Question 1

Do I need a visa for Thailand?

Accepted Answer

UK, US, Australian and EU passport holders currently get 60 days visa-free — no advance application needed. Chinese and Indian passport holders get 30 days visa-free. Note that the Thai cabinet has approved cutting the 60-day allowance to 30 days for most nationalities; it takes effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette, which had not happened as of 19 July 2026. Separately, everyone must complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 3 days before arrival. Check the official eVisa site for your nationality before you book.

Question 2

What is the best eSIM for Thailand?

Accepted Answer

Get an eSIM before you fly — it's cheaper and activates the moment you land. For a short trip, Airalo's 10GB / 7-day plan (~$10) is the best value; for a longer stay, their 20GB / 30-day plan (~$18). Both run on the True network and can be topped up. If you'd rather not think about data at all, Holafly's unlimited plans are ~$27.50 for 7 days or ~$74 for 30 days, though speeds may be reduced after heavy daily use. If your device doesn't support eSIM, physical SIMs from AIS, DTAC or TrueMove are sold at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang.

Question 3

How do I get from the airport to the city in Thailand?

Accepted Answer

From Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link takes 26–30 minutes to Phaya Thai for ฿45 — best for most travellers. Grab costs ฿300–600 if you have heavy bags, and an official metered taxi ฿250–400 plus a ฿50 airport surcharge and tolls. Avoid taxi touts inside arrivals — use the official queue on Level 1 or book Grab before you exit. Don Mueang has no Airport Rail Link; take the SRT Red Line and change at Bang Sue. From Chiang Mai, Grab takes 10–20 minutes for ฿80–150. From Phuket, Grab costs ฿400–700 — there's no rail link, so agree the price before getting into any unmarked vehicle.

Question 4

Do I need cash in Thailand?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Thailand is still largely cash-based outside tourist areas and big hotels. ATMs are widely available but charge a flat foreign-card fee of around ฿250 on Visa and up to ฿350 on Mastercard, so take out more in one go to minimise the per-transaction cost. Aeon Bank ATMs are usually cheapest at about ฿150. Always choose to be charged in baht, not your home currency. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory — round up taxi fares, and ฿50–100 for a massage therapist.

Question 5

What apps do I need for Thailand?

Accepted Answer

Install Grab for rides and food delivery — it's the most widely available ride-hailing app in Thailand. Bolt is a solid alternative and is often cheaper in Bangkok and Phuket. Download LINE too: Thai hotels and guesthouses overwhelmingly prefer it to WhatsApp or email. Save Google Maps offline before you fly so you can navigate before your eSIM activates, and Agoda tends to have the best rates on Thai properties. If you're using an Airalo eSIM, their app lets you monitor usage and top up.

Question 6

What should I do on my first day in Thailand?

Accepted Answer

Complete your TDAC before you fly if you haven't already — it's required and free. Get some cash before leaving the airport: ATMs inside arrivals charge the same ฿250–350 fee but give worse rates, so withdraw ฿3,000–5,000 to start and use a city ATM later. Download Google Maps offline before you land to avoid roaming charges before your eSIM activates. If arriving into Suvarnabhumi, note that the Airport Rail Link drops you at Phaya Thai station — not central Bangkok — so factor in one more BTS stop to your hotel.

Passport	Status	Duration	Cost
🇬🇧UK	Visa-free	60 days	Free
🇺🇸USA	Visa-free	60 days	Free
🇦🇺Australia	Visa-free	60 days	Free
🇪🇺EU countries	Visa-free	60 days	Free
🇨🇳China	Visa-free	30 days	Free
🇮🇳India	Visa-free	30 days	Free

Option	Time	Cost	Best for
Airport Rail Link (ARL)Fastest to city B floor of terminal · 05:30–midnight · every 10–15 min	26–30 min to Phaya Thai	45 THB (~$1.30)	Solo travellers near BTS/MRT network
Grab Pick-up at Level 1, Gate 4 (outer kerb) · price fixed in-app	45–75 min	300–600 THB ($9–18)	Door-to-door, heavy bags, known price upfront
Official metered taxi Queue ticket at kiosk, Level 1, Gates 4–7 (inner curb) · 24/7 · flagfall 35–40 THB	45–75 min	250–400 THB + 50 THB airport surcharge + ~100 THB tolls ($8–14 before extras)	Groups, no smartphone, available 24/7
Public Bus S1Budget Level 1, Gate 7 (inner curb) · 06:00–20:00 · pay on board	60–90 min	60 THB (~$1.85)	Ultra-budget; direct to Khao San Road / Sanam Luang

Option	Time	Cost	Best for
SRT Red Line trainBest value Covered walkway from Terminal 1 · 05:00–midnight · every 15 min · transfer to MRT Blue Line at Bang Sue	~20 min to Bang Sue	33 THB (~$1)	Avoiding traffic, connecting via MRT
Grab Pick-up outside arrivals, both terminals	30–60 min	250–450 THB ($7–13)	Door-to-door, known price, late-night arrivals
Official metered taxi Kiosk queue in front of arrivals halls, Terminals 1 and 2 · meter + 50 THB airport surcharge	30–60 min	250–400 THB + 50 THB airport surcharge + ~120 THB tolls ($7–13 before extras)	Groups, no app, 24/7
Airport Bus (A1–A4)Budget Service Hall outside Terminal 1 · A1/A2: 30 THB · A3/A4: 50 THB	30–60 min	30–50 THB ($0.90–1.50)	Mo Chit/BTS (A1), Victory Monument (A2), Khao San Rd (A4)

Thailand

Visa

eSIM / SIM card

Airport Transport

Suvarnabhumi · BKK

Don Mueang · DMK

Cash & ATMs

Essential Apps

First Day Tips

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