We have booked international trips both on our own and by using travel agents. With Peru, it was our first major international adventure, we didn’t want to mess it up, and we wanted to make sure we could always communicate with someone and have a ride to our next destination. With Italy, I booked everything myself after learning from our experiences in Peru. It was really stressful doing it all on my own, but anything to save a buck, right? Our trip to Italy was great, but some of my plans fell through, and it would have been nice to be able to rely on an expert.
So for Thailand, we wanted to get it right. With Peru, we could still reasonably communicate using translation apps. But with Thailand, it’s not even the same alphabet. We knew we would be navigating unfamiliar cities in an even more unfamiliar tongue.
So instead of trying to piece everything together ourselves, we decided to work with a travel company.
Why We Used a Travel Company
We planned our trip through Goway Travel, and they did a great job. They helped us build a customized itinerary that matched what we wanted to see and do. But the biggest benefit wasn’t just planning—it was logistics. Every transfer was arranged, every driver was scheduled, every hotel check-in was coordinated. And most importantly, we always had access to an English-speaking guide.
Once we arrived in Thailand, the local company that took care of us from start to finish was EXO Travel Thailand, which had been arranged through Goway. They handled everything on the ground—airport pickups, transportation between cities, tours, and daily coordination.
We never had to guess where to go or how to get there. Someone was always waiting for us or a WhatsApp message away.
Was It More Expensive to Use a Travel Company?
As I said, I have booked international trips on my own before to try to save money. But when I actually sat down and did the math to see how much money I saved us by booking ourselves a trip to Paris and Istanbul in 2024, the difference was only a couple hundred dollars.
Lesson learned – a couple hundred bucks isn’t worth the added stress and hassle, for me at least.
Planning transportation, coordinating timing, booking hotels, arranging tours, and troubleshooting problems from thousands of miles away can quickly become overwhelming. Especially in a country where communication may be challenging.
How to Prepare to Visit Thailand
Once the trip was booked, the next step was preparing for the experience itself—especially when it came to cultural expectations.
Thailand is very welcoming to visitors, but there are a few things that are important to understand ahead of time.
Hot and Humid Weather
There are four “seasons” in Thailand, and it is joked that they are “Hot, Really Hot, Monsoon, and Fire.” We visited between the Really Hot and Monsoon seasons. It was a good time of year for us to take the time off of work, and we hoped we’d be lucky to catch the dropping temperatures before monsoon season really took off.
Hot season
November – February is regarded as the best time to visit, with cooler temperatures than normal at 64-90 degrees F.
Really Hot season
March – May is when temperatures rise above 100 degrees F and very humid.
Monsoon season
June – October is when frequent and heavy rainstorms occur, with temperatures close to what they are in the “Hot” season.
Fire season
February – April is when farmers burn crops to prepare for the next planting season, causing poor air quality and heavy haze.
Dress Codes for Buddhist Temples
One of the most important things to know before visiting Thailand is that most Buddhist temples have a dress code.
In general, this means:
- Shoulders must be covered
- Knees must be covered
- Closed-toed shoes are sometimes required
- Shoes must often be removed before entering
People make it seem like the dress code is really strict, but I found it to be very reasonable. You don’t have to dress in business formal or ballroom attire, you just have to be covered.
Thailand is really hot, but even worse, it is humid. The heat in Utah is pretty dry, we aren’t used to the air feeling wet all the time. So the key isn’t dressing fancy, it’s dressing smart.
Moisture-wicking clothing made a huge difference. Lightweight hiking clothes worked perfectly, and we wore them in temples without any issues. The dress code wasn’t about looking formal or professional, it was simply about showing respect.
Be Prepared to Take Off Your Shoes
This is something you’ll do frequently in Thailand, especially in temples.
You’ll often see rows of shoes lined up outside entrances, and visitors are expected to remove theirs before going inside. It’s a sign of respect and cleanliness.
Slip-on shoes make this process much easier.
Understanding Cultural Differences
Another important thing to know is that cultural norms in Thailand may be different from what you’re used to.
For example, there may be certain areas where women are not allowed to enter. This can happen in some temples or sacred spaces.
If that happens, don’t take it personally. The best approach is to roll with it, stay respectful, and remember that you’re a guest in someone else’s country and culture.
Up Next
Once the details were squared away and tickets booked, it was time to make the long journey from the United States to Thailand!
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