Discount travel in Thailand on a shoestring budget

Posted on 26. Aug, 2010 by admin in Thailand

The towering five star hotels of Bangkok offer opulent rooms that go for thousands of dollars per person, per night and some of Thailand’s finest restaurants and resorts charge prices that make Europe seem cheap. However, one of the great things about Thailand is that travellers can spend as much or as little as they want while here.

Ever since the Vietnam War medium range and budget hotels in Bangkok offer very comfortable rooms for relatively tiny prices while off the beaten track in the rural north or the tropical south, accommodation, transport and food costs are low enough to allow solo travellers to have a very long adventure.

Costs and Money
The currency of Thailand is the Baht (THB). It comes in paper notes in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 20. Coins cover 10, 5, 2 and 1 baht and each baht is divided into 100 satangs, though these coins are rarely used since their value is so low.

The current exchange rates for many major countries are

THB 30 = AUD 1
THB 33 = USD 1
THB 55 = GBP 1
THB 50 = EUR 1
THB 25 = NZD 1

As a general guide, a room in a comfortable room in a hotel in Bangkok with cable television, breakfast and private bathroom as well as air conditioning costs around THB 1000. Much cheaper rooms can be found if independent travellers are happy to share a bathroom and forego television and air conditioning.

Ceiling fans will be present in rooms that do not have air conditioning. Room rates can sometimes be negotiated downwards particularly outside of peak times. The closer to the end of a peak season, the more likely hoteliers are to accept offers for room rates. For example, visitors arriving after the end of the Christmas and New Year rush will benefit from high vacancies.

Street markets are the cheapest places to eat in Asia and many visitors swear that the quality and variety of the food at the markets makes them the best place to eat in Thailand. Plates of noodles or stir fries cost less than THB 50 and a large bottle of beer will be about the same.

Train travel in Thailand is comfortable and efficient. Second class travel is very much cheaper than first class and this includes a private curtained bunk, fan and bedding. Rubber mats make overnight second class sleepers perfectly comfortable and the large windows open up for atmospheric views.

Budget airways include Bangkok Air and Phuket Air. All the standard budget air travel websites will offer sensational air travel bargains and local travel agents can sell fares throughout Thailand and internationally for surprisingly low prices.

In department stores and restaurants, prices are fixed and bargaining and negotiating in these locations would be considered rude and completely inappropriate. Tipping in bars and restaurants is increasingly common but those who choose not to tip will not cause offence. In outdoor markets, haggling and bargaining is mandatory but good humour is insisted on at all times.

Bottled water can be purchased in bulk at supermarkets and at outdoor markets and self catering opportunities are recommended for those on a budget. Beer and soft drinks as well as chilled coffee cans can be kept in a hotel guest fridge and enjoyed before heading out and paying market prices.

Bargain opportunities
Again, timing is crucial for the budget traveller. Expect hotel rooms to be up to five times more expensive during peak holiday seasons, especially over Christmas and New Year holiday periods. If you must travel in these times, book ahead and ask for a discount if you are staying more than five nights.

Hotels in Thailand sometimes have cheaper rooms for people arriving later than ten o’clock at night and some of them have entire sections of budget rooms with share bathrooms but full access to the hotel pool and the breakfast room. Ask for special budget rooms at check in.

Food and alcohol is generally cheap in Thailand and staying away from international fast food chains and formal restaurants can save visitors more than half their overall food budget. Street markets offer delicious food that is fresh and hygienic and a plate of food at the markets costs a fraction of a cheeseburger from McDonalds, for example.

In general, shop and eat locally. The average Thai person would rarely eat out at a western restaurant or burger chain and so the prices at these places are inflated for tourists. Local food courts bustling with locals are the best bets for visitors trying to watch their money.

There are also great value Tuscany villas to let with Tuscany villas for those that prefer to holiday in Europe.

Tags: backpacking, bangkok, bargain, Chiang Mai, discount, koh pha ngan, koh samui, Phuket, shoestring, Thailand, Thailand on a shoestring, travel