*COVID19 Edition* Note that rules and regulations for Thailand entry are always changing as the pandemic evolves, therefore check the official site linked below for the most up-to-date requirements.

Thailand had been on my Dream List for quite some time. Kas had been many years before, but I hadn’t. So when Thailand opened up in November of 2021, we jumped on the opportunity to visit this beautiful country. Thailand is a beautiful country with so much to see and do. There truly is something for everyone, no matter your budget.

From the metropolis of Bangkok to the long coastlines of Phuket, to the lush forests of Chiang Mai, to the Island scapes of the Andaman Sea, Thailand has a vibrant and diverse landscape. It is impossible to see all of Thailand in a 2 or 3-week vacation; there is no shortage of things to do, see, or eat. Having been there, I definitely see the draw and why people can’t get enough of it. I hardly say this about any destination, but this is a place I want to go back to time and time again.

In This Article:

• Best Time To Visit
• What To Know Before You Visit
• Traveling To Thailand During the COVID19 Pandemic
• Budgets and Ways To Save Money While Traveling in Thailand

Best Time To Visit Thailand

Thailand generally has three seasons with varying weather in each region. The weather is hot from February to June, rainy from June to October, and cooler temperatures from October to February. In addition, there is also the burning season when air quality is poorest due to smoke from February to March/April. Therefore, the best time to visit Thailand is probably during the cool months, specifically – November to January, when the weather is tolerable with fewer rainy days. , We visited Thailand in December and enjoyed perfect weather at each destination.

What To Know Before You Visit

1. The currency in Thailand is the Thai Bhat; the exchange rate when we went was ~$1USD to 33.33 Bhat.
2. Most businesses and vendors only accept cash, including car rentals (unless you book online). Ensure you have cash on hand, and shop around for the best money exchange rates. 
3. Download the Grab App (like Uber). You can order food to be delivered anywhere and request a ride on this app. No credit card is required on the app; you can pay with cash.
4. Vehicles are driven on the left side of the road, which can be daunting at first, but you get the hang of it once you start following other vehicles.
5. There is something for every budget in Thailand, from $10 hostels to $1000+ suites.
6. Food is super cheap! We spent approximately $15-25 a day on food for the three of us at street food joints.
7. Be mindful of Taxi drivers who try to sell you tours and do your own research.
8. We didn’t get local sim cards; instead, we used WhatsApp, which you can use on WiFi. You can text and use data without additional costs if you have a T-Mobile plan.
9. Sometimes metered Taxis are way cheaper than using Tuk-tuks; always ask for the meter to be turned.
10. Be prepared to show your vaccination card, a picture of the front and back will suffice.

Traveling To Thailand During the COVID19 Pandemic

When we traveled, Thailand required a Thai Pass approved before arriving in Thailand. We flew into Bangkok, and it is essential to note that Bangkok and Phuket may have different processes as was the time we went.

Please check the official site https://tp.consular.go.th/en for the most up-to-date requirements, but the below should give you an idea of the requirements.

Pre-departure requirements

Thai Pass requirements were: i) vaccination Status for those 18+ years old, name on vaccination card had to match the name in passport, ii) Paid hotel booking for a 1-night test-and-go package at an approved SHA+ hotel, and iii) travel medical insurance in case of covid illness while there. Using a Gmail account for the Thai Pass application was one quirky requirement we found in our research. The consulate rejected applications with other email domains, e.g., Hotmail, Outlook, Yahoo.

Challenges: a couple days before traveling, Kas’ Thai Pass was rejected because the picture for the insurance document was not clear. We had to resubmit the application and ask for expedited processing; otherwise, we would have had to reschedule our flights. I recommend submitting early so that if there is anything that needs fixing, there is enough time to do so.

Departure requirements

A Covid19 PCR test was required for each traveler 6+ years old within 72 hours of departure. Again this was another source of anxiety; we took our tests the morning before our flight ~30 hours to avoid missing the window. We had to go to several testing sites because there was a reported delay in getting our test results. Lo and I got our results the night before within 12 hours of testing, but Kas didn’t get his results until 3 hrs before our flight. We were frantically trying to get a contingent plan in place to test at the airport and pay the extra $160 for the test. Luckily we didn’t need to.

Arrival requirements

Airport pick-up arrangements were to be made with the hotel for direct transportation to the hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, we entered a designated entrance for test-and-go guests. We met with the lab tech that took Covid testing swabs. Once swabs were taken, we were checked in and escorted to our room for overnight quarantine until all test results were returned. Within 12 hours, we had our results and were free to roam around after check out.

Domestic Travel Requirements

Thai Passes along with Day 1 test results from SHA + hotel were required at all domestic flight check-in, security checks, and land province borders.

It all seems like many requirements, but honestly, it didn’t bother us, and we were not stressed by the process. Once we understood the requirements, we kept everything in a folder, handed everything to the agents that asked for it, and rolled with the punches. My advice – don’t let a daunting process deter you from getting to your dream list destination; however, we draw the line at many days of quarantine.

Budgets and Ways To Save Money While Traveling in Thailand

As I mentioned earlier, Thailand is unique in that there is something for everyone’s budget. Here is a guide to help you understand the budget ranges:

• Budget Travel – you can find hostels for $6-12USD per night in any Thailand City or Island (least ideal for a family). Food is as little as $3-5 per meal; transportation can be as little as $2 if you take public transportation. Overnight trains will be cheaper for getting from one province to another, e.g., Bangkok to Phuket or Chiang Mai, for ~$30USD.
• Moderate budget – you could find private hotel rooms for ~$20-$60USD per night and spend $3-10 per meal. Many travelers rent scooters for about $6-10 per day or take public transportation. Overnight trains at ~$30 per person could work when traveling with kids since they would sleep overnight anyway; kids’ train tickets could be less than full price.
• Luxury Budget – well, the sky is the limit here. You can get outstanding 3-star hotels, e.g., Four Points by Sheraton, that are luxurious. Hotel rooms can cost $100+, meals anywhere from $3 at street food joints up to $35 at restaurants, and transportation can be $3-5 per trip using Grab. Traveling between provinces can cost $40-60 per airplane ticket.

Ways to save money while you are traveling within Thailand: 

• Use Points wherever possible for hotel bookings.
• Live like a local, especially if you are going for an extended period.
• Eat street food and order from Grab to be delivered to your hotel.
• Don’t book hotels too far out in advance if you need to make last-minute changes.
• Don’t book tours in advance, instead have an idea of what they cost, then once you arrive, shop around and negotiate.
• Reduce your bar tab by buying beer and ciders at the ubiquitous 7-eleven and take advantage of half-priced drinks at happy hour.

I hope this post gives you an idea of where to start for your Thailand adventures. Check out our next post on 8 Unforgettable Things to Do in Phuket and 8 Best Things To Do in Chiang Mai