Thailand

Thailand is one of those countries where you can do a lot with a modest budget, but planning ahead makes a big difference. Start by deciding your route: many travellers pair a few days in Bangkok with either the northern mountains around Chiang Mai and Pai, or the islands of the Andaman Sea (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta) and the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao).

Use trip planning in Hello to map out how long you’ll stay in each spot and note major travel days, ferries, and domestic flights so you don’t overpack your schedule. Aim for 3–4 nights per stop so you’re not constantly in transit.

Accommodation ranges widely: you can find guesthouses from around ฿500–฿900 (about $14–$25) and mid-range hotels from ฿1,500–฿3,000 (about $40–$80).

Some practical tips:

• Book key journeys (like overnight trains or island ferries) in advance during peak season, November–February.
• Check visa rules for your nationality before you fly; many visitors get visa-free stays, but lengths vary.
• Use Hello’s budget tracking to set a daily spend in Thai Baht (THB) and keep an eye on how food, transport, and activities add up as you go.

Thai food is a highlight of any trip, and street food is where you’ll eat some of your best meals. In Bangkok, try Yaowarat (Chinatown) for late-night noodles and seafood, or Victory Monument and Ari for local-style stalls. In the north, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, Chang Phuak Gate, and Saturday Walking Street are perfect for grazing on small dishes.

Classic plates to look for:

• Pad kra pao (stir-fried basil with meat and rice)
• Khao soi (Chiang Mai curry noodles)
• Som tam (papaya salad, ask for "pet nit noi" for mild spice)
• Mango sticky rice for dessert

A typical street-food meal costs around ฿50–฿120 ($1.50–$3.50). Use Hello’s budget tracking to log each meal in THB so you can see how affordable eating local really is over a week.

When sharing dishes at night markets or beachside restaurants, take advantage of expense splitting in Hello so everyone pays their fair share without awkward math. Drink only bottled or filtered water, and if you have a sensitive stomach, ease into raw salads and very spicy food over a few days.

Moving around Thailand is part of the adventure, and there’s a transport option for nearly every budget. In cities like Bangkok, use the BTS Skytrain and MRT to skip traffic; fares often sit between ฿16–฿60 (under $2) per ride. For short hops, Grab-style taxis and metered cabs are common—just make sure the driver uses the meter or agree a price beforehand.

Tuk-tuks are fun but usually more expensive than taxis. Treat them as an experience rather than your main transport. Between cities, low-cost airlines, sleeper trains, and VIP buses connect major hubs like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Krabi.

For the islands, plan for ferries and speedboats—seas can be choppy in monsoon months, so allow buffer time in your itinerary. Hello’s trip planning is handy for lining up flight times with ferry schedules and keeping booking details in one place.

Data on the go makes hailing rides and checking routes easier. Activate a Hello eSIM before landing so you can connect to local networks as soon as you touch down, check maps, and translate addresses to show drivers without worrying about roaming charges.

Thailand runs on Thai Baht (THB), and cash is still important, especially at markets, street stalls, and in smaller towns. ATMs are widely available, though many charge a local withdrawal fee, so it’s smart to take out larger amounts less often and store cash safely. Many mid-range hotels, malls, and larger restaurants accept cards.

Typical daily budgets (excluding flights) might look like:

• Budget traveller: ฿1,000–฿1,800 ($28–$50)
• Comfort/mid-range: ฿2,000–฿4,000 ($55–$110)

Use Hello’s budget tracking to set your daily limit in THB and see where your money goes—handy for spotting when island cocktails or temple souvenirs are pushing you over. When travelling with others, log shared taxis, villa rentals, and group dinners in the app and use expense splitting so no one is left fronting everything.

Staying connected is straightforward with a Hello eSIM: buy and install it before you fly, then switch it on after landing to have data immediately for ride-hailing, maps, and messaging. Pack light, breathable clothing, a light rain jacket in wet season, and something that covers shoulders and knees for temples. Carry a photocopy or digital copy of your passport, and keep the physical one in a safe place at your accommodation.