A 7-day Thailand itinerary from India, sorted
If you're planning a Thailand trip from India in 2026, here's the short version: fly into Bangkok, split your week between the city and one beach or hill destination, and budget roughly ₹65,000–₹95,000 per person for a comfortable mid-range trip, flights included. Below is a full 7-day plan, the current visa situation, and a real cost breakdown so you can book with confidence.
Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
Thailand's visa policy for Indians has changed more than once this year, so it's worth getting this right before you book. As of mid-2026, Indian passport holders get visa-free entry to Thailand for stays of up to 30 days for tourism purposes — down from the temporary 60-day exemption that was in place earlier in the year. This is a fast-moving policy area, so confirm the current stay limit on the Thai embassy's website or with your airline a week before you fly.
Regardless of the visa-free stay length, every traveller — Indian nationals included — must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 72 hours of arrival. It's free, takes about 10 minutes, and immigration will ask for the confirmation at the airport, so do this before you land, not after.
Getting there: flights and cost
Direct flights connect Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata to Bangkok in roughly 4–5 hours. Round-trip fares typically run ₹28,000–₹40,000 per person if booked 6–8 weeks out, with August generally the cheapest month to fly and the Diwali/December period the most expensive. If your itinerary includes Phuket or Chiang Mai, budget an extra ₹4,000–₹8,000 for a domestic Thai connector flight (about 1–1.5 hours from Bangkok either way) rather than a long bus or train transfer.
Best time to visit
Thailand is warm year-round, but November to February is the sweet spot — cooler, drier, and ideal for both city sightseeing and beach time. March to May gets very hot (above 38°C in Bangkok), while the May–October monsoon brings afternoon showers but noticeably lower prices and thinner crowds — a reasonable trade-off if you're flexible and travelling on a tighter budget.
The 7-day itinerary
Day | Location | What to do |
|---|---|---|
1 | Bangkok | Arrive, TDAC + immigration, settle into Sukhumvit or Silom, evening at a rooftop bar |
2 | Bangkok | Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho reclining Buddha, longtail boat ride on the Chao Phraya |
3 | Bangkok | Chatuchak Weekend Market (if it's a weekend) or Chinatown food crawl, fly to Phuket in the evening |
4 | Phuket | Patong or Kata beach day, sunset at Karon Viewpoint |
5 | Phuket | Day trip to Phi Phi Islands or James Bond Island by speedboat |
6 | Phuket | Old Phuket Town — Sino-Portuguese architecture, cafes, local markets; fly back via Bangkok |
7 | Departure | Last-minute shopping at Bangkok airport or a short MBK Center run before your flight home |
Prefer hills over beaches? Swap the Phuket leg for Chiang Mai — direct Bangkok–Chiang Mai flights run about an hour, and you'll get temples, night markets, and (seasonally) elephant sanctuaries instead of islands.
Budget breakdown (per person, mid-range)
Category | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
Return flights (Delhi/Mumbai–Bangkok) | ₹28,000–₹40,000 |
Domestic flight (Bangkok–Phuket, return) | ₹4,000–₹8,000 |
Accommodation (7 nights, 3–4 star) | ₹18,000–₹28,000 |
Food | ₹6,000–₹9,000 |
Local transport (Grab, ferries, tuk-tuks) | ₹4,000–₹6,000 |
Activities (islands, temples, markets) | ₹6,000–₹10,000 |
Total | ₹66,000–₹1,01,000 |
Travelling as a couple or a group of four brings the per-person cost down noticeably, since accommodation and private transfers get split.
Practical tips
Currency: Thai Baht (THB). Airport exchange rates are poor — withdraw from a local ATM or exchange at a Superrich counter in the city instead.
SIM/eSIM: Pick up a tourist SIM at the airport (AIS or True Move, roughly ₹700–₹1,200 for 8 days of data) or an eSIM before you fly.
Getting around: Grab (Southeast Asia's ride-hailing app) works well in Bangkok and Phuket; download it before you land.
Dress code: Cover shoulders and knees when visiting the Grand Palace and major temples — sarongs are sold at the entrance if you forget.
If you're also weighing a Vietnam trip, our Vietnam itinerary guide covers a similar 7–10 day window with a different pace. And if 30 days visa-free has you considering other easy-entry countries, our visa-free countries guide is worth a look before you lock in dates.
Once you know your dates, you can build and tweak this exact route — including live flight and hotel prices — in a few minutes with Zippy Trips' AI planner, instead of juggling five browser tabs.
FAQs
Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
No visa is required for stays up to 30 days for tourism, but you must complete the free TDAC online before arrival. Confirm the current stay limit before booking, as this policy has changed more than once in 2026.
How many days are enough for Thailand from India?
7 days is enough for one city plus one beach or hill destination (e.g., Bangkok + Phuket). If you want to add Chiang Mai or the Krabi/Ao Nang coast as well, plan for 10–12 days.
Is Bangkok or Phuket better for a first trip?
Neither — most first-time visitors do both. Bangkok covers culture, food, and shopping; Phuket (or Krabi) covers beaches and islands. Splitting your week roughly 3:4 or 4:3 between them works well.
What's the cheapest time to fly from India to Thailand?
August tends to have the lowest fares, with February also relatively affordable. December and the Diwali period are the most expensive due to peak holiday demand.
Do I need travel insurance for Thailand?
It isn't mandatory for Indian passport holders, but it's strongly recommended given the cost of medical treatment and the popularity of activities like scuba diving and scooter rentals.