Is it easy to travel around Thailand with suitcases while visiting Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui, and is it worth renting a car?

Sep 4, 2022
2 years ago
Jenny ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it easy to travel around to different places with suitcases phuket, krabi, chaing mai, koh samui?

& is it worth renting a car ?

(Travelling with 2 children)

If so can anyone reccomend a company?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Traveling around Thailand with suitcases can be challenging, especially in regions like Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui, due to limited space in taxis and public transportation. It is suggested to pack light and consider using backpacks for easier mobility. Renting a car may be worthwhile for visiting places with difficult access, though driving in Thailand can be stressful due to local driving habits. Alternatives like the Grab app are recommended for convenient local transport. Families with children should assess their tolerance for public transport versus renting a car.
Zap **********
How long in each place? Same accomodation in each place? Flights between destinations?
Zap **********
Jenny feel free to send me DM and I can help you sort out your plans
Jenny ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michelle ***********
messaged you thank you !
Jenny ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michelle ***********
we are looking at spending 60 days In Thailand

And we are not sure trying to research the areas to see what they are like and how long to spend in one area. And in regards to flights in-between destinations we've heard this can be quite expensive
Jim ********
1 suitcase and 1 backpack if you like to put your clothes in a suitcase and laptop in a backpack with other personal items.
Terary **********
Children make it a difficult call to make. If your children are content riding in the back of trucks, waiting in line for bus tickets, etc. Public transportation will do. Otherwise, renting a car seems like a good idea.

I have traveled by train a couple of times, I would do it again.
Ben *****
Honestly you should be fine and tourists do it all the time (just get the larger SUV option for grab) but I do agree there's really no need to pack a lot of things. As for driving, I've been living/driving in thailand for 6 years now and I really wouldn't recommend it. 😕
Jenny ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ben ****
thank you thats good to know !

if you wouldn't mind me asking why would you not reccomend it?
Ben *****
Also when traveling to Krabi I recommend you store your stuff in Phuket since they're so close to each other. You can pack light and go for a few days.
Ben *****
@Jenny *****
Thai drivers are notorious for excessive speeding, tailgating, and not following traffic rules...plus you have motorbikes swarming around all over the place and they always have the right of way (since youre in a larger vehicle and you're a foreigner). I'm used to it now, but it still stresses me out sometimes when I drive. I honestly don't see any reason for a tourist to ever rent a car in Thailand since taxi and private car services are so cheap (compared to western countries).
Cory **********
I would say no on suitcases if you want to travel all over. Switch to backpacks. A million times easier. Each person can get their own backpack. Pack light and enjoy the trip so much better. Don’t need a ton of clothes easy to wash clothes everywhere.

“Grab” app is great. I live in chaing mai it’s 100-150 baht to get around the city and use the app. Cheaper compared to TUK TUK. I get tons of groceries every 2 weeks load up their car they are always friendly. I tip them well becuase I waste 5 minutes loading and unloading stuff.

If you want to rent a car Booking .com has good rates for cars. I rented a car for a week it was a lot of fun. I smashed the car into a pole and didn’t have insurance. 3 panels needed to be sanded down and painted. A local small body shop did it for 2000 baht in a small village. Took a few hours. Looked brand new. So saved a lot of money. If returned it damaged they may have charged me a lot more.

Chiang mai has some really cool mountains so maybe worth renting a car if you want to see 100 waterfalls. Elephant tours just pick you up from the hotel.
Steve *******
@Cory *******
I would also agree with that. Backpacks so much easier. You don't need to bring much as almost everything is available in Thailand. Just travel light and make it easy. And by the way I'm not some young backpacker I'm 66 and still travel this way.
Jenny ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
what kind of backpacks do you mean like the really big ones? Are they still classed a hand luggage and have a 3 year old and 8 year old
Cory **********
@Jenny *****
I use Osprey and they last forever with a lifetime guarantee. I got a free one after a rip happen. Mine is 48 liters “EXO” and my wife is 38 liters. Both light weight versions of their other packs why we use them. Makes adventure and traveling so easy. I tried suitcases in the past and annoying. They are both carry on but some airlines still have weightlimits.
Cory **********
At the time of this picture they were only filled 50% They can handle a lot.
Jenny ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cory *******
thank you that's very helpful we were struggling on deciding where to visit and how easy it would be to get around so that helps alot thank you 😊
Dave *********
@Jenny *****
most hotels have a storage room where u could store some suitcases for a few days or weeks. Then pack lightly w backpacks and leave the rest luggage for pickup later.
Stuart *********
Depends on which mode of transport you’re meaning and how many suitcases you have.

Many taxis have converted to gas, so have a gas tank in their boot. Possibly able to get one suitcase in there but no more. Bus or train no issue. Plane you may have to pay extra - sometimes as much as the actual ticket price.

Pavements / Sidewalks in many places are not wheel friendly.
Jenny ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
hello it will be 3 suitcases for the 4 of us so may have trouble with this.

Thank you so much for commenting just trying to plan how we are going to travel around and see all aroubd thailand
Jenny ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Great thank you!

We can't wait to explore just sorting a visa out for 60 days !!! For october
Stuart *********
@Jenny *****
Using something like Grab for taxis you can order a 7 seater (obviously a bit more expensive than a regular cab) but that will alleviate the space issue.
Bernhard **************
Yes
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