How much are flights to Thailand? Thailand is becoming a place that most people have been to or have big plans to go to. This is true for many reasons. Cities are lively, busy places where people enjoy and learn about other cultures. Its islands are extremely near to heaven. The people are also warm and friendly. Then there are the parts of Thailand that people don’t immediately think of when they think of the country. Which is green, beautiful, and home to strange animals you can’t imagine? You can ride elephants through the forest in the north, just outside of Chiang Mai, a cultural centre. In the south, the coast is surrounded by dramatic, rocky outcroppings. When you make your plans, you’ll see that most trips to Thailand land at Suvarnabhumi Airport, not far from Bangkok. You can hop across from there to get anywhere you want to go.
Making Plans for the Thailand Trip
We want you to have a great time on your first trip to Thailand and avoid mistakes. This guide will help you do that without spending hours looking for information. Luckily, Thailand is easygoing about visas. In fact, just one month ago, they doubled the length of time tourists could stay from 30 to 60 days in many countries and made 100 countries visa-free.
When should you go to Thailand?
From November to February, when the weather is mostly dry, and the temperature stays between 25°C and 30°C, it is usually the best time to visit Thailand. If you can’t go during those months, March and April are also dry, though the temperatures will be warmer, averaging 28 to 35°C. On the other hand, May and September through October, which are the middle seasons, can be nice, with temperatures similar to March and April and some rain. Because of the rainy season, it’s best to stay away from June through August.
Flights to Thailand
People make many mistakes when they book their flights to Thailand because they cost a lot. European travellers can expect to pay around €600 to €800, depending on the time of year, the flight, and how far in advance they book. There have been deals as low as €420 in the last few months.
Most travellers make the mistake of planning round-trip flights to Bangkok, which means they have to get to Bangkok, fly to another place (like the coast or the north), and then come back to Bangkok for their flight home, which adds an extra flight. Booking a multi-city itinerary with flights to and from Bangkok and Phuket (or the other way around if you’d rather go to the beach first) is a less stressful choice.
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Things you should do on your first trip to Thailand
There are 76 areas in Thailand; even a year wouldn’t be enough time to see them all. For people who have never been to Thailand, the city life of Bangkok, the beaches of Krabi and Phuket on the Andaman Sea, and the temples and food of Chiang Mai in the north are great places to start.
Bangkok
It would take weeks to get to know the Thai city, but on your first trip, you can see the main sights without much trouble in two or three days.
On the first day, you can see the Grand Palace and the Wat Pho temple, cross the river to see Wat Arun, and then take a longtail boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to Chinatown. You can end the day at the new viewpoint.
On your second day, you can go to markets, parks, or a Muay Thai fight to see the city at your own pace. A day trip to Ayutthaya or the floating markets is a great idea if you have extra time in Bangkok.
Chaing Mai
You should spend at least two or three days in Chiang Mai travelling through Thailand. It’s warmer there than in Bangkok, and life moves more slowly, so you can take a moment to enjoy it. You can visit the old city and its many churches, eat food from the country’s north, or check out unique coffee shops. To get the most out of your time in the city, you can spend a half-day or a full day doing many things, such as taking a Thai cooking class, going to an elephant sanctuary, or going on a jungle walk.
If you want to go to Doi Suthep alone, try your luck at the shared cab stop north of the wall. However, the Songthaew drivers will try to scam you. Take a Songthaew to the zoo for an interesting ride, and then take another Grab to get where you need to go.
Plan to visit Chiang Rai, the other big city in northern Thailand, but haven’t booked your flights yet. It’s 180 km away from Chiang Mai. The White Temple is what it’s known for. You could fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and then take a bus to Chiang Mai. If your flight is from Krabi or Phuket to Chiang Mai, it might be easier to go straight to Chiang Mai instead of taking a flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
Krabi
You can enjoy the beaches in Krabi if you only have a few days in Thailand. It’s also a great place to start your trips, with lots to do at night. Staying in Krabi Town is a mistake that first-timers often make. You should stay in Ao Nang instead of elsewhere because you will be 30 minutes away from the water. Speedboats can take you on two-day trips from Ao Nang to the Phi Phi Islands and the Seven Islands.
Phuket
People say Phuket is too busy. It has a lot of infrastructure, an old town that looks much like Penang, and trips to the James Bond Islands or Koh Phi Phi are possible. You can stay near Patong Beach if you want to go out and party. The Kata Beach is better for families, while the Karon Beach is better for a more laid-back time.
How to Get Around in Thailand
Thailand offers tourists many different ways to get around. Domestic planes serve major routes all over the country. You can also take the train, but it’s not always safe. Taxis and buses are also available for various prices, giving travellers options. With these things before you go to Thailand.
Domestic Flights
The best and safest way to get around Thailand is to fly within the country. Many people want to take the most famous tourist routes. Low-cost companies like Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet Air, Thai AirAsia, and Nok Air, as well as traditional airlines like Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways, offer flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Low-cost airlines normally let you bring a carry-on bag and a personal item that weighs no more than 7 kg together. They don’t check it, though.
If you book early, booking flights from Bangkok to the coast or Chiang Mai for around THB 1,000 (~£22) is easy. If you book a flight at the last minute and it’s not peak season, it should cost around THB 2,500 (~€55). To get to Phuket or Chiang Mai. If you want to go from Chiang Mai to the coast, on the other hand, you should book your flight ahead of time because these flights don’t run as often and are more popular.
The only place in Thailand where flying can be pricey is Koh Samui, where Bangkok Airways owns the airport, and there are no low-cost airlines. You can also fly to Surat Thani and then boat to Koh Samui. This will add two to four hours to your trip, including the transfer and ferry ride, and cost about THB 800 (~£18). One-way tickets from Bangkok to Surat Thani cost about THB 1,200 (~£27), while straight tickets to Koh Samui cost around THB 4,200 (~£95). Also, a one-way ticket from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani costs about THB 3,000 (~£68), and a straight ticket to Koh Samui can cost about THB 9,500 (~£215). To sum up, you need to choose whether the ease of a straight flight is worth the extra cost or whether you’d rather save money by travelling a little longer.
Most tourists don’t know that deals include flights from Bangkok to the islands. The plan involves flying from Bangkok to Hat Yai, taking a van to Satun, and then taking a speed ferry to Koh Lipe.
Go by taxi, bus, or train
Thailand’s taxis are cheap, but you might get ripped off if you’re a tourist. Book your cabs through a ride-hailing app like Grab or Bolt to avoid trouble. You can contact their customer help if you have any problems. You can use a card to pay for your rides as well.
Grab is the biggest ride-hailing service in Southeast Asia. It’s like Uber for the region and works in most of Thailand’s big cities. GrabFood is like Uber Eats and is part of the Grab app. The good news is that you don’t need to know Thai to order delivery.
As long as you have a Bolt account, you can use it in Bangkok, too. Taxis to the airport may cost a little less there. Bolt saved me THB 300 (~£7) from Silom to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
We suggest taking the SkyTrain and the BTS together to get around Bangkok quickly and comfortably. If the BTS doesn’t get you where you need to go, you can compare Grab and public buses. Take a motorcycle cab for short trips that won’t get stuck in traffic, but you’ll have to talk to the driver first.
Many people in Chiang Mai use songthaews, red cars, for public transportation. They can be fun but aren’t always the best way to get around. You should use Grab for your transportation needs if you want more ease and freedom.
Long-distance buses, which can be 2-2 or 2-1 in the “luxury” ones based on the company, or the train, but don’t expect a European experience, are two ways to get from one city to another by land. A lot of people take the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai because they want to save money or try something new. But the experience might not be as nice as planned, and the money saved might not be worth it.
Book your trip beforehand if you want to take a boat during the busy season. If you are travelling on the same day, look up the price online instead of at a street vendor. They charged me THB 600 (~£13) more than what I saw online to get from Krabi to Koh Lipe.
TikTok users like to rent motorcycles as a way to get around on their own. But remember that your health insurance won’t cover you if you have an accident and don’t have an international motorbike license. The less honest police officers will charge you a tip for not having a license, even if nothing bad happens. Hiring a car for about THB 1,600 (~£36) is the best way to get around in the country’s north. Remember to bring your driver’s card from another country.
Budget Every Day
The cost of living in Thailand is pretty cheap, but flights there can be pricey. You can often stay in a nice hotel for the same price as a bunk bed in a European hostel and eat at a nice restaurant for the same price as lunch at home.
Place to stay
You can find places to stay in Thailand that fit any price. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but if you can, you’ll get more for your money. The price of a hostel can range from £4 to £13 per night, based on the number of beds and other services. A normal hotel room for two people costs around £26 to £43. A boutique or high-end hotel costs a bit more.
Food
Prices have gone up everywhere, so you can no longer get Pad Thai for 1. There are still places in Chiang Mai where you can get lunch for €1.5, though. When you’re in Thailand, though, it’s better to eat at good places that cost €5–€15 instead of €30–€50 in your city.
Internet
If your phone supports it, you can buy your SIM card ahead of time or get an eSIM. You won’t have trouble getting a SIM card at the airport or any 7-11.
Money
Bangkok has more places that accept cards now than a few years ago, but you’ll still need cash there. No matter how much cash you take out, all ATMs charge you 5 euros. To avoid fees, we suggest travelling with cash. Don’t exchange money in the customs area when you get to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Instead, go to level -1 and wait for the Airport Link. If you bring US dollars, the exchange rate will change depending on the size of the bill. For example, a one-dollar bill may fetch 36.30 THB, a 10-dollar bill 36.50 THB, and a 100-dollar bill 36.63 THB. If you bring euros, the exchange rate will always be the same. You shouldn’t have trouble swapping extra money if you come from another Asian country, like Hong Kong or Singapore.
Things to do
Most of the time, events won’t cost more than €30–40 per day. To give you an idea, here are some of the most popular things to do in Thailand’s main tourist spots:
Phuket
- A day tour of Phi Phi, Maya Area, Khai, and Bamboo Islands for £38.60
- An ATV adventure and zipline experience in Phuket for £19.50
- A James Bond and Phang Nga Bay tour from Phuket for £51.75
Krabi
- 4 Islands Day Tour from Krabi for £21.80
- Tiger Cave & Emerald Pool Jungle Tour for £24.45
- Phi Phi, Monkey Beach, and Bamboo Island Snorkeling Day Tour from Krabi for £41.00
Bangkok
- The Mahabharata SkyWalk ticket in Bangkok costs £19.60
- And the Chao Phraya Princess trip costs £19.50
- For £22.90, you can take a day tour of Damnoen Saduak, the Maeklong Railway, and Amphawa.
Chiang Mai
- Grandma’s Home Cooking School offers Thai cooking classes for £25.60
- Chiang Rai Iconic White, Blue Temple, Black House Museum, and Hot Spring Visit Day Tour costs £30.60
- Doi Inthanon National Park Day Tour costs £37.85
Customs and culture of the area
Thai culture is still alive and well, even though the country is very open to visitors. For example, if you want to visit a temple, you must cover your knees and shoulders. You should also bargain for prices, and there are different prices for locals and tourists when buying national park tickets and negotiating for services. In this part of the world, tourists are seen as living bags of cash, for better or worse.
Conclusion
For a week of travel in Thailand as a couple, you should set aside about:
- Between £217 and £347 if you stay in cheap hotels, rent a motorbike or take the train inside the country.
- £434 to £520 for a hotel room in a middle-class area, a rental car, and flights within the country.
- £607 if you do one thing daily: stay in nice places, rent a car, and fly within the country.
One of the best places to visit is the Land of Smiles; you will never be tired of going there. Thailand is an easy country for first-time travellers to get around. The country has something for everyone, whether you want to enjoy a metropolis that is better than any big city in the West, be on beautiful beaches, or see the country’s countryside. Take some time to enjoy the country and don’t try to do a gathering. Phuket is not leaving, and you can always come back.
