Table of Contents
Introduction
I get a lot of questions about solo travel in Thailand then this is for you. I will be honest with you, I didn’t travel to Thailand solo, but after going to Thailand twice in one year, I believe I picked up a lot that would help anyone, especially women, thinking about going alone and doing it solo.
This Thailand travel guide will give you everything you need to know, from safety tips, budget hacks, and a few reflections on what I learnt as a woman travelling in Thailand.
Related Post: A 5 Day Bali Solo Travel Guide: Here’s How I Did Bali Alone (and Loved It)
Where I Went & When
I’ve been to Thailand twice. Both in 2013. The first time was during our university/college reading week, and then the second was when I finished my degree in June.
The first time I flew in from Singapore with two friends, I met at the university/college National University of Singapore (NUS) while studying there as a student. We started out in Bangkok and then took another flight to Koh Samui for me to catch a ferry to Koh Phangan for my Thailand Full Moon Party solo experience. This time, we stayed in a range of hostels, which made the trip super affordable.
The second time I visited, I was only there to fly back to Singapore after a three-week trip, getting coaches to every city in Vietnam, from the bottom right to the top of the country, Laos for River Tubbing (an outdoor sport in which people ride inner tubes or inflated disks down a long river).
After my time in Laos, we then got another night bus into Bangkok just so we could save a couple of £100s to fly back to Singapore.
I was really doing things on a budget, right? And budget travelling, I really did. With style of course. Here is a reflective and honest Thailand travel guide for anyone considering travelling to Thailand solo.
About Thailand
Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles”. And boy do the locals smile. The country is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia. There is so many Thailand travel places as it’s a country that blends bustling city life in Bangkok with the laid-back charm of islands like Koh Samui and Phuket, as well as cultural depth in places like Chiang Mai.
Famous for its golden temples, delicious street food, stunning beaches, and affordable luxury, Thailand attracts millions of travellers every single year. For Thailand solo travellers, it’s an especially appealing destination thanks to its strong tourism infrastructure, friendly locals, and the sheer variety of experiences.
Anyone coming from the US, UK, or Canada, entering Thailand solo, is really straightforward. All three nationalities are part of Thailand’s visa-exemption program, which allows tourist stays of up to 60 days without needing a visa, with the option to extend for another 30 days at a local immigration office.
Please ensure you have a passport within the 6 months and if you are from out of these countries head over to iVisa to check if you will need a visa.
What I Noticed That Would Help Solo Female Travellers in Thailand
Below are a few things I noticed that will help you if you are going to Thailand solo. Even though I didn’t travel there alone, there were a number of times solo where I was doing things by myself. Here are some insights I picked up:
- It’s so easy and simple to meet people – The hostels in Thailand, organised tours, hotels, and even overnight buses are full of other solo travellers. Thailand is one of the easiest places to strike up conversations and find travel friends for life.
- Transport is simple and cheap – From tuk-tuks in Bangkok to ferries between the islands, everything is designed with tourists in mind. Apps like Grab make taxis safer and more transparent.
- Food culture is perfect for solo travel – Street food is everywhere, and no one bats an eyelid if you sit down alone with a Pad Thai or mango sticky rice.
- Locals are friendly and helpful – While in Thailand, there may be a language barrier, Thai people are generally warm, respectful, and curious, which makes navigating new places feel less intimidating.
Thailand Is Designed for Independent Solo Travellers
The infrastructure in Thailand was great for travel in 2013 when I went, and in today’s world, I would say it is even better for solo travellers’ movement. So you will have no trouble if you decide to solo travel in Thailand.
If you are looking for solo travel with ease I would say that Thailand is the perfect choice. It is easy to book. (I’ve even seen flights recently as cheap as £345 RT). And you can easily get connecting flights within the country with ease.
You can also get cheap stays at hostels, and even luxury hotels, food is also really cheap and transport using tuk-tuks is very affordable to get around the city in Bangkok. Basically, Thailand is designed for solo travellers on any type of budget.
It would be easy to make friends and meet people because so many other travellers are solo travelling through Thailand.
Safety Felt Manageable: But Awareness Is Key
Being a city, Bangkok is a lot more busy and from what I remember more overwhelming compared to the islands like Krabi and Koh Samui.
Things to keep in mind:
- Nightlife safety, especially during beach parties and the Full Moon scenes. I am yet to write about my Full Moon experience, but I will soon.
- Keep an eye on your drinks and plan your route back to your accommodation. I would actually advise that you shouldn’t get drunk while travelling solo.
- Using Tuk-tuks is fun and cheap, but agree on the price before getting on.
- Scams are common around temples, and taxis do a little research to avoid the obvious ones. And be sure to be watchful of your belongings.
I personally felt safe overall. We even lost a friend midway, and she was fine! As a solo traveller, awareness is your best tool. Be watchful and use the same cautions as you would when you are back at home.
You Can Solo Travel in Thailand Without Starting Solo
When I think back to the Full Moon Party, I didn’t go fully solo, but the experience had so much “solo energy.” I left Koh Samui solo and caught a ferry to Koh Phangan and arrived by myself and met up with friends. It was chaotic, wild, but it was an amazing night.
This is important to highlight: even if you start with friends or alone and meet friends later, you’ll naturally find yourself having solo moments. And those moments are valuable. They help you build confidence for when you eventually take that fully solo trip. And you will. I know because you are here because you want to travel solo!
How You’re Perceived as a Black Woman
As a Black woman in Thailand, I didn’t feel out of place, though there were moments of curiosity, especially around my hair. It was never uncomfortable or hostile. If you don’t want to take pictures or videos with anyone, just firmly say no. I have had it so much that I have even started asking for money as a joke!
Overall, I experienced warmth from locals and genuine kindness. Compared to other countries I’ve travelled to, I felt relatively comfortable. And I imagine it would be the same if I were to go back for the third time solo.
Thailand Is What You Make It
Thailand solo of with anyone else can be whatever you want it to be. There are many things to do in Thailand, and many Thailand travel places to explore and as I mentioned, it is fit for every budget.
- Budget backpacking: hostels, night buses, cheap eats.
- Luxury travel: boutique hotels, rooftop bars, wellness retreats.
- Spiritual: temples, yoga, meditation retreats.
- Party: Full Moon, beach clubs, Bangkok nightlife is fun when I went, we did the Ping Pong shows, but I didn’t last a second LOL.
- Places to visit: Bangkok, Phuket and Ko Samui
- Tourist Attractions: The Grand Palace, Wat Arun Ratchawaram, Wat Pho
- Eat: Thai curries, Fried Rice, Pad Thai noodles and Som Tam Salad
That’s the magic of Thailand. Whether you’re a first-time solo traveller or seasoned, you can design the trip that fits your mood and budget.
Quick Solo in Thailand Travel Tips
Here are a few Thailand travel tips things I would be mindful of if you are going:
- Book your first two nights in advance. Using websites like Booking.com, HostelWorld and Expedia.
- Learn basic Thai greetings; a simple “Sawasdee ka” goes a long way, and locals love it when they see you are trying.
- Don’t underestimate how long Thailand island hopping can take. Phenom Penn and Koh Samui are super easy to get to, but I remember when I did it solo, it was just over 3 hours.
- Grab app and 7-Eleven will save your life. I used this taxi service when I was in Indonesia and shop/store a lot when I lived and travelled in Asia more widely.
- Always carry some cash, your money will go far and use XE, Lemfi to know the daily exchange rates.
- Before going to any of these countries, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
- Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific tours for Thailand. Please read the reviews before booking!
- I would advise using Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279.
Reflections: is Thailand safe for solo female travellers?
Would I go back and solo travel in Thailand? Absolutely yes. I basically did, do and have moments that I was solo travel in Thailand so I would certainly say yes that you can do Thailand solo.
If I returned now, I’d love to explore more of Chiang Mai and Krabi. When I was in my 20s, travelling in Thailand, I was chasing budget hacks. Now, my mindset has shifted. Now, I value my own time, silence, slower, intentional travel, wellness, and reflective experiences.
Thailand has something for every stage of your travel journey. It remains one of the easiest and most rewarding countries to test solo travel. And if you are going with friends, family or a partner, you can still steal solo moments and use this Thailand Travel Guide as a starter to hear what it was like over a decade ago.
Conclusion
I hope this solo travel in Thailand guide gives you a taste of how I travelled with friends back in 2013, while also experiencing solo moments. As I conclude this post, I am tempted to book a flight to Thailand solo because why not?
Have you been to Thailand? Would you do it solo? Or do you want to go with your friend’s family, a loved one? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram @MyBreakingViews, and if you have any questions, DM me. I am always happy to help.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
- Arriving in Japan Solo: What It Taught Me About Travel Confidence
- The Solo Travel Challenge, a free resource for women ready to take their first trip
- Solo Travel Tips & Inspiration
Speak soon,
Adebola MBV x
