Thailand Travel Tips

Thailand - THE travel destination for independent tourists and first-time backpackers. Nowhere is it easier to travel around, find dream beaches, engage in a plethora of action-packed activities, or discover culture.

The days of empty beaches and secret spots are unfortunately almost over. Real hidden gems, like the powdery beach in Koh Phi Phi from years ago, have become rare, as mass tourism has taken hold. But the good news is: the beautiful beaches and sea are still there.

If you're lucky, the next cove may be empty of people. You just have to search and veer off the tourist paths. Find your own 'The Beach'...

Everything you've always wanted to know about Thailand. Whether you want stunning beaches, cooking classes and spicy food, Tuk-Tuk tours, or the best viewpoints in Bangkok.

Before your first trip to Thailand, you'll have questions like:

I receive many emails with questions about more information for the first trip to Thailand. Therefore, I have compiled your most frequent questions about traveling to Thailand here. You can find the answers and information for your travel preparation and journey to Thailand here.

It always depends on which region you want to visit. Depending on the rainy season, it might be better to travel to one side of Thailand than the other. With plenty of options available, you can react spontaneously and fly with budget airlines from Phuket to Ko Samui.

December and January are the most beautiful months, but they are also the busiest. Only in the north can it get quite cool at 10° C. From April, temperatures can soar up to 40° C, and in May the rainy season begins.

I have written in detail about the best time to travel to Thailand.

Thailand is very large. In 2-3 weeks, you will unfortunately not be able to see everything. Therefore, you need to think in advance about which islands, cities, and activities you want to undertake. I have been to Thailand twice and still haven't seen everything.

For example, I got my diving certification very cheaply at a 5-star PADI resort on Koh Tao, hiked in Khao Sok National Park, went mountain biking, and rafting in Chiang Mai, you can find dream beaches everywhere, and there is a lot to offer culturally around Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok.

Route 1: History, the North, and diving in the South (Gulf of Thailand) - Thailand in 3 weeks

My first trip to Thailand took me on the following route: Bangkok - Chiang Mai (4 nights), Koh Phangan (3 nights) - Koh Tao (diving course, diving, relaxing, 8 days), Bangkok (2 nights) Kanchanaburi (2 nights) with the River Kwai Bridge, much history from World War II, overnight stays on riverboats, Bangkok (2 nights).

Route 2: Bangkok and the South (Andaman Sea) from Thailand in 3 Weeks

Flight over Bangkok to Phuket, then directly to Khao Sok National Park (2 nights), Khao Lak (3 nights), Ko Lanta (3 nights), Ko Phi Phi (3 nights), Ko Yao Noi (4 nights), Bangkok (3 nights).

A detailed report on my recommended routes will come soon. Until then, you can check out the travel guide Thailand - The South and the standard Stefan Loose Thailand which is really great.

Entry is possible with a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. If you arrive by plane and have a ticket for your return or onward journey, you will receive a "visa on arrival": a residence permit in the form of a stamp in your passport that allows you to stay for 30 days. If you arrive by land, you usually only receive a residence permit for 15 days.

If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a visa in advance.

Most tourists arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Fewer tourists fly directly to Phuket, as those flights are usually more expensive. From Bangkok, you can switch to one of the many budget airlines to get either to the North or to an island in the South.

The official language in Thailand is Thai. You won't be able to read the written language, and neither will I. Since many tourists are in Thailand, almost everything is translated into English, even if the translations can often be quite amusing. If you're traveling independently through Thailand, English (school English is sufficient) is a must. Nobody is perfect.

You can manage with German only in tourist areas where many Germans travel and live: Phuket, Kao Lak, and some areas of Koh Samui.

Thailand is a safe travel country. If the news of unrest in Bangkok makes the rounds in the media, don't let that deter you from going to Thailand. These unrests usually pertain to a single street that you as a tourist can easily avoid.

However, you should not be too reckless. There are, rightly so, stories of tourists being drugged (Hey guys, don't let a Thai beauty turn your head) and waking up the next day without their wallets. You should be careful about what is poured into your bucket at places like the beach in Koh Phangan. This is no joke and not an exaggeration.

One principle: With attention and common sense, nothing should happen to you.

100 THB (Thai Baht) equals about $2.40. You can withdraw money with common credit cards everywhere. You can exchange money at hotels, banks, or licensed dealers.

Currently, the best free credit cards for travel are the Debit card from DKB Bank, GenialCard (Hanseatic Bank), and the Mastercard Gold from TF Bank. With a setup of at least two of these cards, you can almost always withdraw money from ATMs abroad for free and pay on-site without incurring foreign transaction fees for currency exchanges! -> Here you can find all my tips and experiences for the best travel credit cards in comparison.

It depends on your lifestyle how much budget you need to plan per day. As a budget backpacker, you can get by very well with 20 euros. If you want a bit more luxury and plan some activities, you can comfortably navigate with 40-50 euros a day.

Bangkok is generally a little more expensive. During peak travel season, especially between Christmas and New Year's, some accommodations can be twice as expensive.

Food at street stalls costs 1-3 euros. In a restaurant, you can eat well for about 5 euros. Water costs around 20 cents.

It depends on your travel style. I prefer to discover a country, explore as much as possible, and make spontaneous decisions about where I want to go or stay longer. No other country makes it as easy as Thailand.

Package tours often bring tourists to overcrowded tourist hotspots. If you're traveling independently, you can also explore less touristy spots. Give it a try!

It's been common knowledge in Germany for some time: Thai cuisine is fantastic. Excellent food at low prices. Don't hesitate to eat at a street food stall or hawker, you will love it.

Just don't drink the tap water if you want to avoid stomach problems. I ignore advice like 'no ice in drinks' or 'don't eat fruit' (just wash the fruit before eating it). If you have a sensitive stomach, you should definitely be careful.

If Thai food eventually becomes too much for you, you can find spaghetti, hamburgers, or pizza everywhere. The famous banana pancake stands are also found everywhere.

When someone asks you if you want to eat 'spicy', it does not mean the same as the European 'spicy'. Be cautious and ease into it slowly if you want to enjoy your delicious meal.

Almost everywhere in Thailand, there is 'Free WiFi', free internet. Even though sometimes you need to be patient because the connections can be slow.

If, like me, you look for and book (or reserve) accommodations only 1-2 days in advance, it may be worthwhile to get a Thai SIM card. You can buy it directly at the airport, often you even get it for free as a promotion. In Thailand, you don't even need to show identification or proof of accommodation to get a SIM card. It's all easy.

The three largest providers are 1-2 Call, DTAC, and True; love. All providers have good coverage. I had a SIM card from DTAC on my last trip to Thailand. However, this can always change as there are always new offers from the providers.

Here I have a post about the best SIM card for Thailand.

You can find all types of accommodation in Thailand. You don't need to book in advance. You can check everything out on-site and stay where you like best. Except during peak travel time around Christmas and New Year's. Spots can get quite booked up then.

You can find accommodations at booking.com or agoda.com.

Travel health insurance is always advisable. They really don't cost much. An accident with a scooter on a sandy road can happen quickly, you can injure yourself while diving, or simply get sick.

Check out my article with tips for travel insurance (and which ones are sensible).

It is recommended to have a Hepatitis A vaccination (preferably combined with Hepatitis B). In addition, standard vaccinations against tetanus, polio, and diphtheria are necessary. There is a malaria risk in some parts of the country.

Here you can get informed: Federal Foreign Office Health Thailand.

I have never taken malaria prophylaxis for Thailand. You can find my travel pharmacy checklist here (also available for download and printing).

If you're traveling independently with a backpack for the first time, you're always going to take too much (I speak from experience). In Thailand, you can have your laundry done within 2-3 hours. Often for under 5 euros. That's why I recommend that you check out my packing list. You can print it out and check off items, so you don't forget the essentials and (hopefully) don't pack too much.

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