Thailand for first-timers: how to split your days

Thailand is the region’s easiest first trip abroad — cheap, friendly, delicious and set up for visitors. The only real question is how to divide your time between the city and the coast. Here’s the split that works for most first-timers.

Days 1–3: Bangkok

Give the capital three nights. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho in the cool of the morning, a long-tail boat through the canals, a rooftop bar at sunset and at least one proper street-food crawl around Chinatown. It’s chaotic in the best way, and three days is enough to love it without burning out.

Do the temples early. By 10am the heat and the crowds both arrive together.

Days 4–7: the islands

Then fly south. Broadly, the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi) is dramatic limestone cliffs and turquoise bays, while the Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) is calmer and greener. Pick one side — island-hopping across both eats your week in transfers.

• Honeymoon / relaxed: Krabi or Koh Samui.
• Lively / young crowd: Phuket or Koh Phangan.
• Diving: the Similan Islands (Nov–Apr only).

When to go

November to March is the dry, cool sweet spot — and the peak. April brings Songkran, the riotous water-festival new year. June to October is greener, wetter and much cheaper, with showers that usually pass quickly.

Good news on visas

As of 2024, Indian passport holders get visa-free entry to Thailand for up to 60 days — a big win for longer or twin-centre trips. Visa rules do change, so we always reconfirm before ticketing. Flights run about 4h 15m from most Indian metros to Bangkok.

Tell us your dates and whether you’re city-first or beach-first, and we’ll shape the whole route — internal flights and transfers included.