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[skillish]

hey all,
i've been reading this site for a while now, and finally joined up. in a month i am going to be traveling to south east asia for at least 2 months, and if my cash supplies stand up perhaps a further two months. since i want to stay for as long as possible i want my money to be stretched as far as it can. i've read in some places that you can get away with spending as little as 11 $US a day, but realistically i expect it to be more like $20-25 including accommodation. anyhow does anybody know what i can expect? (i am very good at not spending money while traveling, i've gotten away with going to europe by myself for 3 weeks with only 200 dollars for everything!)

also on another note,
apparently there are no required vaccines to enter thailand, but is there any that i should get just in case?

thanks!

[curt1591]

A lot depends on your history. Assuming you are from the States, you have typically been raised in a relatively sterile environment. Leaving the country opens you up for exposure to many new organisms!

I will assume that you have been vaccinated against Polio. Hopefully you keep current on your Tetanus boosters.

I always recommend Hep A and Typhoid vaccinations. Since you plan to get down and stay long term, Hep B might be advisable.



It's easy to find tasty meals starting around 75 cents.

Guest house accommodations can be found for under 5 bucks.

Local buses start from about a quarter. Motorcycle taxis, for short rides, start at about the same, but are more direct.
Here's a pretty good site to find Cheap stays

[rbisset]

Before going travelling I had injections for Hep A, B, Typhoid. All of them were free in UK, no idea if that's the case in USA.

[skillish]

Before going travelling I had injections for Hep A, B, Typhoid. All of them were free in UK, no idea if that's the case in USA.

thanks. they certainly are not free over here in america. probably a few hundred dollars. good thing schools require hep a and b. so i've got those. guess i got to get typhoid.

[thellie]

you can always get your shots out here - i didn't have time to do the whole course for my rabies, hep a, and jap enceph in the uk. i went to the int'l hospital on koh samui and got the lot done for about $230. it would have cost me $180 just for the rabies in the the uk.

you might want to think about that for your maleria tablets, if you intend to get any...

[fourloves]

Yep, malaria tabs are stupid cheap in thailand, and are of similar quality to a cheap generic from the states. If you're taking tabs, try getting something that doesn't ruin it for locals by making a more resistant disease. Ask your doctor about doxycycline. God, I sound like an antidepressant commercial.

My Canadian travel centre shot me up with Rabies (especially for India) (Get the name of the specific vaccine for rabies they give you, as you should use the same type for treatment if you are bitten) , Japanese Encephalitis, Typhoid, HepA/B booster (Canadians now get a full course as teeangers), Tuberculin test (PPD test used for comparison once you get back home), Tetanus/Diptheria,you should already have polio, measles, mumps, rubella.

I wrote all of these off with my employer's drug plan - would have run me close to $1000 on my own. Overkill? Perhaps. I'm not the doctor though, so I would do what they reccomend. Is there a free travel consultation clinic where you are from? They have the best advice.

Cheers, Happy Travels!

[Paul]

Hi - people have already said some of what I wanted to say - so I'll just confirm.

Yep - figure out what injections you want but get them in Thailand. If you go to a more normal hospital you may find them even cheaper than Thellie's initial experience also.

How much you spend when you are here really depends on lot on you. What you want to eat, where and how you want to stay, how much travelling you want to do, using what forms of travelling.

If you stay still in some places that you like and eat local - things will be cheaper for sure.
Some days you might spend 100 Baht on food, but others 200 Baht or more.

Outside of the main tourist attractions you can find accom for 150 Baht a day. But it is pretty simple.

The figures quoted above - I wouldn't rely on them - once you eat a western meal here and there, get some transport somewhere, have a number of beers - you will gone way over that.

If what you say about Europe is right - yep, you may be fine on US$10 a day. But I think US$25 is a safer planning figure.

But for others reading this - that want to travel around and see lots in a short amount of time and also want to drink and party - plan on a much higher figure.

[curt1591]

The problem with getting inoculations in Thailand is that most will need some time to create antibodies. For many, their resistance won't kick in until after they return from holiday!

You might check your county health department. Some offer vaccinations for free, or for a nominal fee.

[skillish]

The problem with getting inoculations in Thailand is that most will need some time to create antibodies. For many, their resistance won't kick in until after they return from holiday!

You might check your county health department. Some offer vaccinations for free, or for a nominal fee.

thanks everybody for their input. i've spoken to a travel clinic here in new york city. i highly doubt its free, but one can always hope!

[rbisset]

(i am very good at not spending money while traveling, i've gotten away with going to europe by myself for 3 weeks with only 200 dollars for everything!)

I can't see how that is possible. I spent more than that in 2 days in Sweden and that was with free accomodation. A bus trip for a couple of hours would set you back at least €10, probably more. I haven't been to Eastern Europe yet but it still can't be that cheap. Unless you used a peddlebike to get from town-to-town, slept in a tent for free somewhere and ate 1 meal a day I don't see how that is possible in Europe.

[skillish]

(i am very good at not spending money while traveling, i've gotten away with going to europe by myself for 3 weeks with only 200 dollars for everything!)

I can't see how that is possible. I spent more than that in 2 days in Sweden and that was with free accomodation. A bus trip for a couple of hours would set you back at least €10, probably more. I haven't been to Eastern Europe yet but it still can't be that cheap. Unless you used a peddlebike to get from town-to-town, slept in a tent for free somewhere and ate 1 meal a day I don't see how that is possible in Europe.

basically the only money i spent was on accommodation. it can get pretty cheap if you do it right. i had to get pretty adventurous to find some of these places. ( i stayed on a few boats) a lot of these places i stayed were kind enough to provide me with a simple breakfast which consisted basically of sliced meat and cheese and bread. so i made a couple of sandwiches for the day, and took them with me. and i walked. walked a lot. and i didn't drink any beer. had a couple of 2 dollar bottles of wine, but that's about it. it was a very minimalistic trip. so it IS possible and i had a great time, but certainly if anybody had been with me on this trip they probably would have not enjoyed themselves.

[thellie]

basically the only money i spent was on accommodation. it can get pretty cheap if you do it right. i had to get pretty adventurous to find some of these places. ( i stayed on a few boats) a lot of these places i stayed were kind enough to provide me with a simple breakfast which consisted basically of sliced meat and cheese and bread. so i made a couple of sandwiches for the day, and took them with me. and i walked. walked a lot. and i didn't drink any beer. had a couple of 2 dollar bottles of wine, but that's about it. it was a very minimalistic trip. so it IS possible and i had a great time, but certainly if anybody had been with me on this trip they probably would have not enjoyed themselves.

well, i'd've come with you - that sounds like my sort of thing... apart from the meat that is (god, i haven't had any decent cheese in months...)

[wakingdream]

Great advice guys! The subject of what we spend while traveling always comes up, and is pretty much the most relevant when on the road.

I think Curtis lays down the bottom line. You can get away with traveling very cheaply if you live like the locals, travel like the locals etc. May sound like a cliche but it is the best piece of advice for traveling cheaply.

But for others reading this - that want to travel around and see lots in a short amount of time and also want to drink and party - plan on a much higher figure

Paul's picture is more realistic for some travelers, especially if it's their first time over. Little things always add up. Even at home! Especially when you add beer, flights etc into your budget. I've been over five times now and have learned after the second trip how to do it total shoestring-style. (with a few exceptions). It's all up to you. just be aware of what you're spending, the general prices of things and budget accordingly and you should be able to stretch out your cash.

i highly doubt its free, but one can always hope!

Doubt it's free, too bad! Here in Canada we can include med expenses for such things in our taxes and we do get a small amount back. Keep your shot receipts and make sure to try if you can.

Most of all, have a great time!