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# Planning & Packing
- URL: https://www.thailandtripos.com/planning-packing/
- Published: 2026-02-15T18:53:21.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-03T18:05:25.000Z
- Author: Tim Thorer
- Tags: Getting There

### 🗺️ TRIP PLANNING CHECKLIST

### 3-6 Months Before Trip

☐ Choose your itinerary  
☐ Calculate budget  
☐ Book international flights  
☐ Book first hotel  
☐ Get travel insurance  
☐ Apply for visa (if needed - check current requirements)  
☐ Get vaccinations (if recommended)  
☐ Notify banks of travel dates ☐ Request time off work

### 1-2 Months Before

☐ Book domestic flights  
☐ Book remaining hotels  
☐ Book popular tours/activities  
☐ Research restaurants (add to list)  
☐ Download AI tools  
☐ Start learning basic Thai phrases  
☐ Buy any needed gear (backpack, clothes)  
☐ Check passport expiry (needs 6+ months validity)

### 2-4 Weeks Before

☐ Confirm all bookings  
☐ Check weather forecast  
☐ Create packing list  
☐ Download offline maps  
☐ Download translation app  
☐ Set up travel apps (Grab, Bolt, Wise)  
☐ Print/save important documents  
☐ Tell family/friends your itinerary  
☐ Set up international phone plan or buy eSIM

### 1 Week Before

☐ Pack (use checklist above)  
☐ Weigh luggage (check airline limits)  
☐ Exchange small amount of cash ($100-200)  
☐ Charge all electronics  
☐ Download entertainment for flight  
☐ Set apartment/house preparations (if applicable)  
☐ Double-check passport, tickets, insurance  
☐ Screenshot important info (hotel addresses, confirmation numbers)  
☐ Put hold on mail  
☐ Clean out fridge

### Day Before Travel

☐ Final packing check  
☐ Charge power bank  
☐ Print boarding passes (or have digital)  
☐ Check flight status  
☐ Set alarm for airport  
☐ Put passport/wallet/phone in easy-access spot  
☐ Prepare airport outfit (comfortable!)  
☐ Get good sleep

### Day of Travel

☐ Passport ✓  
☐ Phone ✓  
☐ Wallet ✓  
☐ Boarding pass ✓  
☐ Power bank in carry-on ✓  
☐ Important meds in carry-on ✓  
☐ Arrive 3 hours early (international flight)

### Upon Arrival in Bangkok

☐ Pass immigration (have return ticket ready to show)  
☐ Get Thai SIM card (or activate eSIM)  
☐ Exchange money or use ATM  
☐ Download Bolt/Grab ☐ Get transport to hotel  
☐ Check into hotel  
☐ Rest (you're jet lagged!)  
☐ Find nearest 7-Eleven  
☐ Have first Thai meal  
☐ Set alarm for tomorrow

- **📅 BOOKING TIMELINE**
  - ✈️ BOOK NOW (3-6 months before trip)  
**High Priority - Do These First:**  
  ☐ **International Flights**  
  ☐ **First Night Hotel in Bangkok**
    - Why now: Prices increase closer to dates
    - Where: Google Flights, Skyscanner, direct airline sites
    - Expected cost: $800-1,500 from USA/Europe
    - **🎥 VIDEO:** [**How to find cheap flights**](https://youtu.be/h2zSaB4aqYo?si=WDgrp-s5HYatMYiG&ref=thailandtripos.com)
    - Why now: Peace of mind upon arrival
    - Where: [Agoda.com](https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1796618&hid=286830&ref=thailandtripos.com)
    - Recommended area: Asok/Sukhumvit (BTS+MRT), Si Lom/Sala Daeng (BTS+MRT)
  - ☐ **Travel Insurance**
    - Why now: Coverage starts from booking date
    - Cost: \~$50-100 for 2 weeks
  - 🎫 BOOK 1-2 MONTHS BEFORE  
**Medium Priority:**  
  ☐ **Domestic Flights** (Bangkok ↔ Phuket/Chiang Mai)
    - Airlines: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia
    - Cost: $40-120 one-way
    - Book: Direct on airline websites
  - ☐ **Popular Tours That Sell Out**
    - Phi Phi Islands tour (if visiting Phuket/Krabi)
    - Ethical elephant sanctuaries
    - James Bond Island tours
  - ☐ **Remaining Hotels**
    - All other cities on your itinerary
    - Check cancellation policies
  - ☐ **Special Activities**
    - Cooking classes
    - Muay Thai training (multi-day)
    - Scuba diving certifications
    - Tattoo Sessions
  - 📱 BOOK 2-4 WEEKS BEFORE  
**Lower Priority:**  
  ☐ **Day Tours & Activities**
    - City tours
    - Food tours
    - Temple tours
    - Boat tours
  - ☐ **Restaurant Reservations** (if fancy)
    - Rooftop bars (may require reservation)
    - High-end restaurants
    - Most Thai restaurants don't need reservations
    - But some do: I use Chope to quickly secure spots in the best restaurants.
  - ☐ **Transportation Between Cities**
    - Trains (Bangkok → Chiang Mai)
    - Buses
    - Ferries (to islands)
    - Book on: 12Go Asia
  - 🏃 BOOK 1 WEEK BEFORE OR ON ARRIVAL  
**Do These There:**  
  ☐ **Massages & Spas**
    - Walk-ins welcome everywhere
    - Book 1 day ahead at most
    - Cost: ฿200-500 ($6-15)
  - ☐ **Local Activities**
    - Street food tours
    - Market visits
    - Beach activities
    - Casual restaurants
  - ☐ **Last-Minute Tours**
    - Check weather first
    - Often cheaper when booked locally
    - Use your hotel concierge

### 🎒 MANUAL PACKING LIST

  - **Essentials 💼**  
  ☐ Passport (physical + digital copy)  
  ☐ Visa (if required - check current requirements)  
  ☐ ID / Driver's license  
  ☐ Home keys  
  ☐ Credit cards (2+, notify banks of travel)  
  ☐ Debit card  
  ☐ Cash ($200-5000 USD to exchange on arrival)  
  ☐ eSIM  
  ☐ Sun glasses
  - **Documents 📄**  
  ☐ Travel insurance documents (print + digital)  
  ☐ Hotel booking confirmations (first night is crucial)  
  ☐ Flight confirmations  
  ☐ Vaccination records (if applicable)  
  ☐ Emergency contact list
  - **Electronics 🔌**  
  ☐ Phone & charger  
  ☐ Power bank (essential, must be in carry-on)  
  ☐ Universal adapter (different voltage)  
  ☐ Headphones  
  ☐ Camera (optional, phone works great)  
  ☐ E-reader / Tablet (for flights)  
  ☐ Laptop (if working)  
  ☐ All charging cables
  - **Clothing 👕**  
  ☐ T-shirts (3)  
  ☐ Good shirts (3)  
  ☐ Shorts (3 pairs with zippered pockets)  
  ☐ Lightweight pants (1 pair) - for temples  
  ☐ Swimwear (2 - one to wear, one drying)  
  ☐ Underwear (3 pairs)  
  ☐ Socks (3 pairs, quick-dry)  
  ☐ Bra / Sports bra (women: 2-3)  
  ☐ Light jacket / Cardigan (for AC, planes)  
  ☐ One "nice" outfit (rooftop bars, nice dinners)
  - **Temple-Appropriate Clothes:**  
  ☐ Shirt that covers shoulders (1)  
  ☐ Pants/skirt that covers knees (1)
  - **Note:** Can buy cheap clothing there (฿100-200)
  - **Shoes:**  
  ☐ Walking shoes / Sneakers (1 pair, comfortable!)  
  ☐ Sandals / Flip-flops (1 pair, for beach + casual)  
  ☐ Optional: Nicer shoes for evenings
  - **⚠️ DON'T bring more than 2 pairs - waste of space**
  - **Toiletries 🚿**  
  ☐ Contact lenses + solution (if applicable)  
  ☐ Glasses (if applicable)  
  ☐ Feminine hygiene (available in Thailand but they don’t use tampons, for example)  
  ☐ Lip balm with SPF  
  ☐ Hair ties / Bobby pins
  - **⚠️ TIM'S TIP:** Buy most toiletries in Thailand (cheaper, save luggage space)
  - **Optional Toiletries:**
    - Body wash (hotels provide)
    - Shaving cream
    - Makeup (bring essentials, buy if needed)
    - Hair products
  - **Medical Kit 💊**  
  ☐ Prescription medications (bring FULL supply + photo)  
**⚠️ Note:** You can buy most medicines at Thai pharmacies without a prescription.
  - **Beach & Activities 🏖️**  
  ☐ Hat / Cap  
  ☐ Action camera (optional)
  - **Miscellaneous**  
  ☐ Small backpack / Day bag  
  ☐ Eye mask (for sleeping)

### 🛍️ WHAT TO BUY IN THAILAND (Don't Pack)

✅ **Sunscreen** \- ฿150 for big bottle (vs $15-20 at home)  
✅ **Insect repellent** \- ฿80-120  
✅ **Aloe vera gel** \- ฿50 (for sunburn)  
✅ **Toiletries** \- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash  
✅ **Beach clothes** \- Tank tops, shorts super cheap  
✅ **Flip-flops** \- ฿100-200 everywhere  
✅ **Rain poncho** \- ฿40 at 7-Eleven  
✅ **Snacks & drinks** \- 7-Eleven has everything

### ❌ WHAT NOT TO BRING

❌ **Jeans** \- Too hot, take forever to dry  
❌ **Vape** \- 5 years in prison  
❌ **Heavy jackets** \- Won't need (except airplane)  
❌ **More than 2 pairs of shoes** \- Waste of space  
❌ **Full-size toiletries** \- Buy at 7-Eleven  
❌ **Hair dryer** \- Hotels have them  
❌ **Beach towels** \- Hotels provide  
❌ **Valuables / Expensive jewelry** \- Risk of loss  
❌ **Books** \- Heavy, use e-reader  
❌ **Too many clothes** \- You'll re-wear them, and laundry is cheap (฿30-100/kg)  
❌ **Laptop** (unless working) - Just use phone

### 🏥 HEALTH & SAFETY PREP

☐ **Check Vaccination Requirements**

  - Required: None currently
  - Recommended: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Routine boosters
  - **\[Consult your doctor\]**

☐ **Get Travel Insurance**

  - Must cover: Medical, evacuation, trip cancellation
  - Recommended: SafetyWing, World Nomads
  - **\[Compare insurance plans\]**

☐ **Prescriptions**

  - Bring full supply + extra week
  - Keep in original containers
  - Bring copy of prescriptions

☐ **Medical Prep**

  - See dentist (before trip)
  - Fill any prescriptions
  - Get routine check-up if concerned

**P.S. How I can help you:** 
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\- *Book a* [*call with me*](https://calendar.app.google/b9WZexZyfsjksTXD7?ref=thailandtripos.com) *before your first trip to in Thailand.*