Thailand, one of the most visited countries in the world, offers serene nature, bustling cities, vibrant nightlife, incredible cultural experiences along with modern amenities, and most importantly, budget friendly living. Whether you are planning a short trip or a long vacation stay, understanding the cost of living can help you make the most of your time in this beautiful country. From affordable accommodations to delicious meals and exciting day trips, Thailand offers something for every traveler. So, in this blog, I’ll breakdown the costs of hotels, hostels, food, day trips, city-to-city, and within-city transportation, which will give you an idea and the picture of what to expect when you are budgeting for your Thailand trip.
1. Accommodation
Accommodation in Thailand is surprisingly affordable, covering a range of budgets. If you are on a tight budget, you can find hostels and even hotels under 30 USD per night. And if your budget is between 25 and 50 USD per night, at this price you will find plenty of options and even four-star options in between 40 and 50 USD. and luxury five-star hotels start at 55 USD per night and go up depending on the location and amenities.
During my stay in Bangkok, I stayed in a well-maintained and prime-location hostel, which cost me just 20 USD per night with breakfast. In Koh Samui, I stayed in a 3-star hotel for just 18 USD per night, and in Krabi, I enjoyed a four-star resort, which cost me 40 USD per night with breakfast.
2. Food
Thailand offers a wide variety of food options that are both delicious and budget-friendly. In a regular but good restaurant, you can get a meal for 5 to 7 USD. And if you dine in a more upscale restaurant, you will expect to pay between 12 to 20 USD. And if you are a fast food lover, it is even cheaper, meals at popular chains like KFC and McDonald’s cost around 4 USD to 7 USD.
And if you want to cook your own meal or want to know the prices of supermarket products, the prices of some regular use items are below.
Milk 1.5 USD per liter
Pack of instant noodles 0.30 USD
Bottle of soft drink 0.90 USD
Water 1.5 Liter bottle 0.50 USD
The best place to buy these or other products is 7-Eleven. You will find this supermarket within 100 meters for sure, and they have the lowest prices.
3. Day Trips
Day trips are very popular in Thailand. Whether you are in Bangkok or in any other city like Krabi, Phuket, or Koh Samui, there are plenty of companies that offer a variety of day trips, and these day trips are must-do activities. During my last trip, I took lot of day trips in Bangkok, Krabi and Koh Samui. The prices for these trips typically start at 20 USD and can go up to 55 USD, depending on the facilities or inclusions like food, tickets, and transportation type. My most expensive day trip was in Krabi, which cost me 55 USD and included everything, food, tickets, hotel pick up and drop-off services.
You can book these trips online from platforms like Klook.com or directly from the city, as there are plenty of tour operators you will find there. And remember, prices may vary depending on the company and the services they provide.
4. Transportation
We divide this portion into two parts. In the first part, I’ll tell you about the transportation system within a city, and secondly, we discuss how to travel to other cities in Thailand.
Transportation within the city
If you are in the capital, Bangkok, the city transportation system is very efficient. The MRT and BTS SkyTrain is the popular options for roam around the city, with a single trip costing you between 0.50 USD to 1.50 USD. Tuk-Tuks is another popular option in Bangkok, but I not recommend you that, as there are lot of scams associated to them, and they are bit costly as well, but yes, if you have a group of 3 to 5 people then it will be a good option, but be aware of the scams, a short Tuk-Tuk ride usually costs you around 2 to 5 USD.
For longer and comfortable distances, taxis are also available the starting fare for the taxi is 1 USD with an additional 0.20 USD per kilometer ride. Its better to book a taxi through authorized services like Grab, which is widely used service in Thailand.
If you are in another city than Bangkok, you will find no metro system, there you have to use Grab, or book a private taxi standing on the roadsides, and if you have a license, you can book a car or a bike especially in a city like Koh Samui, Krabi or Phuket. Renting a 125 CC bike cost you in 200-300 Bath per day.
Intercity Transportation
If you are looking to travel between cities in Thailand, then there are several options, like buses, trains, and by air. Again, they are not very expensive, but if you travel by bus or train, for example, from Bangkok to Koh Samui, it takes some time, although it is economically cheaper than flights.
If you go to Koh Samui from Bangkok, the ticket for a sleeper train will cost you 30 to 40 USD one way (Bangkok to Surat Thani, which is the nearest station to Koh Samui).
And fares from Bangkok to Krabi by bus will cost you around 20 to 30 USD, and it takes 10–12 hours.
So, I prefer to travel by air in Thailand, which is quick and not very expensive and more importantly, it saves a lot of time. I booked a flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui, which cost me 60 USD with a meal. And a flight from Koh Samui to Krabi on Bangkok Airways cost me 70 USD with a meal.
These are the transportation options in Thailand that provide unique travel experiences, catering to different preferences and budgets. I hope this blog helps you organize your travel budget, If you have any other question or concerns, feel free to comment below or you can email me, Thank you.