Thailand trip and money question!!

Question

I have read a few forums on how much money is needed for a months stay, what food costs, how rooms can be had for $30 or even $20 a night, etc....

It seems very reasonable from what I have read.

I am going by myself, for 3 weeks but have saved up $4000 US for my trip. I know I don't need that much but this is what I have saved it for. How well will I be able to live it up in Thailand for 3 weeks with $4000??

I really do want to try a lot of local cuisine and won't be eating a lot of McDonalds type meals.

I do want to see Phuket and some of the other towns besides Bangkok.

Thanks for your info/advice!!!

Answer 1

You will have more than enough money and I'm sure you will bring some of it home, but it's better to have more than not enough.  Be sure to try out some of the street stand foods, SUPER cheap and SUPER tasty!!!  If you want to check out some different places in Thailand I would fly, since this will give you more time to do more.  I really like Ko Phi Phi, it's gorgeous for the nature but you have to get there crazy early to get a place but once you do it's like $20 a night depending on where you stay.  I have never actually been to Phuket but I hear it is alot like Bangkok so I would highly suggest checking out Chiang Mai.  It's got a different feel to it and it is gorgeous! Here they have the night bazaar for good shopping and nice, reasonably priced places to stay with a pool.  Have fun, I'm jealous.  Thailand rules!  Bangkok is cool but try to get outta the big city for awhile.  I do suggest checking out "The Ancient City" while in Bangkok.  You can use a bike for free with admission cost and drive around this awesome park that has miniature replicas (still big)  of all of the different temples and statues throughout Thailand, and it's even shaped like Thailand.  

Answer 2

You seriously have plenty of money.  I think the people that answered questions about Phuket only traveled to Patong Beach and I would definitely recommend avoiding that place if you don't like the night life e.g. bars, prostitutes, drinking, rowdy tourists, etc.  Although Phuket has become more crowded, there are still some places worth visiting, like Kata Beach which is where we stay when we go, also the beach towns north of Patong are more laid back and less crowded, like Kamala, Surin, etc.  If you want to spend some of your dough, I would seriously recommend going diving in the Similan Islands, they have liveaboards that are awesome and it's some of the best diving I've ever done.  All the dive shops for Similand Island diving are in Patong.  Phuket is definitely worth checking out, you just need to know where to go.  Be sure to rent a scooter while you're there.  It's the best and cheapest way to get around.  But be sure to where your helmet, they will give you a ticket if you're not wearing one.  Avoid the tuk tuks, they really rip you off.  Patong is worth checking out just for a day/night, but it definitely is a mini Bangkok.  

Ko Phi Phi is also a big party scene just without motorized vehicles. It's mostly bars and restaurants.  It is fun for a couple of days, but it gets old if you're not into the party scene.  You can do some good diving there as well and some day snorkeling trips.  It's just very crowded as well.

I would HIGHLY recommend going to Railay Beach, it is absolutely gorgeous and has some amazing rock climbing!  Plus, it's not overrun by tourists looking to party and get laid.  There are two beaches in Railay, one has fancy resorts on it, the other has modest hotels.  We stayed in a good place on the cheaper beach called Diamond Cave Inn or something like that, it was really great, had a pool and clean rooms and it was only like $40 for 3 people.  So far, Railay is my favorite place we've been in Thailand.

Another cool island to check out that's not as touristy is Koh Chang.  It's also in the south.  You take a ferry there from Trat directly to the island.  Again, you have a plethora of options for lodging from very cheap to very expensive.  

Bangkok is worth checking out for a couple of days.  The palace and temples are beautiful.  Plus, they have the world's most amazing food court at the Siam Paragon shopping mall.  And it's not American type food court, it's gourmet food court, awesome!  It's a great place to get any type of cuisine you want.  Also, be careful buying from the food vendors, some can be pretty raunchy. (I speak from experience).  If you have a sensitive stomach, avoid the food vendors.  Another delicious restaraunt in Bangkok is called Crepes and Company.  It's kind of hard to find, but if you have a guide book, it'll have the restaurant "Cabbages and Condoms" in there and "Crepes and Company" is just down the road from there.

The next time we go back, we're going up north to Chiang Mai, so can't tell you anything about that except that it sounds great.

Have fun!

Answer 3

I have been to Thailand several times including Bangkok and Phuket. Both are must sees.

You have ample cash to 'live it up'. However please be very carefull with your money and dont tell anyone how much you have to spend. Only take enough out with you for the day/evening.

Stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel with a safe for valuables. You and your money will be more secure there and if you decide to take someone back with you to the hotel they will check and keep their ID card until the morning.

Taxis are abundant, air conditioned and cheap. Most use a meter.

Dont use 'tuk tuks'. You have to negotiate the fare, are noisy, dangerous and just add to pollution most of which you will be breathing into your lungs. You may also find they suggest taking you on a 'tour' which will include a stop over in some jewellery shop for overpriced items of which they get a nice commission!

There are also motorbike taxis. Good for short distances of a block or 2. Before taking these make sure you have accident and life insurance.

Dont miss Phuket. Stay in Patong beach. Plenty of opportunities to live it up. Daytime spend it on the fabulous beach or hire a car/bike and explore some of the other quiet beaches within easy reach.

There are no taxis there using meters. They are run by the local mafia.

Beware of prostitutes some of whom will be katoey or lady boys and others out to rob or cheat you of your money.

Sorry to be alarmist but I have seen and heard it all to often.

Last but not least never be without a condom... if that is one of reasons you are going.

Answer 4

I been to thailand many times and food there are cheap. hotels range from$ 5.00-$15.00 a night.  best that u stay at a $ 10.00 p/n hotel(t.v., fridges, fan)  cant beat that deal compare to $60* in the states.  

airfares there cost around $1,2000 r/t.  so u have more than enuff for 3 weeks.   good resteraunts there if u were to feed 5 ppls, would cost u like less than $20.00 us $$.  so good lk and have fun.  i prefer riding taxi over tuk tuk...y because taxi has a meter and tuk tuk doesnt(meanng they will and can ask for what they want!!!  be smart and dump.

Answer 5

Don't worry about your budget. Seriously, you have plenty. 30 USD can land you a nice single even in popular places like Ko PhiPhi. You're also travelling alone. This means you probably want to stay in cheap guesthouses to meet other backpackers and travellers. This depending on your age and preferences of course, but you will have a harder time making friends at the Hilton than at a cheapo recommended by Lonely Planet. What I'm saying is, consider what you mean by "living it up". I would be better off having fun with new friends in a dodgy guesthouse rather than living large alone in a five star suite.

Of course, you can dish out some serious cash if you want to do various activities. In the north, this means trekking, mountainbiking, rock-climbing, rafting and so on. Chiang Mai is a good place to be for this kind of stuff. If you're more into beaches, you could be lured by the attraction of Scuba Diving. Ko Tao is probably the best place to do this, although Ko Phi Phi also has excellent diving (Tao is known more as a school destination). But diving will easily eat 300 USD out of your budget. If you wanna have a good time, the full moon party is also worth a visit (Ko Phangan).

I would steer away from Phuket. More Swedes than Stockholm, more drunk Brits than at Football derby in England. At the nightclubs you're literally dodging prostitutes (they set up a perimiter around the dance floors, seriously). You can find real Thailand, but not in Phuket. I'm probably going back to Thailand sometime, but not to Phuket.

Answer 6

Other then hotel cost, 20 to 30 dollars would be enough.  Not including cost of entertaining some young lady.

Answer 7

You can live like a queen on that kind of money!!!!!

Accommodation in Thailand ranges from US$3 per room per night right up to US$10,000 per night. So you can basically pick and chose what standard you want. Just pre-book your first few days and take it from there.

You can always look at the room before booking (then go and book it with a local travel agent or online - as you will always get it cheaper than direct with the hotel).

Another option is to pre book your trip with a travel agent or tour operator in your local country - as they often have access to better deals.

Please do try some of the local restaurants - Thai food is wonderful (it's not all too spicy) and eating in local places puts a bit of your hard earned cash back in to the local society and helps the local economy. Dont give it all to the big international chains!

With that budget I guarantee you will have the trip of a life time!

Answer 8

$4000 will be more than enough if you are not going to buy something very expensive such as jewelry. try to see this website http://www.discovery-thailand.com it is really good.  http://www.discovery-thailand.com/Bangko... for Bangkok http://www.discovery-thailand.com/Phuket... for Phuket I hope this website can help you something, especially about booking hotel as it got best price guarantee. then, you will be able to manage your budget more. have a nice trip

Answer 9

there are many affordable luxuries available here - - not being a local and finding them might be a little more challenging...

it is easy to travel here - get off the beaten path too