Thailand is not a big country, and getting around is fairly easy. To cover long distances, for example Bangkok - Chiang Mai, or Chiang Mai – Phuket, the most popular option is flying. It is comfortable and inexpensive, and you will save a lot of time.
When visiting the cities, you have many options to choose from: Private cars (the most comfortable one), bicycles or tuk-tuks for a fun experience; or taxis to go to and from the airport. If you love walking, there are many tours you can take in the major cities; and trekking lovers will find their perfect place in the national parks.
Check out our brief article and learn more about getting around in Thailand!
Quick Facts
- Flying is the most convenient way to move between distant destinations.
- Get a tuk-tuk for a fun ride in the bustling cities!
- Long-tail boats are the most characteristic way to move between the islands.
- Hiring a private car means to have all the comfort you might wish.
- Rent a bike and explore the Historical Parks of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.
Domestic Flights
Thailand, even if it isn't a really big country, has dozens of domestic airlines (Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Bangkok Airways, etc.) connecting the most popular destinations. Some of them offer extremely comfortable flights, with in-flight entertainment and snacks, at an affordable price.
Every day of the week, you will find multiple flights between the most visited destinations. Some of the most popular routes are: Bangkok - Chiang Mai, Bangkok - Phuket, Bangkok - Koh Samui, or Chiang Mai - Phuket. All the flights are pretty short (maximum 2 hours), and prices range from USD 60 - 200. Getting to the islands is usually more expensive, especially during high season.
Our staff will help you arrange your itinerary and book all your flights, taking care of all your needs. This will save you time and money, and ensure you a hassle-free trip.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
My husband and I are planning a 3 week…
Alisa was a great listener to all the things we wanted to incorporate into our trip. We discussed everything throughly, and when I had questions, she had answers the next day. I really appreciate her responsiveness and detail with me. I feel like we are in the best hands with Alisa and Asia Highlights. More
, Mar 2024
|
Very great experience our driver D was…
Very great experience our driver D was never late and always had waters and a cold towel for us and our tour guide Som was very informative and had amazing English I recommend them both highly for anyone else traveling More
Rylan Coache, Feb 2024
|
Excellent guide in Siem Reap
Our recent time spent in Siem Reap was made even more memorable by our expert guide, Som Piseth. Som was knowledgeable, attentive, flexible and super helpful - we learnt so much about Siem Reap and Cambodia in our 3 days with him. His English was excellent and his knowledge of, and pride in, his country was outstanding. We would highly recommend Som for anyone wanting an excellent guide in Siem Reap! More
Sharon Townshend, Feb 2024
|
Asia Highlights trip to Thailand
Our first tour guide in Bangkok, Marie, was great to tour around with. She was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. Our next stop in Chang Mai we were greeted by our new tour guide, Rafael. He too was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and spoke wonderful English. He made it feel as if we were traveling around with a long time friend. Every time we arrived at a new destination, we were greeted at the airport by someone with a sign with our name making our travels easy. I would definitely recommend Asia Highlights to anyone looking for a well planned trip of a lifetime! More
Tricia, Feb 2024
|
Amazing Thailand experience
The tour guides were all knowledgeable and accommodating, especially Mayuree in Bangkok- absolutely wonderful. We felt taken care of and every step of the way was catered to our needs. More
Ashley White, Feb 2024
|
Private tour perfect for our times
Asia highlights organized a private tour with our requests. Everything was perfect ?? the driver Tom and the guide Ying were always on time with a smile in their face. Always willing to help and make our trip perfect. Bangkok is a very hot city so we minimized the time outside. The driver always had cold towels for us in the van and cold beverages. More
Virginia, Feb 2024
|
Thailand
We loved Chiang Mai and Susie did a great job showing us several temples, taking many pictures of us with the elephants at the sanctuary (a definite highlight of the entire trip!), and making sure we were well fed, which became a running joke between us.We had a very relaxing few days in Phuket enjoying the beautiful beaches. Kai was great, answering all of our questions and giving us a nice tour of the old town. The all-day speedboat tour of the Phi Phi islands started off a little shaky as the sea was quite rough so if you’re at all uncomfortable bouncing around in a speedboat, you might want to skip that tour. Things did calm down as the day went on and some of the areas they took us to for swimming, snorkeling, etc were really beautiful. A couple of the islands were too crowded with people. More
Andrea Roberts, Feb 2024
|
What a Wonderful Trip
What a Wonderful Trip! We booked with Sharon and our trip was great - guides were waiting for us at each stop, and they were all very nice and helpful. I cannot stress how amazing the guides were - they made the trip. More
Rachel, Feb 2024
|
Ask for Victor!
If you are traveling to Bangkhok you need to request Victor. He made our trip amazing! My family completed bucket list items with his guidance. He knew exactly how to get us places, kept us on time, made us feel safe, educated us on history, spoke excellent English and was genuinely a nice man! Everyone we encountered was awesome- but Victor is the reason for my 5 star review! More
Sandy, Jan 2024
|
Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a…
Thank you Alisa for helping us plan a wonderful trip to Thailand. We had a great time. The tour guides were wonderful as were the hotels you booked for us. We will definitely contact you to plan our next trip More
Carol Yeung, Jan 2024
|
Ying was the best
Ying was the best. She was really knowledgeable and kind. Thank you Ying for wonderful experience in Thailand! More
Sylvester Yeung, Jan 2024
|
Very well organized
Very well organized. Our tour guide, Ying, was amazing! She had full knowledge of every location we visited and made sure our itinerary was fulfilled as expected. She was extremely helpful for our airport experiences, and made sure we arrived at an appropriate time. More
David M. Kang, Jan 2024
|
Family trip to Thailand
We were lucky to be greeted by Marie and her driver.In Marie, we have made a friend for life. She is incredibly smart and knowledgeable about her home country. From the vast number of temples to safely traversing Chinatown.She helped give us tips on our free days, locate left behind lost clothing and arrange for pickup. She even helped check us in for our flight to Chiang Mai.She prepared us ahead of time for every event we had scheduled and bonded with our kids, 3x 13 year olds. More
Justin Levenbrook, Jan 2024
|
Thailand with and amazing tour guide Ying
I highly recommend Ying as a tour guide in Thailand. Her expertise in Thai culture, combined with her passion for food and genuine love for her country, made the tour an exceptional experience. If you're looking for a guide who will not only show you the sights but also immerse you in the local culture and help you discover delicious Thai cuisine, Ying is the perfect choice. More
Diana Irizarry, Jan 2024
|
Asia Highlights Thailand trip
Asia Highlights provided us with a great travel trip. They made it very easy to navigate through Thailand with everything going very smoothly. From the easy transportation to the great day itinerary everything was awesome. Will definitely look to use this agency again in the future. More
Taylor Jones, Jan 2024
|
Perfect 2 WK Thailand Trip for a Solo Female Traveler
Bank was our guide in Bangkok and he showed us around the city with ease and we were able to see and try things I never would have planned on my own. After Bangkok, our small group flew to Chiang Mai for Yi Peng lantern festival and that was a breathtaking experience that I will never forget! Pop was our guide in this city and she was knowledgeable, kind and caring which made our experience even more memorable. More
Tia, Dec 2023
|
We recently have just returned from Thailand
We recently have just returned one from a 5 week trip to Thailand through Asia Highlights. We had a wonderful time and Asia Highlights went beyond our expectations. They truly tried their best to make sure everything went smoothly and we were taken care of! Everyone was amazing and we would definitely use them in the future!! Many thanks to everyone that helped to make this an incredible once in a lifetime experience!! More
Karen Rocque, Dec 2023
|
Indochina Experience
On our 5th day of our trip with Asiahighlights. We felt well taken care of before and it hasn’t changed since we started from Bangkok to Hanoi (guide Kim was verrry knowledgeable!) to Halong Bay (spectacular scenery) to Hoi An (guide Nhieu Tran, giving great local (shopping) tips and insights). More
Stefan Eisenhut, Dec 2023
|
Trains
The total length of the railway track is about 4,180 km, and it connects the four corners of the country. All long-distance trains originate from the train station in Bangkok, Hualamphong. Ticket prices are determined based on the distance, the class (there are 3 classes), air-con, and sleeping berths. You can book your tickets as far as 60 days in advance.
A trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai will take about 12 hours with an express train. There is also an overnight train if you wish to save time travelling during the night. Another popular route is Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. It takes about 3 and a half hours. There are two trains a day and you will pass the famous bridge over the river Kwai.
Taking a train, even if it can be fascinating, will take a long time, much longer than flying. For example, to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by flight takes only one hour. It therefore is only a good option when the two locations are not too far away from each other.
5-day Highlights of Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai :
Long-Distance Bus
Taking long-distance buses is the most popular option among locals. Thailand has an extensive network of inter-city buses with two classes. The first class usually offers air-con, fully reclining seats, and other amenities (especially on the longer routes). Bus tickets are generally inexpensive, but journeys by bus are not as safe as by train or by plane.
From Bangkok, you can virtually reach any other province of the country, and there is a service between every region and its neighbors. Most cities have a central bus station, where you can easily find the tickets you are looking for.
However, bus journeys are much slower than flights. For example, to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai will take 13 hours; Bangkok - Phuket takes more than 10 hours. Moreover, long-distance rides can be pretty uncomfortable, mostly because of the limited space.
One Week Family Vocation to Thailand:
Local Transport
Moving inside big cities like Bangkok can be somehow tough because of the traffic. However, there are many options: from the high comfort of a private car, to the fun experience of a tuk-tuk or bicycle ride. Here are all the options for you to choose from:
Private Cars
Hiring a private car has a lot of advantages: It offers the highest comfort like air-con; it allows you to choose your personal itinerary and to reach destinations not connected by public transportation; and you and your family have all the privacy that you need.
After picking you up at your hotel, the driver will do his/her best to follow your requests, driving you as close as possible to your destination, and dropping you off at your hotel once the trip is over. If you leave something in the car, no problem ̶ the company can be easily contacted, and you will get all your belongings back.
Private cars are especially recommended for guided day tours for families. You can just sit back and enjoy the planned itinerary. The guide will take care of everything, communicating with the driver and satisfying all your needs.
Tuk-tuks
For an interesting experience, hire a tuk-tuk to drive you around. A tuk-tuk is the Thai version of a motorized rickshaw; they are open-air vehicles with three wheels, and they can transport two or three people at the time.
They are extremely easy to find, especially in the most touristic areas. Usually, going around with a tuk-tuk will cost as much as a taxi, and to get the best deal you will need to bargain.
Choosing a tuk-tuk is a fun way to drive around busy cities like Bangkok, and sometimes they can be faster than any other way of transportation, since they are small enough to weave through traffic.
Bicycles
Biking around is always fun, especially when visiting the rural areas or the beautiful Historical Parks of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. Bicycles can easily be hired from guesthouses and shops for about 50 Baht per day. You can also rent bikes inside the national parks.
However, biking is not always recommended in major cities because of the traffic; but you can still have a guided bicycle tour of Bangkok and some other larger cities. For example, when in Chiang Mai, you can have a guided tour to explore the less touristy parts of the city and the less crowded temples.
Walking
When exploring Bangkok, walking can be an excellent option. It allows you to admire the city at your own pace, to take pictures of all the thinks you like, and not to miss the many details you won't be able to spot from a taxi.
You can choose from many tours (each one with a different itinerary), and they will all lead you to the most popular attractions of the city. For example, on a three hour tour, you can visit the wats on the east side of the river, like Wat Intharawihan and Wat Chanasongkram, ending at the Temple of the Golden Buddha.
When taking a walking tour, always remember to bring enough water, as it can get really hot during daytime.
Trekking
With dozens of national parks, Thailand is a paradise for trekking lovers. Stunning nature, remote villages, passionate guides ̶ trekking in Thailand is a unique experience.
One of the most popular routes goes from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. You will go through some of the most remote areas of the country, visiting a Huay Hee Karen Village. Moreover, all the national parks are perfect for trekking, with many trails of varying difficulty. With the aid of a guide, trekking will be fun and easy!
Boats
Long-tail boats are the most characteristic water transport of Thailand. They travel on rivers and canals in Bangkok, and they are a popular option to reach the islands and go island-hopping. >>How to Travel from Phuket to Krabi.
When visiting the beautiful islands, long-tail boats are the choice of many; they are inexpensive, characteristic, safe, and frequent. The standard boat is made from wood and is 8 - 10m long, with a simple roof to shelter the passengers and cargo. However, to reach the more popular destinations (for example when going from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi) faster hovercraft and speedboats will be used.
Taxis
Taxis are to be found everywhere, waiting outside airports and hotels, driving around the cities. Getting a taxi in Thailand is extremely easy, and many people choose this option when transferring between the airport and downtown and vice versa. It is the easiest way to be sure to be on time and to have a safe trip.
You might like to read
- Best Time to Visit Thailand
- How to Get to Krabi from Phuket
- How to Get to Phi Phi Island from Phuket
- How to Get to Koh Samui from Phuket
Explore Thailand with Asia Highlights
Thailand is a beautiful country that is only waiting to be explored. Book with Asia Highlights and let us help you when crafting the perfect trip! Our staff will design the itinerary according to your wishes, booking flight tickets, arranging private cars with a guide, tailoring the best walking tour for you.
You might like:
Why Asia Highlights (10,000+ reviews & 98.8% 5-star rating)
- Save Your Time:
- Less research, more enjoyment!
- Real-time 1V1 expert planning
- Maximize Your Flexibility:
- Personal local guide and ride
- Explore at your own pace
- Celebrate Your Journeys:
- Specially-crafted family adventures
- Celebrate milestones with style!
- 9-Day Thailand Family Tour
- 10-Day Best of Thailand Tour
- 10-Day Thailand Lantern Festival Tour 2024
- 12-Day Thailand Family Holiday
- 12-Day Thailand Wonders Tour
- 12-Day Best of Thailand and Cambodia Tour
- 12-Day Essential Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Tour
- 14-Day Classic Vietnam and Thailand Tour
- 14-day Thailand and Vietnam Family Tour
- 15-Day Best of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Tour
- 19-Day Highlights Tour of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam
- 3-Week Best of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam Tour for Couples
- Awesome 10 Days in Thailand: 5 Itineraries (with Map)
- 3 Best Thailand Itineraries for 12 Days 2024
- 2 Weeks Thailand Itinerary 2024: Top 4 Itineraries with Maps
- Perfect 3 Weeks in Thailand: 3 Itineraries with Costs 2024
- How to Plan Your First Trip to Thailand — 7 Easy Steps
- A Guide to Thailand Lantern Festivals: Yi Peng & Loy Krathong
- 8 Best Destinations to Combine with a Visit to Thailand
- How to Plan a Thailand and Vietnam Trip (2024/2025): 10 Days, 2, 3 Weeks Itineraries
- How to Plan a Trip to Thailand and Cambodia (2024/2025)
- How to Plan a Trip to Singapore and Thailand 2024/2025
- How to Visit Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam 2024: 10, 14 and 21-Day Itinerary Ideas
- How to Plan a Trip to Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore 2024
- Thailand Weather in January 2025: Which Island/Best Places to Visit
- Thailand Weather in February 2024/2025: Which Island/Best Places to Visit
- Thailand Weather in March 2024/2025: Temperature, Places to Visit, Travel Tips
- Thailand Weather in April 2024: Temperatures, Places to Visit, Songkran Festival
- Thailand Weather in May 2024: Too Hot & Rainy? Best Places to Go and Travel Tips
- What's the Weather Like in Thailand in June?
- Thailand Weather in July 2024: Tips for a Family Vacation
- Thailand Weather in August 2024: Temperature and Best Places to Go
- Thailand Weather in September 2024: Temperature, Best Places to Visit
- Thailand Weather in October 2024: Still Rain? Where to Visit?
- Thailand Weather in November 2024: Places to Go, Costs, and Crowds
- Thailand Weather in December 2024: Places to Go, Costs, and Crowds
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip.
moreOur guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!
moreOur China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city.
moreShe was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,
moreOur tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.
moreHe picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreTom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.
moreOur day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights.
moreXian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable.
moreGet Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.