Written by Charlotte Lock
Posted, 7th August 2025
Thailand is one of those countries that seems to have it all, with postcard-perfect beaches, buzzing cities and some of the best street food on the planet. But before you hop on a flight to Bangkok, it’s worth asking: when is the best time to visit Thailand?
The answer really depends on what kind of trip you’re after. Thailand has distinct seasons: the wet season and the dry season, with each offering some perks depending on what kinds of activities you’d like to take on.
As Thailand travel experts, we’ve written this expert guide to break down Thailand’s weather, share the best times to visit the country and give you plenty of tips to help you plan the right time for your trip, depending on your travel style.
📣 Quick answer: The best time to visit Thailand is generally November to February when the weather is cooler, drier, and perfect for exploring. But don’t stress too much – Thailand’s a year-round destination. If you visit during the hotter or wetter months, you’ll find fewer crowds, cheaper prices, and still plenty to do, especially in the north, where the jungles are green and luscious. Just be sure to pack for the season!
Best Time To Visit Thailand
Thailand’s tropical climate means that you can visit at any time of year, but most people aim for the cool, dry season between November and February.
The skies are typically clear blue, humidity is low, and the temperatures are quite warm without being too hot to do anything – all in all, the perfect weather for beach hopping, exploring temples and venturing into the jungle! However, it’s also the peak tourist season, so expect bigger crowds and higher prices!
That said, the rest of the year definitely has its perks. The weather really starts to heat up between March and May, especially in the north and centre of the mainland.
If you’re dead-set on having some great beach weather for hopping around the islands, then these months are great! If you’re planning on doing high-intensity activities, though, you may find things get a bit too hot!
The rainy season (which happens roughly from June to October) sees short, intense bursts of rain – but everything is lush and green, prices drop, and the crowds drastically thin out. Plus, the rain rarely lasts all day.
So while weather matters, your travel style, budget, and plans should guide your timing more than the forecast.
Here’s a brief rundown of what you weather you can expect each month in Thailand:
- Nov-Feb: These months are the most popular time to visit. You can expect (relatively!) cooler temperatures and dry weather across most of the country, perfect for exploring cities, trekking in the north, and relaxing on the islands. However, it’s peak season, so things can get very busy – especially around Christmas and New Year!
- Mar-May: These months are often dubbed Thailand’s “hot season”. Temperatures soar, especially inland, but it’s still a good time to hit the beaches if you don’t mind the heat. March, April and May are great for island-hopping, just pack plenty of suncream and stay hydrated.
- Jul-Oct: The rainy season is in full swing during the West’s typical summer due to the Southwest monsoon, but showers are usually short (if intense) and come in the afternoon or evening. Some pros are that the landscapes come to life, it’s a quieter and it’s cheaper – especially up north!
It’s important to note that January-April is burning season in the north of Thailand. It won’t impact your travels, but views can sometimes be a bit hazy and ricefields are bare. Worth knowing before your trip!
As you can probably gather, there are advantages and disadvantages to every season, but Thailand is packed with so many things to see and do and the atmosphere alone is guaranteed to make up for some patchy spots in the weather.
There’s truly no bad time to visit Thailand – that’s why we run our group tours all year round, just different experiences to be had!
Best Time To Visit Bangkok
Bangkok is a year-round city, but if you’re trying to beat the heat and humidity, the best time to visit is between November and February.
These months offer the most pleasant weather – it’s cooler (by Thailand standards), relatively dry, and ideal for exploring temples, night markets, and narrow street stalls without instantly melting.
This is also when the city comes alive with festivals like Loy Krathong in November, which celebrates the Goddess of Water, where locals send candlelit floats down the rivers and canals. Chinese New Year often falls in late January or February, making Bangkok especially lively around Yaowarat (the city’s Chinatown).
March to May can be brutal in the capital. It’s the hottest time of year, with daytime temperatures often pushing past 35°C. If you do visit during this period, stick to air-conditioned malls and museums during the hottest part of the day and save exploring outside for the mornings or evenings.
Songkran is the Thai New Year, and is a festival in April that makes good use of the good weather – it involves squirting everyone with water pistols! Chiang Mai is another great place to celebrate Songkran.
Rainy season in Bangkok isn’t awful but it does bring heavy afternoon downpours with a full day’s worth of rain falling in a few short bursts. You can quickly become absolutely drenched while wandering around the city, so some careful indoor activity planning around the showers is often needed!
But the upside is fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation! Plus, it’s easy to get ponchos from 7-Eleven shops all throughout Thailand. And it’s also a lot cooler after downpours as the rain cools the city down.
Best Time To Visit Phuket
Phuket is all about beaches, island hopping, and relaxing – and the best weather hits from December to March. These dry months bring blue skies, calm seas, and gorgeous sunsets.
It’s prime time for snorkelling, boat trips and sprawling out on the sand. The island’s nightlife is also in full swing, with lots of like-minded backpackers partying well into the morning.
April and May bring rising heat and humidity, but they also usher in a more chilled vibe with slightly fewer tourists.
The monsoon season runs roughly from May to October, with the most rain falling in Phuket between September and early October.
While the sea can be rough (not ideal for swimming or boat tours), the island has a slower, more peaceful atmosphere. It’s a great time to take Thai cooking classes, visit waterfalls, or relax at a spa while enjoying lower accommodation prices.
Best Time To Visit Thailand For Weather
If you’re chasing the best all-round weather, the cool and dry season from November to February is the safest bet for travelling around Thailand. It also aligns really well for when many major events take place, like Loy Krathong, New Year’s Eve, and the Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February.
But even during the wetter months, don’t write Thailand off, tropical rain often comes and goes quickly. You’ll also find fewer tourists, lower prices, and some of the greenest scenery you’ll ever set your eyes on!
Whether you’re coming for festivals, adventure, food, or just a sunlounger with a view, there’s never really a bad time to go!
Best Time To Visit Thailand Beaches
Thailand’s beaches are stunning all year round, but the best time for some sun, sea and sand depends on which coast you’re heading to.
For the Andaman Coast (places like Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, and the Phi Phi Islands), the weather is best from December to March.
You’ll get calm seas, clear skies, and dreamy beach conditions. You’ll also likely find yourself partying into the night at some of the most lively beach party events of the year!
On the Gulf Coast (islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao), the dry season runs a little later, usually from January to April, so you can stretch your island hopping out a little longer.
Even in the shoulder season months, right at the turn and ending of the rainy season, you can still expect some great beach weather – just don’t have your heart set on diving or boat excursions in case the rougher seas get them cancelled!
And speaking of which, if you’re into scuba diving, May to September is the best time to see whale sharks. The clear visibility and calmer seas make Koh Tao the perfect place to spot the gentle giants. Again, another benefit of visiting in the off-season.
Cheapest Time To Visit Thailand
If you’re travelling on a budget, the cheapest time to visit Thailand is during the low season between June and October.
This lines up with the rainy season in most of the country, but the reward is pretty huge: lower prices on flights, accommodation, and tours, plus way fewer crowds. You’ll often find top-reviewed hotels offering huge discounts, and the major tourist attractions won’t feel so chaotic!
Sure, you’ll 100% get some rain, but it’s usually short, heavy bursts rather than lengthy thunderstorms. The landscapes are lush and green, and everything feels more relaxed. It’s a great time for slow travel, cultural experiences, and soaking up local life without the tourist buzz.
Just be mindful of the weather, especially if you’re heading to the islands, as some ferry services reduce their schedules, and the sea can be very rough. But for city hopping or top nature spots in the north, it’s a total win if you don’t mind cowering under an umbrella a few times a day.
Backpacking and Group Tours in Thailand
Thailand is a backpacker’s paradise, and for good reason. Thailand is affordable, super social, easy to get around, and packed with unique attractions.
Whether you’re travelling solo or with mates, you’ll find endless opportunities to meet people, join tours, and dive into everything from jungle treks to island parties.
The classic backpacker route often includes Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, and down south to island hop in Krabi, and Koh Phi Phi.
The cool season (November to February) is ideal if you want to do it all, like hiking in the north, full moon parties in the south, and long train journeys without the soaring heat.
If you’re not fussed about humidity or a bit of rain, the shoulder seasons (March to May or October) are brilliant for avoiding crowds and saving some cash.
If you’re not dead set on travelling solo but still want the perfect Thailand experience, then a group tour could be the way to go – like the ones we offer here at Feel Free Travel.
Group tours are a great way to take the stress out of planning, especially if you want to see a lot in a short time and meet like-minded travellers. Most group tours hit a mix of culture, adventure, and beach time – and they run all year round, helping you fit the adventure of a lifetime into your busy schedule.
By the way, we have a post that will help you decide whether group travel is for you or not.
Best Time To Visit Thailand and Vietnam
If you’re planning a trip that includes both Thailand and Vietnam, the sweet spot is usually November to early April. During this period, Thailand is in its cooler, dry season, with a lot less rain and comfortable temperatures for exploring.
Vietnam’s weather varies quite a bit from north to south, but March and April are generally ideal for travelling across the country.
In the north, you’ll get milder spring weather, while the central coast is still drying out from the wetter months. In the south, it’s hot and dry, which is great for city exploring, boat tours and beach days.
Best Time To Visit Thailand and Bali
Combining Thailand and Bali is a little more difficult, as the two destinations have pretty opposite seasons. So no matter when you go, one destination will be sunnier than the other. You almost have to choose a favourite and run with it!
If you want dry weather in both places, your best bet would be October to November or March to April.
These shoulder-season months hit that sweet spot – you’ll (hopefully!) avoid the heaviest rains, dodge the biggest tourist crowds, and still get plenty of sunshine across both destinations.
If you’re planning beach time, temple visits, and some cultural exploring in both places, these months offer the best balance.
Just be aware that April can get very hot in Thailand, and November can see some early rains creeping into Bali, but overall, both of these periods are a solid bet for combining Thailand and Bali into the same trip.
FAQs
Below are some common questions related to the best time to visit Thailand, along with our expert answers to each.
January is often considered the best month for exploring Thailand due to the dry weather, sunny skies, and cooler temperatures. January is the perfect month for enjoying all of Thailand’s best attractions and spending a lot of time outdoors.
Thailand’s rainy season typically runs from late May to October, with the most rainfall in August and September. Showers don’t usually last all day, but they can be disruptive and very heavy.
September is usually the cheapest month to visit Thailand. It’s low season due to heavy rain in most regions, but budget travellers can score major discounts on flights and hotels. If you’re planning on travelling in September, you’ll need to prepare to be flexible on outdoor plans.
October is a shoulder season month for Thailand, falling at the end of the wet season. Rain showers are still possible, especially early on in the month, but it’s quieter, cheaper, and the weather is definitely on the up.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A complete guide on the best time to visit Thailand.
As Thailand travel experts, we can almost guarantee you’ll have an amazing time adventuring around the country – regardless of the weather!
While you’ll almost certainly get a chance for more activities, dry weather and sunshine during peak season, don’t underestimate the charm of travelling in the off-season, with some great perks of fewer crowds, greener scenery, and better deals on accommodation and flights!
Whenever you decide to visit Thailand, we hope you have an amazing time. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see you on one of our group tours there soon!
Whether you’re looking to travel solo or bring a friend along for the ride, our group tours in South East Asia & Australia are the perfect balance of culture, adventure, chill time & nightlife. You’ll arrive as strangers and leave as the best of friends.
Here are a few useful links to help with that planning;
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