Headed out on one of our tours of Thailand? Wondering what you should pack, what food you should try, or how much money you should bring with you? We’ve got you covered!
The Basics
Weather: Bangkok–Spring: 77-95° F | Summer: 79-91° F | Fall: 75-90° F | Winter: 70-91° F
*Lows in the Chaing Mai region are about 5-10° F cooler than Bangkok*
Language(s): Thai
Currency: ฿ Thai Baht
Cash or card: It’s easy to use both, but make sure to keep some cash on you for street vendors.
Exchange rate at time of travel: $1 USD = ฿30.89 baht
What that really means: $20 USD = ฿617.80 baht
What ฿1 will buy you: While ฿1 baht is unlikely to buy you anything, ฿30 baht ($1) will get you a fresh coconut from a street food stall.
Money to bring per day: $10-15 USD or ฿310-460 baht
Packing Tips
Spring/Summer packing list: Sweat-wicking clothing and lots of SPF. Also, remember to bring clothes that cover your shoulders and ankles so you can visit all of the temples.
Fall/Winter packing list: A sweatshirt for those air-conditioned airports and mountainous regions in the north. In fall and winter, temps can still reach 90°, so make sure to pack warm weather clothing.
What we wish we packed: A rain jacket! Thailand’s rainy season lasts from May to October. And if you have extra room in your suitcase, pack bug spray!
Evan Krause via Unsplash
The Food
Average cost of lunch: $5-10 USD or ฿155-310 baht
Tipping: Not customary, but it is nice to leave behind loose change if you enjoyed the service.
Atmosphere: It’s a total range! Some Bangkok restaurants pull out all the stops, but are still relatively cheap compared to what we’d have to pay for that level of service in the States. Other restaurants are completely casual. You could get the best meal from a small stand on the side of the road!
You HAVE to try: Pad Thai, Coconut sticky rice, and fried rice in a pineapple–it’s everywhere!
Everything Else
Total spend on souvenirs: $50 USD or ฿1,540 baht
Coolest thing you bought: Elephant pants
Free time idea: Check out the Chatuchak Weekend Market or get around via ferry in Bangkok.
Advice: Translate a couple things on your phone like your hotel address and how to tell street vendors you don’t want spicy food. Bartering is also quite common, so be prepared to haggle on price at market stalls.
Topics:
Destination guide, Thailand
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