Get around with A child
in Thailand
Easy and safe transportation guide for families with kids in Thailand
transportation in Thailand for families with kids
Thailand is a vast and diverse country with fascinating regions. It’s no wonder that it attracts many travellers, including quite a few families.
So, how do you navigate this large and enchanting country from place to place?
It’s an excellent question for all travellers in general, and even more so for families with children.
We’ve prepared a simple and detailed kid-friendly transportation guide in Thailand to help you tackle what can sometimes be the Achilles’ heel of traveling with kids – the transfers and journeys – safely and smoothly.
So, there are several types of transportation available in Thailand:
Long Distances
Internal Flights
Internal FlightsFor long distances, the quickest and safest way is by air travel. In Thailand, there are numerous airports and airlines.
The most commonly used airports for travellers in Thailand are, of course, the two airports in Bangkok, the airports on the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket, and Chiang Mai Airport for those heading north. There’s also a lesser-known airport in Surat Thani – for those heading to the islands of the province – Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao – in a more cost-effective way.
Here you can find a complete guide to getting to the islands of Surat Thani Province
In terms of airlines, the largest (and usually the most expensive) is Bangkok Airways, but there are several others. From our experience, all airlines are more or less equally good – choose the one that suits your departure and arrival times. Pay attention to whether the ticket includes luggage and if you need to add it – factor in the price accordingly.
Important tip:
Important tip: Flight prices increase significantly a week before the flight date! So, try to plan ahead, spontaneity doesn’t pay off here.
We found good prices on Edreams, but there are many other websites worth comparing (we didn’t find any advantage in booking directly through airline websites).
Here you can find more information and useful tips for domestic flights in Thailand
Ferries
An excellent, safe (and experiential) way to reach the islands. There are many piers from which ferries depart, and various types of ferries – fast, slow, and in different sizes. For smaller islands, it’s advisable to book tickets in advance, while for larger ones, you can arrive at the last minute (especially if it’s not peak season), and sometimes they might look at your kids and give them a “discount” (considering a child younger and allowing to purchase a discounted ticket).
In any case, aim to arrive at the pier at least half an hour before departure time.
Our recommendation: Despite the experiential nature of sailing, it’s better to opt for the faster ferries; in the end, kids lose patience here too…
Here you can find additional tips for island hopping by ferries
Trains
Thailand has a railway system, but it’s not convenient, doesn’t function well, and generally not recommended (even locals don’t recommend it much). This is its official website, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous..
Buses
For slightly shorter distances, you can rely on buses. Also, in case of departing from an island towards a mainland destination (like an airport), travel companies offer a combination of ferry and bus that can be very convenient.
This is the most reliable public transportation website, where you can find the cheapest and quickest options from any origin to any destination.
Short Trips
Within cities and islands, relying solely on public transportation can be quite tricky. Safety-wise, not all buses are reliable, seating isn’t always guaranteed, and some areas feature public transport that’s essentially a makeshift bench with wooden seats and no seatbelts – not the safest option, to put it mildly.
Two other options are available:
Renting a car
A slightly adventurous choice in Thailand, not recommended in every city or region (Bangkok, for instance, can be quite challenging to navigate). On the flip side, there are places where getting around without a rental car can be tough (like Koh Phangan, where public transportation isn’t readily available). If you value independence and are confident behind the wheel, car rental might be for you, just remember a few things:
Driving in Thailand is on the left side! If you’re not accustomed to it, it’s a challenge worth considering. Not all roads are well-maintained, and there are areas where local drivers aren’t particularly forgiving of tourist hesitations. Ensure you rent from a reputable agency with insurance. It’s common in Thailand for car rental agencies to ask for your passport as a deposit, which isn’t something you want to hand over to just anyone. Even if you’re a skilled driver, be aware that many others are less so, and Thailand has a high rate of road accidents. Additionally, rumors suggest that in the event of an accident, the police might favor locals over foreigners, regardless of who’s at fault. Drive with caution!
If you have little ones who require car seats, don’t assume that if the rental company offers one, it’s safe and up to any standard. You can try your luck by contacting the rental company in advance, asking for photos and specifications of the car seat. Bringing your own might be the safer option.
If you’re not entirely comfortable with car rentals, opting for taxi services might be preferable.
Taxis
Another popular option (though ultimately less flexible and potentially more expensive, depending on the number of planned trips).
A significant advantage of taxis in Thailand is their suitability for larger families – it’s not uncommon to find 7-seater taxis and vans throughout Thailand. The taxi drivers we encountered were generally experienced, patient, and drove safely.
Several things you should know about this option:
Apps
The convenient way to book a taxi is through apps:
Grab
The most common app in Thailand, which also serves for deliveries and orders. It’s a good app for most parts of Thailand, but not necessarily the best. Through the app, you can select your destination, the type of vehicle, and the app will quote a price for the ride. Payment is simply done through the credit card you enter in the app and is collected at the end of the trip.
The main downside we found with this app is that there’s no real way to ensure that a sufficiently large vehicle with enough seats for the whole family, and with standard seat belts in all seats, will arrive.
Indrive
An excellent app – our favorite in Thailand. It’s not used in all parts of Thailand, such as Hua Hin or Koh Phangan (where taxis and apps are less common, and safe transportation is more challenging), but we used it extensively in Koh Samui, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
How does it work? You enter your destination in the app and the price you’re offering for the ride (the app suggests a recommended price), and different drivers nearby will offer to take you, at what price, in what type of vehicle, and how soon they can be with you. This way, not only is there more flexibility in price and arrival time, but you can also choose the vehicle and ensure it has enough seats for the whole family!
An additional advantage is that you can easily communicate with the driver as you arrange the ride, ensuring that all seats are in use (sometimes in 7-seater cars, the back seats are folded and not available for seating) and that all seat belts are functioning properly.
Hailing a taxi on the street
Definitely a viable option, especially in central areas. The advantage is that you can see the vehicle, talk to the driver, and make sure everything suits you (for example, if you plan to spend a day touring with several stops). The downside is the flexibility in price – usually, you can negotiate, but it’s less efficient.
Recommendations for drivers
From the hotel where you’re staying or from the apartment owner. It’s certainly an option, just keep in mind that sometimes it’s a friend of the host, not necessarily the safest or cheapest driver…
Airport taxi
Within airport premises, only authorized taxis operate, at a uniform (and high) rate. Of course, you can use the airport taxi services (the more convenient option), but if you want to try a cheaper option, go outside the airport area (not much walking in small airports like Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, and even Phuket) and from there, you can order a taxi at a more friendly price in a different way.
Important tip for taxi rides!
In all these options, none of them are 100% reliable. There may be cases where you’ve arranged with a driver, through an app, or by other means, and at the last moment, he cancels or claims not to have understood something and charges a higher price.
So, if you find a good and friendly driver on one of your journeys with a car that suits you and your family, the best recommendation is simply to take his phone number and book him directly for future rides!
Another tip for renting a car/taxi – safety seats!
In Thailand, it will be very difficult to rely on local safety seats to be reliable and safe. Our recommendation is to bring your own safety seats from home!
Inflatable safety car seat
Get ready for this: An inflatable car safety seat that folds compactly and inflates to full size, meeting European standards! Perfect if you plan to rent several cars, take taxis, or haven’t found a reliable and affordable rental company that provides car seats.
From our experience, most taxi drivers in Thailand are very patient and will wait patiently for the seat to be inflated and installed, and may even be enthusiastic. But of course, if you can inflate the seat in advance and not make the drivers wait – it’s better.
Travel Vests
Another brilliant invention —foldable safety travel vests designed to seat older children in the car (instead of boosters). Very light and compact, excellent for traveling in taxis and rental cars (again, if there are no safety seats).
Buses
As mentioned, they’re hard to rely on, but it’s worth mentioning that Bangkok has a decent and safe bus system from the airport to the city, which is a good option for most families who will end up in Bangkok at some point. However, the buses within the city aren’t great – they’re old and very crowded.
Tuk-tuks
These can seem like a fun adventure, but they’re usually not very safe. Thai tuk-tuks zoom around at high speeds and don’t have any safety features, like seat belts. If you want to try a tuk-tuk ride, we suggest going for the ones attached to scooters (instead of the kind that’s hooked up to a regular car) – they’re a bit slower and therefore a bit safer.
And there you have it! Transportation in Thailand with kids made easy!
Now all you need to do is plan, pack, and enjoy your family adventure—safe travels!
You could also be interested in
The ultimate travel guide
Everything you should know before you go!
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