Top tips for winter sun in Thailand

Another beautiful winter destination, which is perfect for getting away with the family, partying through the festive season, or finding a little romance, is Thailand. November to February is the most popular time to visit Thailand, and it takes a savvy traveller to get the best from their stay during this time. Here are our top tips for getting the best of winter sun in Thailand.

Head and shoulders above all other advice for Thailand trips during the UK’s winter is to book early. It’s no secret that November to February is the best time to visit Thailand, and you won’t be the only one planning it. Flights are released roughly 11 months in advance, and the best price tickets are snapped up quickly, as are many of the best hotel rooms. If you want a winter break in the ‘Land of Smiles’, we recommend you start planning at least a year ahead so you’re ready to make reservations as soon as they are available. If you intend to travel around Thailand, you might find some domestic flights are released later, but don’t let that put you off getting international flights and hotel stays tied up while you wait.

Booking early doesn’t only apply to your travel and accommodation. Thailand is used to high visitor numbers, and there are plenty of operators offering tours and experiences across the country, but availability is not infinite. If you have your heart set on a Jungle & Lake Safari at Elephant Hills or a 5 Day Golden Triangle Explorer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, you’ll want to get ahead of the crowd. Day excursions can also usually be booked in advance with the flexibility to change dates should the need arise later.

Thailand might be a predominantly Buddhist nation, but Christmas is still celebrated in many of its popular resorts and hotels. Similarly, even though the lunar new year officially comes later, the calendar New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are official public holidays. This, combined with the amazing weather and the atmosphere generated by Europeans enjoying their winter escape, makes the festive season an excellent time to visit Thailand. However, without sounding like a broken record, you’ll need to book early. In addition to tourist travel, Thai nationals around the world often use the period to return home, and flights from mid-December to early January are at a premium.

On the other side of the coin, if you can be flexible, travelling in January or February offers a great value way to enjoy winter in Thailand. Another option for the festive season, if you have the time, is to visit for longer. UK nationals can travel visa-free in Thailand for up to 30 days, so why not use this to arrive early, leave late, and pick up the best value flights? You’ll still pay a higher rate for your accommodation over the peak dates, but the savings you’ll make on flight tickets and long-stay offers should help balance this out.

With direct flights at their most popular, winter is a good time to be creative when it comes to travelling for your Thailand holidays. Common indirect routes to Thailand include stops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Singapore, or Hong Kong, all of which make fantastic additions to winter travel. Or, you could choose a less-travelled path via Kuala Lumpur, China, India, Oman, South Korea, Turkey, or Vietnam, among many other options. Approaching your winter break with an open mind not only helps you get the best prices but also creates chances for stopovers in exciting places you might not have previously considered. Who knows what you might discover when you open yourself up to opportunity?

Flexibility is a strong policy for every part of a winter stay in Thailand. There are no specific rules for getting the best value, so let an expert help you find the right trip. Choose a less popular beach in an established destination, get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, skip the flights between city and beach and look at where road travel can take you. The more flexible you can be, the more possibilities you will find. Our Travel Specialists love it when you come to them with a clear plan, but when it comes to winter in Thailand, trusting your consultant is a great way to get the best deal.

With so much to see and a terrific travel network, we’d always suggest turning a Thailand holiday into a multi-centre trip. You haven’t experienced Thailand until you’ve experienced the city, the beach, and the jungle. In addition, there are so many beaches and islands, each with its own personality, so why not see as much as you can?

If you’re travelling over Christmas and New Year, domestic flight availability can make moving around trickier than usual, but that doesn’t need to restrict you. Combine Bangkok with Pattaya or Hua Hin, which can both be reached by road. Double up your beach stay with a ninety-minute drive between Phuket and Khao Lak or a three-hour drive from either to Krabi. Use the road and boat transfers included by Elephant Hills to move between any of these beaches and Koh Samui. Alternatively, take the opportunity to pick one place, unpack your bags, and relax.