The center of the universe for many first-time backpackers, Thailand offers natural beauty, spectacular beaches, thriving city nightlife and the timeless wonder of its numerous Buddhist temples. Here are some tips to help you plan the ultimate Thailand backpacking adventure.
Travel Light
You can buy just about anything you need in Thailand from toiletries to sunglasses – and it may even be cheaper than back home if your first stop is Bangkok. As such, you only need to bring with you a few clothing items.
Getting In
Shop for the cheapest flight available to Thailand. Lucky for you, some of the cheapest flights to Asia are found in Bangkok. You can use flight comparison sites to get an idea of the range of airfare prices. Also ask your local travel agent whether they can better what you find online.
Food
Food is very cheap in Thailand and Thai cuisine is some of the best in Asia. Street food retails for less than a dollar and if you eat locally, you can get by on about $2 a day.
Accommodation
Browse and book from the selection of hotels online. Thailand caters to most budgets therefore it is possible to find basic hostel dorms and luxurious spa hotels right next to each other. Don’t be afraid to haggle down your room rate once you get there.
Transport
Traveling through Thailand is very easy as the country is well established on the backpacking trail, with everything made simple and convenient. Second to none in terms of backpacker infrastructure, Thailand boasts an extensive public and private bus, ferry, and plane and train system.
Transportation is also very cheap in Thailand. Only use taxis that agree to run on the meter and always haggle for tuk tuks. Buses are quite cheap, although sometimes it’s more affordable to buy a boat and bus ticket combo.
Where to Go
Talk to other people about where to visit in Thailand. Read up on the country and drop by Thailand discussion forums for the latest information on the places you wish to visit, especially if backpacking on a budget.
There are plenty of activities to get into once you arrive in Thailand to make your trip memorable. Go jungle trekking, take Thai cookery classes, enjoy a Thai massage. This along with the extensive traveler infrastructure guarantees that backpackers to Thailand won’t have too much to worry about when they leave home.
Tip: Read also about the unusual things to do in Bangkok.
Culture Shock
Brace yourself for the culture shock. But after the first day, once you’re over the jet lag and have started getting your bearings, you will begin to enjoy Thailand a lot more. Get out there and sample amazing Thai street food. Sit around in the plethora of bars, meet locals and other travelers and generally just chill out.
Every year, thousands of first-time and often solo backpackers visit Thailand. The travelers ease themselves into the backpacking lifestyle of Thailand with a sense of adventure and come away with a new level of self confidence. There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t do the same.
Written by Vincent
