Do I need to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card?

Most non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea must complete the TDAC online within the three days before arrival. Use the official Thai Immigration website and check whether an exemption applies to you.

Should I buy an eSIM or a physical Thai SIM?

An eSIM is convenient if your phone supports it and you want data immediately. A physical tourist SIM is easy to buy at airport counters and official carrier shops. Thai tourist SIMs must be registered using a valid passport.

Do I still need cash in Thailand?

Yes. Cards and mobile payments are common in larger businesses, but markets, street-food stalls, small shops, transport, and some local services may still require cash. Keep small notes separate from your main wallet.

Are Grab and Bolt available everywhere in Thailand?

They are widely used in major cities and tourist areas, but coverage and pickup arrangements vary. Local taxis, hotel transfers, songthaews, or other local transport may be more practical in smaller destinations.

Should I rent a motorbike in Thailand?

Only ride if you have the correct motorcycle licence or permit, suitable insurance, experience, and a proper helmet. A car licence alone does not normally cover motorcycles, and insurance claims may be rejected if you are not correctly licensed.

Thailand Survival Guide for First-Time Visitors (2026)

SIM cards, essential apps, money, transport, 7-Eleven essentials, and local tips

Everything to prepare before landing and during your first 24 hours in Thailand.

A little preparation makes arrival much easier: sort out entry documents and mobile data, keep a cash backup, save your accommodation address in Thai, and know how you will leave the airport.

Updated June 2026

Before you fly

Check that your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.

Confirm whether your passport qualifies for visa exemption or Visa on Arrival, or whether you need a Tourist Visa. If you plan to come to Thailand for a purpose other than tourism and would like to stay long term, use our visa recommendation tool as a starting point, then confirm with Thai e-Visa or the relevant embassy.

Complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at any time from three days before arrival until you reach immigration.

Save copies of your passport, travel insurance, onward flight details, and your hotel address on your phone.

Carry accessible proof of adequate funds and a sensible cash backup. Entry checks depend on your route and the immigration officer.

Install these apps

Grab

Book taxis (motorbikes and cars) and order food.

Bolt

Book taxis, often cheaper than Grab.

Google Maps

Navigation, saved places, reviews, and public-transport directions.

Google Translate

Use camera translation for menus and voice mode for simple conversations.

LINE

Widely used messaging app in Thailand, useful for contacting businesses and friends.

Klook

Book attractions, tours, airport transfers, and some transport tickets.

GoWabi

Find and book spas, massages, beauty treatments, and wellness services at discounted prices.

Lazada

Online shopping and delivery platform.

Shopee

Another great shopping platform.

12Go

Compare and book trains, buses, ferries, vans, and transfers between destinations.

Set up your accounts before flying where possible. Download an offline map of your first destination and save your hotel as a starred place.

Data and SIM card options

Roaming data package

Some network providers offer roaming packages with a fixed price and data allowance for use abroad. Just make sure the roaming settings are configured correctly, and monitor your usage.

Purchase an eSIM before arrival

Install it before flying so that you can use it as soon as you land. Some popular providers include Saily and Airalo.

Physical tourist SIM

You can purchase a variety of tourist packages at the airport or from 7-Eleven.

Popular Thai networks include AIS and True/dtac. Compare package length, high-speed data allowance, hotspot rules, and whether calls are included.

Tourist SIMs must be registered with a valid passport. Keep your home SIM available if you need bank or account verification codes, but disable its mobile-data roaming to avoid surprise charges.

Money and ATMs

Bring some emergency cash and keep smaller notes for taxis, markets, street food, and small shops.

Many Thai ATMs charge around 220 THB per withdrawal for foreign-issued cards. Check the displayed fee before confirming.

When an ATM or card terminal offers to convert the amount into your home currency, it’s generally better to pay in THB and let your card issuer convert rather than accepting dynamic currency conversion.

If bringing foreign cash, use clean, undamaged notes and compare the live rate at banks and established exchange counters such as SuperRich.

Your home bank may also charge withdrawal and foreign-exchange fees. Tell your bank about the trip if it still recommends travel notifications, and carry a backup card separately.

Staying longer term? Read what foreigners commonly need when opening a Thai bank account.

Your first 7-Eleven stop

Thailand's 7-Eleven stores are incredibly useful for drinks, snacks, toiletries, and everyday travel essentials. With more than 15,000 stores nationwide, you're rarely far from one.

Mosquito repellent

Electrolyte drink or oral rehydration sachets

Sunscreen

Tissues and wet wipes

Bottled water

Small umbrella or rain poncho in rainy season

Power bank or charging cable, where available

Universal travel adapter, if your accommodation does not provide one

Getting around

Bangkok rail

The BTS Skytrain and MRT are usually the easiest way to avoid road traffic. They use separate fare systems, so there is no single stored-value card that covers every line. Check the official BTS and MRT information for the lines you will use.

Grab and Bolt

Confirm the number plate and driver in the app, choose the correct airport pickup zone, and check whether tolls or airport surcharges are included.

Metered taxis

Before the taxi moves, politely ask the driver to use the meter. If they refuse, leave the taxi before starting the journey and take another one or book through an app. Airport taxi queues may add an official surcharge, and expressway tolls are normally paid separately.

Tuk-tuks

Tuk-tuks can be fun for a short ride, but agree on the total price and destination before getting in. Compare the quote with a ride-hailing app and avoid suspiciously cheap sightseeing trips tied to gem shops, tailors, or commission stops.

Motorbikes and driving

Do not assume a car licence covers a motorcycle. Before renting or driving, check the licence, permit, helmet, and insurance requirements in our Thailand driving licence guide.

Common first-time mistakes

Forgetting the TDAC or using an unofficial paid TDAC website

Relying on one bank card and carrying no cash backup

Accepting an ATM's home-currency conversion without checking the rate

Using tuk-tuks for every journey without agreeing the price first

Assuming everyone speaks English or that an English hotel name will help every driver

Trusting unsolicited tourist-help offers, closed-attraction stories, or unusually cheap tours

Renting a motorbike without the correct licence, insurance, experience, and helmet

Useful Thai phrases

Men commonly add khráp and women add khâ to sound polite. Pronunciation matters, but a friendly attempt is usually appreciated.

Hello

Sa-wat-dee khráp / khâ

Thank you

Khop khun khráp / khâ

Yes

Chai

No, thank you

Mai ao khráp / khâ

How much?

Thao rai?

Delicious

Aroi

Sorry / excuse me

Kho thot khráp / khâ

Safety and local etiquette

Keep valuables secure in crowds and do not leave your phone loose on a café or taxi seat.

Watch for motorbikes when crossing and check both directions, even on one-way streets.

Drink water regularly and use electrolytes after heavy sweating, but seek medical help if you feel unwell.

Dress respectfully at temples: cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes where instructed.

Stay calm and polite during disagreements. Public confrontation usually makes a situation harder.

Do not touch someone's head or point your feet at people, religious images, or sacred objects.

Save these emergency numbers

Tourist Police: 1155

Police emergency: 191

Medical emergency: 1669

Fire and rescue: 199

Review the Thailand health insurance guide before travelling and save your insurer's assistance number separately.

Your first 24-hour checklist

Activate and test your SIM or eSIM

Confirm your hotel address in Thai

Save offline maps and your accommodation pin

Get cash and break one large note at a shop

Set up Grab and Bolt payment options

Buy water, mosquito repellent, and basic toiletries

Check the route back to your hotel before going out

Buy the relevant BTS or MRT card if useful for your Bangkok stay

Save 1155 and your travel-insurance assistance number

Try pad kra pao, choose your spice level, and stay hydrated

Frequently asked questions

Official and useful sources

Official Thailand Digital Arrival Card Thai e-Visa MFA guidance on passports and adequate finances Thailand Tourist Police Krungsri foreign-card ATM fee schedule

Browse all official Thailand government links

This guide provides general travel information. Entry rules, fees, transport arrangements, and mobile packages can change. Confirm important details with the relevant official provider before travelling.