Most questions about staying in Thailand are about four things: how long you can stay, where to stay, how to book, and how to reach your hotel from the airport. This FAQ answers them with the rules that changed in 2025 and 2026.
Before You Book: Length of Stay, Arrival Card and Dates
How many nights can I book without a visa?
From 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 60-day visa exemption that had applied since 15 July 2024.
For most Western passports, a trip longer than 30 days now needs a visa or an extension, so plan your hotel bookings around that limit. The rules depend on nationality, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) asks every traveller to check the conditions for their own passport before travelling. Read the TAT announcement of the new visa exemption rules.
Immigration officers may also ask you to show that you have enough money for your stay, in cash or as a recent bank statement. As of September 2026, the amount for visa-on-arrival and some visa-exempt visitors is 10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family; children under 12 are exempt. Keep this proof in your hand luggage, not in a checked bag, and confirm the current amount with the Thai embassy before you travel.
Why do I need my hotel address before I fly?
Since 1 May 2025, every non-Thai national entering Thailand by air, land or sea must fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within the 3 days before arrival. It is not a visa. The form asks for your passport details, travel plans, accommodation in Thailand and a health declaration.
Book at least your first hotel before you fill in the TDAC, and keep its full address on your phone. The official site is tdac.immigration.go.th and it charges no fee; immigration has warned about fake sites that charge money. See the official TDAC user guide for each step.
Which dates should I book early?
Around long public-holiday weekends, transport is busier and rooms cost more, so book both as early as you can. The public holidays to watch, as of September 2026 (check the official holiday list before you book):
- Songkran (Thai New Year): 13–15 April in both 2026 and 2027.
- Late 2026: 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.
Types of Accommodation
| Type | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels | Private rooms with a bathroom, often a restaurant and a pool | Most travellers |
| Hostels | Dormitory beds, some private rooms, shared lounges | Solo travellers on a small budget |
| Guesthouses | Small, often family-run places with simple rooms | Travellers who want a quiet, local stay |
| Resorts | Larger properties with pools and gardens, mostly by the sea or in the countryside | Holidays spent mainly at the property |
| Homestays | A room in a local family's home | Village and countryside trips |
| Serviced apartments and holiday rentals | A flat with a kitchen, often with weekly or monthly rates | Long stays and families |
Room prices change with the area, the season and the day of the week, so this guide gives no price ranges. Compare the price for your exact dates on two or three sites, and look at recent photos and the list of facilities rather than the star rating alone.
Where to Stay
Bangkok
Bangkok traffic is often slow, so a hotel within walking distance of a rail station saves the most time.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Sukhumvit | Restaurants, shopping and nightlife, on the BTS Skytrain | Busy roads |
| Silom | Dining and business, on the BTS and the MRT | Crowded on weekdays |
| Khao San Road | Budget stays and nightlife | Noisy at night, not on the BTS |
| Riverside | River views and temples | Fewer rail stations nearby |
A contactless Visa or Mastercard works at the gates of the MRT and the Airport Rail Link. The BTS Skytrain does not take bank cards: you need a Rabbit card or a single-journey ticket. Foreign visitors pay about 17–65 THB per BTS trip; the 20 THB flat fare is only for registered Thai nationals.
If your hotel is on the west bank of the Chao Phraya (the Thonburi side), a Smile Taxi Service pickup or drop-off there costs 100–200 THB extra.
Beach towns
In Phuket, Patong is the busy centre with nightlife, while Kata and Karon are quieter and popular with families. In Krabi, Ao Nang is the main tourist area. On Koh Samui, Chaweng is the main beach and Lamai is the quieter choice. For Pattaya, see How to Get from Bangkok to Pattaya.
Booking Platforms and Booking Direct
Many visitors book through sites such as Agoda and Booking.com. Agoda is not a Thai company: it is a subsidiary of Booking Holdings, the Booking.com group, and has its headquarters in Singapore and Thailand. It is still worth checking the hotel's own website, which sometimes offers different terms.
Before you pay, check three things:
- Cancellation terms: the last date for free cancellation, and whether the rate is non-refundable.
- When you pay: now online, or at the property.
- What the price includes: taxes, service charges and breakfast.
Save every confirmation and your hotel's address offline on your phone. If the hotel gives its address in Thai as well, save that too; it helps taxi drivers.
At the Hotel: Check-In, Deposits and Practical Points
- Check-in times vary. If you land early in the morning, ask the hotel before you travel whether it can hold your bags or offer an early check-in.
- Have your passport and booking confirmation ready at the desk.
- Some hotels ask for a cash deposit or put a hold on your credit card at check-in. Ask how much it is and when it will be returned.
- Police may ask to see your passport. If you leave it in the hotel safe, carry a photocopy or phone photo of the photo page; if asked, you have 24 hours to show the passport at a police station.
- Thai sockets take plug types C and O, and most also take A and B. Mains power is 230 V, 50 Hz. Bring an adapter for UK or Australian plugs.
Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel
| Option | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link (Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai) | About 45 THB (about 27 minutes) | Light luggage, hotels near the BTS |
| Public taxi (Suvarnabhumi) | Meter + 50 THB airport surcharge + tolls | Arrivals at any hour |
| Airport bus A1–A4 (Don Mueang) | About 30–50 THB | Small budgets |
| Smile Taxi Service private transfer | From 600 THB per vehicle to Bangkok | Families, heavy luggage, late arrivals |
Third-party prices were checked in September 2026; confirm them with the operator.
The Airport Rail Link runs from about 05:30 to midnight, and you can tap a contactless card at the gate. Public taxis leave from Level 1 between Gates 4 and 7, 24 hours a day. Don Mueang airport buses leave from Terminal 1, Floor 1, Gate 6.
A Smile Taxi Service driver takes you from the terminal to your hotel door. 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 |
| Phuket Airport to Patong Beach | 1,000 THB | 1,100 THB | 1,400 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. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time. At Suvarnabhumi the driver meets you on Level 4 (Departures), near Gate 4; message on WhatsApp or LINE once you have your bags and the car pulls up in about 5–10 minutes. At Don Mueang the meeting point is Level 3 (Departures), and the exact door comes with the driver's details. A name sign or a child seat costs 100 THB each, on request.
You 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. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok, a sedan from Don Mueang to Bangkok, a sedan from Phuket Airport to Patong Beach, or see all routes and prices.
For your departure day, Suvarnabhumi Airport advises arriving at least 2 hours before your flight. The fare from a Bangkok hotel back to Suvarnabhumi is the same: 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV and 1,100 THB by van. Book a sedan from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi.
FAQ
Is Agoda a Thai company?
No. Agoda belongs to Booking Holdings and has its headquarters in Singapore and Thailand.
Which address do I give on the arrival card?
The TDAC asks for your accommodation in Thailand, so give your first hotel's name and address. Book it before you fill in the form.
Do I have to pay a 300 THB tourist fee?
Not as of May 2026. The fee was not being collected and no start date had been set. Check the latest news from TAT before you travel.
Can I still book 60 days of rooms without a visa?
Not if you arrive on or after 15 September 2026: travellers from most Western countries now get 30 days visa-free. For a longer stay you need a visa or an extension, so check the rules for your passport before you book.
How do I reach my hotel if I land after midnight?
The Airport Rail Link stops at midnight, but the public taxi counter at Suvarnabhumi is open 24 hours. Smile Taxi Service works 24/7, and the driver waits up to 60 minutes after landing at no charge.
To book your airport transfer, message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE.