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Thailand with kids travel guide (2024)

Thailand with kids travel guide (2024)

For those intrepid parents considering visiting Thailand with kids, we share our top tips , highlights, and an easy 10 day family itinerary for Thailand, which works especially well if you’re planning a trip to Thailand with toddlers. 

Thailand is a fantastic destination for that first intrepid family holiday and one of our favourite family holiday destinations in Asia. Indeed it’s a place we return to time and time again as it ticks so many boxes – exceptional value for money, welcoming locals, fascinating culture, stunning beaches, and mouth-wateringly good food.

Bangkok is often the main gateway for families travelling long-haul and after a couple of days exploring the bustling city, they head back to the airport for an internal flight to one of the islands for some beach time. Check out our list of best beaches in Thailand for families.

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But if you’re travelling Thailand with kids, and especially if you’re travelling to Thailand with toddlers, the thought of another airport and flight after flying long-haul may feel a bit too much. Instead, you could take the overnight train South to Surat Thani and then catch a connecting boat or bus to your chosen beach… yup, that’s a faff too.

Here we share an easy itinerary for Thailand with kids, which avoids internal flights. We first did this trip when the boys were 1 and 3 years old. We then repeated it when they were 7 and 9 years old for the first leg of our 10 week Southeast Asia backpacking adventure.

Before we get into the itinerary though, let’s first discuss whether Thailand is safe for families, visas and immunisations, getting around, and our top tips.

Read on for your essential guide to travelling Thailand with kids…

BUY: Lonely Planet Thailand

Sale
Lonely Planet Thailand (Travel Guide)
  • Eimer, David (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 600 Pages – 03/15/2024 (Publication Date) – Lonely Planet (Publisher)
Siam Bay Resort, Koh Chang with kids

Is Thailand safe to travel with children?

Thailand is a safe country to visit with children, with extremely friendly locals and a low crime rate. You’re very unlikely to encounter any incidences of violent crime and the standard of healthcare (especially in the larger cities) is some of the highest in Southeast Asia.

As with most countries in Southeast Asia, there’s an intermittent risk of petty theft, particularly in busy streets or train stations when pickpocketing can occur but it’s fortunately something we’ve never experienced.

The overall standard and maintenance of electricity cabling is low throughout the country, so keep an eye out for any exposed wires and sockets. Similarly, it’s not uncommon to find holes in the pavement, missing handrails, trip-hazards, etc, around the country so keep a close eye on children as they wander around.

Bangkok with kids

How to get around Thailand with kids

Thailand has an excellent long-distance train and bus network, including sleeper buses which are an interesting way to travel as a family, although road conditions are usually less safe during the evening.

A long-distance, overnight sleeper train is one of family travel’s great adventures The second-class carriages are ideal for a family, with bunk beds across the corridor from each other and feel totally safe at night. Note that under-12’s are supposed to only sleep on the lower bunk but this isn’t always enforced.

Southeast Asia packing list for families

Thailand also has a comprehensive low-cost airline network, linking most of the major cities with each other, plus a useful connection to Koh Samui.

Bangkok and other large cities have good bus and metro networks. For shorter trips around towns and cities, we’ve started using Grab taxis more and more often as they avoid haggling for fares and trying to explain where you need to go. In some Thai cities, taxi drivers will use the meter but not always, but Grab taxis completely avoid this problem. Install the app before you arrive and start using it straightaway.

Visas for Thailand

Citizens of most countries (including the UK, USA, Australia, NZ, and the EU) don’t need a visa to enter Thailand for visits up to 30 days and are given a 30-day stamp on arrival. The entry process at immigration is usually smooth and hassle-free.

If your country isn’t part of the Tourist Visa Exemption programme, or you wish to stay for longer than 30 days, you’ll need to apply for an e-visa in advance via the official website.

Immunisations for Thailand

As always, it’s important to check with a medical professional before travelling to Thailand to check which vaccinations you may need.

In the UK, the excellent Fit For Travel website from the NHS has all the information you’ll need. Make sure you plan ahead for any vaccinations as some require a longer course of injections over a few weeks.

Our top 10 tips for travelling Thailand with kids

1. Don’t try and fit too much into one day. The heat at bustle can be too much of a sensory overload. It’s best to plan your main activity early in the day. Not only will you beat the heat, but you’ll also beat the crowds.

2. Keep everyone hydrated, but don’t drink the tap water. Only drink filtered water and avoid ice cubes in your drinks. Coconuts sold at street stalls are a great way to hydrate.

3. Leave the buggy at home and instead use a carrier for young kids.

4. Allow for some beach time to relax and unwind at the end of your trip.

5. Be prepared that young kids (particularly if their fair) will get a lot of attention from locals. Thai people love kids, so go with the flow when they want to play with your kids and enjoy the parental downtime.

6. Book accommodation with aircon and perhaps a pool. Aircon really is a must in Thailand, especially to ensure that everyone has a good night’s sleep. The pool is just another way to cool off and allow the kids to play.

7. If you’re kids don’t like their noodles too spicy as for it nid noi (not spicy).

8. Car seats aren’t at all common in Thailand. If this is something that concerns you, take a travel car seat such as the Bubble Bum Inflatable Booster Car Seat with you.

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9. Nappies and milk can be bought from 7-elevens across the country. They can be found everywhere. Although do noted that larger nappy sizes are difficult to come by.

10. If you are intending to do a long bus or train journey, do just check Google Flights before you book. There are so many low cost airlines flying within Thailand, you may find it more cost effective to fly.

Thailand with kids - selfie

Top 8 things to do in Thailand with kids

  1. Visit Bangkok, the city full of surprises and experiences, and the place many an adventure has begun
  2. Head to one of Thailand’s many beautiful islands, for a blissful escape full of sand, sea and sunbathing.
  3. Check out the gem capital of Thailand in Chanthaburi, itself a pretty and riverside town off the tourist trail.
  4. Visit the ancient ruins in Ayuthaya, a mini-version of Angkor Wat with a chilled-out vibe.
  5. Hone your cooking skills at a culinary class in Chiang Mai
  6. Take an overnight sleeper train and experience a night on the rails
  7. Learn the tragic history of the Bridge over the River Kwai at Kanchanaburi, perhaps via a side trip to the rivers and jungles nearby
  8. Relax with a Thai massage in any town or city; parents will love it but it’s also a great place to introduce kids to this local speciality.

Check out our Southeast Asia packing list for families

Thailand itinerary with kids

This is an easy Thailand itinerary for families over 10 days, starting and ending in Bangkok. No internal flights are necessary and it offers a good contrast of bustling city life, dense jungle adventures, and tropical island beach time. Enjoy.

Day 1 – Arrive in Bangkok

READ: Top things to do in Bangkok with kids

From the airport, make sure you take a taxi from the official taxi stand to your hotel. Ensure the meter is used and if you’re heading to Th Khao San the fare should be around 400THB (including tolls).

We recommend you stay around the Banglamphu area (centred around the lively Th Khao San) for it’s central location, hippy markets and fun-time vibe. This area is a melting pot of travellers from around the world and it makes for some fascinating people watching. Plus, some of the restaurants here have high chairs!

Step a few streets away from this traveller enclave and you will stumble upon the quintessential side of Bangkok of local stalls, shining temples and antique shophouses.

Good family mid-range hotels are Ratchadamnoen Residence and Rambuttri Village Plaza.

Bangkok with kids

Day 2 – Bangkok 

READ: Bangkok with a toddler

Opulent temples and shrines, sensational street food and super-fun tuk-tuk rides around the bustling streets await. Head to Wat Arun, rather than the Grand Palace for a more intimate experience with your little ones and enjoy a boat ride along the Chao Phraya.

Day 3 – Travel to Chanthaburi 

READ: Visiting Chanthaburi with kids

Chanthaburi is an old gem-trading town conveniently located on the way to Koh Chang. You can either take an aircon bus from Bangkok Ekkamai to Chanthaburi (there are three buses per day, taking 3.5 hours) or hire a private car which provides the convenience of door to door service between your hotels (3500THB). Your hotel in Bangkok will be able to book either option for you.

Once in Chanthaburi, we recommend staying in the old town to soak up all the history the sleepy town has to offer. We particularly enjoyed staying at Tamajun Hotel with their teak en-suite rooms and communal balcony overlooking the river. Perfect spot for a Chang Beer once the kids are asleep.

Spend your afternoon wandering around the narrow streets, gem markets (open weekends), the temples and cathedral (the biggest in South East Asia).

Day 4 – Namtok Phlio National Park day trip 

READ: Visiting Chanthaburi with kids

From your hotel, book a songthaew to take you to Namtok Phlio National Park for a jungle adventure! Ensure you are all lathered in mossie repellant and pack drinking water.

It’s a 20 minute drive to the gates and then 1km loop walk around the river (the perfect distance for little legs!), visiting various pools full of large nibbling fish, fed by cascading waterfalls. If you’re brave enough, pop in for a dip with the locals! Back at the gate there are some make-shift restaurants selling local food for lunch. 

Day 5 – Travel to Koh Chang 

READ: Koh Chang with kids

Time for the beach!

From Chanthaburi, there is one bus per day to Trat taking 50 minutes. From there you need to get a songthaew for the ferry terminal to Koh Chang. Alternatively, hire a private car to take you all the way to the ferry terminal. From there it’s a half hour crossing (ferries leave hourly). If you have taken the private car option, the car will go on the ferry and transfer you directly to your hotel on the island. We found it easier to book this through our hotel in Koh Chang and cost 2500THB (inc. ferry ticket).

Situated close to the Cambodian border, Koh Chang has managed to avoid the mass development that other Thai islands have experienced, yet still has the Western comforts and good resorts to choose from.

The fringes of the island offer sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and warm shallow waters, whilst the interior is thickly clad with rainforest and running waterfalls to swim in. There’s one main road, which is very steep in places and mostly circumnavigates the island (it doesn’t connect at the southern tip) with collections of bars, restaurants, massage parlours and 7Elevens at regular intervals.

Serenity Resort is a great choice for young families. We loved taking the free kayaks out on the sea each morning before breakfast and they also provide buckets and spades for playing on the beach. The water here is shallow and calm, perfect for little ones, although a little rocky in places. There is also a good-sized infinity swimming pool and the restaurant provides a fantastic range of Thai and Western dishes. The staff are super accommodating – Keith drove us over to White Sand Beach one morning to stock up on supplies from the supermarket. There’s also a cheap laundry service across the road (by this time your dirty undies are probably piling up!)

Serenity pool

If you’re on more of a budget, we also recommend staying at Siam Bay Resort on the west coast, which we have also stayed at. Siam Bay Resort was one of the first resorts on the island and is in a quiet and secluded spot on the west coast, offering stunning sunsets over the Gulf of Thailand. There are two swimming pools (no lifeguard) and a small curve of sandy beach that starts to the side of the main reception area. We had a family beach hut overlooking the sea, with a mezzanine for the kids’ bedroom.

Day 6-8 – Koh Chang 

READ: Koh Chang with kids

Spend your days exploring the thick jungle hinterland, swimming in waterfalls, and visiting the fishing villages and mangroves of the south. Or perhaps allow yourselves to just unwind and enjoy your family time splashing around in the sea or pool, making sandcastles and indulge in some lovely food and perhaps a cheeky cocktail or three for the parents.

Day 9 – Travel back to Bangkok

Today will be your longest day of travel. Get to the ferry terminal in Koh Chang early, otherwise you may find yourselves queuing for the next available ferry. Again, there are buses from Trat (on the mainland and you have to get from the ferry terminal to the bus station) or you could hire a private car transfer door-to-door, including the ferry. 

From the Koh Chang Ferry Terminal on the mainland, back to Bangkok, is a 4.5 hour drive.

Day 10 – Travel back home

Depending on the departure of your flight, you may have time for some last minute souvenir shopping down Th Khao San, or a last pad thai or roasted cricket, before you jump in a taxi back to the airport.

Check out this post for how to get from Khao San Road to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

More Thailand guides for families

Bangkok with kids - Wat Pho

Visiting BANGKOK with kids

Bangkok with kids - Wat Pho

WHY WE LOVE Thailand with kids

Koh Chang waterfall

KOH CHANG WITH KIDS

Best beaches in Thailand for families feeature

The BEST BEACHES IN THAILAND FOR FAMILIES

Thailand with kids - Ko Lanta

Koh LANTA WITH KIDS

church at Chanthaburi

CHANTHABURI WITH KIDS


BUY: Lonely Planet Thailand

Sale
Lonely Planet Thailand (Travel Guide)
  • Eimer, David (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 600 Pages – 03/15/2024 (Publication Date) – Lonely Planet (Publisher)

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