Find out below if tour packages or solo traveling are best for your Thailand Trip!
Traveling to Thailand is traveling to a country that flaunts a great deal of love for its local culture and food. It's the dream vacation for nature lovers who love to see the lush greenery of national parks like Khao Sok National Park and the natural beauty of Buddhist temples like Wat Tham Sua. At the same time, beach lovers can enjoy the cool breeze of the Andaman Sea, whether you're island hopping between Koh Poda and Koh Lanta on a speed boat or sea kayaking and scuba diving near Railay Beach.
Stand in awe at the world's largest engraved Buddha image at Khao Chin Chan! Credits: Klook
Also, forget packed lunches on your Thailand trip because there are loads of street food and beloved dishes like Pad Thai and Tom Yum to try. And if you're looking for a fantastic retreat to relax between intercity trips, look forward to the tranquil atmosphere at Klong Thom Hot Springs and end your day with a traditional Thai massage.
Of course, these barely scratch the surface of the endless thrilling activities this country can offer! But before heading to Thailand for that Krabi trip, it’s better to plan your destinations first to save time. And that poses a vital question—would you like a Thailand tourist package where everything’s all set for you, or do you want to DIY your itinerary?
We know tour packages are fixed itineraries arranged by a travel agency for your convenience. This way, you get the best deals without worrying about transportation, accommodation, or entrance tickets. On the other hand, solo travels are more personalized since you'll design the itinerary. Now, if you need help deciding how to proceed with your Krabi trip or Phuket tour, read on to see what each option offers and find out which works best for you!
Tour packages in Thailand
Explore Thailand's culture and peruse local products in Pattaya's floating market. Credits: Klook
Here are some standard tour packages most travelers purchase to get a good idea of what Thailand packages look like.
Bangkok tour package for 2,995.16 INR per person could you please change currency to INR for all
Inclusions:
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Elephant Village
- Maeklong Railway Market
Phuket tour package for 1,946.64 INR per person
Inclusions:
- Phuket Old Town
- Chalong Temple
- Big Buddha View Point
- Honey Farm
- Karon View Point
Chiang Mai tour package for 3,062 INR per person
Inclusions:
- Chiang Mai Gate
- Tae Pae Gate
- Wat Chedi Luang
- 3 Kings Monument
- Wat Srisuphan Aram
- Ancient Lanna Arts Study Center
- Warorot Market
Krabi tour package for 3,838.98 INR per person\
Inclusions:
- Bamboo Island
- Monkey Beach
- Tonsai Bay
- Viking Cave
- Pi Leh Bay
- Loh Samah Bay
- Maya Beach
Prices start at 2,000 INR but can increase to 11,000 INR. Note that a city tour already includes a tour operator, transportation, entrance tickets, equipment, and sometimes, snacks! But if you want to visit all the famous tourist attractions, Thailand tour packages like their Phuket package or Krabi holiday package are the better choice.
Some packages include flights, day tours, intercity transfers, and accommodation at a given price, which can range from 7,000 INR if you’re staying for a few days to 170,000 INR if you plan to stay for a week or more.
The total package cost in Thailand will depend on your choice of tour. One good thing to note is that when you avail of packages that include flights and accommodation, the travel agency will help you with the requirements you’ll need to prepare and bring. They won’t do it for you, but they'll surely guide you through the process.
Solo travel in Thailand
Step into these architectural treasures and enrich yourself with Chiang Mai's history. Credits: Klook
Going on a Thailand trip with your family and friends, or just by yourself, is also a good idea. Exploring the country at your own pace is one of the best things about solo travel.
But to give you a bit of a boost as you DIY your itinerary, here are some common tourist spots that should be on your go-to list during your trip:
- Wat Pho (entrance fee: 454 INR)
- Wat Arun (entrance fee: 227 INR)
- The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (entrance fee: 1,133 INR)
- Rot Fai Market (no entrance fee)
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (no entrance fee)
While visiting these common tourist spots is satisfying, one benefit of solo travel is the chance to research attractions that agencies do not typically include in their packages. We mean to say—hidden gems, like limestone caves and hot springs! Here are some of them according to other solo travel bloggers:
- Chiang Mai Night Market (no entrance fee)
- Koh Wai Island (no entrance fee)
- Khao Luang National Park (entrance fee: 454 INR for adults and 227 INR for children)
- Koh Panyee Fishing Village (no entrance fee)
- Talu Island sea caves (no entrance fee)
Coming up with your own itinerary is okay, especially when you're free to choose where you want to go, eat, and stay on your own time. You’ll experience the city more during your solo travel since you’ll have to use Thailand’s public transportation. Talk about feeling like a local, even just for a short while!
Now that we’ve given you an idea or two about tour packages and solo travel in Thailand—like destinations and prices—it’s your turn to weigh the pros and cons before deciding. Here are some guide questions to consider:
- What’s my budget for this trip?
- Do I want a fuss-free trip where they set up everything for me?
- Am I willing to design a personalized itinerary that includes hidden gems in Thailand?
- What’s more convenient for me and my family?
- What will my friends and I enjoy more?
Some may find these packages cheaper than solo trips, and vice versa. It all depends on what you’re willing to spend for a Thailand trip, who you’re traveling with, and the adventure you hope to have. To help you decide, let’s break down the pros and cons.
Marvel at the great statue of Buddha overlooking the city of Phuket. Credits: Klook
Tour Packages in Thailand
Pros:
- Everything’s set and ready for you to take the trip.
- You’ll have someone to guide you in preparing the required travel documents.
- It’s a practical choice since there’s one price for all destinations, which usually includes snacks and heavy meals.
- You have someone (agency) to ask for help from if you ever encounter a problem.
- You get to meet other travelers since tour packages are usually for groups.
- You’ll visit the country’s famous tourist attractions and highlights.
- You’ll be able to maximize your visit since tours run on a tight schedule.
Cons:
- It can be overpriced.
- You’ll have no freedom to choose where to go.
- You can’t explore as much since you’re following a schedule.
- You have to do everything with your guide and group.
Klook Tip: If you’re traveling with children or older people, we suggest a package tour so they won’t tire themselves out with all the public transportation transfers, which usually require a lot of walking.
Interact with these gentle giants at Bangkok Elephant Care Sanctuary. Credits: Klook
Solo Travel in Thailand
Pros:
- You're in charge of time, so you're free to travel wherever you want, whenever you want.
- You can budget your money since you’ll decide what to ride and where to stay.
- You can visit hidden gems that some tours don't include in their packages.
- You can spend as much time as you want in attractions since you’re not following a schedule.
- You can enjoy more intimate time with your family and friends since other groups won't accompany you.
Cons:
- It can get expensive since you’ll be paying for transportation to and from places, and entrance fees may not have discounts, unlike package tours.
- You’ll deal with issues and problems on your own.
- You’ll have to research and prepare your travel documents and requirements independently.
- At some point, you might waste your time looking for places that aren't easy to find or transportation since they’re not readily available, unlike in package tours.
Klook Tip: Checking the weather forecast as a solo traveler will help you steer clear of the rainy season and make it easier to plan your routes and dates.
And with that, there are some pros and cons that you can consider as you decide which tour to take. Do you want to try Phuket packages or Bangkok packages? Or are you in for a solo trip?
Choose whichever sparks joy in you as you make the most of your time in Thailand and capture moments you’ll surely want to revisit!
Happy travels!
