There is good reason Thailand is popular amongst backpackers – it is normally much cheaper than back home. Accommodation, activities, transport and food all come at quite a low cost, making Thailand the perfect destination for budget travellers.
One of the perks of travelling on a Tucan Travel group tour to Thailand is that all the main elements of your holiday are included in the tour cost. We arrange and book all the accommodation, the transport to get between each location, add in some activities and provide a tour leader to show you the ropes and be on hand 24/7. This means all you need to worry about is how much fun you can cram into each destination! The best part? You’ll be travelling with a bunch of like-minded people and make friends along the way. They do say that the best things in life are shared.
Bottled water costs around 15 baht (around 50 cents) in a convenience store. Tap water is unsafe to drink in Thailand so you will have to pay for water along your travels. If possible, refill your bottle in hotel water machines to cut down on plastic where you can.
Beer in Thailand starts from 60 baht (around 1.9 dollars) from a store or around 90 baht (around 2.9 dollars) in a bar, a fresh coconut can be around 50 baht (1.6 dollars) and coffee starts from 25 baht (80 cents), as long as you don’t go to starbucks. Cocktail prices vary depending on where you are, but generally start from 150 baht (around 4.8 dollars), but are cheaper during happy hour!
Food in Thailand is some of the cheapest you will find. Prices start from around 30 Thai baht (around 97 cents) for basic Pad Thai in food stalls and can range from 90 baht to 150 baht in a basic restaurant. Thai curries are around 70 to 90 baht (2 to 3 dollars) and sometimes a little more is charged if you add rice. Tourist areas will be more expensive and since street vendors don’t tend to have an advertised price, you simply have to ask how much. A good idea is to casually hang around the back of the line and watch how much money other people hand over.
Most of the top attractions in Thailand charge admission fees, and these can vary from a few dollars to enter a temple to 500 baht (just over 16 dollars) to enter the Grand Palace. It’s a good idea to plan a little and note down all the attractions you want to visit and how to get there. In the tourist areas you will find local agencies selling you day tours that tick off different places, but the prices will be marked up and they will often bring you to places on the way in the hope you will buy souvenirs, which they in turn get commission from. Many tuk-tuk drivers will stay with you for the day and bring you to various places if you settle on a day price. Try to arrange a price you feel is fair for both you and the driver, and remember to tip at the end of the day.
Transport in Thailand is generally cheap. Budget airlines such as Asia Air operate between Bangkok and other cities in Asia and prices can start from as little as US25 (or equivalent) but you will need to pay extra for luggage, meals and choosing seats. Taxis are common and you should always ask for the metre to be switched on. Tuk-tuks are also a popular way of getting around and are great for shorter distances, but always agree on a price before the journey starts.
Other costs you may incur on your travels in Thailand include donations to temples and sacred sites, souvenirs and incidental items such as medicine or phone SIM cards.
Wages in the service industry are generally low, so servers depend on tips to supplement their wages. It is always best to provide a tip in the local currency of the Tanzanian Shilling. Remember, adding a few shillings can go a long way.
Knowing how you should budget when travelling can be difficult and is very much a personal choice. Here are our top tips on how best to distribute your money.
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