Best Time to Visit Thailand from New Zealand: What to do, weather, visas, and more

Stunning white beaches, amazing food, friendly people and vibrant cities - Thailand has it all. In Thailand the temperature remains relatively stable year round, but the monsoon seasons do see heavy rains which can be disruptive if you’ve planned a beach break.

Wondering when is the best time to visit Thailand from New Zealand? This guide walks through the things to do in Thailand month by month, looking at weather, festivals, flight prices and more, to help you choose the right time for your trip. We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way to spend internationally.

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When is the best time to visit Thailand What to do in Thailand Planning a trip to Thailand Visiting Thailand soon? Prepare Thailand Baht (THB) for your holiday with Wise

When is the best time to visit Thailand from New Zealand

The best time for New Zealanders to visit Thailand is during the dry season from November to February. This window not only offers the best weather in Thailand but also aligns perfectly with the Kiwi summer holidays, making it ideal for a sunny getaway.

In Thailand, places to visit include highland areas, islands, cities and mainland coastal resorts. This sheer variety means that it’s a year round destination, and when the best time to travel to Thailand is solely depends on your preferences. There are distinct wet and dry seasons, but even in the peak of the monsoon you can find great places to go if you’re happy with slightly mixed weather.

Let’s work through some ideas by season, to help you work out the best month to visit Thailand for your perfect trip.

Mild and dry: November to February

November to February is the best time to visit much of Thailand from the perspective of weather - but the relatively mild temperatures and sunny days can also bring crowds and push up the prices in many areas. Book accommodation well in advance if you’re planning on visiting during this popular period.

November: November is the start of the peak season, but early in the month resorts can still be reasonably quiet. This is an ideal time to visit beach areas like Krabi, Phuket and Railay on the west coast. The rains can linger on Koh Samui, making this an area to avoid during November if you can. If you’re thinking of a trip to Thailand for trekking or nature activities, this is a good opportunity to go to Khao Sok National Park, with decent conditions for outdoor activities and lush greenery after the wet season.

December: Glorious weather continues, with beach and island resorts proving popular with visitors from all over the world. Many Kiwis choose Thailand for their Christmas break, which can mean the festive season is particularly busy - make sure you’ve secured all your accommodation bookings well in advance. Flight prices from New Zealand can peak around this period.

January: Wherever you choose to celebrate the New Year in Thailand, the chances are that you’ll have excellent weather and a warm welcome. Depending on how the dates fall, you may also get to experience the Lunar New Year in January, when many areas in Thailand host events, parades and markets. Look out for large celebrations in Bangkok, and also in areas like Phuket Old Town.

February: In some areas the temperatures are starting to rise towards the end of February, but coastal breezes can help keep visitors cool. It’s also a great time to visit Chiang Mai in the highlands, where there’s a 3 day flower festival celebrating the local blooms. While dates vary, this usually takes place starting on the first Friday of the month, and can include decorations, parades and street parties.

Hot and muggy: March to May

The temperatures peak in many areas of the country during these months, but this period is considered to be shoulder season, and still a great time to visit Thailand. You’ll be able to find cheaper deals and quieter beaches, and the rain has not yet arrived in most areas. This is a great time to travel after the summer holiday rush.

March: Temperatures are on the rise throughout Thailand, but southern islands like Koh Samui are a good choice during March for no rain and relatively lower visitor numbers. Beat the heat by getting involved in indoor activities such as cooking classes - or consider heading up to one of the highland areas which can be cooler.

April: The middle of April is Songkran - Thai New Year - which is marked by parades, parties, rituals and huge water fights pretty much throughout the country. The official festival dates are usually 13th - 15th April, but it’s pretty common to find the party lasting far longer in some areas. Songkran is a unique experience, but you might experience some travel disruptions - street parties may also go on long into the night, which can make it tricky to get your beauty sleep.

May: May is firmly shoulder season, which means that flight prices are falling and accommodation in many areas is easier to secure. The good news is that the rains have yet to arrive in most areas - for the best chance of getting great weather, pick one of the Gulf Islands like Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao, which have reliable sunshine and little chance of rain at this point in the year.

Wet season: June to October

The rainy season in Thailand is fairly long, but there are still destinations which are a good choice for trips over the New Zealand winter. You also have the bonus of some of the cheapest flights available year round, and quieter resorts.

June: June kicks off the rainy season, but the eastern side of Thailand sees little rainfall during this month. You might choose a trip to the Gulf Islands - or if you’re thinking of a combination beach and city creak, Hua Hin on the eastern side of Thailand can be a good choice with a powdery beach and plenty of great options for street food, shopping and experiencing the city buzz.

July: School holidays in New Zealand fall in July, which can mean an uptick in visitors, even though the weather isn’t ideal in some areas. Sticking to the start of the month can mean lower visitor numbers - if you’re concerned about wet weather impacting your plans you can also pick a city destination like Bangkok to allow for a mixture of activities including ways to get out of the rain when needed.

August: There’s still the option of visiting the eastern islands like Koh Samui throughout August, if you’re set on a beach break. Rain is likely, but doesn’t tend to be all day, allowing for some time relaxing on the beach. Or, embrace the rain and head to somewhere with plenty of activities like Chiang Mai. August is the peak of the rainy season in northern destinations like Chiang Mai, but you can spend time visiting temples and taking part in cultural activities when the weather isn’t conducive to being outdoors.

September: Flights from New Zealand to Thailand are still usually pretty cheap through September, and the school holiday crowds have abated. This can mean September is a good month for snagging a bargain, but the rains can mean it’s not the right time to visit if you want to simply relax on the beach.

October: Towards the end of October the rain is slowing, and the prices in many destinations in Thailand are still on the lower end. Various festivals take place, including the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, which can give an additional reason to pick this month to visit Thailand if you’re interested in experiencing the local culture.

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What to do in Thailand

Getting excited about your trip? Let’s take a look at what to do in Thailand to give you a head start on planning your itinerary.

Hit the beach

Thailand is famous for its stunning beaches, including quiet island getaways and bustling party resorts. Most people heading to Thailand from New Zealand will spend at least some time on the beach - and the good flight connectivity within the country also makes it pretty easy to include a few days beachside along with time in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or another contrasting destination.

Eat authentic Thai food

Thai food is widely exported - but eating authentic food can take your experience to a whole new level. From street food tours to high end world class restaurants, there’s plenty to choose from - and most cities and tourist areas also offer great cooking classes so you can recreate your dishes at home.

Get up close to elephants

Thailand has a good choice of natural parks for trekking and outdoor activities, which can allow you great wildlife and bird spotting opportunities. Another common activity is to visit an elephant sanctuary to get hands on with helping to feed and wash the residents. Do your research carefully to pick an ethical provider - Chiang Mai has several great choices.

Head to the city

You’re likely to fly through Bangkok for many Thai trips, making it well worth adding in a few days in this vibrant city. Eating, drinking, shopping and soaking in the atmosphere is a perfect way to acclimatise.

Planning a trip to Thailand from New Zealand

Whether you’re planning to hit the beach in Phuket, hang out with elephants in Chiang Mai, or shop til you drop in Bangkok, you’re in for a great trip to Thailand. Before you head off, there are a few practical things to sort out, to make sure your trip goes well - here are some pointers.

Thailand Visa Requirements for New Zealanders

If you have a New Zealand passport, you are entitled to enter Thailand for tourism for up to 30 days without a visa under the Visa Exemption Scheme¹. If you plan to stay longer, you must apply for a visa before you travel from the official e-visa website².

Prior to landing in Thailand you’ll also need to complete the Thai digital arrival card. This can be done up to 3 days before you arrive in Thailand³.

Flights to Thailand from New Zealand

You can fly to Thailand from Auckland (AKL), with direct flights to Bangkok taking around 12 hours. Airlines like Air New Zealand and Thai Airways often service this route directly, while many other carriers like Singapore Airlines and Qantas offer convenient one-stop options.

The cheapest months to travel to Thailand from New Zealand are often during the shoulder seasons (April - May, September - October), when you can find return flights for affordable prices.

Get the most out of your NZD to THB conversions on your holiday with Wise

Manage the costs of your visit to Thailand, with a Wise account and card, to hold and exchange THB alongside your home currency, and to spend with a Wise card as you travel. Wise accounts can hold and exchange 40+ currencies, with mid-market exchange rates and low fees. Avoid foreign transaction fees and keep control of your budget, with just your phone, with an intuitive app and easy in person, online and mobile payments.

Exchange NZD to THB at your desired rate before and during your trip

The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 8x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up NZD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in NZD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

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This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected New Zealand banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://income-climb.live/nz/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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1. Royal Thai Embassy, Wellington
2. Thai e-visa
3. Thai digital arrival card
4. Google Flights