Thailand is a perfect destination for any type and style of vacation. Young backpackers with a limited budget as well as more mature ones will find the abundance that it has to offer and those who are looking for a place to escape to for a backpacking trip or for a romantic vacation will surely be surprised to discover how spectacular its resorts are, The lovely beaches on the islands and the other sites that can be combined in a vacation. Thailand offers everything from everything and combines East and West. If you are just before planning your trip, it is important that you know what you are going for and plan your journey accordingly - short or long? it does not matter anymore. The main thing is that you enjoy it!
Flights and travel within the country
The trip to Thailand can be very cheap and usually Does not require a particularly high budget, compared to other destinations in the world. At the same time, it poses quite a few challenges in regards to mobility within the country, in terms of The various transportation solutions. There is a wide selection of options, not all of which are necessarily fast or efficient. Those who choose, for example, to travel by bus, the distances in this case may be very long and the journeys are not easy. The seats will not always be comfortable and the weather, during the trip, may sometimes make it less pleasant.
Get a brief overview of the transportation solutions available to you in Thailand, which will allow you to cover distances and reach various points in it, which are a must-visit:
Intercity buses
This is, for the most part, the most convenient way to move around Thailand, especially for young backpackers with a low budget. This option is offered in four main categories, cataloged in ascending order, with regards to comfort, speed and quality: at the bottom of the list there are The usual buses, usually orange in color and without air conditioning; Followed by Air-conditioned buses in blue; Then First class buses And at the top of the list - VIP buses, which are also express buses. Travelers considering traveling on night buses should take into account that traveling on them is indeed cheap, but less safe in light of the large number of road accidents involving these buses (this is also the reason why most travelers in Thailand choose to do their night trips by train).
trains
Thailand has a railway network consisting of four main lines and several secondary lines. The northern line of the network connects the Bangkok עם Chiang Mai, the northeastern line is divided into two, the eastern line has two lines, with one of them going from Bangkok to the border with Cambodia and the other connecting Bangkok with Pattaya. The southern line passes through Hua Hin And Surat Thani and later it branches. One line continues along the west coast of Malaysia, through Butworth, where you change trains to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and the other heads towards the border of Thailand with Malaysia, in its more eastern part.
The train fares depend on the type of seat you choose, whether you want air conditioning or not, and the speed of travel. Third row seats will be hard, made of wood or lightly padded and these will also be much cheaper than the bus seats. For a trip of up to 3 hours they are reasonable, but for longer trips they will be less suitable. In long-distance trains, second-class seats are also offered, which are more comfortable. Traveling in the first class of the train allows you to enjoy a second compartment suitable for two people, air conditioning and a sink. There are several types of trains: slow service, regular service and also fast/express service. The price, accordingly. It is highly recommended to book at least one day in advance for first row seats on regular trips, or to book as much time in advance as possible for first row seats on long trips. Orders can be made online or the train tickets can be purchased directly at the train stations located in any major city or town.
ferry
The ferries are a very common means of transportation in Thailand and they are the ones that connect all the big and small islands with the mainland. At certain times the ferries may be very busy and crowded (it is less recommended to get on them then), and at other times the situation is better and pleasant on them. There are short cruises of less than an hour and there are long cruises of 6 hours or more. On the east coast of Thailand during the monsoon season, from May to October, ferry service is more limited due to weather conditions, but elsewhere they are more accessible. Among the more popular lines you can find Ferry between Kopipi and Krabi, Ferry between Copenhagen and Koh Samui and a ferry between Kofipi and Phuket.
Flights
Here we are dealing with an efficient and convenient mobility solution, and also one that is preferred by many travelers. Thailand Airways and Bangkok Airways are Thailand's largest airlines and offer a very large number of Internal flights, arriving at various destinations in the country. The airlines Air Asia, Nok Air and Orient Thai offer low-cost flights, which significantly reduces costs and leads to competition. In some cases domestic flights can save travel days. For example, a flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket with Thai Airways or Air Asia takes about two hours. On the other hand, if you choose to travel by train or bus, this trip will take you at least two days. It is highly recommended to book the flight tickets in advance and as early as possible, since the flight rates change frequently and very quickly. For those who plan to fly a lot (domestic flights), you should purchase a special flight pass offered by the companies Thai and Bangkok Airways.
types of trip
If in the past Thailand mainly attracted her Young backpackers, today the story is different and we are talking about a very diverse country that attracts travelers of all ages, and not necessarily immediately after the military, who are interested in different types of vacation. Thailand is wonderful for trekking because The spectacular natural sites that she has to offer. It is perfect for anyone who wants to spend their vacation diving or snorkeling in light of the lovely diving sites in it. Pampering luxury hotels and cheap guesthouses They serve quite a few travelers and are offered in a wide price range. The ancient temples, the magnificent palaces, the tribes and the various points of interest that are scattered in it, all these and more provide an answer to every need and you can also combine them in any vacation. The secret is, of course, to build and plan a route that fits both the existing budget and the style of vacation you are interested in. There is everything in Thailand. You just have to find it and make sure you don't miss all the abundance and beauty it has.
For a proposal for a short trip to Thailand - Read here | For a proposal for a long trip in Thailand - Read here
places to see
Thailand is busy In attractions and points of interest not to be missed. At the same time, there are some that are absolutely a must visit. Bangkok It is at the top of the list and befitting a major capital city, she suggests A huge variety of options to its visitors. At every hour of the day there is something to do and see, from very ancient historical buildings to shopping centers that almost touch the sky and magnificent skyscrapers. Fascinating museums, local art galleries, Colorful markets, including floating markets, Palaces And more... all this can be found in this huge city which is one of the mandatory stops in Thailand and usually also the starting point for many travelers.
Another city, which is also a popular destination and a point not to be missed, is the city Chiang Mai, often referred to as the "northern capital". This special city offers an extraordinary blend of culture and nature, which comes to life In the 500 temples in her And the breathtaking nature sites that are right next to it. Dense jungles, rafting in raging rivers, amazing waterfalls And many places to visit, there is no doubt that Chiang Mai must be on your travel map. Chiang Mai's neighbor, Chiang Rai city, shares borders with Myanmar and Laos - The golden triangle and offers a great selection of treks and the opportunity to meet different ethnic groups. Waterfalls and hot springs are part of the nature there and of course also some of the most prominent sanctuaries in Thailand that are right there.
The islands of Thailand are known all over the world and are a point of attraction for many travelers, young and old alike.
Phuket Island, the largest island in Thailand, is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Besides The great bathing beaches, suggests Phuket A variety of accommodation solutions at different prices, marine attractions, bars, restaurants, Markets, parties until the wee hours of the night and a wide selection of options.
Krabi Province It is another and no less popular destination, which offers countless experiences both on its mainland and on its islands. The island belongs to him Coffeey And Koh Lanta also has a lot to offer with its long sandy beaches. In the more remote northern part of Thailand it has a more isolated province, Mea Hong Son, a beautiful mountainous province, bordering Myanmar. There you can meet the traditional, more authentic Thailand and enjoy a trip with an emphasis on local culture.
the town Kanchanaburi, in western Thailand near the Burmese border, offers a great combination of sites that tell the history of the place and charming natural sites. The bridge over the River Kwai is a well-known stopping point and a prominent and important tourist site. There are also several museums dedicated to the history of the place and of course national parks that should not be missed.
The city of Pattaya, did not appeal to everyone in the past, but today it has changed its name from end to end and is a center of attraction for many travelers. The beach is back, which, while not the most beautiful in Thailand, is great for anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxing vacation and in all things related to attractions, Pattaya has A lot to offer.
Post-military trip to Thailand - additional articles in the series:
- Where do you start?
- Vaccinations and medical information before traveling in Thailand
- Short trip - Northern Thailand
- Short trip - South Thailand
- A long trip
