First-time visitors to Thailand ask the same questions: how long they can stay, what to fill in before the flight, how to pay and how to get from the airport to the hotel. Here are the answers, with the rules and prices that apply in September 2026.
Before You Travel
Do I need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
It depends on your passport, and the rules changed recently. From 15 September 2026, nationals of 60 countries and territories can enter visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days. The list includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, India and all European Union countries. The earlier 60-day visa-free stay has ended.
- South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru: 90 days, under bilateral agreements.
- China, Hong Kong, Russia, Vietnam, Laos and some others: 30 days, under bilateral agreements.
- Cambodia and Myanmar: 14 days, under bilateral agreements (Myanmar citizens only when they arrive by air).
- Seychelles and Mauritius: 15 days visa-free.
- Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia: visa on arrival for up to 15 days (2,000 THB). No other nationality can get a visa on arrival.
- Everyone else: a visa is needed before travel. As of September 2026, Thai visas are applied for online at thaievisa.go.th.
If you entered before 15 September 2026, you keep the stay stamped in your passport. Visa-free entry is for tourism only; business trips and meetings need the right visa. Rules can change again, so check the TAT announcement of the new rules and your Thai embassy before you book.
What do I need to fill in before I fly?
Only the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Every foreign visitor must complete it online within the 3 days before arrival. It is not a visa. It replaced the old paper TM6 card, so there is nothing to keep for departure.
- Use only the official site, tdac.immigration.go.th. It is free; lookalike sites charge a fee.
- Children need their own TDAC, and you need a new one for every entry.
- As of September 2026, there is no electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to apply for.
What should I carry through immigration?
- A passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival, with at least 1 blank page.
- Proof of an onward or return ticket, which officers may ask to see.
- Proof of funds if asked: at least 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family for visa-free visitors, in cash or payment documents.
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from a country with a yellow fever risk.
As of September 2026, travellers arriving from Ebola-affected regions are also screened and must quarantine or self-isolate for at least 21 days. Keep offline copies of your onward ticket and first hotel booking.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
| Season | Months |
|---|---|
| Cool (winter) | Mid-October to mid-February |
| Hot (summer) | Mid-February to mid-May |
| Rainy (southwest monsoon) | Mid-May to mid-October |
The cool season is usually the most pleasant. In the rainy season, keep some flexible time for outdoor trips and boat journeys.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is strongly advised. Private hospitals often ask for payment or a guarantee from your insurer before treatment, so choose a policy with medical cover.
Money and Costs
Should I bring cash or use ATMs?
The currency is the Thai baht (THB). On 24 September 2026, the mid-market rate was about 33.35 THB for 1 USD and 38.0 THB for 1 EUR. Exchange counters give a little less.
- ATMs charge a flat fee on foreign cards. In 2026 it is usually 220-250 THB per withdrawal and sometimes more, plus your own bank's fees. Withdraw larger amounts less often.
- Always choose to be charged in THB when an ATM or card machine offers your home currency. The conversion costs about 5% or more.
- Money changers in Bangkok, such as SuperRich, charge no fee and give rates close to the interbank rate for major currencies. Large, clean notes get the best rate.
- Small notes: keep 20 and 100 THB notes for street food and markets.
How much does a day in Bangkok cost?
Typical Bangkok prices, checked in September 2026 (food and drink prices are crowd-sourced averages):
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | About 100 THB |
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range | About 1,200 THB |
| Local beer (0.5 l) in a restaurant | About 90 THB |
| Bottled water, 1.5 l | About 18 THB |
| BTS Skytrain ride (foreign visitors) | About 17-65 THB |
| Grand Palace / Wat Pho / Wat Arun | 500 / 300 / 200 THB |
Where should I stay, and what does it cost?
| Type | Approximate price per night |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed | 100 THB or less |
| Basic guesthouse room | From about 500 THB |
| Standard Thai hotel | About 500-1,500 THB |
| Business or luxury hotel | From about 4,000 THB |
Do I need to tip?
Tipping is not a Thai custom; Thais usually round up taxi fares. Tips are now common in high-end hotels and tourist restaurants, but do not tip on top of a service charge.
Getting From the Airport
How do I get from the airport to central Bangkok?
| Option | Approximate price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link (from BKK) | 45 THB to Phaya Thai | About 27 minutes, 05:30-24:00 |
| Public taxi (from BKK) | Meter + 50 THB surcharge + tolls | Level 1, Gates 4-7, 24 hours |
| Bus A1 or A2 (from DMK) | 30 THB | A1 to Mo Chit, A2 to Victory Monument, about every 15 minutes |
| Smile Taxi Service (BKK or DMK) | From 600 THB per sedan | Fixed fare, tolls included |
Third-party prices were checked in September 2026 and can change, so confirm them with the operator. Public transport is cheaper and suits travellers with light bags. A private transfer suits families, groups, late arrivals and anyone with heavy luggage.
How does a Smile Taxi Service transfer work?
Fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included. There is no meter.
| 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 |
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: 60 minutes free, counted from the actual landing time. A person on the team checks your flight.
- Meeting point: at Suvarnabhumi, Level 4 (Departures) near Gate 4; at Don Mueang, Level 3 (Departures), with the exact door sent with the driver's details. Before the trip you receive the driver's name, car and plate number. Message on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags; the car pulls up in about 5–10 minutes.
- Extras on request: name sign +100 THB, child seat +100 THB, and a free 500 MB Thailand eSIM with an airport pickup.
- Language: not every driver speaks English; you can request an English-speaking driver, subject to availability.
- Payment: cash (THB) to the driver at the end of the trip, with no online payment or deposit. Card only? Message the team for a PayPal payment link (5% fee added).
- Cancellation: free up to 24 hours before pickup.
Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok or a sedan from Don Mueang to Bangkok, or see the full Smile Taxi Service price list.
Going straight to Pattaya? From Suvarnabhumi the fixed fare is 1,200 THB by sedan, 1,500 THB by SUV and 1,800 THB by van. Read How to Get from Bangkok to Pattaya.
Food and Culture
Is street food safe to eat?
Street food is part of daily life in Thailand. To lower the risk, choose busy stalls where food is cooked fresh in front of you, and start slowly if you have a sensitive stomach. Most visitors drink bottled water, not tap water.
What should I know about Thai etiquette?
- Remove your shoes before you enter a temple building or a home.
- At temples, wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
- Always show respect for the Thai royal family.
- Do not touch a person's head, and do not point your feet at people or at Buddha images.
- Women should not touch monks or hand things directly to them.
- A few Thai words are appreciated: "sawatdee" means hello and "khop khun" means thank you.
Practical Matters
Can I use my phone in Thailand?
Yes. In 2026, AIS tourist SIMs cost from 49 THB (1 day, 1 GB) to 899 THB (30 days, 50 GB). Ordinary prepaid SIMs cost from about 50 THB in convenience stores. You need your passport to buy one, and airport counters register passports 24 hours a day. With a Smile Taxi Service airport pickup you can ask for a free 500 MB eSIM.
What plugs and voltage does Thailand use?
Power is 220-230 V, 50 Hz. Most sockets take both US-style flat two-pin plugs (types A and B) and round two-pin plugs (type C); the official Thai three-pin type is O. Devices that work only on 120 V need a converter, not just an adapter.
What emergency numbers should I know?
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Tourist Police (English-speaking, 24 hours) | 1155 |
| Police and general emergency | 191 |
| Ambulance | 1669 |
| Fire | 199 |
| Immigration Bureau call centre | 1178 |
| TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) call centre | 1672 |
Which rules catch visitors out?
- Vapes and e-cigarettes are illegal to bring in, own or use.
- Cigarettes: you may bring in up to 200 per person. Above that, fines of up to 10 times the value and confiscation are possible.
- Cannabis is legal only with a Thai medical prescription, and taking it out of Thailand is illegal.
- Overstaying costs 500 THB per day, up to 20,000 THB. You can ask to extend a 30-day stay once, by up to 30 days, at an immigration office (1,900 THB); approval is at the officer's discretion.
- Alcohol: as of September 2026, supermarkets and chain convenience stores sell it only between 11:00 and 24:00.
- Cambodia: as of mid-2026, all Thailand-Cambodia land crossings were closed; check the border status before you travel, or fly.
FAQ
How long can I stay without a visa?
Since 15 September 2026, 30 days for most Western passports. South Koreans get 90 days.
I land with no Thai baht. How do I pay for my taxi?
With Smile Taxi Service you pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip, so you can use an airport ATM first. Card-only travellers can ask for a PayPal payment link (5% fee).
What if my flight is late?
Your driver waits: 60 minutes of free waiting starts from the actual landing time.
Ready to plan your arrival? Book your airport transfer, or message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE.