When to Visit Isaan?
The best time to visit Isaan is from November to January when the weather is cooler and less humid due to Thailand's climate, making it much more enjoyable to explore the beautiful outdoors of Isaan.
That said, Thailand has suffered a lot from air pollution in recent years due to the burning season, especially in Isaan and the north. Thankfully, it usually begins in January onward so you can still stick to the recommended period.
March to April are the hottest and most humid periods of the year, so if you can't handle the heat very well, avoid visiting during this time. The air quality may be slightly better during this period, but it's not guaranteed.
The rest of the year is considered the rainy season, which can also be a wonderful time to visit Isaan. The weather is a bit more manageable than in the summer months, the rain helps improve air quality, and the waterfalls are at their fullest with flowers blooming all around.
That said, there is also a risk of flooding during this period, so you will need to plan carefully. I made this trip in July and had a great experience, though there were several days when it rained non-stop. In August, however, many provinces in Isaan tend to flood as the Mekong River rises, so that month might be best avoided.
How to Get to Thailand?
Every trip to Thailand starts in the capital city, Bangkok. Since Bangkok is one of the largest hubs in the region, you should have no trouble finding a flight from your home country to Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Muang International Airport (budget airlines only), in Thailand.
From the US, unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Bangkok. So, you will have to rely on transit flights by Emirates, Qatar, or Turkish Airlines from the East Coast, or ANA Airlines or Korean Air from the West Coast.
From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Thai Airways or local carriers such as British Airways, Air France, or Lufthansa to Bangkok. From there, you can fly domestically to Chiang Mai. You can also choose to travel with Etihad, Qatar, or Emirates if you don't mind transiting.
From within Asia, there are several low-cost airlines offering multiple routes from many hub cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Jakarta to Bangkok. AirAsia is a great option as they have the most connections to Bangkok from around Asia.
To find a cheap flight to Bangkok, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get Around Isaan?
By Car: For this itinerary, I highly recommend you rent a car and drive. It is the most comfortable way to get around, and you can rent one straight from the airports in Bangkok and elsewhere for around 700 - 1500 THB. To rent a car in Thailand, you can book via DiscoverCars.
By Motorbike: This option is only recommended if you are an experienced rider and know exactly what you are getting yourself into. Renting a motorbike is cheap, but keep in mind that you will be riding on highways for most of this itinerary, and you will be exposed to the sun and rain, which can be very extreme in Isaan. It’s not going to be a comfortable experience, but if you insist, expect to pay around 300–350 THB per day. You should have no problem finding plenty of rental shops in Bangkok.
Note: Technically, you can reach many of these provinces by bus or train, but you will still need to rent a car once you arrive, as tourist attractions are spread out and public transportation to them is virtually non-existent. Many of these provinces don't even have car rental places, so you’ll be better off simply renting a car in Bangkok and driving to Isaan. This way, you’ll have time to get used to the car before you arrive and begin your journey.
How Much Money Do I Need For Isaan?
| 🛌 Lodging: | 15 USD/Day |
| 🥘 Food: | 6 USD/Day |
| 🚗 Car Rental: | 46.25 USD |
| 🧗 Activities: | 3.125 USD/Day |
| 💰 Average Budget: | 70.37 USD/Day |
Is it Safe in Isaan?
Although Thailand is generally safe and the people are very friendly, especially in the Isaan region, it is always a good idea to take the usual precautions you would when traveling in any other foreign country. Do not leave your belongings unattended and keep an eye on them at all times.
If you are planning to ride a scooter around Isaan, make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. If you are not an experienced rider, I would not recommend it. Most of the time you will be driving on highways, and the heat and rain can be extreme throughout the year. To be honest, you are unlikely to enjoy the trip very much. I recommend renting a car instead.
Either way, since you will be driving on Thai roads, it is my duty as a Thai to warn you that we are not exactly the best drivers in the world. The roads themselves are generally good, but people often drive recklessly, especially in the countryside, where there seems to be little regard for safety, even their own.
So be extra cautious on the road. My tip is to always drive defensively: if you see someone pulling out of a small soi, assume they will cut you off even if you are in the far lane, because more often than not they will do exactly that just to reach the nearest U-turn. Drive defensively, and you should be fine!
Which tourist SIM card is best for Thailand?
There are 3 major carriers in Thailand: AIS, DTAC, and True. All of them offer a pretty similar range of traveler's packages as well as coverage. Personally, I use AIS as I have been with them since my first phone. They have a lot of Support Centers around Thailand, and their coverage hasn't failed me yet. So, if you are looking for a reliable carrier, I can recommend AIS.
There are 3 packages for tourists: 5 GB for 5 days at 160 THB, 15 GB for 8 days at 299 THB, and 30 GB for 15 days. Depending on how long your trip to Thailand will be, you can pick one of these 3 packages that fits your itinerary the most.
With these three packages, you can top up more in case you need additional data or calls for your trip. More often than not, 5 GB is more than enough for me to travel around Thailand for a month.
For more information about Thailand's local SIM card: Thailand's Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Isaan, Thailand?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Northeastern Thailand:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.