What I’d Do Differently: Thailand Edition

Updated April 2026 | 3 min read

Two weeks in Thailand taught us that the islands are not created equal, Bangkok rewards those who eat like locals, and the overnight train is not the romantic experience Instagram suggests.

Skip Koh Phi Phi, Stay Longer on Koh Lanta

Koh Phi Phi is beautiful from the speedboat but overcrowded on the ground. The main strip is essentially a party zone. Koh Lanta, forty minutes further south, has the same limestone cliffs and clear water without the crowds. We wished we had given it three nights instead of one.

The Street Food Is Better Than the Resort Food

We spent our first two nights eating at hotel restaurants and the food was fine. Then we followed a local down a side street in Krabi Town and ate the best pad kra pao of our lives for 60 baht. After that, we stopped eating at hotels entirely.

Carry Cash Everywhere Outside Bangkok

Bangkok is increasingly cashless but the islands and smaller towns run on cash. ATM fees are 220 baht per withdrawal regardless of amount. We recommend withdrawing larger amounts less frequently and using a card that reimburses foreign ATM fees.

Book Ferries in Advance During Peak Season

We assumed we could walk up to the pier and buy tickets. In January, the popular routes sell out. Lomprayah and Tigerline ferries can be booked online. The extra ten minutes of planning saves hours of stress.

Bring Reef-Safe Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellent

Dengue-carrying mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk. DEET-based repellent is effective. Standard sunscreen damages the coral at snorkel sites — bring mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen from home because the local options are limited and overpriced.

What We Got Right

Starting in Bangkok for two days to adjust, then flying to Krabi for the islands, then ending back in Bangkok for a final temple and food day. The flow worked perfectly.

Travel Tools We Actually Use

• eSIM Data: Airalo eSIM for Thailand — Buy before you land. You need data the moment you arrive for navigation and translation apps.

Book Tours and Activities

• Thailand Tours and Activities on Viator

Gear We Recommend

• Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack — Carry-on sized, opens like a suitcase.
• Anker Nano Power Bank — Essential for long days of navigating with your phone.
• Packing Cubes (6-Pack) — We bring these on every trip now.
• Universal Travel Adapter — One adapter for every country.
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen — Required at many snorkel and dive sites.
• Quick-Dry Travel Towel — Essential for island hopping.

Book on Klook:

• Phi Phi Islands Day Trip
• Similan Islands Snorkeling
• Bangkok Temple Tour
• Transport: Book trains, buses, and ferries on 12Go

Find Flights to Thailand

Plan Your Trip to Thailand

Ready to book? Search flights to Thailand to compare prices across airlines. And compare hotel rates in Thailand to find the best deals for your dates.

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. SafetyWing, Skyscanner, Airalo, Booking.com, Viator, Klook.

Plan your own trip: guides I actually use

More from this region:

• Two Weeks in Thailand: Krabi, Koh Lipe, and Bangkok (Honest Costs and What I’d Skip)
• Bangkok Street Food vs Restaurants: 7 Must-Try Spots and Real Costs
• Thailand Beaches Ranked: 5 Islands Worth Visiting (Krabi, Koh Lanta and More)
• Bali vs Thailand Diving: USAT Liberty vs Richelieu Rock
• Thailand Workation Guide — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or the Islands?

Cards, lounges & insurance:

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• Best Travel Credit Cards for 2026: The Cards I Actually Use and Why
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• The Credit Card Points Strategy That Funded $15,000 of Travel

Finding cheap flights:

• Going vs Dollar Flight Club vs Thrifty Traveler: Which Flight Deal Service Is Worth It in 2026?
• When to Book Flights by Region — The Booking Windows That Actually Save Money
• How to Find Error Fares and Flight Deals — The Services I Actually Use
• Google Flights vs Skyscanner vs Momondo — Which Actually Finds the Cheapest Flights

Staying connected abroad:

• Best VPN for Travel 2026 — NordVPN vs Surfshark and Why You Need One
• Best eSIM for Travel 2026 — Holafly vs Airalo vs Nomad

Travel gear I actually use:

• Best Portable Chargers for Travel in 2026: Which Size You Actually Need
• My Exact Travel Tech Setup After 15 International Trips
• Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel in 2026: Tested on 40+ Flights
• Best Travel Backpacks for 2026: The 5 I Have Actually Used
• Phone Photography Tips for Travel: How to Take Great Photos With Just Your iPhone