00:00phuket thailand the very name brings to mind turquoise seas palm fringed beaches and fiery
00:19sunsets that turn the sky into a canvas of gold and crimson for many it feels like a dream
00:25destination reserved for luxury travelers honeymooners or those willing to spend big
00:32but here's the secret you don't need a fortune to live the island life in phuket
00:38with a smart plan you can enjoy this tropical paradise on a budget as low as 30 to 50 a day
00:45eating like a king swimming in crystal clear waters and experiencing the vibrant culture
00:50that makes phuket one of asia's most beloved islands
01:10number one accommodation phuket is often advertised with its five-star resorts and private villas
01:17but hidden just a street or two away are dozens of budget-friendly stays
01:21in petong you'll find hostels starting around eight dollars to twelve dollars per night
01:27often with air conditioning and wi-fi included if you want more peace head to old phuket town
01:34where charming guest houses and colorful sino-portuguese buildings offer cozy rooms for
01:39around twenty dollars minus twenty five per night booking in advance or staying slightly inland from
01:45the beach can save you even more the best part is you'll hardly spend much time in your room anyway
01:51when the real luxury is right outside your door in the form of white sands and ocean breezes
02:15you'll find the best part is you'll find the best part is you'll find the best part is you'll find the best you'll find the best part of the world
02:19one of the greatest joys of traveling phuket on a budget is the food forget overpriced tourist
02:26restaurants with western menus the real magic is in the night markets and roadside stalls
02:33here locals gather to eat steaming bowls of noodles crispy spring rolls grilled satay and fragrant
02:39curries all for just two dollars to three dollars per dish a refreshing fruit shake costs less than
02:45a dollar and a full seafood meal with crab or prawns fresh from the ocean rarely goes beyond six dollars
02:52to eight dollars walking through a market at night is an adventure in itself the sizzling of walks the
02:58aroma of lemongrass and chili and the endless variety of dishes that invite you to taste everything
03:04eating cheaply and phuket isn't a sacrifice it's an upgrade
03:26number three transportation getting around phuket can be one of the biggest expenses if you rely on
03:33taxis which often charge tourists inflated prices but the budget traveler has two golden options the
03:39scooter and the song cow the scooter rental costs around eight dollars to ten dollars per day giving
03:45you the freedom to explore hidden beaches temples and viewpoints at your own pace if you're not
03:51comfortable driving hop on a songfully a shared local bus that costs just a couple of dollars and
03:58connects most major parts of the island it's slower yes but it's also part of the experience riding
04:05alongside locals catching glimpses of everyday island life and saving your budget for more exciting things
04:28the best part about phuket many of its greatest experiences are absolutely free spend your days
04:40beach hopping from the lively shores of petong to the calmer stretches of kata karan and naiharn
04:47hike up to the big buddha where a serene white statue gazes over the entire island or watch the sun melt into the
04:55horizon from prom thep cape one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in thailand these moments
05:01cost nothing but time yet they are priceless memories for a bit of adventure you can join a day tour to
05:09the fifi islands or james bond island for around thirty dollars to forty dollars including meals the trick
05:16is to balance free days of exploration with one or two affordable splurges that way you maximize your
05:22experiences without straining your budget
05:43sample budget per day accommodation twelve dollars food ten dollars transport eight dollars activities
05:52ten dollars right finger total forty dollars per day yes that's all for less than the price of
05:58dinner in many western cities you can live an entire day in paradise that means waking up in a guest
06:05house just steps from the sea feasting on street food that rivals any restaurant exploring ancient temples
06:12and secret beaches and ending the evening watching fire dancers perform under the stars
06:31phuket doesn't have to be a luxury reserve for the rich with a little local knowledge and smart budgeting
06:36you can experience the island in its purest form not through overpriced resorts and tourist traps but
06:42through the food stalls the hidden alleys the local buses and the sunsets that belong to everyone
06:49travel slowly eat with the locals explore on your own and you'll find that paradise is not only beautiful
06:56but also affordable after all the best memories are not made in luxury hotels but in the freedom to
07:03live fully and in phuket that freedom can cost as little as forty dollars a day
