Ko Tao on Thailand’s east coast is best visited from February to April (hot, clear weather with calm seas) or May to September for good visiablity for diving with potential whale shark sightings.
Planning a trip to Thailand can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time in Southeast Asia. Lucky for you, I live here every winter, so the logistics are a breeze. Below, I’ve answered the most common questions readers ask me—from money and travel medical insurance, eSIM cards and getting around—so you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying your trip.
Need more help planning? Check out my Thailand travel guide. I’ve also made in-depth posts on the best things to do in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Affiliate links are used in this post. If you make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no cost to you, which goes toward the cost of maintaining this blog.
When is the Best Time to go to Thailand?
It will be hot year-round in Thailand, even in the “cool” season. The rainy season lasts from May to October, but it usually only rains a little each day. The occasional deluge can occur so keep an umbrella handy. (I honestly prefer the rainy season because it’s much greener and lusher. But, it’s been rough lately due to climate change with heavier rains.)
Avoid the burning season near Chiang Mai starting in February/March, when the air quality is the worst in the world. This lasts through April and sometimes into May.
March to May is steaming hot across the country, so avoid this time of year if possible. November through February is peak travel season when temperatures drop (low 80’s Fahrenheit in the north), and prices increase dramatically. The water festival (Songkran) in mid-April is another peak travel time so book ahead for accommodation. I personally love October and early November, when everything is still lush from rainy season. By January, it’s cooler but all the trees have lost their leaves.
What’s the best eSIM card for Thailand?
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai
The easiest thing to do is buy a Thailand-specific eSIM card from Airalo that will work instantly when you arrive. If you are traveling to multiple countries in Southeast Asia on a short trip, try one of the convenient Asia Regional eSIMs, though a country-specific eSIMs are usually cheaper. Both types have worked well for me and support mobile hotspot, which I rely on for remote work.
For more about my experience, read my Southeast Asia Airalo review. Save 10% with code AIRALOESIM10.
If you are staying for a month or more in Thailand, go by an AIS store and buy a local SIM or eSIM card for the cheapest deal. (AIS is Thailand’s largest mobile network operator.)
Do you need travel medical insurance for Thailand?
Yes, travel medical insurance is important things for any trip abroad, including Thailand, to help cover medical emergencies and travel issues like lost luggage and delays.
I use SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance, which offers $0 deductible travel medical insurance coverage for over 180 countries for travelers aged 69 and under outside their home country. It only costs a few dollars a day, and you can visit any hospital or doctor.
Other benefits of Nomad Insurance include coverage for lost checked luggage, travel delays over 12 hours, motor accidents (with proper license, safety gear and not intoxication) and injuries from sports or leisure activities. You can optionally add adventure sports, electronics theft and U.S. coverage (for non-residents).
If you’re abroad for 90 days, the policy includes 30 days of home-country coverage (15 days for U.S. residents.) For more about my experience in Southeast Asia, read my SafetyWing Review.
Thailand Transport Tips & Logistics
Tuk tuks made from beer cans at a market in Bangkok.
What’s the best way to get around Thailand?
Long-Distance Trains
The long-distance trains in Thailand are good but usually late by at least 30 minutes to a couple of hours. The sleeper trains are old but quite comfy and one of my favorite forms of travel. (Always get the bottom bunk – it’s bigger. Plus, the air conditioner makes the top bunk FREEZING.) Book directly at the train station or through 12go.asia. Bottom bunks can sell out so try to buy a day or two in advance.
Bus
Buses are more efficient than trains. Always take the second-class buses instead of the VIP tourist buses. It’s half the price and nicer. (The VIP buses are always blaring music all night and can be targets for people to get robbed since it’s all foreigners. I’ve heard rumors of bus staff going through bags when coming from the beaches.) The second-class buses are usually only locals, so they are safer in my opinion. They have air conditioning and bathrooms, too.
Budget Airlines
While buses are the cheapest option, budget airline like AirAsia and VietJet offer some steals to fly domestically and internationally if you don’t have a lot of luggage and want to save time. (Most budget airlines fly out of Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK).
I’ve flown VietJet recently and it was an overall good experience. I only had carry-on luggage. If I have a lot of luggage, I tend to fly Thai Airways because I prefer flying out Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) where most long-haul flights depart.
Tuk Tuks
Tuk tuks (auto rickshaw) prices are outrageous in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Always get a taxi in Bangkok – it’s significantly cheaper to pay by taxi meter than the horrible flat rate tuk tuk prices. They can be cheaper in other parts of the country. Negotiate the price beforehand. Consider using the price in the rideshare app to help with negotiations.
Rideshares
Grab is the Uber of Southeast Asia and the most reliable of the rideshare apps. You can even schedule pickups in advance, which is great for airport runs. There are other apps as well like Maxim that are slightly cheaper but a bit more glitchy. Bolt also works, but it’s not as reliable.
Can you use credit cards in Thailand?
Bring cash for street vendors and markets in Thailand.
Credit cards are accepted in most major cities but it’s still a very cash dependent society. You’ll always need cash on hand. For credit cards, some places will charge a 3% fee or set a minimum transaction limit (300 THB/$9 USD), which is much higher than the average meal cost. Most places allow you to pay with a QR code but you need a local bank account for that.
If you are brining cash to exchange, rates are always better in towns than at the airport. All ATMs in Thailand are now charging ATM fees for withdrawals. To avoid these fees, be sure to open a fee-free travel bank account before your trip, which will save you a significant amount of money. For more details, check out my post on Travel Banking 101.
What should I wear in Thailand?
Bangkok’s Wat Arun is best photographed from across the river.
Thailand is very conservative, so be sure to cover your knees and shoulders in temples! Many temples in Bangkok even require long pants and long sleeves, and they will require you to rent clothing if you are not dressed appropriately. Be respectful at all times. Normal shorts are okay in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Anything goes along the beaches in Southern Thailand.
