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Longtail boat between limestone cliffs in Thailand
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ Southeast Asia ยท 71M people

Travel to Thailand: the complete 2026 guide

Buzzing Bangkok, ancient temples of the North, turquoise beaches of the South. Everything to plan your Thailand trip: when to go, where to go, how much to budget, how to get around. Updated monthly.

Thailand at a glance

Capital

Bangkok

Language

Thai

Currency

Baht (เธฟ)

Time diff

+5h / +6h

Flight from Paris

~11h direct

Average / day

โ‚ฌ50-120

Visa

Best season

November to March

Photo : Robin Noguier / Unsplash

In 30 seconds

Why visit Thailand

  • 1

    Unbeatable value for money in Asia

    โ‚ฌ50 to 120 per day are enough to travel comfortably, including five-star beaches.

  • 2

    15+ destinations in one trip

    Megacity, temples, jungle, paradise islands: everything reachable by bus, train or domestic flight.

  • 3

    Some of the world's best street food

    Pad thai, tom yum, mango sticky rice: โ‚ฌ2 a meal in any market.

  • 4

    No visa for French nationals < 60 days

    Valid passport, return ticket, that's it.

  • 5

    The perfect country for a first trip to Asia

    Mature tourism infrastructure, English spoken everywhere, generally good safety.

Calendar

When to go to Thailand

High season runs from November to March. The North and the South don't quite share the same climates.

Full when-to-go guide โ†’
Ideal Fair Avoid ยท Click for details

01

Jan

๐ŸŒก 26-32 ยฐC

02

Feb

๐ŸŒก 27-33 ยฐC

03

Mar

๐ŸŒก 28-34 ยฐC

04

Apr

๐ŸŒก 29-35 ยฐC

05

May

๐ŸŒก 28-34 ยฐC

06

Jun

๐ŸŒก 27-33 ยฐC

07

Jul

๐ŸŒก 27-32 ยฐC

08

Aug

๐ŸŒก 27-32 ยฐC

09

Sep

๐ŸŒก 26-32 ยฐC

10

Oct

๐ŸŒก 26-32 ยฐC

11

Nov

๐ŸŒก 26-31 ยฐC

12

Dec

๐ŸŒก 25-31 ยฐC

Detailed programs

Recommended itineraries

1 week

1-week itinerary

๐Ÿ“… 1 week ๐Ÿ’ฐ ๐Ÿ“ Bangkok ยท 1 island
See itinerary โ†’
2 weeks Best-seller

2-week itinerary

๐Ÿ“… 2 weeks ๐Ÿ’ฐ ๐Ÿ“ Bangkok ยท Chiang Mai ยท North ยท South ยท Islands
See itinerary โ†’
1 month

1-month itinerary

๐Ÿ“… 1 month ๐Ÿ’ฐ ๐Ÿ“ Golden Triangle ยท Deep South ยท Island by island
See itinerary โ†’

Destinations

Cities & islands of Thailand

By traveler profile

Which trip suits you?

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ

Families

Suitable destinations, family hotels, advice from parents who went.

๐Ÿ’‘

Honeymoon

Romantic resorts, private beaches, exclusive experiences. The beach + wellness combo.

๐ŸŽ’

Backpacking

The perfect country to start: hostels at โ‚ฌ8, bus transport, active backpacker community.

๐Ÿ‘ค

Solo travel

Safe, welcoming, easy. The best destinations to travel solo in Thailand.

๐Ÿฅ‚

Luxury & experiences

Iconic palaces, private safaris, off-the-charts spas. High-end Thailand.

๐Ÿ’ธ

Tight budget

Traveling for less than โ‚ฌ30 per day: itinerary, transport, accommodation, meals.

In pictures

Thailand in photos

Must-do

Signature experiences

โœจ

Paradise beaches

Top 15 of the most beautiful

โœจ

Buddhist temples

15 must-sees

โœจ

Diving and snorkeling

Best spots

โœจ

Street food

Complete guide

โœจ

Hiking

Trek in the North

โœจ

Elephant sanctuaries

Ethical only

โœจ

Nightlife

Bangkok, Phuket, etc.

โœจ

Wellness retreats

Yoga & spa

Plan your trip

Practical info

How much

Thailand budget

๐Ÿ’ฐ Calculate my budget โ†’

Backpacker

โ‚ฌ900

  • โœˆ๏ธ Flight: โ‚ฌ600
  • ๐Ÿจ Hostel: โ‚ฌ8/night
  • ๐Ÿœ Meals: โ‚ฌ5/day
  • ๐ŸšŒ Transport: โ‚ฌ80
Recommended

Comfort

โ‚ฌ1,800

  • โœˆ๏ธ Flight: โ‚ฌ700
  • ๐Ÿจ 3-4โ˜… hotel: โ‚ฌ50/night
  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Meals: โ‚ฌ20/day
  • ๐ŸšŒ Transport + activities: Included

Premium

โ‚ฌ3,800

  • โœˆ๏ธ Business flight: โ‚ฌ1,600
  • ๐Ÿจ 5โ˜… hotel: โ‚ฌ180/night
  • ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Fine dining: โ‚ฌ70/day
  • ๐Ÿš– Private drivers: Included

Our picks

Prepare your trip to Thailand

Our tested and updated comparisons for a smooth trip to Thailand.

๐Ÿข

Best travel agency for Thailand

Tailor-made agencies, organized tours, free quotes. Our selection for Thailand.

See comparison โ†’
๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ

Travel insurance for Thailand

Medical coverage, repatriation, cancellation. The best insurance for Thailand.

See comparison โ†’
๐Ÿ“ก

eSIM for Thailand

Data plans, network coverage, pricing. The best eSIM to stay connected in Thailand.

See comparison โ†’

Combine with

Combine with

FAQ

FAQ

When is Thailand cheapest? +
From May to October, in the middle of the rainy season. Flights and hotels drop 30 to 50%. The trade-off: daily (but short) showers and some islands closed.
Do French nationals need a visa for Thailand? +
No, French nationals are visa-exempt for tourist stays under 60 days. Check your passport validity (6 months after your return date).
Is it dangerous? What about the France Diplomatie alert? +
Thailand is generally safe for tourists. France Diplomatie recommends vigilance in the southern border provinces (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat) and caution on the roads.
How long do you need to visit Thailand? +
Minimum 10 days for a first trip (Bangkok + one Northern or Southern zone). Ideal: 2 to 3 weeks to combine culture and beaches.
Which island to choose: Phuket, Koh Samui or Krabi? +
Phuket: most accessible (direct flight), lively, full infrastructure. Krabi: more authentic, spectacular cliffs, gateway to the Phi Phi. Koh Samui: lounge vibe, honeymoon-perfect. It also depends on the season (opposite coasts).
Can you drink tap water? +
No. Always prefer bottled water (very cheap, ~โ‚ฌ0.30). To reduce plastic, many hotels and bars offer filtered refill stations.

Marie Laurent โœ“

ยท

Southeast Asia specialist

Last updated: May 12, 2026.

View profile โ†’