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Português (PT)Where to go in March
Both hemispheres change season at once, and prices have not yet caught up with spring.
March is a transition. The northern hemisphere warms and daylight lengthens fast, while the southern one slides out of summer into a steady autumn. In Asia the heat builds noticeably and several cities in the north of the region start to see air-quality problems. The upside is that European room rates stay at off-season levels until mid-month.
8 places this month suits
Japan
Blossom starts in the south late in the month, with cool air and lengthening days. Rooms in the main cities tighten from the third week on.
Japan plansVietnam
The month where all three regions work at once, more than any other: the north has warmed, the centre is at its best and the south is still dry.
Vietnam plansJordan
Spring gives the right air for walking archaeological sites — neither the heat of summer nor the cold the highlands get in winter.
Jordan plansPortugal
Warms weeks ahead of northern Europe, with days long enough for walking and prices still off-season. It is the best value in western Europe this month.
Portugal plansSouth Africa
Late summer with steady weather and still-long days, good for the coast and the cities, before winter changes some routes.
South Africa plansIndia
The last month before full heat: the north still travels comfortably early on, and after mid-month temperatures climb fast, especially on the plains.
India plansTurkey
Istanbul warms up while queues are still short, and the Aegean coast has not yet entered its season, so it is quiet and cheap.
Turkey plansArgentina
Autumn begins: Buenos Aires drops out of summer heat into all-day walking weather, and the wine regions are in harvest.
Argentina plansWhat this month does to a data plan
The weather invites multi-country trips this month, and the common mistake is buying several single-country plans instead of one regional package. Checking the route before you buy saves both money and the fiddling at each border.
What to skip this month
Cities in the north of Southeast Asia have air-quality problems from open burning this month. Travelling with small children or with a respiratory condition, choose the coast or move the dates.
Thai holidays in March and what they do to fares
March 2027 has no Thai public holiday on the Bank of Thailand list: Makha Bucha moved into February this year. That makes March a month for planned leave rather than long weekends, and fares out of Bangkok are set by the destination's season, not by Thai demand.
Thai school holidays begin in March, so family travel picks up in the second half of the month. In Europe, Easter weekend in 2027 runs from Good Friday 26 March to Easter Monday 29 March, as Hong Kong's gazetted holidays also show, and European cities and trains are busy that weekend.
Visa notes for Thai passport holders in March
These are the entry rules for the places this page recommends. Rules change, so confirm on the official page before you pay for flights.
- Japan: Thai ordinary passports are visa-exempt for short stays of up to 15 days; a longer trip needs a visa from the Embassy of Japan. Immigration rules: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/index.html
- ASEAN neighbours such as Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore admit Thai passport holders visa-free for short tourist stays; the permitted length differs by country, so check before a long trip, for example https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore/visa_requirements or https://evisa.gov.vn.
- Schengen countries (most of the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland): Thai passport holders need a Schengen visa, and since the Entry/Exit System started, fingerprints and a face photo are taken at the first border crossing. https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en
- Turkey: check the current rule for Thai passports on the official e-Visa system before booking. https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
- South Africa: the Department of Home Affairs lists Thai ordinary passports as visa-exempt for up to 30 days. https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries
- Anywhere else on this page: check the country's embassy in Bangkok or its official e-visa portal, starting from the Thai Department of Consular Affairs. https://consular.mfa.go.th
Weather and crowds at a glance in March
| Destination | Typical conditions | Crowds and prices | Official forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan, Kyushu and Tokyo | Cool, blossom starting late in the month in warm years | Rooms tighten from the third week | JMA blossom data |
| Vietnam | North mild, centre and south dry | Moderate | Vietnam's national weather service |
| Jordan | Spring, mild days | Rising towards April | Jordan Meteorological Department |
| Portugal | Mild, some showers | Low season prices until Easter | IPMA |
| Turkey, Istanbul | Cool, changeable | Quiet; short queues | Turkish State Meteorological Service |
| South Africa, Cape Town | Late summer, dry and warm | Easing after summer peak | South African Weather Service |
| Argentina, Buenos Aires | Early autumn, warm | Normal | Argentina's national weather service |
Conditions are typical patterns, not a forecast. Check the national weather service listed for the week you travel.
When to book for March
- For Japanese blossom, the Japan Meteorological Agency publishes first-bloom and full-bloom observations by city. Book refundable rooms early and decide the city when the season's dates firm up, rather than locking in one weekend months ahead.
- Schengen visa appointments in Bangkok get busier ahead of the Songkran and summer travel peaks; for a March or April Europe trip, book the appointment as soon as your dates are fixed.
- Avoid starting a Europe trip on Easter weekend if price matters; the week before or after is usually quieter.
- Buy and install the eSIM at home in the days before departure; most plans in our catalogue only start counting days on first connection at the destination, which the plan page states.
Data needs in March
March is a multi-country month: Vietnam north to south, Portugal into Spain, Jordan with a hop to Egypt. A regional plan saves swapping profiles, but only if every country on the route is on its list. For one main country with a short side trip, two country plans are often cheaper. A blossom trip in Japan is the classic photo-heavy week, so size up if you upload during the day.
Where to go in March
Will March catch the cherry blossom?+
Only in the south, and only late in the month in a warm year. The date moves by several days year to year, so allow a wide window and keep a backup city.
Has Europe warmed up yet?+
The south has and is comfortable to walk; the north stays cold until the end of the month. The gap between the two halves of the continent is at its widest now.
Which plan suits a multi-country trip?+
If the route stays inside one region, a regional package usually costs less and saves switching profiles at every border. If it is one main country with a short hop, a single-country plan still wins.
Are there Thai public holidays in March 2027?+
None on the Bank of Thailand list. Check again before travelling, because the cabinet can add a special holiday.
When is Easter 2027 in Europe?+
Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday is 29 March 2027. Many shops close on the Friday or Monday in parts of Europe, and transport is busy.
Where can I check Japan's blossom dates?+
The Japan Meteorological Agency publishes observed first-bloom and full-bloom dates by city. Use them to pick a city once the season starts.
Do Thais need a visa for South Africa in March?+
South Africa's Department of Home Affairs lists Thai ordinary passports as visa-exempt for up to 30 days. Longer stays need a visa.