Getting Around Thailand with Kids: Easy Transport Tips (2026)
Getting around Thailand with kids is much easier than most parents expect. With short domestic flights, affordable taxis and reliable private transfers, you can travel comfortably even with a baby or toddler. In this guide, we share the easiest transport options and our honest tips from traveling Thailand as a family.
Traveling around Thailand with kids is very doable when you make smart transport choices. Most families prefer to avoid overnight trains, long-distance buses and crowded minivans with young children and instead focus on comfort and travel time. By combining domestic flights, taxis and private transfers, you can keep travel days short and stress-free.
Quick Summary: Getting Around Thailand with Kids
- ✈️ Flights within Thailand: perfect for long distances
- 🚕 Taxi & Grab: easy and affordable in most tourist areas
- 🚙 Private transfers: our favorite option with kids
- 🛳️ Ferries & boats: ideal for island hopping, preferably in the morning
- 🚘 Rental cars: handy in places like Phuket and Khao Lak
- 🚐 Shared vans / shuttles: cheap, but cramped and not ideal for young kids
- 🚃 Trains: fun with older kids, less practical with babies and toddlers
- 🚶♀️ Strollers & baby carriers: strollers work well in cities, carriers on smaller islands
💡 Crew tip: Use 12Go Asia to compare schedules, prices and travel times for almost all these transport options in one place, it saves a lot of planning stress with kids.
Before we had children, we already traveled through Thailand several times, so we knew that arranging transport was usually quite easy. When we returned as a family, we used that experience to plan smarter. Instead of choosing the cheapest option or adding extra stops, we now focus on the best mix of price, comfort and travel time.
While planning our Thailand itinerary with kids, we noticed that private transfers make a huge difference, especially with a baby or toddler. Where we used to hop on a bus or change trains along the way, we now choose direct routes and door-to-door transport whenever possible. It simply makes traveling through Thailand with kids much more relaxed.
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Flying is often the fastest and easiest way to get around Thailand with children, especially for longer distances. Families can save hours compared to buses or trains, making travel less stressful for babies, toddlers, and older kids.
- 🕒 Quick travel: perfect for routes like Bangkok → Phuket or Bangkok → Chiang Mai
- 👶 Family-friendly fares: infants under 2 travel on a parent’s lap; children often get discounted tickets
- 📅 Flexible schedules: multiple flights per day let you plan around nap times or morning routines
How to book: Check Trip.com for domestic flights in Thailand. It shows schedules, prices, and family-friendly options in one place.
Example route: Fly from Bangkok to Phuket in the morning, then take a short private transfer to Khao Lak. This keeps travel days short and stress-free, which is key when getting around Thailand with kids.
Taxis and Grab rides are the easiest way to get around most Thai cities and tourist areas, especially when traveling with kids. They save time, reduce stress, and are more comfortable than crowded buses or public transport. For families, having mobile data is key for booking Grab, so using an Airalo eSIM (15% discount through our link) ensures you can call or book rides anywhere.
- 🚕 Grab & Taxis: convenient and comfortable for short trips or airport transfers
- 👶 Family-friendly tips: no car seats by default; hold small children on laps for short rides
- 🤏 Tuktuks: fun experience for kids, but not ideal for long rides with babies and toddlers
- 📱 Connectivity tip: with an Airalo eSIM you can easily book Grab and check routes without worrying about roaming
How to book:
- Grab rides can be booked via the Grab app (Airalo eSIM ensures connectivity)
- Tuktuks are usually booked on the spot and are quite cheap
Example: In Phuket or Krabi, use Grab for airport-to-hotel transfers or short city trips. Tuktuks are great for a quick 5–10 minute ride around town, but avoid longer rides with babies or toddlers.
Private transfers are our favorite way to get around Thailand with children. They are a bit more expensive in general, but comfortable, predictable, and remove almost all stress from travel days, especially when you’re traveling with a baby or toddler.
- 🛏 Door-to-door comfort: no dragging luggage through stations or waiting in the heat
- 👶 Ideal with young kids: you can often request a child seat when booking in advance
- ⏰ Travel on your schedule: no fixed departure times or extra stops
How to book: Use platforms like 12Go Asia or airport transfer services on Trip.com to arrange private transfers ahead of time. Many providers allow you to request a child seat in the booking notes.
Example: After landing in Phuket, book a private transfer straight to your hotel in Khao Lak. It takes away the chaos of finding a taxi (and negotiating a price) with tired children after a long flight.
Traveling by boat is often unavoidable when getting around Thailand with kids, especially if you’re heading to islands like Koh Lipe or planning beach time. We’ve had very positive experiences with ferries and speedboats: they were well organized, on time, and always provided life jackets. Our kids usually love boat rides too… at least for the first 15 minutes.
- 🌊 Waves & seasickness: choose morning boats when the sea is calmer and bring motion sickness remedies
- 🔊 Noise levels: boat engines can be loud, so hearing protection for babies and toddlers can be very helpful
- 🦺 Safety first: life jackets are usually available, but always check the fit for young children
- ☀️ Best time to go: during the dry season the sea is usually calmer, which makes boat trips much more comfortable for kids
How to book: Ferries and speedboats can easily be booked via 12Go Asia. This platform is reliable and shows travel times and connections clearly.
Example: To reach islands like Koh Lipe with kids you’ll always need a boat. But for routes such as Phuket → Ao Nang, a speedboat is often much faster than traveling by car.
Want to know more about the best time to go to Thailand with kids and how seasons affect the sea? Check our guide on when to go to Thailand with kids for detailed weather tips. You can also combine this with our guide to the best beaches for kids in Thailand for easy island planning.
Renting a car can be a great option when you want full freedom while getting around Thailand with kids, especially in beach destinations with limited public transport.
We haven’t rented a car in Thailand with our kids yet. We usually prefer the comfort of having a driver and, honestly, we were a bit nervous about the traffic. But after our last trip, we would seriously consider it next time, especially around Phuket and Khao Lak where driving felt much easier than expected.
- 🚦 Left-hand driving: Thailand drives on the left, which takes a bit of getting used to
- 👶 Child seats are available: many rental companies offer them on request. Always reserve one in advance
- 🏝 Great for family-friendly areas: places like Phuket, Ao Nang and Koh Samui are easy to explore by car
How to book: Compare rental options on DiscoverCars.com or with well-reviewed local rental companies.
Example: Being able to drive yourself is perfect for beach hopping, supermarket stops and flexible nap schedules. After seeing how manageable the traffic actually was, renting a car has moved from “no way” to “seriously considering it” for our next Thailand trip with kids.
Traveling by train in Thailand with kids is a budget-friendly way to get around, especially compared to domestic flights. Many families choose trains for the savings and the relaxed pace, even with kids. We haven’t tried this yet with our own children, but it’s definitely on our list for a future trip.
- 💰 Save money: train tickets are often cheaper than flying, making it a good option for budget-conscious families
- 👧 Fun for older kids: kids can stretch their legs, walk around the carriage, and enjoy the scenery
- ⚠️ Travel tips: overnight trains can be tiring for babies and toddlers; bring snacks, entertainment, and plan for breaks
How to book: Tickets can be reserved through 12Go Asia, which shows schedules, prices, and train types in one place.
Example: Many families take the train from Bangkok to Hua Hin or Chiang Mai. It’s a slower pace than flying, but a scenic, budget-friendly option that older kids often enjoy.
Shared minivans and shuttles are a common way to get around Thailand with kids, especially for families on a budget. They’re faster than buses for medium-distance routes, but space is limited and there are often multiple stops. Many families use them successfully, making them a convenient alternative to flying or private transfers.
- ⏱ Quick travel: ideal for routes like Phuket → Krabi or Phuket → Ao Nang, saving hours compared to buses
- 👶 Family tips: bring snacks, entertainment, and motion sickness remedies; not ideal for babies or very young toddlers
- 🛑 Space & stops: minivans are often cramped, luggage space is limited, and multiple pickups/drop-offs can slow the journey
How to book: Most shared minivans and shuttles can be reserved via 12Go Asia, which shows schedules, prices, and availability for family-friendly travel in Thailand.
Example: If you want to get around Thailand with kids efficiently without private transfers, a shared minivan from Phuket to Ao Nang is a popular choice. It’s faster than public buses and budget-friendly, though you may need to compromise a bit on space and comfort.
Walking short distances is often part of getting around Thailand with kids, especially when traveling with a baby or toddler. Whether a stroller or baby carrier works best really depends on where you’re traveling.
- 👣 Walking: easy in beach towns, resorts, and shopping areas; less practical on busy streets or uneven sidewalks
- 🛒 Strollers: very handy in cities and tourist areas. Our favorite travel stroller is the Cybex Libelle, which works well on promenades, airports, and in places like Bangkok, Phuket, Ao Nang, and Koh Samui
- 🎒 Baby carriers: often the best option on smaller islands or rougher terrain. We love using our Tula baby carrier, especially for boats, stairs, sand, and narrow paths
Our experience: It really depends on where you’re going. In more tourist-friendly destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, Ao Nang, and Koh Samui, a stroller is absolutely doable and very convenient. On smaller islands such as Koh Lipe or Koh Yao Noi, a baby carrier is much more practical. We always travel with both, so we can switch depending on the destination and day plans.
Different types of families have different needs when getting around Thailand with kids. Here’s what we usually recommend based on your children’s ages:
- With a baby: Private transfers are your best friend. Comfort, door-to-door service, and the ability to request a child seat make travel much less stressful. Check out our Thailand itinerary with kids for routes that work well with infants.
- With toddlers: A mix of private transfers and short flights works well. Avoid long overnight buses or trains when possible. Grab rides and taxis are handy for quick trips in towns.
- With older kids: Trains, shared minivans, and even renting a car become realistic options. Older kids can enjoy the scenery, stretch their legs, and adapt to longer travel days. For island hopping, ferries and speedboats are fun and efficient.
💡 Crew Tip: Every family and every child is different, so there really isn’t a single “best way” to get around Thailand. Balance comfort, travel time, and budget, but ultimately choose the option that fits your travel style and your family’s needs.
Getting around Thailand with kids is easier than you might think. From domestic flights to private transfers, ferries, trains, and even shared minivans, there are plenty of options for families. What we loved most is how flexible travel can be: you can balance comfort, travel time, and budget, and choose what works best for your family and kids.
We haven’t tried every type of transport ourselves with our children yet, but we’ve had great experiences with most options. Trying a train is high on our list for future trips, and renting a car is now something we’re seriously considering. Many other families use these options successfully, so there’s really something for everyone.
If you’re planning more family travels in Southeast Asia, check out our guides for nearby destinations:
- Phuket with Kids
- Khao Lak with Kids
- Ao Nang & Krabi with Kids
- Lombok with Kids
- Bali with Kids
- Kuala Lumpur with Kids
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Happy travels and enjoy your Thailand adventure! 🏖️
– The Little Passport Crew
The easiest way depends on your family and itinerary. Private transfers are perfect for babies and toddlers, while older kids can enjoy trains, shared minivans, and even renting a car. Combining comfort, travel time, and budget usually works best.
Yes! Trains are a budget-friendly and scenic option, especially for older kids. Shared minivans are faster than buses and convenient for medium-distance routes, though they can be cramped for very young children.
Ferries and speedboats are generally safe, with life jackets provided on board. Morning departures are calmer, seasickness remedies can help, and noise protection is useful for babies and toddlers.
Yes, renting a car is an option in family-friendly areas like Phuket, Ao Nang, and Koh Samui. Most rental companies can provide child seats on request, but it’s best to reserve them in advance.
The dry season is the best time for family travel in Thailand. Seas are calmer for ferries, roads are safer for driving, and most attractions are easier to enjoy with children. Check local weather patterns for each region when planning your itinerary.
Both can work, depending on your destination. Strollers are practical in cities, resorts, and tourist areas like Bangkok, Phuket, Ao Nang, and Koh Samui. On smaller islands or places with uneven roads and sand, a baby carrier is often the better choice. Many families travel with both to stay flexible when getting around Thailand with kids.