THE SOLO WOMAN’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE as a lady is usually Terrifying. But we could't let that end us — And fortunately, we haven't: Solo woman vacation is probably the speediest increasing demographics within the industry. And although independent Females adventurers are likely almost just about everywhere, couple of sites have viewed this increase a lot more than Thailand. Further than getting Safe and sound and welcoming, it's price range-helpful, quickly accessible, and nonetheless nevertheless completely envy-inducing. It's a triple menace.

Thailand is house to different areas, Every single with its personal Delicacies and society. To obtain a grasp on the state, you'll should see all of them. In the roots in the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai as well as the Hill tribes with the north, into the Babas within the island of Phuket while in the south (and, naturally, the behemoth that's Bangkok), we'll walk you through the Fundamentals.

Get around the capital, solo

 

 

Thailand travel

Bangkok (known to locals as Krungthep) has changed substantially over the past number of a long time. The sheer volume of matters to carry out — museums, dining establishments, shops, and markets — causes it to be one of the best cities on this planet to go to or reside in, and it's quite Risk-free for solo female vacationers, Specially mainly because it's straightforward to obtain close to.

The BTS (Bangkok Transit Systemand cost-effective metered taxis make Bangkok an uncomplicated location to navigate. Most indications are in both of those Thai and English, much too. Tuk tuks — the carriage attached to a bike you might have noticed in Darjeeling Minimal— are A different fun way to get within the city, however you'll be able to expect to pay additional for the novelty ride (but don't shy from haggling beforehand). When it may be a tad more expensive, it is possible to't head over to Thailand with no Driving a tuk tuk a minimum of once.

Spend a night on the town.

 

Thailand travel

 

Check out Bangkok's top bars within the commercial district of Silom (like the 1930s-cabaret-themed basement bar Maggie Choo's, inside the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom near the Surasak and Taksin BTS stations; or the top rooftop view in Bangkok, Cloud 47, near the Sala Daeng station). Sukhumvit is likewise full of trendy places. Purchase some fish at Tororo Sushi right before hitting the nightlife while in the Thonglor-Ekamai neighborhood, in which you'll have your alternative of dance clubs actively playing top forty Thai hits, bars serving beer from world wide, and swanky rooftop patios.

Yet another good selection for a memorable evening is usually a Chao Phraya Princess Supper Cruise — you'll get an upscale buffet dinner whilst seeing the landmarks together the Chao Phraya riverside float by.

Treat yourself to a night of luxury

  

Thailand travel

 

With a good amount of inexpensive accommodation — which include listings on Airbnb, hostels, and cheap hotels — a night of notroughing it can be worth the splurge. Check out the Windsor Hotel, with views over the entire town. It's centrally located in Bangkok and it has some excellent Road food stuff nearby, plus it's correct next to a major BTS interchange (Asok/Sukhumvit) that enables you to bounce about the skytrain or perhaps the subway. Try to find offers on the web and you could possibly locate a place for as tiny as $50.

Want to actually splurge? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has a hundred twenty five several years of experience making its company sense like queens. With out of doors swimming pools and cabanas, tennis courts, a complete-provider spa with Thai massages, yoga lessons, and ten eating places, this stay will established you back again a number of hundred bucks, however you'll definitely practical experience a throwback to the golden age of Thai luxury journey.

Head south on a one-woman road trip

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Southern Thailand is gorgeous — and the best spot for a solo road excursion. Motor vehicle rentals might be arranged on the net through the location, and acquiring your own private wheels will provide you with the flexibility to prevent when and in which you want.

This part of the place is all about Checking out the small villages and cities that punctuate the miles and miles of beaches. Nature enthusiasts will benefit from the "Little Amazon" of Takua Pa in Phang Nga, near Khao Lak — exactly where no setting up is permitted to stand taller than a coconut palm tree — and just a few several hours from Phuket. Prevent in Khao Lak within the beachside Khaolak Laguna Vacation resort (in the center of city) and take a tour in the close by waterfalls, Choose a hike in Khaolak-Lumru National Park, or simply just get pleasure from a consume through the pool when observing the tide roll in.

Upcoming, generate up the coast to Ranong, a lesser-acknowledged town which was after a favorite location to the now-defunct Phuket-Ranong visa run. There's an incredible very hot spring, cheap but tasty dining establishments (Le Ranong Cafe has amazing banana smoothies), as well as the Rattana Rangsarn Throne Hall, a wood palace reproduction with gardens that's a wonderful afternoon reading spot.

See the other side of one of Thailand's most popular tourist spots

 

Thailand travel

 

Phuket is Thailand's greatest island and has about thirty seashores. Regardless of the generally-expressed sentiment that it's way too touristy, the reality will depend on which A part of the island and which time of year you visit. Close to the southern tip, Nai Harn Seaside isn't as fast paced as Patong and is a local favored. It has a few beachside eating places, a temple to discover, as well as a large lake that's a well known operating spot for expats. Also have a look at Nai Yang Beach front (inside the north, close to the airport), a great location to go kiteboarding without having to prevent a throng of swimmers.

If you've had your share of sand and surf, head into city to take a look at Old Phuket City — it's crammed with Chinese temples and museums, and it's lesser than you'd envision, contemplating the popularity of some of the nearby beaches. Here is the coronary heart on the island as well as the place to be in the course of the yearly Vegetarian Competition.

Kopi de Phuket is a great choice in town for lunch or coffee. It's also walking distance to Jui Tui Shrine — Adhere to the smell of incense to this Chinese Temple on magnificent grounds. Sunday is the ideal day to stroll in Old City, snap pics with the Sino-Portuguese houses, and enjoy the street foods and entertainment of your going for walks market on Thalang Highway because the sun goes down.

Take time to explore inwards.

 

Thailand travel

 

If going through Thailand spirituality is one thing you're into, look into the temple-loaded northern metropolis of Chiang Mai. You will take an overnight practice straight from Bangkok or an air-conditioned bus — the two alternatives should really get you there in below twelve hours. Another option is the former capital of Siam, Ayutthaya, during the Central Plains (an uncomplicated trip at fewer than sixty miles from Bangkok). It's stuffed with ruins and temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, residence of your well-known Buddha statue in an outdated tree.

Would like to go really solo? Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi gives 10-day silent courses in Vipassana meditation. This can be legit silence — no chatting, no texting, and no creating for 10 straight times. It's run over a donation method, features straightforward lodging and meals, and gives you additional time than you ever thought attainable to replicate on your only constant travel companion: yourself.

Check out the north on a motorbike

 

Thailand travel

 

With scooters, mopeds, and bikes accessible for rent in fundamentally each and every town, city, and village in Thailand, jetting off like Audrey Hepburn (but with no added pounds of Gregory Peck to the back again) is really a breeze. You'll would like to ensure you have adequate insurance, a helmet, and beefy adequate tires for the types of streets you take into consideration. And don't forget about to snap some pictures from the bike before you decide to go away to make sure you aren't charged for just about any harm you didn't trigger.

The smaller towns and tranquil roadways of northern Thailand make for Primarily wonderful motorbike touring. Chiang Rai is a comparatively swift push from Chiang Mai; you'll go several cafes and strawberry farms alongside just how. Cease with the Doi Chaang Espresso farm (while in the village of a similar identify) to seize a Chunk to consume and buy some natural espresso to take dwelling with you.

Chiang Rai's Night Bazaar is a fantastic position to possess a handful of beers and sample dishes like seafood soup inside of a steaming hotpot whilst individuals-observing and listening to neighborhood musicians. It's centrally located and within just going for walks distance from the golden clock tower, which resembles the look of Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a present-day art exhibit within the style of a Buddhist temple, also in Chiang Rai.

Meet your fellow wanderers on an organized tour

 

 

Thailand travel

 

In case you're ever wanting companionship, your options are a good deal. Head to Ayutthaya to examine temples and web-sites by bicycle, the place quite a few tour firms (like Grasshopper Adventures) have total- and fifty percent-working day excursions together again lanes and earlier interesting cultural websites. You may also consider an overnight Mekhala cruise about the Chao Praya River from Bangkok, floating within a restored teak rice barge.

For an extended excursion and the opportunity to shell out some critical time with other travelers, consider scheduling via a tour company like Oriental Escapes, which runs multi-day journeys across the nation and it has an excellent status (in addition to a assure to stay away from vacationer traps).