TravPa
Wat Arun's central tower and four smaller prangs rise above the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

Thailand

Bangkok's temples and street food, Chiang Mai's old city and mountains, and the beaches and islands of the Andaman Sea around Phuket.

Best timeNov to FebMoneyThai baht (THB)PlugsType A, B, C and O, 230 VMain airportBangkok (BKK)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
Wat Arun rises behind the ferry landing on Bangkok's Chao Phraya River. · Adapted from Paul_012 · Adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Visa rules depend on your passport.
Choose the country that issued your passport to see what you need.

Overview

Most first trips combine Bangkok with the north and the beaches: Bangkok's temples and food, Chiang Mai's old city and mountains, then the Andaman coast around Phuket. Domestic flights make each hop little more than an hour.

The cool, dry season from November to February is the most comfortable and the busiest. March to May is very hot, and the southwest monsoon brings rain and rough seas to the Andaman coast from about May to October. Check the entry rules shortly before you go: Thailand changed them several times in 2024 and 2025.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janBestfebBestmarHotaprHotmayHotjunRainyjulRainyaugRainysepRainyoctRainynovBestdecBest

Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, takes over Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket around April 13 to 15. Loy Krathong, with candles floated on rivers, usually falls in November, when Chiang Mai also releases lanterns for Yi Peng. In the north, smoke from crop burning often makes the air hazy from about February to April.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Phuket]
Phuket in 3 daysPhuket Old Town, Wat Chalong, Big Buddha, Karon Viewpoint, Promthep Cape, Kata, Patong, Phang Nga BayBalanced pace
Golden chedi and ceremonial umbrella in the courtyard of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai.
Orange-tiled roofs enclose the golden chedi at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. · Adapted from JJ Harrison · Adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Chiang Mai in 3 daysOld City temples, Night Bazaar, Doi Suthep, Wat Umong, Nimman, Wat Chiang Man, Warorot Market, Wat Sri SuphanBalanced pace
Wat Arun's central tower and four smaller prangs rise above the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.
Wat Arun rises behind the ferry landing on Bangkok's Chao Phraya River. · Adapted from Paul_012 · Adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Bangkok in 3 daysGrand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Golden Mount, Chinatown, Chatuchak, Jim Thompson House, AyutthayaBalanced pace

Where to stay

BangkokSukhumvit or Silom for first-timers, near the Skytrain; the riverside for hotels with a view and boats to the temples; Banglamphu for budget stays near the Grand Palace.Best areas to stay in BangkokHotels in Bangkok
Show a map of hotels in Bangkok with live prices

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

Chiang MaiThe Old City for temples on foot, Nimman for cafes and a younger crowd, the riverside for quieter hotels.Best areas to stay in Chiang MaiHotels in Chiang Mai
Show a map of hotels in Chiang Mai with live prices

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

PhuketKata and Karon for families and calmer beaches, Kamala for couples, Patong for nightlife, Phuket Town for culture and value.Best areas to stay in PhuketHotels in Phuket
Show a map of hotels in Phuket with live prices

Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.

Getting around

  • Domestic flights: Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, and Bangkok to Phuket about 1 hour 30 minutes.
  • Night train: The sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 11 to 13 hours, a classic way to travel north.
  • In Bangkok: The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway skip the traffic, and river boats on the Chao Phraya reach the old town.
  • Ride-hailing: Grab and Bolt are widely used in the cities. In taxis, insist on the meter or agree the fare first.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, and whether it covers riding a motorbike, before you rent one.
Get a quote from World NomadsOpens World Nomads in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission from this partner; your price stays the same.
Phone dataAn eSIM gives you data for maps, Grab and translation from the moment you land.How a travel eSIM works
See Thailand eSIMs on AiraloOpens Airalo in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission from this partner; your price stays the same.