By Air
Thailand's two main international airports are both near Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) handles the majority of international flights and is the hub for Thai Airways, as well as numerous foreign carriers. It sits about 30km east of the city centre; the Airport Rail Link runs to the centre in around 30 minutes. Don Mueang Airport (DMK), the older of the two, handles low-cost carriers including AirAsia, Nok Air, and Lion Air. It's 25km north of the centre and connected by bus and expressway.
Phuket International Airport (HKT) has direct international connections to Europe, the Middle East, and across Asia — useful if your goal is the southern islands and you'd rather skip Bangkok entirely. Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) handles regional connections from within Asia. Koh Samui Airport (USM) is a smaller private airport operated by Bangkok Airways.
Most European and North American travellers will find Bangkok the easiest entry point, with direct or one-stop connections from virtually every major city. Budget carriers from the Middle East and across Asia make one-stop Bangkok fares very competitive.
Visa Exemption
Citizens of most Western countries, plus Japan, South Korea, Australia, and around 90 other nationalities, can enter Thailand without a visa for stays of up to 60 days. You may extend this once at an immigration office for an additional 30 days.
On arrival you'll need to have completed the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online — this replaced the old paper TM6 form in 2025. Fill it out within three days before your flight; it's free. Officially you should also carry proof of funds (20,000 THB per person) and an onward or return ticket, though in practice most travellers are not asked.
Nationals not covered by the exemption can apply for a Visa on Arrival at the airport for a 15-day stay. Longer trips require a tourist visa arranged in advance at a Thai embassy.
Overland
Thailand shares land crossings with Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. The most used are the crossing into Laos at Nong Khai (connected by rail from Bangkok) and into Cambodia at Aranyaprathet (Poipet side). The Malaysia crossing at Padang Besar has regular rail connections to both Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur; the journey to Singapore takes around 48 hours by train.
Overland crossings into Myanmar are limited and not all are open to foreign tourists — check the current situation before planning a border crossing.
By Sea
There are no major international passenger sea routes into Thailand. Short ferry crossings from Malaysia's Langkawi and Penang serve the southern Thai border towns of Satun and Hat Yai. Cruise ships dock at Laem Chabang (near Pattaya) and occasionally at Phuket.