Cheapest time to visit Thailand

Get lost of bustling Bangkok or relax on the beaches of any idyllic island at the best price.

One of the best things about Thailand is that the wet season isn’t the same all over the country, so when it’s raining in one area, it’s dry elsewhere. So take advantage of the cheapest times to travel to Thailand to save on your trip, while still enjoying the weather and natural wonders the country has to offer.

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When is the cheapest time to travel to Thailand?

May to September, with the exception of school holidays, are the cheapest months to visit Thailand.

Places like Phuket, Bangkok and Chiang Mai all have their wet seasons during this time, which drives down demand for flights from Australia.

We compared flight prices from Australia to Bangkok and found a huge difference —45% in fact — on flight prices in May compared to flights in January. (At the time of writing this, at least)

On the contrary, December to March is, by far, the most expensive time to visit. So, we’d advice avoiding travelling during those months.

How much will it cost to travel to Thailand at this time?

If you’re lucky, you should be able to nab a flight from the west coast for $350-$450 with a budget airline like AirAsia, Jetstar or Scoot.

From the eastern states, expect to pay $500-$600 for a low-cost carrier.

Full service flights, with an airline like Qantas or Thai Airways will cost you a couple hundred more as they’ll include things like checked baggage, meals and entertainment.

When is the worst time to go to Thailand?

The truth is… May to October isn’t just one of the cheapest times, but it can be one of the worst times to visit Thailand if rain is your biggest factor. However, like most tropical destinations, the rain is usually a short downpour following by sunshine rather than a days-long drizzle.

Even better, there are a few places you can go that won’t be too wet. Koh Samui (along with other islands in the Gulf of Thailand) has a later monsoon season, and is pretty dry except for October to December.

If you want to spend some time in the big city, Bangkok has a bit of a break in the wet season in June and July.

When is the best-value time to travel to Thailand?

Conveniently right when you’ll want to escape the Australian winter, June and July are the best-value times to visit Thailand, especially if you want a combination trip of city and beach.

Based on climate data for Bangkok, of the affordable months, June and July see the least rain – almost half as much as September and October.

And, as we already mentioned, it’s months before the wet season in places like Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.

None of those islands have a major airport, so you’ll still be able to get an affordable flight into Thailand. Luckily, prices for land transport (including mini buses and ferries to the islands) don’t really change much from season to season.