Thailand is one of the best travel destinations in the world. Planning for what to spend in Thailand can be a challenging task. Unfortunately, there is no precise and dried answer to how much you need. However, we can analyse the average expenses so that you can have an estimate that is within the range.
The amount you spend in Thailand will depend on what you do, the parts of the country you wish to visit, and how much comfort you need. With some restaurant meals and drinks, traveling to Thailand can be enjoyable as well as affordable.
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The Thai Baht and the British Pound
The local currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht. I pound approximately 45 Baht. Please have a look at the currency converter to get currency exchange rates currently. You can withdraw cash using ATMs but note that this will attract an additional charge of about 150 Baht per transfer. To avoid confusion when organising for your trip, here is a guide to some of the prices you will find in Thailand.
1. Food and drinks in Thailand
Food in Thailand won’t cost you more than £ 10-15 a day. One meal in a casual Thai restaurant will cost you approximately 150 Baht (£4). If you don’t mind eating in the streets and you are conscious about your budget, you can get food from the streets which will cost you around 40-60BHT (£1-£1.5).
Drinking tap water in Thailand can pose severe risks to your health. Due to hot temperatures, your body will require more water than it does here at home. A 1.5-liter bottle of water goes for 12 Baht (less than a cent). A bottle of beer costs 90 Baht while a glass of wine will cost you 1500-200 Baht. Bars don’t generally charge for entrance fees, but for special occasions like the Half Moon party, you will need an extra £20 in your budget.
2. Accommodation
Like any other travel destination, your accommodation expense will depend on how much comfort you would want to have. If you want a comfortable and luxurious hotel room, the average accommodation cost is around 1200 BHT per day.
3. Transportation expenses
There are many transportations offers in Thailand. The cheapest mode of transport for longer distances are buses and trains and are best found on overnight trips. A long bus journey from Bangkok to Phuket is about 900 Baht. For short distances, you can use a Taxi and Tuk-tuk, and the prices depend on the distance you want to travel. Tuk-tuk tours go for as little as 11 Baht per hour, but it is polite to give a tip to your tripsavvy.
Other expenses
The average cost to surf the internet is 1BHT per minute. A pack of cigarettes costs around 100 Baht. Boat tours at an average price of £ 40 per person. The entrance is free to most cultural sites but the most popular ones will require approximately 95 Baht to enter. Taking a short term loan from a reputable website could help fund your trip, click here for more details.
Many people budget for £150-£180 per week, which is enough to have a great time in this great country. If you are conscious of your budget and don’t mind street food, you will require £90 per week. If you are booked for a whole trip with your travel and meal expenses included, you all need to budget for small activities that you fancy.
How Can You Save Some Money?
As you could read in the previous part of our article, Thailand is a country that covers all budgets. Its versatility when it comes to the costs makes it one of the most popular locations for tourism. However, it is always useful to save some money when you have the chance. We are going to present you with some ways you can do this.
1. Try to Live Like a Local
Not following strict tourist rails in Thailand can lead you a long way. You should adapt to the local way of life while you are visiting. For example, you shouldn’t go to even standard restaurants and opt for street food. Also, you could just take local bus lines instead of a taxi. An average citizen of Thailand has 8,000 Baht per month, which is slightly under £200. With that in mind, we absolutely have no doubt that you can have a very good time and spending as little as you can in the process. If you decide to avoid big towns and attractions and visit smaller towns or even the countryside, you will be able to save even more money.
2. Bargaining at Markets
Thai people have a tradition of bargaining on markets. There is no reason why you shouldn’t do just that. Don’t settle for the first price the seller offers you and don’t hesitate to stop bargaining when you feel like you will not succeed. You can even have conversations with locals about the prices of the products you are interested in buying.
3. Don’t Book Tours Before You Get to Thailand
One thing that we feel is very important to point out is that you shouldn’t book any tours before you arrive. Chances are that you are going to pay much more than you need to. At the same time, when you are already in Thailand, you can find agencies everywhere you look. So, you will have no problem booking the same tours for a significantly lesser price. Moreover, Thai people are very friendly and open to negotiate any deal you have in mind. Furthermore, one of the best things that these agencies will offer you is a massive discount if you are in a bigger group of people. There are no reasons why you shouldn’t team up with your friends or other tourists and save some money in the process. The conclusion is that you don’t need to be impatient when it comes to booking. You will receive much better deals when you arrive.