Good bookings make the first day of a Thailand trip easy: the right airport, a room in the right area and a plan for the ride between them. This guide covers what to check before you book flights and accommodation in 2026. Rules, fares and timetables below were checked in September 2026; confirm them with the operator before you travel.
Check the Entry Rules Before You Book
Since 15 September 2026, nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days. This replaced the earlier 60-day exemption. For most Western passports, a trip longer than 30 days now needs a visa or an extension, so book your return or onward flight to fit. Other nationalities have different rules (for example 14, 15 or 90 days, or a visa on arrival), so check your own nationality in the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announcement of the new visa exemption rules. Visa-exempt visitors can generally enter through a land border no more than twice per calendar year; arrivals by air have no such limit.
Immigration officers can ask you to show enough money for the stay, in cash or payment documents. Most arrivals are not asked, but keep the proof in your hand luggage and check the current amount with a Thai embassy.
Since 1 May 2025, every non-Thai national must also complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within the 3 days before arrival. It is not a visa, and it replaced the paper TM6 form. The official site, tdac.immigration.go.th, is free; immigration has warned about fake sites that charge money. The form asks for your accommodation in Thailand, so book at least your first night before you fill it in. The official TDAC manual explains each step.
According to the latest confirmed report (May 2026), a planned 300 THB tourist entry fee for air arrivals was not being collected and had no start date. As of September 2026, check with TAT whether it applies.
Booking International Flights
Bangkok has two international airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). When you compare fares, check which airport each flight uses, because it changes your transfer to the hotel. Don Mueang has two terminals, so also note the terminal on your ticket.
- Compare, then check the airline. Use a flight comparison website to see which airlines fly your route, then check the airline's own website before you pay.
- Be careful with separate tickets. They can cost less, but a delay on the first flight can make you miss the second. If you connect between BKK and DMK, you collect your bags, travel by road and check in again, so leave a long gap.
- Check what the fare includes. On low-cost airlines such as AirAsia, checked baggage is bought separately.
Booking Domestic Flights
Airlines on domestic routes include Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and AirAsia. Two points to know:
- Thai Smile no longer exists. It stopped flying under its own name on 1 January 2024, and its aircraft and domestic routes went to Thai Airways.
- Koh Samui. Samui Airport is privately owned by Bangkok Airways, which flies there from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang and has a near-monopoly on its flights. Scoot flies from Singapore.
Not every trip needs a flight. Our How to Go guides compare the ways to travel, for example Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to Phuket, Bangkok to Koh Samui and Bangkok to Pattaya.
Baggage and Power Banks
- AirAsia cabin bags: 1 cabin bag (maximum 56 x 36 x 23 cm) plus 1 personal item (maximum 40 x 30 x 10 cm), 7 kg combined. A bag over the allowance must be checked in at the counter, or you pay a fee at the gate, so buy checked baggage with your ticket; other airlines have their own rules.
- Power banks on flights in Thailand: up to 100 Wh (about 20,000 mAh) is allowed; 100 to 160 Wh needs the airline's approval; over 160 Wh, or no readable Wh rating, is banned. Carry at most 2, in hand luggage only, not in the overhead bin, and do not use or charge them during the flight.
- Flying home from Suvarnabhumi: the airport advises arriving at least 2 hours before your flight.
From the Airport to Your Hotel
Plan the airport ride when you book the hotel, especially for a late arrival or a family with luggage.
From Suvarnabhumi (BKK), the Airport Rail Link (City Line) runs to Phaya Thai, where you can change to the BTS Skytrain: 45 THB, about 27 minutes, from early morning until midnight. You can tap a contactless Visa, Mastercard, JCB or UnionPay card at the Airport Rail Link gate, but as of September 2026 the BTS needs a Rabbit card or a single-journey ticket. Public taxis leave from Level 1, between Gates 4 and 7, 24 hours a day; you pay the meter plus a 50 THB airport surcharge plus expressway tolls.
From Don Mueang (DMK), airport buses leave from Terminal 1 (international), Floor 1, Gate 6, and from the Service Hall entrance:
| Bus | Goes to | Hours and frequency | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Mo Chit 2 bus terminal | 05:45–24:00, every 15 minutes | 30 THB |
| A2 | Victory Monument | 06:00–23:00, every 15 minutes | 30 THB |
| A3 | Lumpini Park | 06:00–23:00, every 30 minutes | 50 THB |
| A4 | Sanam Luang | 06:00–23:00, every 30 minutes | 50 THB |
Private Transfer to Your Door
Public transport is cheaper and suits a solo traveller with light luggage. A private transfer suits families, groups, late arrivals and hotels outside the city centre. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person), one way, with expressway tolls included.
| Route | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Bangkok | 600 THB | 800 THB | 1,100 THB |
| Don Mueang (DMK) to Bangkok | 600 THB | 800 THB | 1,000 THB |
| Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Pattaya | 1,200 THB | 1,500 THB | 1,800 THB |
A sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 and 4, and a van up to 7 and 5.
- Waiting and meeting: airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time. At Suvarnabhumi, the driver meets you on Level 4 (Departures), near Gate 4; at Don Mueang, on Level 3 (Departures), with the exact door sent with the driver's details. Before the trip, the team sends the driver's name, car and plate number. Once you have your bags, send a message on WhatsApp or LINE, and the car pulls up in about 5–10 minutes.
- Extras on request: a name sign (+100 THB), a child seat (+100 THB) and a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM with an airport pickup. An English-speaking driver can be requested, subject to availability.
- Thonburi hotels: pickups or drop-offs west of the Chao Phraya cost +100–200 THB.
- Payment and cancellation: pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link; a 5% fee is added. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok, book a sedan from Don Mueang to Bangkok or book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya. Other routes are on the full price list.
Booking Accommodation
Decide what you want to do each day, then choose the area, and only then the hotel. In Bangkok, a hotel within walking distance of a BTS or MRT station makes getting around easier.
Before you pay, check:
- The exact location on a map, not only the name of the area.
- The total price, with taxes and fees included.
- The cancellation policy. A non-refundable rate cannot be changed; a free-cancellation rate lets you change plans. Note the deadline.
- Recent guest reviews and real photos that match your needs, such as a quiet room or a family room.
- Check-in and check-out times, and ask whether the hotel takes a deposit at check-in.
- The hotel's own website, to compare its rate. Note that Agoda and Booking.com both belong to Booking Holdings.
Be careful with listings that have no recent reviews, a price far below nearby hotels, a vague location or only stock photos.
Save every confirmation and the hotel address offline on your phone. You need the address for the TDAC, and it helps your driver find the right door.
When to Book Early
Transport is busier and rooms cost more around public holidays and long weekends. Book early for Songkran (13–15 April in both 2026 and 2027) and for the late-2026 holidays: 13 October (King Bhumibol Memorial Day), 23 October (Chulalongkorn Day), Monday 7 December (King Bhumibol's Birthday, observed), 10 December (Constitution Day) and 31 December. Dates are as of September 2026; check the official holiday calendar. Loy Krathong usually falls in November; check TAT's event calendar for the date.
Useful Numbers
- Tourist Police: 1155 (the official app is "Tourist Police i lert u")
- Medical emergency (ambulance): 1669
- Police: 191
- Airports of Thailand call centre: 1722
- Suvarnabhumi Airport help desk: 0-2132-3888
FAQ
What do I need to fill in before flying to Thailand? The free Thailand Digital Arrival Card on tdac.immigration.go.th, within the 3 days before arrival.
How long can I stay without a visa in 2026? Since 15 September 2026, up to 30 days for most Western passports, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Check the rule for your own nationality.
Does Thai Smile still fly? No. It merged into Thai Airways and stopped flying under its own name in January 2024.
How do I get from Suvarnabhumi into Bangkok cheaply? Take the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai: 45 THB, about 27 minutes, with contactless card payment at the gate.
Can I pay for an airport transfer by card? With Smile Taxi Service you pay the driver in cash (THB). If you can only pay by card, ask the team for a PayPal payment link (5% fee).
To arrange your airport transfer, use the booking page or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.