We get asked so much in our DMs whether thailand is actually safe for solo female travellers, and the short answer is an absolute, massive YES! It is genuinely the perfect place to start your solo travel journey and push your comfort zone. Here is our honest guide to navigating thailand safely, from the best islands to explore to the specific things you need to watch out for as a solo gal. We’ve thought of everything so you can just focus on soaking up the vibes!
is thailand safe for solo female travellers? our honest 2026 guide
okay so here’s the tea from gals who have actually been!! thailand is one of those places that nearly everyone falls in love with and tbh we have been utterly obsessed with it ever since we first landed and it's why it was the second trip we ever launched at gals who travel!! The street food, the beaches, the gorgeous islands, the magical sunsets, and the beach bars and slow living everything about it is just incredible.
We get asked so much in our DMs whether thailand is actually safe for solo female travellers, and the short answer is an absolute, massive YES! It is genuinely the perfect place to start your solo travel journey and push your comfort zone. Here is our honest guide to navigating thailand safely, from the best islands to explore to the specific things you need to watch out for as a solo gal. We’ve thought of everything so you can just focus on soaking up the vibes!
is thailand safe to travel to?
yes, 100%! thailand is amazing and there is SO much to explore. The local culture is built on warmth and hospitality, and serious crime against tourists is incredibly rare. Like anywhere else in the world, there are definitely bits and bobs to look out for and things to keep in mind, but on the whole, thailand is a total dream destination for women exploring on their own.
how to stay safe in thailand (our top insider tips)
- ditch the unmetered taxis: download the grab app (it’s southeast asia’s version of uber). It gives you fair, transparent pricing so you don’t have to haggle with unmetered tuk-tuks or taxis when you're out by yourself. If you do take a local tuk-tuk for the experience, always agree on a price upfront and never feel bad walking away if it feels off!
- keep tabs on your drinks: when you’re enjoying the beach bars or busy nightlife spots, always keep an eye on your glass. If you're out with a group or people you've just met at a hostel, it’s easy to get separated in the crowds, so keep your wits about you.
- check your insurance fine print: make sure your travel insurance covers you for things like riding scooters or doing watersports.
- respect the local culture: when visiting the beautiful temples, make sure to cover your shoulders and knees, and always take your shoes off before entering.
- pack a dry bag: a total lifesaver for island-hopping days! It keeps your phone, cash, and camera completely dry and safe from sand on longtail boats and beaches.
- get an esim!!! it makes everything so much easier from the minute you touch down!!! use Airalo and use our code GALS20 for 20% off your first esim!
the best places to visit in thailand as a solo gal
phuket
Most first-time backpackers or travellers land here, and it's a brilliant, easy base to get your bearings!!! Phuket ranges from the super hectic nightlife of Patong to the much quieter, gorgeous stretches of Kata and Karon (which is exactly where you’ll find us!). whether you just want a sunset cocktail on a a gorgeous sandy beach or you want to head out to listen to some music and explore, phuket is a great place to visit for it all!!
khao sok national park
OUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THAILAND!!! if we can influence you to visit 1 place in thailand it has to be khao sok national park!! it's the absoloute highlight of our gals who travel thailand trip!! Swap the sand for the rainforest for a few days.. rust us, it is worth it. Khao Sok is home to an ancient jungle, massive limestone cliffs, and a hidden lake scattered with floating bamboo bungalows. This is one of our absolute favourite spots on our gals who travel thailand paradise tour. This place is pure magic. Imagine waking up at sunrise, jumping straight into a kayak with your new besties, and swimming in one of the most stunning spots in the world... it honestly doesn't get better than this! P.S some of our gals have seen wild elephants here whilst kayaking!!! big pinch me moment!!
ao nang / railay beach
If you want a slightly calmer alternative to Phuket, Ao Nang sits right on the Krabi coast surrounded by dramatic cliffs. It's perfect for rock climbing and gives you super easy boat access to nearby islands. It’s a great spot for girls who want a slower, more intentional pace without losing that fun, gals trip vibe!! it reminds us a little bit of pai in thailand with it's quirky beach bars and slow pace of life. everywhere in railay is walkable and there's so much to do!! we'd recommend 2-3 days here at least on your thailand trip!!
phi phi islands
The absolute postcard definition of paradise!! Think maya bay (famous from leo dicaprio's film the beach), stunning turquoise waters, long tail boats and some of best norkelling you've ever experienced!! It is a bit of a party island, evenings can be spent watching a fire show on a bean bag on the beach, dancing under the stars at beach parties or just grabbing some ice cream and street food and relaxing by your hotel pool. phi phi has some fun, quirky cool bars and we'd recommend it 100% if you're looking to let your hair down, live your best island beach life and see incredible bucket list views!!
nervous about all the travel and sorting yourself.. dw gal we completely get it!
Thailand is huge, and we don’t blame you one bit if you feel a little overwhelmed trying to plan it all yourself. There’s the jungle, the islands, the busy cities, and endless coastlines to map out.
That is exactly why we created our gals who travel thailand trip. the perfect route, a group of like minded gals in their 20's and 30's and all your accommodation, activites, transport sorted. even the best restaurants to visit, the best sunset spots and shops for cute bikinis and sarongs!!! our local guides have got you!!
thailand solo travel FAQs
is thailand safe for women's group trips?
Yes, it is honestly one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in Southeast Asia!!! a must visit on every backpackers bucket list, the locals are incredibly respectful, friendly and it's one of the easiest places to get around!!
what's the biggest safety risk in thailand?
The roads and scooters, not crime! Scooter accidents are the most common issue for tourists. If you’re inexperienced, avoid renting a bike completely. use grab to get around, or organised group transfers instead!! it's not worth the risk, especially when repuatable transport is cheap and easily accessible!!!
what should i wear when visiting the temples in thailand?
Keep your shoulders and knees covered, and slip your shoes off before walking inside. If you're caught out in your beach clothes, don't panicmost major temples have sarongs you can borrow or rent at the entrance for a few baht but we'd recommend planning ahead. it's incredibly important to be respectful of the culture in thailand when visiting temples or religious places. long skirts and sarongs are always a win!!!
should i take a solo trip or book a group trip for thailand?
Both are amazing, but a gals who travel trip completely takes away all your worries of sorting anything out, meeting people and missing out on the best spots!! You get all the fun of a gorgeous tropical holiday without doing any the booking, or worrying!! Type A girls who spend the whole year working hard and stressing we’ve got you. Consider this your permission to take a well-deserved break!
consider this your sign!
If thailand has been sitting on your vision board for months, stop waiting for your friends' schedules to clear up, come join us!! most of our groups are between 15-20 gals and all gals are in their 20s and 30s so you'll have some amazing women to travel with!!
if you have any questions pop us a message on our live chat, drop us an email at galswho@trutravels.com or DM us on instagram!!!
see you at the welcome dinner!!!
