Thailand is the trip that turns people into travellers. Glittering temples, legendary street food, jungle-covered mountains and islands with water so clear it looks edited. It's easy to get around, great value, and very welcoming. Here's how to plan a first visit, including the entry changes that came in this year.
- Entry
- Many nationalities get 30 days visa-free (from 15 September 2026), extendable once by 30 days
- Arrival card
- Fill in the free TDAC online within 3 days before you arrive
- Currency
- Thai baht (THB). Cards work in cities, but carry cash for markets and street food
- Getting around
- Grab or Bolt in cities, cheap domestic flights, and sleeper trains
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C and O, 220V. Most adapters work
- Time zone
- UTC+7
- Temples
- Cover shoulders and knees, and take your shoes off before going inside
- Tourist police
- 1155
Heads up: In September 2026, Thailand cut its visa-free stay for many nationalities, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and EU countries, from 60 to 30 days. You can extend once by 30 days at an immigration office. Check the latest rules for your passport before booking.
Bangkok: temples, markets and street food
Bangkok is chaotic in the best way. Start at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha); the dress code is strict. Next door, Wat Pho is home to the giant reclining Buddha. Then take a cross-river ferry to Wat Arun at sunset.
Spend a weekend morning at the enormous Chatuchak Weekend Market, eat your way along Yaowarat (Chinatown) at night, and float above the city at one of its rooftop bars. The BTS Skytrain and MRT beat the traffic. For everything else, use Grab or Bolt.
Chiang Mai and the north
Cooler, greener and more laid-back. Chiang Mai's old city is scattered with more than a hundred temples. Ride up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for city views, browse the Sunday Walking Street market, and take a cooking class. If you want to meet elephants, choose an ethical sanctuary where you observe them, with no riding and no shows.
Further north, Pai is a mountain town loved by backpackers, and Chiang Rai has the dazzling White Temple (Wat Rong Khun).
Which islands, and when?
Thailand has two island coasts with different rainy seasons, so you can usually find good weather somewhere.
- Andaman Sea (west): Phuket, Krabi, Railay, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta. Limestone cliffs, island-hopping and sunsets. Best from roughly November to April.
- Gulf of Thailand (east): Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao. Palm-lined beaches and great diving (especially Koh Tao). Often drier in the middle of the year, with the wettest months around October to December.
Tip: Island ferries and speedboats are cheap and frequent, but they can be cancelled in rough seas. Leave a spare day before an international flight.
Two weeks in Thailand
14 days: city, mountains and islands
- Days 1–4BangkokGrand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, Chatuchak market, Chinatown street food
- Days 5–8Chiang MaiOld city temples, Doi Suthep, a cooking class, an ethical elephant sanctuary
- Days 9–13IslandsFly south: Krabi and Railay (Nov–Apr) or Koh Samui and Koh Tao (mid-year)
- Day 14Back to BangkokOne more street-food night before your flight
What to eat
- Pad kra pao: stir-fried holy basil with chilli and minced meat, topped with a fried egg. Thailand's favourite lunch.
- Som tam: fiery green papaya salad.
- Khao soi: curry noodle soup, a northern speciality in Chiang Mai.
- Tom yum goong: hot and sour prawn soup.
- Mango sticky rice: sweet, ripe mango with coconut sticky rice.
Street food is often the best food. Choose busy stalls with a high turnover.
Respect and etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples and the Grand Palace, and remove your shoes where you see others doing so.
- The monarchy is deeply respected, and criticising it is a serious offence.
- Don't touch people's heads, and don't point your feet at people or Buddha images.
- A wai (palms together with a small bow) is a polite greeting.
Staying connected in Thailand
You'll want data for Grab rides, maps, translation and booking ferries. The Thailand eSIM gets you online as soon as you land in Bangkok. Install it before you fly, then switch it on when you arrive. Heading on to Vietnam, Cambodia or Malaysia? An Asia eSIM covers the region on one plan.
For more planning, see the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and our travel connectivity checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I stay in Thailand without a visa?
From 15 September 2026, many nationalities (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and EU countries) get 30 days visa-free, with one 30-day extension available at an immigration office. Rules vary by passport, so check before you travel.
What is the TDAC?
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card is a free online arrival form that every foreign visitor must complete within 3 days before arriving. Use the official TDAC website, and beware of paid copycat sites.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November to February is the most comfortable time for most of the country. For the islands, the Andaman coast is best from November to April, while the Gulf islands are often drier in the middle of the year.
Will my phone work in Thailand?
Most unlocked phones from 2019 onwards support eSIM and work on Thai networks. Check yours on our compatible phones page.