Complete Guide to Traveling to Thailand from New Zealand: Everything you need to know [2025]

Planning an adventure to Thailand? You’re in good company. Bangkok became the world’s most visited city in 2023, overtaking Paris¹.

With the bustling capital and other hotspots in Chiang Mai and Phuket having so much to offer, it’s no surprise that around 100,000 New Zealanders make the journey every year.

Whether you’re planning to work, study, visit family, or simply explore Thailand’s stunning mountainous landscapes and vibrant culture, this guide will help you prepare for the trip. We'll also introduce the Wise travel card – your perfect companion for managing expenses on your travels abroad. Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate with no markups and transparent fees to help save on international transactions.

Table of contents
NZ to Thailand Travel Requirements Applying for Thailand Visa from NZ Flying to Thailand from NZ Checklist for NZ to Thailand Travel Managing Your Finances in Thailand Cash Considerations in Thailand Using NZ Cards in Thailand Wise Travel Card for Thailand

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New Zealand to Thailand Travel Requirements

New Zealand is one of 93 countries that enjoy visa exemptions in Thailand². You can visit for up to 60 days for tourism purposes and extend it once while you are there for a further 30 days. The extension is at the discretion of immigration officers.

There is also a new travel requirement for 2025. Every visitor benefitting from visa-free travel to Thailand must complete an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) form from June³.

Thailand Visa for New Zealand Citizens

Thailand’s visa-free restrictions are quite relaxed compared to other countries. Anything tourist-related qualifies. You can explore temples, partake in mountain hikes, and briefly visit friends and family for 60 days just by presenting your NZ passport on arrival.

The visa exemption even includes ‘urgent work’ and ‘ad-hoc work’. Thai immigration authorities define these as 16 types of work, including organising conferences and conducting academic lectures. However, you do need to notify a registrar at the airport on arrival and any work must be completed within 15 days².

There are a few other ‘non-immigrant visa’ types you can apply for if you want to stay in Thailand for other purposes.

There’s also a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) designed specifically for ‘digital nomads’, freelancers, and remote workers. This is valid for 5 years, allowing NZ citizens to enter multiple times with a maximum stay of 180 days per entry.

Thailand Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit holders

If you aren’t a NZ citizen but have a residence permit, you will need to check the visa requirements based on the country you hold a passport with. In addition to a lengthy visa-exemption list, Thailand allows foreign nationals from 31 countries to get a visa on arrival (VoA). This is valid for a shorter, 15-day stay².

Check the official exemption list from the Royal Thai Embassy in Wellington for clarity on visa requirements.

Applying for Thailand Visa from New Zealand

Thailand switched to an e-visa system for all visa applications in 2024⁴. You will need to create an application account on the official e-visa website and then submit your details and documents.

If you’re a NZ citizen and going purely for tourist purposes, you won’t have to apply for anything beforehand due to the visa exemption.

For other forms of e-visa, here’s a step-by-step guide for the process:

1. Visit the official Thai e-visa website
2. Create an account
3. Fill in the application form
4. Upload supporting documents, including:
   1. Clear photo of passport biodata page
   2. High resolution passport photo taken within the last 6 months
   3. Document proving current location
   4. Proof of financial solvency such as bank statements
5. Pay visa fee
6. Wait around 5 to 10 working days for visa to be processed
7. Receive visa by email
8. Print a copy of visa to present to immigration officers on arrival

For all travel plans from June 2025, you must also submit an ETA application via the website. This is free and will take 1 hour to be processed. After registering, you will get a QR code which can be used at immigration checkpoints in Thailand³.

The Thai Embassy says the new ETA system is ‘subject to change’, so make sure to check the latest guidance if you are travelling from June 2025 onwards.

Flying to Thailand from New Zealand

There are currently no direct flights from New Zealand to Thailand. To get to your destination, you can depart from Auckland and then hop on a connecting flight at cities including Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Singapore, and Sydney.

Airlines that operate between NZ and Thailand include:

• Singapore Airlines
• Air New Zealand
• Thai Airways
• Qantas
• Emirates

One of the fastest routes involves flying from Auckland to Singapore, where there is a short layover before travelling to Bangkok. This takes roughly 15 hours. Most one-stop flights take between 15 and 20 hours depending on the layover, so be prepared for a long trip.

What can I bring into Thailand

Thailand operates two channels at customs: green and red⁵. You can skip to the green, Nothing to Declare lane if you aren’t bringing in any prohibited or restricted goods and don’t need to pay duty on any items. However, you’ll need to go to the red lane if you do have goods to declare.

There is a familiar set of goods you can’t import or need a permit for⁶. These include:

• Narcotics
• Radioactive substances
• Firearms and ammunition
• Live animals
• Endangered animal and plant species

You can bring quite a bit of currency, though. You won’t have to declare anything up to the equivalent of 20,000 USD and 500,000 THB⁷. Read our guide on taking cash in and out of Thailand for a detailed break-down on the rules for declaring money.

Other duty-free allowances include:

• Personal belongings up to the value of 20,000 THB
• Up to 200 cigarette sticks or 250g of tobacco or a mixture of both no more than 250g
• Up to 1L of alcohol

Document to carry before flying to Thailand

When travelling to Thailand you need a few essential documents to smooth your passage into the country. Don’t forget to pack these into your rucksack, ready to present on arrival:

• Passport: Valid for at least six months from your date of arrival
• Visa (if required): Print a copy or two of the visa you received via email
• Supporting documents: Print off any accommodation details and have inbound and outbound flight tickets at hand
• Travel insurance proof: Print off a copy of your travel insurance policy

While not a physical document, you also need to enrol on the ETA system and get a QR code when travelling from June 2025. This is specifically for anyone taking advantage of the visa exemption scheme.

Checklist for New Zealand to Thailand Travel

After readying your essential documents, it’s time to start sorting some day-to-day services and items that will make your stay in Thailand easier and more enjoyable.

Mobile connectivity

Most NZ networks offer international roaming for data usage abroad. Spark, for instance, allows customers to purchase a 14-day ‘roaming data pack’ for a 4G service in Thailand with 2GB of data⁸. It costs 25 NZD. This might be ideal for one or two-week holidays, but costs can spiral over longer stays.

If you are worried about the expense of roaming, you can purchase an eSIM or local prepaid SIM card. The best eSIM options for Thailand include Holafly, Airalo, DTAC, and eSIM Thailand. If you are only staying for a few days, picking up a local SIM at an airport on arrival will suffice. Both AIS and TrueMove H offer convenient 8-day plans.

Other items to pack for your trip include:

• Travel adapters: Take at least one universal travel adapter for the Type A, B, and C plugs used in Thailand
• Appropriate clothing: Thailand is warm to hot year-round, but temperatures peak in the dry season from March to May. Pack light and breathable fabrics, but remember to wear respectful attire at sacred sites.
• Health and safety items: Don’t forget sunscreen, insect bite gel, and basic first-aid items. Check the CDC’s packing list for a full rundown of health products for Thailand.

Travel Insurance for Thailand

Medical treatment can be very expensive in Thailand. You should take out comprehensive travel insurance for financial protection and peace of mind for all eventualities.

Fortunately, we have a complete guide to the best travel insurance in New Zealand to help you find a policy that’s right for you.

Managing Your Finances in Thailand

There’s lots to see and do in Thailand. To make the most of your stay, you need to manage your finances effectively and be vigilant about exchange rates and fees.

Cash Considerations

While locals are open to digital payments, cash still makes up a large chunk of transactions in Thailand¹³. You should always have some local currency — the Thai baht (THB) — in your wallet to pay for goods and services. Cash is often preferred by vendors, especially in temples, museums, and local markets. It’s great for tipping, too.

Be mindful of the fees when exchanging currency and drawing out money at airports, ATMs, and local booths. For some helpful tips, check out our guide to avoiding foreign ATM fees when traveling abroad 📹

When using cash, try to keep larger baht notes stowed away in a safe at your hotel or accommodation. It’s better to carry smaller denominations for everyday purchases and tipping. You should also split the money between different pockets and bags.

Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards

Both Google Wallet and Apple Pay are supported in Thailand and can be used on the transport system in the capital, and elsewhere^10,11. Around a third of Thai citizens now pay for buses in Bangkok using contactless payments¹².

You can use your NZD cards in places where card payments are accepted. However, be wary of foreign exchange fees and markups on conversion rates with your card provider⁹.

Using a multi-currency travel card such as Wise is an excellent alternative with transparent exchange rates and low fees. Available for residents of New Zealand and supported countries, Wise offers the mid-market rate on currency conversions, which is the usually the same rate you see on Google, ensuring that you don’t lose money to extra fees or hidden mark-ups.

Save on Thailand Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

Wise offers a convenient travel card and money transfer services that make managing your finances abroad a breeze. The Wise card lets you spend like a local in over 150+ countries.

Get started with Wise 🚀

Here's why Wise is a great choice for your international travels:

• Excellent exchange rates: Always get the mid-market exchange rate – the same one you usually see on Google – so you get the most out of your money.
• Low, transparent fees: Say goodbye to hidden charges and hefty markups. Wise keeps its fees low and transparent, so you know exactly what you're paying.
• Convenient card and app: Use your Wise card to swipe like a local in supported countries. Manage your money, track spending, and even freeze your card if needed, all through the Wise app.
• Cash withdrawals: Easily withdraw cash from supported ATMs abroad with low, transparent fees. But be mindful that ATM providers may charge their own cash withdrawal fees.
• International transfers: Send money abroad with the same mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. New Zealand Trade Market Reports
2. Visa Exemption - Thai Embassy Wellington
3. New Travel Requirement for Visitors to Thailand Coming in 2025
4. Applying for a Visa - Thai Embassy Wellington
5. Customs Information for Travelers to Thailand
6. Import and Export Restrictions for Travelers - Thai Embassy Athens
7. Bringing Currency In and Out of Thailand - Thai Embassy London
8. International Roaming - Spark Mobile Plans (Thailand)
9. Travel Money - ANZ New Zealand
10. Locate a Family Member in a Crisis
11. Pay in Store with Google Pay
12. Nine in Ten Thais Are Interested in Virtual Banking - Visa Study
13. Cash Adoption in Thailand