THE SOLO WOMAN’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE as a lady can be Frightening. But we can easily't Permit that cease us — And by chance, we haven't: Solo feminine travel is probably the fastest expanding demographics during the industry. And although impartial Ladies adventurers are likely pretty much everywhere you go, several destinations have found this boom a lot more than Thailand. Over and above remaining Risk-free and welcoming, it's finances-pleasant, readily available, and nevertheless however absolutely envy-inducing. It's a triple menace.

Thailand is property to distinct areas, Each and every with its very own Delicacies and lifestyle. To get a grasp in the region, you'll should see them all. From the roots on the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai and also the Hill tribes of the north, to the Babas to the island of Phuket in the south (and, not surprisingly, the behemoth that's Bangkok), we'll stroll you with the basics.

Get around the capital, solo

 

 

Thailand travel

Bangkok (acknowledged to locals as Krungthep) has changed radically in the last handful of a long time. The sheer volume of issues to perform — museums, dining places, outlets, and marketplaces — makes it one of the better metropolitan areas on the earth to visit or are in, and it's rather Harmless for solo woman tourists, Specifically because it's simple to get all around.

The BTS (Bangkok Transit Systemand very affordable metered taxis make Bangkok an uncomplicated destination to navigate. Most indicators are in both of those Thai and English, too. Tuk tuks — the carriage connected to a motorcycle you might have seen in Darjeeling Constrained— are A different pleasurable method of getting throughout the metropolis, although it is possible to count on to pay for far more for the novelty trip (but don't shy from haggling beforehand). Even though it could be a little costlier, you may't head over to Thailand devoid of Driving a tuk tuk at the very least once.

Spend a night on the town.

 

Thailand travel

 

Look at Bangkok's best bars during the business district of Silom (like the 1930s-cabaret-themed basement bar Maggie Choo's, while in the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom close to the Surasak and Taksin BTS stations; or the top rooftop see in Bangkok, Cloud forty seven, close to the Sala Daeng station). Sukhumvit is usually jam packed with trendy locations. Purchase some fish at Tororo Sushi before hitting the nightlife while in the Thonglor-Ekamai community, where you'll have your preference of dance golf equipment taking part in leading forty Thai hits, bars serving beer from around the world, and swanky rooftop patios.

A further superior option for a unforgettable evening is often a Chao Phraya Princess Supper Cruise — you'll get an upscale buffet meal while watching the landmarks alongside the Chao Phraya riverside float by.

Treat yourself to a night of luxury

  

Thailand travel

 

With an abundance of reasonably priced accommodation — which include listings on Airbnb, hostels, and cheap hotels — an evening of notroughing it can be definitely worth the splurge. Look into the Windsor Lodge, with views throughout the complete metropolis. It's centrally located in Bangkok and has some fantastic street food nearby, in addition it's ideal beside a giant BTS interchange (Asok/Sukhumvit) that lets you leap about the skytrain or the subway. Try to look for discounts online and you could possibly find a place for as small as $fifty.

Want to really splurge? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has 125 decades of practical experience generating its visitors experience like queens. With outdoor swimming pools and cabanas, tennis courts, an entire-provider spa with Thai massages, yoga classes, and 10 dining places, this continue to be will established you back several hundred dollars, however , you'll surely working experience a throwback towards the golden age of Thai luxurious journey.

Head south on a one-woman road trip

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Southern Thailand is lovely — and the perfect place for a solo highway journey. Vehicle rentals is often arranged on-line throughout the region, and getting your own personal wheels provides you with the flexibility to halt when and in which you want.

This A part of the country is centered on exploring the smaller villages and cities that punctuate the miles and miles of shorelines. Character fans will enjoy the "Very little Amazon" of Takua Pa in Phang Nga, close to Khao Lak — where no building is permitted to stand taller than a coconut palm tree — and only a few several hours from Phuket. Cease in Khao Lak for the beachside Khaolak Laguna Vacation resort (in the center of city) and have a tour of the nearby waterfalls, Select a hike in Khaolak-Lumru Countrywide Park, or perhaps delight in a consume via the pool while watching the tide roll in.

Upcoming, drive up the Coastline to Ranong, a lesser-known town which was after a well known vacation spot for the now-defunct Phuket-Ranong visa run. There's a fantastic hot spring, low-priced but delicious places to eat (Le Ranong Cafe has awesome banana smoothies), as well as the Rattana Rangsarn Throne Corridor, a wooden palace replica with gardens that's a wonderful afternoon looking through location.

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

 

Thailand travel

 

Phuket is Thailand's biggest island and it has above thirty beaches. Despite the typically-expressed sentiment that it's much too touristy, the truth depends on which A part of the island and which period of 12 months you visit. Close to the southern suggestion, Nai Harn beach isn't as active as Patong and is particularly a neighborhood most loved. It has a handful of beachside dining places, a temple to explore, plus a massive lake that's a popular running location for expats. Also consider Nai Yang Beach front (from the north, close to the airport), an awesome place to go kiteboarding without needing to prevent a throng of swimmers.

Whenever you've had your share of sand and surf, head into city to discover Previous Phuket Town — it's stuffed with Chinese temples and museums, and it's smaller than you'd envision, looking at the popularity of a few of the nearby beach locations. This is the heart of the island and the destination to be in the course of the once-a-year Vegetarian Pageant.

Kopi de Phuket is an efficient alternative in city for lunch or espresso. It's also walking distance to Jui Tui Shrine — Adhere to the odor of incense to this Chinese Temple on beautiful grounds. Sunday is the right day to stroll in Old City, snap pictures on the Sino-Portuguese residences, and luxuriate in the street food and entertainment on the going for walks current market on Thalang Highway as the Solar goes down.

Take time to explore inwards.

 

Thailand travel

 

If enduring Thailand spirituality is a thing you're into, look into the temple-loaded northern city of Chiang Mai. You usually takes an overnight educate straight from Bangkok or an air-conditioned bus — both alternatives really should get you there in less than 12 hrs. Another choice is the previous capital of Siam, Ayutthaya, within the Central Plains (an uncomplicated vacation at under 60 miles from Bangkok). It's full of ruins and temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, house from the popular Buddha statue within an old tree.

Choose to go definitely solo? Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi offers ten-working day silent programs in Vipassana meditation. This really is legit silence — no talking, no texting, and no composing for 10 straight days. It's run on the donation procedure, involves easy lodging and meals, and gives you extra time than you at any time considered probable to mirror with your only regular travel companion: by yourself.

Check out the north on a motorbike

 

Thailand travel

 

With scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles available for lease in in essence each city, city, and village in Thailand, jetting off like Audrey Hepburn (but with no additional excess weight of Gregory Peck over the back) is often a breeze. You'll want to be sure you have sufficient coverage, a helmet, and beefy enough tires for the categories of streets you take into account. And don't forget about to snap some pictures from the bicycle prior to deciding to leave to ensure you aren't charged for any problems you didn't induce.

The smaller towns and quiet roads of northern Thailand make for In particular good bike touring. Chiang Rai is a comparatively speedy drive from Chiang Mai; you'll pass numerous cafes and strawberry farms along how. Stop with the Doi Chaang Espresso farm (while in the village of precisely the same title) to seize a Chunk to eat and purchase some natural and organic coffee to consider property with you.

Chiang Rai's Night Bazaar is a fantastic spot to possess a few beers and sample dishes like seafood soup inside a steaming hotpot even though people-watching and Hearing community musicians. It's centrally located and inside of going for walks distance through the golden clock tower, which resembles the design of Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a contemporary artwork show while in the sort of a Buddhist temple, also in Chiang Rai.

Meet your fellow wanderers on an organized tour

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Should you're ever needing companionship, your options are plenty. Head to Ayutthaya to take a look at temples and web-sites by bicycle, where a number of tour companies (like Grasshopper Adventures) have whole- and 50 percent-day excursions alongside back again lanes and earlier fascinating cultural internet sites. You can even get an overnight Mekhala cruise over the Chao Praya River from Bangkok, floating inside a restored teak rice barge.

For a longer tour and the chance to shell out some really serious time with other travelers, try out booking via a tour business like Oriental Escapes, which runs multi-day journeys across the nation and has a superb track record (and a assure to stop vacationer traps).