If you are young, free and ready to explore the world, Thailand will probably be on your list of places to visit during your gap year and as a young backpacker with limited funds, you will obviously be looking for ways to save money while travelling.
Here are a few money-saving hacks that you can use during your tour of Thailand.
- Changing money – You may or may not be aware that when you use a credit card to withdraw cash from a Thai ATM, there is a charge of around 200 baht. You might be planning to change your dollars to Thai baht when you land at Suvarnabhumi Airport, yet the rates are not the best at the international airport. Change $50 which is enough to take a taxi to mainland Bangkok, where there are many currency exchange booths that offer the best rates.
- Domestic travel – The road and rail infrastructures are on a par with developed countries, which means you can take a/c buses to all parts of the country, while Songserm Ferries offer the cheapest way to reach the islands in the south. Travelling within cities is best using baht buses, which are pick-up trucks with two benches and they cost a few baht, depending on the length of your journey.
- Cheap accommodation – There are some great deals in the small guesthouses and in the low season, prices drop even lower. When you arrive in a new place, ask the motorcycle taxi riders where the guesthouses are and they will direct you. If you join a few social media groups, there are foreigners looking for reliable people to house-sit, so you might get lucky. Click here for 5 of the best countries to take a holiday.
- Eat street food – Not only is Thai street food cheap, it has a reputation as being the tastiest on the planet and there are so many different types on offer. From a bowl of noodles to pork satay with a tasty dip sauce to grilled chicken and sticky rice, you can slash your living costs by enjoying street food.
- Third class railway travel – The Thai railway system covers the entire nation and while they offer first and second-class travel, if you are prepared to sit among sacks of rice and live chickens, you can travel 3rd class, which saves you some money. You can find more details about rail travel in Thailand on this website.
- Airbnb – If you are prepared to share, you can find some great short-term leases on Airbnb, which makes it more affordable to stay in quality accommodation. Search the online platform for suitable properties and see if you can find other travellers to share with you.
Travelling on a budget can be challenging and we hope the above tips help you to stretch your budget as you experience the wonders of Thailand. The Internet hosts a wealth of information to help you plan your holiday and always remember that Google is your best friend.
