Thailand travel: the complete 2026 guide

Dry season runs November to February: blue skies, 28-32C, low humidity - also the most expensive window (hotels +40%). March-May is hot (up to 40C in Bangkok), perfect for the Andaman islands (Phuket, Krabi) where prices drop.

June-October is monsoon: short tropical showers in late afternoon, rarely all-day rain. Best value for budget travellers (flights EUR 549, hotels -50%) and ideal for Chiang Mai and the North. Avoid the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) in October-November.

10 days (classic): Bangkok 3d, Chiang Mai 3d, Krabi/Ao Nang 4d. Domestic flights Nok Air/Thai Lion Air EUR 25-50.

15 days (balanced): Bangkok 3d, Ayutthaya 1d, Chiang Mai + trek 4d, Koh Lanta 4d, Phuket 3d.

21 days (immersive): add Isaan (North-East) and the Golden Triangle (Chiang Rai), or Koh Tao + Koh Phangan on the east coast.

Tip: don't island-hop too much. One domestic flight + boat = 4-6h door to door. Two islands per trip is plenty.

Backpacker (EUR 35-45/d): dorms EUR 8-12, street food EUR 1-3, tuk-tuks and local buses.

Comfort (EUR 60-90/d): 3-star hotel with pool EUR 30-45, air-conditioned restaurants EUR 8-15/main, group snorkelling, EUR 10 massages.

Premium (EUR 150+/d): beachfront resorts EUR 100-250, fine dining, private transfers, cooking classes.

Paris-Bangkok return flight: EUR 449 to 850 depending on season. Travel insurance recommended (EUR 25-45 for 2 weeks).

Domestic flights: Thai Vietjet, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air cover Bangkok-Chiang Mai (1h15) and Bangkok-Phuket (1h20) for EUR 25-70. Book 4-6 weeks ahead.

Trains: iconic Bangkok-Chiang Mai night train (12h in 2nd-class sleeper, EUR 12-25).

Buses & minivans: dense and cheap but less safe on long overnight distances.

Inter-island ferries: Lomprayah and Songserm link Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta and Phuket. 400-800 THB (EUR 10-22).

In town: Grab (Uber equivalent, legal), tuk-tuks (haggle 50% off) and Bangkok's BTS/MRT (25-60 THB).

Visa: EU citizens enjoy 60-day tourist exemption since July 2024, extendable 30 days on the spot (1,900 THB at immigration).

Arrival form: the TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) is mandatory since May 2025 - file within 72h before landing on tdac.immigration.go.th (free).

Health: no mandatory vaccines. Recommended: hepatitis A/B, typhoid, up-to-date DTP.

Safety: Thailand is very safe for tourists. Watch for classic scams: tuk-tuk to a tailor shop, fake police over cigarettes, uninsured scooter rentals.