How Much Will It Cost Once I'm There?

[jklup]

Hello,

I am trying to organise a trip to Thailand and Cambodia during the second half of August.

But before I book the flight, which is already v expensive for that period, I am trying to get a clearer idea of how much I am likely to spend once there!

Can anyone help me out with a general idea of how much accomodation and food will cost?

I will be travelling with my husband. We don't want to slum it, but we are not looking for luxury either. Things like air-con would be nice....

I am not looking to stay at the sea but to tour round from Bangkok and round the north (and into Cambodia).

We were thinking of a flight maybe oneway from BK to Cambodia, then work our way back via north Thailand back to BK overland.

So I'd also like to know what the travelling costs are like.

One final question: should we be worrying about not finding places on the overland travel (buses) or in hotels during that time? Do we need to try to book ahead now?

Thanks soooooo much

[thaiflyer1]

I am not looking to stay at the sea but to tour round from Bangkok and round the north (and into Cambodia).

We were thinking of a flight maybe oneway from BK to Cambodia, then work our way back via north Thailand back to BK overland.

Which way round are you going?

You can work on 800 baht/night for a half decent room maybe less up North.

Food for 2 say another 600 baht/day.

Drinks obviously a difficult one but a coke is about 25baht in a food place and a small heineken 65baht maybe less.

Fare from BKK to Phnom Phen is around about 5800 baht/person with Bangkok Air............i personally wouldnt try to make the trip by bus (uncomfortable)

Bus travel within Thailand is very cheap.......work on 50 baht/100kms

[jklup]

Thanks so much for your reply

Yes, can you tell I'm confused?! Basically I would still need to sort out our itinerary, but I've heard that there can be hassle crossing the border into Cambodia, so maybe we could stretch to a flight into Cambodia, but travel overland out from there into Thailand, round the north, working our way back down to Bangkok..... just my initial thoughts. If we decide we can afford to do this trip of course I'll then need to do the route in detail!

I haven't done an independent journey to a faraway country before (the most adventurous we've been is camping in Austria!) so I'm a bit nervous but excited.... but I do get put off by people warning me against independent travel to these countries when we're not "hardened backpackers"

But thank you so much for that info, it's really helpful. It's all very well people telling me to go on an organised trip.... but look how much you can save!!

Cheers

[chownah]

......I haven't done an independent journey to a faraway country before (the most adventurous we've been is camping in Austria!) so I'm a bit nervous but excited.... but I do get put off by people warning me against independent travel to these countries when we're not "hardened backpackers"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know about Cambodia but you don't have to be a "hardened backpacker" to travel here....on the contrary....Thailand is just about the most travelor friendly place in the world. Buses run regularly everywhere and they're mostly on time and are quite reliable. Enough English is understood at all the guesthouses and hotels...and even most restaurants...that you will have no problems...I'm positive. Don't worry....Thai people are very friendly and my experience is that if I'm wandering around looking lost or if I'm at a bus station and look like I'm having trouble finding my bus more often than not some Thai person who speaks a bit of English (or sometimes quite a lot) will come up to you and offer assistance. The only problem I have ever had traveling was falling asleep on the day train and going past my stop....but even that was really no problem. Also reasonably good health care is widely available so in the event of needing it, it is there along with just about any prescription you might need. Bottled water is available everywhere and is cheap.

[Thetyim]

Welcome to the board jklup.

Two very good posts there from flyer and chownah.

August is not a busy month in Thailand so I would not bother booking in advance.

The weather might be a problem for you in August.

The heavy monsoons are usually in sept/oct but sometimes we get flooding in August as well. This is not a reason to change your holiday but do not plan a tight schedule. Leave room for delays.

Also if you have not been here before then one of you is almost bound to have a day of not being able to travel due to tummy troubles.

[cdnvic]

If you book ahead you lose the opportunity to check around and bargin which is very easy during slow periods. Even in busy resort areas I don't have a problem finding well appointed air-con rooms for under 600 baht. Look past the hotels and go searching through some guesthouses who often have rooms as nice, or better than many hotels. These are often clustered in one area which makes it easy to check out alot of them with little effort. Do NOT take recommendations from taxi drivers and touts. They are all on commissions.

Once you are here on the ground, talk to other travellers for up to date recommendations, and check in here from time to time to get specific info on certain places.

Enjoy your trip!

cv

[jklup]

Thanks so much to everyone.... really useful.

I am feeling really positive about this trip....just have to convince my husband now Anyway, once we've got the airfare out of the way it looks like we can get by on relatively little. That should help convince him

Thanks so much!!!

[wilko]

You should be able to get a double room anywhere in Thailand in the 600 to 1200 range, at that price it should have air, TV and hot shower or bath. Islands like Samui and Koh Chang are getting a little dearer for beach front rooms/bungalows

A flight from Bkk to Siam Reap (Ankhor Wat) is about 9000 baht return with Bangkok Air. Flight time about one hour or less. (Look out for some cheap deals) No other airline flies direct to Siam Reap from Bkk, but there are cheaper options going via Phnom Pen, this takes longer of course. There are some very cheap internal fights to Chiang Mai etc. many towns have an airport. Thai Air have their own budget company and there is also Air Asia and one or two others.

I wouldn't bother pre-booking anything as it is very easy to arrange everything through your hotel or local travel shop and it will almost certainly be cheaper. This also leaves your itinerary much more flexible.

The town Siam Reap with the typical layout of an old French colonial town is very civilised and has a wide range of hotels - visit the Grande Hotel early evening for cocktails and G&T - very colonial.

In Cambodia take a wad of one dollar bills (USA) as they are the favoured currency but you get change in Cambodian riels. It can be awkward getting small US bills in Thailand so sort out some before you come.

Eating out in Thailand is cheap, delicious and safe, drink bottled water and nothing from a tap – don’t even brush your teeth with tap water. Seafood in Thailand is wonderful - 2 should get a feast for 700 baht including drinks. A sit down meal for 2 for 150 to 200 baht is easily found. Rice, two or three dishes and beer or water. If I spend over 200 baht on lunch vfor 2, I feel I've really splashed out! Street snacks are usually about 20 baht and I feel quite safe eating them though others would not agree. If you look at an eatery (street or otherwise) and there's a lot of people there the chances are it's good, clean and safe and delicious!

Ice in drinks in Thailand is OK but beware in Cambodia.

If you want to get a dose of “the runs” try eating western style food – chill serve and other refrigeration methods are not fully understood here – why not take that burger in and out of the fridge all day? It’s only 35 C outside!

Thais love their chilli but the Cambodians not so much.

Thais drive on the left (sometimes!), Cambodians on the right (sort of!?)

Thailand can be one of the noisiest places in the world with blaring of loud music from every restaurant and bar.(And Wat!)

Don’t use Bangkok as your base – it’s too crowded and difficult to get in and out of on a daily basis.

If you hire a car beware that insurance is rather dodgy; go to an international company (e.g. Budget) if you can afford the extra.

Are you coming from UK? If so don’t buy your baht there unless they offer over 70 to the pound. The rate today is 73 .4 – anything above 74 is good and below 70 is poor so check the rates. My sister was offered 64 in UK when the international rate was 75! You can buy at Bangkok Airport when you arrive at a reasonable rate. Bring your credit and debit cards there's plenty of ATMs and exchanges. Look out for illicit card readers on ATMs. Arrive with a little cash for immediate expenses such as the taxi then buy baht here. I have never brought travellers cheques - I think they are a waste of time, even being refused in some places.

Your valuables are reasonably safe in Thailand so long as you take any usual precautions you would at home. I dropped my wallet in Pattaya the other day and someone picked it up a ran after me with it. If you leave something in a bar, go back; there iss a good chance it will still be there.

If you spend your first night in Bangkok, the taxi to your hotel in the city from airport should be 1000 to 1500 baht

hope that is of some help

Edited May 24, 2005 by wilko

[surin]

.

If you spend your first night in Bangkok, the taxi to your hotel in the city from airport should be 1000 to 1500 baht

hope that is of some help

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Taxi should cost only 200 baht

[wilko]

.

If you spend your first night in Bangkok, the taxi to your hotel in the city from airport should be 1000 to 1500 baht

hope that is of some help

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Taxi should cost only 200 baht

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

True - I was thinking off Bkk to Pattaya - oops!

[smacko]

i'm thinking about visitng Cambodia..

can i change australia dollars into local?

are they many atms in Phnom Phen?

cheerz

[kyompa]

Thanks so much to everyone.... really useful.

I am feeling really positive about this trip....just have to convince my husband now   Anyway, once we've got the airfare out of the way it looks like we can get by on relatively little. That should help convince him

Thanks so much!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am also planning my first trip to Thailand/Cambodia with my 17 year old son.

Although we backpacked thru Central America when he was 5(his brother 10) I have not been to Asia but have no worries about safety using common sense.

We are budgeting about 360.00 CDN per month for accomodation. Mainly budget with the odd few nites better places. 300 CDN for meals/mth. (Not big eaters so maybe much less.)

200-300 for shopping.

and about another 1000 for travel and tours.

We will mainly stay in the north Chiang Mai and area..through Laos and then to Siem reap and Angkor Wat

Does that sound reasonable?

I have been checking prices through hostelworld dot com. They have some ratings which eases the mind a bit.

For the folks who responded to jklup..does the advice apply to November-March?

I feel safer making bookings which can always be changed once you arrive.

Thru hostelworld it only costs 4-10$ depending on place to make a booking. Worth it to me to know you won't be pounding the pavement.

It's hard to make a definite itinerary when you don't know what you will like.

c

[lampard10]

As a big lighted sign in the centre of town now proclaims Surin to be ' The Gateway to Indochina' and strong rumours of a brand new four lane highway linking Surin to Siem Riep ( Ankhar Wat) I am extending my web-site to cover the modes of transport available to those who wish to travel overland to see this wonder of the modern world in the near future. I hope not only to include links from Osmach, but also from Poipet. This information can be found on http://www.farangconnection.awebspace.com Any questions regarding the area, hotel bookings, car/motorbike hire etc. feel free to e-mail me through the link.

[jayenram]

I prepared this last year for an old fart friend of mine in UK (but I've updated it). The prices are given in pounds Sterling (exchange at 73.00) and should be considered 'typical' for the Issarn area. Obviously you could spend more but it would be difficult to spend less.

Accommodation: 1 Room plus shower/toilet 20.00 /month

3 bed ‘townhouse’ 35.00 /month

3 bed detached (Thai) 50.00 /month

Apartment, toilet/shower/a/c 4.00 /day

Apartment,, toilet/shower/a/c 35.00 /month + electric

Hotel 4.00 to 12.00 /day

Transport: Truck, purchase 8,500.00 /ls

4x4 truck, purchase 11,000.00 /ls

Service (5,000 km) 10.00 to 20.00

diesel 0.30 /litre

Small car, purchase 12,000.00 ls plus

Petrol 0.35 /litre

Flying 0.53 /km

Train (first class sleeper) 0.30 /km

Train (second class sleeper) 0.20 /km

Train (second class) 0.10 /km

Bus (second class, VIP) 0.10 /km

Eating out: Roadside stall 0.30 /person

Open restaurant 0.50 /dish

A/c restaurant 0.80 /dish

Farang restaurant, b/f 1.50

Farang restaurant, lunch 3.00

Farang restaurant, dinner 3.50

Beer (local brewed): Supermarket 0.35 /pint

Open roadside bar 0.50 /pint

Restaurant 0.70 /pint

Hotel 1.00 /pint

Night club 1.60 /pint

Soft drinks:General 0.25 /300 ml

Services: Electric 8.00 /month

A/c (per unit), extra 8.00 /month

Water (supplied) 1.00 /month

Water, drinking 0.10 / litre

Telephone: Handphone (local calls) 4.50 / month

Landline (local calls) 4.00 /month

Internet (dial up) 5.00 /month

Internet (ADSL) 20.00 /month

Entertainment: Disco Free + 30% on drinks

Massage (100% straight) 1.75 /hour

Massage (80% straight) 2.50 /hour

Snooker 0.90 /hour

Edited July 16, 2005 by jayenram

[The Dude]

I am not looking to stay at the sea but to tour round from Bangkok and round the north (and into Cambodia).

We were thinking of a flight maybe oneway from BK to Cambodia, then work our way back via north Thailand back to BK overland.

Which way round are you going?

You can work on 800 baht/night for a half decent room maybe less up North.

Food for 2 say another 600 baht/day.

Drinks obviously a difficult one but a coke is about 25baht in a food place and a small heineken 65baht maybe less.

Fare from BKK to Phnom Phen is around about 5800 baht/person with Bangkok Air............i personally wouldnt try to make the trip by bus (uncomfortable)

Bus travel within Thailand is very cheap.......work on 50 baht/100kms

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You better tack on 2000 to that 5800 for BKK air to PP nowadays. Prez Air is up to 6800 or so. DO NOT FLY PRESIDENT AIR WHATEVER YOU DO. I had a frightmare experience doing that. Sat on runway for an hour with no AC in a crammed small plane dripping with sweat.

TF is very accurate with rest of info. Also agree that should fly btw bode and LOS

[gburns57au]

i'm thinking about visitng Cambodia..

can i change australia dollars into local?

are they many atms in Phnom Phen?

cheerz

Take good condition US dollars to Cambodia.....some places do exchange $AUD....but at a lousy rate....Torn or poor condition US dollars will not be accepted by most places. The local riel is only good for small purchases, you will get it in your change.

I dont think there are many, if any, ATM's there.....I didnt see any.

[loong]

are you planning to wander off the beaten track,? be aware that is nearly impossible to find English speakers uotside of the main tourist areas.

Get yourself the Lonely Planet guide book. This will list hotels and prices for anywhere that you are likely to go in Thailand. Also travel info. I have spent a lot of time in Thailand and I still find it useful. Not sure if there is a new edition, mine is 5 years old but still relevant.

The guide costs about 15 pounds in UK and would definitely be worth the outlay to you.

Some of the prices in my guide are a little out of date. Budget hotels in Bangkok seenm to have put up prices but elswhere you can often get for less than quoted.. Also travel costs have increased lately due to higher cost of oil.

Take usual precautions as you would on any holiday and enjoy yourself. Thailand can be a wonderful, if sometimes frustrating place. No where else I would rather be.

[wilko]

[You should be able to get a double room anywhere in Thailand in the 600 to 1200 range, at that price it should have air, TV and hot shower or bath. Islands like Samui and Koh Chang are getting a little dearer for beach front rooms/bungalows

A flight from Bkk to Siam Reap (Ankhor Wat) is about 9000 baht return with Bangkok Air. Flight time about one hour or less. (Look out for some cheap deals) No other airline flies direct to Siam Reap from Bkk, but there are cheaper options going via Phnom Pen, this takes longer of course. There are some very cheap internal fights to Chiang Mai etc. many towns have an airport. Thai Air have their own budget company and there is also Air Asia and one or two others.

I wouldn't bother pre-booking anything as it is very easy to arrange everything through your hotel or local travel shop and it will almost certainly be cheaper. This also leaves your itinerary much more flexible.

The town Siam Reap (Ankhor Wat - Cambodia) has the typical layout of an old French colonial town is very civilised and has a wide range of hotels - visit the Grande Hotel early evening for cocktails and G&T - very colonial!

In Cambodia take a wad of one dollar bills (USA) as they are the favoured currency but you get change in Cambodian riels. It can be awkward getting small US bills in Thailand so sort out some before you come.

Eating out in Thailand is cheap, delicious and safe, drink bottled water and nothing from a tap – don’t even brush your teeth with tap water. Seafood in Thailand is wonderful - 2 should get a feast for 700 baht including drinks. A sit down meal for 2 for 150 to 200 baht is easily found. Rice, two or three dishes and beer or water. If I spend over 200 baht on lunch for 2, I feel I've really splashed out! Street snacks are usually about 20 baht and I feel quite safe eating them though others would not agree. If you look at an eatery (street or otherwise) and there's a lot of people there the chances are it's good, clean and safe and delicious!

Ice in drinks in Thailand is OK but beware in Cambodia.

If you want to get a dose of “the runs” try eating western style food – chill serve and other refrigeration methods are not fully understood here – why not take that burger in and out of the fridge all day? It’s only 35 C outside!

Thais love their chilli but the Cambodians not so much.

Thais drive on the left (sometimes!), Cambodians on the right (sort of!?)

Thailand can be one of the noisiest places in the world with blaring of loud music from every restaurant and bar.(And Wat!)

Don’t use Bangkok as your base – it’s too crowded and difficult to get in and out of on a daily basis.

If you hire a car beware that insurance is rather dodgy; go to an international company (e.g. Budget) if you can afford the extra.

Are you coming from Oz? If so don’t buy your baht there unless they offer over 30 to the dollar. The rate today is 31.2 – anything above 30 is good and below 28 is poor so check the rates. My sister was offered 64 against the pound in UK when the international rate was 75! You can buy at Bangkok Airport when you arrive at a reasonable rate. Bring your credit and debit cards there's plenty of ATMs and exchanges (not in Cambodia). Look out for illicit card readers on ATMs. Arrive with a little cash for immediate expenses such as the taxi from airport then buy baht here. I have never brought travellers cheques - I think they are a waste of time, even being refused in some places.

Your valuables are reasonably safe in Thailand so long as you take any usual precautions you would at home. I dropped my wallet in Pattaya the other day and someone picked it up a ran after me with it. If you leave something in a bar, go back; there iss a good chance it will still be there.

If you spend your first night in Bangkok, the taxi to your hotel in the city from airport should be 200 to 300 baht, or forget Bangkok until you go home and head East for Pattaya, a 1 1/2 hour taxi drive (1200 to 1500 baht) from the airport and good hotels from 600 baht up. That's also on the way to Koh Chang, Koh Samet and Soutern Cambodia.

hope that is of some help