Exploring Thailand as part of organized group tours is an awesome way for backpackers to make new connections. Selecting the perfect tour might feel a bit overwhelming, but don’t stress – we’ve got your back. After trying out a variety of organized trips and making comparisons, we’ve analyzed five of Thailand’s hottest group tours to ensure your dream holiday becomes a reality.
We get it – you don’t want to end up on a tour where everyone is over 50. Thailand is all about meeting fellow backpackers, hitting the town for a few drinks (or maybe ten), and, most importantly, having a blast with new friends your age – all without spending a fortune.
So, what are you waiting for? We’ll tell you all about the different durations, prices, included activities, accommodations, and travel styles that these tours offer, plus our own unbiased reviews. If you’re a backpacker, you’re going to love these organized tours of Thailand.
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Reasons why backpackers should consider group tours of Thailand
If you’re not quite sure if an organized backpacker tour of Thailand is the right choice for you, these arguments might just convince you.
1. You don’t want to travel alone
Solo travel is an incredible experience, but sometimes, you just want to meet like-minded people and share your new experiences. Group tours to Thailand designed specifically for backpackers are the best way to ensure you’ll be traveling with a fun group of others who will make your experience even better. Plus, you won’t have to break the bank to join. Finding travel buddies for Thailand has never been easier.
2. You have no time to plan
Travel planning is a full-time job, and most people don’t have time to compare hundreds of hotels, activities, and destinations. Booking a trip to Thailand can be as easy as one click when you join a group trip instead. No decisions to make, everything will be done for you.
3. You don’t know where to start
Planning a trip can be overwhelming, especially if you haven’t been to a place before. Tour companies have years of experience when it comes to planning trips, so their itineraries are perfectly crafted with activities you probably wouldn’t have tried otherwise. If you don’t know where to start planning your trip to Thailand, one of the best group tours with fellow backpackers may be the way to go.
4. It doesn’t have to be expensive
I used to hear group trip and immediately think that the prices would be marked up to ridiculous levels. Luckily, that isn’t really the case for Thailand, and for the activities and services included and the value you get in return, prices for the group tours on this list are actually really reasonable for backpackers.
If you add the hours you’ll have to spend planning your trip plus all the expenses for activities and accommodation, you’ll probably arrive at a similar number for your trip but minus all the new friends and once-in-a-lifetime memories.
Group tours of Thailand vs organizing your own trip as a backpacker
I personally love both joining group trips and planning my own travels. It depends a lot on the destination for me and what I want from a trip.
Here are some pros and cons to consider before you decide to join an organized trip. In the end, it all comes down to your personal preferences and resources.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Group trip | -guaranteed to make friends -no need to organize/make decisions -security that nothing will go wrong -high levels of comfort (private transport & guides) -very convenient -easy to calculate trip price before you leave -experienced guide -no unexpected issues and responsibilities | -can be pricey -can’t stay longer in a place if you like it -you’re stuck with your group |
| Solo travel | -cheaper -more flexibility -accommodation of your choice -stay in one place as long as you like | -hours of planning -risk of not meeting people -things may go wrong -easy to get scammed -unexpected expenses |
My experience with group tours of Thailand as a backpacker
I love organized tours, and South East Asia is the perfect place to try one. What stands out for me is the fact that you’re guaranteed to make friends and meet other backpackers if you join one of the group tours of Thailand and its beautiful islands on this list. I made friends for life on group tours, and after having tried several, I can tell you exactly what I liked and disliked about each one.
This post isn’t sponsored by a tour company, so I can authentically tell you about my experiences and those of people I know who have come to Thailand on an organized trip. I’ve explored Thailand independently as a backpacker, as a more luxury-oriented traveler, and as part of a group tour, so I can compare my experiences and let you know what I liked best.
I’ve actually been traveling to Thailand for more than 25 years, which feels crazy to say, but it’s true.
Needless to say, Thailand has changed a lot over the years, and I’m here to keep you updated on travel information and the best things to do or see. I live in Bali, which is just a short journey from beautiful Thailand, and I end up coming here several times per year for extended trips.
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate island-hopping itinerary, or useful currency tips, I’ve got you covered.
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5 best group tours of Thailand for backpackers
Have a look at the table below if you’re looking for a quick way to compare the best group tours of Thailand for backpackers.
| Tour | Duration | Group size | Total price* | Price/day | Rating |
| 14 days | 20 | US $1,417 | US $101.2 | 4.7 | |
| 13 days | 16 | US $1,799 | US $138.4 | 4.8 | |
| 15 days/9 days | 16 | US $1,654/US $1,135 | US $110.3/US $126.1 | 5.0 | |
| 16 days | 20 | US $1,755 | US $109.7 | 4.8 | |
| 8 days | 18 | US $786 | US $98.3 | 4.4 |
*average price for the tour, not including discounts, which are frequently available
1. Thailand Island Hopper – my personal favorite Thailand group tour
The 14-day Thailand Island Hopper tour by TruTravels is by far my personal favorite when it comes to organized group tours for backpackers. It’s no surprise that this tour consistently gets fantastic reviews. What does surprise me, though, is that it’s actually the second cheapest one on this list, with a price per day of only US $101.2. Considering all the value and experiences you’re getting, this is truly a steal.
If you want to meet new friends in Thailand and spend your time with other backpackers, this tour should be at the top of your list.
Group size
The maximum group size for this tour is 20 people, which is just about perfect in my experience.
Of course, this is personal preference, but I find that in smaller groups, you might run the risk of not really connecting to anyone, while larger numbers make it easier to split off and make lasting friendships with people you have things in common with.
Price
Plus, Tour Radar often runs last-minute deals and off-season discounts of 20% or more, so keep your eyes open for even better prices. I’ve seen this tour for as little as $1,100, which is an unbeatable price for 14 days.
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What’s included
- accommodation for 13 nights
- 3 breakfasts
- 4 lunches
- 1 dinner
- experienced tour guide
- activities such as Bangkok river cruise, temples, Thai massage, Khao Sok National Park entry, kayaking, cliff jumping, snorkeling tours, Muay Thai lesson., Koh Nang Yuan day trip
- all transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- overnight train
- airport pickup (up to 2 days before the tour starts)
What’s not included
- flights
travel insurance - tips and gratuities
- all other meals except for three breakfasts, four lunches, and one dinner
- airport drop-off
- visas
Activities
This is my favorite group tour of Thailand, especially for backpackers. A big reason why is how many activities are included, which many other tours don’t offer.
- Sip cocktails around the campfire in Koh Phangan
- Visit Maya Bay – filming location of ‘The Beach’
- Bangkok traditional river cruise and temples
- Thai massage
- Khao Sok National Park
- Stay in floating bungalows
- Kayaking
- Cliff jumping
- Boat trips & snorkeling around Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi
- Muay Thai lesson
- Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan day trip
As you can see, there is a lot going on, and all these activities make this tour more than worth it.
Nightlife
If you’re the sort of person who enjoys nightlife and letting loose, this group tour of Thailand is a great choice. You’ll spend quite some time in some of the best hotspots for parties in Thailand, including Koh Phangan, Phuket, and Koh Phi Phi.
But, there are also plenty of cultural activities in more peaceful places, so this isn’t just a party trip but rather a good mix of both.
Guides
There are several guides on this tour, and they tend to change from trip to trip. I can only speak from personal experience and consider that the guides I got to know were fantastic and made this whole experience so special.
Tommy and Max felt like they were part of the group, and I was super impressed by how knowledgeable they were.
They were always there if there was a problem, no matter how small, but they also became friends with the group, making it feel like a trip with life-long friends and not organized fun.
The fantastic guides were a big reason why this tour was the clear winner for me on this list.
Flexibility, pace, and free time
This tour covers a lot of destinations, and you’ll be moving around quite a lot. But despite the action-packed itinerary, there is always room for free time, and you might be surprised how much you can actually explore on your own.
Of course, the pace is fast, and you’ll only be in most places for one or two nights, but the itinerary was perfected to make sure you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Accommodation
TruTravels has a few hotels they always go to in Thailand, but many locations change depending on the season, available rooms, and group size. Travelers share rooms with one or more other person of the same gender for most of the trip.
Keep in mind that this is a relatively affordable group tour targeted at backpackers, so some accommodation can be quite basic.
Personal experiences
I love this tour, and I’m certain you will, too. Most Thailand itineraries for group tours only cover the basics, which is fine for most backpackers but doesn’t include a ton of activities. I really like that TruTravels offers a big variation of things to do and islands to explore, giving you a grreat overview of Thailand in such a short time.
I also thought that the staff and guides were exceptional and truly went the extra mile to make everyone feel included and welcome. Most people from the group ended up staying in Thailand longer and continued to travel together and stay in touch to this day.
If you want to make friends, this tour is the perfect choice.
I’ve done quite a few organized group tours for backpackers in Thailand and also in places like Bali, and the community this tour created was probably the best I’ve ever experienced.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok, check-in at your hotel, free time to explore and evening drinks at Khao San Road.
Day 2: Explore Bangkok’s Wat Arun and Wat Pho temples, enjoy a river cruise on the Chao Praya River, followed by dinner and nightlife on Khao San Road.
Day 3: Start with a Thai massage in Bangkok, then board an overnight train to Khao Sok National Park.
Day 4: Travel to Khao Sok National Park for activities like kayaking and swimming, staying in floating bungalows.
Day 5: Head to Koh Phangan, relax at Bottle Beach with a beach bonfire and fire show in the evening.
Day 6: Enjoy a free morning at Koh Phangan, followed by a Muay Thai boxing lesson in the afternoon.
Day 7: Embark on an island boat trip around Koh Phangan with snorkeling, and enjoy an evening of dinner and drinks.
Day 8: Travel by ferry to Koh Tao, relax with sunset drinks at Sairee Beach.
Day 9: Visit Koh Nang Yuan from Koh Tao for snorkeling and a viewpoint trek, ending with dinner and a night out.
Day 10: Free day for relaxation or activities like cliff jumping in Koh Tao, followed by a night ferry to the mainland and a minibus to Phi Phi Islands.
Day 11: Arrive on the Phi Phi Islands, trek to a viewpoint, and experience the island’s vibrant beach nightlife.
Day 12: Enjoy a sunset snorkeling boat trip around Koh Phi Phi, including stops at Maya Bay and Monkey Island.
Day 13: Ferry to Phuket for a final night of exploring and celebrating in Phuket.
Day 14: Check out of your hotel in Phuket and plan your onward travel.
Tour duration: 14 days
Destinations included: Bangkok, Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket
Group size: maximum 20 people
Operator: TruTravels
Approximate price: US $1,417
Price per day: US $101.2
What we loved: The incredible guides, the close-knit group, and the activities
Why this tour is good for backpackers: Lots of activities and nights out
2. Thai Experience Tour by INTRO Travel – upgraded hotels and free time
The Thai Experience Tour by INTRO Travel is the perfect organized trip for first-time Thailand visitors who want to see as much as possible without being rushed.
These tours always have plenty of backpackers, and because the groups are slightly smaller, you’ll make even closer friendships than on some of the other tours. This 13-day itinerary is similar to the Thailand Island Hopper, which is number one on this list, but it doesn’t include Koh Tao, which takes away some of the rush.
You’ll still see and do a lot, though, and have plenty of fun along the way.
Heads up – this tour is the most expensive on this list, but with everything that’s included and the quality provided, you’ll see why.
Group size
This tour has a maximum of 16 participants, which makes it one of the smaller tours on this list. If you’re overwhelmed by lots of people, you might enjoy exploring Thailand with a smaller group.
Personally, I prefer having more people in a tour group, but 16 is still a good number in my opinion.
What’s included
- accommodation for 12 nights in twin/double/triple share rooms
- 11 breakfasts
- 5 dinners
- 7 lunches
- an experienced tour guide
- activities such as a river cruise, visiting temples, cooking class, Khao Sok National Park, jungle trek, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, Muay Thai or yoga, Thai massage, and visiting an elephant sanctuary
- transport, trains, and ferries
- airport pickup
- ten trees planted for every booking
What’s not included
- flights
travel insurance - tips and gratuities
- all other meals
- airport drop-off
- visas
- optional activities
- private room for solo travelers
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Price
This is definitely expensive for Thailand, and in my experience, you’re mostly paying for the extra meals that are included, and the quality of accommodation. The other parts of the tour tend to be very similar to more affordable options, especially if you compare the itineraries.
INTRO Travels markets this as their “premium” tour, and they definitely stay in slightly nicer hotels. This tour is also the only one on this list that is almost never discounted and usually sells out, so that speaks for itself.
Activities
This itinerary includes all the main highlights of Bangkok, Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket, but it’s not extremely packed. There is still a lot of free time, so if you’re looking for a tour that plans out your entire day for you, this might not be the one to choose.
- Bangkok river cruise
- Visit temples in Bangkok
- Thai cooking class
- Khao Sok National Park
- Stay in floating bungalows and tree house
- Jungle trek
- Kayaking & tubing
- Island boat trip & snorkeling
- Muay Thai or yoga
- Thai massage
- Beach party
- Koh Phi Phi view point
- Elephant sanctuary
Nightlife
Group tours of Thailand for backpackers are bound to involve some beers on the beach and the occasional party. Almost all places on this tour have nightlife, except for Khao Sok National Park.
Most other nights will most likely involve a few drinks (depending on your group, of course), and culture is not really the focus of this tour.
Guides
I had great experiences with the guides of this tour, and Val especially was very friendly and outgoing, really helping our group become friends quickly.
I noticed that there are usually quite a few different guides involved for different places and activities, which has its pros and cons. You get to meet more people and get different perspectives, but I personally enjoy having one guide as the focus of a group tour more.
Flexibility, pace, and free time
This 13-day itinerary has a lot of activities, but there is still a lot of free time. Since you’ll be staying in four different places around Thailand, you’ll be moving a lot, so be prepared for a ton of new impressions and experiences.
If you’re looking for a tour where every second of the day is planned for you, this might not be the tour for you.
Instead, you’ll usually have one or two things to do every day, one of which is usually a night out.
Accommodation
The acommodation breakdown of this tour is as follows:
- 2 Nights Bangkok – Hotel
- 1 Night Sleeper Train – Multi-share cabin
- 1 Night Khao Sok – Floating bungalows
- 1 Night Khao Sok – Jungle tree houses
- 3 Nights Koh Phangan – Beachside bungalows
- 2 Nights Koh Phi Phi – Hotel
- 2 Nights Phuket – Hotel
This is INTRO Travel’s “premium” tour, which they largely attribute to their upgraded accommodation. Just keep in mind that it won’t be luxurious, so adjust your expectations.
While specific hotels often change depending on season and demand, many INTRO Travel tours stay at these hotels: Baan Chart, Sarana Bungalows, Andaman Legacy, Surf Hotel.
Note that you can contact customer support to request a single room if you’re a solo traveler. An additional charge will apply.
Personal experiences
I loved this organized tour of Thailand and can safely recommend it for backpackers hoping to explore the stunning southern islands. There is a lot included, and I especially liked the choice of hotels, which were slightly nicer than on some of the other tours.
The itinerary has definitely been perfected over the years, and even though it has all the important hotspots, you won’t feel rushed.
I have to say that since this is a more expensive tour, the people in our group were slightly older than the other tours on this list. I would still say this tour is made for backpackers, though, and it’s a great choice if you yourself are a bit older and don’t want to be surrounded by 18-year-olds the entire time.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, airport pickup, chill, and meet the group.
Day 2: Explore Bangkok with a river cruise, visit ancient temples, travel by tuk tuk, and experience Bangkok nightlife.
Day 3: Participate in a Thai cooking class and travel south on an overnight train.
Day 4: Visit Khao Sok National Park, enjoy activities like tubing and kayaking, and stay overnight in floating bungalows.
Day 5: Explore the rainforest, visit a local plantation, try tubing or trekking, and stay overnight in tree houses.
Day 6: Travel to Koh Phangan, check into beachside bungalows, relax, and enjoy a beach party in the evening.
Day 7: Island tour of Koh Phangan, visit beaches and viewpoints, and have a beach BBQ.
Day 8: Choose between a Muay Thai or a yoga class, enjoy a traditional Thai massage, and spend the last night on Koh Phangan.
Day 9: Travel to the Phi Phi Islands and enjoy an island night out.
Day 10: Exclusive boat trip around Phi Phi Leh with activities like snorkeling and beach exploration.
Day 11: Hike to the Koh Phi Phi viewpoint, relax on beaches, and travel to Phuket for sunset dinner and drinks.
Day 12: Spend the day with elephants at a sanctuary, learn about their care, and enjoy a farewell dinner in Phuket.
Day 13: Check out from Phuket, with options to extend the stay or continue travels, assisted by the group leader.
Tour duration: 13 days
Destinations included: Bangkok, Khao Sok National Park, Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket
Group size: maximum 16 people
Operator: INTRO Travel
Approximate price: US $1,799
Price per day: $138 US
What we loved: The accommodation, the Koh Phi Phi boat tour, and free time
Why this tour is good for backpackers: See the highlights of Thailand and enjoy upgraded hotels
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3. South To North /Thailand Island Hopper Feel Free Travel – packed itinerary and value for money
Feel Free Travel tours are the perfect choice for backpackers wanting to explore Thailand on their first trip. You can choose to stay either
These tours include a lot of activities and destinations, and you’ll be moving around quite a bit. The longer version of this tour even includes a flight to northern Thailand, so there’s a lot of value for money.
Feel Free Travel has a little bit of everything and perfectly combines culture with fun and nightlife.
Group size
The maximum group size is 16 people for this tour, which is a pretty good number in my experience. You’ll have a small enough group that you can make friends but still enough people to make sure you’ll find someone you connect with.
What’s included
- accommodation for 8 or 14 nights
- 8 or 19 meals
- an experienced tour guide
- activities such as a temple tour by tuk tuk, river cruise, Thai massage, and snorkeling trips
- ferry tickets
- all transport
- domestic flight to Chiang Mai
- airport pickup
What’s not included
- flights
travel insurance - tips and gratuities
- all other meals
- airport drop-off
- visas
- private room for solo travelers
Price
At $126 US to $110 US per day, these tours are mid-priced, bordering on the more expensive end. However, the longer tour, which is cheaper when comparing the price per day, includes a domestic flight, which adds quite a bit of value.
There are also quite a few meals included, and the activities are high quality, justifying the price even more.
Activities
Sure, here’s the list with only proper nouns capitalized and formatted as bullet points:
- Bangkok temple tour by tuk tuk
- Bangkok river cruise
- Tuk tuk ride
- Explore Khao San Road
- Bucket bars Bangkok
- Bangkok street food tour
- Traditional Thai massage
- Khao Sok National Park
- Sleeping on floating bungalows
- Kayaking & tubing
- Tiger Cave Temple
- Railay Beach boat trip
- Phi Phi fire show
- Phi Phi night out & beach party
- Phi Phi viewpoint
- Phi Phi boat trip
- Monkey Beach visit & snorkeling
Extended tour only:
- Flight to Chiang Mai
- Explore Chiang Mai & night markets
- Thai cooking class
- Jungle hot springs
- Sunset Pai Canyon
- Sunset river tubing
- Muay Thai
- Elephant sanctuary visit
Nightlife
This tour includes a decent level of nightlife, and places like Bangkok, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, and Pai are great for a night out. But, it’s not as drinking-oriented as some other tours on this list, so consider what your own personal preferences are before deciding.
Guides
Feel Free tends to have more guides than some of the other tours on this list, with some joining the tour along the way, especially when the short trip ends after 9 days and the extended one begins.
This made it a bit difficult to create a sense of community, in my opinion, and the 15-day tour felt like two separate tours in a way. Not my favorite way to set it up, but a small detail.
Flexibility, pace, and free time
Since there is a long and shorter option for this tour, the pace is actually quite relaxed and not too fast. There is plenty of free time, but you still get to experience all the highlights.
If you do the long tour, you’ll actually have an entire free day in the middle of the trip, which was nice to relax for a bit before heading up north. But, I would have appreciated some optional activities on this day, because the tour is quite expensive and an absence of things to do can feel a bit like wasting money.
Accommodation
Feel Free usually provides twin or double rooms, which means you’ll have to share with another traveler of the same gender if you’re coming alone. They rarely have dorm accommodation, and we only slept in one for one night on our tour, which was nice and made it feel like the hotels were slightly upgraded and not just hostels.
They also offer an option to upgrade to a private room for solo travelers, but it’s quite expensive at around US $650 additional for the 15-day trip. In my experience, it’s not really worth it.
For US $32, you can book an extra night in Bangkok in the same hotel before the tour begins in case you’re arriving early.
Personal experiences
I loved that Feel Free gives you the option of two different tour lengths, which means you’ll have a bigger group at the start of the trip, and up north, it will be a smaller selection of people. However, I don’t think the shorter tour is really worth it for the price. The best parts of the tour for me were after day 9, so the short version would be a bit disappointing, I think.
I love nightlife and having drinks with new friends, but I also enjoyed the many activities and cultural aspects, so I thought this tour provided a great balance of both.
Itinerary
Here’s a one-sentence summary for each day of the itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, meet the group, check-in, and head out for dinner and drinks.
Day 2: Explore Bangkok with a visit to a local temple, a tuk tuk ride through the back streets, a traditional massage, and an evening at Khao San Road.
Day 3: Cruise down Bangkok’s river to visit ancient temples and markets, followed by an overnight train journey.
Day 4: Arrive at Khao Sok National Park, stay in floating bungalows, and enjoy activities like tubing and kayaking.
Day 5: Head to the beaches of southern Thailand, climb up to the Tiger Cave viewpoint, and see monkeys.
Day 6: Relax at Krabi’s rooftop pool and visit Railay Beach for sunbathing and enjoying the tropical scenery.
Day 7: Ferry ride to the Phi Phi Islands for island life, beach bars, sunsets, and fire shows.
Day 8: Private boat trip around Koh Phi Phi, including snorkeling, exploring lagoons, visiting the Viking Cave and Monkey Beach.
Day 9: Relaxing day to relax as the short tour ends.
Day 10: Fly to Chiang Mai, and explore the night market for local flavors.
Day 11: Visit an elephant sanctuary to learn about and interact with Thailand’s sacred animals.
Day 12: Discover Pai’s hippie vibes and enjoy tubing or visiting viewpoints.
Day 13: Experience a traditional Muay Thai class, relax in natural hot springs, and enjoy sunset at Pai Canyon.
Day 14: Return to Chiang Mai for a Thai cooking class and enjoy the last night together.
Day 15: Check-out in Chiang Mai, conclude the trip, and arrange onward travel.
Tour duration: 9 or 15 days
Destinations included: Bangkok, Khao Sok National Park, Krabi, Railay Beach, Koh Phi Phi, Pai, Chiang Mai
Group size: maximum 16 people
Operator: Feel Free
Approximate price: US $1,135 or $1,654
Price per day: US $126 or $110
What we loved: Two tour options and seeing northern Thailand
Why this tour is good for backpackers: A great balance between parties and culture
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4. Full Moon Island Hopper – parties and lots of destinations
Experiencing the Full Moon Party is one of the most popular backpacker experiences in Thailand, and this fun 16-day group tour by TruTravels is the perfect way to go with new friends.
This tour packs a lot of destinations into just over two weeks, but there is still quite a bit of downtime and opportunities to explore by yourself. If you’re worried about not having enough freedom on a group tour of Thailand, this backpacker experience will be the perfect compromise.
Group size
With a maximum of 20 people, this is one of the larger tours on this list. In my experience, the groups tend to be closer to 18, though, which I thought was the perfect amount. However, if you prefer a more personal experience in a close-knit group, consider choosing a tour with fewer people instead.
What’s included
- accommodation for 15 nights
- two breakfasts, four lunches, and one dinner
- an experienced tour guide
- activities such as Thai massage, boat tours, tubing & kayaking, Slip N Fly, and more
- ferry tickets
- all transport
- airport pickup
What’s not included
- flights
travel insurance - tips and gratuities
- all other meals
- airport drop-off
- visas
Price
TruTravel is a very popular tour company, and their prices are not the lowest but also not the highest. They’re somewhere in the middle when comparing different types of group tours of Thailand for backpackers, but in my experience, their tours are always very well organized and planned out, so worth the money.
Activities
- Bangkok river cruise & temples
- Thai massage
- Khao Sok National Park
- Stay in floating bungalows
- Tubing & kayaking
- Boat trip around Koh Phangan
- Snorkeling & waterfalls (seasonal)
- Muay Thai lesson
- Slip N Fly
- Sunset pool party
- Full Moon party
- Koh Nang Yuan day trip
- Phi Phi Island boat trip
- Phuket wave simulator surfing
Nightlife
Some of the parties were definitely intense, and there is usually a rest day planned to help travelers recover. This could get a bit boring for those not out late, so keep that in mind if you’re not planning on partying.
Guides
You’ll be accompanied by expert tour guides, usually a mixture of locals and foreigners. TruTravels usually employs more locals in Thailand, which I loved on this particular tour, as our guides were able to give us a much better insight into the local culture than a backpacker could have.
Flexibility, pace, and free time
This tour includes a lot of destinations, which is no surprise, since it’s also the longest tour on this list. You’ll definitely spend quite a lot of time traveling, especially since you’ll visit islands on both the east and west coasts of Thailand. There is even an overnight boat.
But the tour doesn’t have as many activities as others on this list, so you’ll have quite a bit of free time. Whether this is a good choice for you depends on what type of traveler you are. I personally enjoyed tours with a more packed itinerary more, as we ended up not doing very much during our free time most days, but just stayed at the hotel.
Accommodation
The hotels chosen by TruTravels aren’t always the same and tend to change from trip to trip. However, they frequently include twin or dorm rooms, and there wasn’t an option to book privates, at least not on our tour.
Generally, the accommodation was decent and among the nicer ones on this list, but it’s not luxurious.
Personal experiences
This tour is incredibly fun if you want to party in Thailand and need some downtime most days to recover from the night before. However, considering the length and price, there weren’t too many activities included, and if you have high expectations for a jam-packed schedule, you might end up disappointed.
What stood out to me where the amazing guides on this tour, who really became friends with us. Sometimes on group tours, you’ll have guides who are burnt out because they’ve been doing the same Thailand trip with a group of backpackers over and over again, and that can be frustrating. This tour was definitely an exception and I haven’t had so much fun with a group in quite some time.
Itinerary
Here’s the itinerary summarized into a bullet point list with a short sentence for each day:
Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok, Thailand, with airport pickup and check-in day for exploring and evening drinks on Khao San Road.
Day 2: Cruise through Bangkok on a longtail boat, visit Wat Arun and Wat Pho temples, and enjoy an evening of dinner and drinks.
Day 3: Start with a traditional Thai massage, then take an overnight train to Khao Sok National Park.
Day 4: Explore Khao Sok’s floating bungalows, go kayaking, swimming, and tubing against a stunning limestone mountain backdrop.
Day 5: Travel to Koh Phangan, relax at Bottle Beach with volleyball, sunbathing, and an evening dinner and fire show on the beach.
Day 6: Free morning at Koh Phangan, afternoon Muay Thai lesson, and explore Haad Rin’s bars in the evening.
Day 7: Island boat trip around Koh Phangan with snorkeling, a visit to Than Sadet waterfall, and a party on the boat.
Day 8: Enjoy the Slip N Fly attraction, prepare for the Full Moon Party with UV painting, and party until sunrise.
Day 9: A day for relaxation and recovery with a Thai massage and possibly watching a film at a local bar.
Day 10: Ferry to Koh Tao (‘Turtle Island’), check-in, dinner, and drinks near Sairee Beach.
Day 11: Day trip to Koh Nang Yuan for snorkeling and sightseeing, followed by the Koh Tao Pub Crawl.
Day 12: Free day for relaxation or adventure on Koh Tao, then a night ferry to the mainland and transfer to Phi Phi Islands.
Day 13: Trek to Phi Phi viewpoint and explore the island’s nightlife.
Day 14: Phi Phi boat trip to Monkey Island, Viking Caves, and Maya Bay, with swimming with phosphorescence after sunset.
Day 15: Travel to Phuket for the final night, exploring Phuket & Patong’s nightlife.
Day 16: Chilled checkout in Phuket, assistance with onward travel arrangements.
Tour duration: 16 days
Destinations included: Bangkok, Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket
Group size: maximum 20 people
Operator: TruTravels
Approximate price: $1,755
Price per day: $109.70
What we loved: the fun guides and wild nightlife
Why this tour is good for backpackers: the Full Moon Party Experience and a great overview of destinations in Thailand
5. Southern Thailand Sojourn: Nightlife & National Parks – free time and close friends
G Adventure’s Southern Thailand Sojourn group tour is perfect for backpackers looking for a quick and affordable trip with plenty of free time. This tour isn’t as well-known as some of the others on this list, with only 17 reviews on TourRadar, but it actually really suprised me, which is why I just had to include it.
If you’re looking for a hidden gem with a tightly knit group and the perfect combination of nightlife and national parks, you’ll love this option.
As the most affordable of the Thailand group tours for backpackers on this list, this is definitely a more basic option without a crazy amount of activities or luxury hotels. If you know what to expect, you’ll love it.
Group size
The groups have a maximum of 18 people, although our tour leader (or CEO) mentioned that the average number of guests lies closer to 12, which was also the case for our tour. We got very lucky, and everyone got along super well, but keep in mind that this is a smaller tour, so the type of people on your trip will definitely have a big influence on your experience.
What’s included
- accommodation for 7 nights
- 5 breakfasts
- two lunches
- an experienced tour guide
- activities such as boat tours, a street food tour, and a snorkeling trip
- ferry tickets
- all transport
What’s not included
- flights
- aiport pickup
travel insurance - tips and gratuities
- all other meals
- airport drop-off
- visas
- optional activities
Price
The
Activities
- Kao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Meal, Ban Ta Khun
- Street food crawl
- Lake Cheow Larn excursion
- Snorkeling trip in Koh Tao
Nightlife
This tour has some options for nightlife, but in my experience, the guides don’t push it as much as some of the other tours. If you’re looking for one of the best group tours of Thailand for backpackers but don’t want to drink every single night, this is a great choice.
Your experience will depend a lot on your group, though, and ours was quite laid back, so we didn’t end up going out late that much, not even for the Full Moon Party.
Guides
The guides for this tour were called CEOs, and they definitely knew what they were doing when it came to making sure everyone had fun. We loved Puna as our CEO, but generally, the guides weren’t as close with us as the tour leaders on some of the other trips.
Flexibility, pace, and free time
This tour had a lot of free time, almost too much for my personal taste. Many of the activities were optional, so most of our group ended up just going to the beach a lot or staying at the hotel playing cards.
It was still very fun, but I did feel a bit like we were wasting time sometimes and could have explored a bit more.
Accommodation
You’ll stay in twin rooms for five nights of this trip, a bungalow for one night in Khao Sok, and then the sleeper train. The hotels were average and okay for the price, but nothing special.
Personal experiences
This tour was very different than the other four group tours of Thailand for backpackers on this list. It’s short and sweet, and with such a small group, you’ll almost feel like you’re just traveling with friends and not on an organized trip.
The lack of activities was a bit of a minus point for me, but we got so lucky with the people on our tour that we just became friends instantly and had a blast. We managed to organize a few activities ourselves since I and some others had been to Thailand before, and it was a very fun and wholesome experience.
I would recommend this tour to backpackers who don’t want to join a tour that only focuses on drinking and who are sticking to a budget.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, and spend the evening exploring the vibrant Khao San Road with your group.
Day 2: Explore Bangkok with optional activities like a bike tour and a street food crawl before taking an overnight train to Surat Thani.
Day 3: Enjoy breakfast at G Adventures-supported Khao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Restaurant, then head to Lake Cheow Lan for hiking or swimming in Khao Sok National Park.
Day 4: Travel to Koh Phangan and relax on the beach or by the pool in cozy bungalows.
Day 5: Use your free day on Koh Phangan to explore the island’s natural beauty or simply relax beachside.
Day 6: Ferry to Ko Tao for snorkeling and scenic views, with the afternoon free to explore underwater or on land.
Day 7: Spend your last full day in Ko Tao relaxing on the beach and cap off the night with drinks at a beach bar.
Day 8: Say goodbye to your group as the tour ends in Ko Tao, with options to extend your journey back to Bangkok.
Tour duration: 8 days
Destinations included: Bangkok, Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao
Group size: maximum 18 people
Operator: G Adventures
Approximate price: $789 US
Price per day: $98.3 US
What we loved: The small, tightly-knit group and value for money
Why this tour is good for young people: perfect for those who don’t want to only party and looking for a lot of free time
Best place to book group tours to Thailand for backpackers
Comparing different tours can be a hassle, and to save you from having to navigate dozens of open tabs from different websites, we highly recommend
When you book through them, you can be sure you’re getting the best price, and they often even have exclusive discounts. Plus, you can read unbiased reviews of the tours you’re interested in, and their customer service adds an extra layer of safety so you can be sure nothing will go wrong on your trip.
Instead of having to dig through the info on the tour operator’s site,
Think of
Where do group tours of Thailand usually start?
Most group tours of Thailand start in Bangkok, the country’s vibrant capital. You’ll be picked up at the airport and brought to your hotel before your tour begins.
Most travelers tend to arrive a day early, and many tour operators also offer pickup a day early and will help you book an extra night at the hotel if you need it.
Group tours of Thailand for backpackers FAQ
Flights are not included in the tours on this list, and participants need to book their own travel.
Joining group tours is one of the best ways to meet young people and make friends in Thailand if you’re traveling alone.
Group tours can be an incredible way to get to know the Island of the Gods, but make sure to adjust your expectations to the exact tour.
Before you go…
There is so much to see and do in Thailand, and we think you might enjoy some of our other articles as well. Check out our transport guides to help you get around Bangkok, Krabi&Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Tao, and Khao Sok National Park.
You might also like our article on Ao Nang vs Krabi, and our guide to visiting the lost hotel in Koh Tao.
Love posting on social media? You’ll love these quotes and captions about Thailand for Instagram.
If you like group tours, you might enjoy our review of the best ones in Bali, Indonesia.
Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.
