Thailand remains one of the most visited destinations for Australians, and for good reason: short-haul by Asian standards, cheap once you’re there, varied enough to suit every travel style, and with food that makes most other countries look underachieving.
Here’s what you actually need to know before you go.
Flights and Getting There
Direct flights operate from Sydney and Melbourne to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) with Thai Airways, Qantas, and other carriers. Flight time is around 9 hours. Budget airlines (AirAsia, Jetstar) connect via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore for significantly lower fares — allow for the extra time and connection risk.
For Phuket, there are direct flights from several Australian cities. Chiang Mai usually requires a connection through Bangkok.
Visas
Australian passport holders currently receive a 60-day visa-on-arrival at no charge (confirm this before travel as policies change). Extensions are possible at immigration offices in Thailand. If you plan to stay longer than two months, arrange a tourist visa through the Thai embassy before departure.
Regions Worth Knowing
Bangkok is the entry point for most and worth 3–4 days even if cities aren’t your thing. The temples (Wat Pho, Wat Arun), the markets (Chatuchak on weekends), and the street food alone justify the time. Stay in Sukhumvit or Silom for easy transport — avoid the backpacker strip around Khaosan Road unless that’s specifically what you’re after.
Chiang Mai is the north, cooler, slower, and more culturally rich than the south. Doi Suthep temple is a must. The Sunday Walking Street market is good. The food in Chiang Mai (khao soi especially) is worth the trip by itself.
The Gulf Islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) suit beach-focused trips. Koh Tao is the budget diving mecca and one of the cheapest places in the world to get certified. Koh Phangan is the full-moon party island — go if that’s your thing, but the rest of the island is genuinely beautiful if you stay long enough.
The Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta) has the dramatic limestone karst scenery and clearest water. Krabi Town and Koh Lanta are better value and less developed than Phuket proper. Avoid Patong Beach in Phuket unless you want the mass-tourism version of Thailand.
Costs (Realistic 2026 Estimates)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Guesthouse/night | $15–25 | $50–100 |
| Street food meal | $2–4 | — |
| Restaurant meal | $8–15 | $20–35 |
| Local beer | $2 | $4–6 at a bar |
| Day tour/activity | $20–40 | $60–120 |
| Internal flights | $30–70 | $70–150 |
Two people travelling mid-range can live very comfortably on $150–200/day total.
What to Watch Out For
Tuk-tuk scams in Bangkok — the friendly local who tells you the temple is closed and offers to take you to a gem shop instead. Standard operating procedure in tourist areas.
Jet ski damage scams in southern beach areas — inspect any rental vehicle before taking it and photograph any existing damage.
Dress codes at temples — shoulders and knees must be covered. Most major temples rent or sell wraps at the entrance.
Health insurance — get it. A hospital stay in Thailand is cheap by Australian standards but not free, and medical evacuation is expensive.
Book Thailand accommodation on Booking.com: The best range of hotels, guesthouses, and villas with genuine reviews. Free cancellation on most properties.
Find Thailand AccommodationThe Honest Recommendation
Bangkok (3 nights) → Chiang Mai (3 nights) → Gulf or Andaman island (5–7 nights). That’s 12–13 days and covers the full range of what Thailand offers. First-time visitors who only do one region always say they wish they’d done more.
Thailand rewards returning visitors — most people come back.
