Thailand

Thailand rewards travellers who combine a little structure with room for spontaneity. A first trip might pair Bangkok’s temples and street food with Chiang Mai’s markets and mountain scenery, then finish on the Andaman coast around Krabi, Phuket, or Koh Lanta. Avoid cramming every region into one itinerary: domestic distances are larger than they look, and ferries add transfer time.

Use Hello’s trip planning tools to group destinations by region and leave buffer time for travel days. A practical outline is:

• Bangkok: 3–4 days for the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Chinatown, and canal or river trips.
• Northern Thailand: 3–5 days in Chiang Mai, with optional time in Chiang Rai or Pai.
• The south: 4–7 days for beaches, limestone cliffs, diving, or island-hopping.

Thailand’s climate varies by coast and season, so check local conditions before booking beach transfers. Reserve popular sleeper trains, island ferries, and accommodation during major holidays, while keeping less time-sensitive activities flexible.

Thailand’s transport network makes independent travel straightforward. In Bangkok, the BTS Skytrain and MRT are usually the quickest way through busy areas; fares commonly range from about ฿17–฿62 per ride. The Airport Rail Link reaches central Bangkok for roughly ฿45, while taxis are convenient when luggage or late-night arrivals make public transport less practical.

For longer journeys, compare comfort, time, and departure location rather than price alone. A second-class sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai often costs around ฿850–฿1,050, while overnight buses may cost ฿500–฿900. Domestic flights can be useful for Bangkok–Chiang Mai, Phuket, or Krabi, often starting around ฿1,000–฿2,000 before optional baggage. Island routes usually combine a bus or minivan with a ferry.

For taxis, ask for the meter or agree on the fare before departing. In tuk-tuks, confirm the total price and destination first. Keep your itinerary, tickets, and transfer details organized in Hello, and allow extra time for traffic around Bangkok and ferry connections.

Thai food is best explored one small meal at a time. In Bangkok, try pad thai, boat noodles, grilled pork skewers, and mango sticky rice at busy markets or local food courts. Chiang Mai is known for khao soi, a rich curry noodle soup topped with crisp noodles, while southern cuisine brings intense heat through dishes such as gaeng som and turmeric-rich curries. Seafood is especially appealing around coastal towns and islands.

Street food stalls with a steady stream of customers are often a good sign. Pointing, photographs, or a translation app can help when menus are unfamiliar. Tell vendors clearly if you need food without peanuts, shellfish, fish sauce, or chilli; “mai phet” means not spicy, although it may still arrive with some heat.

Carry small notes and coins for markets, taxis, and casual stalls. Restaurants in tourist areas may add service charges, so check the bill before paying. When travelling with companions, use Hello’s expense splitting feature to divide shared meals, boat transfers, and café stops without losing track of who paid.

Thailand is welcoming, but respectful behaviour matters. Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees when visiting temples, remove shoes where requested, and avoid touching anyone’s head. Keep voices low in religious spaces and never climb on statues or sacred structures. A friendly smile and a little patience go a long way, especially when language or customs differ.

The local currency is the Thai baht (฿). Keep cash for markets, small restaurants, rural transport, and temple donations, while cards are increasingly accepted in hotels, malls, and larger businesses. Track spending in baht with Hello’s budget tracking feature so meals, transport, and excursions remain visible in one place. Use bank-affiliated exchange counters or reputable ATMs, and count cash before leaving.

For easy arrival connectivity, buy and activate Hello eSIM before landing so maps, translation tools, bookings, and ride apps work without roaming charges. Download essential reservations and directions in advance, particularly before travelling to islands or rural northern areas where signal can be less consistent.