You’ve been dreaming about Thailand for ages – palm trees, warm seas, fiery food for next to nothing, and the temples you’ve seen all over your friends’ photos. But then come the practical questions that send your plans straight back into the drawer: how much does the whole thing actually cost, when’s the best time to fly so the monsoon doesn’t soak you, and should you book a package or risk going it alone? The two of us have been through it all, and we know just how much a few concrete numbers can quiet a busy mind.
This page is our hub, where you’ll find three things together: up-to-date tour and flight prices that we refresh every morning, our tips from our own trips and articles, and a plan for when and what to book so you don’t overpay for no reason.
What to see and do in Thailand
There are a hundred ways to do Thailand, but in our book there are a few spots you really shouldn’t skip. If you want to see as much as possible without chaotic dashing around, take a look at our 2-week itinerary – we’ve tried and tested it, and it works just as well for families as it does for couples.
- Bangkok – hectic, noisy and wonderful. Grand temples, floating markets and street food you’ll remember for years. Most trips start here anyway.
- The most beautiful places in Thailand – from the temples up north to the limestone cliffs in the gulf, we’ve put together 20 tips you can build almost any route around.
- Koh Samui – our favourite island for a slower pace: beaches, waterfalls and easy access by plane.
- Riding a scooter – the cheapest and most freeing way to explore an island or its surroundings. Even if you’ve never sat on one, we’ll show you how.
When to visit Thailand
The most pleasant weather across much of Thailand runs from November to April – dry, sunny and with bearable humidity. This is high season, and flight and accommodation prices reflect it. By contrast, May to October brings the monsoon with short but heavy downpours; it’s rarely an all-day deluge, so you can travel then for lower prices too.
Just bear in mind that the weather differs between the west and east coasts. While Phuket, for instance, gets rain from May, the islands in the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) have their worst spell more in October and November. In the tour listings we mostly see departures in January, February, March, April, June, July, August and September – a mix of the dry season and European holidays.
Our tip: if you can handle the heat and want to save, aim for the shoulder months (April, September). In April you’ll also catch the Songkran water festival – the Thai New Year, when the whole country turns into one giant water-pistol battle. ☺️
Když se nás kamarádi ptají, co v Thajsku rozhodně nevynechat, vždycky vytáhneme tenhle seznam. Jsou to zážitky, které nás samotné nadchly a na které vzpomínáme nejvíc:
- Plovoucí trhy a chrámy v Bangkoku – ochutnejte street food přímo z lodičky a zajděte do Velkého paláce.
- Výlet lodí na vápencové ostrovy – zátoky, laguny a šnorchlování ve smaragdové vodě patří k tomu nejhezčímu, co Thajsko nabízí.
- Projížďka na skútru – vlastní tempo, skryté pláže a vodopády, kam se autobusem nedostanete.
- Etická setkání se slony – vybírejte výhradně rezervace, kde se na slonech nejezdí a kde se o ně skutečně starají.
- Vodopády a vyhlídky na Koh Samui – krásná kombinace pláží a vnitrozemí na jednom ostrově.
- Thajská masáž a kurz vaření – naučíte se uvařit pad thai a domů si přivezete víc než jen fotky.
How to get to Thailand
Getting from the Czech Republic to Thailand always means one stopover – there’s no direct flight. The most common connections are through the Persian Gulf (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha) or Istanbul, or via the big European airports. The total journey including the layover comes to roughly 13–16 hours, depending on how long you wait. You fly either from Prague or from nearby airports like Vienna and Wrocław, where prices are sometimes better.
The country’s main gateway is Bangkok (both BKK and DMK), from where you carry on either by a domestic flight (to Koh Samui or Phuket, say) or a combination of bus and ferry. If you’re planning several stops, it pays to book domestic flights in advance – they’re cheap and save you whole days of travel. You’ll find specific connections and tips in our article Thailand without a tour operator.
Z Česka se do Thajska létá vždy s jedním přestupem – nejčastěji přes Dubaj, Dauhá, Abú Zabí nebo Istanbul, z Prahy i z blízkých letišť jako Vídeň. Hlavní bránou je Bangkok (BKK, příp. DMK), odkud pokračujete vnitrostátním letem na regionální letiště jako Phuket nebo Koh Samui. Víc tipů najdete v článku Thajsko bez cestovky.
Renting a car
A car is worth it in Thailand mainly for longer trips on the mainland or on the larger islands, where you want comfort and you’re carrying kids or plenty of luggage. For most travellers, though, a combination of domestic flights, ferries and a scooter is more than enough – Bangkok traffic is tough and parking is a hassle. If you’re not used to driving on the left, it’s better to consider a driver with a car (Grab), which tends to be cheap.
- Where to book: booking through rental comparison sites in advance gets you a better price and a guaranteed car; on the spot you risk higher rates and limited choice.
- Insurance: pay extra for full coverage (CDW) with no excess – minor damage is common here and a pain to deal with.
- Deposit and documents: you’ll need an international driving permit and a card hold; without it, your insurance may not pay out in an accident.
- Tolls and ferries: budget for charges on the expressways and bear in mind that a ferry to an island makes a car significantly more expensive.
Where to stay in Thailand
Accommodation in Thailand is one of the most delightful things about the whole trip – you get a lot of bang for your buck. In Bangkok we recommend staying near a BTS Skytrain or MRT metro station so you can zip right across the city. On the islands, focus mainly on how far you are from the beach and the evening buzz.
- Hostels and guesthouses – from just a few hundred crowns a night, ideal for backpackers and solo travellers.
- Boutique hotels and resorts – fantastic value for money, often with a pool on the islands for a reasonable price.
- Beachfront bungalows – on Koh Samui or Koh Phangan you’ll get a slice of romance for a fraction of European prices.
Our tip: book your first 2–3 nights after landing in advance (you’ll arrive tired), then sort out the rest on the spot or just a few days ahead. In high season, though, the good spots vanish fast – in December and January, book ahead to be safe.
Package tour or independent travel?
This one question shapes your whole holiday, so let’s talk it through honestly. Both options make sense in Thailand – it comes down to what you want from the trip.
A package is worth it when…
- you want your flight, transfer and hotel sorted with one click and no fuss;
- it’s your first time in Asia and you’ll value the reassurance and support of a tour operator;
- you’re travelling with kids or for a shorter time and don’t want to deal with logistics;
- you come across a discount of up to 60% or a price from 1,200 Kč that beats booking everything separately.
Go it alone when…
- you want your own pace, more stops and the flexibility to change plans as you go;
- you enjoy hunting down accommodation and transport and want to save as much as possible;
- you’re planning a road trip across several islands and regions – see our 2-week itinerary.
The two of us love Thailand best on our own – it gives us freedom and is an adventure in itself. But for first-time travellers and families with small children, we honestly recommend starting with a package; the confidence for future trips will come on its own. ☺️ Our guide to going solo is in the article Thailand without a tour operator.
−5 %
−2 %
Budget: daily costs in Thailand
| Level | Accommodation | Food | Transport & activities | Total/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 250–450 Kč | 150–250 Kč | 150–300 Kč | approx. 600–1,000 Kč |
| Standard | 700–1,400 Kč | 350–600 Kč | 400–700 Kč | approx. 1,500–2,700 Kč |
| Comfort | 2,500 Kč+ | 800–1,500 Kč | 1,000 Kč+ | approx. 4,500 Kč+ |
These prices are indicative and based on Thailand’s cost of living, where you can get by very cheaply. Street food and local transport keep costs low; you’ll spend the most on island trips, diving and domestic flights. Flights and accommodation aren’t included in this table — budget for them separately.
How to save when planning
- Buy flights 2–4 months ahead for high season (November–February); in the shoulder months, last-minute buys can bring prices down too. Search for flights in our search tool.
- Book winter tours as first-minute deals (buying in autumn) or go the other way with last-minute if you’re flexible and want a discount of over 60%. Take a look at the current tours.
- Accommodation – only book ahead for your first nights and for capacity in December/January; you can sort out the rest more cheaply on the spot. Our accommodation tips will help.
- Domestic flights and popular trips (diving, islands) – book early, as they tend to be pricier and sold out on the spot. See what to book early.
- Where you’ll overpay most: taxis without a meter, airport currency exchanges and trips from beach hawkers. Haggle and compare.
Practical information
- Language: the official language is Thai, but in tourist areas you’ll get by just fine with English.
- Payments: you can pay by card in hotels and larger shops, but street food, markets and tuk-tuks want cash (baht). ATMs charge a fee of around 220 baht per withdrawal – take out larger amounts at once.
- Connectivity: the easiest option is an eSIM, which you activate before you fly so you’re online the moment you land. Wi-Fi is common, but you’ll appreciate your own data for maps and a translator.
- Safety: Thailand is one of the safer destinations. Keep an eye on your things in crowds, watch the traffic (they drive on the left) and don’t underestimate the strength of the sun.
One extra little tip from us: always carry travel insurance – treatment for tourists isn’t free in Thailand, and a scooter accident can cost serious money. Also check the current visa-free entry conditions before you travel, as they do change.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
How much does a holiday in Thailand cost?
How do I get from the Czech Republic to Thailand?
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
Is a package or going it alone the better choice?
How do I handle internet and phone in Thailand?
Is Thailand safe?
Is it worth renting a car in Thailand?
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
