In this budget backpacker‘s guide to Thailand, you will learn everything you need to know about travelling this beautiful country on a budget, including things that you’ll never find in your Lonely Planet Guide Book.

Ahh Thailand… heaven for budget backpackers. A place we all return to. A place that somehow feels like home, despite being thousands of miles away. Stunning white sand traces 445 km of palm fringed coastline. Locals that smile, food that satisfies, beaches that shimmer and parties that last until sunrise, this is what easy travel is all about. Thailand tends to over cater to western visitors and much of its ancient culture and customs suffer from destructive tourism. You may hear mixed reviews before coming here but one thing is for certain… everyone has fun in Thailand!

How Much Will Thailand Cost?

Budget For Thailand

$50/day for 2 people.

This is a pretty comfortable budget for backpacking Thailand. You’ll be able to pay for your transportation, snorkel, jungle or river tours, accommodation in cheap double rooms and still have some money left over for beers. Thailand is a cheap country to visit. You may have heard tales of $2 huts and 5 cent buses but you better come here in a time machine if you expect to find prices like that!

Budget Accommodation: ($10-$30/night)

Accommodation in Thailand has definitely gone up in price since the hippy days, but with the price increase has come a step up in comfort and style. You will never find a hut for less than $8 in Thailand and if you’re staying in Bangkok or an expensive island, expect to pay around $20 for a decent double room. Prices often include breakfast.

Cool Jungle Huts On Koh Chang

Eating: ($1-$3/meal)

There are still amazing deals to be had while backpacking through Thailand. You can usually find tasty Pad Thai, Massuman curry or spring rolls to fill your stomach for just over a dollar. If you’re in a touristy area outside of Bangkok, you may have to pay the escalated prices in the farang (foreigner) restaurants, where a cheap meal will be at least $3.

Delicious Pad Thai

Entrance Fees: (Average $5/person)

There are some good sites to be seen in Thailand including many amazing temples, the Grand Palace and Ayutthaya: The Ancient City of Siam. Some sites are free while others, like the Grand Palace in Bangkok, will cost 400 THB ($12). If you visit Ayutthaya expect to pay around 50 THB ($1.25) for each temple you enter.

Alcohol: ($2 Beer, $4 Cocktails)

Drinking Singha and backpacking thailand

Singha Beer

Alcohol will most likely be part of your budget while backpacking Thailand. There are ways to save some serious baht for those on a shoestring budget. Pre-drinking can be your wallet’s best friend in Thailand and you can buy big beers at 7-11 for around 55 THB ($1.50). Hit up 7-11 or the local market and avoid drinking beers in bars where drinks are double or triple the price. Cocktails in bars are usually around $3, but they are often made with cheap local spirits. A bottle of Mekhong whiskey only costs about $2 in a store, so keep that in mind when you’re ordering expensive cocktails at the beach bar. You’re definitely paying for the ambiance, but when the sun sets over the sparkling sea, you’ll wonder if you can put a price on that sundowner experience.

Tipping:

Tipping

DON’T DO IT! If you’re like us, born and raised in North America, then this is likely a hard concept to grasp. Thais don’t tip and neither should you. By doing so you are influencing the locals to expect gratuity from tourists. Tips are not expected from locals and tipping may annoy locals, expats and long-term travellers alike because it just makes the services more expensive for them. Don’t tip in Thailand!

Must-See Places:

There are far too many “must-see” places in Thailand to list here. We’ve spent 5 months here on 7 different visits and we still have much to see. Thailand is jam-packed with great backpacking highlights, many of which you can find on your own, with no help of the guidebook. You just have to really dig to find them!

The Mainland:

Bangkok:

The hustle and bustle of the most vibrant city in Asia will force you to love it or hate it. Bangkok is the perfect first step (or plunge) into the world of Southeast Asia, and as you wander around on sensory overload, you’ll probably love the shock that comes with your entry stamp to Thailand.

The Hustle and Bustle of Bangkok Thailand (On A Quiet Day)

Chiang Mai:

This ancient walled city has plenty to offer backpackers. Cheap accommodation (especially apartment rentals), delicious restaurants and lots to keep you busy. Visit the local markets or sign up for a Thai cooking class! There are tour agencies that can arrange visits to Burmese Long Neck Tribes, jungle zip lining, zorb ball, paintballing, tiger petting and plenty more odd and un-Thai experiences. Despite being touristy, these are all fun activities and just stationing yourself in the stunning walled city of Chiang Mai makes it worth the visit.

Laying With A Tiger In Chang Mai - backpacking thailand

Laying With A Tiger In Chiang Mai (Probably The Strangest Touristy Thing We’ve Ever Done)

Pai:

Thailand’s hippy hangout. A beautiful little village set on the Pai River in the Mae Hong Song province, Pai is a pretty cool place. You can arrange elephant rides, jungle treks and river trips here as well as visits to the stunning Pai Canyon, Santichon (Chinese village) and tours to the infamous Bridge Over The River Kwai. After each day of adventure, you can return to the hammock that dangles from your riverside bungalow for a little bit of relaxation.

Pai Canyon – Pai, Thailand

The Islands:

Railay:

Okay so Railay is not technically an island, it’s just a set of beaches south of Krabi town, but it’s only accessible by boat so it retains an island-like vibe. Railay is breathtaking. Huge limestone cliffs jut out of shimmering turquoise waters. Here you can do some rock climbing, jungle treks, hikes or just float in the warm sea and look up at the massive, jagged Goliaths that soar above the white sand coves. These shores include some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches. Railay is a must-see beach bummer and adventure backpacker’s paradise!

Ko Chang (North):

There are two Ko Chang islands in Thailand. One near the northern coasts of the gulf of Thailand, the other is on the Andaman Sea (see below). The north Ko Chang is a stunning place that is deserted outside of peak seasons (when it receives more rain then anywhere else in Thailand). A long white sand beach fringes its north-western shore, where there is a wide variety of accommodation with everything from cheap huts to stunning resorts. Luckily the two financial extremes are separated so the different vibes can remain intact.

A Stunning Sunset On Koh Chang while backpacking thailand

A Stunning Sunset On Ko Chang

White Sands Beach is one of the nicest stretches of sand in Thailand, and it’s less crowded than most.

Koh Phangan:

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Koh Phangan is only for drunk party animals trancing out on the beach during full moon parties. If you want to experience one of Thailand’s most dazzling specs in the sea, then you should come to Koh Phangan outside of the optimal lunar cycle. Aside from those 3-5 days a month, the island is left deserted, wild and untouched. There are good roads connecting all of the best beaches so renting a motorbike and touring the island is easy. Haad Rin (the full moon party beach) is also the most stunning beach in all of Thailand. Don’t make the mistake of skipping Koh Phangan, it’s possibly the coolest place in the country.

The Stunning Waters Of Ko Phangan

Koh Tao:

What an incredible island. Koh Tao is Thailand’s scuba diving mecca and they dish out more PADI certificates than anywhere else on the planet. The diving here is world-class (although there is much better diving elsewhere in Thailand), but it’s the vibe that really makes Koh Tao what it is. Funky beach bars, tasty restaurants, street stalls, sandy (but mostly un-swimmable) beaches, movie nights and great diving and snorkelling all add up to make Koh Tao the funkiest island in Thailand.

A Beach On Ko Tao

Koh Phi Phi:

Backpacking Thailand And Soaking In The Waters Of Ko Phi Phi

Soaking In The Waters Of Koh Phi Phi

There are two Koh Phi Phi’s that float as neighbours in the aquamarine waters of the Andaman sea. Both of these islands are stunning and both of them are overrun with tourists. If you’re looking for an authentic Thai experience, look elsewhere. But if you want to see a beautiful beach, snorkel some nice reefs and see the place where the movie “The Beach” was filmed, then Koh Phi Phi is worth a visit. Keep in mind that prices here are jacked up in comparison to the rest of Thailand.

Must-have Experiences:

Cocktails At Sunset:

When the sun begins to dip into the sea and illuminate the sky with pinks, reds and oranges, you’ll be drawn to the beach like a fly to a lamp. Head to one of the many funky beach-side bars and enjoy a delicious sundowner while swinging in a hammock or lounging in a bean bag chair. These moments are what a vacation in Thailand is all about. And that’s what it is. Even if you’re backpacking Thailand, you can take time to have a vacation from travel and just watch the beauty of this enchanting land unfold at sunset.

Enjoying Cocktails At Sunset, Koh Phangan Thailand.

Learn Some Thai:

Thai people are often thrilled to hear you speak a little bit of their language. Not only will it win you some friends, but it will also save you some money while bargaining in markets. Thai isn’t the easiest language to learn, but it’s definitely possible to pick some up whilst in the country.

Play Football (Soccer) With Locals:

As the day comes to a close in Thailand, young people take to the beaches and parks to have a game of football under the evening sun. We highly recommend joining one of these games, even if you suck at playing! The Thais are always willing to have a farang join their games and it will give you a chance to mingle with the locals.

Playing Football With The Thai Kids

See A Thai Kickboxing Match:

This is an essential part of any visit to Thailand. The Thais are crazy about kickboxing and if you get a chance to see a match, you’ll see why. There are often promotional trucks driving around during the days leading up to a match, so just grab a flyer or buy a ticket!

Ride In A Tuk-Tuk:

These cool little 3-wheeled rickshaws are pretty much the mascot for Thailand, so don’t miss the opportunity to hop in one and go for a ride. Just beware that in Bangkok they are usually in cahoots with shops and will take you to family owned jewelery stores and pushy tailors. Make sure your tuk-tuk driver knows you aren’t interested and just want to get to your destination.

Sleepy Tuk-Tuk Driver In Bangkok

Rent A Motorbike:

By far the best way to get around in Thailand is on a motorbike or moped. They can be rented just about everywhere for as little as $3 and they will give you a lot of freedom that buses and tuk-tuks lack. If you’ve never ridden one before, don’t worry, it’s like riding a bike. Just take a spin around the block a couple of times to get used to it and you’ll be fine. It would be a shame not to rent a motorbike on every island and zip around to different beaches and villages. You’d miss out on so much!

Renting A Motorbike In Thailand

Visit A Monastery:

There are a ton of monasteries in Thailand, many of which are frequented by tourists. If you can’t enter without having a “monk” ask you for money, then you know you’re in the wrong place. Stay away from the touristy places where fake monks patrol the gates to beg from tourists. Find one off the beaten path (perhaps on your motorbike) and you’ll be rewarded with a truly authentic Thai experience.

Do A Thai Cooking Class:

Thai food is delicious and relatively easy to make. You can find Thai cooking classes in most cities and on many islands. You shop for your ingredients at the local market first and then spend the day cooking the delicious foods. The best part? You get to eat everything you make.

Thai Cooking Class In Chiang Mai

Off The Beaten Path In Thailand:

Off The Beaten Path

Sure Thailand isn’t an off the beaten path destination, but there are still plenty of places you can go to avoid the crowds.

If you’re like us and you like finding places that aren’t in the guide-book, then you’ll appreciate this section.

We pride ourselves on finding our way off the beaten track and in Thailand, although it’s not easy, you can still find a little piece of paradise all to yourself.

Ko Kood:

Although this island is becoming more popular with each passing year, it is still deserted every evening, even in the peak season. Consider spending a couple of nights here, exploring the waterfalls and monasteries that dot the jungle-clad interior and witness Thai people who are surprised to see a foreign face. A treat that’s hard to come by in Thailand.

Beautiful, Off The Beaten Track Ko Kood, Thailand

Koh Chang (Andaman Sea):

This tiny little island shouldn’t be confused with the increasingly popular Koh Chang on the other side of the peninsula. This Koh Chang is truly off the beaten path and it boasts some stunning beaches, flourishing coral reefs and cool fishing villages. If you want to get away from the crowds, then this is the island for you.

Koh Lanta:

This place seems like a honeymooner’s paradise, but even in the peak season it’s pretty empty. You can get some great value bungalows here set right on the beach and if you rent a motorbike and cruise the island, you can find some beautiful coves with nobody around for miles.

Ko Lanta Beach In Thailand

Pros Of Backpacking In Thailand:

The Pros

Thailand is Southeast Asia’s backpacking mecca, and for good reason. There is so much to do here and almost everything is affordable.

You never have to worry too much about crime and the beaches are among the most stunning in the entire region. There’s a reason so many people return to Thailand year after year and after one trip to this enchanting land, you’ll see why.

The Vibe:

We don’t know how to explain it, but there is a certain vibration that resonates along these coastlines that is as addictive as it is palpable. From the moment you land in Bangkok you’ll feel Thailand’s incredible energy and when you return home you’ll crave it so much that you’ll be booking your flight back the following year (or month).

The People:

Known as the land of smiles. Travelling around Thailand you’ll be greeted politely by all the locals in the country. They are extremely friendly but it’s not always easy to make friends with Thai people. (see cons below)

Friendly Kids While Backpacking Thailand

Friendly Kids Of Thailand

The Costs:

Despite a constant increase in pricing, Thailand is still a very cheap place to visit. There’s a lot to do and almost everything can fall inside of a backpacker’s budget.

The Ease Of Travel:

Thailand is a place that is well scripted in the art of tourism. Everything here is set up for backpackers, from tours and transport to hotels and holiday packages. You never have to worry about figuring out how to get somewhere if you don’t want to. Just be weary of travel agency rip-offs.

The Food:

Thailand is home to the most famous food in Southeast Asia. Malay, Indo and Thai spices combine to create some of the world’s most flavourful dishes. Surely you’ve heard of Pad Thai (a delicious fried noodle dish) but there is so much more to Thai food then this one national dish. There are spicy Massaman curries, green coconut curries, spring rolls and spicy seafood dishes. Your taste buds will thank you after a visit to Thailand.

Delicious Thai Food

Cons Of Travel In Thailand:

Cons Of Backpacking Thailand

If you only stay in Thailand for a couple of weeks, then you probably won’t really notice any cons. At first glance Thailand appears to be all smiles and sunshine. And for the most part it is. But underneath all of the happy welcomes, beach parties and Mai Thais, there are some cons to be aware of. Just like anywhere in the world, there are cons to travelling in Thailand. We recommend going to Thailand aware of this, but open to your own experiences. Many people have probably spent years in Thailand and had nothing but good experiences.

Being A Farang:

Sure the Thai people are very friendly, and will smile and wave as you pass by, but unfortunately (in our experience) it’s very hard to get past the superficial customer-salesman relationship with the Thais. Tourists have been coming to Thailand for a long time and this has employed thousands of Thai people. Most of them are genuinely friendly, kind people, but as you spend more time here you will notice that there tends to be underlying reasons for almost every interaction. It’s nothing to be upset about, but don’t go to Thailand expecting to make lifetime friends like you can in places like the Philippines and Indonesia.

Tourist Pricing:

Get ready to be ripped off. It’s really not a big deal, a few baht here and there. But even savvy travellers will be taken advantage of at one point or another during their trip in Thailand. Con artists are called artists for a reason and in Thailand they have truly mastered their trade, so be cautious and bargain for everything.

Tourist Pricing Can Be A Hassle

Sex Tourism:

Perverts tend to congregate in countries where the laws are more lax and Thailand is no exception. Girly bars, ping-pong shows and prostitution rings all exploit the less fortunate women of Southeast Asian countries. You’ll often see old men with teenage women on their arms and it can be a conflict of morality for many. Standing by and doing nothing doesn’t help, while reporting it to the police will probably end up with the girl being punished more than the phedophile farang. Either way, if you’re not a part of the problem then you’re more a part of the solution, so try to avoid bars where women are hired for sex. Many of them are sex slaves that cater to a multi-million dollar industry in Asia.

The Crowds:

If you’re a person that likes to find your way off the beaten track, then Thailand is not the place for you. There are a few places that remain “less touristy” but for the most part, Thailand is overrun with young party tourists that come here for 2 weeks on a bucket drink and hallucination binge-a-thon.

The Crowds In Thailand (Notice There Aren’t Many Thai People)

Over Westernization:

7-11′s, Subways, Starbucks and Burger Kings, Thailand is fully westernized and unfortunately they cater so much to Western visitors, that they have abandoned much of their customs and beliefs. This does take away from the authentic feel, but you can help retain what culture they have left by covering up and respecting their religion.

The People In Thailand:

The people you encounter while backpacking through a country can have a profound impact on the way you view a destination. Not only the local people, but the types of other travellers as well.

Types Of Other Travellers:

Types Of Travellers

There is a huge variety of travellers that make their way to Thailand each year. From all-inclusive resort goers, to shoestring travellers and everything in between. You’ll meet some people on long, round the world trips, and some who are just here on a two-week getaway. No matter what kind of traveller you are, there’s something for everyone in Thailand and there’s a little bit of everyone to share it with. You’ll meet plenty of like-minded people and some that you don’t like being around. There are so many other travellers that you can take your pick & meet some cool people.