Chiang Mai and Bangkok voted among world's best destinations for backpackers

[webfact]

Chiang Mai and Bangkok voted among world’s best destinations for backpackers



BANGKOK: -- Chiang Mai and Bangkok are voted heavens for backpackers’ destinations looking for budget travels. They are among the world’s 10 cheapest cities best for visits for backpackers and budget travelers.

In the latest Backpacker Index for 2014 conducted by Price of Travel on 124 world cities ranked from cheapest to most expensive, it said the cheapest city for backpackers is Pokhara in Nepal.

Total cost of visit to the city is US$ 14.32 a day.

Chiang Mai of Thailand is ranked third of US$ 17.66, while Bangkok comes 10th place at US$ 21.78.

The total daily cost includes a dorm bed at a good and cheap hostel, 3 budget meals, 2 public transportation rides, 1 paid cultural attraction and 3 cheap beers (as an entertainment fund).

Price of Travel said Asia dominates the cheap part of the list with the first 11 spots, while Europe dominates the expensive part at the bottom.

Hanoi came second place at US$ 15.88, Ho Chi Minh ranked fifth at US$ 18.27, and Laos’ Battambang on ninth place at US$ 21.71.

Japan is now closer to the middle at 94th place of US$ 74.21 with its weakening currency while Australia and Turkey both became cheaper due to exchange rate movements.

Zurich in Switzerland is ranked 124th place and at the top of the most expensive city of US$ 122.22, while New York is ranked 119th of US$ 99.55.

Price of Travel is a database of travel costs in every major destination around the world, started in early 2010. The site now features over 110 cities, with information for each listing accommodation, transportation, attraction, food, and drink prices.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/chiang-mai-bangkok-voted-among-worlds-best-destinations-backpackers/


-- Thai PBS 2014-02-21

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The real news here I guess is that Battambang moved from Cambodia to Laos!

[Tywais]

The real news here I guess is that Battambang moved from Cambodia to Laos!

At least they figured out which country Chiang Mai is in and didn't say Taiwan.

[Berkshire]

No, please, not more backpackers in Chiang Mai! I beg you!

[slipperylobster]

ouch.... thats why I avoid those places !

[belg]

bangkok and riots, at least you can walk in the middle of the street if you wear the right color

[Frank James]

Today's backpacker, who returns home with pleasant memories, is tomorrow's sought-after, upscale, "quality tourist." Be kind to backpackers. They're all right. Future leaders.

[Lee4Life]

I'm sorry....will someone please tell me if that's good or bad ?

[bangon04]

wait for the TAT press release which extols the virtues of the increase in "quality tourists"..

[yeeowww]

Great... let's get the word out to have more dreadlockers and scavenger tourists flocking in to make things more aesthetically appealing! At least in BKK they mostly clustered together on the culturally vapid zone of Kao Sahn Road. Geesh... I'd love to see them going elsewhere at any cost. They are the ones driving away the sought-after, upscale, "quality tourists" in places like Chiang Mai.

Edited February 21, 2014 by yeeowww

[IsaanUSA]

Hmmmm, so the survey ranks cities based on cost only? Seems silly, doesn't it? I would think the survey would use cost as just one factor and activities for backpackers to do as the main factor.

I do not think Bangkok is a good place for backpackers to visit. Sure you can find some things that are cheap, but Bangkok is not conducive towards typical backpacker people and what they are looking for.

[slipperylobster]

Hmmmm, so the survey ranks cities based on cost only? Seems silly, doesn't it? I would think the survey would use cost as just one factor and activities for backpackers to do as the main factor.

I do not think Bangkok is a good place for backpackers to visit. Sure you can find some things that are cheap, but Bangkok is not conducive towards typical backpacker people and what they are looking for.

Many thought backpacking young people flocked to San Francisco much in the same manner, during the late 60's. Much more appealing than Khao San Road....but an attraction for them anyways. Now it is Chiang Mai.... Just stay out of our quiet Udon.