THE SOLO WOMAN’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE as a girl might be Frightening. But we will't Permit that prevent us — And fortuitously, we haven't: Solo female vacation is probably the swiftest developing demographics while in the sector. And however unbiased Girls adventurers are likely nearly everywhere, few areas have witnessed this boom much more than Thailand. Outside of remaining safe and welcoming, it's finances-friendly, commonly available, and still continue to fully envy-inducing. It's a triple danger.

Thailand is dwelling to various regions, Every single with its have Delicacies and lifestyle. To acquire a grasp with the nation, you'll really have to see them all. With the roots in the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai and the Hill tribes of your north, on the Babas to the island of Phuket inside the south (and, naturally, the behemoth that is Bangkok), we'll stroll you throughout the Fundamental principles.

Get around the capital, solo

 

 

Thailand travel

Bangkok (known to locals as Krungthep) has modified substantially in the last couple a long time. The sheer number of points to try and do — museums, dining places, shops, and markets — causes it to be the most effective cities on the planet to go to or are now living in, and it's really Risk-free for solo woman vacationers, Particularly since it's simple to have all over.

The BTS (Bangkok Transit Systemand affordable metered taxis make Bangkok a straightforward place to navigate. Most symptoms are in the two Thai and English, way too. Tuk tuks — the carriage attached to a bike You may have noticed in Darjeeling Limited— are A different fun method of getting around the metropolis, though you are able to assume to pay extra to your novelty ride (but don't shy clear of haggling beforehand). While it could be a tiny bit more expensive, you'll be able to't go to Thailand without Using a tuk tuk at the very least at the time.

Spend a night on the town.

 

Thailand travel

 

Look into Bangkok's leading bars from the professional district of Silom (similar to the 1930s-cabaret-themed basement bar Maggie Choo's, from the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom close to the Surasak and Taksin BTS stations; or the very best rooftop watch in Bangkok, Cloud 47, close to the Sala Daeng station). Sukhumvit can also be filled with stylish regions. Order some fish at Tororo Sushi prior to hitting the nightlife in the Thonglor-Ekamai neighborhood, where you'll have your preference of dance golf equipment taking part in leading forty Thai hits, bars serving beer from around the globe, and swanky rooftop patios.

A different good option for a memorable night is actually a Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise — you'll get an upscale buffet dinner while looking at the landmarks together the Chao Phraya riverside float by.

Treat yourself to a night of luxury

  

Thailand travel

 

With lots of reasonably priced accommodation — which include listings on Airbnb, hostels, and affordable motels — an evening of notroughing it is worth the splurge. Look into the Windsor Lodge, with views throughout the entire town. It's centrally located in Bangkok and has some fantastic street food close by, in addition it's correct next to a big BTS interchange (Asok/Sukhumvit) that allows you to jump within the skytrain or maybe the subway. Search for promotions online and you could possibly locate a area for as minimal as $fifty.

Want to actually splurge? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has one hundred twenty five years of working experience creating its company sense like queens. With out of doors swimming pools and cabanas, tennis courts, an entire-assistance spa with Thai massages, yoga courses, and 10 eating places, this continue to be will set you back quite a few hundred dollars, however , you'll undoubtedly practical experience a throwback for the golden age of Thai luxurious travel.

Head south on a one-woman road trip

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Southern Thailand is gorgeous — and the perfect spot for a solo street journey. Car or truck rentals is usually organized on the internet all through the location, and owning your own wheels gives you the flexibleness to prevent when and where you want.

This Section of the place is about Checking out the compact villages and towns that punctuate the miles and miles of beaches. Mother nature fans will take pleasure in the "Small Amazon" of Takua Pa in Phang Nga, near Khao Lak — exactly where no setting up is allowed to stand taller than the usual coconut palm tree — and only some hours from Phuket. Halt in Khao Lak for the beachside Khaolak Laguna Resort (in the center of city) and have a tour on the close by waterfalls, Opt for a hike in Khaolak-Lumru National Park, or simply love a drink with the pool although watching the tide roll in.

Subsequent, push up the coast to Ranong, a lesser-recognized city that was at the time a well-liked spot with the now-defunct Phuket-Ranong visa operate. There's an awesome scorching spring, low cost but delicious eating places (Le Ranong Cafe has amazing banana smoothies), along with the Rattana Rangsarn Throne Corridor, a picket palace replica with gardens that's a perfect afternoon looking at place.

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

 

Thailand travel

 

Phuket is Thailand's greatest island and has over thirty shorelines. Regardless of the usually-expressed sentiment that it's way too touristy, the fact depends upon which Component of the island and which period of yr you check out. Near the southern suggestion, Nai Harn Seashore isn't as hectic as Patong and is particularly an area preferred. It's got a couple of beachside eating places, a temple to investigate, in addition to a major lake that's a well-liked functioning place for expats. Also look at Nai Yang beach (during the north, close to the airport), an awesome place to go kiteboarding without needing to avoid a throng of swimmers.

When you've experienced your share of sand and surf, head into city to explore Old Phuket Town — it's crammed with Chinese temples and museums, and it's smaller sized than you'd imagine, thinking of the recognition of a few of the nearby shorelines. This is actually the coronary heart of the island along with the destination to be over the yearly Vegetarian Competition.

Kopi de Phuket is a good selection in city for lunch or coffee. It's also strolling length to Jui Tui Shrine — Keep to the smell of incense to this Chinese Temple on lovely grounds. Sunday is the best day to stroll in Previous Town, snap photos from the Sino-Portuguese homes, and enjoy the street food and amusement of your walking market place on Thalang Road as the Sunshine goes down.

Take time to explore inwards.

 

Thailand travel

 

If experiencing Thailand spirituality is one area you're into, check out the temple-loaded northern city of Chiang Mai. You might take an right away teach straight from Bangkok or an air-conditioned bus — both of those choices should really get you there in a lot less than 12 several hours. An alternative choice is the former cash of Siam, Ayutthaya, during the Central Plains (a straightforward journey at under 60 miles from Bangkok). It's crammed with ruins and temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, home with the renowned Buddha statue in an old tree.

Want to go actually solo? Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi offers ten-day silent courses in Vipassana meditation. This can be legit silence — no speaking, no texting, and no creating for ten straight times. It's operate on a donation method, contains simple lodging and foods, and provides you with much more time than you ever assumed doable to reflect on your own only frequent vacation companion: your self.

Check out the north on a motorbike

 

Thailand travel

 

With scooters, mopeds, and bikes available for rent in essentially every metropolis, town, and village in Thailand, jetting off like Audrey Hepburn (but with no additional weight of Gregory Peck over the back again) is a breeze. You'll wish to ensure you have enough insurance, a helmet, and beefy sufficient tires for the kinds of roads you have in mind. And don't ignore to snap some pics on the bike before you go away to ensure you aren't charged for just about any hurt you didn't trigger.

The modest cities and silent streets of northern Thailand make for Particularly great motorcycle touring. Chiang Rai is a comparatively brief push from Chiang Mai; you'll pass various cafes and strawberry farms alongside the way. Quit at the Doi Chaang Espresso farm (in the village of exactly the same title) to seize a bite to consume and buy some natural coffee to take home with you.

Chiang Rai's Night Bazaar is a superb put to possess a several beers and sample dishes like seafood soup in a very steaming hotpot whilst folks-watching and listening to regional musicians. It's centrally Positioned and inside walking distance with the golden clock tower, which resembles the look of Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a contemporary art show during the form of a Buddhist temple, also in Chiang Rai.

Meet your fellow wanderers on an organized tour

 

 

Thailand travel

 

In the event you're ever in need of companionship, your options are a lot. Head to Ayutthaya to check out temples and sites by bicycle, where quite a few tour organizations (for example Grasshopper Adventures) have full- and 50 %-day excursions along back lanes and earlier intriguing cultural sites. You can even just take an right away Mekhala cruise about the Chao Praya River from Bangkok, floating inside of a restored teak rice barge.

For an extended excursion and the chance to spend some significant time with other vacationers, check out booking by way of a tour organization like Oriental Escapes, which operates multi-working day excursions across the country and it has a fantastic popularity (and a promise to avoid vacationer traps).