- Thailand Special Tips & Tours -

UNITED STATES 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, US 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.

US 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 USA)

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

Thailand has over 10 international airports because it is surrounded by several countries and due to its unique geography. Flights originating from the US to the country will arrive at one of three airports: Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), both in the capital city of Bangkok, and Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) in the northern part of the country.

The northern part of Thailand is dominated by the provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, both of which are within reach of Chiang Mai Airport. However, only flights from San Francisco Airport (SFO) use this hub, so if you arrive at either of the Bangkok Airports, you’ll have to arrange a connecting flight to either Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai Airport (CEI) to get there.

The Isan Region represents the eastern part of Thailand and there are four major cities there, including Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Udon Thani. Suvarnabhumi Airport is close to Nakhon Ratchasima, but the other cities are at least a 5h drive away, so flying into Udon Thani International Airport (UDD) will definitely save travel time that can be used to discover the region.

The popular resort island of Phuket and its world-class beaches lies almost 500 mi from Bangkok, but despite the distance, it’s cheaper to fly into Bangkok and get a connecting flight to Phuket International Airport (HKT) than to fly directly to Phuket. Therefore, you may wish to factor that into your travel plans when booking your flight from the US to Thailand.

Families traveling on holiday to Bangkok will want to check out KidZania, a miniature city tailormade for children to enjoy. KidZania is less than a 30m drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Siam Paragon downtown.

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?

An average nonstop flight from United States to Thailand takes 24h 18m, covering a distance of 8594 miles. The most popular route is Los Angeles - Bangkok with an average flight time of 21h 20m.

Q. Can I get a nonstop flight to Krabi from the US?

Unfortunately, there are no nonstop flights available from any airports in the United States to Thailand. If Krabi is your ultimate destination, your best bet is to book a flight to either Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok and then get a connecting flight to Krabi International Airport (KBV).

Q. What are the most popular routes from USA to Thailand?

While some choose either New York John F Kennedy Intl - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi or San Francisco - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Los Angeles - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi is the most popular route from USA to 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 $850 depending on your flight route and date.

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 exactly where the U.S. embassy or consulates are located when traveling. Keep the address written down in case you have a legal problem, you lose your passport, or you want to report a crime. Keep a copy of your passport with you in case you lose the original.

If you plan to buy a local SIM card you can also enter your phone number to receive SMS updates from the office.

• Address: U.S. Embassy Bangkok, 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
• Telephone: + (66) (2) 205-4049, 02-205-4049 (within Thailand)
• Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(66) (2) 205-4000, 02-205-4000 (within Thailand)
• Fax: +(66) (2) 205-4103, 02-205-4103 (within Thailand)
• Email: [email protected]