I just returned from my first trip to Thailand. Remember, this was in May which is 'low-season' and considerably cheaper than if you have to go in December. I could have easily spent much more or considerably less, but took a middle road of total creature comfort without needless pampering. If you're trying to budget a trip and wondering how long to stay, where to go, what can you afford, I hope this will help. BIG note: The Business Class ticket cost me $2,220 usd. That's almost half of the total cost of my trip! If you're young and have no fear of blood clots running from cramped muscles to your brain, fly economy and knock $1500 off my total. A huge savings, if you need it. Anyway, for comparison purposes only, here's what I paid and what I got for my money:
TOTAL COST OF MY TRIP
(excluding only clothes bought pre-trip in u.s.a. - which, btw, you should NOT do! The cool nylon, zip-pocket pants I bought at a sports discount store in L.A., sold for 1/2 that 'discount' price on the street in Bangkok! Pack light. Take virtually nothing! but that's another thread!lol)
$4,850 USD (FOR 19 NIGHTS IN THAILAND, NETT)
--THAT'S ROUNDTRIP BUSINESS CLASS ON EVA AIRLINES, 15 NIGHTS IN 4-STAR HOTELS (Majestic Grande in Bangkok and Royal Paradise -in the new Royal Wing- in Phuket), 2 NIGHTS IN A 3-STAR HOTEL (Majestic Suites in Bangkok), 2 NIGHTS IN A 2.5-STAR HOTEL (Dynasty in Pattaya); ALL FOOD, DRINK, BLENDED COFFEES, CHEAP SOUVENIRS; 3 TOURS (SNORKEL,CANOE & ELEPHANT all out of phuket), 2 FLIGHTS WITHIN THAILAND (PATTAYA-PHUKET & PHUKET-BANGKOK), ALL GROUND TRANSPORTATION (AIRPORT TAXIS, SKYTRAINS, TUK-TUKS, ETC.), 2 THAI MASSAGES, 2 FOOT MASSAGES AND 20 X-PERIENCES (17 short-time, 2 long-time, and 1 double; 7 of the 20 with barfines).
Stay and play long enough to "save" back the airfare and the rest is gravy. Hope this helps some of you pre-planning fanatics. FYI, I had pre-budgeted $150usd/day, excluding airfare, but ultimately came in at about $135/day. Could've stayed two more days "for free" with what I'd budgeted!
TOTAL COST OF MY TRIP
(excluding only clothes bought pre-trip in u.s.a. - which, btw, you should NOT do! The cool nylon, zip-pocket pants I bought at a sports discount store in L.A., sold for 1/2 that 'discount' price on the street in Bangkok! Pack light. Take virtually nothing! but that's another thread!lol)
$4,850 USD (FOR 19 NIGHTS IN THAILAND, NETT)
--THAT'S ROUNDTRIP BUSINESS CLASS ON EVA AIRLINES, 15 NIGHTS IN 4-STAR HOTELS (Majestic Grande in Bangkok and Royal Paradise -in the new Royal Wing- in Phuket), 2 NIGHTS IN A 3-STAR HOTEL (Majestic Suites in Bangkok), 2 NIGHTS IN A 2.5-STAR HOTEL (Dynasty in Pattaya); ALL FOOD, DRINK, BLENDED COFFEES, CHEAP SOUVENIRS; 3 TOURS (SNORKEL,CANOE & ELEPHANT all out of phuket), 2 FLIGHTS WITHIN THAILAND (PATTAYA-PHUKET & PHUKET-BANGKOK), ALL GROUND TRANSPORTATION (AIRPORT TAXIS, SKYTRAINS, TUK-TUKS, ETC.), 2 THAI MASSAGES, 2 FOOT MASSAGES AND 20 X-PERIENCES (17 short-time, 2 long-time, and 1 double; 7 of the 20 with barfines).
Stay and play long enough to "save" back the airfare and the rest is gravy. Hope this helps some of you pre-planning fanatics. FYI, I had pre-budgeted $150usd/day, excluding airfare, but ultimately came in at about $135/day. Could've stayed two more days "for free" with what I'd budgeted!




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