- Bangkok, Chiang Mai and one island coast make a classic two-week trip
- November to March is cool and dry on the Andaman coast and in the north
- Direct flights from Heathrow take about 11h30
- Fill in the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card before you fly
- Airports
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket (HKT), Chiang Mai (CNX), Krabi (KBV), Koh Samui (USM)
- Flight time
- about 11h30 direct from London Heathrow to Bangkok
- Best time to go
- November-March for most of the country; February-August for the Gulf islands
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿)
Thailand is the country that introduced most British travellers to Asia, and it still gets the balance right. The infrastructure is good, English is widely spoken in tourist areas, and you can go from a gilded Bangkok temple to a beach hut on a quiet island in a single day. Whether you are backpacking, travelling as a family or after a five-star villa, it is one of the most flexible destinations in our Asia collection.
The secret to a great trip is matching the right coast to the right month, because the Andaman and Gulf sides have different rainy seasons. This guide covers where to go, when, how to get there and what it costs in 2026.
Where to go in Thailand
Bangkok
Bangkok is chaotic, hot and endlessly fascinating. Spend two or three days on the riverside temples, including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, then eat your way through Chinatown and the night markets.
Phuket and the Andaman coast
Phuket is Thailand's biggest island, with long west-coast beaches, the colourful Old Town and boat trips to Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi islands. Krabi and Railay, with their limestone cliffs, and quieter Koh Lanta are nearby alternatives.
Chiang Mai and the north
Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of the north, with more than 300 temples, cooking schools and a big Sunday walking street market. Use it as a base for the mountains, the hill town of Pai or the White Temple in Chiang Rai. Choose ethical elephant sanctuaries that do not offer riding or shows.
The Gulf islands
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao sit in the Gulf of Thailand and are at their best when the Andaman coast is wet. Samui has smart resorts, Phangan the Full Moon Party and quiet northern beaches, and Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to learn to dive.
Best time to visit Thailand
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Cool season (November-February) | Dry, sunny and less humid; best for Bangkok, the north and the Andaman coast; peak prices at Christmas |
| Hot season (March-May) | Very hot, often 35 °C or more; good beach weather; Songkran water festival in mid-April |
| Rainy season (June-October) | Heavy afternoon downpours and rough Andaman seas, but greener and cheaper; the Gulf islands are drier until autumn |
| Gulf monsoon (October-December) | The wettest months on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao |
Getting to Thailand from the UK
Thai Airways and EVA Air fly direct from London Heathrow to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi in about 11 hours 30 minutes, and other carriers add direct services from time to time. Plenty of one-stop routes go via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul, which open up departures from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and other UK airports and can fly straight on to Phuket, typically 14-17 hours in total. Domestic flights from Bangkok to the islands and Chiang Mai are short and cheap.
Entry requirements
British passport holders currently get visa-free entry for tourism, set at 60 days since 2024, although the Thai government has discussed shortening this. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. All foreign visitors must complete the free online Thailand Digital Arrival Card in the three days before arrival; ignore third-party sites that charge for it. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Thailand before you book.
Getting around
Domestic flights save a lot of time on longer hops. Overnight sleeper trains run from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and the south, and are an experience in themselves. Buses and minivans are cheap and go everywhere, and ferries link the islands. In cities, use the Grab or Bolt apps rather than haggling with taxis. Think twice before hiring a scooter: accidents are common and many travel insurance policies will not pay out unless you hold a full UK motorcycle licence and wear a helmet.
Money and costs
Thailand uses the baht. It remains good value, though prices in Phuket and Koh Samui are close to European resort levels. As a rough guide, backpackers can get by on about ฿1,500-2,000 a day, a comfortable mid-range trip costs around ฿3,500-5,000 per person per day, and street-food meals often cost under ฿100. Cards are widely accepted in hotels and malls, but carry cash for markets and small restaurants; Thai ATMs charge a fee of around ฿220 per withdrawal. Tipping is not expected, but rounding up or leaving 20-50 baht for good service is appreciated, and many hotels add a 10% service charge.
Top attractions in Thailand
Thailand on the map
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Thailand from the UK?
Not for a normal holiday. British citizens currently get visa-free entry for tourism, but you must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before you travel. Check GOV.UK for the latest length of stay.
Which Thai island is best for first-timers?
Phuket has the most flights, hotels and easy day trips. Koh Samui is a good alternative from February to August, when the Andaman side is wetter.
Is Thailand still cheap?
For food, transport and guesthouses, yes. Resort hotels on Phuket and Samui can cost as much as in Spain, so set your budget by where you stay.
How long should a first trip to Thailand be?
Two weeks works well: three days in Bangkok, three or four in Chiang Mai and a week on one island coast.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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