Planning Your First International Trip? Start with Thailand or Dubai!
You've got a passport. Now you want to use it.
For most families in Bangalore, the first trip abroad comes down to two names.
Thailand. Or Dubai.
There's a reason. Both are close, both are cheap to fly to, both are easy on the paperwork, and both are packed with things your family will actually enjoy.
But they're not the same holiday.
Let me help you pick, and let me start with the part that's changing right now.
Thailand's visa rules are shifting. Here's where they stand.
If you've read anything online about Thailand visas in the last two months, you've probably read something wrong.
Here's the accurate position, as of July 2026.
Thailand's Cabinet approved a new entry framework on 14 July 2026
India moves to a 30-day visa exemption — an upgrade on the 15-day visa-on-arrival that was on the table in May
The rules take effect 15 days after publication in Thailand's Royal Gazette
That publication date hasn't been announced yet
Until it happens, current entry rules stay in place
So right now, Indian travellers are still being processed under the older, longer exemption.
Does any of this affect your holiday? Almost certainly not.
A 30-day allowance is plenty for a 5 or 6-day trip.
The people affected are long-stayers, repeat visitors and remote workers. Not a family going for a week.
The one thing you must do: fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before you fly, at tdac.immigration.go.th. It takes about ten minutes. Without it, you don't clear immigration.
We track these announcements and tell our travellers exactly what's needed for their dates. For the official position, the Tourism Authority of Thailand newsroom is the source worth watching.
Dubai's visa is simpler
No drama here.
The UAE tourist visa for Indians is an e-visa. No interview. No biometrics. No embassy queue.
What you need:
A passport with 6 months' validity from your travel date
Passport photos
Confirmed flights and hotel bookings — we provide those
Processing runs 2 to 4 working days, though we apply well ahead.
Your visa fee is included in our Dubai package. We do the application for you.
If you already hold a valid US visa, Green Card, or a UK or EU residence permit, you may qualify for visa on arrival. Tell us and we'll check.
The one mistake to avoid: don't book with a passport that has under six months left. Renew first. It's the single most common reason a first trip abroad falls apart.
Thailand: what you're actually getting
Here's the number that settles it for most families.
Our Thailand trips start at ₹52,999 per person.
Dubai starts at around ₹1.15 lakh.
That's less than half the price, for a similar length of holiday.
Four itineraries, pick your mix:
Bangkok & Pattaya, 4D/3N — ₹52,999 — the classic first-timer route
Bangkok & Pattaya, 5D/4N — ₹58,999 — an extra day, plus Wat Traimit and a full shopping day
Phuket & Krabi — ₹64,999 — beaches and islands, skip the big city
Phuket, Bangkok & Pattaya, 6D/5N — ₹69,999 — all three, one trip
What you'll actually do:
Coral Island (Koh Larn) — parasailing, snorkelling, jet skiing, white sand
Alcazar Show in Pattaya, Thailand's famous cabaret
Sanctuary of Truth — an enormous all-wood temple-castle that fuses Hindu and Buddhist carving. Indian families tend to love this one.
Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Wat Traimit — including a 5.5-tonne solid gold Buddha
Chao Phraya dinner cruise through a lit-up Bangkok
Safari World & Marine Park — dolphins, sea lions, a proper day out for kids
Phi Phi Islands by speedboat on the Phuket routes — Maya Bay, Viking Cave, snorkelling in the Andaman Sea
Every trip includes return airfare, travel insurance, 4-star hotels, all meals, AC coach, entry fees to everything listed, and guide and driver tips.
On top of the package price: 2% GST, and TCS as required by Indian tax law. TCS isn't lost money — it's advance tax you claim back when filing your return.
Honest note on food: Thai food is not Indian food. It's brilliant, but if your parents want rasam and rice every day, tell us in advance. Indian restaurants are everywhere in Bangkok and Phuket, and we plan meals around what your group actually eats.
Dubai: what you're actually getting
Dubai is the polished, effortless, everything-works option.
Spotless roads. Air conditioning everywhere. Indian food on every corner. Almost everyone speaks English or Hindi.
For nervous first-timers, it's the gentlest possible introduction to travelling abroad.
What you'll see on our 5-day Dubai trip:
Burj Khalifa, 124th floor
Desert safari with dune bashing and a BBQ dinner in a Bedouin camp
Marina dhow cruise at night
Dubai Frame, Miracle Garden, Global Village
Abu Dhabi — the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the BAPS Hindu Temple
That last one matters to a lot of our families. A magnificent Hindu temple, in the Gulf, on a beach holiday.
There's also a 6-day version with direct flights both ways and more leisure time.
One seasonal warning: Miracle Garden and Global Village close through the summer, roughly June to late September. Book Dubai between October and April, or you'll lose a full day of the itinerary.
Thailand or Dubai? Pick by what you want.
Thailand | Dubai | |
Best for | Beaches, islands, nightlife, value | Cities, luxury, comfort, families |
Starting price | ₹52,999 pp | ₹1.15 lakh pp |
Visa | Exemption, rules changing — verify dates | E-visa, included in our package |
Food for Indian families | Good, needs planning | Easy, Indian food everywhere |
Language | Some English | English and Hindi widely spoken |
Best months | Nov–Mar | Oct–Apr |
Nervous first-timer | Fine | Ideal |
Honeymoon | Excellent | Excellent |
Elderly parents | Good | Better — less walking, more comfort |
The short version:
Choose Thailand if you want beaches, adventure, and roughly twice the holiday for your money.
Choose Dubai if you want everything smooth, familiar food, and a holiday that feels premium without being complicated. You're paying about double, and for a lot of families that's worth it.
Nervous parents on their first flight abroad? Dubai.
Young couple who want islands and a good time? Thailand.
When to go
Thailand: November to March. Dry, warm, comfortable. Avoid the monsoon months if beach time is the point.
Dubai: October to April. Skip June to August, when it crosses 45°C and the outdoor attractions shut.
Both are winter destinations for us. Which is convenient, since that's when Bangalore has the school holidays.
Don't have a passport yet?
Then read this first: Nepal or Bhutan for your first trip abroad.
Indians can visit both without a passport — an original Voter ID is enough.
It's the only way to travel abroad while your passport application is still in the queue.
FAQs
Q: Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026?
A: Rules are changing. A 30-day visa exemption for India was approved on 14 July 2026 but isn't in force until it's published in Thailand's Royal Gazette. Until then, existing rules apply. Either way, a week-long holiday is unaffected. Everyone must complete the TDAC online before flying.
Q: Do Indians need a visa for Dubai?
A: Yes, a UAE e-visa. No interview or biometrics, 2–4 working days, and the fee is included in our package.
Q: Which is cheaper, Thailand or Dubai?
A: Thailand, by a wide margin. Our Thailand packages start at ₹52,999 per person against roughly ₹1.15 lakh for Dubai. Your rupee also goes further there on food and shopping.
Q: Do the prices change?
A: Yes. Package prices vary with group size and any customisation you ask for, and 5% GST plus TCS apply on top. Ask us for the all-in figure for your dates before you pay.
Q: Which is better for elderly parents?
A: Dubai. Less walking, more air conditioning, easier food, and a shorter flight.
Q: How many days do I need?
A: Five to six days for either. Enough to see the highlights without living out of a suitcase.
Q: Is Thailand safe for a family trip?
A: Yes, on a guided package. We plan the routes and the evenings, so you see the fun side and skip the rest.
Q: What if the Thailand visa rules change before my trip?
A: We'll tell you. We track the announcements and confirm what's needed for your travel dates before you fly.
So, which one?
Both are excellent first trips. Neither will overwhelm you.
Thailand gives you more for your money.
Dubai gives you less to worry about.
Pick the one that matches your family, and let us handle the flights, the hotels, the meals, the visa and the paperwork.
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👉 See our Dubai and Thailand packages, or WhatsApp us and tell us who's travelling. We'll tell you straight which one suits you.
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