Grand Escapades’ Budget Guide To Thailand

A Perfect Place To Splurge A Little

Sunset at the Tew Lay Bar, Railey Beach, Krabi, Thailand

Type Of Travel

This trip to Thailand was definitely different: instead of a backpacking or “flashpacking” type of travel, it was more a mid-range to upper mid-range holiday, with comfortable hotels, convenient transports and lots of nice activities like almost one massage a day or scuba diving.

The budget displayed bellow has hence little to do with the one of a backpacker, but shows that you can splurge for a very reasonable price.

Itinerary & Time Of The Visit

I spent 16 days in Thailand in February 2017, and visited Bangkok (4 days), Ayutthaya (1 day), Chiang Mai (4 days), Koh Lanta (4 days) & Railay Beach (3 days). Yes, this is very much On The Beaten Track… But except Railay Beach, which was mass-tourism at its ugliest, in other places it is still possible to somehow escape at least the larger crowds and have a pleasant time.

Global Budget

All parts of the budget reflect the comfortable type of travel and the primary focus on comfort and convenience, not costs.

Hostels & Hotels

I normally prefer hostels or small guesthouses to larger hotels, and seldom afford Boutique hotels. Well, this trip was different, and we splurge in some very nice (nothing high-end) hotels & guesthouses… Of course, this had a price! But such quality of service would be much, much pricier somewhere else…

Railay Great View Resort, Railay Beach, Krabi, Thailand

Restaurants & Food

We mostly ate in the street or at markets, at food stalls, or small local restaurants, except when at the beach, where we splurged a little and afforded restaurants on the beach. Yes, Thai food is really outstanding…

Food Stall at the Talat Warorot Market, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Food Stall at the Talat Warorot Market, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Kow Kah Moo prepared by the “Cowboy Hat Lady”, at the most popular Food Stall at the Talat Pratu Chang Pheuak Night Market, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Drinks & Going Out

Depending on where you have a drink, a large beer (64 cl) will cost you on average 2.70 €, quite a bargain! If you want to switch to cocktails or especially wine, prices are much, much higher, though!

Enjoying a cocktail with a view – Rooftop Bar, Siam@Siam, Bangkok, Thailand

Transport

Transports are cheap in Thailand, and if you are looking for convenience you can charter a taxi for long distance at a very reasonable rate. This makes traveling very, very comfortable!

Driving a scooter in Koh Lanta, Thailand

Short distance transports can be pricy, especially in Bangkok, where subway will not be significantly cheaper than in Paris, costing between 0,5 & 1,5 € depending on the distance. Only take meter cabs, and avoid Tuk Tuks, which are grossly overpriced for tourists.

Tours & Activities

Of course it depends on what you do…

Massages are extremely cheap, and if you do not mind being roughed a little, then the traditional Thai Massages (yes, it hurts) are great. Go either for the cheaper ones, where locals go or splurge on a luxury “Spa” experience – Everything in between is not worth it.

Scuba diving in Koh Lanta was globally good, though Hin Daeng & Hin Muang turned out as huge disappointments, whereas less fancy Koh Haa offered some really fine scuba diving. It is pricey, though!

Scuba Diving in Koh Haa, Koh Lanta, Thailand – Photo Credit: Pawel Ciechelski

Reduce Costs?

Of course, you can travel with a much, much lower budget than I did! Everything but food was mid-range to upper mid-range, where expenses can easily be cut by 2, and even more if you rough it a little!

Compulsory Picture at the Wat Mahat That, Ayutthaya, Thailand