Thailand is well known for being the bold starting spot for brave backpackers, but also as a bliss escape destination for couples and families. The country is bursting with culture, cuisine and coasts with near infinite activities and sights to indulge in.
You have probably seen the picturesque crystal waters and I can confirm, they are even more breath-taking in person! But, how will you get there? What if you want to also experience the bustling streets of Bangkok? There are 436 miles between Khao San Road and the shores of Phi Phi Islands and even I, do not have hiking shoes to withstand that. Having spent a collective of 4 months across Thailand, I am writing this blog to share how I travelled throughout, to see all the best bits.
By Plane
Internal flights are often super cheap, around £20-30. The main hub is in Bangkok, so you will often have to fly via there if going from south to north. You will not find big food chains like McDonalds in the smaller airports, so take snacks or try local food. However, in Bangkok there is a Burger king and Subway.
Shanni’s Top Tips
– Hand luggage is usually included, but with a lighter weight restriction than other international lines. Your hand luggage needs to be 7kg or under.
– If you are flying from your home country to Phuket. Look at booking a flight to Bangkok and then a separate flight to Phuket, this is often £100 cheaper.
– Food venues are available before security. Eat after you have checked the bags, but before you go through security or you will be living off coffee and cake.
Thailand by boat
Boats are a great way to get from island to island and back to the mainland. Of course, you can get a flight to some islands such as Koh Samui, but it is much more money efficient to hop on deck. Here are some boat companies I have used: Andaman Wave Master, Phi Phi Cruiser, Raja Ferries, Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, Songserm.
Shanni’s Top Tips
– I do not recommend the upgrade/First class on boats to islands, as this is often just a clear door separation with the same style plastic seats.
– You can book online or at tourist kiosks. Make sure you keep the receipt as you will be denied boarding without it (Or have to pay again).
– For all boats and buses I used, I was given a sticker which helps with boarding.
By Long tail boat
An intsagrammable pulling factor to visit the islands, Long Tailed Boats, are colourful, cultural and give you that true Thailand feel. They can get a little bit bumpy, so not for those who get seasick.
– You can hire privately or get on with other passengers for a cheaper fare.
Thailand by bus
I love cross country buses! They are certainly not luxury, but they allow you to see so much more of the country for a fraction of the price. Here are some companies I have used in Thailand: Lanta/Phantip. I often went through 12GO for bookings.
Shanni’s Top Tips
– Always arrive 30-60 minutes early as busses will not wait and you may need some time to figure out which platform/stop it will leave from
– Bring snacks as they do not always have pit stops
By train
Famous among backpackers, is the overnight train from Bangkok to Chaing Mai. Sleeping on a train is a novel experience for travellers and is definitely an experience I would recommend. The journey takes roughly 13 hours and the attendants will come and make your bed at 7pm and put it back down at 6.30am. The beds were comfy and came with a privacy curtain. I managed to sleep from 10pm till 4am and was pleasantly surprised at the toilet standard for my middle of the night wee. I again booked with 12GO. We arrived at the office to pick up the tickets. They provided us with a bottle of water each and a partial refund due to price fluctuations, Bonus!
Of course, there are some other trains across Thailand such as the Bangkok BTS sky train which is great for navigating the busy city.
Shanni’s Top Tips
– Book in advance, especially for the overnight trains.
– The lights do not go off on the overnight train, so bring an eye mask.
Thailand by taxi
Unlike many destinations, paying for a taxi in Thailand will not break the bank. Where a 40 minute journey at home in the UK would cost around £60, in Thailand it would cost around £10. Which means you can defiantly do a full day café crawl in Bangkok.
Shanni’s Top Tips
-If hailing a street taxi, always agree on a price before you get in. Lots of tourists will be charged extortionate prices on the meter.
-Download the apps (Bolt/Grab ) and share your journey with friends and family for extra security. I always felt safer using these companies, rather than local taxis as they are being tracked by the app and cannot overcharge you.
-TukTuk’s are a cool experience and are cheap in non tourist areas.
Transport decisions are based on preference and budget. As I travel on a low budget, I often opted for the cheapest transport that got me from A to B. This left me with more funds for awesome experiences such as Carnival Magic or Island hopping. Most of these options have or first class tickets, if that’s more your style. However you choose to get there, just get there! Thailand’s aura is not to be missed.
Read more about Thailand HERE!