Is Thailand expensive to visit?
While Thailand is a popular destination, it is also fairly affordable and not very expensive to visit. Compared to other countries in Asia, travelers find it to be a moderately priced country. Ranked in the top 50% of countries in Asia for its travel costs, our cost analysis found it to be comparable to countries such as Bhutan and China.
Because Thailand is such a touristy destination, there are a number of terrific places within the country that attract visitors. Some of the most expensive places to visit in Thailand include Railay Beach, Khao Lak, and Similan Islands. For more affordability, you can visit places like Hat Yai, Koh Tao, and Chumphon.
Average daily price of selected cities in Thailand, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Similan Islands | $208 |
| Khao Lak | $149 |
| Railay Beach | $133 |
| Phuket | $131 |
| Koh Tarutao | $130 |
| Ao Nang | $129 |
| Koh Samet | $128 |
| Bangkok | $99 |
| Koh Pha Ngan | $58 |
| Nakhon Ratchasima | $56 |
| Kanchanaburi | $55 |
| Chiang Rai | $51 |
| Chumphon | $49 |
| Koh Tao | $48 |
| Hat Yai | $34 |
Elephant in Pai, Thailand
How expensive is Thailand?
The average daily spending amount for tourists in Thailand tends to be around $96 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Thailand here.
How expensive is a one week trip to Thailand?
On average, a one week trip to Thailand costs about $673 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,345.
How expensive is a two week trip to Thailand?
A two week trip to Thailand costs about $1,345 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $2,691.
How expensive is a month long trip to Thailand?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one month trip to Thailand costs around $2,883 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $5,766.
The beach at Koh Tao
Is it expensive to backpack in Thailand?
Thailand is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 1070 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $14 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Thailand here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, and Pai has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $10, $9, and $9 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Pattaya, Koh Lipe, and Koh Pha Ngan with an average cost of $18, $18, and $18 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Thailand.
- $9 for a dorm bed at NapPark Hostel at Khao San in Bangkok
- $11 for a dorm bed at Stamps Backpackers Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai
- $26 for a dorm bed at Lub d Phuket Patong in Phuket
Where to find affordable hostels in Thailand
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 288 | $16 |
| Chiang Mai | 181 | $13 |
| Phuket | 99 | $15 |
| Koh Tao | 76 | $14 |
| Pai | 73 | $9 |
| Koh Pha Ngan | 68 | $18 |
| Koh Samui | 57 | $14 |
| Krabi | 48 | $12 |
| Koh Phi Phi | 43 | $13 |
| Chiang Rai | 23 | $10 |
| Koh Lanta | 23 | $12 |
| Pattaya | 23 | $18 |
| Kanchanaburi | 9 | $14 |
| Hua Hin | 8 | $14 |
| Khao Lak | 7 | $10 |
| Koh Chang | 7 | $15 |
| Ayutthaya | 6 | $9 |
| Koh Lipe | 5 | $18 |
Are hotels expensive in Thailand?
When considering the analysis of hotel prices in Thailand, it becomes apparent that they are notably more budget-friendly compared to other countries. The average nightly price for a hotel room is around $38. However, within Thailand, be aware of varying prices across cities, with destinations like Koh Samui commanding a higher average of $157 per night. For those looking for more economical choices, Pai offers a budget-friendly alternative, with hotel prices averaging $19 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in Thailand
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Koh Samui | $157 |
| Koh Lipe | $56 |
| Pattaya | $54 |
| Koh Samet | $48 |
| Phuket | $44 |
| Bangkok | $36 |
| Chiang Rai | $25 |
| Chumphon | $23 |
| Sukhothai | $23 |
| Nakhon Ratchasima | $19 |
| Pai | $19 |
Pai, Thailand
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Thailand?
Activities and things to do in Thailand can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $20 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.
- Chiang Mai Jungle Coffee Experience: Farm Trek, Roast & Brew.: $115
- Bangkok Private Tour to Grand Palace , Wat Pho and Wat Arun: $131
- LIFECYCLING - Half Day City Bike Tour: $39
- Private Tour to Maeklong Railway Market and Floating Market: $117
- Private Tour to Three Must See Temples in Bangkok: $151
- Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $48
- Private Tour to Pho Temple, Arun Temple and Canal Tour: $156
- Ayutthaya and Boat Tour Customizable: $154
Is food expensive in Thailand?
Food in Thailand can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $29 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $55
- Eat Like a Local Food Tour in Hua Hin: $62
- Motorbike Food Tour in Chiang Mai: $79
- PRIVATE Bangkok Market Tour, Boat Ride & Cooking Class with Aoy: $199
- Thai Cooking School in Aonang: $55
- Morning Thai cooking class: $27
Koh Samet, Thailand
Is transportation expensive in Thailand?
Local transportation in Thailand can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $13 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Intercity transportation in Thailand can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $104 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.
More for Thailand
If you're planning a trip to Thailand, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.