Budget Tips

1. Shopping for Hotels

In densely populated tourist areas, you can visit guesthouses on foot to find the best deal. Always ask to see the room before agreeing to stay there. It is possible to get a steep discount if you arrive late in the afternoon, since the room is likely to remain unoccupied if you do not take it.

2. Local Food

Some of Phuket’s most delicious food, usually costing a fraction of what you would pay at a cheap restaurant, can be found on the streets. A good rule of thumb for street food: the more locals eating there, the better. Some vendors have English signs; if not, just point and smile.

3. Market Shopping

Plenty of good deals can be found in the island’s night markets. You can save a lot of money if you shop for souvenirs here instead of the air-conditioned malls or boutique stores. Quality T-shirts, beachwear, wood-carvings, and more can be found at affordable prices. Night markets are everywhere on Phuket.

4. Long-term Stays

At small guesthouses, staying for longer than one night often proves to be a good bargaining chip for discounting the room rate. At big hotels or resorts, you will probably need to stay a week before the owner reduces the cost. Monthly rates at apartments or small hotels are much lower than nightly rates.

5. Renting a Motorbike

You can cut down on transportation costs by renting a motorbike from a hotel or tourist shop. Rates start at around B200 per day. Not only are motorbikes cheaper, but they also give you flexibility in terms of time spent at places. The rental company will usually hold your passport as collateral.

6. Free Attractions

Most of the best things on Phuket are free, such as the feel of the sunshine, walking across the soft white sand, and wading in turquoise waters, so maximize your enjoyment of these activities. Other free attractions include visits to Buddhist temples and Chinese shrines, and scenic walks.

7. Staying Inland

Beachfront hotels and rooms with beach views cost more than rooms inland. Remember that you can visit the beach from sunrise to sundown, and slash your daily room costs by spending nights inland. From some rooms you can hear the waves crashing onto the shore, but these rooms come at steep cost.

8. Flying into Bangkok

If you have time to spare, flying into Bangkok and traveling overland to Phuket can save a significant amount of money. Alternatively, you can try some of Thailand’s low-cost airlines, such as AirAsia, 1-2-Go, and Nok Air, which offer regular flight services between Bangkok and Phuket. These flights are often much cheaper than the major carriers.

9. Bargaining

Remember that prices for almost everything are negotiable. When a tour operator shows you a glossy brochure with prices, those are normally just the starting point for negotiations. Ask for discounts and check with other merchants for price quotes. Even smaller guesthouses will reduce their nightly rates if you bargain a bit.

10. Reduced Admissions

Many museums, sights, and activities are free; if there is a charge, it is usually reduced for children under 12. Where it is not clear, you can simply ask if your child can enter without paying admission, and they might assent. Museums and activities in Thailand do not generally provide special rates for senior citizens or students.

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