Thailand Travel Guide 2027: Islands, Temples & the New 30-Day Visa Rules

Hi, I’m Miki – and Thailand is one of those countries that keeps pulling travellers back. Golden temples and 7-Eleven toasties, limestone cliffs rising out of turquoise water, night markets that smell of grilled pork and lemongrass, and some of the friendliest people you’ll meet anywhere. It’s also a country where a little planning goes a long way, because the rules changed a lot in 2026.

This Thailand travel guide is updated for 2027. It covers the new 30-day visa-free rules and the digital arrival card, how to split the country into regions, the best places for a perfect day, when to go, what things really cost and the local etiquette nobody tells you about. Detailed one-day itineraries for individual Thai cities and islands are on their way – this page is your starting point.

Why Thailand should be on your list

• Islands for every style – party beaches on Koh Phangan, diving on Koh Tao, family-friendly Koh Samui and the limestone drama of Krabi and Phang Nga Bay.
• Temples and history – Bangkok’s Grand Palace and Wat Pho, the ruined capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, and hundreds of temples in Chiang Mai.
• One of the world’s great food cultures – from 50-baht street food to Michelin-listed stalls.
• Great value – comfortable mid-range travel still costs less than in most of Europe.
• Easy logistics – frequent domestic flights, overnight trains, ferries and ride-hailing apps make it simple to combine city, jungle and beach.

Thailand region by region

Thailand is big – roughly the size of France – so pick two or three regions rather than trying to see everything. Here’s how I’d split it:

Bangkok & Central Thailand

The capital’s temples, canals, rooftop bars and street food, plus easy day trips to the old capital of Ayutthaya, the floating markets and Kanchanaburi with its River Kwai bridge and Erawan waterfalls. Bangkok is busy – read my take on Bangkok’s tourism boom and how the city copes with the crowds.

Northern Thailand

Cooler air, mountains and a slower pace. Chiang Mai is the base for temples, cooking classes and ethical elephant sanctuaries; Chiang Rai has the White Temple; Pai is the laid-back mountain town; Sukhothai is the most atmospheric historical park in the country.

Isan (Northeast)

Thailand’s least touristy region: Khao Yai National Park, the Khmer temple of Phanom Rung, the Mekong river towns and the spiciest food in the country.

Gulf of Thailand islands

Koh Samui (resorts and families), Koh Phangan (Full Moon parties and quiet bays), and Koh Tao (diving and snorkelling) – here are my top things to do on Koh Tao.

Andaman coast

Phuket, Krabi, Railay, Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi – plus the karst islands of Phang Nga Bay. One of my favourite views is the Samet Nangshe viewpoint at sunrise.

Eastern seaboard

Koh Chang and Koh Samet are the closest real island escapes from Bangkok – great if you only have a few days.

Best places in Thailand for a perfect day

Bangkok

Wat Pho and the Grand Palace early in the morning, a long-tail boat on the Chao Phraya, Chinatown (Yaowarat) street food after dark and a rooftop drink to finish.

Ayutthaya

An easy day trip from Bangkok by train: rent a bike and ride between the ruined temples of the old Siamese capital, then catch sunset at Wat Chaiwatthanaram.

Chiang Mai

Old-city temples in the morning, a Thai cooking class or a visit to an ethical elephant sanctuary, and the Sunday Walking Street market in the evening.

Chiang Rai

The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), the Blue Temple and the Black House – three very different stops that fit perfectly into one day.

Krabi & Railay

Longtail boat to Railay’s cliffs, a swim at Phra Nang beach and an island-hopping trip if the sea is calm.

Koh Tao

Snorkelling at Shark Bay or Koh Nang Yuan, a hike to a viewpoint and a lazy sunset at Sairee Beach.

Phang Nga Bay

Sea caves, karst islands and the floating village of Koh Panyee – combined with the Samet Nangshe viewpoint for sunrise.

Kanchanaburi

The Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai in the morning, Erawan Falls’ turquoise pools in the afternoon.

Best time to visit Thailand

My short answer: November to February – it’s dry, sunny and (relatively) cool almost everywhere. It’s also peak season, so book flights and island hotels early.

How many days do you need in Thailand?

Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first trip: enough for Bangkok, the north and one island region without rushing. Here are three routes I recommend.

7 days: Bangkok + one island region

• Days 1–3: Bangkok, with a day trip to Ayutthaya.
• Days 4–7: fly to Krabi or Phuket for Railay, Phang Nga Bay and an island-hopping day – or fly to Koh Samui and ferry to Koh Tao in summer.

14 days: the classic route

• Days 1–3: Bangkok and Ayutthaya.
• Days 4–7: Chiang Mai (overnight train or short flight), plus a day in Chiang Rai.
• Days 8–14: fly south to Krabi, Koh Lanta or the Gulf islands depending on the season.

3 weeks: slow and varied

• Add Sukhothai between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi as a side trip from Bangkok, and a second island region – Andaman one week, Gulf the next only if the season works for both.

Getting to Thailand and getting around

Arriving

Most international flights land at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK, mainly low-cost carriers). Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Koh Samui also have international connections.

Domestic flights

The fastest way to cover long distances. Low-cost airlines connect Bangkok with Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani and more; Koh Samui has its own (pricier) airport.

Trains and buses

Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and to the south are an experience in themselves – book a lower berth in second class early. Government and private buses go almost everywhere and are cheap.

Ferries and boats

Ferries and speedboats link the islands; combined bus-and-boat tickets from Bangkok are common. In the monsoon some routes are cancelled at short notice, so leave a buffer day before international flights.

In the cities

In Bangkok, use the BTS Skytrain, MRT metro and Chao Phraya Express boats. Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Bolt are the easiest way to avoid taxi haggling. If you rent a scooter, wear a helmet and check that your insurance covers it – Thailand’s roads are among the most dangerous in the world.

Entry rules for Thailand in 2027

Thailand changed its rules in 2026, so older blog posts are often wrong. Here’s what applies now:

• 30 days visa-free: since 15 September 2026, citizens of 60 countries and territories – including all EU countries, the UK, the US and Australia – can stay up to 30 days per entry without a visa (it used to be 60). One extension of up to 30 days is possible at an immigration office, for a fee and at the officer’s discretion. I covered the change in this news post.
• Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC): every foreign visitor must complete it online within 3 days before arrival. It’s free on the official immigration website – ignore look-alike sites that charge a fee.
• Passport and proof: travel with at least 6 months of passport validity. Airlines often ask for an onward or return ticket, and immigration can ask for proof of funds (rarely checked in practice).
• Tourist entry fee: a fee for foreign arrivals has been debated for years (most recently a 450-baht version including insurance cover). As of November 2026 it was still a plan, not something you pay – check before you fly.

Money and daily budget

Thailand uses the Thai baht (THB). Cards work in malls, hotels and chain restaurants, but street food, markets, songthaews and small guesthouses are cash-only. Most Thai ATMs add a flat fee per withdrawal for foreign cards, so take out larger amounts less often. Tipping isn’t expected, but rounding up or leaving 20–50 baht for good service is appreciated.

Islands like Koh Samui and Phuket are noticeably more expensive than Bangkok, the north and Isan.

What to eat and drink in Thailand

Street food is the heart of Thai cuisine – look for busy stalls with a quick turnover. My must-tries:

• Pad krapow – stir-fried holy basil with chilli and minced pork or chicken, topped with a fried egg.
• Som tam – spicy green papaya salad from Isan, best with sticky rice and grilled chicken (gai yang).
• Khao soi – the north’s curry noodle soup with crispy noodles on top; a Chiang Mai must.
• Tom yum goong – hot-and-sour prawn soup with lemongrass and lime leaves.
• Massaman and green curry – milder, coconut-rich curries if you’re easing into the spice.
• Mango sticky rice – the dessert you’ll order every day in mango season (roughly March–June).
• Drinks – fresh coconut, Thai iced tea (cha yen) and a cold Chang or Singha beer at sunset.

Say “mai phet” for not spicy and “phet nit noi” for a little spicy – “Thai spicy” is a different level.

Top experiences and nature

• Island-hopping in Phang Nga Bay or around Koh Phi Phi by longtail or kayak.
• Diving and snorkelling – Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to get certified; the Similan Islands are seasonal and spectacular.
• National parks – Khao Sok’s jungle and lake, Khao Yai’s wildlife and waterfalls, Doi Inthanon (Thailand’s highest mountain) near Chiang Mai.
• Festivals – Songkran (Thai New Year, mid-April) and Loy Krathong with its floating lanterns and candles (usually November).
• Ethical animal experiences – choose sanctuaries where you observe elephants rather than ride them.

My honest local tips

• Dress for temples: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering – carry a light scarf or sarong.
• Respect the monarchy: criticising the royal family is a serious crime, and you’ll stand for the royal anthem in cinemas.
• Mind the head and feet: don’t touch people’s heads and never point your feet at people or Buddha images.
• Avoid common scams: “the Grand Palace is closed today”, gem shops and tuk-tuk “tours” that end at tailors.
• Don’t drink the tap water: use bottled water or the cheap refill stations you’ll find everywhere.
• Get proper insurance: one that covers scooters (with a valid licence) and diving if you plan to do either.

Beyond the border: easy trips from Thailand

Bangkok is one of Asia’s best flight hubs. Cambodia (Angkor), Laos and Malaysia are all close – check whether land crossings are open before you plan an overland route, as border crossings with Cambodia were closed for long periods during the 2025 tensions. For more ideas see my list of the best places to travel in Southeast Asia, the Blue Fire of Kawah Ijen in Indonesia, and the rest of my Asia travel guides.

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