Travelisto destinations
Thailand holidays
Bangkok temples, Chiang Mai elephants, Krabi limestone islands and Phuket beach resorts — Thailand for every budget and every traveller.
Overview
Welcome to Thailand
Thailand is Southeast Asia's gateway country — easy infrastructure, well-priced flights, food that ruins your life for other cuisines, and a coastline that ranges from the limestone-karst Andaman west to the palm-and-sand Gulf islands east. The headline Thailand trip is Bangkok (2-3 nights) + Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai (3 nights) + a beach finisher in Krabi, Phuket or Koh Samui (5-7 nights), 10-14 days total.
Bangkok is the regional hub — temple culture (Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace), Chao Phraya river life, the contemporary food and design scene in Thonglor and Ari, and the famously good street food. Three nights to do without rushing. Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai) is the cultural-and-craft heart — hill-tribe villages, the elephant sanctuaries, night markets, Lanna culture. Different country to the south.
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For beach travellers the choice is Andaman west (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi — November-April best) or Gulf east (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao — December-August best, with opposite monsoon timing). Phuket for variety; Krabi for limestone scenery; Koh Samui for resort comfort; Koh Lanta for quieter family. Travellers who already know Thailand discover Northern Thailand or the Andaman backwaters and come back surprised at how much country there is.
The seasonal rhythm is critical. November to April is the dry season for most of Thailand — best for Bangkok, the north, and the Andaman coast. May-October is the monsoon (the Gulf islands buck this trend — they're best January-April and July-August). Songkran (Thai New Year, mid-April) is the famous water-fight festival.
Thai food is one of the great Asian cuisines and rewards travellers who explore beyond pad thai. Northern Thai (khao soi, sai oua), Isaan (som tam, laab, sticky rice), Southern Thai (massaman, gaeng som), and street-food Bangkok are each distinctive. Cooking classes at every level. Pairs naturally with Cambodia (1h Bangkok-Siem Reap), Vietnam (2h), Laos (1h to Luang Prabang) and Malaysia/Singapore (2h south).
Best time
Nov–Apr (peak Dec–Feb)
Flight from UK
~12h direct to Bangkok
Currency
Thai Baht (THB)
Language
Thai
From the team
Why we love Thailand
Thailand is the country I send people to who want their first proper Asian trip — easy, friendly, with the food alone justifying the journey. Bangkok plus Chiang Mai plus a Krabi week is the classic 14-day trip and rewards every traveller.
My quiet recommendation: skip Phuket Patong nightlife unless that's the point. Stay on the Andaman at Krabi, Koh Lanta or the quieter Phuket north (Mai Khao, Nai Yang) for the actual beach experience.
Arna Van Gogh Arna Van Gogh, Contributor · Slow-travel & Southeast Asia Meet our Travel DesignersMain areas
Where to go in Thailand
4 distinct regions — they pair beautifully two or three at a time.
Bangkok & Central Thailand
Bangkok
Ayutthaya
Kanchanaburi
Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Pai
Mae Hong Son
Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi)
Phuket
Krabi
Koh Lanta
Koh Phi Phi
Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui)
Koh Samui
Koh Phangan
Koh Tao
Find your trip
Holiday types in Thailand
Pick a holiday style — or combine two. Each section links straight to the next step.
Beach holidays
Beach destinations grouped by resort area — pick the cluster that matches your pace.
City breaks
Thailand's cities reward 2-4 nights each — pair two for a tailor-made multi-centre trip.
Chiang Mai
Cruises
Thailand is a major Southeast Asia cruise destination. Phuket and Bangkok (the port at Laem Chabang) host most ocean cruises; the Mekong river-cruise circuit runs from Vietnam through Cambodia and Laos, sometimes touching Northern Thailand.
Escorted tours
54 escorted tours through Thailand — guided, customisable, fully ATOL-protected.
Every Travelisto tour runs with a small group (max 16), an English-speaking local leader, and is fully ATOL-protected. Most tours are also bookable as private departures — same itinerary, your party only, your dates.
Tailor-made
Everything you see above is a starting point — we'll shape any of these around how you actually want to travel.
Bespoke Thailand itinerary
Pick your headlines and we design the route, brief private guides, and book the hotels and transfers.
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Multi-generational Thailand
A pace and accommodation style that suits three generations.
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Thailand + cruise
Pair the headlines of Thailand with a cruise — booked end-to-end with us.
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Honeymoon or special celebration
A milestone trip with the romantic flourishes quietly arranged.
EnquirePractical info
Knowing before you go
When to go
Jan
31°
Feb
33°
Mar
34°
Apr
34°
May
33°
Jun
32°
Jul
31°
Aug
31°
Sep
31°
Oct
32°
Nov
31°
Dec
30°
November-April is dry season — best for Bangkok, the north, and Andaman coast. The Gulf islands (Samui, Phangan) buck this — they're best January-April and July-August. Songkran water festival is mid-April.
Flights & how to get there
Flights from major UK airports to Thailand — typically ~12h to Bangkok (direct). Internal flights and trains link the main destinations.
Visa & passport
UK passport holders get 30 days visa-free on arrival; e-Visa or visa-on-arrival extension available. For up-to-date entry requirements and safety advice, check the UK FCDO travel advice for Thailand.
Currency & money
The Thai Baht (THB). Card payments common in cities; carry cash for markets, taxis and rural areas. Tipping: 10% on a sit-down restaurant meal in tourist-facing places.
Language & tipping
Thai. English widely spoken at hotels and tour operators in major tourist areas.
Health & safety
Discuss with your GP 6 weeks before travel. Routine UK vaccinations recommended; hepatitis A, typhoid commonly advised for South and Southeast Asia. Drink bottled or filtered water only outside top hotels. Buy comprehensive travel insurance before you travel.
FAQs
Thailand — your questions
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
November to April is the dry, cool season — best for Bangkok and the north. The Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) buck the trend — peak there is January–April and July–August.
Which Thai island should I pick?
Phuket for variety and direct flights. Krabi/Ao Nang for limestone scenery. Koh Samui for resort-style. Koh Lanta for quieter family. Koh Yao Yai/Noi for under-developed.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
UK passport holders get 30 days visa-free on arrival. Longer stays need an e-Visa or visa-on-arrival extension.
Can I combine Thailand with Cambodia or Vietnam?
Easily — Bangkok–Siem Reap (1h flight) or Bangkok–Hanoi (2h flight). 14-day Thailand + Cambodia / Thailand + Vietnam is a Travelisto favourite.
Is Thailand safe and family-friendly?
Yes — Thailand is one of Asia's most family-friendly destinations. Standard precautions apply. Avoid scams in Bangkok (gem-store, tuk-tuk detours); we brief every traveller.
Make this trip yours
Plan your Thailand holiday with a Travel Designer
Pick from any of the options on this page or tell us what you have in mind — we'll build it around how you actually like to travel. ATOL protected, flights included, real humans available 9am–7pm.
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