The attract of Thailand for Aussies stays sturdy. Sitting simply six hours flight from Perth and eight or so from the East Coast, Thailand boasts nice seashores, mountain forests, temples galore, nice buying and among the finest meals on earth. Add to that the seedier features of prostitution and the well-known full moon events and you’ve got an entertaining combine that can go away some wanting extra whereas others could also be comfortable by no means to return.
It is a widespread first time vacation spot for backpackers as a result of it is easy to get round, English is spoken extensively and discovering good instances and mischief isn’t an issue. There’s in fact additionally some fairly good seashores to sleep off the hangover on or simply take in the solar.
Seasons/When to go
Thailand is sizzling and humid a lot of the yr. Essentially the most comfy time to go to is throughout November until March. It rains the least and isn’t tremendous sizzling. Thailand’s peak vacationer seasons are at the moment and through July and August.
The wet season runs from roughly July to October. Wet season will get a foul rap; throughout this time the extra well-liked seashores might be affected by trash after heavy rains. Regardless of this the rain could be a break from the warmth, and the countryside is lush and inexperienced. October tends to be the wettest time of yr.
April – June and September – October sometimes see the most affordable room charges and the least quantity of vacationer site visitors. Take into account these instances if you need the most affordable journey away from the hordes in peak season.
Getting low cost flights from Australia to Thailand
In case you are planning to guide the favored selection of some days in Bangkok and 5 or extra in Phuket or Ko Samui, it is price wanting round for package deal offers on supply from the key journey brokers in Australia. Like Fiji, it is one of many few locations the place reserving this manner by way of an agent might be cheaper than reserving on the web. Corporations could have allotted rooms and seats on most popular airways that may be offered very cheaply.
In case you are reserving your self do not all the time assume Jetstar (which flys into Phuket direct) will all the time be the most affordable. Thai airways, British airways and even Singapore airways could have common specials into Bangkok from Australia. From there you’ll be able to guide your self on the home carriers to any of the islands (see under). From the East Coast fares have just lately been as little as $600 return together with tax into Bangkok off-season (British Airways or Thai).
For college kids it is price checking with STA or Pupil flights as there are sometimes low cost fares on this route.
The commonest route can be to fly into Bangkok, spend a couple of days after which head out to Phuket or Ko Samui (or each). Count on to pay round $1200 inc tax for all three in off-season, whereas its nearer to $2000 inc tax at Christmas (only for flights).
Prices
On a backpacking finances enable $30-50 {dollars} a day in off-season. It isn’t as low cost as some nations in South East Asia nevertheless it’s nonetheless nice worth. For a extra comfy vacation, $100 a day will get you an honest lodge and have you ever residing fairly comfortably.
Home Airways
Strive these carriers to get you out of Bangkok and to the favored Islands and different Thailand locations.
Thai Air Asia – Flies home and worldwide routes
Nok Air – Flies Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Krabi, Trang, Loei, Udon Thani, Phuket and Nakhon Si Thammarat
One Two Go – Price range service with comparable vacation spot listing to Nok Air. Additionally has presents free snacks on board.
Bangkok Airways – Flying since 1986 Bangkok air is a well-liked selection that flys to over 20 Asian cities. Nice for Bangkok – Phuket – Ko Samui flights. You’ll be able to guide on-line and their web site additionally presents a couple of reductions on lodging.
Vacation spot Air – A small firm that provides scenic flights by way of sea airplane and day journeys round Phuket and surrounding islands like Ko Pi Pi. Minimal passenger necessities apply.
Moving into Bangkok Central from Suvarnabhumi airport/what occurs once I get to the airport in Bangkok?
Quickly after arriving it is easy to vary some Aussie {dollars} to the native forex or use an ATM (for the most effective charges).
As quickly as you permit customs you’ll in all probability be set on by locals providing you a taxi into city. Maintain cool and ignore these touts because the shuttle bus into town prices a poultry $9.00AUD and runs from 0430 until 0030. A taxi shall be dearer. Simply stroll exterior and search for the indicators for the shuttle bus, it is easy.
Most travellers shall be staying on or close to the well-known Khaosan highway, simply inform the bus man that is the place your headed. In case you are arriving exterior of the shuttle bus working instances (and lots of flights from Oz will) it is nonetheless straightforward to get a taxi. Be certain that the driving force turns the meter on; it begins at about 35B. Get out of the cab if they will not flip the metre on. Be agency about this – as elsewhere it is a widespread rip-off for cabbies to make up the value on arrival. You’ll have to pay the motor toll in case you journey into town by taxi – so you may be requested for a small quantity of additional money on the best way. The price of a taxi must be not more than $12 or so Aussie {dollars} into town. The airport is about 30km or 45mins by highway from the centre of city.
In the event you contemplate reserving a switch in Australia it is round $40 {dollars} Aussie a technique, so it is a lot simpler and cheaper simply to get on the shuttle bus if you arrive. In the event you arrive late then a taxi continues to be cheaper than reserving a switch in Australia.
In the event you’re staying in Khaosan Highway: After getting off shuttle bus or taxi on Kao Son highway, stroll to the tip of the highway the place the Monastery (Wat) is, there is a police station off to the suitable, stroll that approach, cross the road and go down the pink bricked highway named Soi Rambuttri (the monastery will now be in your left). This space is way quieter than on the primary drag.
Khao san Highway lodging choices
In Bangkok Ko Shan highway is often the primary port of name for many travellers, often travellers on a finances. In latest instances extra comfy motels appear to be bobbing up in all places. Exterior of peak instances it is easy sufficient to only present up on this small space and guide a spot – although in busier instances or in case you do not wish to wing it reserving upfront is simple sufficient.
The Viengtai lodge is a well-liked selection for younger Aussies. Count on to pay round $10-30 an evening.
Rambuttri Inn (15-20AUD) is a well-liked and cozy place with a pool.
MyHouse Guesthouse-($10AUD) One of many higher cheapies that is good and quiet by Bangkok requirements.
With any guesthouse on this space ensure you examine the rooms first, however most shall be advantageous for a way low cost they’re.
For extra comfy digs a lot of the massive title motels are represented in Bangkok. When you have the money town’s most well-known lodge, the Oriental is the place to be. If you cannot afford that the Royal Orchid Sheraton simply down the river has nice views at a less expensive worth.
Different areas of Bangkok are simply nearly as good to remain; try Chinatown and the Sukhumvit highway space.
Khaosan Highway is sweet for first time travellers to exit or do some buying and the most effective place to rearrange different journey service like visas and practice tickets.
Getting round Thailand
Rail/Bus
Thailand has improbable trains and buses that are low cost, quick and straightforward to make use of. You should purchase tickets from quite a few native journey brokers, although it is cheaper and never tough to purchase your self on the bus or practice station. The most affordable choice to get round is on the ‘fan’ buses for brief or medium journeys – simply go away early within the morning to keep away from the worst of the warmth. The most affordable rail choice is third class, which may take a bit longer than the dearer AC buses however are a enjoyable technique to get round.
Seaside Locations
Phuket
This Island of half 1,000,000 folks is essentially the most visited in Thailand. It is effectively serviced by flights from round Asia and has an important mixture of lodging to select from. Staying within the coronary heart of Phuket city on the seaside shall be costly, whereas staying a couple of blocks again or quarter-hour down the highway in Karon seaside are the cheaper choices. That is the realm from which you’ll simply go to islands reminiscent of Ko Pi Pi (from the film The Seaside).
Ko Samui
As soon as a purely finances vacation spot Ko Samui is now a totally fledged resort island. All the key motels are right here, with costly lodging the norm. For a finances seaside vacation Phuket or Khao Lak, an hour north, are the higher bets. Most Aussies will come to Ko Samui on their approach over to Ko Panyang for the well-known full moon events. Click on the hyperlink under for a full web page on the way to get there and the run down on these well-liked and all the time unfastened nights out. The events are pretty commercialised today, however nonetheless definitely worth the journey.
Off the crushed path
There’s heaps extra to Thailand than simply Bangkok, Phuket and Ko Samui. It is simple to get round so with a bit of time testing locations reminiscent of Khao Sok nationwide park, Ko Chang and the Similan islands will get you away from the lots. Keep away from the southern mainland city of Pattaya; package deal vacationers, pimps, members of paedophiles san frontiers: not good.
