A trip to Thailand with kids still seems like a big challenge for many families. The long flight, exotic country, different culture, climate, and many questions arise: Is it really safe? What will the kids eat? Is it easy to travel in the country? Before our first trip to Thailand, we wondered the same things. However, as soon as we arrived, we realized that most of our fears were completely unfounded. After seven years traveling through different regions of Thailand with kids, we have been captivated not only by breathtaking nature, stunning beaches, and delicious food, but also by the incredible hospitality, respect for families, and the convenient travel system and developed infrastructure. Today, we can confidently say – Thailand is our family’s favorite travel destination, and we return there every year.
Why is a trip to Thailand with kids one of the best family holiday destinations?
Thailand is truly special for our family. We traveled there several times before our children were born and have even spent three winters in the country, giving us a chance to know it beyond the usual tourist perspective. The more time we spend in Thailand, the more we understand why people want to return again and again. In fact, most people who visit Thailand once end up coming back. We can honestly say that a trip to Thailand with kids is one of the best choices for a family holiday.
Of course, Thailand attracts us with the sunshine, warmth, tropical nature, and amazing beaches that we crave during the Lithuanian winter. However, for us, the true charm of Thailand lies elsewhere. This is simply a place where you feel good. We love the people’s sincerity, calmness, smiles, fantastic food, affordable prices, and that hard-to-describe feeling that makes Thailand one of our favorite destinations.
Moreover, Thailand allows every family to create a very different holiday. You can choose a comfortable hotel and relax by the sea, travel between islands, explore local culture and temples, venture into nature and the jungle, try water activities, or simply enjoy slow family days together. Most importantly, it’s easy to combine any of these options.
Thais – one of the main reasons why Thailand is great with kids
If we had to name one thing that impressed us most about Thailand with kids, it would be the people. Thais genuinely love children, and you’ll feel it quickly – in restaurants, hotels, shops, or just walking down the street.
Locals will talk to your children, smile at them, sometimes offer treats, and local kids are happy to share toys and invite little travelers to play. What we like most is that this attention is not forced or meant just for tourists – it’s a natural part of daily life. No one tries to trick you or expects a reward for friendly behavior.
When traveling with kids, this is very important. You don’t have to worry that your child will bother someone or that your family will be unwelcome in restaurants. On the contrary, traveling with kids often brings more smiles and sincere attention.
That’s why we confidently call Thailand one of the most family-friendly countries we’ve visited.
The biggest mistake families make when traveling to Thailand with kids
If we could give one main tip to families traveling to Thailand for the first time, it would be very simple – don’t try to see the entire country in one trip.
We have spent several winters in Thailand, and after seven years, we learned that traveling with kids, less often means more.
Thailand is a huge country. Looking at the map, islands or resorts may seem close, so you want to visit as many places as possible. In reality, every transfer takes much more time than it appears when planning from home.
If you plan a three-week holiday, we suggest choosing no more than three or four locations. This way, you can enjoy your holiday without constantly packing and unpacking.
Every move means more than just traveling. Usually, you’ll have to wake up early, head to the port or airport, wake up sleepy kids, wait for a ferry or flight, and, upon arrival, organize transport to your hotel. Rooms are often ready only after lunch, so you spend a few hours with your luggage, looking for food or ways to entertain the kids.
All the small things add up – packing, unpacking, and organizing kids’ belongings. When traveling as a couple, it may seem simple, but with kids, every transfer is like a travel day. We realized long ago that the real joy comes not from rushing but from staying in one place for a few days. You can go to the beach stress-free in the morning, find a favorite café, enjoy evening walks on the same beach, and let the kids simply enjoy the holiday. In our experience, this is when the true spirit of Thailand reveals itself.
When is the best time to visit Thailand with kids?
We get this question very often. Although you can find many answers online, our seven years of experience traveling in Thailand showed us one thing – it’s important to consider not just the month, but also which part of Thailand you plan to visit.
We usually travel to Thailand in the Lithuanian winter. When it’s cold and dark in Lithuania, the main tourist season begins in Thailand – warm weather, warm sea, and perfect holiday conditions.
However, one mistake that first-timers often make is assuming the weather is the same everywhere in Thailand. In fact, Thailand is a very large country and seasons vary by region.
If you’re planning your trip for late November or December, we recommend Phuket, Krabi, and the Andaman Sea coast. In January, February, and March, the best weather is usually found on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. We always plan our trips according to the season in a specific region, not the whole country.
Another thing you really shouldn’t fear is the rainy season. Before our first trip, we imagined that if the forecast said rain, it would rain all day. However, the reality is very different. Tropical rain comes suddenly, is heavy, but usually lasts only an hour or even less. The sun comes out quickly, and everything dries fast in the warm climate. In all our travels, rain has rarely ruined a whole day.
So, when planning a trip to Thailand with kids, don’t worry about rain. Just choose the right region for the right time of year, and your chances of enjoying great weather will be much higher.
How to plan and travel in Thailand
Planning your first trip to Asia, Thailand can seem distant and exotic. However, once you arrive, you quickly realize that traveling here is much easier than you imagined.
When planning a trip to Thailand with kids, we recommend first buying airplane tickets. This is usually the biggest expense, so the sooner you start searching, the better the price you’re likely to find.
We usually choose one of two options – flying to Bangkok or directly to Phuket. Both have their advantages.
If you arrive in Bangkok, it’s easy to continue your journey with domestic flights to different regions. The domestic flight network is well developed, and ticket prices are often pleasantly surprising. We have flown with low-cost airlines, Bangkok Airways, and Thai Airways, so there is plenty of choice. You can book domestic flights in advance or as you travel.
If you want the simplest trip with fewer transfers, we usually choose Phuket. From here, it’s convenient to start exploring southern Thailand and then continue to other islands or resorts.
How to start planning a trip to Thailand
After seven years of traveling in Thailand, we have developed a clear planning routine. It saves time and makes travel much easier, especially with kids.
First, we always search for and buy international flight tickets. This is usually the most expensive part of the trip, so the rest of the planning depends on it.
Once we have tickets, we decide which regions of Thailand we want to stay in. Only then do we start looking for hotels.
If we travel during the high season – which is most often – we book hotels in advance. This gives us more options and often better prices. This is especially important during Christmas, New Year, or European school holidays, when the best hotels fill up quickly.
During the low season, you can be more spontaneous and book some accommodations as you travel. However, if it’s your first trip with kids, we recommend booking at least the main hotels before you leave. While we are used to Booking.com in Europe, in Thailand there’s a bigger selection on Agoda. Of course, always compare prices on both platforms.
Only after that do we plan transfers between different places. Ferry and transfer tickets can be bought in Thailand, but we usually like to organize everything in advance. That way, there’s less stress during the trip and more time to enjoy the holiday.
In short, our travel plan always looks like this:
International flights → hotels → transfers between places.
This order works best for us.
How to travel around Thailand
Once you arrive at your chosen resort or island, there are several different ways to get around. Which you choose depends on who you’re traveling with and the level of comfort you expect.
If you plan to drive a car or scooter, make sure you have an international driver’s license before you leave Lithuania. This is needed to drive legally in Thailand, and police in tourist areas check these documents often.
However, for families with younger children, we usually recommend renting a car or using ride-hailing services.
Grab works very well in Thailand, similar to Bolt in Lithuania. It’s convenient for ordering a car or even food delivery. We use Grab very often because it’s a quick and simple way to get around cities or resorts.
Getting around Thailand with kids
Ferries and getting around Thailand
One thing that surprised us in Thailand was the excellent combined transfer system, which is among the most convenient in Asia.
Usually, you only need to buy one ticket online or at a local agency, and everything else is arranged for you. In the morning, a minibus picks you up at your hotel, takes you to the port, the ferry is included in your ticket, and when you reach the next island, another minibus takes you right to your hotel.
At first, it’s hard to believe – you get a sticker with your route, and everything goes smoothly. The transfer staff direct you to the correct bus or ferry, so even first-time travelers find it very simple.
Over many trips, this system has saved us a lot of time and stress. So, if you’re worried about traveling between islands on your own, rest assured – in Thailand, it’s very easy.
You can reach most islands by ferry, catamaran, or speedboat. While speedboats are faster, we don’t always recommend them for families with small children.
Whenever possible, we choose bigger ferries or catamarans. They’re more stable, the journey is calmer, and it’s much more comfortable for kids. Speedboats, especially in rougher seas, can be extreme – you feel the waves, and not everyone enjoys that kind of trip.
We suggest checking what type of boat is used for your route before buying tickets. If you can choose, we almost always pick a bigger boat for travel with kids – the trip takes a bit longer, but it’s far more comfortable.
Is it worth renting a scooter in Thailand?
Scooters are a part of daily life in Thailand, and many travelers want to try them. However, when traveling with kids, it’s important to assess your experience carefully.
First, traffic in Thailand is on the left side. Even experienced drivers need time to adapt. The traffic is heavy, there are many scooters, and for a lot of tourists, this is their first time riding one.
So, even if you’re confident, be aware that the traffic is very different from Lithuania.
Kids’ helmets and car seats – things people often forget
One more thing we learned traveling with kids – it’s not always easy to find safety equipment for young children in Thailand.
When our kids were small, we brought helmets from Lithuania. Rental places usually have only sizes for older children, so they wouldn’t fit our little ones.
It’s similar with car seats. Using Grab, taxis, or local transport, you rarely find them. Even car rental companies don’t always offer car seats – usually only the big international brands have them.
So, if you need a car seat, sort this out before your trip. In our opinion, safety should always come before convenience when planning family holidays.
Although scooters are often associated with holidays in Thailand, our family’s choice depends on who’s traveling. When I travel alone with the kids, I always choose a rental car or Grab. It’s much safer and gives me peace of mind. When we travel as a couple, my husband drives the scooter – he has over twenty years of experience. However, for first-timers or those traveling with kids, we don’t recommend scooters. It’s better to get used to left-side traffic first, then decide if it’s right for you.
Health in Thailand – should you really worry?
This is another topic that raises a lot of questions when planning a trip to Thailand with kids. However, our experience showed that most worries are much bigger than reality.
We have seen the level of private hospitals in Thailand many times. They are modern, well-equipped, and the doctors are professional. The service often feels more like a good hotel than a hospital. So, if you need medical help, you shouldn’t worry in big cities or popular resorts.
However, one thing not to save on is travel insurance. We always get proper insurance for the whole family before every trip. It gives peace of mind, knowing we can use private clinics and not worry about costs if needed.
Should you pack half a suitcase of children’s items?
Before our first trip, we packed much more than we needed. We thought it would be hard to find familiar products for kids in Asia, so we brought diapers, formula, cosmetics, and other things.
But after a few days, we realized that wasn’t necessary at all. Thailand has a well-developed retail network. In big cities and on the islands, you’ll find supermarkets with familiar international brands. Diapers, baby formula, sunscreen, hygiene products – all are easy to find.
If you need just a few things, you’ll quickly get to know the 7-Eleven chain. These stores are everywhere – in cities, resorts, and even on small islands. They have saved us many times when we needed water, snacks, diapers, or other daily essentials.
On bigger islands, you’ll also find international chains like Decathlon. So, even if you forget something, it’s rarely a big problem.
Today, our suitcases to Thailand are much lighter than before. We only bring items our kids really need for individual reasons, like specific formula, medicine, or skincare. Everything else, we buy locally.
If there’s one thing we’ve changed most after seven years of traveling to Thailand, it’s what we pack. Before our first trip, we took much more than we needed, thinking everything would be useful. Our suitcases were full of clothes, kids’ stuff, and supplies.
Now we travel completely differently
We recommend taking as little as possible to Thailand. First, because laundromats are everywhere. In almost every resort or island, you can find places that will wash, dry, and even iron your clothes for just a few euros. We use this service all the time.
Another reason is that you can buy almost everything you need during your holiday. If you forget a shirt, sunscreen, beach toys, or other daily items, don’t worry. Thailand has a great retail network, so you’ll find what you need both in 7-Eleven stores and large supermarkets.
But the biggest reason for traveling with less is different. If you plan to visit several places in Thailand, every extra suitcase means more time packing, unpacking, and re-packing. That’s time we’d rather spend on the beach, exploring, or just relaxing.
Over many trips, we learned a simple rule – the lighter the suitcase, the lighter the holiday.
