Thailand Travel Budget: How Much Money Do You Really Need Per Day?
My Southeast Asian odyssey is almost about to finish now, and it’s been unreal. I am currently in Cambodia (as I’m writing this article) and so far the entire journey has been bloody generous – in terms of experiences, as well as the expenses.
I always harp on about travelling being cheaper than people think and I stand by that. I am sure you can travel pretty much anywhere in the world in under USD 25 (or Indian Rupees 1500) a day, and when it comes to Southeast Asia, be rest assured, you can survive for much cheaper. (See this cost of travelling in Cambodia guide where I was travelling on less than 1000 Rupees a day). But what about the cost of travelling in Thailand?
For Thailand, the country can feel expensive or unbelievably inexpensive. Here you can find super cheap hostels, for less than USD 5 a night, and then seemingly right next door you can find a luxurious property charging you a whopping USD 10,000 a night.
During my first 3 days in Bangkok (I visited Bangkok twice during my Thailand trip) I was surviving on less than 900 Baht a day. So the basis on my Bangkok experiences and of visiting small towns in the mountains like Pai (read top Pai experiences) this is what I have to suggest in this cost of travelling in Thailand guide…
Cost of Travelling In Thailand
On a short vacation, you tend to race around and suffocate more activities into your day. This can drive up your costs a little because you’re most likely to hire tuk-tuks and metered taxis to save time. But those who have more time in hand, can go slow and end up saving more money.
To give you an example, you can take an airport taxi (from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok) for 400 Baht and get to the city center conveniently and easily. A fairly cheaper option, which costs 150 Baht, requires you to wait at the airport until the next minivan departs to the city. Those who are literally stone broke, however, can take the BTS (for 35 Baht) to Victory Monument and then a city bus (10 Baht) to the city center – and do the journey in under 50 Baht.
So yea, the basis on that if you will ask me how much you need to travel in Thailand or what is the cost of travelling in Thailand, I will say “Thailand is a cheap travel destination if you know the tricks.”
Budgeting for backpacking is a lot different and cheaper than budgeting for a honeymoon vacation. And since we are talking about budget backpacking here, continue reading if you’re one among those travellers who can wait for public buses, sleep in backpacker hostels, and survive on street food.
How Much Money You Need To Travel In Thailand
I travelled Thailand on an average of 900 Baht a day.
Other than transport, accommodation, and food expended North Thailand turned out to be the cheapest part of the country. Bangkok was moderately expensive. The islands were the most expensive.
So yea, the cost of travelling in Thailand also depends on which region we are talking about. A day trip to an island will cost much more than an Ayutthaya day trip from Bangkok, or some other place in central or north Thailand.
I travelled for 15 days and spent 12,000 Baht in total. This included 1000 Baht as the Thailand visa on arrival fee (please check Thailand Embassy website for updated price) around 2,000 Baht on buying useless souvenirs and the remaining 9,000 on everything else.
If you’re going to relax and party in the Islands, then consider a minimum budget of 900 Baht a day (on 1500 Baht a day you can enjoy much better). On the islands, you won’t be spending much on the entry fee to temples and museums, but since the accommodation is comparatively expensive and you would be boozing a bit too, surviving a day in under 900 Baht can be impractical.
For Bangkok and elsewhere, your daily budget can kick off if the idea is to partake in tourist many tourist activities. For those who are only eating (the street food) and not doing much – 600 Baht, a day is enough.
Thailand Accommodation Cost
A clean dorm bed with aircon is available between 200 to 450 Baht per night.
For a private room (shared by a minimum of two people) expect to pay at least 500 Baht, per person.
On the islands and beach towns, accommodation costs nearly the double.
Thailand Transportation Cost
For Meter Taxis: Nearly 7 Baht/kilometer, with a minimum of 40 Baht as base fare.
Tuktuk: Somewhere between 40 to 100 Baht for a very short ride.
For Bike Taxis: Nearly half the price of a Tuktuk.
Public Buses (in Bangkok): 10 Baht for Non/AC buses and 15 Baht for AC buses, per ride for a short ride
Scooter Rental: Start from 150-200 Baht for a 100 cc scooter.
Food: A basic (meat+rice or meat+noodles) meal is available throughout Thailand from 40 to 60 Baht. For a fancy seafood dinner or an international fast food restaurant meal, spare a minimum of 200 Baht.
Water & Drinks: A 1ltr water bottle costs around 18 Baht (though you can refill them across Thailand at a water refilling station for 1 Baht 1 liter). The cheapest Pint of beer in supermarket costs around 50 Baht.
Ticket to Museums: Most Temples cost between 50 and 100 Baht. National Parks costs between 100 and 500 Baht. Day tour packages start from a minimum of 600 Baht. The famous Royal Palace, in Bangkok, costs a whopping 400 Baht)
To give you a better idea, here’s the breakdown of how much money I spent travelling in Thailand…
- Around 150 Baht for three meals
- 50 Baht on water (which can be saved using the public refilling stations)
- 100 Baht on other drinks
- 250 Baht on accommodation
- 50 Baht on transportation
- 100 Baht on miscellaneous things
This gave me a fairly nice, relaxing day in under 700 Baht a day.
