Thailand On A Budget- 12 Important Things To Know

Even when visiting countries that are world-wide known as cheap travel destinations, you still need to make a plan and learn as much as you can about the costs related to the journey or you’ll find your money disappearing a lot faster than what you imagined! For example, a lot of travelers write about how cheap it is to travel in Thailand but there are still a lot of things you should know before visiting.

There are a lot of tourist traps, traveler scams, and tips and tricks about traveling to Thailand on a budget that you should be aware of. If you’re planning to visit Thailand soon and want to make the most out of your money, keep reading. This article will tell you everything you need to know! For starters, let’s see…

Just How Expensive Is Thailand?

This is a summary of the average costs related to traveling in Thailand. However, keep in mind that this is the average.

Accommodation for one person ฿1,018 ($32)

Accommodation for two people ฿2,035 ($65)

Food Three meals per day ฿958 ($31)

Water for one day ฿51 ($1.65)

Local Transport estimated weekly costs for local buses, subway, tuk-tuk, etc. ฿375 ($12)

Entertainment shows, events, etc. ฿543 ($18)

Tips and Handouts for one day ฿105 ($3.50)

Intercity Transportation average cost of transport between cities ฿966 ($31)

Scams, tourist traps, and mishaps ฿1,070 ($34.50)

Alcohol daily budget ฿220 ($7-8)

฿220 ($7-8)Millions of people visit Thailand every year and they come with a different purpose and different expectations. Some people want to enjoy luxury, others are backpacking, etc. So, for your trip to Thailand, you can spend more than this article suggests but it’s also completely possible to travel to Thailand for less. It depends on what you want to do.

And in the crazy place that is Thailand, you’ll often find luxury right next to budget. Dorm rooms & ‘Five Star’ hotels on the same street – with prices ranging from a few hundred a night to a few thousand a night. Luxury private tours and basic budget-friendly options are often sold by the same vendors! Things can quickly get confusing in ‘The Land of Smiles’!

However, despite this, it’s completely possible to experience Thailand with a limited budget and this article will show you how.

Finding Accommodation In Thailand On A Budget

One great way to save money on accommodation in Thailand is staying in hostels. Opting for hostels over hotels isn’t just for college kids backpacking across the country. Not only are they a less expensive, no-frills alternative (most hostels charge less than $3 per night), but they also help to lend a more authentic touch to your travels.

When you stay at a hostel, what you give up in amenities is paid back tenfold in opportunities to meet new people and effectively immerse yourself in the Thai culture. While a hostel is admittedly not as restful, it serves its purpose so you can focus your energy on getting the most out of your travels.

Most people think that traveling to Thailand on a budget is only possible if you share a room in a dorm with 15 other sweaty, snoring backpackers. However, that’s not the case. You can find a lot of private rooms for a price far less than the average $30 per room. There are budget hotels and guest houses that rent rooms for as little as $5 per night. Additionally, if you’re planning to stay in one place for longer, you can always bargain for a lower weekly/monthly rate.

What About Camping?

If you read some of my other budget travel articles, you know I always encourage people to go camping when traveling abroad. However, to be completely honest, camping in Thailand isn’t recommended. Firstly, because Thailand has a high population density and there aren’t that many good camping spots.

The camping spots that are available often charge campground fees that are sometimes even more expensive than hotels and finally, there are a lot of mosquitos around. If we add camping gear to the mix, you’ll see that the costs of camping will be unfeasible most of the time.

Looking for some Thailand travel inspiration? Check out our comparison between Bangkok and Chiang Mai and this list of hidden gems in Bangkok.

Finding The Cheapest Accommodation

Even though camping isn’t an option, there are some other ways to save money on accommodation in Thailand. Of course, one way of this is Couchsurfing but in this section, I’d like to address an option that not a lot of bloggers suggest; staying in monasteries. Thailand has hundreds of monasteries and temples spread across the country and most of them are open for visitors.

You don’t need to be Buddhist to stay in a Thai Monastery and you can get free accommodation and food, as long as you respect the rules of the monastery and perhaps help with a few chores.

Alternatively, another way to get free accommodation in Thailand is by using websites like Love Home Swaps.

Transportation In Thailand

Next on our guide to visiting Thailand on a budget are a few transportation tips. Thailand has a great tourist infrastructure and there are a lot of tours that can take you around the country. Even though this is a very convenient way to explore most of Thailand’s territory, costs can add up rather quickly. That means you’ll have to take care of your own transportation.

The first rule of thumb when organizing your transportation in Thailand is “never pre-book anything”. Don’t use any agencies or intermediaries but book your ticket by yourself on the bus/train station. The cheapest way to get around Thailand is traveling by train but not every city in Thailand has a railway. Buses, on the other hand, are a bit more expensive but go to every corner of Thailand.

A 12-hour train journey in the third class on a train costs between $6 and $8, while a ride for the same distance with a bus costs between $8 and $22, depending on which bus you’re taking.

If you want to travel with your vehicle, you can always rent a car. Sure, this gives you more flexibility, but if you ask me it just isn’t feasible if you’re planning to travel in Thailand on a budget; there are a lot of buses and trains that can take you practically anywhere for only a fraction of the price. If you’re traveling light, you can always rent a bike; this is probably the cheapest transportation option in Thailand.

However, if you decide to do this, be VERY careful, always wear a helmet, and make sure the bike you’re renting is prepared for the length of your journey. Renting a bike in Thailand is super easy and that’s one reason why there are so many bike accidents on the roads.

Cheap Dining In Thailand

I just can’t understand people who come to Thailand on all-inclusive arrangements. Don’t get me wrong, these arrangements are convenient, but in a country with such a rich street food scene, it’s like booking a flight to Venice that comes with a car rental. I’ve visited Thailand on several different occasions and with a different budget but despite my budget, street food is always my go-to choice.

I’ve learned (the hard way) that Western restaurants and continental food are often overpriced and not as tasty as you might think. Not a big surprise, considering that most of the ingredients to prepare these dishes need to be imported.

So, if you’re traveling to Thailand on a budget, I would suggest avoiding Western restaurants completely. Another great reason to go for street food is the fact that you can try several different dishes for only a few dollars. Even if you don’t like something, it’ll only cost you $1-$2. Much better than ordering a bad $20 meal at a restaurant, isn’t it?

What About Drinking And Partying?

Thailand is famous for its wild nightlife and fortunately, there are a few tricks about partying in Thailand without breaking the bank. First and foremost, avoid all trendy bars, clubs downtown, and rooftop bars. Most bars that don’t belong to the above-mentioned categories don’t need reservations and don’t charge entrance fees. However, alcohol is still a lot more expensive in bars compared to 7/11s.

For example, a beer in a bar can cost between $2 and $3.50 depending on where you are, but in a 7/11 store, you can get that same beer for $1.50. And that’s just beer. The price difference for whiskey and other hard liquors is even more drastic.

So, if you want to party in Thailand on a budget, it’s always a good idea to do some pre-drinking before going out.

When To Visit?

You can’t always control your schedule, but when possible, be mindful of the peak travel times. Prices will fluctuate and go up during the popular tourist season, which is typically December to March in Thailand. Oftentimes, it’s the weather that dictates the demand, so keep an eye on the weather forecast. Saving some money is not worth it if you’re stuck in your room the whole day during the monsoons.

How To Save Money While Traveling In Thailand

• Get off of the beaten track. It’s simple, the further you are from the more touristy places, the lower the prices are. Overall, the towns in Northern Thailand are far cheaper than the Southern part of the country. Sure, you won’t find any beaches in this part of Thailand but you can learn a lot more about Thai culture and get a glimpse of authentic rural life away from the westernized cities and islands of the south.
• If you want to book tours, do it after you arrive. Whether you want to go on a jungle trek, try scuba diving, or just want to take a cooking class, it’s best to book your tour after you arrive. Travel agencies are easy to find and you can always negotiate rates with them. A rule of thumb is the more you buy, the better discount you get. If you bring a few friends with you and book multiple packages  from the same agency, you can always get a better deal.
• Bargain, bargain, bargain. When you head to the local night markets, want to buy some souvenirs, or even take a tuk-tuk ride, you have to prepare to bargain. Never accept the first price a vendor/driver gives you unless you’re buying some fruits or street food. If you can, ask a local what are the prices for certain items before you go shopping. Finally, remember that bargaining hard doesn’t mean being a jerk.
• Don’t get scammed. Some people end up spending a lot of their money on tourist scams. Don’t be one of them and make sure you’re informed before you go. I recently published an article about the most common scams in Southeast Asia. Make sure to check it out before you go. Talking about scams, you should also learn…

How Not To Waste Money At The ATM

ATMs in Thailand use DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion). DCC basically means the ATM converts the local currency to the currency you have on your card. However, this is something you can avoid. Every time you take out money from ATMs in Thailand there will be a small popup asking you if you want to continue with conversion or not.

Most people are in a rush and just click the OK button (placed on the center of the screen) every time they take out money without knowing that they can complete the transaction without conversion (by clicking the button in the corner).

How Much Money Do You Need For Your Trip To Thailand?

If we take the prices we mentioned at the beginning of this article, we’ll come to a daily budget of $70 per day. However, it all depends on what your expectations are and what you plan to do on this trip.

If you’re a backpacker and you plan to use mostly public transport and stay in hostels, you can survive with $25- $35 per day. With this budget, you can get a bed in a good dorm or an independent room without an AC in a budget hotel, you can afford a couple of drinks per day, eat food from street food stalls, and take a few tours here and there.

If you want to stay in nicer hotels and travel more comfortably (with flights or luxury buses), eat more seafood, and take more tours and activities, this is doable with a budget of $50-$60 per day.

Finally, if you want to stay in luxurious hotels, eat continental food, fly around the country, encounter some unique experiences and do more typical tourist things, prepare a budget of +$100 per day.

However, keep in mind that if you plan to spend more time on some of the islands in Southern Thailand, increase your daily budget as everything is more expensive there.

If you’re a backpacker and you plan to use mostly public transport and stay in hostels, you can survive with $25- $35 per day. * If you want to stay in nicer hotels and travel more comfortably (with flights or luxury buses), eat more seafood, and take more tours and activities, this is doable with a budget of $50-$60 per day. * If you want to stay in luxurious hotels, eat continental food, fly around the country, and do more typical tourist things, prepare a budget of +$100 per day.

Helpful Resources For Visiting Thailand On A Budget

If you need a cheap flight to Thailand, Qatar Airways has some great deals but this coupon can get you an additional 20% off on all flight bookings.

For cheap accommodation options in Thailand, use this Booking discount code and get 15% off. And if you need something more fancy, book three nights at all Radisson hotels in Thailand and get one free with this coupon.

Planning to rent a car in Thailand? Get 15% off on all car rentals in Thailand with my AutoEurope coupon.

To save on all bus, train, or ferry rides in Thailand, use 12goasia and save up to 15% (for more info check out our 12go Asia review here).

Make sure to check whether you need a visa. And on IVisa you can not only check if you need a visa but also apply and get one for only $15 and 3-4 days.

And last but not least, use this SafetyWing discount code to get a great travel insurance deal.

Did you ever go to Thailand? How did you like our ultimate guide to visiting Thailand on a budget? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

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