Chances are if you want it, Thailand has probably got it. A vibrant culinary scene that spans fine dining to street food? Check. Sandy shores and coastal tides? Check. Exotic tropical jungles? Check. In fact, they even promise some of the best scenic drives for road trips, with snaking highways taking you across some of Thailand’s most breathtaking vistas.
Scenic routes abound in the Land of Smiles. The farther you get from Bangkok, the quieter and more adventurous your journey gets. Explore some of the best and most beautiful Thailand road trips with us before starting your self-drive adventure.
Explore more with our selection of the most popular hiking trails in Thailand.
Documents required for driving in Thailand
To hit the open road in Thailand, you’ll need a few key documents:
- An international driving license;
- If you plan on driving a two-wheeler in Thailand, your international driving license should include a motorcycle endorsement;
- A valid driver’s license from your home country (held for more than a year);
- A passport is valid for at least the next six months.
Planning a trip to the Land of Smiles? Check out our guide to the best time to visit Thailand.
Renting a car in Thailand for a self-drive
Many car rental agencies in Thailand offer budget to luxury vehicles for rent, from sedans to SUVs, including Toyota Camry, MG GS, and Nissan Almera. The pick-up and drop-off points locations are scattered throughout the country for convenience, including airports, market areas, and popular tourist spots, especially in Bangkok.
The documents required for renting a car in Thailand include:
- Passport valid for at least six months;
- Driving license valid for the past one year;
- International Driving Permit;
- Minimum age of 21 years old (age limit varies by rental agency);
- A valid credit card in your name
- Passport-sized photographs
- Although some agencies already include insurance as part of the rental fee, some agencies charge it separately. Make sure to find out before making the payment.
Thailand’s best car rental agencies include Thai Rent A Car, Kayak, SIXT, Chic Car Rent, Hertz, and Bizcar Car Rental. Many agencies offer one-way car rentals, allowing flexible pick-up and drop-off locations.
Best road trips in Thailand
Bangkok to Khao Lak Trip
If you want to familiarise yourself with the sunny beaches of Thailand, this road trip route is ideal for you. Start from Bangkok, stop at Khao Yai, Hua Hin, and finish in Khao Lak. Enroute, stop at Prachinburi, Wang Nam Kheo Valley, Pirom Khao Yai Reserve, Sawasdee Chenin Blanc vineyards, Chumphon, Koh Samui, Koh Phang nga, and Koh Tao, before ending your road trip at Khao Lak. Spend a couple of days here enjoying watersports and the amazing nightlife before heading back to Bangkok.
Distance: 764 km
Time taken: 11 hours
Best time to visit: November to March
Best hotels nearby: JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, Mai Khaolak Beach Resort & Spa, and Khao Lak Laguna Resort
Best restaurants: Green Pepper Khao Lak Restaurant, KruaThai, and TAKOLA Thai Restaurant
Book your stay at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa via Booking.com
Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Road Trip
The route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai is the best option for those who love mountain scenery and lush greenery. The winding roads take you across national parks, waterfalls, rolling hills and valleys, and farmlands. Stops include Doi Angkhang, Thaton, Mae Salong, Mae Sai, and Fish Cave Tham Pla, followed by Chiang Mai, your final destination for the trip. You can also stop at the San Kamphaeng Hot Springs, close to Chiang Mai, where you can enjoy eggs boiled in the scalding water of the hot springs, foot soaks, massages, and a pool.
Elevate your trip with our guide on the best things to do in Thailand.
Distance: 186 km
Time taken: 3 hours
Best time to visit: October to February
Best hotels nearby: Phowadol Resort and Spa, Laluna Hotel and Resort, and Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort
Best restaurants: Favola at Le Méridien, Kunda Cafe, and Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar
Shop the best travel experiences here
Rayong to Hua Hin Road Trip
This road trip is ideal for those who want to drive less but cover more. With the stops on this route including Pattaya and Bangkok, there is plenty to see and enjoy on the way to Hua Hin, famed for some of the best beaches in Thailand. This road trip is an excellent way to familiarise yourself with the nightlife of Pattaya and Bangkok, from its walking streets and night markets to the beaches and cultural attractions.
Distance: 360 km
Time taken: 5 hours
Best time to visit: November to February
Best hotels nearby: Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Anantara Hua Hin Resort, and Hyatt Regency Hua Hin.
Best restaurants: Amber Kitchen at Marriott Resort & Spa, You Yen Hua Hin Balcony Restaurant, and Restaurant Jaras at Hotel Intercontinental Hua Hin
Bangkok to Lopburi Road Trip
The Bangkok to Lopburi road trip is exhilarating for those looking to explore the ancient ruins and historic monuments of Thailand. The main stops on this route include Mae Sot, Sukhothai, and Phetchabun, followed by the last stop, Lopburi. You can enjoy visiting several waterfalls and hot springs in Mae Sot, after which the ancient temples and historical landmarks of Sukhothai await, followed by the palaces and temples of Phetchabun and Lopburi.
Distance: 177 km
Time taken: 3 hours
Best time to visit: November to February
Best hotels nearby: YSW Hotel, Windsor Resort, and Citi Palace Hotel
Best restaurants: Bua Luang Restaurant, Ban Madame Thai Restaurant, and Tasala Bar & Eatery
Book your stay at Citi Place Hotel via Booking.com
Phuket to Satun Road Trip
One of the best road trips you can embark on in Thailand, with stops that bring you to gorgeous beaches, idyllic islands, adventure sports, and the freshest seafood. Start from Phuket, and stop at Phang-Nga Bay, from where you can embark on a side trip by boat to the Ao Phang-Nga Marine National Park. Later, resume your trip and follow the route to stop at Krabi, Railay, Ko Lanta, and Trang, followed by Satun, your final stop.
Distance: 424 km
Time taken: 7 hours
Best time to visit: November to April
Best hotels nearby: Satun Sea Balcony, Satun Dive Resort, and Lake Terrace Resort.
Best restaurants: Time Restaurant, Je Daeng Restaurant, and Bang Roon’s Seafood Restaurant
Unsure of what to cover? Our guide on Krabi Vs Phuket might help out.
Book your stay at Satun Sea Balcony via Booking.com
Hua Hin to Surat Thani Trip
The best part about this road trip in Thailand is not the crowd-free beaches of Ban Krut and Prachaup Khiri Khan, but the 160-million-year-old rainforests of Khao Sok National Park. After exploring the sublime beaches of Prachaup Khiri Khan, Ban Krut, Bang Saphan Ya, and Chumphon, head to the national park to catch exotic flora and fauna in their natural habitat. One of the biggest attractions of the park is the enormous Rafflesia Kerrii, the world’s largest flower that blooms in the summer.
To plan your trip well, here’s a look at when Thailand’s national parks will be closed in 2024.
Distance: 447 km
Time taken: 6 hours
Best time to visit: December to April
Best hotels nearby: 100 Islands Resort and Spa, Cielo Samui Boutique Hotel & Spa, and Thong Ta Kian Resort
Best restaurants: Day & Night of Surat Thani, Khao Horm, and Risto Luca
Book your stay at Cielo Boutique Hotel & Spa Samui via Booking.com
Isaan Loop
Perfect for adventurers and history buffs, the Isaan Loop in Thailand takes travellers on an unhurried trip across some of the most spectacular and unexplored parts of the country. Start from the Khmer temples of Phanom Rung Historical Park, sitting atop an extinct volcano. Traverse the Mae Nam Mun River and the town of Ubon Ratchathani, followed by Yasothan (time your trip right to land here in mid-May and enjoy the popular Rocket Festival) and Prasat Puay Noi, another Khmer Hindu temple complex. The last stops on this Thailand road trip are Phimai and Nakhon Ratchasima, where historical ruins and local delicacies await.
Distance: Flexible, but the entire loop covers over 1,500 km
Time taken: Flexible
Best time to visit: November to April
Best hotels nearby: Chandra Varin, Hotel de l’amour SHA PLUS, and The Zen Hotel Yasothan
Best restaurants: Rider One Motorcycle Cafe, Meegaan, and Le Intawaa Restaurant
Book your stay at Hotel de l'amour SHA PLUS via Booking.com
Things to remember while driving on Thailand’s roads
A few general traffic rules and regulations to keep in mind while driving in Thailand include:
- Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory;
- The minimum age for driving in Thailand is 18 years, whereas the minimum age for renting a vehicle is 21 years;
- Drive on the left side of the road and overtake from the right;
- Children under six years of age must use car seats with harnesses.
- Countries like New Zealand, the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia have a treaty with Thailand to mutually accept diving licenses. Citizens from these countries do not need an international driver’s license to drive here.
- In crowded areas, including popular tourist haunts in Bangkok, drivers should park their cars in neutral.
(Feature image credit: Thailand Travel Lover/Shutterstock)
Related: 5 All-Inclusive Resorts In Thailand For Any Kind Of Holiday
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-Is it safe to take a road trip in Thailand?
Yes, it is. Thailand’s roads are deemed well-maintained and safe to travel on.
-What are the road conditions like in Thailand?
Most Thailand roads are well-lit and maintained to ensure drivers have an easy time.
-How can I navigate while on a road trip in Thailand?
Thailand is very well-connected, from the mountains to the coastal locations. All you need to do is use a GPS system or other online map apps to navigate the country.
-Are there any toll roads in Thailand?
Yes, Thailand does have toll roads.
-What should I do in case of an emergency while driving in Thailand?
If you find yourself in a road accident or other emergency in Thailand, call 191 for assistance, even if you don’t speak Thai.
-How much does fuel cost in Thailand?
The current petrol price in Thailand is approximately THB 46.59 (USD 1.27) per litre, whereas the current diesel prices are around THB 32.94 (USD 0.90) per litre.
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Esha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked with TravelTriangle and Internet Moguls. When not in work mode, she can be found downing endless cups of coffee while reading Enid Blyton/Sidney Sheldon.
