THE SOLO WOMAN’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE as a woman may be Terrifying. But we are able to't Permit that cease us — And fortuitously, we haven't: Solo feminine journey is probably the quickest increasing demographics inside the business. And although independent Women of all ages adventurers are going almost in all places, handful of places have viewed this increase a lot more than Thailand. Over and above staying safe and welcoming, it's spending budget-helpful, easily obtainable, and nevertheless continue to thoroughly envy-inducing. It's a triple menace.

Thailand is dwelling to unique regions, Every with its individual cuisine and lifestyle. To get a grasp on the country, you'll must see all of them. With the roots on the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai along with the Hill tribes in the north, into the Babas to the island of Phuket within the south (and, certainly, the behemoth that is certainly Bangkok), we'll stroll you from the Fundamentals.

Get around the capital, solo

 

 

Thailand travel

Bangkok (acknowledged to locals as Krungthep) has altered drastically in the last couple of many years. The sheer amount of items to complete — museums, dining places, shops, and markets — can make it among the finest towns in the world to visit or are in, and it's pretty Protected for solo female travelers, Particularly as it's easy for getting all over.

The BTS (Bangkok Transit Systemand economical metered taxis make Bangkok an uncomplicated destination to navigate. Most signals are in equally Thai and English, much too. Tuk tuks — the carriage attached to a bike You may have viewed in Darjeeling Minimal— are A further enjoyment way to get around the metropolis, though it is possible to count on to pay for a lot more in your novelty ride (but don't shy from haggling beforehand). Though it might be a little more expensive, it is possible to't go to Thailand devoid of Driving a tuk tuk a minimum of at the time.

Spend a night on the town.

 

Thailand travel

 

Take a look at Bangkok's top rated bars within the business district of Silom (much like the 1930s-cabaret-themed basement bar Maggie Choo's, within the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom close to the Surasak and Taksin BTS stations; or the most beneficial rooftop check out in Bangkok, Cloud 47, close to the Sala Daeng station). Sukhumvit can be full of fashionable spots. Buy some fish at Tororo Sushi prior to hitting the nightlife in the Thonglor-Ekamai community, where you'll have your option of dance clubs actively playing best forty Thai hits, bars serving beer from around the world, and swanky rooftop patios.

One more good option for a memorable night is usually a Chao Phraya Princess Evening meal Cruise — you'll get an upscale buffet meal when viewing the landmarks along the Chao Phraya riverside float by.

Treat yourself to a night of luxury

  

Thailand travel

 

With a lot of very affordable accommodation — including listings on Airbnb, hostels, and affordable lodges — a night of notroughing it can be definitely worth the splurge. Check out the Windsor Resort, with sights across the full town. It's centrally situated in Bangkok and it has some good Avenue food nearby, as well as it's suitable close to a huge BTS interchange (Asok/Sukhumvit) that lets you bounce over the skytrain or even the subway. Hunt for promotions online and you might be able to locate a space for as very little as $50.

Want to essentially splurge? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has a hundred twenty five yrs of working experience building its attendees come to feel like queens. With out of doors swimming pools and cabanas, tennis courts, an entire-service spa with Thai massages, yoga lessons, and 10 restaurants, this continue to be will set you back again a number of hundred bucks, however, you'll certainly knowledge a throwback into the golden age of Thai luxurious travel.

Head south on a one-woman road trip

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Southern Thailand is lovely — and the best place for a solo road journey. Auto rentals might be arranged on the internet throughout the location, and owning your personal wheels will provide you with the pliability to stop when and in which you want.

This Element of the state is focused on exploring the compact villages and metropolitan areas that punctuate the miles and miles of beach locations. Nature lovers will enjoy the "Very little Amazon" of Takua Pa in Phang Nga, near Khao Lak — where by no developing is permitted to stand taller than a coconut palm tree — and just a few hours from Phuket. Prevent in Khao Lak at the beachside Khaolak Laguna Vacation resort (in the center of town) and take a tour on the close by waterfalls, go for a hike in Khaolak-Lumru Countrywide Park, or simply appreciate a drink with the pool even though observing the tide roll in.

Following, drive up the coast to Ranong, a lesser-recognised metropolis that was after a popular vacation spot for the now-defunct Phuket-Ranong visa operate. There's an awesome very hot spring, low-priced but tasty places to eat (Le Ranong Cafe has wonderful banana smoothies), and the Rattana Rangsarn Throne Hall, a picket palace duplicate with gardens that's a great afternoon looking through spot.

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

 

Thailand travel

 

Phuket is Thailand's premier island and it has in excess of thirty beach locations. Regardless of the frequently-expressed sentiment that it's as well touristy, the truth is determined by which Section of the island and which era of year you take a look at. Near to the southern suggestion, Nai Harn Seashore isn't as active as Patong and is particularly a local favored. It's got several beachside restaurants, a temple to examine, as well as a major lake that's a popular working place for expats. Also check out Nai Yang Beach front (while in the north, close to the airport), an excellent location to go kiteboarding while not having to keep away from a throng of swimmers.

Once you've experienced your share of sand and surf, head into city to check out Previous Phuket Town — it's full of Chinese temples and museums, and it's more compact than you'd visualize, looking at the popularity of several of the nearby beaches. This can be the heart on the island as well as spot to be in the course of the annual Vegetarian Pageant.

Kopi de Phuket is a good choice in city for lunch or espresso. It's also strolling length to Jui Tui Shrine — follow the smell of incense to this Chinese Temple on stunning grounds. Sunday is the best working day to wander in Aged Town, snap photos of the Sino-Portuguese homes, and revel in the road meals and enjoyment with the strolling sector on Thalang Road as the sun 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 city of Chiang Mai. You can take an overnight train straight from Bangkok or an air-conditioned bus — equally selections must get you there in a lot less than twelve hrs. An alternative choice is the former funds of Siam, Ayutthaya, while in the Central Plains (a simple trip at below sixty miles from Bangkok). It's full of ruins and temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, residence of the well known Buddha statue within an aged tree.

Wish to go definitely solo? Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi features ten-day silent programs in Vipassana meditation. This is often legit silence — no conversing, no texting, and no crafting for ten straight times. It's run with a donation technique, incorporates straightforward lodging and meals, and gives you much more time than you at any time considered feasible to reflect in your only regular vacation companion: on your own.

Check out the north on a motorbike

 

Thailand travel

 

With scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles obtainable for hire in essentially each and every metropolis, town, and village in Thailand, jetting off like Audrey Hepburn (but without the included body weight of Gregory Peck to the back again) is really a breeze. You'll desire to ensure that you have satisfactory coverage, a helmet, and beefy plenty of tires for the kinds of roads you keep in mind. And don't neglect to snap some photos in the bike before you decide to leave to ensure you aren't charged for almost any problems you didn't bring about.

The little cities and tranquil roads of northern Thailand make for Primarily great motorcycle touring. Chiang Rai is a comparatively speedy generate from Chiang Mai; you'll go quite a few cafes and strawberry farms alongside the way. Prevent in the Doi Chaang Coffee farm (from the village of exactly the same title) to grab a Chunk to take in and purchase some organic and natural espresso to acquire dwelling with you.

Chiang Rai's Night Bazaar is a superb location to have a couple beers and sample dishes like seafood soup inside a steaming hotpot even though people today-seeing and Hearing neighborhood musicians. It's centrally Situated and in just strolling length in the golden clock tower, which resembles the design of Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a present-day art show during the style 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 choices are loads. Head to Ayutthaya to take a look at temples and internet sites by bicycle, in which numerous tour corporations (including Grasshopper Adventures) have entire- and 50 percent-working day excursions together back again lanes and previous attention-grabbing cultural web sites. You may also consider an overnight Mekhala cruise to the Chao Praya River from Bangkok, floating inside a restored teak rice barge.

For a longer excursion and the opportunity to expend some severe time with other tourists, consider reserving by way of a tour enterprise like Oriental Escapes, which runs multi-working day visits across the country and it has a superb popularity (as well as a guarantee to stop vacationer traps).