THE SOLO WOMAN’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE as a girl may be Terrifying. But we can easily't Allow that halt us — And fortunately, we haven't: Solo feminine travel is amongst the quickest rising demographics while in the marketplace. And nevertheless independent Females adventurers are going just about in all places, number of locations have seen this growth much more than Thailand. Past becoming Harmless and welcoming, it's funds-pleasant, commonly accessible, and however continue to thoroughly envy-inducing. It's a triple threat.

Thailand is house to various locations, Each individual with its very own cuisine and lifestyle. To secure a grasp in the state, you'll really have to see all of them. With the roots of the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai and also the Hill tribes of your north, on the Babas within the island of Phuket inside the south (and, not surprisingly, the behemoth that's Bangkok), we'll walk you through the basics.

Get around the capital, solo

 

 

Thailand travel

Bangkok (acknowledged to locals as Krungthep) has improved radically in the last couple decades. The sheer volume of points to carry out — museums, places to eat, outlets, and markets — makes it among the best cities in the world to go to or reside in, and it's fairly Harmless for solo female vacationers, Particularly as it's simple to have all around.

The BTS (Bangkok Transit Systemand economical metered taxis make Bangkok a straightforward place to navigate. Most signals are in both of those Thai and English, as well. Tuk tuks — the carriage hooked up to a bike You may have witnessed in Darjeeling Minimal— are A different enjoyable way to get across the town, nevertheless you are able to expect to pay for a lot more for your novelty trip (but don't shy away from haggling beforehand). Though it could be a bit dearer, you can't check out Thailand without having Driving a tuk tuk at the very least after.

Spend a night on the town.

 

Thailand travel

 

Look at Bangkok's leading bars from the professional district of Silom (such as 1930s-cabaret-themed basement bar Maggie Choo's, in the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom close to the Surasak and Taksin BTS stations; or the ideal rooftop watch in Bangkok, Cloud 47, near the Sala Daeng station). Sukhumvit is additionally jam packed with fashionable spots. Buy some fish at Tororo Sushi prior to hitting the nightlife within the Thonglor-Ekamai community, in which you'll have your option of dance golf equipment taking part in top forty Thai hits, bars serving beer from around the world, and swanky rooftop patios.

Another superior option for a unforgettable night is often a Chao Phraya Princess Supper Cruise — you'll get an upscale buffet meal even though watching the landmarks along the Chao Phraya riverside float by.

Treat yourself to a night of luxury

  

Thailand travel

 

With loads of inexpensive accommodation — including listings on Airbnb, hostels, and cheap lodges — a night of notroughing it can be worth the splurge. Check out the Windsor Lodge, with sights through the complete metropolis. It's centrally located in Bangkok and has some wonderful street food close by, in addition it's right beside a major BTS interchange (Asok/Sukhumvit) that allows you to leap over the skytrain or even the subway. Search for deals online and you could possibly look for a area for as small as $50.

Want to essentially splurge? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has a hundred twenty five several years of expertise producing its guests truly feel like queens. With outdoor swimming pools and cabanas, tennis courts, a full-company spa with Thai massages, yoga courses, and 10 dining places, this continue to be will set you back again a number of hundred bucks, however , you'll undoubtedly encounter a throwback for the golden age of Thai luxury journey.

Head south on a one-woman road trip

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Southern Thailand is stunning — and the proper place for a solo highway excursion. Car rentals can be arranged online through the entire location, and acquiring your very own wheels provides you with the flexibleness to prevent when and in which you want.

This Portion of the place is focused on Discovering the little villages and metropolitan areas that punctuate the miles and miles of beaches. Mother nature enthusiasts will benefit from the "Very little Amazon" of Takua Pa in Phang Nga, close to Khao Lak — the place no constructing is allowed to stand taller than the usual coconut palm tree — and only a few several hours from Phuket. Quit in Khao Lak at the beachside Khaolak Laguna Resort (in the middle of city) and have a tour from the nearby waterfalls, Select a hike in Khaolak-Lumru National Park, or merely love a consume by the pool although seeing the tide roll in.

Future, travel up the coast to Ranong, a lesser-known city that was as soon as a popular location to the now-defunct Phuket-Ranong visa run. There's an awesome sizzling spring, low cost but tasty restaurants (Le Ranong Cafe has wonderful banana smoothies), along with the Rattana Rangsarn Throne Hall, a wood palace replica with gardens that's an ideal afternoon looking through location.

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

 

Thailand travel

 

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and has over 30 beach locations. Despite the normally-expressed sentiment that it's far too touristy, the fact relies on which Component of the island and which period of year you stop by. Near to the southern tip, Nai Harn Beach front isn't as hectic as Patong which is a neighborhood favored. It's a number of beachside places to eat, a temple to check out, and also a huge lake that's a well known jogging location for expats. Also look into Nai Yang Seaside (within the north, close to the airport), an awesome place to go kiteboarding without having to avoid a throng of swimmers.

When you've experienced your share of sand and surf, head into town to check out Old Phuket City — it's crammed with Chinese temples and museums, and it's smaller than you'd visualize, taking into consideration the recognition of a few of the close by shorelines. This can be the heart from the island along with the spot to be throughout the yearly Vegetarian Festival.

Kopi de Phuket is a superb solution in town for lunch or espresso. It's also strolling distance to Jui Tui Shrine — follow the scent of incense to this Chinese Temple on gorgeous grounds. Sunday is the ideal working day to wander in Previous Town, snap pics of the Sino-Portuguese homes, and enjoy the road foodstuff and leisure of your walking industry on Thalang Street given that the Solar goes down.

Take time to explore inwards.

 

Thailand travel

 

If encountering Thailand spirituality is one thing you're into, check out the temple-loaded northern town of Chiang Mai. You normally takes an right away train straight from Bangkok or an air-conditioned bus — both equally possibilities should get you there in less than twelve several hours. Another choice is the previous money of Siam, Ayutthaya, within the Central Plains (an uncomplicated journey at below sixty miles from Bangkok). It's filled with ruins and temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, home in the well-known Buddha statue within an previous tree.

Want to go genuinely solo? Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi delivers 10-working day silent programs in Vipassana meditation. This is often legit silence — no talking, no texting, and no producing for ten straight days. It's run on the donation method, consists of basic lodging and meals, and offers you much more time than you at any time believed feasible to replicate on your only consistent journey companion: your self.

Check out the north on a motorbike

 

Thailand travel

 

With scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles readily available for rent in essentially every single town, city, and village in Thailand, jetting off like Audrey Hepburn (but with no additional pounds of Gregory Peck to the back again) is really a breeze. You'll choose to ensure you have suitable insurance plan, a helmet, and beefy sufficient tires for the kinds of roads you take into account. And don't fail to remember to snap some images with the bike before you leave to make sure you aren't billed for almost any injury you didn't bring about.

The little towns and silent roadways of northern Thailand make for Specifically great motorcycle touring. Chiang Rai is a relatively swift push from Chiang Mai; you'll go quite a few cafes and strawberry farms alongside the best way. Stop for the Doi Chaang Espresso farm (inside the village of the same identify) to seize a bite to take in and buy some organic and natural coffee to choose property with you.

Chiang Rai's Night time Bazaar is a fantastic put to possess a couple beers and sample dishes like seafood soup within a steaming hotpot while people-seeing and Hearing nearby musicians. It's centrally Positioned and inside strolling length with the golden clock tower, which resembles the design of Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a modern artwork show while in the sort of a Buddhist temple, also in Chiang Rai.

Meet your fellow wanderers on an organized tour

 

 

Thailand travel

 

In case you're ever needing companionship, your choices are a good deal. Head to Ayutthaya to investigate temples and websites by bicycle, exactly where quite a few tour organizations (which include Grasshopper Adventures) have comprehensive- and 50 percent-working day excursions along again lanes and previous interesting cultural sites. You can even get an right away Mekhala cruise to the Chao Praya River from Bangkok, floating inside a restored teak rice barge.

For an extended tour and the opportunity to shell out some significant time with other travelers, try reserving via a tour enterprise like Oriental Escapes, which runs multi-working day trips across the country and has a fantastic standing (as well as a promise to stay away from vacationer traps).