Backpacking Thailand

Hello to all seasoned and aspiring backpackers!

Have you always dreamed of packing your backpack and exploring foreign countries and cultures? Your last vacation was just a few weeks ago, but you are already feeling wanderlust again?

Good news: You've come to the right place!

Thailand is the most popular destination in South East Asia, both for beginners and experienced backpackers. Beach, culture, party, nature, action, big cities, relaxation, etc.; hardly any other country is as diverse as the land of smiles.

Even if your time and budget are limited, you can still do lots of stuff in Thailand. Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure, you can get from point A to point B easily and low prices are also a nice bonus. Regardless if you want to travel on your own or start your adventure together with friends, our itinerary takes you across Thailand in all its facets in 23 days – and all this for just €400, including transportation, accommodation and more!

See below for the perfect Thailand itinerary for an unforgettable journey:

Important Basics

Official Language (Thai)
English Thai
Hello sa-wa-dii
Bye La go kah (for women)/ la gon krap (for men)
Thank you Khop kkun kah (for women)/ khop khun krap (for men)
Yes chai
No mai
Capital City

Bangkok

Form of Government

Constitutional monarchy

Telephone area code

+66

Currency

Bhat (THB)

Best time to travel

December to April

Fun facts
  • Thailand was known as Siam until 1949 .
  • Rice is Thailand’s main export
  • Thailand is the only country in East Asia that has never been colonized by European powers
  • There are over 35000 temples in Thailand
  • The country is one of the biggest producers of orchids

Cities

PHUKET

The journey starts in Phuket. 

In the first few days, you will already get a taste of how diverse the country is. Whether it's gorgeous beaches, vibrant nightlife, temples or street markets – there's plenty to discover on Phuket.

You want to be right at the beach, but don’t want to miss the action? In this case, you should go to Lub d Phuket Patong Hostel. You’ll pay less than 15 EUR per night for a bed in a 4-bed dorm.

Ko Phi Phi

You can take a ferry for 15 EUR to Ko Phi Phi Don - a must-see on any Thailand trip.

Visit the famous Phi Phi Viewpoint, celebrate legendary beach parties and take a boat trip to Maya Beach, the famous setting from the movie "The Beach".

Kitty Guest House offers private rooms from 19 EUR per night.

Ko Lanta

The next stop on our island hopping tour is Ko Lanta. A ferry takes you from Ko Phi Phi for 12 EUR to one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand.

Lonely sandy beaches invite you to relax. You can explore the impressive underwater world of the Andaman Sea on snorkelling and diving excursions.

Ko Lanta is also cheap. At the Hub of Joy Hostel, you pay 8 EUR per night for a bed in a 4-bed dorm.

Bangkok

The capital will show you a completely different side of Thailand.

It goes first to Krabi by ferry (8 EUR) and from there by plane to Bangkok for about 40 EUR. If you want to be close to the legendary party mile Kao San Road, you should stay in the Green House Hostel. You pay for a private room 7 EUR per night and you are only a few steps away from the backpackers’ epicentre.

But also culture lovers and shopaholics get their money's worth in Bangkok. Grand Palace, Floating Market, Golden Mount and Chatuchak Weekend Market are just a few of the many attractions of the metropolis.

Chiang Mai

Afterwards, we will travel to the north of Thailand, where you will find culture, history and nature in a much more relaxed atmosphere.

The cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is by night bus for 22 EUR, which saves you the cost of an overnight stay in a hostel. At Thai Thai Hostel Chiang Mai, a bed in a dorm costs 7 EUR per night.

Furthermore, you have the opportunity to see elephants in a near-natural environment in the animal-friendly Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary. The half-day tour is available from 65 EUR – an unforgettable experience.

Pai

A side trip to Pai from Chiang Mai is worthwhile. The bus ticket only costs 10 EUR return.

There is a lot to discover around the small mountain village with its relaxed atmosphere and hippie flair. Rent a scooter and explore waterfalls, hot springs and national parks like Pai Canyon.

You pay 5 EUR for a bed in a 6-bed dorm at Baan Mai Sak Hostel.

Bangkok

The night bus takes you back to Bangkok from Pai via Chiang Mai.

You have a few days left to finish your Asia journey. As always, you have so many opportunities here in Thailand, whether it's sightseeing, a Thai massage, street food, or a wild party night (but don't miss your flight home! - or maybe you will?) You have so many options here.

From Bangkok, you fly back home with countless impressions and memories.


PHUKET

PHUKET

The journey starts in Phuket. 

In the first few days, you will already get a taste of how diverse the country is. Whether it's gorgeous beaches, vibrant nightlife, temples or street markets – there's plenty to discover on Phuket.

You want to be right at the beach, but don’t want to miss the action? In this case, you should go to Lub d Phuket Patong Hostel. You’ll pay less than 15 EUR per night for a bed in a 4-bed dorm.

Ko Phi Phi

Ko Phi Phi

You can take a ferry for 15 EUR to Ko Phi Phi Don - a must-see on any Thailand trip.

Visit the famous Phi Phi Viewpoint, celebrate legendary beach parties and take a boat trip to Maya Beach, the famous setting from the movie "The Beach".

Kitty Guest House offers private rooms from 19 EUR per night.

Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta

The next stop on our island hopping tour is Ko Lanta. A ferry takes you from Ko Phi Phi for 12 EUR to one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand.

Lonely sandy beaches invite you to relax. You can explore the impressive underwater world of the Andaman Sea on snorkelling and diving excursions.

Ko Lanta is also cheap. At the Hub of Joy Hostel, you pay 8 EUR per night for a bed in a 4-bed dorm.

Bangkok

Bangkok

The capital will show you a completely different side of Thailand.

It goes first to Krabi by ferry (8 EUR) and from there by plane to Bangkok for about 40 EUR. If you want to be close to the legendary party mile Kao San Road, you should stay in the Green House Hostel. You pay for a private room 7 EUR per night and you are only a few steps away from the backpackers’ epicentre.

But also culture lovers and shopaholics get their money's worth in Bangkok. Grand Palace, Floating Market, Golden Mount and Chatuchak Weekend Market are just a few of the many attractions of the metropolis.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

Afterwards, we will travel to the north of Thailand, where you will find culture, history and nature in a much more relaxed atmosphere.

The cheapest way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is by night bus for 22 EUR, which saves you the cost of an overnight stay in a hostel. At Thai Thai Hostel Chiang Mai, a bed in a dorm costs 7 EUR per night.

Furthermore, you have the opportunity to see elephants in a near-natural environment in the animal-friendly Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary. The half-day tour is available from 65 EUR – an unforgettable experience.

Pai

Pai

A side trip to Pai from Chiang Mai is worthwhile. The bus ticket only costs 10 EUR return.

There is a lot to discover around the small mountain village with its relaxed atmosphere and hippie flair. Rent a scooter and explore waterfalls, hot springs and national parks like Pai Canyon.

You pay 5 EUR for a bed in a 6-bed dorm at Baan Mai Sak Hostel.

Bangkok

Bangkok

The night bus takes you back to Bangkok from Pai via Chiang Mai.

You have a few days left to finish your Asia journey. As always, you have so many opportunities here in Thailand, whether it's sightseeing, a Thai massage, street food, or a wild party night (but don't miss your flight home! - or maybe you will?) You have so many options here.

From Bangkok, you fly back home with countless impressions and memories.

Thailand Route Map

Itinerary and Stops.

Tag
Route/Station
Transport
€
Unterkunft
€
1. Home - Phuket
Home - Phuket
Flight
280
Lub d Phuket Patong (4-bed dorm)
13
2. Phuket
Phuket
-
Lub d Phuket Patong (4-bed dorm)
13
3. Phuket
Phuket
-
Lub d Phuket Patong (4-bed dorm)
13
4. Phuket - Ko Phi Phi
Phuket - Ko Phi Phi
Ferry 
15
Kitty Guest House     (single bedroom)
19
5. Ko Phi Phi  
Ko Phi Phi  
-
Kitty Guest House     (single bedroom)
19
6. Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi
-
Kitty Guest House     (single bedroom)
19
7. Ko Phi Phi – Koh Lanta
Ko Phi Phi – Koh Lanta
Ferry 
12
Hub of Joy Hostel (4-bed dorm)
8
8. Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta
-
Hub of Joy Hostel (4-bed dorm)
8
9. Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta
-
Hub of Joy Hostel (4-bed dorm)
8
10. Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta
-
Hub of Joys (4er Dorm)
8
11. Ko Lanta - Krabi - Bangkok
Ko Lanta - Krabi - Bangkok
ferry + flight
48
Green House Hostel (single bedroom)
7
12. Bangkok
Bangkok
-
Green House Hostel (single bedroom)
7
13. Bangkok
Bangkok
-
Green House Hostel (single bedroom)
7
14. Bangkok - Chiang Mai
Bangkok - Chiang Mai
Night bus
22
Night bus
15. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
-
Thai Thai Hostel (8-bed dorm)
8
16. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
-
Thai Thai Hostel (8-bed dorm)
8
17. Chiang Mai - Pai
Chiang Mai - Pai
Minivan
Baan Mai Sak (6-bed dorm)
5
18. Pai
Pai
-
Baan Mai Sak (6-bed dorm)
5
19. Pai
Pai
-
Baan Mai Sak (6-bed dorm)
5
20. Pai - Chiang Mai Bangkok
Pai - Chiang Mai Bangkok
Minivan + night bus
27
Night bus
21. Bangkok   
Bangkok   
-
Green House Hostel (single bedroom)
7
22. Bangkok
Bangkok
-
Green House Hostel (single bedroom)
7
23. Bangkok – Home
Bangkok – Home
Flight
300
-

Total price.

Flights 620,00 €
Transportation 89,00 €
Tours 65,00 €
Accommodations 206,00 €
Total 980,00 €

Du möchtest 

deine eigene

Reise erstellen?

 Ja

Du möchtest deine

eigene Reise erstellen?

 Ja

Dos and Don’ts, Food & Drinks, Costs.

Breakfast

Banana pancakes: eine Spezialität in Thailand. Du findest ihn oft an Straßenständen und das sogar noch zu einem super Preis. Der Teig ist knusprig und du kannst oben drauf noch Schokosoße hinzufügen. Der perfekte Start in den Tag!

Soups

Tom Yam Gung: hierbei handelt es sich um eine scharfe Garnelen Suppe. Diese wird mit viel Gewürz verfeinert und oft sogar in einer Kokosnuss serviert.
Tom Khaa Gai: this soup mainly consists of coconut juice and boiled chicken. An absolute must-eat in Thailand and the locals’ favourite dish!

Main courses

Pad Thai: a classic dish in Thailand consisting of noodles with bean sprouts and vegetables. Scrambled eggs and meat are often added.
Thai Curry: Curry dishes in Thailand are an absolute speciality and you can order them in all variations. From vegetarian to extra spicy, there is nothing left to be desired.

Drinks and snacks

Mango sticky rice: the consistency of this rice is very sticky and it is sweetened with sugar. It is served with mango which is added with coconut milk while cooking.

Singha beer:   probably the most famous beer brand in Thailand. Backpackers love it!

Prices in Thailand

The exchange rate for 100 Thai Baht is around €2.90 (as of February 2020). You can see prices for certain products as well as the cost of living below.

Cost of living 

  • Monthly rent in an expensive area (2/4 room): B 4.000 – 30.000 = 400 – 900 euros
  • Additional costs per month: B 2 468 = 72 euros
  • Internet per month: B 695 = 20.3 euros
  • 1 litre (1/4 gallon) of gasoline:  B 29.9 = 0.87 euros
  • Monthly ticket for public transport: B 1 100 = 32 euros

Food

  • Lunch in a restaurant in the business district: B 200 = 5.80 euros
  • Menu in a fast food restaurant: B 189 = 5.50 euros
  • Normal dinner for 2 in a local restaurant: B 120 = 3.50 euros
  • Cappuccino in a tourist area: B 60.5 = 1.77 euros

Free time

  • Two tickets for a movie: B 400 = 11.60 euros
  • 0.5 litre of local beer in the supermarket: B 56 = 1.63 euros
  • Cigarettes Marlboro (20 pieces): B 140 = 4.08 euros
  • 1 glass of beer in a local bar: B 77 = 2.25 euros

Personal hygiene

  • Normal haircut for men in tourist area: B 120 = 3.50 euros
  • Shampoo: B 40 = 1.17 euros
  • Deodorant: B 35 = 1 euro

Dos

Ask first, then take a picture. Yes, Thais are very photogenic as they smile a lot. But no matter who you want to take a picture of, if it’s children or adults, ask for permission first. Otherwise, it can be very rude.

Monks are holy in Thailand and you have to treat them the same way. A woman cannot touch or offer something to the monks under any circumstances. Respect these rules and treat the monks with the highest respect.

Monks are not the only ones you should have a special respect for. The monarchy is also highly respected in Thailand. You should therefore be open to this form of government.

Don't overreact. The most important thing in Thailand is to live in harmony and be happy all the time.

Don'ts

Don't believe a TukTuk driver who tells you that a temple was closed. This might be a scam that you better not fall for, otherwise, your budget will quickly be exceeded.

Hide your naked skin. Even though Thailand is a holiday destination, it is still inappropriate to walk around in a bikini or swimming trunks. By doing so, you are breaking the cultural rules and you will be on bad terms with the locals.

Selfies with Buddha? That's a no go. Buddhism is the main religion and any behaviour that does not respect this religion is inappropriate. So don’t take funny pictures with a statue or buy a Buddha figure for fun.

Visa, Visa, Passport & Vaccinations

Passport

yes

Temporary passport

yes

National ID

no

Temporary national ID

no

Child’s pass

yes

Visa

Visa not necessary

Vaccine

Vaccine yes

Additional Remarks.

We recommend researching the travel document, visa and entry requirements for your home country before your departure. If you travel to Thailand, consult a health care provider before you leave to discuss vaccination requirements.

The team at Backpacker Trail wishes you lots of fun and an unforgettable trip!

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