How much does it cost to travel to Thailand?
You should plan to spend around $84 (฿2,979) per day on your vacation in Thailand. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $17 (฿611) on meals
- $12 (฿442) on local transportation
- $72 (฿2,560) on hotels
A one week trip to Thailand for two people costs, on average, $1,170 (฿41,704). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Thailand expensive to visit?
Thailand is a reasonably affordable destination to visit. It is in the top 25% of countries in the world for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Asia, Thailand is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Malaysia or Bhutan.
For more details, see Is Thailand Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Thailand?
The average Thailand trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Thailand travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
฿2,560
($72)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
฿442
($12)
|
|
Food 2
|
฿611
($17)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
฿673
($19)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
฿67 -
202
($2 - 6)
|
|
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1
|
฿669 -
2,007
($19 - 56)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
฿155 -
466
($4 - 13)
|
Accommodation Budget in Thailand
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Thailand is $36 (฿1,280). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Thailand is $72 (฿2,560). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Thailand? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Thailand
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Thailand is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $12 (฿442) per person, per day, on local transportation in Thailand.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$12
฿442
Typical prices for Local Transportation in Thailand are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Thailand, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Food Budget in Thailand
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Thailand can vary, the average cost of food in Thailand is $17 (฿611) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Thailand should cost around $6.85 (฿244) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Thailand is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$17
฿611
Typical prices for Food in Thailand are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Thailand, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Lunch for 2
฿742
-
Airport Lunch for 2
฿550
-
Breakfast for 2
฿350
-
Ice Cream
฿30
-
Lunch for 2
฿140
-
Breakfast for 2
฿140
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)
฿215
-
Pancake
฿70
Entertainment Budget in Thailand
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Thailand typically cost an average of $19 (฿673) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$19
฿673
Typical prices for Entertainment in Thailand are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Thailand, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Thailand
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Thailand
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Thailand is $38 (฿1,338), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$38
฿1,338
Alcohol Budget in Thailand
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $8.72 (฿311) on alcoholic beverages in Thailand per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$8.72
฿311
Typical prices for Alcohol in Thailand are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Thailand, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Water Budget in Thailand
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.37 (฿49) on bottled water in Thailand per day. The public water in Thailand is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.37
฿49
Last Updated: Nov 14, 2023
Thailand On a Budget
Chili and Lime
Thailand is a world renowned destination for its beaches, mountains, culture, and food. It's at the top of most traveler's wish list, and it's easy to see why it's grown in popularity. Thailand is also a country whose economy and infrastructure is focused on tourism. Because of this, many visitors feel frustrated with the atmosphere and often complain that they feel like walking ATMs. The best way to enjoy your time here is to relax, let things roll off your back, be prepared for frustrations, and make a point of getting outside of the most touristy areas. If you stay around the tourist crowds you'll have only a limited opportunity to see the authentic side of Thailand.
This is easily the most popular country for travelers in Southeast Asia. It has stunning beaches in the south, jungle and culture in the north, and a city filled with night life and activities in Bangkok. If you decide to spend a few days in Bangkok, head to Koh San Road if you're looking to party hard. If you're hoping for some isolated beaches, head south to the national park beaches such as Koh Tarutao, where you'll find few amenities, but equally few people. This is where you'll find one of the few isolated beaches in the country. Whatever you do don't miss trekking in the northern regions in Chiang Mai. This area is rich in culture and beauty. Chiang Mai is also one of the best places to sample Thai food. Food in the area is filled with flavors. Its spicy, but if you order it mild the restaurant often abides.
Due to its popularity, Thailand is one of the more expensive countries to visit in Southeast Asia. Even so, the prices are dramatically less than those in western countries and many people find they can linger on the beaches or in the north for weeks on end without breaking their budget. The northern parts of the country are both more cultural and also more affordable. Accommodation and food on the beaches can be much more expensive, and in some places reservations are required as the rooms can fill up quickly. The quality can also be frustratingly poor in some places so do make sure you see the room or read reviews before committing to a place.
At A Glance
- Because Thailand is one of the more touristy countries in Southeast Asia, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the crowds and the hassle. If you find yourself getting a little frustrated, head to the northern parts of the country where the atmosphere is more relaxed and mellow. The highlands are beautiful and you can have a wonderful cultural experience at a far more affordable price.
- The food in Thailand is absolutely delicious. It is generally served quite spicy and can overwhelm many people's palates. If you're hoping for a milder variety of a specific dish, ask for it with "no spice." While many locals don't understand the word mild, they do understand "no spice." They usually abide by these instructions, but not always.
- If you're really enjoying the food in Thailand then consider taking a cooking class in Chiang Mai. These classes often last a full day and they are loads of fun. The teachers keep the classes light and humorous and the food provides a full days worth of meals. You can often arrange classes through your hotel or a local travel agency.
- Many people use VIP buses to travel around Thailand. These buses are decent in quality but the connections are often poorly thought out and inconvenient. Once a booking agent has your money you are really at their mercy. Consider finding the local bus station and traveling with public buses which are far cheaper and often times more convenient.
- There are many popular beaches in Thailand with some of the most famous being on Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Samui. If you're looking for a more remote and peaceful experience look into any of the national parks around the country. Some have cabins available where you can camp and others have tents available for rent.
Related:
Partying in
Chiang Mai or other parts of
Thailand?
Going to the
Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan?
Hitting the beach in
Koh Samui?
Top Tourist Attractions
The Grand Palace: This truly is an absolutely grand palace. It is located in Bangkok and is impressive in its size and intricate details. It's bright colors and impressive architecture make it well worth a visit.
Khao Yai National Park: In the northeastern part of the country, this national park is the best spot to see elephants, tigers and a variety of birds. If you're looking to get away from crowded beaches and see some wildlife, this is the best place to go.
Ko Tarutao: This uniquely quiet beach is a great place to enjoy a remote, beautiful, and isolated beach in Thailand. You can camp or stay in one of the cabins available on the island.
Popular Foods
Thai food has grown into one of the most popular Asian cuisines. It's staples include noodles and rice and it is often made from a spicy curry, coconut, and seafood. Tofu is also a popular ingredient in many Thai dishes, and vegetarians want be hard pressed to find meals they can eat.
Pad Thai: Probably the most popular dish in the country, pad thai is a staple dish made with rice noodles, eggs, fish sauce, and peanuts. It's available for very cheap from street vendors, but you'll find the best varieties in restaurants in larger cities. Some varieties can be quite spicy, while others are milder. It's often topped with chicken, prawns, or tofu.
Penang Curry: This is a delicious Thai curry that is generally milder than the green or red curries. It has a rich peanut based sauce and is often served with chicken or beef. It's often served with a side of rice and is available in most restaurants.
Thai Iced Tea: This unique take on iced tea is a very strong tea served with ice and a very sweet condensed milk. It's a great way to break of the spiciness of a dish.
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.