Planning a trip to Thailand? Depending on where you’re travelling from, there are a few options when it comes to how to get there. We’ve compiled some of the best ways to get to Thailand for you, including travel by air, sea, or land.
How to get to Thailand
Flying to Thailand
Where should you fly to?
With many major airlines flying into Thailand, you have plenty of options no matter where you’re travelling from and flying is definitely one of the best ways to get to Thailand.
Flying to Thailand is convenient and affordable, as you may be able to find some flight deals depending on the time of year you decide to travel.
The largest airports in Thailand are in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Chiang Rai, Na Thon (Ko Samui Island), Hat Yai, Surat Thani, and Udon Thani, though the majority of travellers fly into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Most international and domestic airlines operate there, including Thai Airways, British Airways, and EVA Air. It’s a convenient location to begin your trip in Thailand, as the airport is linked to the city by buses and taxis, as well as Airport Rail Link – a high-speed train service into downtown Bangkok.
The cheapest way of getting to most regional Thai airports is usually to buy a flight to Bangkok, and then a separate domestic ticket to your desired location. Alternatively, there are also many international routes into Phuket, including direct flights with several airlines from Australia.
To get to Koh Samui, there are flights from Singapore and Hong Kong with Bangkok Airways, or from Kuala Lumpur with Berjaya Airlines and Firefly. For Krabi, you can fly from Kuala Lumpur with AirAsia, or from Singapore with Tiger Airways.
You can also fly to Chiang Mai from Singapore with Silk Air, or with AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur and Macau. Flying to Chiang Mai with Korean Airlines from Seoul is a popular route for North American travellers.
READ MORE: The best cities to visit in Thailand
Prices
When looking at the best ways to get to Thailand, considering the budget is also important. Airfares to Thailand can differ drastically depending on the season, and this is something you should consider when planning a trip to Thailand.
You’ll find the highest prices between mid-November to mid-February, when the weather is best, with additional premium rates charged for flights between mid-December and New Year.
Prices in July and August are also high, as these months coincide with the school holidays. If you’re looking to travel during these peak times, you’ll need to book several months in advance for a chance at reasonably priced tickets.
READ MORE: The best time to visit Thailand
Getting to Thailand by boat
If you’re looking to travel in luxury, perhaps a cruise to Thailand is the best way to get to Thailand for you. There are four main ports in Thailand where cruises are likely to stop.
Phuket
During high season, ships moor off Patong Beach and tender passengers to shore. In the monsoon season, they dock at Phuket Deep Sea Port. It’s a convenient 20-minute drive to Phuket Town from here, and taxis or bemos (three-wheel minibuses) will be available at the pier.
Bangkok
If you’re a food-lover, photographer or big shopper, this is the destination I’d recommend for you. Most ships dock at Laem Chabang, a two-hour drive from Bangkok, but some smaller ships may head up the river to Khlong Toei Port near central Bangkok.
Ko Samui
Best for water-lovers seeking action, cruise ships arriving here anchor off Nathon and tender passengers to shore. Conveniently, the city centre is within a 15-minute walk of the pier, but taxis are also available.
Krabi
Krabi is a great destination for couples and those who like to stay active. Once you arrive, you can hire a tuk-tuk to get around on land or try out a traditional longtail boat from the beach for independent island hopping.
READ MORE: The best islands in Thailand to visit during your trip
Where to book your cruises to Thailand?
Most cruises to Phuket, Bangkok, Ko Samui and Krabi are available with:
- Crystal Cruises (Phuket, Bangkok, Ko Samui)
- Princess Cruises (Phuket, Bangkok, Ko Samui)
- Royal Caribbean (Phuket, Bangkok, Ko Samui)
- Avalon Waterways (Bangkok)
- Azamara Cruises (Bangkok, Ko Samui)
- Celebrity Cruises (Bangkok, Ko Samui)
- Holland America Line (Bangkok, Ko Samui)
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Bangkok, Ko Samui)
- Seabourn (Bangkok)
- Silversea (Bangkok, Ko Samui, Krabi)
- Viking River Cruises (Bangkok)
- Oceania Cruises (Ko Samui)
- P&O Cruises (Ko Samui, Krabi)
Getting to Thailand by land
It’s possible to drive into Thailand, and this can be a convenient way of travelling from several countries. Thailand shares land borders with Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, so it can work well as part of many overland itineraries.
You do need to be aware of the restrictions on overland routes in and out of Thailand, as they’ll be determined by where the permitted land crossings lie and might be dependent on visas. The correct paperwork is also crucial if you’re planning to drive your own car or motorbike into Thailand, so be sure to do your research before you travel.
If you love road trips, this is the best way to get to Thailand for you.
Getting to Thailand from Cambodia
There are several overland crossings on the Thai–Cambodia border that are open to non-Thais. Most travellers use the crossing at Poipet, which lies just across the border from the Thai town of Aranyaprathet. From here, transport is available to Bangkok.
A popular alternative is to follow the route from Sihanoukville in Cambodia via Koh Kong and Hat Lek to Trat, which is near Ko Chang on Thailand’s east coast.
The crossings in northeast Thailand include the Chong Chom–O’Smach border pass and the Sa Ngam–Choam border in Sisaket Province. There are also two crossings in Chanthaburi Province, with transport to and from Pailin in Cambodia.
Getting to Thailand from Laos
There are five main points along the Lao border where travellers can cross into Thailand: Houayxai (for Chiang Khong); Vientiane (for Nong Khai); Khammouan (for Nakhon Phanom); Savannakhet (for Mukdahan); and Pakse (for Chong Mek).
Getting to Thailand from Malaysia and Singapore
There are a few routes available to get to Thailand from Malaysia and Singapore, so this may be a convenient option for travellers spending time in these countries. One option is to travel overland from Kangar to Ban Khuan, by car or by bus.
Most Western tourists can spend 30 days in Malaysia and 14 days in Singapore without having bought a visa beforehand, so you may want to consider beginning your trip here as it can be one of the easiest and best ways to get to Thailand.
Don’t miss out on our Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide for tips on
everything you need to know when planning your trip to Thailand
so you can make the most of your time in the Land of Smiles!
