How to Do a Solo Trip to Thailand (from a solo female traveller) 2026 GUIDE

Looking to do a solo trip to Thailand? Here’s everything you need to know to have the ‘Eat Pray Love’ trip of a lifetime — from a solo traveller!

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If you’ve ever thought about taking a solo trip to Thailand, this is your sign to do it.

Back in 2020, I lived solo in Chiang Mai for six months (long story), and always promised myself I’d return one day for a proper solo trip around Thailand.

That day came — and it was easily one of my favourite solo trips to date.

The truth is, Thailand is one of the most accessible, safe, affordable, and solo-travel-friendly countries in Southeast Asia.

So if you’re considering your first solo adventure (or just need a nudge to book the next one), it should definitely be on your list.

From temple-hopping in Bangkok to laying low on the beaches of Krabi, and sipping iced matcha in Chiang Mai — here’s everything you need to know about taking a solo trip to Thailand, including my itinerary if you’d like to use bits of it for your own!

About the Author

Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.

On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.

P.S. – For more trip inspiration, travel videos, and behind-the-scenes adventures, be sure to follow along (and say hello, if you fancy) on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.

Know Before You Go: Solo in Thailand

📍 Visa

Most travellers can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days (on arrival by air) or 15 days (by land). But check the current rules for your nationality before flying in.

💰 Currency

The official Thai currency is Thai Baht (THB). Most places accept cash only — especially markets and street stalls — so it’s best to always keep some on hand.

📶 SIM Card

I used an Airalo eSIM during my trip, which I highly recommend you do if you’re travelling solo, as you’ll never want to be without data — it’s super cheap, with fast data, and all done virtually (you’ll just need wifi to install it, so do it before your trip or at the airport).

Is Thailand Safe to Travel Alone?

In short: yes. Thailand is generally very safe for solo travellers, especially women.

With that said, here’s what to keep in mind:

• Stick to well-reviewed accommodation (I have recommendations in the itinerary section below)
• Keep your bag zipped and wear a crossbody bag in crowded places like markets.
• Don’t tell strangers you’re travelling alone — say a friend is meeting you later.
• Use Grab(Thailand’s version of Uber) instead of hailing random taxis.
• Trust your gut. If something feels off while you’re exploring — walk away.
• Be mindful of scams, especially in Bangkok (e.g. overpriced tuk tuk tours etc.)
• Don’t drink the tap water in Thailand. Bottled water is super cheap and available everywhere.

Is Thailand Good for Solo Travelling?

A beautiful solo evening in Krabi, Thailand

Absolutely. Thailand is one of the easiest places to solo travel — even if you’ve never done it before.

From the affordable prices (i.e. for accommodation, food, activities) to welcoming locals and culture, a strong travel community, easy transport and booking systems, great WiFi and digital nomad-friendly cities like Chiang Mai — it’s truly the perfect solo travel destination.

Biased of course, but I hold to it!

Getting Around Thailand as a Solo Traveller

Whenever I go on solo trips, the first thing I look up is how to get around easily and safely in the destination I’m visiting.

Luckily getting around Thailand is pretty straightforward — even if it’s your first time in Asia. Here’s a breakdown of how I travelled:

• Domestic flights — I flew from Bangkok → Krabi and Krabi → Chiang Mai. Book ahead for the best prices but they’re all generally £20-60 – one-way
• Grab app — Thailand’s Uber (with motorcycles, too) safe and easy for getting around, but make sure to wear a helmet if you’re taking the motorcyles. They may not always have them, so consider getting one via the Grab app when you arrive — they sell everything!
• Tuk-tuks — Good for short rides, but negotiate the price first. A short ride should only cost around 50 bhat, for example.
• Long-tail boats — These are how you get to islands like Railay in Krabi — easy to find at piers.
• Tours with transfers — Many day trips in Thailand include transport, which helps avoid the stress of figuring it out solo if there’s a highlight you want to see (like the White Temple, for example).
• Walking — Especially in Chiang Mai Old City and Krabi Town, it’s super easy to get around, safe and walkable.

How to Meet Other Travellers in Thailand

Meeting other travellers on a Bangkok food tour!

Even though I love solo time, there were definitely moments I wanted to connect during my trip. Here’s where I met other travellers on my solo trip to Thailand:

• Cafés — In Chiang Mai in particular, the city is FULL of digital nomads. Sit down with a laptop in a digital nomad-friendly cafe, and you’ll likely strike up a convo.
• Group tours — My food tour in Bangkok and island hopping in Krabi tour were both super social.
• Instagram — Search hashtags like #ChiangMaiDigitalNomad and #ThailandSoloTravel to find other creators and travellers nearby.
• Workshops — Thai cooking classes and Muay Thai sessions are also great for meeting people.
• Hostels — Although I don’t really stay in hostels anymore, they’re always the most social option, especially in Thailand!

Where to Stay in Thailand for Solo Travellers

Salil Hotel Sukhumvit

A few quick recommendations from where I stayed (or wish I had!):

Bangkok:

• Hotel Centre Point Silom — A beautiful 4-star with views of the Chao Phraya River
• Salil Hotel Sukhumvit — Boutique, stylish and in a great neighbourhood

Krabi:

• Ao Nang Buri Resort — Affordable and close to everything in Krabi
• BlueSotel SMART Krabi — Great for a splurge-y solo stay

Chiang Mai:

• BED Chiang Mai Gate Hotel — Super solo-travel friendly
• The Inside House — A gorgeous Chiang Mai hotel for a ‘treat yourself’ stay

Thailand Solo Travel Itinerary

I planned my Thailand itinerary for a true mix of everything.

Bangkok to soak up the culture and energy, Krabi for a beach wind-down, and Chiang Mai for a slower pace before heading home.

Each spot gave me something different — city buzz, beach calm, and a slower, creative pace up north.

It also kept the trip feeling balanced. Enough variety to stay excited, but not so much that I felt like I was constantly on the move.

If you’re planning your own solo trip to Thailand, I’d say this trio of destinations gives you a solid taste of what the country has to offer.

P.S. This itinerary is just based on what I did on this particular solo trip, feel free to skip out on, or just pick and mix some bits to add to your trip. There’s no wrong way to do Thailand.

📍 Stop 1: Bangkok (3 Days)

If you’ve never been, Bangkok is truly a full-on sensory experience…in the best way possible.

Between ancient temples and hectic night markets, the city knows how to keep you on your toes.

Things I Did in Bangkok:

Bangkok Temple Hopping — When in Bangkok, temple hopping is a must. I started with the classics: Wat Arun, Wat Pho (home to the reclining Buddha), and the Grand Palace. Then went to a few smaller ones like the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple (Wat Khaek)

The Grand Palace

Local Bangkok food tour — I booked a daytime food tour with 15+ dishes, and had some of the best Thai food of my life. Highly recommend.

Sunset boat ride along the Chao Phraya River — Bangkok is home to the beautiful Chao Phraya River, which is stunning to see during golden hour (especially the view of Wat Arun!).

Rooftop drinks at Vertigo Bangkok — Bangkok has an incredible rooftop scene, especially at Vertigo Bar. Had a solo drink here and soaked in the views. Very boujee, very worth it (right near the Salil Hotel Sukhumvit hotel).

Day Trip to the Maeklong Railway Market — Took a guided tour to the Maeklong Railway Market (yes, the one where the train runs through the stalls) and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. A bit chaotic, but fun to see once!

P.S. – This one is 1,000% best to do on a tour given the transport logistics.

Where I Stayed in Bangkok:

Hotel Centre Point Silom

• Hotel Centre Point Silom — great location, near BTS station, and perfect if you want something beautiful, quiet, and central.
• Salil Hotel Sukhumvit — for a more boutique/luxury experience in a vibey part of town.

What I’d Do Differently:

I’d give myself an extra day to adjust. Bangkok is a lot, and if it’s your first stop after a long-haul flight, the culture shock and humidity can hit hard.

📍 Stop 2: Krabi (3 Days)

After the buzz of Bangkok, I was craving some serious beach time — so to the chilled island of Krabi I went. Highly recommend.

Things I Did in Krabi:

Ao Nang & Railay Beach — One of the best things to do in Krabi is simply lounge at the beach, and that I did.

Spent some beautiful time at Ao Nang beach next to my hotel and Railay Beach, both home to stunning views, and a great place to sunbathe/swim.

Krabi Island hopping — There are lots of beautiful islands near Krabi, and the best way to see them is through an island hopping tour.

Booked a speedboat day tour to the Hong Islands for turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, and dreamy snorkelling. Completely worth it.

Krabi Town Night Market — Thailand is known for their night markets, and Krabi’s is fantastic. Picked up some handmade jewellery, had mango sticky rice, and caught some live music during my visit!

Reeve Beach Club — This place was SO good, I ended up coming twice.

A chic beach club with amazing views of sunset, great sushi, cocktails, music, and a nightly fire show.

P.S. – Don’t be intimidated to come here alone, solo travellers deserve fun nights out too!

Monkey Trail, Ao Nang — A short hike from Ao Nang to Pai Plong Beach (which is super quiet, I basically had the beach to myself here!).

Of course, lots of monkeys to see along the way, mainly along the beginning of the hike, but don’t bring food — they’re cheeky.

Blue Dragon Cabaret Show — If you’re solo and want a fun night out, this drag show is fab. Friendly staff, great performers, and super inclusive.

Just be mindful you’ll have to pay for pictures if you’d like one with them after the show!

P.S. – For a different vibe, you can also catch a Muay Thai boxing show in Krabi at the Ao Nang Landmark Stadium.

Where I Stayed in Krabi:

• Ao Nang Buri Resort — safe, comfy, and walkable to everything in Ao Nang. Pool included. Loved it.

P.S. – I also recommend BlueSotel SMART Krabi for a luxe stay.

📍 Stop 3: Chiang Mai (4 Days)

To round off my Thailand solo trip, it was time to visit Chiang Mai (where I lived for six months!).

From the slower pace, to the mountains, and café scene — it’s one of my favourite cities on earth.

Things I Did In Chiang Mai:

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep — Took a Grab up to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, and it was just as stunning as I remembered.

It’s one of Chiang Mai’s most historic temples and brilliant to see at sunrise or sunset.

Chiang Mai café hopping — Cafés are my love language, and Chiang Mai is full of them.

I recommend checking out the Carp Café and Chom, both near Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (I went in the morning before the temple), and Cozy when you’re in the Old City.

Take Photos at Thapae Gate & Visit Chiang Mai’s Old City — Great for a walking loop. Lots of temples, cute shops and photo spots.

Book a Thai massage — Not so surprisingly, one of my favourite things to do when in Thailand is get a Thai massage.

In all honesty, the city is sprawling with fantastic spots, but I tried and recommend Zen Sense Health Spa in the Old City (it also makes for a great calm pause before visiting Chiang Mai’s night market).

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar — An absolute must-do whilst you’re in Chiang Mai—it’s one of the biggest night markets in the world!

Lose a few hours here tucking into street food, shopping and taking in the heart of Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai Hotel Recommendations

I stayed in my old apartment in Chiang Mai for my visit, but for hotels, I would recommend:

Chiang Mai:

• BED Chiang Mai Gate Hotel — boutique vibes, great breakfast, lovely staff
• The Inside House — lovely for a splurgy Chiang Mai

What I’d Do Differently:

I don’t regret it, but if the timing is right, I would try to plan your visit around one of Chiang Mai’s festivals — like Yi Peng (the lantern festival) or Songkran (Thai New Year). The city really comes alive.

What to Pack for Your Solo Trip to Thailand

• Light, breathable clothes (think linen, cotton, flowy dresses)
• Wide-brimmed hat + SPF 50 sunscreen
• Bug spray (especially for Krabi & Chiang Mai)
• Portable charger (absolute must when solo travelling)
• Waterproof dry bag (for island hopping)
• Reusable water bottle (many cafés have refill stations)
• Travel insurance (I use SafetyWing when travelling solo abroad)
• A few temple-appropriate outfits (cover shoulders + knees)

Optional but lovely:

• A journal — For all your Thailand solo travel memories, I love Paperblanks ones
• Mini tripod — for getting your own pics!
• A book or Kindle — great for cafes, boats, and solo dinners

Have a fabulous trip!

Thanks for reading my Thailand Solo Travel Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!

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Happy travels,