8 Thailand Travel Tips for Your First Trip To Thailand

I took my first trip to Thailand in 2020 and have returned four times since then. I learned things that will benefit you on your first trip. These 8 Thailand travel tips will help you navigate the country, arrive prepared, and help ensure a great experience. I’m even including some dining and local food hacks. For my itinerary for a first-time trip to Thailand, please read my blog, ‘Ultimate 3-Week Thailand Itinerary for First-Timers.’

1. Make sure you have Thai currency with you upon arrival in Thailand

Upon arrival, make sure you have Thai currency (Thai Baht) on hand. You will need approximately 10,000 Thai Baht per person, which is equivalent to CAD 400 or USD 300 per person. You can order Thai Baht through your bank before you leave your home country or exchange it at the airport upon arrival.

2. Do You Need a Visa to Enter Thailand?

Upon arrival from countries such as Canada or the United States, you can obtain a visa. However, if you plan to stay longer than 60 days and travel extensively around the region, you will need a multiple-entry tourist visa. This comes with a cost of CAD 250. Before you depart, please check with the Thai embassy or consulate in your country to ensure you are properly prepared. For a list of Thailand’s entry requirements from Canada, please refer to the entry requirements for the Thai Embassy in Canada.

3. Thailand Transportation Travel Tips

For valuable Thailand travel tips to help a first-time visitor, please read my blog, “19 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Trip to Southeast Asia.” In this blog, I cover taxis, tuk-tuks, transportation apps, booking domestic flights, and even getting around on foot. It shares numerous transportation hacks for Thailand that will benefit you during your first visit.

4. Getting around via public Transportation in Bangkok

Public transit is one of my favourite ways to get to know a new city, and Bangkok is no exception. The city features a Skytrain that will take you to various tourist attractions. The BTS Skytrain starts at approximately 50 cents USD, and you can purchase a daily ticket for about CAD 4. The BTS is easy to locate and navigate, efficiently getting you to your destination. This is the best way to reach the Grand Palace, the Reclining Buddha, and Wat Arun in Bangkok.

5. Traveling via River Taxi in Bangkok Tips

You can’t leave Bangkok without experiencing a river taxi boat ride down the Chao Phraya River, often referred to as the muddy river. This is a memorable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. On my first trip to Bangkok, I took a river taxi to the Golden Mount, which dropped me off at the entrance. This is an incredible experience that makes you feel as if you’re in a movie, and it’s one of my favourite travel tips for Thailand. Be careful not to fall for the tuk-tuk scam at the Golden Mount entrance at the pier.

Taking my first river taxi up the muddy river in Bangkok. A great experience and a great way to travel in the city.

No I'm not driving just holding the camera with the muddy river in the background

Be cautious of scams in Thailand, especially in Bangkok. Read my blog about the scams I fell for during my first trip to Thailand, How to Avoid These Three Common Scams in Bangkok

6. The Top Ferry Service Travel Tips for the Islands

When visiting the islands in Thailand, you will need to use a ferry service or a speedboat. I usually use the 12Go booking site for most of my ferries. It’s easy, and you can also book buses and shuttles through 12Go. Additionally, you can arrange ferries, shuttles, and buses at your hotel, hostel, or tourist centers. For more transportation hacks, my blog, “19 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Trip to Southeast Asia,” has those too.

7. Eating in Thailand Tips: Stick with The Street Food

I assure you that you will not go hungry in Thailand. Street stalls are everywhere; the street food is fantastic, cheap, and safe. In Thailand, I live on street food, since, in most cases, it’s superior to restaurant food, and I have not once been sick. If someone has mentioned to you that they got ill from street food in Thailand, assume they overdrank. Add street food to your travel tips list for Thailand, and you won’t be disappointed. Thailand is the place to be adventurous, and this includes your street food experience. Try the crocodile and go out of your comfort zone.

If you’d like to learn more about how I find the best street food when traveling, check out my blog, My Long-Term Solo Travel Planning Methodology.

8. Visit 7-Eleven for Your Basic Essentials

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Nothing beats the grilled ham and cheese sandwiches from 7-Eleven in Thailand! #hamandcheese #7eleven #phiphiisland #thailand #traveltiktok #foodietiktok #travel #solottavel #worldtraveler #globedigger #fyp #foryou
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Perhaps not in your country, but in Thailand, 7-Eleven is the most amazing convenience store on the planet. For your essentials, snacks, heat-and-go snacks, groceries, and more, you’ll visit 7-Eleven daily. They offer a great selection of food that they will heat up for you on the spot. The ham and cheese sandwiches are my favourite and very famous, but I suggest you test the full menu. 7-Eleven is also great for new snacks you won’t find at home. This is where I recommend purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival, which costs $10-$20 CAD for unlimited data. For my best SIM card hacks, including buying one at 7-Eleven, read my 19 Southeast Asia travel tips blog.

Any time you visit a new country, you gain more knowledge about navigating that country than when you arrived. Thailand is no different, and these tips will give you a head start. Enjoy your time in one of my favourite countries, the country that inspired me to travel the world.