Thailand Budget Travel Guide (Updated 2023)

Thailand is the travel hub of Southeast Asia. It’s the most visited country in the region — and with good reason!

Most visitors coming into the region fly into Bangkok and make that their base for doing the circuit as they backpack around Southeast Asia.

With its lush jungles, famous beaches, world-class diving, amazing food, and cheap prices, it should come as no surprise that Thailand is my favorite country in the world! I’ve been coming to the country since 2005, lived there for 2 years, and always seem to be pulled back to it. It’s an easy country in which to travel, and because of the backpacker scene, you can meet a lot of other people there.

Thailand has a lot to offer travelers — no matter your budget or interests. You can backpack on a limited budget or you can live a luxurious travel life in fancy resorts on the beach. Or just travel on a modest budget and get a lot of bang for your buck; the country has something for everyone.

Since the country is a such well-worn destination on the backpacking trail, everything is convenient and easy. However, there are still many off-the-beaten-path destinations away from the crowds and the higher prices they bring too.

This Thailand travel guide can show you how to travel the country like a pro, what to do avoid, how much things cost, the best things to see, and everything in between!

(Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to Thailand filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book!)

Thailand Travel Costs

Accommodation – Thailand is very cheap, though the north and bigger cities are far cheaper than the islands. Hostels, which are increasingly widespread throughout the country, range from 270-450 THB per night in a 4-6-bed dorm. Larger dorm rooms with 10 or more beds can be found for 170-250 THB.

You can find cheap guesthouses for as little 400 THB per night in cities and 300 THB per night in the countryside, though in the big cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok, rooms cost about 400-700 THB per night.

On the islands or for a nicer room with an air-conditioner, expect to pay 600-850 THB per night. Basic bungalows cost about the same.

Hotels start at around 1,350 THB per night and go up from there. Big resorts on the islands start at 2,100 THB per night for a bungalow on the beach.

Airbnb is also growing in Thailand and a good number of cities have a nice selection. Renting private rooms is not common, but renting full apartments is very affordable for the quality of what you get, starting at around 600-900 THB per night.

Food – Thailand’s neighboring countries all influence the country’s aromatic, spicy, and flavorful cuisine, which uses many ingredients to create layers of flavor. Typical spices and fresh herbs include garlic, basil, galangal, cilantro, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, and fish sauce. No matter what region you’re in, you can expect to find a variety of curries, salads, soups, and stir-fries.

Rice and noodles are central to Thai food, while the meat is usually pork, chicken, fish, or seafood, which is everywhere on the islands and coastal areas. Popular dishes throughout the country include pat tai (a fried noodle dish, more commonly known to Westerners as pad thai), tom yum goong (hot and sour soup with shrimp), massaman curry, som tam (spicy papaya salad), kao phad (fried rice), khao man gai (rice with boiled chicken), and satay (grilled meat on skewers, served with a peanut dipping sauce).

Food is really cheap in Thailand, especially in the bigger cities. Street food can cost as little as 20 THB, though on average you’ll spend about 45-80 THB per meal if you want something really filling. If you stick to the local street food, you can eat for around 180-275 THB a day.

Sit-down Thai restaurants begin at 65 THB for a dish like pad thai or curry. In bigger cities, the malls have huge (and popular) food courts where you can get a filling meal for around 60-100 THB.

Knowing that their target customers are primarily tourists, Western food venues can be pricey compared to Thai food. Most western dishes (burgers, pizza, pasta, etc.) cost between 170-340 THB, though they can be higher in fancier establishments. Most Western food also pales in comparison to its original so it’s best to skip it altogether. I mean, you didn’t come all this way to have a crappy burger or pizza, right?

When it comes to drinking, going to bars can become pricey. The cheapest beers cost about 60-85 THB each, a glass of wine costs 120 THB, and cocktails cost around 290-400 THB. You can save money by buying beers from 7-Eleven for half that price.

For more detailed price breakdowns and specific food recommendations in each place, visit the specific city guide.

And since food is so cheap, there’s no point in grocery shopping unless you’re looking to get some pre-made salads or fruits.

Activities – Jungle trekking costs 2,000-2,685 THB per day, cooking classes are 1,000-1,300 THB, and seeing a Muay Thai fight is around 1,500 THB. Most parks and national museums cost between 50-200 THB to get into (as a non-Thai, you’ll always pay a higher rate). A PADI dive certification course (very popular in Thailand) costs around 10,000 THB but often includes accommodation. A two-dive boat trip costs around 2,500 THB.

Always book your tours and activities when you arrive. Stick to travel agents who are selling on the ground (they’re easy to find, and your guesthouse will probably have someone who can book activities for you). Keep in mind that you have more bargaining power if you go with a group. If the first travel agent won’t negotiate with you, move on to the next. Booking tours online is always more expensive.