Currency

Thailand uses the Thai Baht (THB).

For Indian travellers, Thailand is relatively easy to manage financially because you can combine cards with a modest amount of local cash. Cards are useful at hotels, malls and many established restaurants, while cash remains convenient for smaller shops, markets, local transport and some island excursions.

Don't convert your entire holiday budget into cash before leaving India. A better approach is to carry some Thai Baht for the first day and smaller purchases, while using a card or withdrawing additional cash as required.

When comparing Thailand packages, also check what is included. A lower package price can become considerably more expensive if airport transfers, island tours, entrance tickets and domestic flights are excluded.

Our practical tip: For families, compare the complete trip cost rather than only the hotel rate. A hotel that is cheaper but requires expensive daily transfers may not actually save money.

Getting Here

Thailand is one of the more convenient international destinations for Indian travellers, with regular air connections from major Indian cities.

For travellers from Delhi NCR, Bangkok is generally the most useful gateway for a first Thailand holiday because it provides extensive onward connections to other Thai destinations.

But don't automatically choose Bangkok simply because it has the most flight options. If your holiday is mainly a Phuket beach holiday, compare flights directly to Phuket as well. Avoiding an unnecessary Bangkok domestic connection can save several hours.

Similarly, if your itinerary finishes in Phuket and your international flight allows it, consider flying home from Phuket rather than returning to Bangkok just to catch the international flight.

For multi-city Thailand holidays, check an open-jaw option: arrive in Bangkok and depart from Phuket, or use another combination that reduces unnecessary backtracking.

One of our biggest Thailand planning tips: don't schedule a tightly timed island tour immediately after an international arrival. Flight delays, immigration and baggage collection can turn a theoretically perfect itinerary into a stressful first day.

Visas

Thailand Visa & Entry Requirements for Indian Travellers

Thailand's visa and entry rules for Indian passport holders have changed in recent years, so travellers should check the latest official requirement immediately before travel rather than relying on an old visa rule or package brochure.

The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi publishes the latest information for Indian travellers, including visa-exemption updates and e-Visa information. Thailand's e-Visa system has been available in India since January 2025.

Before travelling, check:

• Passport validity and entry requirements
• Current visa-exemption eligibility, if applicable
• Thailand's current digital/pre-arrival requirements
• Return/onward flight details
• Hotel/accommodation details
• Any requirements applicable to children travelling with parents

Important: Visa and entry rules can change. Always verify the latest requirements with the Royal Thai Embassy or official Thai immigration sources before departure.

Planning tip for Indian families: Keep digital and offline copies of passports, flight tickets, hotel confirmations, travel insurance and other important documents accessible throughout the journey

Best Time to Travel

Thailand does not have one single “best season” for every destination. The most useful question is which part of Thailand are you visiting?

November–February: Generally the most comfortable period for Bangkok, northern Thailand and much of the Andaman coast. It is also a popular travel period, so flights and hotels can be more expensive around Christmas, New Year and Indian school holidays.

March–May: Hotter months. Beach holidays can still work well, but sightseeing-heavy itineraries may feel tiring during the hottest part of the day. This can be a good time for travellers who prioritise resorts, pools and islands over long city sightseeing.

June–October: The southwest monsoon affects the Andaman coast, but rainfall does not necessarily mean that every day will be a washout. However, sea conditions can affect island excursions.

Koh Samui / Gulf Coast: Its weather pattern differs from Phuket and Krabi, so travellers considering a beach holiday during the Indian monsoon months should compare the two coasts before deciding.

The important planning rule

Don't choose Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui first and then check the weather. Choose your travel month first, compare the relevant coast, and then select the island.

This is particularly important for Indian families travelling during the June–September school holiday period.

Money Saving Tips

• Don't automatically book Bangkok + Pattaya + Phuket. If you have only 5–6 nights, removing one destination can save a domestic flight, transfers and a hotel change while giving you more usable holiday time.
• Compare direct flights with domestic connections. If your main holiday is Phuket or Krabi, a convenient flight directly into the region can sometimes be worth paying slightly more for.
• Compare hotel location, not just hotel price. A cheaper hotel far from the main sightseeing area may result in higher daily taxi/Grab costs.
• Use private transfers selectively. For a family or group of 4–6, a private airport transfer can sometimes be more convenient and cost-effective than arranging several taxis.
• Don't pre-book every sightseeing activity. Major attractions and popular island excursions deserve advance planning, but not every market, temple or viewpoint requires a paid tour.
• Compare island tours carefully. Two tours with the same headline itinerary can differ considerably in boat size, number of passengers, transfer arrangements and time spent at each stop.
• Avoid changing hotels unnecessarily. Moving from one hotel to another may look harmless on paper but can consume several hours once packing, checkout, transfer and check-in are considered.
• Use Bangkok's BTS and MRT where practical. They can be considerably more predictable than road transport during busy periods.
• For families, calculate the cost per person before choosing a private tour. A shared excursion may be cheaper for two people, while a private vehicle can make more sense for a larger family or group.
• Keep some flexibility in the beach portion of the itinerary. Weather and sea conditions can affect island excursions, so don't schedule every beach day around a single non-refundable boat trip.

What To Pack

Thailand generally calls for light, breathable clothing, but your packing list should change depending on whether your itinerary is mainly Bangkok, islands, northern Thailand or a combination.

For Bangkok & city sightseeing

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Lightweight clothing
• One modest outfit covering shoulders and knees for temple visits
• Light jacket/shawl for heavily air-conditioned malls, hotels and flights
• Small day bag

For Phuket, Krabi & islands

• Swimwear
• Quick-dry clothing
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• High-SPF sunscreen
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Small dry bag for boat excursions

For Chiang Mai & northern Thailand

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Light layers
• A slightly warmer layer during cooler months
• Modest clothing for temples

For the rainy season

• Compact umbrella or lightweight rain jacket
• Waterproof pouch for phone and documents
• Quick-dry clothes

For Indian travellers
Carry a small quantity of familiar dry snacks if required, but there is usually no need to fill your suitcase with food for the entire holiday. If you have specific dietary requirements, communicate them to your hotel and tour operator in advance.

Documents: Keep passport, travel insurance, flight tickets, hotel confirmations and other important documents both digitally and offline.

Our tip: Don't overpack. Thailand has shopping malls, pharmacies and supermarkets in all major tourist areas, so replacing basic toiletries or clothing is generally easy.