How to Get Around Thailand in 2023
Navigating the diverse and enchanting landscapes of Thailand is an adventure in itself. From bustling cities to serene islands, this Southeast Asian gem offers a myriad of transportation options for travelers.
In this article, we will explore the various ways to get around Thailand. This will include public transport in Thailand, Thai trains, buses, taxis, tuk-tuks in Thailand, boats, and more.
Discover travel tips, essential information, and hidden gems as we guide you through the vibrant streets and scenic highways of this captivating country. With this in mind, make sure to check out all the Dos and don’ts when visiting Thailand!
Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, are the best products possible whilst travelling.
Transport options in Thailand
Trains
Using trains to get around Thailand is not only a practical mode of transportation but also a great way to experience the country’s picturesque landscapes.
The State Railway of Thailand operates an extensive rail network connecting major cities and regions. Whether you’re travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, or exploring the southern regions, trains offer comfort and convenience.
From plush sleeper cabins to affordable seats, you can choose the option that suits your budget and preferences. However, do be warned that first class, second class and third class will be very different to what you’re used to. If you ever board a night train to Chiang Mai, you’ll regret getting anything but first class, trust us!
Nonetheless, sit back, relax, and watch the scenic countryside pass by as you traverse through the beautiful countryside. With its reliable schedules and reasonable fares, train travel in Thailand adds an extra dimension of adventure to your journey.
Pros of getting around by train
- Affordable
- Can go across the country
Cons of getting around by train
- time-consuming
- not the comfiest
Buses and Shuttles
Buses and shuttles are a popular and cost-effective way to get around Thailand, providing extensive coverage across the country. From long-haul journeys between cities to short trips within a specific region, these transportation options offer flexibility and affordability.
Numerous bus companies operate both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned services, catering to different budgets. Additionally, shuttle vans are commonly used for shorter distances, especially for popular tourist routes.
While bus and shuttle travel may take longer than other modes of transportation, it allows you to interact with fellow travelers. With frequent departures and convenient schedules, buses and shuttles provide a reliable means to explore Thailand’s diverse landscapes and vibrant destinations.
Nothing is more evident of this than the road from Chiang Mai to Pai. Pai is a beautiful village in northern Thailand and an absolute must-visit on your trip to the country. However, the scenery along your trip is stunning and is a sight to behold. This route really provides an example of how beautiful Thailand really is and we can’t recommend it enough!
Plane
Using planes to get around Thailand is an efficient and time-saving option, especially for long distances. With several domestic airlines, most notably Bangkok Airways, you can easily fly between major cities and popular tourist destinations.
Flying allows you to cover vast distances quickly, reducing travel time and maximizing your time at each destination. Whether you’re hopping from Bangkok to Koh Samui, Chiang Mai to Phuket or exploring the Thai islands, domestic flights offer convenience and comfort.
While prices vary, booking in advance or taking advantage of promotional offers can make air travel within Thailand more affordable. Soaring through the sky provides a unique perspective of Thailand’s breathtaking landscapes, ensuring a memorable and seamless travel experience.
Tuk tuks and Songthaews
Tuk-tuks are iconic three-wheeled vehicles and are a popular and unique mode of transportation in Thailand. Found in bustling cities and tourist hotspots, tuk tuks offer a thrilling and adventurous way to navigate through the streets. They are ideal for short distances and provide a quick and convenient ride, especially in heavy traffic.
Negotiating fares beforehand is common, so be prepared to haggle. Tuk tuks offer an authentic Thai experience, with their open-air design allowing you to soak in the sights, sounds, and vibrant atmosphere. However, keep in mind that tuk-tuks may not have meters, so agree on a price before embarking on your journey. Enjoy the exhilaration of zipping through the streets of Thailand in these colourful and charismatic vehicles.
Similarly, Songthaews are just bigger tuk tuks and are often modified jeeps or minivans to allow for more passengers. Many of the Sonthaews we saw was used by tour companies but we did see a few Songthaew taxis on Ko Pha Ngan. These are also a great way of getting around as they provide you with a great opportunity to meet new people!
Taxis
Taxis are a convenient and widely available mode of transportation in Thailand, offering a comfortable and efficient way to get around. Whether you’re in bustling cities or remote areas, taxis provide door-to-door service and can be hailed easily.
Metered taxis are common in major cities like Bangkok, ensuring fair and transparent pricing. In other areas, make sure to negotiate the fare in advance to avoid any confusion. You’ll find loads of taxis situated at each end of Khaosan Road waiting to take people back after an evening of partying!
Taxis are especially useful when travelling with luggage or in groups. While they may be slightly more expensive than other modes of transportation, taxis offer convenience, comfort, and the opportunity to navigate Thailand with ease, making them a reliable choice for travelers.
Boats
Boats are an essential mode of transportation for exploring the stunning coastal areas and islands of Thailand. From long-tail boats to speedboats and ferries, there are various options available.
In popular tourist destinations like Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Phi Phi, long-tail boats are a common means of transportation. They all offer scenic rides and access to secluded beaches, many of which house some incredible restaurants like the ones in Koh Tao. They’re also an essential use for extra-curricular activities such as scuba diving or snorkelling. We ended up scuba diving in Koh Tao and it was one of the best things we’ve ever done and highly recommend it!
Ferries connect the mainland to nearby islands, providing a convenient way to hop between destinations. Speedboats offer faster travel for those seeking to reach remote and less accessible areas. Navigating Thailand’s turquoise waters by boat allows you to soak in the breathtaking coastal scenery and enjoy a unique perspective of this tropical paradise.
Walking
Walking is actually a surprisingly easy way to get around lots of the areas in Thailand, especially in comparison to getting around Bali. Obviously, you aren’t going to be able to walk from town to town but we would recommend checking out an area before you plan to rent a moped or car, as you might not need one!
We found it very easy to get around places like Phi Phi or Koh Tao and we didn’t need to use any other modes of transport when we were there.
Pros of walking
- Free!
- You get more time to take in the views and explore a bit more.
- Easier to get your bearings.
Cons of walking around Thailand
- Can’t go long distances.
- If it’s a hot day, walking around can be unbearable.
- You will have to be careful of traffic, wires and massive holes in the ground which are pretty common.
Booking your transport in Thailand
12Go Asia
We used 12Go Asia countless times during our months in Thailand and throughout our South East Asia trip in general. It’s super easy to use and you can immediately compare the different transport options available on each day. This allows you to get from A to B as cheaply or as quickly as you like! We ended up being very flexible for our travel days as 12Go Asia would outline which was the most affordable journey.
It can sometimes be cheaper to book your individual journeys yourself if you’re going on a long journey with a few transfers. However, by booking on 12Go Asia, they manage all your transfers for you which makes for a lot less stressful trip.
Tourist Centres
Tourist centres are a great option for booking your transport around Thailand. You can find them on pretty much every street in the popular towns and while we were a bit sceptical at first, we had no problems booking through them!
We booked our trip to Phi Phi from the tourist kiosk in Phuket and they arranged everything for us, even hotel pick-up for a great price. We did the same when travelling from Railay Beach all the way to Koh Samui and again had no issues.
Tourist centres are a good choice if you are looking for stress-free travel as they handle it all. Lists can fill up quite quickly so we’d advise you to book two days before you intend on traveling. You may also even get a better price for booking earlier!
Accommodation
If you aren’t going too far and would just like a taxi or a tuk-tuk into town from your hostel or hotel, always ask at the reception first. They often have drivers that they work with that can offer good prices.
Ride Hailing Apps
A real lifesaver for getting around town is ride-hailing apps like Grab and Gojek. Even if you don’t actually book through them and you just use them to gauge the price, they came in handy a lot so we highly recommend downloading them! If you aren’t planning on getting a Thai sim card for your visit, download them before you go so that they are connected to your phone number as you might struggle to register once you are already in Thailand without a Thai number.
Planning your route around Thailand
To get around Thailand effectively, you need to be really careful when planning your route around the country. You absolutely have to go to the full moon party in Ko Phangan and we based our route around attending. We’d also highly recommend going in one big circle so you’re not cutting back on yourself and wasting money. You should also follow a solid trail, don’t go too far off the beaten track and visiting everything Thailand is famous for.
Renting Vehicles in Thailand
Pretty much everyone travelling Thailand will end up renting a moped at some point. The country is built to bike around and it has to be one of the easiest methods, if you know what you are doing. So if you are confident, go for it! You’ll be able to rent one for as little as 150 baht ($4.30) per day.
There are motorcycle rentals in Thailand in every tourist destination within the country. Make sure to shop around, compare prices and please check Google reviews before picking your rental. If you are staying in hostels, this is an ideal place to ask where the best place to rent vehicles from as they will have trusted companies to recommend.
One thing we will say is to make sure your travel insurance covers renting a vehicle. We met a lot of backpackers who had gotten in an accident and had to fork out thousands of pounds for medical treatment!
Renting a car, on the other hand, is much less common. Unless you are visiting Thailand as a family, it isn’t something we would recommend. It is very expensive and the roads in Thailand are pretty chaotic to even the most experienced drivers.
Extra tips for getting around Thailand
Try to learn to ride a moped before you arrive in Thailand
If you are planning on renting a motorbike during your time in Thailand, make sure you learn to drive one first! If you have never ridden a bike before, Bangkok is not going to be a great place to start!
Take a couple of lessons in your home country so you feel more confident when you arrive. As an extra tip, make sure you get an international driver’s licence before your visit too!
Don’t hand over your passport
Sometimes when renting a vehicle in Thailand, the shops will ask you to hand over your passport as a deposit in order to rent a bike or car. We strongly recommend against doing this and you should agree on another deposit method. We met a lot of people who got their passports stolen in Southeast Asia and it is a lengthy process to get a new one!
Haggle
Thailand is a country where haggling is really normal so if you feel like you are getting ripped off, haggle down the price. Just remember that people are just trying to earn a living so always be polite and respectful.
Use ride-hailing apps as a guide price
It’s always best to not use ride-hailing apps like Uber and Grab where possible as a percentage of what you pay will go to the company rather than your driver. For that reason, we often used the apps to find a guide price for our route and then haggled the local drivers down to that price. It is not uncommon for tourists to get ripped off when it comes to tuk-tuk and taxi prices so it is best to have a rough guide price.
FAQs for getting around Thailand
The best method for getting around Thailand is likely a mixture of different options. Renting a moped is the best way to get around individual areas in Thailand and a lot of the north of the country. However, over a larger distance, you’ll need buses or trains. Obviously, going to the Thai islands you’ll need to use ferries and/or boats.
Our guide to what Thailand is famous for has everything you need to know about the best places to visit and why!
Booking transport in advance is not always necessary in Thailand, especially for shorter trips within cities or nearby destinations. However, for long-distance journeys, popular routes, or during peak travel seasons, it is advisable to book in advance to secure your preferred mode of transportation and avoid last-minute availability issues.
While Thailand is generally a safe destination, it’s advisable to exercise caution and avoid areas near the Thai-Myanmar border. Due to ongoing security issues, we’d advise to stay away from the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Songkhla.
Yes, it is relatively easy to get around Thailand without speaking Thai. Many locals, especially in tourist areas, have some understanding of English. Signs and menus are often available in English as well. We’d recommend learning a few phrases in Thai if you are planning to spend some time there as the locals really appreciate the effort!
Yes, ferries in Thailand are generally considered safe. The majority of ferry operators adhere to safety regulations and maintain their vessels to ensure passenger security. It’s important to choose reputable and licensed ferry companies, follow safety instructions, and be mindful of weather conditions for a smooth and secure journey.
Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, are the best products possible whilst travelling.
