Hello, I'm a 23 year old female
I'm saving up to go to Thailand in 6-8 weeks for around a month it'll be my first time away on my own
I'm thinking of Bangkok and Chiang Mai
However I did really want to see a beach but not sure how id get to a beach from either of them
Id also appreciate any advice regarding hostels should I book before or just turn up and book
If you need a visa you buy ahead of time or not depends on the passport you enter Thailand with. If from most Western countries (UK, Canada, USA, Au, NZ, Germany, etc.) you can enter free with a Visa Exemption stamp in your passport you get at the airport when you fly in. Over 30 days you must buy a Tourist Visa.
If flying in from long distance buying round trip plane tickets might save you hundreds of dollars or pounds or whatever. Always do the math when pricing plane tickets out. Bangkok has 2 airports. Most international flights from Europe and North and South America arrive at Suvarnabhumi, the newer and larger airport. Some flights from nearby countries may first arrive at Don Muang (in Bangkok) or even Phuket.
There are quite a few posts for "woman traveling alone" or "solo female traveler" or phrases like that. Do a forum search for information that could be useful to you. Do a Google search for scams to avoid too.
Any Google search can give you info on how to get to Phuket, Hua Hin, Jomtien or other beaches. Just like where you come from - bus, train, taxi or fly. Depending on where you start from and how much time you have available. For instance, from Bangkok, if you take a bus to Phuket that ride could take around 12 hours just one way. Flying would be under 2 hours.
From Bangkok to Chiang Mai, flying, train or bus is the usual method. Land travel, figure on around 10 to 16 hours depending on what you use. Overnight sleeper car to Chiang Mai is popular but those seats are sold out first. Google up "Seat 61, train travel Thailand" for more help. Flying Bangkok to Chiang Mai - under 2 hours.
If you arrive late at night my advice is to first book a room so you have a place to direct the taxi to. When you ask about hotels or even hostels also include your price range. Please use Thai baht to make any help you get useful. For Bangkok Suk 11 Hostel is popular. Some hostel rooms are not that much much different in cost than cheap hotels and guest houses. Also Bangkok the Atlanta Hotel is used by women traveling alone. Old fashioned hotel. Atlanta and Suk 11 can be reached by Skytrain. (Lub D Hostel also can be reached by Skytrain too.) Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi Airport, has rail service to the city area. This ARL connects with the Skytrain and with the subway. But not operating after midnight to 6 a.m.
Google up list of beaches Thailand. There are even beaches closer to Bangkok but water quality not that good for swimming. When you show up will determine the weather you get. Two months from now you will still be in the rainy season.
An old fashioned travel guide might be helpful. Look over a map of Thailand. Phuket nearer the bottom of Thailand. Bangkok sort of center. Chiang Mai nearer the top.
Passport must have at least 6 months remaining. Some airlines may not let you leave your country without a visa or return ticket. Have more than one debit card or credit card with you. No problem changing most Western currencies at the airport in Bangkok 24 hours a day. For most Western currencies you get a better rate in Thailand than another country.
Read some of the many posts for solo woman traveling to Thailand and read some of the cautions.
Good luck.
[ 18-Jun-2015, at 12:23 by karazyal ]
Hi thankyou for your reply
There's alot of info available there that's been useful Thankyou
I wasn't aware there was any beaches close to Bangkok
I'm very excited I just returned from India in monsoon season that was an experience
I'm bit nervous being a female traveler but cant wait for it to come round x
Thailand is a way, WAY easier destination than India. You'll have no problems at all.
Buy a guide book and have fun.
Cheers,
Terry
Better beaches are further away from Bangkok. But it depends on what you want to do. Millions of Indian tourists visit Pattaya every year (2 hr. cheap bus ride from Bangkok) but the water is no good for tourists to swim in. Beach is okay for sunbathing, shopping, nightlife, hotels and restaurants. Plus cheap transportation.
Thailand will definitely be easier to do than India. Probably safer too with all the stories of women being fondled and assaulted on buses, etc. Food is cleaner and better! (My opinion.)
Up to you!
I was quite poorly when I returned from India and got bitten to bits from mossies! The jungle formula didn't work lol
I'm looking forward to the temples and that experience in Chiang Mai I think I getting a flight from Bangkok
Is it cheap to eat in Thailand? I think I'm looking at August beginning of for the month until September which as some have pointed out is a wet season xxx
Cheap to eat? Depends on where you eat just like back home. Choose a fancy posh restaurant with a fancy name you pay more than eating at a mall food court or a lunch counter in a supermarket (like Tops and Foodland) and more expensive than a small Thai restaurant.
Do a Google search for "cost of food in Thailand" or "cost of food in Bangkok" and you will get some information. If you only have a smart phone go to a cheap internet shop and use a big screen computer for searches. You could even print up some data too if needed.
Sample:
Beer 25-70 baht in a supermarket - depending on if local or exported.
Fried rice 20 baht to 70 baht - depending on where you buy.
Water 3 baht to 10 baht a bottle depending on brand and if purchased in bulk in a supermarket or from another place.
Water in a beer bar about the same price as a cheap beer or carbonated beverage. Cheap beer 60 - 100 baht, depending on if cheap beer bar or fancier place. Nightclubs are more expensive.
"....got bitten to bits from mossies!"
Some people just plain taste better to mosquitoes! I rarely get bit, probably just too old and tough! If you slather on a lot of perfume or cologne or use fancy smelly soap and shampoo - maybe change brands! Or change to something that has no smell. If you choose hotels or hostels without air conditioning and fans only - bugs can get through the screens. (There is almost always holes or cuts.) With a cheap place with A/C the windows are shut tight. (Rooms are more quiet too!) Some cheap hotels have a can of bug spray that you can use to spray the toilet area where there may be vents to the outside.
[ 19-Jun-2015, at 05:32 by karazyal ]
Need a travel partner? I am planning for Thailand as well at the same time!!
I like Thailand a lot really. Consider travelling it on scooter. I rented one on -snip-last summer, and loved it a lot
Edited on 25-Jun-2015, at 00:45 by gradetracy
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