Solo travel in Thailand is exceptionally easy for both men and women. It is an extremely safe country with warm and welcoming people. With a robust tourism economy, those who get lonely can easily meet interesting people from all over the world.
Solo travel has one key advantage: flexibility. Not needing to heed another person’s needs means solo adventurers can spend every day how they choose.
One thing that isn’t as flexible is bus and train schedules. Those who rent a car in Thailand will be free to see the sights at their own pace. Rental cars can make solo travel a culturally rewarding experience, especially when you go outside of the primary tourist districts.
Drive Car Rental has locations throughout Thailand’s major cities and offers easy online booking whether travelling solo or as a family. In this post, we’ll explore some additional guidance on travelling solo in Thailand.
Safety and Security
Like much of Asia, Thailand is very safe. European worries about pickpockets or American hesitation about walking down a dark street can largely be ignored here. It is not uncommon to see people in a food court claim their table by setting down their bag or phone and walking away. Theft is rare, and often makes headlines when it occurs.
Ask anyone who visited Thailand, and nearly every person will say they have never felt unsafe. Without needing to constantly look over one’s shoulder, enjoying a vacation is much easier. Just use common sense in unfamiliar environments, and take basic precautions.
Communicating Without a Guide
In tourist areas, many Thais working in places like restaurants, hotels, and massage shops will have a basic level of English proficiency. The same is true for retail stores in shopping malls.
Outside of these areas, English proficiency rapidly decreases. Fortunately, the Thai people’s welcoming attitude doesn’t change. Travellers will be amazed at how far a smile and hand signals will get you when ordering street food.
The youth of Thailand and the world are different. Thanks to Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube, many young Thais speak English surprisingly well. When in need of a translator, look for someone on the younger side–there’s a good chance they understand English.
Apps like Google Translate and ChatGPT can help solo travellers, too. One tip is to make the sentences simple. Complex sentences can be difficult for even the best translation apps when translating to Thai.
English is the universal language of travel, and nearly every person who travels will speak some amount of English. It may be a good idea to meet people from other cultures while enjoying a drink at the beach!
Off the Beaten Path
To truly experience Thailand outside of its tourist zone bubbles, renting a car is the way to go. When you’re driving, cities quickly give way to rice fields, towering limestone karsts, and winding mountain roads.
Thai roads are generally in spectacular condition, even in remote areas. For road trip adventures, look for small coastal roads or smaller roads that go through the mountains.
Almost every drive through rural areas will be a beautiful one. This is even true during the monsoon season in Thailand. Jungles become lush and ethereal, and mountains are shrouded in mist each morning.
Driving through small rural villages can also be fun. Far enough from large cities, it isn’t uncommon for children to get excited when seeing a foreigner. They will sometimes wave and smile and yell, “Hello!”
It’s a good idea to plan ahead when taking a solo road trip. Cities will be well lit, but in rural areas, lighting is sparse and the roads can be quite dark. Aim to be back by evening, or drive more slowly after the sun goes down. Be sure to have the hotel’s phone number in case you need a translator or other assistance.
Go Further with Drive Car Rental
If you’re travelling alone, you probably want to rent a car–and if you’re renting a car, you need Drive Car Rental. Choose from small compacts, luxury sedans, and even electric cars.
We have locations throughout Thailand’s major cities and airports, and you can book early to take advantage of early bird discounts and make sure you get the vehicle of your choice. We also offer monthly rates for those staying in Thailand longer!