The following is a guide with general info that you need to know before travelling Thailand. These tips and information will help you to plan your trip and be prepared for your visit.
If you have any questions about travelling in Thailand, or want advice on preparing for your trip, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to help you with any questions that you might have, so that you can prepare for an enjoyable adventure in this beautiful travel destination.
Visas
When you are travelling to Thailand, it is important to have a valid passport. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip. When you enter the country, you will be able to stay for a total of 30 days – if you are staying longer a visa is required. If you need to apply for this visa, it is available at the Thai embassy in your home country.
Travel Insurance
It is important to have good travel insurance when you are visiting Thailand. Make sure that the travel insurance policy that you choose is suitable for your trip and has world coverage. If you have current coverage, double check that it will still cover you when you are in Thailand. Remember to bring your insurance certificate along with you when you travel.
Money Matters
When you are traveling in Thailand you will be spending the local currency, which is called the Baht. One euro is equal to around 40 baht, one dollar is 32 baht and 1 British Pound is worth around 48 baht. When you arrive in Thailand, it is recommended that you change your money at one of the larger banks. You will receive coins in denominations of 1,2,5 and 10 as well as banknotes of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Baht. You will be able to withdraw Baht from the ATMS, but many will charge you 150 Baht for every transaction.
When you are walking around, remember that pickpockets are not as common in Thailand as in some other destinations but they still exist. Always take the usual pickpocket precautions with your day packs, purses and wallets. Be discreet with your wallet when you are paying for goods and try not to “flash your cash”. It is also a good idea to split up your money, so that you have some in your wallet and others in your money belt, in your shoes, in a hidden pocket, etc.
You can use your credit card at many businesses in Thailand, such as the major stores and hotels. However, many small local shops will only take cash. The banks in Thailand are usually open Monday to Friday, from 9am until 15:30pm.
Keep in mind that tipping is not customary in Thailand, but it is always appreciated because it helps those in the service industry who are paid low wages. When you have a meal in a Thai restaurant, you can feel free to tip around 20 baht, and around 50-100 baht for a meal in a luxury hotel or restaurant.
It is not usual to tip your taxi driver, but you might round up the amount if you want when paying. If you hire a tour guide for a half day or a full day, you can give them a tip of around 100-400 Baht depending on the mileage and the time spent with you. The driver can be given around half the amount that you give the guide. Giving a tip will be very much appreciated and is a great way of saying thanks when you have received very good service from a tour guide, restaurant or other tourism industry worker.
Weather and Seasons
You might think that the weather in Thailand is perfect year round sun, but it is a little more complicated than that. The country experiences a typical tropical climate and it has two seasons, wet and dry. The southern regions of Thailand have a slightly different monsoon climate, depending on which side of the Thai and Malay Peninsular they are on.
It is possible to visit Thailand all throughout the year. However, during the rainy season the rural areas will become less accessible and the winter weather will bring higher seas – affecting those relaxing days on the beach.
Perhaps the best time to visit Thailand is during the cool season, which is from November to February. Temperatures will still reach 30 degrees during the day, but they will be milder than the hot season (March-May). Also, there is less chance of precipitation than during the rainy season (May-Oct). Of course, because of the ideal weather this is also the busiest time of year so make sure that you book in advance.
If You Go on a Trek or Jungle Tour
If you are going on a Jungle Trekking Tour, it is important that you are prepared and bring the right items with you. When you go trekking in the jungle, be sure to bring firm walking shoes or boots, a flashlight, a small backpack, waterproof gear, a jack in the winter, mosquito repellent and a copy of your passport. When you take a jungle trip with us, we strongly recommend that you take these items along, so that you can travel prepared.
Transport in Thailand
There are many ways that you can get around Thailand during your trip. Taxis can be an affordable way to transport yourself around the cities, but always make sure that you use a taxi that has a meter. If the driver doesn’t have one or refuses to use it, he is likely trying to scam you and you should simply walk away. Luckily, in Bangkok there are many taxis so waiting for one will not take very long. When you use a metered taxi, you will be assured a fair price – which will be a 35 Baht starting fee and a 3 Baht increase every two kilometres.
Another option for transport is to hire a minivan with a driver and an English speaking guide. We offer this service and it is ideal for short to medium distances. To book a transfer by minivan, click here.
The Tuk Tuk is one of the most popular means of transportation among tourists in Thailand. Riding around in one of these colourful open vehicles is an experience you will never forget and it is essential during your trip to Thailand. Riding a tuk tuk is part of our City Flash Bangkok program, which is a very unique experience. When taking a tuk tuk, you should try to get at least 30 to 40% off the first price the driver will offer you, so don’t be afraid to haggle. Also, always remember to agree your price in advance so there is no confusion.
If you are in Bangkok, another pleasant mode of transport is the Sky Train and Subway System, which is very clean and well maintained. The price for a journey is only between 10 and 50 baht, depending on the destination. From the BTS skytrain you can also connect to the MRT subway network.
A cheap and fun mode of transport, especially in smaller towns, is the Song Taew. This is a converted pickup with two rows facing each other. It usually only costs around 10 baht to travel a mile, or sometimes even cheaper. You could also take a scooter taxi, but these are considered dangerous because they frequently crash.
Water taxis are found along the rivers and canals and they offer fares of between 10 and 20 Baht. Some hotels will have shuttle service from a private boat to the hotel. Also, rickshaws are commonly found in many places around Thailand and can be a fun experience, as long as you negotiate a good price.
In Bangkok, the bus system is complicated and the buses are not air-conditioned and of bad quality, but they are a very cheap way to get around town. For longer journeys throughout the country, the train is cheap and good and it offers plenty of space. Of course, it is quite basic.
Last but not least, there are many options for domestic flights throughout Thailand if you don’t feel like travelling for 12 hours on the train. The other main airports besides Bangkok include Koh Samui, Chiang Rai, Krabi, Phuket and Chiang Mai. There are several flights per day and the major airlines include Air Asia, Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways.