Joanna James
If you are planning on a trip to Thailand, especially Bangkok, you are more likely to spend more than you bargained for. However, your expenses are under your control and therefore, there is a way to still stay on budget or even spend less when in Bangkok. Here are a few tips.
It might be something you don't want to do when you are on holiday, but it is also a very essential part of managing your finances on the trip. Bring back bills of every payment you make, perhaps at the mall or tickets at an attraction. At the end of the day note them all down and calculate exactly how much you have to remain. Plan out the next day accordingly. To make things more organised you can divide your expenses into categories like hygiene, accommodation, transport, tours and food & drinks.
When it comes to ATM withdrawals in Bangkok, this can be very expensive. You are charged an average of 200 Baht for each transaction which is about € 4. It's even worse if the exchange rate is unfavourable for you. Therefore, it would be wise to withdraw at least 10,000 Baht at a time which amounts to roughly € 270 and keep it with you for expenses. Try to drag it out as much as possible and don't forget to bring back the receipt from the bank so that you can put this down when recording your expenses.
When it comes to transport in Bangkok, the choice is wide. But if you do want to save money, it is better not to travel by taxi. Take the usual bus, boat or Skytrain and that will make things much easier and cheaper. Moreover, avoid travelling in first-class as the tickets are about 20 times more expensive than they are when it comes to travelling in 2nd class or anything below.
Sure enough, all the colourful fruit juices packaged in attractive bottles might be hard to resist, but if you are to save money, water is the best option for a thirst quencher. The best about drinking simple bottled water is that you can refill your bottle just about anywhere in Bangkok for just 2 Baht!
Now packing light is important, but you must also pack smart and bring in all the essentials from back home if you are to save money. For instance, don't ever forget your sunscreen, buying it from anywhere in Bangkok would mean you'll have to pay exorbitant prices. So, bring whatever you can carry from home and you'll be alright.
This might seem like a crazy notion but saving on both these is definitely possible. The answer is simple. Just book both your plane ticket and serviced apartment in Bangkok well in advance. This means you'll have to make payments at least 3 – 6 months before. Hotels like Chatrium Residence Riverside Bangkok may even offer large discounts for advance bookings.
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