How much spending money do I need for Thailand?
If you have a trip to Thailand coming up - as a tourist, to visit friends and family, for work or for any other reason - it’s important to know how much spending money is needed based on your plans. This guide looks at the prices in Thailand for tourists, including some budgeting tips and ideas, for luxury and budget travel alike.
How Much Money Should You Take to Thailand?
So - your question might well be: how much do I need in THB (Thai Baht) for a week in Thailand?
We'll break down how much money you should take to Thailand by different spending types later - but first, an overview. Here are some handy estimates to give you a flavour, looking at the costs of accommodation, food, transport and sightseeing, so you can start to budget, and decide how much money to bring to Thailand, based on your spending for a day or for a week.
| Travel Style | Average Daily cost | One Week cost |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (Cheap) | $31 THB 1,062 | $217 THB 7,437 |
| Mid-range | $86 THB 2,947 | $602 THB 20,632 |
| High-end (Luxury) | $265 THB 9,082 | $1,855 THB 63,576 |
How Much Cash Should You Take to Thailand?
Let's kick off with some key points when it comes to deciding how much cash to take to Thailand.
Cash is very widely used in Thailand, so having some with you at all times will be important. You can carry travel cash with you when you head to Thailand, exchange at the airport, or use ATMs on arrival.
Bear in mind that exchange rates at airports and hotels are often pretty poor - and before you fly out with lots of cash on you, check the latest cash limit you can take to Thailand before you need to declare it to the customs authorities. Ultimately, carrying lots of cash at any one time can be a security risk and make you a target for thieves.
Using an international travel debit card from a provider like Wise to make ATM withdrawals on arrival could be safer and cost less in the end.
Wise travel card
Order a Wise travel card to buy, hold and exchange 40+ currencies. You’ll be able to spend conveniently in Thailand - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market rate with no markup.
Card holders get some free ATM withdrawals available every month, and there’s no annual or monthly fees to pay, and no minimum balance requirement.
Is Thailand Expensive to Visit (in 2024)?
Ultimately, the cost of visiting Thailand varies depending on your plans, and how you like to enjoy yourself when you're abroad.
Overall, Thailand is rated as a "very expensive" place to visit by BudgetYourTrip. Accommodation, food, and activities are all available to suit any budget - but you'll need to plan your time to make sure you're making the most of both your time and your money while you're away.
What Currency should I take to Thailand?
The official local currency used in Thailand is the Thai Baht-THB. If you plan to take cash with you to spend while you're away, you'll need Thai Baht.
The currency symbol is ฿, which is what you'll see in stores and on restaurant menus.
| Thai Baht | |
|---|---|
| Currency name | Thai Baht |
| Currency symbol | ฿ |
| Currency code | THB |
| Exchange rate today | 1 USD = 34.273 THB 1 THB = 0.0291775 USD |
How to Save Money in Thailand - Traveller tips
No matter what you're planning on doing during your trip to Thailand, you want to make sure your money goes as far as possible.
Here are some top tips to save money in Thailand:
- Book your hotels or accommodation in advance to secure the best available deals
- Use public transport where possible, or approved taxi and ride hailing operators
- Use Google maps and reviews to find good restaurants. You'll often find better food and more reasonable prices away from the most touristy areas of town
- Look online for recommendations of free or low-cost attractions and activities in Thailand - blogs and travel magazines are a great place to start
- Use travel cards that offer fair exchange rates with transparent fees such as Wise, to keep down the costs of currency conversion and ATM use while you're away
Get a free multi-currency account and card to buy, hold, convert and send over 40 currencies. Fast, secure, easy and cheap transfers at the commercial exchange rate.
Get a Revolut account that supports 30+ currencies and cards to buy, store, send and receive money. Safe, reliable and cheap transfers at the real exchange rate.
Costs and Prices in Thailand for Tourists
Let's move on to the typical prices in Thailand for tourists. Below we've got a handy overview of prices for accommodation, food and services for tourists in Thailand. Use this along with your own research to figure out the likely costs and prices you'll come across during your visit.
Accommodation Costs in Thailand
Accommodation is usually one of the biggest costs on any trip abroad - but what you pay in the end will depend a lot on the accommodation type you pick. Below is an example of accommodation costs in Thailand based on two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room.
| Types of accommodation | Prices per night |
|---|---|
| Budget | $14 THB 480 |
| Mid-Range | $37 THB 1,268 |
| Luxury | $106 THB 3,633 |
Daily Food Costs in Thailand
Food is an important feature of a trip abroad for many of us - but what you spend can vary significantly depending on where you purchase your meals in Thailand. As you might expect, buying food from local markets and stores can be one of the cheapest options, or you could choose to eat at mid-range restaurants, or sample some high-end establishments.
Here's an example of how much a meal costs in Thailand based on different restaurant types.
| Types of Meal | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget | $7 THB 236 |
| Mid-Range | $18 THB 617 |
| Luxury | $46 THB 1,577 |
Cost of Drink & Beverages
Let's move on to the cost of beer, wine, water and other beverages in Thailand:
| Drink & Beverages | Prices |
|---|---|
| Beer (bottle) | $3 THB 99 |
| Wine (bottle) | $17 THB 599 |
| Can of Coca-cola /Pepsi | $1 THB 22 |
| Mineral water (1.5L bottle) | $0 THB 12 |
| Coffee, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate | $2 THB 70 |
Travel Costs in Thailand
Once you've arrived in Thailand you still need to figure out how to get around. The cost of travel can be different depending on your preferences - and how much of a hurry you're in. Using public transport is often our cheapest choice, but getting a taxi or hiring a car could be faster and more flexible, depending on your budget.
Some common ways to save money on transport in Thailand include:
- Where possible use airport shuttles on arrival to get to the city centre
- Use buses, metro, trams or other public transport where you can - Google Maps can help you navigate more easily
Plan activities to limit the travel needed by covering the popular sites in one area before exploring the next, to avoid excess travel time
Use known taxi operators and approved ride-hailing companies.
Tourist Attractions Costs in Thailand
Thailand has many tourist attractions and beautiful places to visit.
The average daily cost for visiting attractions and entertainment in Thailand is ฿651 Thai Baht ($19).
| Top Tourist Attractions | Information |
|---|---|
| Grand Palace | A complex of ornate buildings in Bangkok, including Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. |
| Phi Phi Islands | A group of stunning islands in the Andaman Sea, known for their crystal-clear waters and dramatic cliffs. |
| Chiang Mai | A cultural hub in northern Thailand, known for its temples, night markets, and the annual Yi Peng Lantern Festival. |
Data Roaming, Internet, Local Sim Cards
Having easy access to your phone while you're away is important - not only to keep in touch with your friends and family, but also to navigate, look up good places to eat or visit, and to translate if needed. Make sure you don't get stuck without your phone - or with a big roaming bill - when you're in Thailand with these tips:
- Turn off your data roaming if you're concerned about running up excess fees, and only use your phone on secure wifi networks while you're away
- Check the roaming costs with your mobile operator - you may be able to add a roaming data package to your normal plan for a fairly low price
- Consider getting an international eSIM if your phone is compatible with eSIMs - these can be low hassle ways to keep access to your data, without needing to install a physical SIM card
- Check the SIM card price for tourists in Thailand, before travelling - you'll likely find people trying to sell you a local SIM in the airport when you arrive, so knowing the price you should pay can help you avoid scams
How Much Should You Tip in Thailand?
Tipping etiquette can vary a lot between countries, and naturally depends a lot on the type of establishment you're in, or service you've received. Generally, tipping around 10-15% of the bill when you are happy with the service is in line with expectations.
Bear in mind that in some places a service fee - which is a percentage of the amount you spend - is already added to the bill, and means you don't need to add an additional tip unless you really want to. Check your bill before you pay - or just ask if the tip has already been included or not.
Shopping and Souvenirs
Take away something to remember your trip to Thailand with - or as a gift to someone back home.
Silk and Carved Soaps are the most popular souvenirs to buy from Thailand. While you can pick up these and many other souvenirs and gifts at the airport, you'll normally save money by buying them from local shops instead.
How to Get the Best Exchange Rate for Thai Baht
Naturally you want to get the very best USD to THB exchange rate. However, bear in mind that you'll also need to pick a secure and reputable provider when you exchange money. Black market money changers may look like they're offering great rates but they're not safe or reliable. Look out for the USD - THB exchange rate online or at the currency exchange office.
Always seek out official exchange companies that offer fair rates and transparent fees. Or, consider getting a travel money card, such as Wise, to ensure your transactions are secure and convenient. Use your Wise card to pay where card transactions are supported, or to get cash from the ATM whenever you need it during your visit to Thailand.
The live exchange rate today is:
1 USD = 34.273 THB
1 THB = 0.0291775 USD
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