Oh dear Thailand, I've been five weeks exploring you, having the time of my life, but it's time to move on. I wish I could stay here for longer but my time is limited and I have to hop on my next destination, Indonesia.
I've been to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and surroundings, Pai and surroundings, and Koh Tao island in this month.
The first question that comes from my readers, friends and family is, how much does it cost to travel Thailand for a month.
Of course this will variate from person to person, if you're a luxurious traveler or if you are a backpacker the budget won't be the same, but here my personal experience:
I am backpacking, meaning I have literally a backpack, sleep in hostels and try to do budget decisions. However, I like treating myself from time to time, mostly when comparing prices to home I realise that what's "expensive" here is still affordable, that's why I have stayed at a nice private room after days at dorms, needing my own space and quitness.
Staying at that bungalow in Koh Tao (see my previous post) cost me around 3 times more the price of my next accommodation which was only 450 bahts - 11,58 euro for a private room in a resort very close to the beach. Shared dorms can start from 150 Bahts (3,80 euro per night) in Chiang Mai and Pai area, and in the western islands prices for the same room may start at 300 bahts (around 8 euros per night)
Consider as well that apart from paying for accommodation and food, you will want to take tours to explore the area -- that's why you're here for, right? --
But let's get to the point, I know all that you want to know is how much have I spent, so here we go: From Dec 31st 2017 up until January 30st 2018, exactly one month of 31 days, I've spent a total of 1,020 euros including EVERYTHING: accommodation, food, tours, transportation; only excluding the plane+bus+ferry from Chiang Mai to Koh Tao for 180 euros (last minute purchase, otherwise it could have been half of the price.) and excluding the flight from Amsterdam (retour ticket)
I was trying to be conscious about my decisions, but I have to admit I did not do this trip on a budget hundred percent of the time -- I've been eating "expensive" at nice restaurants, which is still cheaper than in The Netherlands, let's say half of the time, and the other half I would eat a fried rice with vegetables for 40 to 70 Bahts (1.20 to 2 Euros per meal) -- but I know it's possible to do it; In fact, if you want to travel Thailand in a smaller budget than mine, what you have to do is to sleep always in a dorm, and eat street food in Bangkok and in the north. In the south, I found way less street food but just stick to eating Thai food which is always the cheapest option. This way you could reduce this budget to at least 600 euros.
I hope my experience can help you to plan your trip or to finally decide to pack up your bag and take that plane to the other side of the world. There are for sure amazing experiences and people awaiting for you. Planning is necessary but do not stay in the planning stage for so long, better take actions and make it real!
With love,
Mindi!