THE SOLO WOMAN’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE as a girl could be Terrifying. But we can easily't Enable that halt us — And by chance, we haven't: Solo female travel is amongst the fastest increasing demographics within the industry. And while unbiased women adventurers are going almost all over the place, handful of sites have seen this increase over Thailand. Outside of currently being Risk-free and welcoming, it's budget-friendly, easily obtainable, and but nonetheless entirely envy-inducing. It's a triple risk.

Thailand is dwelling to distinctive areas, each with its individual cuisine and lifestyle. To obtain a grasp on the country, you'll need to see them all. Within the roots in the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai and also the Hill tribes with the north, on the Babas over the island of Phuket from the south (and, of course, the behemoth that's Bangkok), we'll walk you throughout the Essentials.

Get around the capital, solo

 

 

Thailand travel

Bangkok (known to locals as Krungthep) has improved radically over the past couple of decades. The sheer quantity of matters to try and do — museums, eating places, shops, and markets — causes it to be among the finest metropolitan areas on earth to visit or are in, and it's pretty Secure for solo female vacationers, Specially mainly because it's very simple to have about.

The BTS (Bangkok Transit Systemand cost-effective metered taxis make Bangkok a straightforward spot to navigate. Most signs are in both equally Thai and English, as well. Tuk tuks — the carriage attached to a motorcycle You could have seen in Darjeeling Restricted— are An additional entertaining method of getting across the metropolis, while you are able to expect to pay more to your novelty trip (but don't shy faraway from haggling beforehand). Even though it might be a little more expensive, it is possible to't visit Thailand with out riding a tuk tuk at the least once.

Spend a night on the town.

 

Thailand travel

 

Consider Bangkok's best bars inside the commercial district of Silom (such as the 1930s-cabaret-themed basement bar Maggie Choo's, during the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom near the Surasak and Taksin BTS stations; or the top rooftop perspective in Bangkok, Cloud 47, close to the Sala Daeng station). Sukhumvit is additionally packed with fashionable spots. Purchase some fish at Tororo Sushi right before hitting the nightlife inside the Thonglor-Ekamai community, where you'll have your option of dance clubs playing prime forty Thai hits, bars serving beer from all over the world, and swanky rooftop patios.

Another good choice for a unforgettable night time is a Chao Phraya Princess Evening meal Cruise — you'll get an upscale buffet supper though looking at the landmarks together the Chao Phraya riverside float by.

Treat yourself to a night of luxury

  

Thailand travel

 

With a good amount of very affordable accommodation — such as listings on Airbnb, hostels, and low-priced accommodations — an evening of notroughing it is definitely worth the splurge. Check out the Windsor Lodge, with sights across the entire city. It's centrally situated in Bangkok and has some great Avenue food stuff nearby, as well as it's appropriate next to a major BTS interchange (Asok/Sukhumvit) that enables you to jump within the skytrain or even the subway. Try to look for specials online and you might be able to find a space for as tiny as $fifty.

Want to essentially splurge? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has one hundred twenty five yrs of expertise making its attendees really feel like queens. With outside pools and cabanas, tennis courts, a full-service spa with Thai massages, yoga classes, and 10 places to eat, this keep will established you back many hundred dollars, however , you'll surely expertise a throwback to your golden age of Thai luxury travel.

Head south on a one-woman road trip

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Southern Thailand is attractive — and the best place for a solo highway excursion. Car rentals can be organized on-line all through the area, and having your own personal wheels will provide you with the flexibility to stop when and in which you want.

This Component of the country is centered on exploring the small villages and cities that punctuate the miles and miles of beaches. Character lovers will benefit from the "Little Amazon" of Takua Pa in Phang Nga, around Khao Lak — wherever no creating is permitted to stand taller than a coconut palm tree — and only a few hours from Phuket. Prevent in Khao Lak for the beachside Khaolak Laguna Vacation resort (in the middle of city) and take a tour from the nearby waterfalls, Choose a hike in Khaolak-Lumru National Park, or perhaps delight in a drink by the pool even though watching the tide roll in.

Following, push up the coast to Ranong, a lesser-known metropolis which was when a well known location to the now-defunct Phuket-Ranong visa operate. There's a tremendous sizzling spring, cheap but tasty dining places (Le Ranong Cafe has awesome banana smoothies), and the Rattana Rangsarn Throne Hall, a wood palace reproduction with gardens that's a perfect afternoon reading location.

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

 

Thailand travel

 

Phuket is Thailand's major island and has about thirty beaches. Regardless of the often-expressed sentiment that it's much too touristy, the fact is dependent upon which Component of the island and which period of year you go to. Near to the southern tip, Nai Harn Seaside isn't as hectic as Patong and is also a neighborhood preferred. It's got a number of beachside restaurants, a temple to examine, and also a massive lake that's a well known functioning spot for expats. Also take a look at Nai Yang Seaside (inside the north, near the airport), an excellent spot to go kiteboarding without the need to prevent a throng of swimmers.

When you've experienced your share of sand and surf, head into town to take a look at Previous Phuket City — it's full of Chinese temples and museums, and it's smaller than you'd consider, looking at the popularity of some of the nearby seashores. This can be the coronary heart with the island as well as location to be over the annual Vegetarian Festival.

Kopi de Phuket is a good solution in town for lunch or espresso. It's also strolling distance to Jui Tui Shrine — Adhere to the scent of incense to this Chinese Temple on gorgeous grounds. Sunday is the perfect day to wander in Previous City, snap pictures from the Sino-Portuguese homes, and luxuriate in the road foodstuff and entertainment on the going for walks sector on Thalang Highway as being the Sunshine goes down.

Take time to explore inwards.

 

Thailand travel

 

If suffering from Thailand spirituality is one area you're into, check out the temple-loaded northern town of Chiang Mai. You may take an right away educate straight from Bangkok or an air-conditioned bus — equally solutions really should get you there in under 12 hours. Another option is the previous money of Siam, Ayutthaya, during the Central Plains (a straightforward trip at fewer than sixty miles from Bangkok). It's full of ruins and temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, property with the famed Buddha statue in an previous tree.

Need to go truly solo? Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi offers ten-working day silent programs in Vipassana meditation. This is legit silence — no chatting, no texting, and no producing for 10 straight times. It's run on the donation method, consists of easy lodging and foods, and will provide you with additional time than you ever assumed doable to mirror on your only consistent journey companion: on your own.

Check out the north on a motorbike

 

Thailand travel

 

With scooters, mopeds, and bikes readily available for hire in basically each and every city, city, and village in Thailand, jetting off like Audrey Hepburn (but without the extra pounds of Gregory Peck over the again) is actually a breeze. You'll want to ensure you have adequate insurance coverage, a helmet, and beefy enough tires for the categories of roadways you bear in mind. And don't overlook to snap some photos with the bicycle before you go away to ensure you aren't billed for almost any destruction you didn't trigger.

The small cities and quiet streets of northern Thailand make for especially nice motorcycle touring. Chiang Rai is a comparatively brief drive from Chiang Mai; you'll go several cafes and strawberry farms together the best way. Cease in the Doi Chaang Coffee farm (while in the village of the same name) to grab a Chunk to eat and buy some organic espresso to just take house with you.

Chiang Rai's Night Bazaar is an excellent put to possess a number of beers and sample dishes like seafood soup in a very steaming hotpot even though people today-watching and listening to nearby musicians. It's centrally Positioned and within just going for walks length with the golden clock tower, which resembles the look of Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a contemporary art show while in the style of a Buddhist temple, also in Chiang Rai.

Meet your fellow wanderers on an organized tour

 

 

Thailand travel

 

If you're at any time looking for companionship, your options are a lot. Head to Ayutthaya to check out temples and web-sites by bicycle, exactly where several tour organizations (like Grasshopper Adventures) have total- and 50 %-working day excursions together back again lanes and past exciting cultural web-sites. You can even get an overnight Mekhala cruise over the Chao Praya River from Bangkok, floating within a restored teak rice barge.

For a longer excursion and the opportunity to shell out some significant time with other tourists, try out reserving via a tour company like Oriental Escapes, which runs multi-day visits across the country and it has a very good track record (and also a guarantee to stop tourist traps).