If you need to minimize the budget for your vacation, Thailand may be the place for you. With a favorable exchange rate and an uncomplicated tourist visa policy, the country has become an attractive destination for travelers. You can save even more by defining the cheapest time to travel to Thailand.

Thailand – The country of golden temples

1. Travel Arrangements

The price of airline tickets to Thailand fluctuates tremendously from one season to the next. To find the most affordable rate for your vacation, book in a less-crowded mid-week rather than a weekend. Even the time of day that you look for flights can impact the ticket price. Airlines release new fares in the middle of the night during the week, so staying up late create a chance of booking the cheapest one.

2. Cheapest Months

Tourists flock to Thailand during the dry summer months, between October and February, but you can save money during the rainy season, which falls between March and September (except for April because of Thailand’s biggest festival – Songkran)

Thailand in March

Temperatures start to ramp up in March throughout Thailand, and while the weather is still dry, some may find the heat uncomfortable in the Central and Northern regions. In Bangkok, average temperatures are usually between the mid-20s and mid -30s. Northern and Northeastern Thailand is blighted by a gritty and uncomfortable haze from the farmers who burn their fields in preparation for the new season.

The pristine beauty of Koh Tao island

March is a great time to visit the islands and the Southern part of Thailand – particularly the Gulf islands of Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in the Southeast where temperatures are marginally cooler than the rest of the country (up to a maximum of around 32° Celsius). As peak season ends in March, you can also enjoy quieter resorts and beaches during this period. It’s always worth booking well in advance for Thailand in March to take advantage of any price deals on flights and hotels.

Thailand in May

The rainy season begins to rear its head in May and towards the end of the month, temperatures start to drop and the rains start to sweep in. Temperatures in Bangkok and Chiang Mai will still be around 25-34° Celsius in May. Prices begin to drop off in May for the first point in the year, as the rain deters many holidaymakers from Thailand during this time. If you’re happy to put up with the rain, you can score some great deals in May.

Thailand in June

The rains continue in June. In many places, the rain will marginally lessen from May. The chance of rain throughout the country increases towards the end of the month. Average temperatures for Thailand in June are from 27 to 32 Celsius. You will find the average temperatures slightly cooler than the month before. June marks the start of the jungle trekking season in Thailand. If you want to avoid the rain, your best bet is to head to the Gulf islands of Koh Samui, Phangan and Tao which receive much less rain than anywhere else in June. As June is headed towards off-peak season, prices for flights and hotels are likely to be lowest.

Thailand in July

The rain steps up a little more in July while the average daily temperature will drop to around the late 20s Celsius. The East and the North are particularly wet during July, so it may be worth investing in a waterproof poncho if you’re venturing to Chiang Mai or Koh Chang. If you still fancy checking in the islands, you should head to the Gulf and Koh Samui, Phangan and Tao, which are marginally less wet than those in the Southwest.

July is the off-peak season in Thailand so prices are comparatively lower than during the rest of the year and you can score hotel deals easily. The school summer holidays in Europe start in July, so it may be worth booking flights well in advance.

Thailand in August

Thailand in August is truly wet and not many corners of the country can escape the rains. For the North, Northeast and the East, this is the peak of the rainy season and you can expect to see rain more or less every day. In the cities, Bangkok and Chiang Mai are likely to suffer from street flooding, although temperatures continue to hover around the mid-20s to early 30s Celsius. Again, the Gulf islands of Samui, Phangan and Tao are your best respite from the rain during August, while Phuket and Krabi in the Southwest are still pretty wet. It’s off-peak season, so hotel prices throughout the country are around their cheapest.

Thailand in September

As the rains begin to temper in the North, East and South, Bangkok and the Central regions are at their peak rainy during September. Average temperatures throughout the country hover from mid-20s to early 30s Celsius. Chiang Mai is likely to be dryer than Bangkok during September so it is worth visiting although you still expect some rain as the monsoons begin to move out.

Chiang Mai looks like a heaven on land

Again, Koh Samui, Phangan and Tao will be the driest, while Phuket and the area surrounding it in the Southwest is likely to be pretty rainy. Your best bet for dry beaches is Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan on the West coast of the Gulf, around a two-hour drive from Bangkok. In September, prices are low and the summer holiday crowds begin to thin out too.