Your most frequently asked questions about language, currency, food, accommodations, and transportation in Thailand. Answers provided by the Rustic Pathways Thailand team.
Language in Thailand
Official language: Thai.
Common secondary language: English, especially in cities, schools, and tourist areas.
Regional dialects: Northern and Southern Thailand have local variations in vocabulary.
Travelers can communicate comfortably with English in most situations. Learning a few Thai phrases is encouraged.
Currency and costs
Currency: Thai Baht (THB).
Coins: ฿1, ฿2, ฿5, ฿10.
Banknotes: ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500, ฿1,000.
Exchange rate in 2025: approximately ฿35 to ฿37 per 1 USD.
Everyday examples:
- Bottle of water: ฿10 to ฿15
- Grilled pork with sticky rice: ฿25
- Snack, drink, and water together: about ฿50
- Pad Thai with seafood: ฿70 to ฿80
- Basil stir fry with rice: ฿50 to ฿60
Thailand remains an affordable destination where a full meal can often cost less than 3 USD.
Food in Thailand
Thai cuisine is internationally recognized. Not all dishes are spicy and there are many mild options.
- Street food favorites: grilled pork with sticky rice at about ฿25, chicken or liver skewers at about ฿10 each
- Signature dishes: Pad Thai with shrimp, pork, or seafood; Krapao with rice
Rustic students enjoy a mix of local street food, group meals, and restaurant dishes for cultural authenticity and balanced nutrition.
Accommodations in Thailand
Rustic Pathways partners with safe, comfortable, student friendly accommodations across Thailand.
- Hostels: about ฿300 to ฿500 per night
- Airbnb or condos: about ฿1,000 per night, often with pool access, kitchens, and laundry
- Hotels: about ฿3,000 to ฿10,000 or more per night for higher end properties
Rustic Pathways Base Houses and vetted partner lodges balance cultural immersion, security, and comfort for student groups.
Transportation in Thailand
Bangkok: Skytrain BTS, metro, buses, taxis, motorcycle taxis, boats, Grab app rides.
Chiang Mai: red trucks called songthaews, taxis, Grab. No metro or public bus system.
Grab app: reliable for both cars and motorbikes. During rush hour, motorbike taxis or GrabBike are often faster than cars or buses.
What to expect with Rustic Pathways in Thailand
- In country support from a knowledgeable team from arrival to departure
- Accommodations and meals that are safe, balanced, and culturally engaging
- Coordinated transport and logistics for easy travel
- Program leaders who prioritize safety and meaningful cultural exchange
Final note
Thailand is welcoming, affordable, and simple to navigate with modern technology. Rustic Pathways ensures that students and families experience the country in a safe, immersive, and unforgettable way.
Keegan Kennedy
Southeast Asia Regional Manager
Keegan leads program operations across Southeast Asia for Rustic Pathways. He brings 10+ years of Thailand expertise, fluency in Thai and Lao, and deep cultural knowledge to ensure every program.
Keegan joined Rustic Pathways in 2016