Thailand on a Budget: 8 Ways to Save on Travel

Heading to Thailand on a budget? Read our guide and see how to save on food, transportation, and internet in Thailand!

From a Polish perspective, Thailand remains an exotic country, but its exoticism has long been easily accessible. It's widely believed that Thailand is the ideal starting point for an Asian travel adventure, as it's affordable, safe, well-connected, and open to tourists. However, this doesn't mean that solo travel in Thailand will always be free of surprises.

Most often, unpleasant surprises involve costs, but these can be avoided quite easily. With just a little knowledge and at least a basic plan, the overall cost of your stay in Thailand can be reduced by as much as 50-60% compared to what you would pay if you traveled blindly and without any planning.

How to travel around Thailand cheaply and without stress?

Budget travel has long been a concept embraced by classic globetrotters who wanted to see as much as possible while spending as little money as possible. Recently, however, this trend has also become popular among tourists, a sign of the times: the development of modern technologies, easy access to information, and a range of new tools are increasingly blurring the lines between travel and tourism.

Today, everyone can travel independently to Thailand without having to pay high, "tourist" prices. The key is to prepare properly first and ensure affordable accommodation, affordable food, and affordable mobile connectivity, as these three factors consume the largest portion of a travel budget. In other words, before setting off on your trip, it's worth developing at least a basic understanding of the realities of Thailand , which will help you make more economically sound choices. At the same time, you'll be sure you haven't overlooked any formal requirements, which can also generate additional costs.

Budget accommodation in Thailand

Hotel advertisements in Thailand aimed at tourists are often not budget-friendly: travel agencies can create offers with prices for accommodation ranging from 200 to 500 złoty. However, searching for accommodation on your own and booking in advance can result in prices up to 10 times lower. This is primarily possible thanks to the affordable guesthouses, hostels, and simple hotels, of which Thailand is plentiful.

Transport in Thailand – local and cheap solutions

Thailand has a well-developed transportation network, and city buses and regional trains are particularly affordable. With a little care and luck, you can also save a lot on air travel. This is especially true as the Thai government is organizing new tourist campaigns to further encourage visitors to the country. Currently, one campaign offers travelers free domestic flights within Thailand, allowing them to visit lesser-known destinations.

Food in Thailand – Street Food and Local Bars

The cheapest options for dining in Thailand are street food and small local bars catering to locals. Meals can easily cost just a few zlotys, which is impossible at typical tourist restaurants. Just remember to eat at places that are popular with locals. Most establishments like these won't accept card payments.

Free and cheap tourist attractions

Thailand is a country so rich in attractions and beautiful experiences that, naturally, many of them simply have to be free… and they are. The country boasts a wealth of semi-wild beaches, historic temples, and national parks. For a nominal fee, you can visit an ethical elephant sanctuary. Admission to the most charming corners of the cities, such as Chiang Mai's Old Town, is also free.

Seasonality of prices and the best time to travel

Tourists should remember that Thai prices can vary significantly depending on the region and the tourist season. It's generally cheapest in Thailand between May and October. Popular tourist areas are also typically significantly more expensive than, for example, the northern part of the country, which is much less frequently visited by foreigners. It's best to book flights to Thailand a few months in advance, and not necessarily from Polish airports.

Mobile Internet in Thailand and Spending Control

In Thailand, roaming with a Polish operator can cost up to 50 złoty per MB of data. These are colossal sums, especially since using the network while traveling in Thailand is essential: even simply navigating Bangkok without the aid of navigation is nearly impossible, and it also exposes tourists to the considerable costs of, for example, hailing a taxi to get out of some remote district they've accidentally wandered into. Limiting network usage is therefore not recommended, but that doesn't mean they're forced to resort to ultra-expensive roaming.

eSIM as a convenient and predictable option

Internet in this part of the world isn't cheap, especially for so-called tourist offers. A much more economical solution is to use an eSIM module in Thailand . This card allows for full activation remotely, before travel, without the need to purchase a physical SIM card locally.

We then pay much lower, local rates, and the internet is available from the moment we land. This is a convenient option for those who want to control their costs and avoid wasting time searching for local options upon arrival.

Negotiations and trips – how not to overpay

Bargaining is an effective way to reduce travel costs in Thailand. This is especially true in stalls and bazaars, where the "starting price" of goods is almost always significantly inflated, especially for tourists. Instead of expensive group tours, it's better to travel independently, preferably by searching for current deals. Furthermore, many attractions in Thailand are completely free or available for a nominal fee.

Hidden costs worth remembering

Those who choose to use a travel agency are particularly vulnerable to the hidden costs of a holiday in Thailand. Almost every contract with such a company will show that the price of the trip excludes, for example, local transport costs, and it's truly impossible to get around Thailand solely on foot. Medical care can also be a problem: the Thai healthcare system charges hefty fees for even seemingly trivial matters. Therefore, purchasing good travel insurance is recommended.

Thai standards also include fees for ATM withdrawals and currency exchange. In many places in Thailand, you can only pay with cash. Taxis without meters and additional fees in hotels can also be a problem: in the former case, you should use trusted apps (e.g., Grab), and in the latter case, carefully read the accommodation regulations.

Traveling Smart in Thailand

Thailand's accessibility combined with its exotic beauty make it an ideal tourist destination, especially during winter in Europe. However, to ensure your stay in this exotic paradise doesn't cost too much, it's worth considering the most important issues before departure. Travel preparation should encompass not only budget and health considerations, but also familiarizing yourself with the geopolitical situation in Thailand, which can change rapidly, especially near the border. However, if you take care of all the formalities and plan your trip sensibly and thoughtfully, your stay will certainly be a wonderful adventure that won't break the bank.