How to Get Around Thailand in 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Getting around Thailand is so much easier than most people think and once you know the basics you will be navigating this incredible country like a total pro.
Whether you are still at home planning your trip or already in Thailand working out your next move, here are the five things you need to know.
✈️ 1. Book Your Flights to Thailand and Between Cities
If you are still planning your trip from home then the first thing to sort is your flights to Thailand.
- Book your flight from London to Bangkok
- London to Phuket
- New York to Bangkok
- Los Angeles to Bangkok
- Sydney to Bangkok
- Melbourne to Bangkok
all through 12GO Asia which searches hundreds of airlines to find you the best price. Use code EXCLUSIVE12GO7 for 7% off throughout March 2026.
Once you are in Thailand, domestic flights are your best friend for covering long distances quickly. Airlines like AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and Nok Air offer incredibly cheap fares if you book in advance.
12GO lets you compare every airline and price in one place. Use code EXCLUSIVE12GO7 for 7% off throughout March 2026.
🚂 2. Take the Train or Bus for Scenic Routes
For shorter distances or when you want to enjoy the journey, Thailand's trains and buses are affordable, comfortable and genuinely brilliant fun.
The overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is one of the best travel experiences in the whole country and something I always recommend to first time visitors.
- Book the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train
- Or search all train and bus routes on 12GO Asia
- use code EXCLUSIVE12GO7for 7% off throughout March 2026.
⛵ 3. Take the Ferry to the Islands
Thailand's islands are some of the most beautiful places on earth and getting there by ferry is all part of the adventure.
The ferry network is affordable, well connected and completely straightforward to navigate once you know where to book.
- Book the Koh Samui to Koh Phangan ferry,
- Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, Phuket to Krabi
- search all ferry routes on 12GO Asia
For speedboat tours and island day trips download the GetYourGuide app and use code ALLCHECKEDIN5 for 5% off.
🛺 4. Use Grab for Local Transport
Once you arrive at your destination forget about haggling with tuk tuk drivers. Download Grab, which is Southeast Asia's answer to Uber.
It gives you a fixed upfront price, tracks your route and is available in cities and tourist areas across Thailand.
It is the safest and most stress free way to get around locally and I use it every single day here in Phuket.
🚐 5. Pre Book Your Airport Transfer
The very first thing you will need when you land in Thailand is a transfer from the airport to your hotel and the worst thing you can do is try to sort this on arrival when you are tired and overwhelmed.
This allows you to prepay for a fixed price, and there will be a professional driver waiting for you the moment you walk through arrivals. Get Transfer is also brilliant for competitive prices on private transfers across Thailand.
📱 Before You Land: Two Things to Sort
None of these apps and booking platforms work without data on your phone so before you travel make sure you have an eSIM ready to activate the moment your plane lands.
I recommend Airalo or Saily for the most affordable Thailand data packages. And make sure you have a free Wise card in your wallet so you are not getting charged bank fees every time you pay for transport, food or accommodation. Both take less than ten minutes to set up and both will save you money from day one.
For my full detailed guides on every type of transport in Thailand including airport transfers, car rental, ferries and the best apps to download check out the links below.
And for more honest Thailand travel tips join my completely free travel community here https://skool.com/solo-travel-thailand-3085/about
All my links and discount codes in one place https://linktr.ee/Allcheckedin
Happy Travels!✈️🇹🇭
Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only ever recommend things I personally use, trust and believe will genuinely enhance your trip
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