How to Get Around Thailand: Best Transportation for Travelers

Flying between cities and islands in Thailand is easy, safe, and fast.

The most popular destinations in the country generally have their own airports, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui, making each corner of Thailand accessible, especially if you have a tight timeline.

By flying between destinations, you can see more, as well as have more time to relax, explore, or visit other places.

Trains connect the broader cities of Thailand and are an easy way to travel across the country.

While not necessarily fast, Thailand’s rail network is well-connected, giving you fantastic scenery. Savor the charms of slower travel with overnight sleeper cars or stop in unexpected places between destinations. Train travel is comfortable, environmentally friendly, and offers a more authentic Thai experience.

However, if you are pressed for time or traveling far distances, such as Chiang Mai to Koh Samui, flying is much easier and faster.

A private driver is one of the best ways to experience Thailand, especially on Bangkok vacation packages with day trips around the mainland and when exploring the islands.

A private chauffeur allows you to explore a city, the landscape, or travel between destinations at your preferred pace. You can cut down travel time and not worry about logistics between the airport and your accommodation, or when traveling between nearby towns and cities.

Using a private driver is easy and safe, while also giving you a relaxing experience as you explore, discover, or simply transfer between destinations.

It is possible to rent a car in Thailand, but it is unnecessary and not recommended.

The traffic alone in large cities like Bangkok is enough of a deterrent, in addition to other driving hurdles and the accessible number of quality transportation options.

Buses are an easy form of transportation in Thailand and very popular with travelers and locals.

Long-distance buses are clean and comfortable, and often offer overnight services when traveling long routes like Bangkok to Chiang Mai. While the service may be comfortable and economical, it can take time, of which you may only have a limited amount.

However, the bus network in Thailand is extensive and easy to navigate, giving you access to destinations across the country, including lesser-known villages.

Whether on a ferry or luxury yacht to Thailand’s best islands, or when traveling from Bangkok upriver to a market, boats can be enjoyable and convenient.

Savor an authentic travel experience as you cross the Chao Phraya River, visit a floating market, or simply board a ferry between island destinations, such as Koh Samui and Koh Tao.

Each Thailand boating experience is different and offers a unique perspective of the water, culture, and shores.

Taxis are generally available throughout Thailand and offer a simple way to travel within cities or towns. They are easy to flag down on the street or call ahead for a specific time.

When using a taxi in Thailand, it is essential to know where you are going, and insisting on the meter before the ride starts will avoid any misunderstandings. Taxis are not color-coded, but the various colors generally refer to the different companies trying to get your attention.

Ridesharing apps are available in Thailand, but not widely accessible outside of cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

The majority of ridesharing apps give you access to taxis instead of private drivers, but result in a pre-agreed upon fare and route, taking away any possibility for miscommunication. The apps also make it much easier to pay digitally to ease the financial transaction.

There are a number of ways to get around Thailand that make it easy to travel in your preferred style on our Thailand tours. From searching for whale sharks at a secluded scuba spot to visiting a cultural village in the woodland hills outside of Chiang Mai, lounging in a luxury seaside resort to finding the perfect shopping spot, we can help you explore in style with the best transportation in Thailand for your trip.

To learn more before you go, explore our guide on the best time to visit Thailand or find more inspiration and travel tips in our Thailand travel guide.