If you’re curious about how to plan a trip to Thailand, you literally couldn’t be in a better place. That probably sounds arrogant, so allow me to qualify my declaration.
For starters, I’ve been exploring Thailand—which is to say, planning my own trips around the country—for nearly 20 years as I write this. On top of this, I’ve put together personalized Thailand itineraries for literally hundreds of other travelers over that period.
No matter where you are in the process of putting your own vacation in Thailand together, I hope you’ll give me a few more minutes of your time. You’ll be ready to book flights and hotels by the time you reach the bottom of this page!
Planning a Trip to Thailand Isn’t Hard, But…
Take it from someone who can plan a trip to Thailand with his eyes closed: Thailand has a way of deceiving travelers. And I’m not just talking about the scams you sometimes face on the streets of Bangkok; I’ve written separate posts about that. Rather, both Thailand’s physicality (the size it appears from afar) and its reputation (as being a “chill” place where you can go with the flow) cause many travelers to plan their trips inadequately.
For example, a private client I recently helped decided to book international flights to and from Bangkok, a domestic flight onward to Phuket (and back to the capital from there) and one seemingly random hotel in both places. Unfortunately, because they hadn’t researched any of the activities they wanted to do, these properties ended up being inconvenient to the plan they actually made; had they not enlisted me to clean up the mess, they likely would’ve had a terrible, disjointed trip.
What to Keep in Mind as You Plan Your Trip to Thailand
Thailand is bigger than it looks
I’ve said it other places on this website, but it bears repeating: Thailand is not a small country! Even with a developed network of low-cost flights and great public transportation within Bangkok, Thailand requires weeks (not days) to see comprehensively. Unless you’ve been here before, I would conservatively add at least 50% to the number of days you initially think you need to spend here (or, if you can’t add days, reduce destinations by as much).
(And more expensive than you think)
Another unfortunate truth about Thailand travel? It’s more expensive than it’s ever been—and this is a trend that’s accelerating. When I first visited Thailand in 2010, to be sure, you could easily find a three-star Bangkok hotel or an air-conditioned hut on any Thai island for 1,000 THB (~33 USD) per night or less. These days, I’d say it’s difficult to travel in Thailand for any less than 100 USD per person, per day; you can very easily exceed this amount, particularly if you travel to Thailand in Thai Airways business class.
Bangkok is underrated
Back when I planned my first Thailand trip, the advice was almost unanimous: Skip Bangkok and head straight to the island of your choice. I followed this advice; I ended up in Bangkok based on circumstance, when my camera crapped out on Koh Mak and I needed to replace it. And guess what? I immediately fell in love with the aptly-named “City of Angels.” From the temples and flower markets of old Rattanakosin, to the steel-and-glass shopping malls along Rama I Road beneath the soaring BTS SkyTrain, Bangkok never ceases to make my heart flutter.
(And many islands are overrated)
Conversely, if you plan a trip to Thailand without centering the country’s islands (as nebulous a term as that even is), people will ask what’s wrong with you. And look, I love many Thai islands, from tiny Koh Lipe in the far south, to the unfairly maligned jewel of Koh Tao in Chumphon, to iconic Koh Phi Phi, as crowded as it’s become. And yet many Thai islands simply fail to live up to the hype, namely very large ones like Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Chang.
You need to be vigilant, but not paranoid
Is Thailand safe? Yes, more or less, though there are a few things to keep in mind. First among them is that Thailand’s roads are some of the world’s deadliest. Always wear your seatbelt; don’t ride on or drive a motorcycle unless you are extremely experienced before your plane even lands (cars are fine). Likewise, when it comes to other hazards (scams in Bangkok; flooding in the wet season; pollution in the dry season) you need to be proactive, but not preoccupied. Thailand is not a dangerous country, but it can be hazardous if you aren’t paying attention.
The Easiest Way to Plan Your Thailand Trip
Now, the vast majority of travelers are perfectly capable of assembling their own Thailand itineraries. Ironically, those of you starting from scratch are in a better position than the travelers I mentioned a few paragraphs up, who had a mess that needed cleaning up. All you really need to plan a trip to Thailand is set dates, a list of places you want to go and things you want to do and a general idea of how much money you have to spend.
Well, all of those things, and time. This—not having the time to sit down and assemble the nuts of bolts of your travel schedule—is where hiring a Thailand trip planner like me can come most in handy. All I need from you is 30 minutes, where we can discuss the trip you want to take over Zoom. Past that point, I create an itinerary document with personalized daily recommendations for activities, meals and accommodation, plus detailed transportation advice throughout.
Other FAQ About How to Plan a Thailand Trip
How do I plan my first trip to Thailand?
Planning your first trip to Thailand is simple, even if it isn’t necessarily easy. You need travel dates, a list of destinations and experiences (ranked, ideally, in terms of priority) and a budget, be that per-day or overall. Once you have all those things, your first Thailand itinerary is more or less plug-and-play.
How much would an average trip to Thailand cost?
In my nearly two decades of Thailand trip planning, Thailand has gotten more expensive—and prices have increased faster than they have in the rest of the world. As of the late 2020s, I suggest a starting point of around 100 USD per person, per day, not including the cost of flights to and from Thailand. This means that if you spend about two weeks in Thailand (as most travelers do), you can expect to spend a minimum of $1,400 per person during your time in-country.
Is it safe to go to Thailand right now?
Thailand is a safe country, in spite of reports about sectarian violence in the far south (where travelers generally don’t go), floods (which are common, but largely fleeting and only occur during the rainy season) and the pollution that chokes the country from around January until March. The key is staying aware of developments in the immediate lead-up to your own trip, and being able to adjust plans if necessary, keeping in mind that circumstances are rarely so severe that you need to do so.
The Bottom Line
I know a thing or two about how to plan a trip to Thailand. From places to visit in the country, to when to go, to culinary specialties for every city and region, it’s not an exaggeration to say that I can assemble a Thailand trip in my sleep. Of course, this makes sense: I’ve been coming here for nearly 20 years. The good news, if you’re a newbie, is that keeping a few important points in mind (Thailand being bigger than it looks and safer than it’s reputed to me; island hopping being more about curation than comprehensiveness) can greatly simplify your own process. Assuming, of course, that you don’t simply hire me to plan your Thailand trip.
