- Thailand Special Tips & Tours -

SWISS TRAVELERS

Although the climate varies throughout Thailand, you can visit all year round. The best time to travel is during the cool and dry season between November and early April.

In the south, the climate differs between the eastern and western coasts. The west coast is more favorable during the winter months, when diving and snorkeling will be at its best. The weather on the east coast is good for most of the year, with the lowest rainfall in January and February and the highest in November.

You can check the detailed guide to know exactly where and when to go in Thailand throughout the year.

As one of Countries listed for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival, Swiss Passport Holders are not required to obtain a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes and will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period not exceeding 30 days on each visit. (15-day stays if arriving by land-crossing). The period of stay may not be extended.

Upon arrival, those entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption scheme may be required to show the documents below at the port of entry:

• Proof of adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand i.e. traveler’s cheque or cash equivalent to 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family.
• Proof of onward travel (confirmed air, train, bus or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date.

Swiss Passport Holders who are planning to stay in Thailand as tourists for a longer period specified above must obtain a tourist visa before entering Thailand. Travelers entering Thailand for purposes other than tourism need to apply for visa of the specific type.

NOTICE: Travelers are also advised to check if he/she would need to carry International Health Certificate for Yellow Fever Vaccination to enter Thailand

Plan a longer journey? Check out the guide for Thailand tourist visa policy

For the flight cost, check the information below in this article (Getting to Thailand from Switzerland)

Our recommended spending for your journey in Thailand is about $120-150/person/day (group of 2 people). Of course, you can either spend less at about $90-100/person/day (even $30-40/day - backpacker style) or you can spend much higher depending on the services you expect on spot.

Here is our detailed guide for Budget & Currency for travelling in Thailand

There are direct flights to Thailand from some popular cities in Switzerland including Zurich or Geneva. Most of the flights will land in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket.

Thailand has two international airports in Bangkok – Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) – and as these are located in the centre of the country, they provide a good starting point to explore north and south. If you wish to go to the north of the country, consider booking a flight to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), while if you would like to visit the south, then Phuket International Airport (HKT) is a good option.

Visitors who would like to do some island hopping while in Thailand should consider booking a flight into Krabi Airport (KBV). Krabi is an ideal place to base yourself in order to visit the many islands in the area and is well-connected with flights to and from Bangkok airports.

If you are looking at flights to Thailand in order to visit some of the attractions in the north-east of the country on the border with Laos, why not think about booking a connecting flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani International Airport (UTH), which serves as a hub for this region. Udon Thani International Airport only operates domestic flights, so you will need to fly in from one of the main airports in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

The U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport (UTP) in the Rayong province is a good airport to consider flying into if you want to spend your holiday on the island of Kho Samet. You will need to book a connecting flight from Bangkok or Phuket to Rayong or in the high season, Tui Airways operates direct flights from Birmingham Airport (BHX), London Gatwick (LGW) and Manchester Airport (MAN) to U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport.

Flight FAQs

Q. When is the best time to book flights to Thailand?

Aim to have your flight tickets secured at least four months in advance to give yourself a chance of finding the cheapest flights to Thailand. If you can then book them even further ahead, especially if your dates coincide with a major event or the peak season. 

Once you’ve narrowed down your destination by choosing a city, usually either Bangkok or Chiang Mai, you’ll be able to figure out what dates offer the cheapest flights to Thailand and go from there. 

Flexibility is the key to securing discounted flight tickets so if you’re not governed by a particular set of weeks or to a specific location then you’ll give yourself the best chances of finding the cheapest flights to Thailand. 

Don’t worry too much about which side of the plane to sit on as each has their benefits and offer equally impressive view through your flight.

Q. How long is the flight to Thailand?

For flights from Switzerland to Thailand, the most common direct route is from Zurich to Bangkok which takes around 12 hours and lands at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

If you depart from the other cities, you need to add up 3-4 hours or more depending on the route you choose and the number of stops you make along the way.

Q. Which airlines operate direct flights to Thailand?

Swiss Airlines, Thai Airways, and Lufthansa all operate direct flights between Zurich and Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. From here you can catch connecting flights to other international and regional airports in Thailand.

Q. Where should I fly if I’m visiting Phuket beaches and Thailand’s islands?

Phuket Island does have its own international airport. Phuket International Airport (HKT) is at the very north of the island, about 1h from the city of Phuket.

However, it can be expensive to fly to Phuket, so many tourists travelling on a budget fly into Bangkok and take public transport to Phuket. 

From Phuket, you can take a boat to many of the most popular islands such as Ko Phi Phi, the Similan Islands, or the Racha islands. 

Keep in mind, however, that this is more than a 10h journey.

Q. Where should I fly to in Thailand if I’d like to visit the northern part of the country?

If you want to skip Bangkok and visit Thailand's north, including the "Golden Triangle" region near the borders with Laos and Myanmar, consider flying into Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). 

However, it can be expensive to fly to Chiang Mai, so many tourists travelling on a budget fly into Bangkok and take another budget domestic flight to Chiang Mai.

Q. How much does it cost to fly to Thailand?

The price ticket ranges from $450 to $650 depending on your flight route and date. The cheapest route may be found on the way from Zurich to Bangkok 

We recommend using some online ticket booking platform (Kayak, Cheapflights, or SkyScanner) to look for the cheapest flight possible according to your travel plan. They do have alert system when there is the price change on your travel date

Here is how to get the cheapest flight possible to Thailand

You’ll find a real gamut of transportation options in Thailand, from Bangkok’s modern Skytrain system to tuk-tuks, with plenty of options in between. While the traffic in Bangkok can be wretched, rural areas still offer generally good roads with zero snarl. So be flexible, and hop the tuk-tuk, subway, taxi, ferry, bus, train or plane that will best get you where you want to go. There’s plenty to explore!

Check How to get around in Thailand here

1. Do I need vaccines for Thailand?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Thailand. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Thailand: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. 

Here is the article for recommended vaccinations for Thailand.

2. How safe is Thailand?

Thailand is generally a safe country to visit, but it's smart to exercise caution, especially when it comes to dealing with strangers (both Thai and foreigners) and travelling alone.

• Assault of travellers is relatively rare in Thailand, but it does happen.
• Possession of drugs can result in a year or more of prison time. Drug smuggling carries considerably higher penalties, including execution.
• Disregard all offers of free shopping or sightseeing help from strangers. These are scams that invariably take a commission from your purchases.

Here is our guide for Safety and Precautions in Thailand

3. Do I need a travel insurance for Thailand?

The answer is a very loud YES. Protect yourself against the cost of medical care, missed connections, lost or stolen items and other common travel annoyances.

Be sure that your policy covers ambulances or an emergency flight home. Some policies specifically exclude ‘dangerous activities’, which can include scuba diving, motorcycling and even trekking. A locally acquired motorcycle licence is not valid under some policies. You may prefer a policy that pays doctors or hospitals directly rather than you having to pay on the spot and claim later. If you have to claim later, make sure you keep all documentation.

Check the detailed article for Thailand travel insurance here

4. What should I take to Thailand?

Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Thailand:

• Slip-on Shoes are best, especially if you’re planning to travel to many temples. You will need to take your shoes off quite frequently.
• Bug spray to ward off mosquitoes that could be carrying disease.
• Shops in Thailand have sunscreen, but your options are limited.
• If you’re planning on visiting temples, buy clothing items that cover your shoulders, knees and ankles.

Here is the detailed guide for what to pack for Thailand

5. Are you supposed to tip in Thailand?

Tipping is NOT customary in Thailand, there is absolutely NO mandatory requirement to tip anyone, but small gratuities for great service are very much appreciated. Unlike some other parts of the world, you will never see a Thai service provider with his hand out waiting for a tip.

Check out the Thailand tipping guide & other local etiquettes here

6. Do I need to buy a Thailand SIM Card? And where can I buy it?

It is recommended to buy a local SIM card why travelling in Thailand as it surely has a stable connection and also the cheaper price for calling & data usage.

You can buy the SIM Card almost everywhere in Thailand, especially inside the big cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket

Check out the detailed guide for Internet & phone in Thailand here

7. Do I need to bargain while shopping in Thailand?

Bargaining and haggling for a better deal is all part of the experience when shopping at markets in Bangkok. The first price offered is rarely the true price, especially in overly tourist areas like Khao San Road, Silom, Chatuchak Market, or the stalls around Nana BTS Station. 

Tips: 

• Remember that while bargaining is common in markets, it is not accepted or possible in convenience stores like 7-Eleven or upscale shopping malls.
• Look around and check with your guide to have the idea of what you are going to buy. 

Here is our guide for Buying and bargaining in Thailand

It is good to know the address of your embassy beforehand, so that you know exactly where to go and call when you need it.

Swiss Embassy Bangkok

• Address: 35 North Wireless road (Thanon Witthayu Nuea), Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
• Telephone: +66 2 674 6900
• Fax: +66 2 674 6901 // +66 2 674 6902 (Visa)
• Email: [email protected] // [email protected]