Backpacking Thailand: The Basics You Need to Know Before You Go

Backpacking Thailand: The Basics You Need to Know Before You Go

These are some basic insights for backpacking Thailand.

BUT everyone is different. To dive deeper and get a personalized itinerary (for free), complete our [Itinerary Planner Questionnaire].

Quick Overview

Thailand, the Land of Smiles, offers an incredible mix of beaches, culture, nature, food scene, nightlife, and backpackers' scene! 

Few Facts

  • Capital: Bangkok
  • Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
  • Language: Thai
  • Population: 72 million
  • Power Socket: Type A and B (220V)

Why Visit

  • The kindest, most fun and outgoing people in this world
  • World-class islands and beaches
  • Food scene that's out of this world 
  • The craziest and most buzzing nightlife
  • Endless things to do

Best Time to Go

  • November to February: Cool & dry (best time)
  • March to May: Hot Season
  • June to October: Rainy/monsoon season

Rough Budget Idea

  • Shoestring: €30/day (hostels, street food, local buses)
  • Mid-Range: €50 (hostels, guesthouses, local & western food, some activities)
  • Comfortable: €75+/day

Top/Popular Places

  • Bangkok: Street food, culture, nightlife
  • Chiang Mai: Mountains, elephants, temples
  • Pai: Chill town, nature, hippie vibe
  • Phuket/Krabi/Phi-Phi: Beaches and islands
  • Koh Tao: Scuba diving paradise
  • Koh Pha Ngan: Hippie island, full moon parties

Top Activities

  • Partying
  • Visiting temples and palaces
  • Island hopping 
  • Snorkeling & scuba diving
  • Cooking classes, Thai massages, street food tours

Major Festivals & Events

  • Songkran (April 13 - 15): Thai New Year celebrated with massive water fights
  • Loy Krathong (November): Lantern and floating offerings festival, especially beautiful in Chiang Mai
  • Full Moon Partu: Monthly beach party in Koh Pha Ngan, famous among backpackers (especially younger ones)

Backpacker Tips & Tricks

  • Use 7-eleven for snacks & drinks
  • Eat local, food is amazing and way more affordable
  • Download Grab app (The uber of Southeast Asia)

Packing Tips

Don't overpack, most essentials are easy to find locally.

Check our [Ultimate Backpacker Checklist] to make sure you have what you need.

Recommended Routes

Each one of us likes different things, we are all connected via two things only - love for exploration and living out of a backpack. One route and certain activities can be awesome for one backpacker and awful for another. Complete the [Itinerary Planner Questionnaire] to get your personalized itinerary suggestions for free and even dive deeper to the specifics!

 

Reading next

Backpacking Myanmar: The Basics You Need to Know Before You Go
Backpacking Vietnam: The Basics You Need to Know Before You Go

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.