Backpacking Thailand? Everything you need to know before you go!
- Janne Paar de Kooper
- Mar 30
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 1
Your Ultimate Guide to Thailand with Revolution Hostels!
So, you’ve decided to backpack through Thailand? Or perhaps you’re going to conquer all of Southeast Asia? Bravo! You’re about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! Get ready for the best beaches, stunning nature, and food so delicious it might make you consider a lifelong relationship with Pad Thai. But your journey doesn’t just kick off when you step onto that plane; oh no, the real fun begins way before you even think about packing your flip-flops. From plotting your route to gathering essential supplies, half the fun happens while you’re still at home. Feeling a tad overwhelmed by the avalanche of things to consider before you jet off? We’ve got your back! Here’s everything you need to do and know before you embark on your Thailand adventure.
In this guide, you’ll find everything on:
Visa & passport requirements for Thailand
One of the most important things to arrange while you’re still at home is to make sure you know the visa requirements of Thailand. You don’t want to be that person who shows up at the airport with a suitcase full of swimsuits and a heart full of dreams, only to find out you can't get into the country.
Check whether you need a visa
Thailand has a visa exemption programme for 93 countries, which means that if you're from one of those lucky places, you can just waltz into Thailand without a visa. That's right! Just show up, flash a smile, and boom—you’ll get a stamp that lets you stay for 60 days. After your initial 60 days of soaking up the sun and eating your weight in curries, you can extend your stay by another 30 days for a fee of 1900 Thai baht. So in total, you can enjoy a whopping 90 days of paradise!
Are you not from a country that falls under the visa exemption programme? In that case, you need to apply for a visa in advance or get a visa on arrival. 31 countries are eligible for a visa on arrival when entering Thailand, but it's only valid for 15 days. If you’re not eligible for a visa on arrival or you want to stay longer, you need to apply for your visa in advance. So, make sure to check way ahead of your trip — because nobody wants to be that person stuck at the airport while the plane takes off without them!
Make sure your passport is valid!
No matter what type of visa you get, your passport needs to have at least 6 months of validity left after you leave Thailand. So, before you start packing your flip-flops and elephant-print pants, check your passport's expiration date. If it’s looking a bit too close to the edge of the calendar, don’t wait until the last minute. Apply for a new one well in advance, or you might find yourself stuck in a never-ending game of “Will they let me on the plane?” Spoiler: they won’t!
Other important things to arrange before you leave
Getting your passport and visa sorted before you leave are maybe the most important part of your trip preparation. But there are some other things that need to think of in advance, such as vaccinations, health insurance and getting the right debit/credit cards.
Get the right vaccinations
You know what they say; there is nothing as important as your health. When traveling to a country with a different climate, food, hygiene standards, and animals (like that one monkey that seems to be plotting your downfall), you need to be aware of different diseases than the ones in your home country.
You might need some extra vaccinations. Which ones? Well, that depends on where in Thailand you’re going, what you’re planning to do (like trying to outrun that monkey), and how long you’re going for. Set up an appointment with your healthcare provider in advance, and they’ll tell you which vaccinations you need. Just remember, for some vaccinations, you might need multiple shots with a few weeks in between—so don’t wait until the last minute!
Find the right health insurance
Another important thing when it comes to health is to get health insurance. You might feel like a superhero at home, invincible and immune to all ailments, but trust us, sooner or later, you’ll discover that even superheroes can trip over their own capes. You might get sick or injure yourself, and you really don’t want to end up in a hospital in a foreign country without insurance.
Especially because health insurance really doesn’t have to be that expensive. If you end up sick, not having to worry about the cost of your doctor’s trip will be worth its weight in gold. Just make sure that your health insurance actually covers your trip; check the maximum length of a trip they cover, the countries they cover, and whether they cover injuries from extreme sports.
Get the right bankcards & notify your bank you’re leaving
Before you leave, make sure to get bankcards that work in Thailand. A lot of small shops and restaurants in Thailand are still cash only, so you’ll have to get cash out at an ATM. Bigger businesses often accept cards, but they usually charge a 3-5 percent fee. Besides, most banks charge an extra fee for paying or getting money out in foreign countries, making it cost you even more. To avoid this, you can get an international credit card that doesn’t charge international fees. Or you can get a prepaid debit card like Wise of Revolut. With these cards, you can pay and transfer money in different currencies worldwide without paying a conversion fee. So, before you dash off to Thailand, make sure you’ve got the right bank card in your pocket. Your wallet will thank you!
Besides, make sure to give your bank a heads-up that you're travelling. If you suddenly start spending a lot of money with your bankcard in Thailand, your bank might see this as suspicious and block your card. To avoid this, let them know you’ll be in Thailand for a while.
Essentials to pack for your Thailand backpacking trip
Getting ready for your backpacking trip starts - of course - with finding a sturdy backpack. Think about whether you have any specific requirements, like a cabin-sized backpack you can take as carry-on luggage, a backpack that fully opens up (for those moments when you just can’t find your favorite sock), or a big one that fits all your camping gear.
Once you’ve found your backpack, it’s time for one of the most thrilling part of preparing for your travels: packing! These are the essentials you absolutely can’t miss:
Passport
Printed scans of your passport
Bankcard(s)
Insurance information
Vaccination information
Extra passport photos
Phone + charger
When it comes to clothes and accessories, our main tip is to pack light! You never need as much as you think you do. Unless you plan on changing outfits every hour like a reality TV star, you’ll probably end up wearing the same few items over and over again. Your suitcase will thank you, and so will your back! In need of a full packing list including all clothes and accessories we recommend? Check out our full Thailand packing list!
Plan your Thailand backpacking route
When it comes to planning your backpacking route, everyone has a different opinion. Some people swear by booking everything in advance, claiming it’s the only way to avoid sleeping under a bridge next to a raccoon. Meanwhile, others will tell you to just go and wing it. So what are you supposed to do? This really depends on how much time you have, how flexible you are with your dates, and how prepared you want to feel for your trip.
Are you on a tight schedule and want to ensure you can squeeze in some fun activities on specific dates? Or are you worried you might end up wandering around Thailand like a lost puppy, unsure of where to go or what to do? Then it might be a good idea to plan your route in advance. We're not saying you need to book every single hostel or bus like you’re preparing for a military operation, but it will save you the "Where the heck am I?" panic when you land.
Are you the spontaneous type who plans as they go and are you just hoping to end up somewhere that serves good street food? Then just wing it! But hey, we still recommend looking up some itineraries. Take a moment to check which locations you definitely don't want to miss. After all, it would be a bummer to come back from your trip only to realise you've missed the wonders of Thailand.
Need help on creating the perfect itinerary? Or just need some ideas? Check out our ideal itineraries:
→ Check out our 2-week south Thailand itinerary
→ Check out our 2-week north Thailand itinerary
→ Check out our 2-week north & south Thailand itinerary
→ Check out our one month Thailand itinerary
→ Check out our 2 month Thailand itinerary
Transport to and in Thailand
Another thing that might be good to prepare when you are planning your trip, is how you’ll get into and around Thailand. Knowing your way around a country and knowing the available options for public transport and taxis will keep you from feeling like a confused chicken after you've landed.
Getting to Thailand
Depending on where you fly from, actually getting to Thailand will probably be your biggest expense. However, there are a bunch of tricks to get cheap deals on flights and save some money on your flight to Asia. First of all, booking far in advance and being flexible with your dates saves you a lot! The more flexible you are with when you want to fly, the more options you’ll have. Secondly, try to compare as many flights and deals as possible. You can use websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kayak for this, that will compare all flights from all airlines they can find online and give you the best deals and connections. Using these will save you a lot of money to spend on pad thais and buckets later!
Getting around in Thailand
If it’s your first backpacking trip and you’re scared you'll feel lost in Thailand, let us put your mind at ease; Thailand is one of the easiest countries to get around in! There are numerous options to get from place to place and you can often even book all your transport through your hostel/hotel or online.
Getting around between cities
To get from place to place in Thailand, there are usually a couple different options. The main ones are flying for longer distances (for example between the north and south), trains and buses. Flights are obviously the fastest way to get around, but they come with a price tag. If you're looking to save some cash or simply anjoy a 12-hour journey while listening to your favorite playlist and dramatically looking out the window, then trains and buses are your best bet. On some of these - the so-called sleeper trains and sleeper buses - you can even get your own bed. Just imagine: you can snooze your way across the country while dreaming of the questionable choices that led you to sleep in a moving vehicle. Sweet dreams!
For shorter distances, it’s common to take minivans or even local buses if you want to save some money. If you're feeling fancy, you can opt for private taxis, but be prepared to pay a little more. Not sure how to get to your next place? Not sure how to get to your next place? Just ask the reception of your hostel! They know all the routes and can probably even book your transport for you. Another popular method of booking transport in Thailand is the website/app 12go.asia. This website will give you all transportation options from one location to the other, and you can book through it as well. You’ll get an e-ticket, which you can exchange for an actual ticket at the bus/train station.
Getting around in cities
But how do you get around in the bustling cities of Thailand? Just like in most countries, public transport is the cheapest option to get around! Local buses run in most places in Thailand and will only cost you only a couple of baht. Bigger cities might have more public transport, like the MRT and Skytrain in Bangkok, which are basically metrolines that run through the entire city. They’re not only cheap, but also a fast way to get around.
Another popular option to get around is through taxi apps, because who doesn't love a good ride with a stranger? The two most popular apps are Grab and Bolt, which are similar to apps like Uber. With Grab and Bolt, you can book regular taxis, but why not spice things up with a motorbike taxi? They're cheaper, faster and way more fun. Especially in big cities where cars get stuck in traffic, motorbikes are the ideal way to get around! Motorbike taxis are cheaper and faster than cars. Especially in the big cities where cars get stuck in traffic a lot, motorbikes are the most convenient option to move around! You can just whip out your phone, book a ride, and choose to pay by card or cash.
WHERE TO STAY WHEN YOU GET THERE
...and with that, you're well on your way to a fantastic Thai adventure! But where will you rest your weary head after a day of exploring ancient temples, bustling markets, and stunning beaches? Look no further than Revolution Hostels, your home away from home across Thailand's most vibrant destinations.
Imagine diving into the chaotic beauty of Bangkok, only to return to a social hub where fellow travelers share stories over a free family dinner. Picture yourself waking up in the cool mountain air of Chiang Mai, ready to explore elephant sanctuaries and lush jungles, knowing a comfy bed awaits your return. Envision the laid-back vibes of Pai, the underwater wonders of Koh Tao, or the historical charm of Kanchanaburi, all made even better by the welcoming atmosphere of Revolution Hostels.
Revolution isn't just a place to sleep; it's a community. With prime locations in each city, you'll be steps away from the action, whether you're seeking bustling nightlife or serene natural escapes. We boast comfy beds for a good night's rest, ensuring you're recharged for the next day's adventures. And for those who love to mingle, our party and social vibes create the perfect backdrop for making lifelong memories.
So, whether you're a solo backpacker, a group of friends, or simply looking to connect with like-minded travelers, Revolution Hostels offer the ideal blend of comfort, convenience, and community. After all, the best travel stories are often made in the places you stay, and Revolution Hostels are ready to be a part of yours. Pack your bags, book your stay, and get ready to experience Thailand like never before!
Want to prepare even further?
Did you figure out the first things and are you ready to delve even further into your upcoming Thailand backpacking trip? Is your trip getting closer and are you ready to start packing? Check out our full packing list and itineraries!
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