Transit visa for Thailand: can I leave the airport on a layover?

At a glance, by passport

Passport	Change planes airside	Leave the airport
United States	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
Canada	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
United Kingdom	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
Australia	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
New Zealand	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
EU / EEA / Switzerland	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
India	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
China (mainland)	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
Brazil	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 90 days
Mexico	No document needed to stay airside	Not without a visa
South Africa	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
Philippines	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
Japan	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 30 days
South Korea	No document needed to stay airside	Yes, no visa needed · 90 days

Changing planes without leaving the airport

Airside means you stay behind passport control: you walk from one gate to the next and never formally enter Thailand. Many countries let you do that without any document, some ask for an online authorisation or a transit visa even for this.

Holders of United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, India, China (mainland), Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Philippines, Japan and South Korea passports can change planes airside without any document.

Leaving the airport

To see the city you pass immigration and enter Thailand like any visitor, so the normal entry rule for your passport applies, however short your stay.

Without a visa: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, India, China (mainland), Brazil, South Africa, Philippines, Japan and South Korea. Only with a visa: Mexico.

Transit rules in Thailand

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

Who: All foreign nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea (since 1 May 2025)

submit within 3 days before arrival, for every entry
free of charge
not a visa and cannot replace one

Source: Royal Thai Embassy, London , Royal Thai Embassy, London

Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme (30 days), effective 15 September 2026

Who: Ordinary passport holders of 60 listed countries/territories

tourism only
max two entries per calendar year under the scheme
may need proof of accommodation, onward travel within 30 days, THB 20,000 per person / 40,000 per family
passport valid at least six months
extension up to 30 days at the immigration officer's discretion

Source: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C. , Royal Thai Embassy, London , Royal Thai Embassy, London

Your passport in detail

United States passport

Leave the airport: Yes, no visa needed 30-day visa exemption (from 15 Sep 2026), max two entries per calendar year; may be asked for onward ticket within 30 days, accommodation, THB 20,000 cash. TDAC required. Stay: 30 days.

Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside International transit area at BKK; not confirmed on an official page (see uncertain).

Official source: For Foreign Visitors Travelling to Thailand — entry privileges for ordinary passport holders (infographic, effective 15 Sep 2026, information as of 31 Aug 2026) , Visa Exemption / VOA (last updated 17 Sep 2026) , Common Questions (FAQs) (last updated 1 Sep 2026)