Thailand, the land of smiles, is an excellent destination for solo travelers and is often considered one of the easiest places in Southeast Asia for a solo adventure. And who doesn’t want to go to Thailand?!?!
Thailand is a well-traveled destination with a lot of the tourist infrastructure specifically geared towards backpackers. And since most backpackers are solo travelers, visiting Thailand feels like it was designed specifically for people traveling alone.
So, if you’re looking for your fist solo trip to SE Asia, you really can’t ask for any place better than Thailand!
Know before you go
English Proficiency: English is widely spoken, especially in the popular tourist areas. Of course, the more remote areas you will only find a limited understanding of English.
Currency: Thai Baht
Visa Rules: No visa needed for US passport holders.
Weather: Hot and humid all year. And the rainy season runs from May to October.
Water Quality: In most of Thailand, tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water is readily available and hotels and restaurants in tourist areas will be using commercially made ice.
Modesty Considerations: When visiting temples, palaces, or other religious sites, you should cover your shoulders and knees.
Accommodations
Budget Accommodation ($5 – $20 USD per night): The lowest prices will be found at hostels, private rooms at an Airbnb or homestay, or at low budget hotels.
Mid-range Hotels ($30 – $100 USD per night): These hotels provide more comfort and amenities compared to budget options. Rooms typically include private bathrooms, air conditioning, and additional services such as room service and Wi-Fi.
Luxury Hotel or Resort ($150 USD and higher): I’m more of a mid-range girl but, while in Chiang Mai, I pampered myself at an exquisite luxury boutique hotel for $250 USD per night.
Getting around
Grab ($5 – $10 USD per day): Grab is southeast Asia’s version of Uber and their app is super easy to use. And something special about Grab in Thailand is that you can request a female driver!
Taxi ($2.50 for 3 miles): You can request a taxi directly through the Grab app. Roadside taxis like you find in New York City aren’t as common anymore since Grab has made it so convenient with their app.
Tuk-Tuk: A trip to Thailand just wouldn’t be complete without riding at least once in a tuk-tuk! Tuk-tuks are best for short trip of a few blocks and will usually cost a bit more than a taxi. If you’re in a touristy area, tuk-tuks are all around and they will usually come up to you trying to offer you a ride. Before you get in, be sure to agree on the price ahead of time – they are famous for overcharging.
Food
Street Food and Local Eateries ($1 – $5 USD): Most street food in Thailand is safe to eat, especially in high traffic tourist areas. You’ll just want to exercise a bit of caution and choose one that is busy and clean. At a local eatery in Chiang Mai, I paid $3.79 for Pad Thai with prawns and a Chang beer.
Mid-range Restaurants ($6 – $10 USD): These will be the larger more modern or westernized restaurants. You’re also pretty much guaranteed that they will have air conditioning which is not common at all in the local places.
