Thailand with Kids: Best Time to Visit
When is the best time to visit Thailand with kids?
It’s one of the first questions you’ll ask when planning a family trip to Thailand. And while you’ll often hear November to February recommended, the answer is actually a little more complicated.
Thailand is a big country, and the weather in Chiang Mai can be very different from the weather on Koh Tao. Phuket has a different rainy season from Koh Samui, too.
We’ve travelled through Thailand with our children in April and May, so we’ve experienced the heat ourselves. And although it was definitely hot, we found it surprisingly manageable.
So rather than simply telling you which months to avoid, let’s look at when is the best time to visit each part of Thailand with kids.
The Best Time to Visit Thailand with Kids
Thailand has three broad seasons:
- Cool and dry: November to February
- Hot: March to May
- Rainy: June to October
For a first trip, November to February is generally the easiest period. Temperatures are more comfortable and many parts of the country experience their driest weather.
But that doesn’t mean you need to restrict your family holiday to these four months.
If you can only travel during the school holidays, Thailand can still be a fantastic choice.
We’ve done it ourselves.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Northern Thailand?
If your itinerary includes Northern Thailand, November to February is generally the most comfortable period.
The days are warm without the intense heat you’ll experience later in the year, making it a lovely time to explore temples, markets and the countryside.
And one of the places we particularly enjoyed was Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai immediately felt different from Bangkok.
Where Bangkok is busy, loud and energetic, Chiang Mai felt calmer and more relaxed. The city is surrounded by mountains and filled with beautiful temples, colourful markets and little restaurants.
The cooler months are ideal for exploring on foot and taking trips into the surrounding countryside.
You’ll find plenty of ideas for a family visit in our Chiang Mai with Kids guide.
If you’re considering March and April, however, there is another factor to consider besides the heat: air quality.
The annual burning season can affect northern Thailand, particularly around March and April. Families should check the current air-quality situation before travelling during this period.
What About Bangkok with Kids?
Bangkok is a destination you can visit throughout the year.
But if you have a choice, the cooler months make exploring the city more comfortable.
And you’ll want that extra comfort when navigating Bangkok’s busy streets.
For us, crossing the road sometimes felt like an Olympic sport. Cars, scooters and tuk-tuks don’t always seem to agree that a pedestrian crossing means pedestrians should actually be allowed to cross!
There is so much to see and do in Bangkok with children, so don’t try to squeeze everything into one day.
Our Bangkok with Kids guide shares some of our favourite family experiences in the city.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Southern Thailand?
Southern Thailand is where things get interesting.
The country has two very different coastlines:
The Andaman Coast includes Phuket and Koh Yao Noi.
The Gulf of Thailand includes Koh Samui and Koh Tao.
Their weather patterns aren’t identical, so choosing the right island can make a big difference to your holiday.
Phuket and Koh Yao Noi: The Andaman Coast
For Phuket and Koh Yao Noi, the generally drier period is November to April.
This is also when you’ll find the most popular beach weather, particularly between December and February.
Phuket is a particularly easy choice for families because there are plenty of resorts, restaurants, beaches and activities. You can make your holiday as busy or relaxed as you like.
Our Phuket with Kids guide covers more of what makes the island such a convenient family destination.
If you’re looking for something quieter, Koh Yao Noi offers a completely different experience.
It’s greener, slower and much more laid-back than Phuket. We loved the idea of slowing down here after spending time exploring Thailand’s busier destinations.
The island is also a great option if you want to experience a quieter side of Thai island life. You’ll find more ideas in our Koh Yao Noi with Kids guide.
Koh Samui and Koh Tao: The Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf islands follow a different weather pattern.
Koh Samui generally has its wetter period later in the year, making December to April a popular time for a family beach holiday.
The island offers plenty of family-friendly accommodation and activities, making it an easy addition to a Thailand itinerary.
If you’re considering it, our Koh Samui with Kids guide takes you through what to expect.
Further along the Gulf coast, you’ll find Koh Tao.
Koh Tao is smaller and has a more relaxed island atmosphere. It’s particularly well known for its beaches and underwater world, but you don’t need to be a diver to enjoy it with children.
The weather is generally more favourable from February through September, with more rain towards the end of the year.
We loved our time there, and our Koh Tao with Kids guide shares more about our experience.
What About Visiting Thailand in April and May?
This is where we can speak from experience.
We visited Thailand with our children in April and May.
And yes, it was hot.
Very hot.
But we honestly found it very doable.
We simply adjusted our days.
We’d get out earlier, avoid spending hours walking around in the middle of the afternoon and make sure there was time for swimming, relaxing and cooling down.
Once you get used to the temperatures, it doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying the country.
In fact, having a hotel with a swimming pool became one of our favourite things.
So if you’re looking at Thailand because the April or May school holidays are your only opportunity, we wouldn’t let the heat put you off.
Just plan around it rather than fighting it.
And Then There’s Songkran
April also brings Songkran, the Thai New Year.
And for children, this can be incredibly fun.
Thailand turns into one enormous water fight, with people throwing water from buckets, hoses and water guns.
When it’s 35°C outside, getting completely soaked suddenly seems like an excellent idea.
Just protect your phone and camera.
And don’t bother trying to stay dry.
You won’t.
What About Thailand During the Rainy Season?
June to October is generally the rainy season in much of Thailand.
But rainy season doesn’t mean that it rains all day.
You can have beautiful sunshine followed by a heavy tropical shower and then sunshine again.
The upside is that there are generally fewer tourists, prices can be lower and the landscapes become incredibly green.
For families travelling during the summer holidays, I’d look at the weather per destination rather than ruling out Thailand completely.
A little flexibility can go a long way.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Thailand During the School Holidays?
This is probably more important for families than finding the theoretically perfect month.
Christmas holidays
This is one of the best periods weather-wise, particularly if you’re heading south.
But it is also peak season, so expect more tourists and higher prices.
April and May
Hot, but absolutely manageable in our experience.
April also gives you the opportunity to experience Songkran.
Summer holidays
June, July and August can bring rain, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fantastic trip.
If you’re flexible about where you go, you can build an itinerary that works with the regional weather patterns.
So, What Is the Best Time to Visit Thailand with Kids?
If you’re looking for the easiest answer, November to February is a great choice.
But after travelling through Thailand with our own children, we wouldn’t say that these are the only months worth considering.
We visited in April and May and found the heat very doable.
The important thing is understanding where you’re going.
For Northern Thailand and Chiang Mai, the cooler months are generally the most comfortable.
For Phuket and Koh Yao Noi, November to April is usually the better beach period.
For Koh Samui, December to April is worth considering.
And for Koh Tao, February to September can offer good conditions.
That’s why we think the best approach is to plan your route first and then look at the weather for those specific destinations.
If you’re still working out where to go, our [Thailand With Kids: The Ultimate Family Travel Guide] is a great place to start. It brings together the practical information, destinations and family tips you’ll need before putting your route together.
Once you know which places you want to visit, our [2-week Thailand itinerary] can help you turn those ideas into a realistic family trip.
What to Pack for Thailand with Kids
Thailand is hot and humid for much of the year, so packing light is definitely the way to go.
Think lightweight clothes, swimwear, comfortable shoes, sunscreen and mosquito protection.
If you’re travelling during the rainy season, add a lightweight rain jacket. And don’t forget something suitable for temples, where shoulders and knees should generally be covered.
We also found that keeping everyone’s clothes organised was particularly useful when moving between destinations. Our packing cubes have become one of those travel essentials we don’t leave home without. Everyone can have their own cube, making it much easier to find clothes without having to unpack the entire suitcase every time you change hotels.
You can find our [favourite packing cubes in the Travelicious webshop] if you want to organise your family’s luggage a little more easily.
And if you’re looking for a complete list of what to take, our [Thailand packing guide] covers everything we’d recommend for a family trip.
Don’t Forget the Food
One of the things we loved most about travelling through Thailand was the food.
And travelling with children doesn’t mean you have to stick to familiar food.
Pad Thai, satay, curries, mango sticky rice and fresh fruit all became part of our Thailand adventure.
Some dishes were instant favourites.
Others got a polite:
“I’ll try it… but I’m not having that again.”
That’s travelling with kids!
If you’re wondering what you should order, our [Thailand Food Guide: 25 Must-Try Thai Dishes] is packed with dishes worth looking out for.
Thailand Is Worth Visiting Beyond the “Perfect” Season
If you take anything away from this guide, let it be this:
Don’t get too hung up on finding the perfect month.
Yes, November to February generally offers the easiest weather.
But we’ve travelled through Thailand in April and May with our children and had a fantastic time.
It was hot, but completely manageable.
And sometimes the weather becomes part of the adventure.
A sudden tropical shower.
A swim after a hot day exploring.
Getting soaked during Songkran.
Finding a tiny restaurant and escaping the afternoon heat over a plate of Pad Thai.
Those are the moments that make a family trip memorable.
So choose the time that works for your family, look at the weather for the regions you want to visit, and don’t be afraid of a little tropical rain.
Thailand is an incredible family destination — whatever month you choose to visit.
Not Sure How to Put Your Thailand Trip Together?
Knowing when to go is one thing. Figuring out where to go, how long to stay and how to make it all work with kids is another.
If you’re dreaming of Thailand but don’t know where to start, I can plan your itinerary for you.
Tell me when you’re travelling, who is coming along, what your family enjoys and what you’d rather skip, and I’ll help you create a family-friendly Thailand itinerary that fits your family and your travel style.
Less time researching.
Less stress trying to fit everything together.
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Because you shouldn’t need to spend weeks planning your family holiday before you can start getting excited about it.