A Guide for Successful Solo Travelling to Thailand

Are you wondering if solo travelling to Thailand is a good idea? Well, the answer is YES!

Some of the best things to do in Thailand include visiting the busy capital, Bangkok with its magnificent Grand Palace, beautiful Buddhist temples, bustling markets and energetic nightlife.

The idyllic beaches and tropical islands in the south of the country are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing. And, in central and northern Thailand there are waterfalls, jungles and historical sites that are a highlight of a solo trip to Thailand.

I’ve enjoyed travelling solo to Thailand many times and it’s one of my favourite places to visit in Southeast Asia. I think you’ll love it too but solo travel does need a bit of extra planning.

Here are my tips for when to go, what to see, where to stay and more…to help you have a safe and successful solo trip to Thailand.

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Is Thailand Good for Solo Travel?

Yes, Thailand is great for solo travel. It’s a safe destination for women travelling alone, it’s easy to get around and English is widely spoken in Bangkok and other tourist areas. Thailand is also very budget-friendly and it’s more affordable for solo travellers than many other places in the world.

There are lots of options for tours and day trips and it’s easy to meet other like-minded travellers, especially if you are staying in hostels and joining in group activities.

Are you new to solo travel? Check out my tips on how to be successful as a solo traveller.

The Best Places to Visit on a Solo Trip to Thailand

Thailand offers a wide variety of landscapes and activities from the busy capital Bangkok to the gorgeous tropical islands of the south and the historical parks and jungles in the north and central areas. This 3 Week Thailand itinerary includes the best sights and activities and is perfect for solo travellers.

Thailand’s cosmopolitan capital, Bangkok is one of the largest and most visited cities in Southeast Asia. It’s a popular tourist destination and a transport hub that offers, history, art culture, nightlife, and great food.

Just outside Bangkok Ayutthaya in Central Thailand, was once the Kingdom’s capital, and further north the Sukhothai Historical Park charms and fascinates visitors with the lovely ruins of the country’s ancient capital.

In the south of Thailand, there are stunning tropical islands with sugar white sand, turquoise water, and coral reefs for snorkelling and diving. On the Andaman coast, Krabi, Ao Nang, and Railay Beach are wonderful to visit and the gorgeous tropical islands of Kho Phi Phi, Kho Lanta, and touristy Phuket also draw large crowds of sunseekers to their stunning beaches.

In the Gulf of Thailand on the other side of the peninsula, the lovely tropical islands of Koh Samui, Kho Phangan, and Kho Toa also offer idyllic beaches that are very popular.

Head to Koh Phangan, Phuket or Phi Phi for the famous full-moon beach parties and nightlife, and watch a spectacular fire-twirling show on the beaches of Ao Nang and Railay after sunset.

Across the country, there are National Parks with stunning scenery, waterfalls, wildlife, freshwater springs, and limestone caves that are the perfect escape from the city.

In the south of Thailand, The Khao Sok National Park between Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui offers stunning karst scenery and limestone forests while the Khao Yai National Park to the north of Bangkok has majestic waterfalls, mountains, grasslands, and a wide variety of wildlife including wild elephants, gibbon and deer.

In the far north of the country, the waterfalls and forests of Doi Inthanon National Park are fun to explore and in nearby Chiang Mai and Chang Rai there are stunning temples, jungles, and elephant sanctuaries.

TIP: Buses and trains in Thailand can be booked online with 12Go Asia

What to Do in Thailand Alone

• Relax on the beach and enjoy the stunning islands and coastal scenery in the south of Thailand at Ao Nang or Railay Beach.

• Water activities like swimming, snorkelling, diving, fishing

• Hiking to viewpoints and hidden tidal lagoons in the south of Thailand at Railay Beach, Kho Phi Phi, Kho Lanta and the Hong Islands.

• Boat trips to secluded beaches and idyllic tropical islands like the popular  4 island hopping speedboat tour from Koh Lanta. I LOVED this trip and a highlight of the day was swimming 80 metres through the dark Emerald Cave to a stunning hidden beach.

• An Island hopping day Trip to the Phi Phi Islands from Phuket by speedboat. Explore Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Phi Phi Leh, Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, and more on a full-day speedboat trip from Phuket.

• Kayaking around the coast enjoying stunning karst landscapes and exploring limestone caves. I had a great time on a half-day kayaking tour from Koh Lanta.

• Beach Sunsets – Enjoy a cocktail or a stroll on the beach and watch the spectacular sunsets over the Andaman Sea in Ao Nang, Railay Beach, Kho Lanta or Phuket.

• Adventure activities like parasailing or Jetskiing at Patong Beach in Phuket

• Hiking to waterfalls, and wildlife watching in Thailand’s National Parks.

Solo Travelling to Thailand – How to Meet Other People

When you’re travelling solo in Thailand it’s easy to meet new people, especially if you stay at hostels where you’ll come across lots of other travellers. If you’re travelling alone in Thailand, you can start a conversation when you hang out in the shared areas in guesthouses and hotels like the pool area or lounge, at a coffee shop, or at a yoga class.

Booking a day trip, a group tour or a cooking class is a good way to meet other people when you’re travelling in Thailand alone. You can enjoy the activity together and it’s always fun to hear the travel stories and experiences of fellow travellers.

Many people also use social media to find new friends. Solo Travel Girls – Thailand and Thailand female travel Buddies are FaceBook groups that you can join to find travel buddies and support from other women if you’re travelling alone to Thailand.

Where to Stay as a Solo Traveller in Thailand

Solo travellers in Thailand will find a wide range of accommodations around the country to suit all budgets.

At the high end, there are luxury hotels and resorts that cater to those looking for a more lavish holiday.

But if you have a smaller budget, hostels and guesthouses are inexpensive and adequate. They’re also a great option for people solo travelling in Thailand because they offer common areas and activities that make it very easy to meet other people.

But if you’re like me and you like your own space and a private bathroom, 3 or 4-star hotels are very reasonably priced throughout Thailand.

TIP: Take the stress out of your arrival in Bangkok and book an airport transfer to your hotel from Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport.

Here are some of my favourites:

Royal River Hotel Bangkok has a superb riverside location with lovely water views and spacious rooms close to the main tourist sites in Bangkok

Boutique Poo Yai Lee is a comfortable hotel near the Chatuchak weekend market.

Sand Sea Resort Krabi is a comfortable resort with a fabulous location at stunning Railay Beach in the south of Thailand. The only access is by longtail boat.

Luang Chumni Village Ayutthaya is a charming guesthouse in a traditional Thai village within walking distance of many of the temple ruins in the former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya.

Scent of Sukhothai Resort offers comfortable rooms and a lovely pool in a good location just a 10-minute walk from the lovely Sukhothai Historical Park in Central Thailand.

What to Eat in Thailand

Thailand offers fresh, delicious food that’s often quite spicy. But there are other options if, like me, you’re not a fan of hot chilli or curry. Thai food includes fried rice, noodles, fresh vegetable stir-fried dishes, with chicken, shrimp, or pork.

Eating outdoors at a street market is a way of life and an experience not to be missed if you’re solo travelling in Thailand. A wide variety of fresh, healthy food is available from spicy savoury dishes, seafood, delicious sweets and fresh tropical fruits and juices.

My favourite dishes include:

• Chicken Pad Thai: a tasty fried rice noodle dish served with bean sprouts, chopped peanuts, and a slice of fresh lime.

• Baked Pineapple Rice with chicken, cashews and fresh vegetables served inside a fresh pineapple.

• Thai Chicken Satay skewers are delicious and freshly cooked at street stalls in Thailand.

• A fresh Fruit Smoothie is the perfect way to cool down and rehydrate while sightseeing in the heat. Passionfruit, watermelon, dragon fruit, and mango are all delicious but my favourite is the coconut smoothie made from fresh coconut blended with crushed ice and condensed milk.

If you like spicy food you could try a red or green curry, a spicy green papaya salad (Som Tum), or spicy shrimp soup (Tom Yum Goon).

How to Get to Thailand Alone

The easiest and most common way to get to Thailand is to fly but land or sea arrivals are also possible.

Bangkok has 2 International Airports at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Both are around an hour from the city centre and easy to reach by taxi or public transport.

TIP: To reduce the stress of your arrival in Bangkok and skip the taxi queue, book a transfer from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to your hotel (or from Don Mueang International Airport)

There are international Airports in Krabi, Phuket, and Chiang Mai so you can fly directly to your destination and bypass the capital Bangkok entirely.

From Australia, a direct flight to Bangkok takes around 9 hours, from London, it takes around 11-12 hours and from the US 19 or 20 hours.

Arriving on a Solo Trip to Thailand

I flew directly to Krabi on my last solo trip to Thailand but I found myself travelling to and from both of Bangkok’s International airports several times for other flights.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the main entry point for flights to Thailand. The airport is easy to access and it takes around an hour to reach the city centre by taxi or a Grab car. The SkyTrain stops at Suvarnabhumi Airport if you’re happy to take public transport.

I took the A4 bus from Khaosan Road to Suvarnabhumi Airport and found the trip easy and cost-effective on a solo trip to Thailand. Allow extra time for road travel as Bangkok traffic can slow the trip down.

Dong Mueang Airport is Bangkok’s second international airport and many domestic airlines as well as international flights use this airport. Don Mueang is easy to get to by taxi or Grab car. But if you’re on a budget the A1 bus is a much cheaper transport option for solo travellers to Bangkok.

I caught the A1 bus from Don Mueang Airport a couple of times on my last solo trip to Thailand. It took around 20 minutes to reach Chatuchak Park where there are connections to the SkyTrain and MRT for other destinations in the city and it cost 25 Baht (US 0.75 cents).

A hire car from to my hotel in central Bangkok cost 600 Baht (US$17) at the time of writing. You can save a fair bit by taking the bus.

Stopover in Thailand

Bangkok is a great place to stopover on a flight to London or Europe from Australia. It’s a good midway destination to break the journey and there are lots of things to see and do on a short stay in Bangkok.

Visas & Entry Requirements for Solo Travel to Thailand

Thailand offers a 30-day visa-free stay to travellers from many countries including Australia, the USA, the UK, NZ, and more. Check with your local Thai Embassy for the latest information on visas for travel to Thailand.

How to get around Thailand

Thailand is easy to get around and, although the country is quite large it’s connected by a network of planes, trains, buses, and ferries. This makes solo travelling in Thailand uncomplicated and enjoyable. Metered taxis, Grab cars and 3-wheeled tuk-tuks are readily available and relatively inexpensive to hire.

The cheapest way to get around is by local bus and train and for longer distances, it’s worth spending a bit more to fly or to travel on a more comfortable air-conditioned train or coach. Domestic air travel is so cheap that sleeper trains and overnight coaches hardly seem worthwhile if you’re travelling longer distances on a solo trip to Thailand.

TIP: Buses, trains and flights in Thailand can be booked online with 12Go Asia

Although I enjoyed the overnight train travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Surat Thani on previous holidays, on my last solo visit to Thailand I chose to fly instead. It’s a cost-effective, fast, and comfortable way to travel around the country. It’s also safer than overnight buses and trains for solo female travellers in Thailand.

The Best Time To Go on a Solo Trip to Thailand

The best time to visit Thailand is from November to March. The weather is very warm with average temperatures from 26°C to 32°C (79°F to 90°F). In my experience, travelling solo in Thailand in January is cooler and dryer than at other times of the year but it’s still very hot at any time of the year.

The low season months of April and May are extremely hot and best avoided because the heat and humidity are unpleasant if you’re not acclimatized.

July to September is the wet season in Thailand and afternoon storms and high humidity are the norm. It’s the low season and the advantage of visiting at this time is that there are fewer tourists, flights are less expensive and accommodation and tours are more affordable.

If you don’t mind some wet weather, July to September can be a good time for travelling in Thailand alone if you’re on a budget or you want to avoid crowds or tourists.

Itineraries for Solo Travelling in Thailand

3 days in Bangkok: An Exciting Itinerary

Mandalay to Bangkok – Myanmar / Thailand Itinerary

TIP: April in Thailand is uncomfortably hot and the rainy season falls from May to October. If you want to travel at this time, why not consider visiting Bali instead? May to October is the best time of year for Bali. Learn more about Bali vs Thailand and how these popular Southeast Asian destinations compare.

How to Dress for Solo Travel in Thailand

For solo female travel to Thailand, you’ll need to pack for the warm weather. But be aware that most women in Thailand dress modestly and respectful dress is appreciated throughout the country.

For solo travelling in Thailand, you will want to blend in and not draw attention to yourself so it’s best to dress conservatively with shoulders and knees covered.

If you’re at the beach, shorts and tank tops are fine to wear but for palaces, temples or anything formal, respectful dress is needed. Take some long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts for these occasions. A strict dress code is enforced at the Grand Palace and other temples in Bangkok and around the country. You can expect to be turned away if you are not dressed appropriately.

What to Pack for Travelling Solo to Thailand

The weather in Thailand is hot and can be very humid. Pack lightweight cotton clothes for solo travelling to Thailand and leave your jeans behind, they’re too hot to wear and hard to hand wash. Instead, take:

• Summer dresses
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Long-sleeved shirts & long pants for visiting temples, riding a motorbike, and visiting more remote areas of the country.
• Sarong – Useful at the beach and can double as a towel, scarf, or sheet.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses & sun hat
• Swimmers
• Sandals
• Walking or hiking shoes & socks

Is it Safe to Travel Solo in Thailand?

Yes, it’s safe to travel solo in Thailand. I’ve enjoyed many solo trips to Thailand and found the country to be a safe and friendly destination for women travelling alone. But take care of yourself and be especially careful when you’re out alone at night.

Solo Travellers should be aware of the possibility of sexual assault, robbery, and drink spiking. But there’s a low crime rate in Thailand and these kinds of incidents are not common.

The Australian Government recommends exercising a high degree of caution in the border areas to Malaysia, Cambodia, and Myanmar, and in Bangkok and Phuket due to an ongoing threat of low-level civil unrest and terrorism across the country. For the latest information check your government’s travel advice.

But if you take the usual precautions and follow the official advice, you’re likely to avoid trouble and have a safe and enjoyable solo trip to Thailand. 

Solo Travel Tips for Thailand

• Stay safe and book a flight rather than an overnight bus or sleeper train if you’re travelling solo in Thailand.

• If you’re looking to meet other travellers stay in hostels, hang out in the common areas, and join in group activities and social events.

• Booking a day trip or a multi-day tour is another great way to meet other people.

• The weather is hot whatever time of year you’re solo travelling in Thailand. I suggest booking a hotel with air conditioning and a pool wherever possible.

• Get out and about early. Relax indoors for a few hours in the hottest part of the day and go out again for sunset and an evening meal.

• Staying connected is so important when you’re travelling alone in Thailand and the best way to do that is to Buy a local SIM card for internet access. Many hotels and cafes offer free Wi-Fi but it can be slow, insecure, and unreliable.

• ATMs and money exchange booths are easy to find but scams are common so watch out for hidden cameras and keep your pin safe. I usually take Australian dollars when I solo travel in Thailand and cash is easy to exchange with less fees than cash withdrawals from ATMs.

• Take an international driver’s licence if you want to drive a car or motorbike when you solo travel in Thailand.

• Wear a helmet when you’re on a motorbike and be very careful on the road. The traffic in Thailand is very heavy and a bit crazy. Grab motorbikes don’t always provide a helmet for passengers and I decided it wasn’t worth the risk and booked Grab cars instead when I was solo travelling in Thailand. The car’s air-con was a bonus in the heat.

• Don’t drink or brush your teeth in the tap water! Eat at restaurants that cater to tourists and be wary of ice cubes and fresh salads that may not have been washed in filtered water.

• Drugs are illegal in Thailand and there are severe penalties for drug offenses including the death sentence for drug trafficking. Marijuana is now legal and you’ll see many shops and stalls selling cannabis products for medicinal and recreational use.

• Travel insurance is essential for all overseas travel and is best arranged before you leave home so that you are covered should something unforeseen happen when solo travelling to Thailand.

• Make sure that your travel insurance covers you if you want to ride a motorbike or scooter. Check the policy fine print so that you don’t get caught out.

FAQ’s

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