Is it better to travel before or after the New Year in Thailand?
A closer look at whether December or January offers a smoother trip
Thailand’s year-end holiday period presents travellers with a dilemma: join the festive chaos of late December, or wait until January when things calm down? With the 2025 to 2026 season approaching, this decision carries more weight than usual. The Thai government has declared an extended five-day holiday from December 31, 2025, to January 4, 2026, creating a double-peak where international tourists and domestic travellers converge simultaneously.
More importantly, the Chinese New Year doesn’t arrive until February 17, 2026. This creates a rare six-week golden gap in January, a sweet spot where Western holiday crowds have departed but the Lunar New Year rush hasn’t begun. Understanding these dynamics can mean the difference between a relaxed holiday and an expensive ordeal.
On this page
| Section (Click to jump) | Short Summary |
|---|---|
| The double-peak effect | Explains why late December becomes congested due to overlapping international and domestic travel demand. |
| Understanding the golden gap | Outlines the rare January 5–February 16 window featuring full high-season services with reduced crowds. |
| Maximise your timing | Offers practical strategies for choosing optimal dates, avoiding peak surcharges, and planning smarter travel. |
| Which month wins for most travellers? | Summarises which month provides better prices, weather, and comfort for the majority of visitors. |
If your Thailand trip falls around the New Year or early January, remember to complete your Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before flying into the country. Travellers who prefer a different option from the official government portal can use this alternative service, which allows you to submit your TDAC details in advance so your arrival is smooth, whether you choose the festive rush of late December or the calmer golden gap in January.
The double-peak effect: Why late December gets congested
The government’s extended holiday creates a unique overlap: maximum international arrivals coinciding with maximum domestic mobility. The Transport Ministry scheduled roughly 18,000 to 18,300 flights across Thailand from December 27 to January 2 in the 2024 to 2025 period, about 2,200 flights per day, a 14% jump from the previous year.
Highways leading out of Bangkok and major cities are jammed from December 23 onwards as millions head home. Routes like Bangkok to Hua Hin and Chiang Mai to Pai become particular bottlenecks. Car rental firms report that airport pick-ups become scarce in late December, with prices climbing steeply.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand aims for 6.71 million foreign arrivals in the final two months of 2025, involving marketing campaigns and events that artificially inflate December demand.
Understanding the golden gap: January 5 to February 16, 2026
Western tourists from the USA, UK, and Europe typically depart by the first week of January to return to work. Regional tourists from China, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong delay travel until the Lunar New Year in mid-February. The result? A six-week golden gap where these demographic waves don’t overlap.
This period offers high-season infrastructure, full ferry schedules, and all tours operating, but with significantly reduced density at major attractions. By January 5 onwards, occupancy rates drop 10% to 15% across most regions, translating to less competition for pool chairs, easier restaurant reservations, and a higher likelihood of room upgrades.
The changing composition matters too. Chinese tour groups are less prevalent now, replaced by smaller independent travellers. Russian and Indian tourists surge in December to January, particularly in Phuket and Pattaya. For destinations like Koh Lanta, Khao Lak, or the Gulf Islands, the golden gap feels even more pronounced.
Flight prices
Sample flight price comparison: December 2025 vs January 2026
| Route | December 2025 (Peak) | January 2026 (Post-Peak) | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok–Chiang Mai (domestic) | 2,400 to 3,200 baht | 2,100 to 2,600 baht | ~10% lower |
| Bangkok–Phuket (domestic) | 1,900 to 2,500 baht | 1,700 to 2,200 baht | ~12% lower |
| North America–Bangkok (return) | US$1,200 to US$1,800 (~38,266 to 57,399 Thai baht) | US$1,000 to US$1,400 (~31,889 to 44,644 Thai baht) | 15-25% lower |
| Europe–Bangkok (return) | US$1,100 to US$1,600 (~35,077 to 51,022 Thai baht) | US$900 to US$1,300 (~28,700 to 41,455 Thai baht) | 15-20% lower |
Prices in the table are researched as of the time of making the article; prices may differ, so make sure to do research on the prices.
Airlines capitalise on rigid holiday dates in December. Round-trip fares from North America frequently exceed US$1,200 to US$1,800 (~38,266 to 57,399 Thai baht) during Christmas-New Year. Booking post-holiday travel in mid-January yields savings of 15% to 25% on international routes.
Domestic fares in January typically run 10% lower than December peaks. More importantly, availability for preferred time slots becomes severely restricted in December due to domestic demand, whereas January offers ample inventory.
Transport companies have offered discounts for travel after January 2 (such as 10% off bus and van tickets from January 3 to 9), signalling that demand tapers after the holiday peak.
Accommodation
Hotel occupancy and market conditions: 2025 to 2026 forecast
| Region | December 2025 Occupancy | January 2026 Occupancy | Market Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 85-90% | 75-80% | Saturated in Dec; upgrades possible in Jan |
| Phuket | 90-95% | 85-90% | Highly congested in Dec; slight easing in Jan |
| Koh Samui | 90-95% | 70-80% | Significant drop offers better negotiation in Jan |
| Chiang Mai | 80-85% | 75-80% | Consistent demand, more availability in Jan |
Hotels apply peak season surcharges of 20% to 40% higher than standard high season rates during December 20 to January 10. The most controversial practice: compulsory gala dinners on December 31. Many 4 to 5-star hotels mandate paid gala dinners ranging from 7,500 baht (~US$235) to over 25,000 baht (~US$784) per person. For a family of four, this adds over US$1,000 (~31,889 Thai baht) without tangible value if the event isn’t desired.
Minimum stay requirements of 3 to 5 nights during December 25 to January 2 reduce itinerary flexibility for multi-destination travel.
By shifting to January 6 onwards, travellers bypass compulsory dinners and peak surcharges entirely. When the government’s five-day holiday ends on January 4, domestic hotel demand collapses, freeing inventory in destinations like Hua Hin and Pattaya.
Weather
Regional weather breakdown: December 2025 vs January 2026
| Region | December 2025 | January 2026 | Best Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf Islands (Samui, Phangan) | High risk: 172-250mm rainfall, 11-13 rainy days, choppy seas | Low risk: ~100mm rainfall, sunny days, calmer seas | January (vastly superior) |
| Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi) | Low risk: Dry season, occasional showers, 24-31°C | Optimal: Driest month, calmest seas for diving | January (slightly better) |
| Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai) | Optimal: Coolest temps (15°C nights), clear air | High quality: Cool temps, slight haze risk late Jan | December (marginally) |
| Central Thailand (Bangkok) | Optimal: Low humidity, bright skies | Optimal: Continued dry, warm weather | Tie (both excellent) |
La Niña creates elevated risks for the Gulf of Thailand in December. The Northeast Monsoon brings heavy rainfall and rough seas that can cancel ferry services. By mid-January, rainfall drops to approximately 100mm or less and seas calm considerably. For the Gulf Islands, January is the only logical choice; December is a gamble.
The Andaman Coast enjoys dry conditions in both months, but January edges ahead as the driest month with the calmest seas for diving. Northern Thailand sees December marginally better with the coolest temperatures and pristine air before the burning season begins in late January.
Maximise your timing
Book early for December: If festive events matter to you, secure flights and accommodation 2 to 4 weeks ahead. Prices spike in the last two weeks of December.
Use flight alert tools: Shifting a trip by even one or two days, flying December 30 or January 2 instead of December 31, can save thousands of baht.
Consider using alternate airports: Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, or Phuket sometimes offer better availability and competitive fares from low-cost carriers.
Target January 3 to 5 for optimal value: This window catches pricing corrections while avoiding the absolute peak.
Avoid compulsory packages: If you don’t want a gala dinner, don’t book hotels that mandate one. Consider serviced apartments or guesthouses.
Plan the Gulf Islands exclusively for January: December weather risks cancelled activities and grey skies. January transforms these destinations entirely.
January wins for most travellers
For travellers seeking value, better weather, and less stress, January, specifically from January 5 onwards, presents the superior option for 2025 to 2026. You’ll benefit from 15% to 25% lower flight costs, no hotel surcharges, significantly improved weather in the Gulf Islands, smoother airport experiences, and the golden gap, where tourist waves don’t overlap.
December offers festive appeal but comes with hyper-inflated pricing, near-capacity flights and hotels, jammed highways, longer immigration queues, and elevated weather risks in southern destinations.
The only scenario where December wins is for travellers prioritising Northern Thailand exclusively and wanting the absolute coolest temperatures before the burning season.
For most travellers, especially those planning beach holidays or multi-destination trips, waiting one week and arriving in the second week of January delivers a vastly superior experience. You’ll still enjoy high-season infrastructure but with breathing room that makes a holiday feel like a holiday, not an endurance test through crowds when you travel before the new year.
Also read:
- Thailand travel guide for your trip
- Cheap flights in Thailand you can find this Christmas and New Year’s holiday
- See the best of Northern Thailand this winter on a budget
The Thaiger key summary
- Late December consistently brings the heaviest crowds and highest prices, driven by overlapping domestic travel and peak international arrivals.
- From January 5 onward, travel conditions ease noticeably, with lower fares, better hotel availability, and fewer tourist waves during the golden gap.
- Weather patterns shift in favour of January, especially for beach destinations in the Gulf of Thailand, where calmer seas and reduced rainfall make travel smoother
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