Fair prices in Thajsko — what things really cost

Fares depend on distance and are very cheap. Buy a single-journey card from the machine or tap a stored-value card. The Skytrain avoids the notorious road traffic.

The train from Suvarnabhumi Airport into the city is fast and costs a fraction of a taxi. It connects to the Skytrain and metro for onward travel.

Always insist the driver uses the meter. If a driver refuses or quotes a flat fare, wave them on and take the next one, or use a ride-hailing app instead.

The busy street stalls with a crowd of locals are cheapest, freshest and safest. A plate of noodles costs a fraction of a restaurant and is often better.

Air-conditioned restaurants cost more than street food but are still cheap by Western standards. Local canteens and food courts in malls offer great value meals.

Traditional massage shops are inexpensive and plentiful. Prices are usually clearly posted, so choose a clean, reputable-looking place and agree the price and length first.

The red shared trucks are the cheapest way around, with a flat local fare for short hops inside and around the Old City. Tell the driver your destination before boarding and pay the standard fare on arrival rather than a quoted 'tourist' price.

The airport is only a few kilometres out. Use the official taxi counter in arrivals or book a Grab for a clear, fair fare, and ignore touts inside quoting far more.

Tuk-tuks are pricier than the shared songthaews and always negotiated. Agree the fare before getting in, and for a fixed price with no haggling use a Grab instead.

The famous northern curry noodle is cheapest and best at a busy local shop rather than a tourist restaurant. A bowl costs little; look for places packed with Thai diners at lunchtime.

Chiang Mai is cheap to eat well in. Local canteens and market food courts are cheapest, while air-conditioned restaurants and cafes cost a little more but remain great value.

Northern-style Thai massage is inexpensive and widely available. Prices are usually posted; pick a clean, reputable shop and agree the length and price first.

Genuine no-riding sanctuaries cost more than roadside riding camps, and that is the point. The price should include hotel pickup, a guide and a meal; book directly or through a reputable operator and confirm there is no riding.

The red and blue songthaew pickup trucks run set loops around the ring road and are the cheapest way to travel. Confirm the fare and that it is a shared ride before boarding, as drivers may try to charge tourists a private-hire price. Have small notes ready and press the buzzer to stop.

Samui's airport taxis charge fixed, and fairly high, island rates rather than a meter, so agree the price at the official desk before setting off. A ride-hailing app or a pre-booked hotel transfer is usually cheaper for the short hop to Chaweng or Bophut.

Scooters are cheap and the easiest way to explore, but rent from a reputable shop, wear a helmet and carry a valid licence, as police checkpoints do fine tourists. Photograph and film the bike for existing scratches before you ride to avoid inflated damage claims on return.

A sit-down meal at a mid-range or beachfront restaurant is good value by Western standards. Places one street back from the beach cost less than the seafront terraces, and many venues add a service charge and VAT to the bill.

Local markets, night markets and roadside stalls serve excellent pad thai, curries and grilled skewers for a fraction of resort prices. The Fisherman's Village Friday market and the daily local markets in Maenam and Nathon are cheap, busy and authentic.

A large bottle of Chang, Leo or Singha is cheap from a shop or a local eatery, but beach clubs and hotel bars charge several times more. Buying from a 7-Eleven or a local restaurant is the budget option, and neither price is a scam.

Samui is a coconut island, so a chilled young coconut to drink is cheap and everywhere, from beach vendors to markets. Confirm the price before it is opened, as some beachfront sellers quote a higher tourist rate.

The standard shared daytime fare is per person and boats leave once they fill with around eight to ten passengers. Pay the going rate at the beach ticket point, and expect a higher charge or a private-charter fee after dark.

The shared airport shuttle bus is the cheapest way into Ao Nang, sold at a fixed per-person fare at the airport counter. It is slower than a taxi but a fraction of the price.

Book a prepaid private taxi at the official airport counter for a fixed per-car fare, ideal for groups or lots of luggage. Ignore touts quoting more, and confirm the price covers the whole car, not per person.

The shared longtail tour is the cheapest way to island-hop, with the speedboat version a little more. Check whether lunch, water and gear are included, and remember the national park fee is usually added separately.

Many island and Emerald Pool tours quote a price that excludes the government national park fee, which is collected separately from foreign visitors. Ask upfront whether it is included so it is not a surprise on the day.

Beachfront and town massage shops are inexpensive and plentiful, with prices usually posted on a board. Pick a clean, reputable-looking place and agree the length and price before you start.

Krabi's Andaman seafood is a highlight; prices vary a lot with the catch and are often sold by weight. Confirm the price per 100 grams and the total before it is cooked, and eat where locals do for better value than the tourist-strip restaurants.

A direct bus from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya costs roughly 140 baht and takes about two hours. Buy the ticket at the marked counter on the airport's lower floor; it is far cheaper than a private car and drops you near the city centre.

The blue pickup trucks running fixed loops along Beach Road and Second Road are the local bus. A short hop is about 10 baht; press the buzzer to get off and pay the driver at the window. Confirm it is a shared ride, not a private charter, before hopping on.

Ride-hailing apps like Grab and Bolt fix the fare in advance and are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a car. Locals use them too. They are the simplest way to avoid meter arguments for longer trips across town or out to the malls.

Beachside and market stalls grill fresh prawns, squid and fish to order for very little. Check whether seafood is priced by weight before ordering, watch it weighed, and eat where locals queue for the freshest catch and fairest prices.

A sit-down Thai meal at a mid-range restaurant is excellent value. Street stalls and simple shophouse kitchens are cheaper still; look for busy local spots, and note that some tourist-facing venues add a service charge to the bill.

This sweet of ripe mango, sticky rice and coconut milk is sold cheaply at markets and stalls, best in mango season around April and May. Buy it freshly assembled rather than pre-packed, and expect to pay only a dollar or two.

Traditional Thai massage is a Pattaya staple and very affordable, often around 200 to 300 baht an hour at a simple shop. Beachfront and hotel spas charge more. Agree the type and length before starting, and a small tip is normal for good service.

Phuket tuk-tuk fares are notoriously fixed high by local operators and rarely negotiable to a truly cheap level. A ride-hailing app or metered taxi is often better value for longer distances.

Book through the official airport taxi counter for a fixed, posted price rather than accepting an offer from someone approaching you in the arrivals hall.

Prices vary by boat type, group size and inclusions like lunch and snorkelling gear, with premium power-catamaran tours costing noticeably more than a standard shared speedboat. Book through an established agency with clear reviews rather than the cheapest street-side offer.

Local Thai restaurants away from the main beach roads are noticeably cheaper than beachfront tourist restaurants for the same or better food.

Massage shops are everywhere and prices are usually posted, with tourist-strip shops in Patong pricier than local shops in Rawai or Chalong. Choose a clean, busy-looking shop and agree the price and duration before you start.

Rent from a reputable shop, photograph the scooter for existing damage before you take it, and always wear a helmet, which is required by law and checked at police stops.

Only rent from a registered counter with clear signage and a rental agreement. Video the jet-ski from every angle with the operator present before you take it out, so you have proof against a false damage claim on return.