A Guide to Solo Travel in Thailand

The massive popularity of recent HBO Series “White Lotus” has sparked a surging interest in Thailand as a travel destination, but the truth is it’s been the go-to country for wanderlust travellers for decades. Thanks to its affordability, stunning beaches, rich traditions, and friendly local culture, Thailand is historical the most visited country in all of Southeast Asia.

If you’re considering Thailand for a vacation, you may be wondering if it’s the kind of place best visited with a group, or if it’s suitable (and safe) to go as a solo traveller. Thailand is, in fact, a very safe and friendly country that is great for solo travellers, including female solo travellers.

We’re going to show you why Thailand can be a great solo holiday full of fun, sun, cultural immersion, and offer tips to always feel safe on your trip.

The best time to visit Thailand is between November and March. This is considered the dry season, with April tending to be one of the hottest months of the year before moving into the rainy months (May through October). The summer months can be quite wet and muggy.

A cruel ironic twist is that those summer months tend to be when Thailand is most affordable to get to. You’ll find the steepest discounts on flights and accommodations between July and September. The good news is that Thailand is generally a very affordable travel destination all year round. It’s why you see so many backpackers, students, and budget-minded travellers in Thailand – there is incredible value, as your currency can stretch much farther. Of course, as “White Lotus” showed us, opulent luxury is available if you so desire.

Another reason to time your visit in Thailand would be its plentiful festivals which run throughout the year, though mostly concentrated in the winter months. November contains two of the year’s most colorful and popular festivals – Yi Peng and Loy Krathong. The former is a beautiful occasion where participants release rice-paper lanterns into the sky, while Loy Krathong is when banana-leaf baskets filled with candles and flowers are released into lakes, rivers, and canals.

Other festivals of note are the Lunar New Year in January or February, and Songkran, a wild April festival that can only be described as a giant nation-wide water fight filled with parades and parties.

The average temperature in Thailand ranges between 18 and 38 degrees Celsius depending on when you visit. Needless to say it’s a humid, warm climate and you’re going to want to pack accordingly. Look to bring lightweight clothing made of breathable fabrics like linen, hemp, or bamboo.

Airy everyday clothing is also a Thailand travel essential. Think flowy skirts, billowing shirts, and lightweight shorts. Keep in mind that if you’re planning to visit Thai temples, you will need to dress modestly with attire that covers your knees. Many travellers bring the kind of pants that can convert into shorts (and vice versa) with a quick zip.

Travel insurance can help you visit Thailand with peace-of-mind for all those “just in case” scenarios. Whether it’s lost belongings, travel delays, or unexpected medical expenses, travel insurance can help you sleep a little better at night in your beach-side hammock. Be sure to check your credit card benefits, as many offer basic travel insurance. 

We’ll get a little more into safety later on, but in terms of packing essentials, one of the most common safeguard items visitors bring is a money belt. This will conceal and protect your valuable cash, cards, and passport. Other safety gadgets to consider are portable door locks, air tags, and a personal alarm that you can wear on your wrist. 

Lastly, an eSIM will keep your mobile device connected while you’re in Thailand. This minimises hassle and maximises convenience. You don’t have to swap out a physical card, and you can be connected as soon as you arrive in Bangkok. 

SIM cards are plentiful in Thailand, especially in urban centres like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. However, there are potential risks you should consider. For example, SIM cards are very small and easy to lose. Plus, installing them can be a challenge because they are generally not in English, and there is no guarantee the employee at the store where you bought it can help you. Their English skills could be minimal at best.

An eSIM card means no swapping out physical cards and/or searching for stores to buy them. It also relieves you from hunting for free WiFi connections. With a Thailand eSIM for tourists, you can be connected as soon as your plane touches down at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. In fact, an eSIM plan can be prepared on your mobile before you leave. Here’s a look at some easy and convenient Thailand eSIM plans:    

50 GB eSIM

Thailand

DTAC

Duration

10 Days

Plan

Data

Speed

4G / 5G

Price

$13.00

Buy Now

Best Value

Unlimited eSIM

Thailand

Smartroam

Duration

7 Days

Plan

Data

 

Price

$29.00

Buy Now

Top Seller

10 GB eSIM

Thailand

Smartroam

Duration

30 Days

Plan

Data

 

Price

$21.50

Buy Now

Unlimited eSIM

Thailand

Smartroam

Duration

15 Days

Plan

Data

 

Price

$49.25

Buy Now

Most trips to Thailand are going to start and end in Bangkok, thanks to its international airport. Don’t be in a rush to get to your next destination. Spend some time in this major international city full of wonderous Buddhist temples and statues, pulsating nightlife, floating river markets, mouth-watering cuisine, and more.

A popular gathering spot for international tourists and ex-pats is the Khaosan Road. It’s a good place to get your bearings while checking out Thai food, tourist bars, and foreigner-friendly travel agencies. The sights are too many to mention here, but top spots include The Grand Palace, Temple of the Reclining Buddha inside Wat Pho, nearby Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn), and the uniquely Thai Floating Market.  

From Bangkok, an hour flight (or 10-hour bus ride) will get you to Chiang Mai, a mountainous and historic city where you can tap into Thai nature and leave Bangkok’s hustle and bustle behind you. The city is over 700 years old, and that history is palpable when touring the vestiges of walls and moats in the Old City area. Other sights to take in include iconic temples like Wat Chedi Luang, elephant sanctuaries, Sticky Waterfall, night markets, and more.   

If you’re looking to get even deeper into nature, be sure to make a trek up north to Pai, which sits in a valley on the banks of the Pai River. Put away the sandals and get your shoes on for a hike on Pai Canyon, with its panoramic sunset views, or take a relaxing dip on the Pai Hot Springs. 

But what about the beaches? Thailand’s beaches are commonly regarded as some of the best in the world. And your first stop in Southern Thailand could be Krabi, a resort town on the Andaman coast. Here you can plant your flag on a white sandy beach, eat fresh fruit, and stare into the turquoise waters until the sun goes down.

Railay Beach, flanked by stunning limestone cliffs and mangrove forests, is an incredible place to visit in Krabi. There will be many longboats available for hire if you’d like to tour the area, or you could rent a kayak and do it yourself. Other activities include Tiger Cave Temple perched on a mountain and Krabi Elephant Sanctuary.    

On the other side of Southern Thailand is the gulf coast where you’ll find even more spectacular beach destinations, including Koh Tao. Just north of equally stunning islands Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao is a tropical paradise that’s frequented by snorkelling and scuba enthusiasts. There are plenty of snorkelling tours where you can swim with turtles and observe incredible underwater nature. It’s also a splendid location for hiking up to the famous viewpoints at Koh Nang Yuan, or just chilling on beaches like Sairee Beach, where you’ll find charming local hospitality with tables set right on the beach.   

Ever had a delicious plate of Pad Thai and wondered, “how do they get those unique flavours?” One of the most popular things to do solo in Thailand is a cooking class because you get to immerse yourself in the local culture in a way you don’t get by sightseeing and taking pictures.

Cooking class teach you about local cultures and traditions. For example, a half day cooking class in Chiang Mai or Bangkok can include shopping for ingredients at the local market before participating in a culinary class where you learn how to make curry dishes, soups, spring rolls, and more. If you’re travelling solo, it’s also a great way to meet other like-minded travellers.  

As a practicing Buddhist country, Thailand contains some of the world’s most awe-inspiring temples. And you will be hard-pressed to go anywhere without seeing at least one Wat (temple). Bangkok’s temples are on the grandest scale. Some we already mentioned, such as Wat Pho and Wat Arun, but there is also Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Phra Kaew as must-see temples in the capital city. Be warned though, temple burnout is a real thing and can happen if you visit too many. 

Northern Thailand is packed with mountain peaks, hidden temples, and waterfalls that make for great hiking destinations. One of the most popular trails is the Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail within a national park outside Chiang Mai. You’ll pass a forest of mossy trees, waterfall, and bright-green grassland before reaching a stunning aerial viewpoint. Hiking is also popular in Southern Thailand where you’ll get ocean views and jungle trails.       

With so many islands and coastal resort towns, the opportunities for snorkelling in Southern Thailand are ubiquitous. As mentioned earlier, Koh Tao is a top destination for snorkelling. Tanote Bay, for example, is a well-known spot to snorkel close to the shore, or hire a boat tour to see sea turtles and the occasional reef sharks. Also, Pileh Lagoon near Koh Phi Phi is an incredible lagoon with a coral reef and crystal-clear waters.

Before deciding on Thailand as your holiday destination, you may ask yourself “is Thailand safe for solo female travellers?” That’s a fair question. Thailand is safe for solo female travellers because it is generally a very tourist-friendly country with minimal language barrier.

But like every country, it has its share of scam artists looking to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. One common scam to be on the lookout for is Tuk Tuk drivers in Bangkok offering “guided tours.” Instead of taking you to the Grand Palace, for example, they will lie and say it's closed that day. Instead, they will reroute you to a jewelry store where they get a kickback from the owner.

Be sure to use well-known tourist-operator guides. We recommend staying with a tour group and decline single tour guides offering his/her services.

For female solo travellers, Thailand is very accommodating because there is already so much travel infrastructure in place. To ensure transport safety, it’s best to book first-class for travel on trains and buses, if available. It’s easy to spend a little more to feel safe because the country is so affordable. Spend that extra baht (Thai currency) on a taxi instead of public transportation, for example.

As we’ve said repeatedly, Thailand is very affordable and there’s generally no reason to stay at a hostel unless you are on a rock-bottom budget or you’re looking for a raucous experience. The hostels in and around the Khaosan Road will be party zones that are great for meeting people, but maybe you want a little peace at night; not to mention some privacy?

Think about what kind of experience you’re looking for. There are hotels in the area that are both affordable and not an all-night party. And you can still wander around the restaurants and bars where it’s extremely easy to meet fellow travellers. You all have at least one thing in common: you’re looking to make travel memories for a lifetime.