Getting around Thailand

Travelling around Thailand with your kids can be a lot of fun, with different types of transport and plenty to see along the way. In this famously friendly nation, you’re bound to make some new friends along your journeys too, and you might just find that getting from A to B is one of the most memorable parts of the whole adventure.

When planning your trip, your travel specialist will talk you through your options and help you plan things in a way that works for your family. These include both private and public transport options. Here, we’ll take you through the most common ways to get around Thailand.

For many of the locations we visit in Thailand, your best (and sometimes only) option is to go by road. Although there is a national bus network that services many towns and cities, these buses can be pretty cramped and not especially comfortable, so we rarely suggest them for family travel. Anyway, when you’re travelling as a group of any kind, it’s often not much more expensive to travel privately rather than buying multiple bus tickets.

Thai roads are pretty good on the whole and we work with trusted, professional local drivers who know exactly how to manage the traffic. We’ll also make sure you’re in the right kind of vehicle if you’re heading to more rural location. These private transfers offer a hassle-free door-to-door service with rest breaks as needed. Drivers will usually speak a good level of English, or at least enough to get by!

Travelling on one of Thailand’s sleeper trains is a lot of fun and can help turn your holiday into and real family adventure. It’s a great way to meet some other travellers, as well as being safe, clean, and pretty economical because it saves you a night’s accommodation.

On your journey, you’ll sit in fairly normal train seats until bedtime, when the staff will come along to fold out the bunk beds and provide fresh bedding. Everyone will have their own single bed with a pullover curtain for privacy, and there’s also a restaurant carriage serving simple local meals like Pad Thai or noodle soup. Carriages are air conditioned and can get a little chilly, so make sure you all pack a jumper for the journey.

We usually book 2nd class but if you want private cabins then we can also request 1st class – just bear in mind that space is tight and these cabins only fit two people. Comfort levels are about the same in 2nd class.

The most popular trains routes are;

North Thailand
Bangkok – Chiang Mai: 12 hours, starts around 7:00 p.m.
Ayutthaya – Chiang Mai: 11 hours, starts around 8:00 p.m.
Bangkok – Nong Khai: 10.5 hours, starts around 7:00 p.m

South Thailand
Bangkok – Surat Thani: 11 hours, starts around 7:30 p.m.
Bangkok – Trang: 15 hours, starts around 5:30 p.m

If you don’t fancy the train, your best option for longer journeys is to hop on a domestic flight. Thailand is a long country from north to south, so a flight is often a very efficient and affordable way to travel. Thai domestic flights are comparable in a lot of ways with the sort of short-haul carriers you’d find in Europe, and your travel specialist will make sure you have the correct luggage allowance and airport transfers to make things easy.

Most Thai islands are only reachable by boat, and cruising across the sea to start your dreamy beach break is sure to be a highlight of your kids’ holiday. Boats run on regular schedules from the mainland and between islands, and safety records are very good. Lifejackets are onboard too, just in case.

Seating isn’t always the most comfortable, but you’ll be free to get up and walk around the deck during your journey. Your travel specialist can pre-book tickets in advance along with local transfers to get you to and from the port.

When you book your family holiday with Rickshaw Travel, your travel specialist will arrange your long distance travel along with your important short journeys such as airport transfers and transport during your excursions. We don’t plan every second of your holiday though (some of the best moments are unplanned!) so it’s good to know how to get around locally during your free time.

Taxis are widely available in Thailand’s towns and cities, and they’re an affordable way to get around locally. A ride of around 5km will usually set you back less than 100 baht (about £2.20). We recommend sticking to official taxis with meters wherever possible, and always ask for the meter to be turned on to avoid any crossed wires with the price.

Tuk tuks are also everywhere and they’re probably more fun for the kids. They’re also better at navigating the city traffic so provide a good option in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Make sure you agree the price upfront to avoid confusion.

Water taxis are also available in Bangkok and various other places. These are often traditional longtail boats so can be a fun way to get around with kids, and we often include them as transport during our excursions.

Bicycles can be rented locally and cheaply in many destinations around Thailand. These provide a great option for getting around locally and exploring the area, especially if you’re staying by the coast or on one of the islands. Just ask at your hotel and they’ll usually be able to recommend a local shop with good bikes and helmets.

We don’t usually recommend renting a moped for families, but these are widely available locally and a popular options for many tourists. If you do want to rent one, our advice would be to wait until you’re somewhere with quieter roads such as the islands – navigating Thai traffic can take some getting used to! Also, please ensure they give you a well-fitting crash helmet.