Ko Phi Phi Le, ThailandPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Thailand
Thailand, made simple: temples, street food, mountain towns and island beaches
Thailand is one of the most welcoming countries on earth for a first big trip: the golden temples and night markets of Bangkok, the old walled city and mountain air of Chiang Mai, the ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, and the limestone cliffs and white beaches of Krabi, Phuket and the Gulf islands. Transport is good, the food is famous for a reason and costs are kind. This guide answers the questions that cause worry, so you can simply enjoy it.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, the digital arrival card, seasons, health and money, answered
- LandingSuvarnabhumi, SIM cards, ride apps and your first evening, explained
- Your days in ThailandCities, temples, food and islands, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain baht, ATM charges, taxi meters and tipping so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Thailand should feel like delight, not doubt. We answer the questions about entry, money, getting around and safety before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming home to family from the United States, Australia, Europe or elsewhere in Asia, or finally seeing the temples and beaches for yourself? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your ThailandCity life, temples, food, mountains or beaches: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, the digital arrival card, travel advice, money and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each base.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link Bangkok, the north and the islands at a realistic pace.
Everything your Thailand trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Ko Samui, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred street food stalls, temples, markets, bars, hikes and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Bangkok, domestic hops to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Samui, and stays everywhere.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Thailand trip
Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and the islands
Most first trips begin with three or four days in Bangkok, take a day trip or a night in Ayutthaya, then fly or ride the overnight train north to Chiang Mai for temples, cooking classes and mountain air. Finish with a week on the beaches: the Andaman coast around Phuket and Krabi from November to April, or the Gulf islands of Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao for much of the year. Two weeks covers it well; three lets you slow down.
- The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and the night markets of Bangkok
- Temple ruins and river views in Ayutthaya
- The old city, night bazaar and mountain temples of Chiang Mai
- Limestone cliffs, island hopping and beaches in the south
Start with the destinations
See how the capital, the north and the coasts fit together.
Thailand destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Thailand rewards a little preparation: the digital arrival card done before you fly, a ride app on your phone, the right coast for the season and a pace that leaves room for afternoon storms and long lunches. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic train, bus, ferry and flight links
- The right coast for each season
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Thailand
From the temples and canals of Bangkok and the old capital of Ayutthaya to the mountains of Chiang Mai and the beaches of Phuket, Krabi and Ko Samui.
Bangkok Metropolitan Region
Bangkok
Golden temples, river life, street food and night markets in a vast, friendly capital.
Read the guidePhoto: Dominic Nelson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai
A relaxed old city of temples, markets and cooking schools in the northern hills.
Read the guidePhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Thailand, Andaman coast
Phuket
Thailand's largest island: lively and quiet beaches, a colourful old town and easy boat trips.
Read the guidePhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Thailand, Andaman coast
Krabi
Limestone cliffs, island hopping and quieter beaches across the bay from Phuket.
Read the guidePhoto: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Surat Thani province, Gulf of Thailand
Ko Samui
Palm fringed beaches, island hopping and diving in the Gulf of Thailand.
Read the guidePhoto: Abrget47j, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Thailand safe to visit?
Most visits are trouble free. The main risks are road accidents, especially on rented scooters, strong currents on some beaches, drink spiking and scams around tourist sights. Government travel advice warns against travel to the far southern provinces near the Malaysian border and to some areas along the Cambodian border, so read your government's advice before you go.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Many nationalities can visit without a visa for a set period, but the rules depend on your passport and have changed several times recently. Most arrivals must also complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before landing. Check the official Thai e-Visa and immigration websites for the current rules for your passport.
How many days do I need in Thailand?
Ten days to two weeks covers Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and a beach. Three weeks lets you add a second island, Sukhothai or the far north at an easy pace.
Is Thailand expensive?
Thailand is good value for most visitors. Street food, local transport and guesthouses are low cost, while the famous beach resorts and rooftop bars can cost as much as anywhere. Islands are noticeably dearer than the mainland, and imported wine is the main item that feels expensive.
What language is spoken in Thailand?
Thai is the national language, with regional dialects in the north, northeast and south. English is widely understood in hotels, tourist areas and on transport signs, and a few words of Thai, such as sawasdee and khop khun, are warmly received.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November to February is cool and dry across most of the country. The Andaman coast around Phuket and Krabi is best from November to April, while the Gulf islands such as Ko Samui are often at their best from January to August, with heavier rain from October to December.
Ready to plan your Thailand trip?
Use our free trip planner to shape your route, or send us a question through the contact page.