Thailand vs Indonesia.
Direct comparison for Indian travellers — visa, cost, best months, sights. All 7-Eleven stores accept ATM card withdrawals with zero fee — the unsung travel hack for Thailand. Meanwhile in Indonesia: Most Indonesian SIMs don't roam outside Bali; buy a fresh Telkomsel SIM for ₹400 if going to Lombok/Java.
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa for Indian passport | visa-free 60 days | visa-on-arrival 30 days |
| Visa cost (per person) | Free | ₹2,800 |
| Round-trip flight (Chennai) | ₹14k | ₹22k |
| Daily mid-range cost | ₹3.0-6.0k | ₹2.5-5.5k |
| Best months | Nov-Feb | Apr-Oct |
| Top city | Bangkok | Bali |
- 1. Grand Palace
- 2. Chiang Mai temples
- 3. Phi Phi islands
- 4. Pad thai at Thip Samai
- 1. Ubud rice terraces
- 2. Tanah Lot
- 3. Komodo dragons
- 4. Nusa Penida cliffs
Thailand or Indonesia for first-time Indian travellers?
Thailand has the simpler visa for Indian passport (visa-free 60 days). Thailand has cheaper flights from India (~₹14k). If budget is the constraint, pick the one with the lower combined visa+flight cost.
Which is cheaper to travel daily — Thailand or Indonesia?
Indonesia is cheaper at mid-range (₹3k/day baseline vs ₹3k). The gap is biggest on stays + food; transit costs are roughly similar.
When should I visit Thailand vs Indonesia?
Thailand is best in Nov-Feb. Indonesia is best in Apr-Oct. Different windows means you can do both as a multi-country trip if windows align.