How Long Can You Last With 500 In Thailand?

Travelling on a budget? Thailand is one of the most budget-friendly countries in the world and has been popular on the backpacker radar for over 40 years. It offers cheap accommodation and food, inexpensive transport and communications, as well as stunningly beautiful beaches and mountains and a rich cultural tapestry, all forming the perfect storm for the budget traveller. In the second quarter of 2017, the average monthly wage in Thailand was THB฿13,619.97, just over $400. How long can you last with $500 in Thailand? We’ve put together some helpful guidelines to help you plan your travel budget to match your length of stay in the ‘Land of Smiles.’

Food: $180

If you are wanting to maximise your stay, you’ll need to eat local food. Thailand is world-famous for its delicious cuisine, so skimping on a budget is not much of a chore. Prepare to spend approximately $1–$2 per meal for delicious dishes like Pad Thai noodle soup, Som Tum, friend chicken and much more. A large bottle of water will set you back roughly $0.50, and a cheap can of beer about $1.

Accommodation: $150

Transportation: $90

Travel like a local by bus or Songtaew, and transport costs will be astoundingly low. For those who prefer to have a little more freedom of movement, it might be worthwhile hiring a motorbike for the duration of your stay. Like with accommodation, hiring a motorbike is much more cost effective the longer the stay. Expect to pay around $90 per month and roughly $2 for each gas fill-up. It would also be wise to invest in a good helmet ($40) for an internationally recognised safety standard.

Attractions

Some of the best natural attractions like beaches, jungle hikes and waterfalls are free or inexpensive for National Park entrance. More good news for those travelling in the ‘Big Mango’ is that popular tourist attractions – like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Arun – are roughly $6 a pop (similar in other cities), and there are also plenty of free activities to keep busy at, including temples, markets, parks and more. Travellers can even treat themselves to a Thai-style one-hour massage for just $5.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.