.
Check three things. First: how far it is to the water. Second: the pool, because in the rainy season the sea off the west coast is often rough. Third: what is nearby in the evening. For Christmas, New Year and the European school holidays, hotels near the beach are booked up well in advance.
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- Your own beach or a cliff view: 15 4-star hotels in Phuket
- 20 First line hotels in Pattaya: which one to choose for the beach, family or parties
- Koh Samui 4 star hotels 2026: 20 options by the beach, in spa and in quiet
- Karon in Phuket: 20 hotels by the sea and near the beach
- Koh Samui 5 star hotels: 20 resorts with villas and a private beach
- Pattaya 3 star hotels with a pool: 15 options for a holiday by the bay
- Koh Samui hotels with a private beach: 20 options from 3 to 5 stars
- First line of Phuket: 15 3-star hotels right by the sea
- First line in Pattaya: 15 3-star hotels near Jomtien and in the center
- Where to stay on Koh Samui with kids: 20 beachfront hotels and their beaches
- Beachfront bungalows on Koh Samui: 20 first line hotels
- 3 Star hotels in Koh Samui: 20 options near Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam beaches
- Which 5-star hotels in Samui to choose: 10 options with villas and pools
- 12 Phuket villas with pools: how to choose an option for a family and group in 2026
- The Pavilions Suites in Phuket: suites from 81 m², spa and 360° bar
Tours and Tickets
A ticket bought in advance makes the most sense for the Grand Palace in Bangkok: the ticket offices close in the afternoon, and you will not be let in with bare shoulders and knees. Ayutthaya is easy to do as a day trip from Bangkok, and the ruins make more sense with a guide. There is also a quieter option near the capital: a day by boat along the Khlong Mahasawat canal.
In the resorts, most trips are by sea: from Phuket to Phi Phi, to Phang Nga Bay and to the Similan Islands, and from Koh Samui to Ang Thong Marine Park. National parks charge a separate entrance fee. In the rainy season, sea excursions on the west coast are canceled because of the swell, and the Similan and Surin Islands are closed from mid-May to mid-October.
A group tour is cheaper than a private one: you pay for a seat in a minivan or on a boat. Check whether the hotel transfer and insurance on the water are included in the price.
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Food: Markets, Street Food and Fruit
The cheapest and often the tastiest food in Thailand is eaten at markets and from street carts: pad thai, tom yum soup, som tam salad, fried rice, grilled seafood, mango with sticky rice. Food courts in shopping malls offer air conditioning and remain cheaper than restaurants.
The cuisine varies by region. In Phuket Town three traditions have blended: Hokkien, Thai Muslim and Peranakan, which is where roti, southern curries and late-night noodles come from. The phrase mai phet means “not spicy.”
Choose places where locals are lining up and the dish is cooked in front of you in a red-hot wok or on a grill. Buy fruit that has been cut in front of you. Drink bottled water; ice in the form of hollow tubes is made from drinking water, while crushed ice is better left out. The season for most fruit runs from April through August.
Our articles on this
- Street food in Pattaya: market prices and where to eat safely
- Phuket Town street food: two days of roti, curry and late night noodles
- Exotic fruits of Thailand: what to try and how to choose ripe ones
- 8 Bangkok markets: where to bargain, what to buy and when to come
- Chatuchak market in Bangkok: how to plan your visit and what to buy
Transportation: Flights, Ferries and Getting from the Airport
Bangkok has two airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, and there is no direct train between them: check the airport code on your ticket. From Suvarnabhumi the Airport Rail Link train runs to the city center, to Phaya Thai station, where you can transfer to the BTS. In the city there are the elevated Skytrain (BTS) and the MRT subway; each system sells its own ticket. Trains do not run at night, which leaves taxis or a transfer booked in advance.
There are international airports on Phuket and in Krabi, and Koh Samui has its own airport; the nearest one to Pattaya is U-Tapao. Getting to Koh Samui is cheaper but slower by night bus or train via Surat Thani, followed by a ferry. Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Phi Phi can only be reached by water, and Koh Chang is reached via the town of Trat and a ferry. Ferries depend on the wind, so do not plan your flight home for the day of the crossing.
Locally, people get around by songthaew shared trucks and by taxis through the Grab and Bolt apps, where the price is shown before you get in. The Phuket Smart Bus runs from Phuket airport along the west coast. For a scooter you need a motorcycle license together with an international driving permit, and a helmet.
| Where | How to get there | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Central Bangkok from Suvarnabhumi airport | Airport Rail Link train to Phaya Thai station | Transfer to the BTS there; trains do not run at night |
| Phuket | Flight to the international airport, then the Phuket Smart Bus | The bus runs along the west coast |
| Koh Samui | Flight to the island's airport, or a night bus or train via Surat Thani, then a ferry | The overland route is cheaper but longer |
| Pattaya | Flight to U-Tapao, then a taxi, minivan or bus | This is the nearest airport to the resort |
| Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Phi Phi | Ferry or speedboat | There is no overland route, and ferries depend on the wind |
| Koh Chang | Via the town of Trat and a ferry | Do not plan your flight home for the day of the crossing |
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Best Time to Visit and Weather
The month comes first, then the coast, and only then the island. On the Andaman Sea the best months are November through April; from May through October the southwest monsoon arrives with rain, wind and waves. In the southern Gulf, on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, conditions are more often good from February through September, so for a vacation in June, July or August this is the one to choose. November is among the wettest months on Koh Samui. Plan Koh Chang and the neighboring islands for November through March.
Bangkok lives by three seasons: dry from November through February, hot from March through May and rainy from June through October. In the north it is most comfortable from November through February, while from February through April smog from burning vegetation hangs over the mountains.
April is the hottest month of the year. In mid-April the country celebrates Songkran, the traditional New Year with water fights in the streets: book accommodation and intercity tickets for those days well in advance.
| Region | Best months | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman Sea: Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi | November through April | From May through October the monsoon brings rain, wind and waves |
| Southern Gulf: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao | February through September | November is among the wettest months on Koh Samui |
| Koh Chang and the neighboring islands | November through March | The rainy season does not match Koh Samui's, even though it is the same gulf |
| Bangkok | November through February | Hot from March through May, rainy from June through October |
| North: Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai | November through February | From February through April there is smog in the mountains |
Twelve months compared: find the best time to go
Our articles on this
- Andaman sea or gulf of Thailand: how to choose the coast by travel month
- Phuket by month: dry season, downpours and best dates for the beach
- When to go to Koh Samui: seasons, rains and best months
- When to go to Pattaya: months without rain, high and low season
- When to go to Bangkok: seasons, rains and best months
- Thailand in January: which coast to choose for a beach holiday
- Weather in Thailand in February: where the water is warmer and there is less rain
- Weather in Thailand in March: where to swim and where there is smog
- Thailand in April: heat, smog in the north and where it is dry on the beaches
- Thailand in May 2026: which resort to choose and where it is dry
- Thailand in May: 263 mm of rain in Phuket and where rains are shorter
- Weather in Thailand in June: where it is dry and where to go
- Thailand in July: where there is less rain and which coast to choose
- Weather in Thailand in August: where it is drier and where to go
- Weather in Thailand in September: where it is dry and where the rainy season is
Budget: How to Work Out Your Own Total
We do not list daily rates here. Three items shape the final total most: the flight, accommodation and food. Then comes what appears on the spot: excursions, vehicle rental, national park entrance fees, shopping. The price is set by the island, the season, the distance from the beach and the level of comfort. Phuket is more expensive than most of the country's provinces, and on the small islands transportation, groceries and beach hotels cost more.
Where saving really makes a difference: accommodation booked in advance; songthaews and city transit instead of taxis; food at markets and food courts instead of tourist restaurants; bargaining at markets without price tags, where it is expected of you.
You work out your own total in the calculator. It separates accommodation, food, local transportation, entrance tickets, travel there and a reserve.
Calculate your trip budget for Thailand
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Itineraries: From One Day to Two Weeks
The classic cultural route runs from south to north: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai. Two days are enough for the center of the country: one for the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, the other for Ayutthaya. Add two or three more days for the north. Bangkok's old town, the Phra Nakhon district, can be covered on foot in a day: two temples, two museums, Khao San Road and the spice market.
For the beach part of a two-week trip, stay on one coast and take no more than three bases. On the Andaman Sea these are Ao Nang, Koh Lanta and Phuket, in the southern Gulf Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, and in the eastern Gulf Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kood.
Phuket stretches from north to south, so in three days it is convenient to cover it in blocks: the temples and viewpoints of the south, a water park, a day at sea. Before your international flight home, leave at least one night on the mainland or near the airport.
| Time | What fits in |
|---|---|
| 1 day | Bangkok's old town on foot: two temples, two museums, Khao San Road and the spice market |
| 2 days | The center of the country: the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, then Ayutthaya the next day |
| 4-5 days | Center and north: Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are added to Bangkok and Ayutthaya |
| 3 days on Phuket | The temples and viewpoints of the south, a water park, a day at sea |
| 2 weeks | One coast and no more than three bases, for example Ao Nang, Koh Lanta and Phuket |
Day planner: check what fits into one day
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Practical Matters: Entry, Customs, Connectivity, Insurance
Citizens of the EU and Ukraine do not need a visa for a short trip; the visa-free period is up to 30 days. Before your flight, fill out the TDAC digital arrival card online and keep your return ticket and hotel address at hand: you may be asked for them at passport control. The rules change, so check them before you travel.
In temples, shoulders and knees must be covered, shoes are taken off before the entrance, the threshold is not stepped on and Buddha statues are not touched. Keep any dispute calm in tone: a loud scene is taken very badly here. The sun is strong even on a cloudy day, so you need sunscreen every day.
Check roaming terms with your carrier before the trip. A local SIM card is sold at the airport and in 7-Eleven stores, and you need your passport to register it. An eSIM is a backup way to have internet from the first minute. Take out travel insurance before you leave and read exactly what it covers, especially if you plan to ride a scooter.
Make a packing list for your trip to Thailand
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