Read our latest magazine

23 May 2024

Exposed Magazine

Thailand is one of the most famous and frequently visited holiday destinations in the world. The island nation welcomed around 29 million people in 2023, and the number is expected to grow in the upcoming years. What makes Thailand a hotspot for people all over the world? For starters, the ultimate list of Thailand luxury holidays destinations, welcoming people, cheap living, and food make it the first choice for many travelers.

Thailand, a group of 1430 islands, is home to the most beautiful beaches on earth, majestic temples, royal palaces, huge Buddhist statues, lavish resorts, and scenic mountains. Apart from the naturally captivating sites, Bangkok, the country’s capital and the economic hub, has countless skyscrapers and a multitude of tourist attractions.

This guide is crafted to help beginners plan their first Thailand trip. So, let’s go and get the most out of your trip.

A Practical Guide for Your First Trip to Thailand

Places to See

There are so many luxury Thailand holidays destinations that you’ll be overwhelmed with the complete list. An ideal trip for Thailand is around 10–14 days and covers the major tourist attractions. The best itinerary is to start your tour in Bangkok. You can stay there for 2-3 days, visit the temples, and enjoy Bangkok’s street food, nightlife, and night markets.

The next cities to visit are Chiang Mai, Phuket, and then back to Bangkok. Chiang Mai and Phuket are home to many activities like skydiving, rafting, temples, and Buddhist statues. Moreover, the scenic beaches and sunset views in these cities are breathtaking. These two cities have an overall relaxing feel and are excellent places to unwind after the hustle and bustle of visiting Bangkok. Phuket has some of the most luxurious resorts with private pools or beaches, spa services, and epic gastronomy.

Travelling Costs

This is where most of the costs go. The best tip for booking cheap flights is to book well in advance (at least 4-5 months). For example, if you are planning a tip in April, booking tickets in November or December can get you the lowest prices. However, for sudden plans, booking a tour package is a better option to avoid price hikes.

Secondly, you have the option of travelling via flight, train, bus, or cab between the cities. If you are low on budget and your trip is a long one, train is the cheapest and most reliable option. For short trips with no budget constraints, taking flights between the cities can save you a lot of time.

Living Costs

Thailand welcomes tourists of all types. From backpackers to luxury seekers, from the happy-in-a-hostel type to I-prefer-a-private-villa types. Therefore, it has no shortage of stay options, such as cheap hotel rooms on a shared basis, rooms without meals, and all-inclusive luxury resorts and villas.

If you are travelling solo and are okay with hostels, you can find a room in Bangkok for as low as 1158 Thai Baht, which is roughly 25 pounds. The luxury hotels can cost as much as 500 pounds. This trend is similar in Chiang Mai, Phuket, and other cities frequented by tourists.

A viable option here is to book Thailand luxury holidays deals so you can get everything you need during your trip.

Entertainment Costs

Around 400 pounds is enough to cover the major entertainment expenses in three cities for a 10-day trip. This 400 pounds covers taxi expenses (you can reduce this by taking local trains or buses), sanctuary tours, cooking classes, some watersports, a massage, souvenirs, and eatables.

Phuket is much more expensive than Bangkok and Chiang Mai. It also has more entertainment options. So plan your expenses accordingly if you want to enjoy Phuket at its best.

Just a pro tip: change some money in your home country, as you can get a better deal than exchanging pounds in Thailand.

The Best Time of the Year to Visit Thailand

The best months to travel to Thailand are November, January, April, May, and October. The temperature during these months varies from 28°C to 35°C. January is relatively less crowded because most of the Christmas crowds have gone back. November has fewer crowds because European and American groups have not yet landed to enjoy their holidays in Thailand.

You may want to avoid August and September, as they are the rainiest months of the year but they are the cheapest as well. April is a nice month to visit, but the Songkran festival makes the country too crowded with locals. If you are visiting Thailand in February, it can get extremely polluted as farmers burn stubble in the early months of the year. Apart from these months, July has many Buddhist holidays with many religious festivals.

Tips for First-Time Travellers

The most important tip for travellers revolves around transportation in Thailand. You can potentially save by using Grab, an app similar to Uber or Cream. It is a reliable and safe option, and you don’t have to walk as the cabs arrive at your location. You can further cut costs by using public transport, such as the BTS Sky Train in Bangkok and buses in Chiang Mai and Phuket. Thailand is known for its Tuk-Tuks. We suggest you try Tuk-Tuk only once or twice for just the experience. They can be extremely costly, and drivers charge high fares from foreigners.

If you don’t have an all-inclusive Thailand tour package, buy food from roadside stalls instead of big restaurants. You can find tasty street food options ranging from 80 to 90 Baht. The street food stalls offer various varieties and let you explore authentic Thai cuisine.

The third tip is for booking tours like speedboat tours or buying watersports services. Make sure you check at least 3–4 vendors before paying. If you book these services from hotel-affiliated vendors, they usually charge higher prices.

DIY Trip vs. Thailand Tour Packages

A DIY trip can be cost-saving, but it requires careful planning and execution. You have to book services well in advance and ensure that everything goes smoothly. US and UK citizens don’t need a visa for stays fewer than 30 days. While this is a good part, planning your trip can be overwhelming owing to the countless tourist destinations.

On the contrary, a pre-planned Thailand trip package takes care of all these things. They offer all-inclusive deals that include major tourist attractions, transportation, and guide services. These packages are also best for families, as they free them from the worry of booking hotels and let them enjoy their time together.

Final Words: What’s the Best Option to Travel to Thailand?

We have discussed everything you need to know about your first trip to Thailand. However, things may not be as easy for first-timers as they appear on paper. If this is your first time out of the country, we recommend you get the benefit of a travel agency offering Thailand luxury holiday plans. These plans include everything like visa processing, flights & hotels, meals & drinks, and transportation.

Virikson Holidays, a leading travel agency in the UK, can help you with your first trip to Thailand. We offer top-of-the-line tour packages for solo, family, and group tourists. Contact us and let us handle everything for you before and during the trip.