THE SOLO WOMAN’S TRAVEL GUIDE TO THAILAND

THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE as a woman can be Terrifying. But we will't Allow that prevent us — and luckily, we haven't: Solo female journey is probably the speediest increasing demographics in the business. And nevertheless independent women adventurers are likely almost everywhere you go, few areas have viewed this growth in excess of Thailand. Further than currently being Safe and sound and welcoming, it's price range-friendly, conveniently obtainable, and nevertheless continue to completely envy-inducing. It's a triple threat.

Thailand is home to diverse regions, Each and every with its own Delicacies and tradition. To get a grasp on the country, you'll really need to see all of them. From the roots of the Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai as well as Hill tribes with the north, to the Babas about the island of Phuket within the south (and, naturally, the behemoth that's Bangkok), we'll wander you in the Essentials.

Get around the capital, solo

 

 

Thailand travel

Bangkok (identified to locals as Krungthep) has modified considerably over the past several decades. The sheer degree of things to carry out — museums, places to eat, shops, and markets — can make it one of the best towns on the planet to visit or are in, and it's fairly Risk-free for solo female tourists, In particular because it's straightforward to get all around.

The BTS (Bangkok Transit Systemand very affordable metered taxis make Bangkok an uncomplicated location to navigate. Most signals are in both Thai and English, far too. Tuk tuks — the carriage hooked up to a motorbike You may have seen in Darjeeling Limited— are An additional exciting way to get throughout the town, although you can count on to pay for more in your novelty ride (but don't shy from haggling beforehand). Even though it could be a little more expensive, it is possible to't check out Thailand with no riding a tuk tuk no less than when.

Spend a night on the town.

 

Thailand travel

 

Check out Bangkok's best bars within the professional district of Silom (such as 1930s-cabaret-themed basement bar Maggie Choo's, from the Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom near the Surasak and Taksin BTS stations; or the best rooftop see in Bangkok, Cloud 47, near the Sala Daeng station). Sukhumvit is additionally stuffed with fashionable parts. Order some fish at Tororo Sushi just before hitting the nightlife in the Thonglor-Ekamai community, where you'll have your decision of dance clubs enjoying top 40 Thai hits, bars serving beer from around the globe, and swanky rooftop patios.

Yet another very good choice for a unforgettable evening is usually a Chao Phraya Princess Evening meal Cruise — you'll get an upscale buffet dinner while looking at the landmarks alongside the Chao Phraya riverside float by.

Treat yourself to a night of luxury

  

Thailand travel

 

With lots of affordable accommodation — which include listings on Airbnb, hostels, and low-priced inns — an evening of notroughing it is well worth the splurge. Check out the Windsor Hotel, with sights throughout the complete city. It's centrally located in Bangkok and has some wonderful Avenue food stuff close by, plus it's suitable close to a large BTS interchange (Asok/Sukhumvit) that allows you to soar around the skytrain or even the subway. Look for specials on the internet and you might be able to look for a place for as small as $fifty.

Want to really splurge? The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has 125 yrs of knowledge producing its attendees experience like queens. With outside swimming pools and cabanas, tennis courts, a full-service spa with Thai massages, yoga lessons, and 10 places to eat, this stay will set you back several hundred dollars, however you'll absolutely expertise a throwback towards the golden age of Thai luxury travel.

Head south on a one-woman road trip

 

 

Thailand travel

 

Southern Thailand is lovely — and an ideal place for a solo street trip. Auto rentals is often organized on the web through the region, and having your personal wheels provides you with the flexibleness to halt when and where you want.

This Section of the region is focused on Discovering the tiny villages and cities that punctuate the miles and miles of beach locations. Nature lovers will take pleasure in the "Tiny Amazon" of Takua Pa in Phang Nga, in close proximity to Khao Lak — exactly where no making is permitted to stand taller than a coconut palm tree — and just a few several hours from Phuket. Stop in Khao Lak with the beachside Khaolak Laguna Vacation resort (in the middle of city) and take a tour with the close by waterfalls, go for a hike in Khaolak-Lumru Countrywide Park, or simply love a consume because of the pool even though observing the tide roll in.

Upcoming, travel up the Coastline to Ranong, a lesser-regarded city that was after a preferred desired destination with the now-defunct Phuket-Ranong visa run. There's an incredible scorching spring, cheap but tasty dining places (Le Ranong Cafe has brilliant banana smoothies), along with the Rattana Rangsarn Throne Hall, a wooden palace duplicate with gardens that's a perfect afternoon examining spot.

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

 

Thailand travel

 

Phuket is Thailand's most significant island and it has over 30 beach locations. Despite the frequently-expressed sentiment that it's way too touristy, the reality will depend on which part of the island and which time of calendar year you take a look at. Near the southern idea, Nai Harn Beach front isn't as active as Patong and is also an area most loved. It's a couple of beachside places to eat, a temple to discover, plus a large lake that's a favorite working place for expats. Also check out Nai Yang Beach front (in the north, near the airport), a great spot to go kiteboarding without having to keep away from a throng of swimmers.

If you've experienced your share of sand and surf, head into city to take a look at Old Phuket Town — it's filled with Chinese temples and museums, and it's smaller sized than you'd visualize, considering the recognition of several of the nearby beaches. This is actually the heart in the island and the location to be throughout the once-a-year Vegetarian Pageant.

Kopi de Phuket is a good choice in town for lunch or espresso. It's also going for walks distance to Jui Tui Shrine — Adhere to the scent of incense to this Chinese Temple on attractive grounds. Sunday is the ideal day to stroll in Aged City, snap pics of your Sino-Portuguese properties, and luxuriate in the road food stuff and amusement of the walking current market on Thalang Road as the Sunlight goes down.

Take time to explore inwards.

 

Thailand travel

 

If dealing with Thailand spirituality is one area you're into, look into the temple-loaded northern town of Chiang Mai. You can take an right away train directly from Bangkok or an air-conditioned bus — the two solutions ought to get you there in a lot less than twelve hrs. Another option is the former money of Siam, Ayutthaya, in the Central Plains (a fairly easy journey at below 60 miles from Bangkok). It's stuffed with ruins and temples like Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, residence with the well-known Buddha statue within an aged tree.

Want to go truly solo? Dhamma Kamala in Prachinburi provides ten-working day silent classes in Vipassana meditation. This is legit silence — no chatting, no texting, and no producing for ten straight days. It's operate over a donation program, incorporates simple lodging and meals, and will give you more time than you ever believed attainable to replicate on your own only continuous vacation companion: on your own.

Check out the north on a motorbike

 

Thailand travel

 

With scooters, mopeds, and bikes readily available for lease in mainly just about every city, town, and village in Thailand, jetting off like Audrey Hepburn (but without the additional fat of Gregory Peck about the back) is usually a breeze. You'll need to be sure to have enough insurance policies, a helmet, and beefy plenty of tires for the categories of streets you have in mind. And don't overlook to snap some photographs of the bicycle before you leave to ensure you aren't charged for any hurt you didn't result in.

The compact towns and quiet streets of northern Thailand make for Particularly pleasant motorcycle touring. Chiang Rai is a comparatively rapid drive from Chiang Mai; you'll pass several cafes and strawberry farms together the way. Quit at the Doi Chaang Espresso farm (during the village of the identical identify) to seize a bite to try to eat and purchase some natural and organic coffee to get household along with you.

Chiang Rai's Night time Bazaar is a wonderful location to have a couple of beers and sample dishes like seafood soup in a steaming hotpot even though people-watching and listening to community musicians. It's centrally located and in just walking length from the golden clock tower, which resembles the design of Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), a modern art show within the form of a Buddhist temple, also in Chiang Rai.

Meet your fellow wanderers on an organized tour

 

 

Thailand travel

 

In case you're at any time wanting companionship, your choices are loads. Head to Ayutthaya to investigate temples and web-sites by bicycle, wherever quite a few tour businesses (which include Grasshopper Adventures) have comprehensive- and 50 percent-day excursions along back again lanes and previous interesting cultural internet sites. You may as well just take an right away Mekhala cruise to the Chao Praya River from Bangkok, floating inside of a restored teak rice barge.

For an extended excursion and the chance to devote some really serious time with other tourists, try scheduling by way of a tour business like Oriental Escapes, which runs multi-working day excursions across the nation and it has a great track record (as well as a ensure to prevent tourist traps).