Your Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel in Thailand: Tips, Destinations, and Itinerary

This article is reviewed regularly by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated December 2024

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Key takeaways 

• Thailand’s warm locals and vibrant solo traveler community make it a welcoming destination for individual explorers.

• Thailand provides convenient visa options, including visa exemptions and visa-on-arrival.

• Late November to early December offers cool weather and fewer crowds, ideal for exploring cultural sites and natural wonders.

Why choose Thailand for solo travel?

For solo travelers, Thailand is a must-visit destination. The country offers unique adventures tailored to your schedule, pace, and preferences while you engage with the welcoming culture of its people.

Safe for solo travel 

Thailand is known for being one of the safest destinations for solo travelers. Commonly tagged as the  ‘Land of Smiles,’ Thailand stands out for its hospitable locals eager to help visitors with their travel concerns and directions, offering advice with their signature friendly and warm smiles.

In fact, Thailand is a frequently visited destination of solo travelers, so your exploration of the Kingdom’s culture will not be limited to simple hi’s and hello’s with cheerful locals but will be coupled with probable connections formed with other curious solo travelers.

Unique experiences

Thailand is mainly renowned for its capital city, Bangkok, which is home to some major tourist attractions, including shop-filled streets, towering buildings, luxury malls, popular expansive grocery stores and supermarkets with low-cost deals and discounted products, and more.

However, if you move past the city, you will get to marvel at the nation’s natural wonders, such as the Phi Phi islands located in the Krabi province. Here, you can enjoy tranquil seascapes, interact with playful monkeys, or partake in activities like diving, snorkeling, and kayaking in crystal-clear waters surrounded by pristine sandy shores. 

How to plan your solo travel to Thailand?

Visa and travel requirements

Thailand offers visa exemption and visa-on-arrival facilities for many countries. Before you book your flights and craft your itinerary, check if your passport falls within these categories. If not, you can apply for a tourist visa so you can pursue your solo travel to Thailand.

When packing for your trip, ensure your travel documents are complete. Print out your proof of accommodations, check if your passport is valid, and have your departure and return tickets on hand to show upon landing in Thailand.

Budgeting and transportation options

Expenses on solo traveling across Thailand vary depending on your transportation choices. Local buses offer the most convenience and are the least costly option. Commuting through local buses typically costs around 12 THB (1.28 AED) to 1000 THB (106 AED), depending on your destination and travel origin.

If you prefer to travel by train or MRT, you can also purchase a one-day pass ticket costing 150 THB (15.97 AED).

Various options are available for solo travelers when it comes to choosing accommodations. You can choose to rent an Airbnb, where prices start at 24 THB (2.5 AED). Hotel accommodations are also available whether you choose to stay in Bangkok, Krabi, or Ayutthaya, with prices beginning at around 1,300 THB (138)

Top destinations for solo travelers in Thailand

Thailand is a treasure trove for solo travelers, offering a blend of rich cultural and historical sites alongside ultimate shopping havens.

Book cheap flights to Thailand

Rich cultural & historical sites

Thailand is a nation of interwoven cultures, as is evident across the country. Here are some cultural and heritage sites that you might want to visit: 

The Grand Palace

There is no better place to experience the culture of Thailand than the Grand Palace, located in Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. The majestic design of the Grand Palace, consisting of multiple buildings, temples, and architectural displays, was built for the former King Rama I to King Rama V. Every hall is adorned with vivid, life-like paintings that depict still-motion displays of the history of the royals and the daily lives of the people.

Its name truly fits its architecture, which is nothing less than grand. Intricately designed houses and buildings, each adorned with gold, comprise the former royal residence.

Ayutthaya

Naturally, as a solo traveler, you might be looking for a relaxing pace in some parts of your trip as a break from the hustle and bustle of the day to day life. If so, you might want to check out Wat Phra Si Sanphet, where sun rays stream across the ruins and illuminate the land, creating picture-perfect views for you to capture and take selfies with. 

Wat Phra That Doi Kham

Nestled in the depths of Chiang Mai, a beautiful city known for its ancient stories, majestic temples, and towering statues, Wat Phra That Doi Kham is a must-see. This Buddhist temple is known for its 17-meter-tall Buddha statue, which has been carefully crafted and molded in gold.

Also found in Wat Phra That Doi Kham is a long staircase designed with serpents and a wave-like fashion called ‘the Naga staircase,’ which consists of 306 steps and shows a picturesque view of Chiang Mai. By sunset, the skies blend with orange and pink hues, creating a breathtaking atmosphere that will have you relishing such a moment in your solo travel.

Ultimate shopping havens

Despite your solo travel, you can still have that much-deserved shopping spree and go on a massive retail therapy that will relieve all your stress. Check out the list below for a quick guide on the best places to shop till you drop:

Chatuchak market

Just because you’re on solo travel does not mean you can’t go on a shopping spree and treat yourself to Thailand’s largest weekend market. With over 15,000 stalls across 35 acres of land, the infamous market has everything you could want and dream of, from delicious delicacies to exquisitely designed arts and antiques, as well as multiple fashion pieces to choose from!

The Chatuchak market is usually flocked on weekends as the entire market is open from 9 AM to 6 PM. However, the market is still open on weekdays with the following schedule:

• Wednesday to Thursday (plant section only): 7 AM to 6 PM
• Friday (wholesale products): 6 AM to 12 PM

CentralwOrld

As Bangkok’s largest lifestyle shopping destination, CentralwOrld offers top retail brands such as Adidas, Nike, Gentle Woman, NaRaya, Lululemon, and more. It also has a tourist zone where you can buy authentic local products to take home for your friends and family.

This ultimate travel destination in Thailand holds various events and promos all year round that you wouldn’t want to miss during your solo travel. For example, if you visit Thailand during the holiday season, you can visit Amazing Thailand station’s Merry Ville from 5 November 2024 to 5 January 2025, enriching your solo travel trip into an unforgettable wintry vacation!

Big C supermarket

Your solo travel to Thailand will not be complete without a trip to the Big C! This go-to major supermarket sells quality products at unbelievably low prices. Valuable deals and discounts are available for both wholesale and single purchases of local and international goods.

Big C supermarkets are scattered across Bangkok, offering consistent shopping excitement and deals you won’t want to miss, no matter the location.

What is an itinerary for solo travel in Thailand like?

A well-structured itinerary can enhance your solo trip to Thailand by streamlining your exploration, sightseeing, and shopping activities, making the most of your journey

As a renowned tourist destination, Thailand is home to various international airports across its provinces and cities; here’s a sample itinerary for a 5-day solo travel trip to Thailand, landing in Bangkok:

Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok

Upon your arrival at the Don Mueang International Airport, you can head directly to the main city of Bangkok. You can travel by train, which offers the most convenience as the train station is mere minutes away from the airport. Tickets priced at 33 THB (3.5 AED) can be purchased through vending machines or ticket booths at the Mueang Train Station. The Red Line train service will be approximately 15 minutes, departing every 20 minutes.

Once you have settled into your accommodations and taken a bit of rest, you can head to central Bangkok and stroll the buzzing streets filled with sizzling grills, delicious treats, and shopping delights. 

Day 2: Discover Bangkok’s highlights

To begin your adventure of discovering Thailand, head off to the BTS Siam station and book a Silom line ticket to the National Stadium. This ticket would cost you around 16 THB (1.7 AED) and is the nearest station that will take you to the MBK center, where you can shop and dine in one of Bangkok’s famous shopping malls.

While in the Siam area,  you can enjoy the immense creativity displayed in Madame Tussauds Bangkok. For a single ticket priced at 711THB (76 AED), you can take pictures with your favorite celebrity wax figures! To get a glimpse of the mesmerizing views and skyline of Bangkok, be sure to visit the Mahanakhon SkyWalk; each ticket is sold at 850 THB (90 AED).

Day 3: Immerse in Bangkok’s culture

To immerse yourself in Thailand’s culture, visit the Grand Palace in Phra Nakhon. The best way to reach the former home of the royals is by bus, which directly stops at the Grand Palace. Tickets are sold at a low cost of around 17 THB (1.80 AED) to 24 THB (2.5 AED).

Near the majestic complex that housed the former king, other heritage sites can be explored within walking distance of the Grand Palace, such as the City Pillar Shrine, a sacred place believed to be a blessing for people who pay their respects. Locals and tourists bow their heads before the pillar in hopes of seeking prosperity and good fortune.

Afterward, you can take a breather at Saranrom Park, a place that offers serenity to relax after a hefty day of walking under the sun. Originally built for the former queen and princess, Saranrom Park will be a place for you to cool down, stretch, and take in the garden scenery.

Day 4: Explore and discover Thailand through Ayutthaya

Surely Bangkok is not the only place in the Kingdom of Thailand where you can appreciate the vibrant culture of its ancient history that is embedded in various architectural designs. 

The next stop for your third day in Bangkok would be a day trip to the home of one of the historic UNESCO heritage sites in Thailand. Since Ayutthaya is approximately a 90-minute travel from Bangkok, we recommend you navigate the historic city for an entire day. You can board an early train at the Hua Lamphong station, which offers the fastest travel between the two cities. Ticket costs vary on your seat preference, but prices range from 20 THB (2.12 AED)  to 1,000 THB (106 AED).

There are various attractions to explore at Ayutthaya for curious solo travelers. One of which is the Wat Mahathat, an ancient temple frequently visited by tourists. Wat Mahathat holds significance in the history of Thailand as it was a previous royal temple that housed Buddha’s holy relic. The architecture and archaeological structures of the temple attract tourists from all over the world, including pagodas, the royal hall, various temples and murals, as well as the famous sandstone Ayutthaya-style head of the Buddha image molded in a tree’s root. 

With many other temples to visit, such as Wat Chai Watt Hanaram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, make sure that you’ll be able to catch the train back to Bangkok by 6 PM at the Ayutthaya train station.

Day 5: Spend a full day on trying Thai cuisine and treating yourself with a retail therapy

For the last day of your trip, you can spend an entire day on a shopping spree to treat yourself to authentic local goods and luxury brands and taste mouthwatering Thai local treats, meats, and sweets. You can reach malls and shopping centers nearby through the famous local transportation, tuk tuk. Make sure to bargain well, as this unmetered vehicle can speed you through the streets of Bangkok at a costly price.

A top Thai dish that you should try is Pad Thai, which is enriched in flavor by flat noodles mixed with various spices, sauces, and sprouts. If you’re a first-time solo traveler in Thailand, this is a dish that you definitely shouldn’t miss! But if you’re looking to relax with steaming hot soup, you can go for a Tom Yum soup with the savory flavors of either chicken or shrimp. This tasty dish is perfectly combined with a spicy twist.

Of course, you must try Thailand’s famous mango sticky rice. This will compliment a spicy meal and satisfy your sweet-tooth cravings, where sticky jasmine rice is topped with coconut cream and slices of locally-grown ripe mangoes.

Tips for exploring Thailand as a solo traveler

Language barriers and useful phrases

The language barrier wouldn’t be a main concern in your solo travel to Thailand as most locals can speak English, making interaction among tourists engaging and friendly, as Thai citizens are generally known.

However, knowing a few basic phrases during your solo travel would be helpful, especially if you are a first-time visitor. Please note that in Thailand, greetings for men would be followed by khrap, and kha for women:

• sawatdee khrap / kha ( สวัสดี) | Hello
• khop khun khrap / kha (ขอบคุณ) | Thank you
• thao rai khrap / kha (เท่า ไหร่) | How much is it?

Cultural etiquette

Thailand holds high regard for its temples and thus requires proper attire and behavior when visiting, in reverence to the worshippers inside the temple and to the house of prayer itself. For example, when you visit the Grand Palace, you must follow the temple’s strict clothing requirements to be granted entry:

• No sleeveless shirts
• No vests
• No short top
• No see-through tops
• No short hot pants or short pants
• No torn pants
• No tight pants
• No bike pants
• No mini skirts
• No pants skirts
• No sleeping suit

When is the best time for solo travel to Thailand?

Going on solo travel to Thailand in late November and early December makes for a more culturally enriched and memorable experience, as your joyous embarkment will coincide with Thanksgiving! 

Visiting historically rich sites and royal temples and going on endless solo food trips, all while basking in the cool weather will turn passing moments into long-lasting memories.

Late November-early December is one of the best times to visit Thailand. The cool, dry weather makes for a better exploration of the ancient and historical sites. During this season, fewer crowds are also expected, further enriching the experience of uncovering the secrets beneath the beautiful tapestry of the nation’s history. 

As the days go on until early December, radiant blue skies wonderfully blend with cool, breezy weather, making it the perfect time for you to pack your swimsuits and head off to the Phi Phi Islands, located in Krabi province. The shimmering crystal waters of the ocean create a mesmerizing view you shouldn’t miss!