How Expensive Is Thailand REALLY?? | Thailand Travel Tips

I spent six months in Thailand recently and will be going back in May of next year. A big question people have is how expensive it is there in terms of rent, food, transport etc.

I thought I would clear some things up and also share some of my own experiences.

Thailand can be VERY cheap. We need to realize that some of the poorest people live in Asia and they live on less than $2 a day. For this reason I find it ridiculous when people tell me that Thailand is expensive.

I think they are just visiting the small tourist areas of Thailand, and therefore judge the country through them. You are not going to be paying the same for things in Phuket and the islands as you are in the rest of the country. Once you understand this you are good to go.

These were the majority of my expenses in Thailand...

Accommodation: 3500 baht (bed and bathroom apartment, no kitchen)
Food: 4500-6000 baht (eating like a king)
Transport: 500 baht (airport to apartment and back). I use a bike to get around during any other time.

So there you have it! You can do Thailand for double or triple what I did, or you can do it for half if you are super minimalist.

If you are willing to pay around 6000 baht a month you can get a VERY nice apartment.

I strongly recommend taking your bicycle (assuming you have one) to Thailand. It is a great way to get around and see the country. If not then you can take the red Songthaews around.

The cost of them vary's depending on the length of your trip, but they are generally very cheap. The locals use them to get around town so that should tell you that.

Alternatively you can take a Tuk Tuk to get around. They are a lot more expensive (maybe 4 or 5 times the cost of a Songthaew). These cater for tourist. They can be a fun experience, but I saw no real reason to waste my money on them.

Thailand is a wonderful place and I had great experiences there this year.

Let me know if you have any more questions about traveling to Thailand. I think I will do a series of similar post and would appreciate some ideas.