🇹🇭 Thailand
60 days visa-free — but the arrival card is now compulsory.
Thailand gives Australians a generous 60-day visa exemption, extendable by another 30 days. The change that trips people up is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, compulsory since May 2025 and free — as long as you use the official site rather than one of the many paid copies.
Your Thailand trip setup
22 things Australians need to sort. Tick them off as you go.
Entry requirements
Visa exemption (visa-free)Up to 60 days View detailsConnectivity
Compare 8 plansFrom $5 Compare eSIMsTravel insurance
Compare 5 policysFrom $19 Compare insuranceMoney & payments
Compare 5 cards0.43% – 0.65% conversion fee Compare cardsAirport transfer
BKK → BangkokFrom $2 Compare optionsDriving
IDP requiredDrives on the left Compare car hireTravel essentials
Adapter type A/B/CTap water: not safe to drink View guideThings to do
Compare 5 experiencesFrom $45 Explore activitiesThailand at a glance for Australians
Best time to visit
November – February (cool, dry season)
March – May is very hot; the Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) have a different wet season, peaking in November.
9h 20m from Sydney (direct)
Health & safety
Smartraveller: Exercise a high degree of caution
No reciprocal agreement. Private hospitals in Bangkok and Phuket are excellent but expect payment upfront or a direct guarantee from your insurer.
Emergency: 191 police / 1669 ambulance
Money
Hotels, malls and mid-range restaurants take cards. Street food, markets, songthaews and small guesthouses are cash.
Everywhere, but every Thai ATM charges a flat THB 220 (about AUD $10) foreign card fee on top of your bank's. Withdraw large amounts less often.
Tipping: Not traditionally expected. Rounding up a taxi fare or leaving ฿20 – ฿100 is appreciated. Hotels and upmarket restaurants often add a 10% service charge plus 7% VAT.
Language & culture
Thai
English: Good in tourist areas and hotels, limited elsewhere
Capital: Bangkok
Australian dollar to Thai baht
฿23.4 THB per AUD
Last recorded rate
These are mid-market rates — the rate banks trade at, published by the European Central Bank. It is not what you will be offered. Expect a card or exchange service to take 0.5% to 5% off it, which is exactly what our travel money comparison is for. Past movement doesn't predict future rates, and none of this is financial advice.
View the numbers as a table
Where Australians go in Thailand
Bangkok
Phuket
Chiang Mai
Koh Samui
Krabi
Thailand FAQs for Australian travellers
Do Australians need a visa for Thailand?
No. Australian passport holders get a free 60-day visa exemption on arrival, which can be extended once by 30 days at a Thai immigration office. You do need to complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before you arrive.
Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card free?
Yes, completely free at tdac.immigration.go.th. It's been compulsory since 1 May 2025. Many lookalike websites charge AUD $20 – $60 to submit the same free form — check the URL carefully.
Can I ride a scooter in Thailand on my Australian licence?
Only with a motorcycle class on your Australian licence plus a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit obtained in Australia. Without both you're riding illegally, and virtually every Australian travel insurance policy will decline a resulting claim.
Can you drink tap water in Thailand?
No. Stick to bottled or filtered water. Ice in restaurants and bars is usually commercially produced and safe.
How much are Thai ATM fees for Australians?
Every Thai ATM charges a flat THB 220 (around AUD $10) fee on foreign cards, on top of anything your Australian bank charges. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently, or use a card that reimburses ATM fees.
Is vaping legal in Thailand?
No. E-cigarettes and vaping products are banned in Thailand. They can be confiscated at the airport and possession carries fines.
Watching Thailand?
We'll email you if the visa, arrival card or entry fee rules change for Australian passport holders travelling to Thailand.