Planning your first 10-day trip to Thailand

Stick to the 'Golden Triangle' route of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and an island to avoid spending your whole trip in transit. Book your internal flights at least 3 weeks out to keep transit costs under $80 per leg.

1. Map out your route. Limit your itinerary to three locations maximum. A standard first-timer route is 3 days in Bangkok, 3 days in Chiang Mai, and 4 days on a beach like Krabi or Koh Samui.
2. Book domestic flights early. Use AirAsia or Thai Vietjet for internal hops. Booking these flights at least 21 days in advance saves you roughly $40 per flight compared to booking on arrival.
3. Sort your arrival logistics. Book a private airport transfer via your hotel for your first night in Bangkok. It costs about $25, saves you from haggling with taxi drivers, and avoids the stress of navigating the BTS rail system immediately after a long-haul flight.
4. Manage your cash. Bring a debit card with no international transaction fees. Use ATMs at bank branches rather than standalone ones in convenience stores to avoid higher service fees and potential card skimming.

Do I need a scooter license?

Yes. Even if shops rent to you without one, police checkpoints are common, and your travel insurance will not cover you in an accident if you aren't legally licensed to ride a motorbike.

Can I drink the tap water?

No. Stick to bottled or filtered water provided in hotels.