Is Thailand Expensive?

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 Malaysia and South Korea.

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 $219
Khao Lak $153
Railay Beach $139
Phuket $137
Ao Nang $136
Koh Tarutao $135
Koh Samet $131
Bangkok $104
Koh Pha Ngan $61
Chiang Mai $60
Nakhon Ratchasima $57
Chiang Rai $53
Chumphon $51
Koh Tao $49
Hat Yai $35


Phuket's Big Buddha Statue

How expensive is Thailand?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Thailand tends to be around $100 (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 $702 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 $1,403.

How expensive is a two week trip to Thailand?

A two week trip to Thailand costs about $1,403 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 $2,807.

How expensive is a month long trip to Thailand?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one month trip to Thailand costs around $3,007 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $6,015.



DAmnoen Sudak Floating Market, Thailand

Is it expensive to backpack in Thailand?

Thailand is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 950 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $13 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 $9, $9, and $7 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Pattaya, Bangkok, and Phuket with an average cost of $20, $15, and $14 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Thailand.

  • $11 for a dorm bed at NapPark Hostel at Khao San in Bangkok
  • $10 for a dorm bed at Stamps Backpackers Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai
  • $25 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 251 $15
Chiang Mai 166 $10
Phuket 88 $14
Pai 66 $7
Koh Tao 59 $13
Koh Pha Ngan 59 $14
Koh Samui 49 $13
Krabi 46 $11
Koh Phi Phi 40 $13
Pattaya 23 $20
Chiang Rai 21 $9
Koh Lanta 18 $12
Kanchanaburi 8 $11
Ayutthaya 6 $9
Hua Hin 6 $14
Khao Lak 6 $9
Koh Chang 6 $11
Koh Lipe 5 $14

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 $33. However, within Thailand, be aware of varying prices across cities, with destinations like Koh Samui commanding a higher average of $109 per night. For those looking for more economical choices, Hat Yai offers a budget-friendly alternative, with hotel prices averaging $18 per night.


Where to find affordable hotels in Thailand
City Average Hotel Price
Koh Samui $109
Koh Lipe $53
Koh Tao $50
Phuket $44
Krabi $42
Bangkok $25
Chiang Mai $22
Chumphon $20
Nakhon Ratchasima $20
Chiang Rai $19
Hat Yai $18

55 Pattanakarn Road Praves, Bangkok
Overall Rating 9.4
30/9 Kata Road, Karon
Overall Rating 9.3


The beach at Koh Tao

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 $21 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.

  • 8 hour Sticky waterfall, ATV and White water rafting Adventures: $108
  • Chiang Mai Coffee Tour: Trekking to Farm, Roast and Brew Workshop: $121
  • Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Snorkeling Tour w/ Fins by Speedboat: $111
  • From Bangkok : Kanchanaburi Tour with Floating market Visit: $174
  • Half Day Cycling Tour to the White temple: $47
  • Private Tour to Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: $119
  • 1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang: $138
  • Phuket Cultural Experience: $35

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 $31 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

  • Cooking Class by Samui Native Instructor Geng and O Family: $81
  • Half-Day Thai Cooking Class with organic ingredients: $57
  • Online Thai and Akha Cooking Class: $35
  • Motorbike Food Tour in Chiang Mai: $80
  • Morning Thai cooking class : $29
  • Private Dinner Cooking Class with Benny in Chiang Mai: $82


Thai Tuk Tuk

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 $14 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 $109 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.



If you want to share the information, here's how. down-arrow
  • You are welcome to reference or display our travel costs on your website as long as you provide a link back to this page.
  • For a basic link, you can copy and paste the HTML link code, or this page's address.