Is Bangkok expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Bangkok is cheap by European, Japanese or Singaporean standards, and one of the best-value big cities in Asia: about ฿1,750 per person a day covers a budget trip, ฿4,000 a comfortable mid-range one. Street food and transport cost very little; the money goes on hotels, rooftop bars, imported alcohol and the main temple tickets.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | baht700 | baht1,700 | baht5,000 |
| Food & drink | baht400 | baht1,000 | baht3,000 |
| Sights & tickets | baht500 | baht900 | baht1,500 |
| Local transport | baht150 | baht400 | baht1,000 |
| Per person, per day | baht1,750 | baht4,000 | baht10,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Bangkok day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Pad thai at a stall | ฿60–150 |
| Boat noodles (small bowl) | ฿20–40 |
| Mango sticky rice | ฿80–150 |
| Chao Phraya Express boat (orange flag) | about ฿16 a ride |
| Grand Palace ticket | ฿500 |
| Wat Pho ticket | about ฿300 |
| Thai massage, 1 hour at a regular shop | roughly ฿300–500 |
| Rooftop bar cocktail | ฿400–600 |
| Mid-range double room (Sukhumvit) | ฿2,000–4,000 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost: about ฿700 per person sharing a double on a budget and ฿1,700 mid-range, with riverside luxury hotels at ฿8,000–20,000 a room. Food can be very cheap, about ฿400 a day if you eat only at stalls and markets, while a mid-range day with a restaurant dinner and drinks is about ฿1,000. Sights cost more than people expect: the Grand Palace alone is ฿500 and a temple day comes to about ฿500–900. Transport is cheap on the BTS, MRT and river boats; taxis and Grab rides are still inexpensive, but tuk-tuks charge tourists several times the local rate. Mid-range hotels and restaurants often add 10% service plus 7% VAT unless prices are marked 'net'.
When it is cheaper
The rainy season, roughly May to October, brings the lowest hotel prices; rates can be roughly 20–40% below the December–February peak, especially in May, June and September (check your dates).
How to spend less
- Eat where prices are shown on a board or menu; a block or two away from Khao San Road and the big temples, prices drop sharply.
- Use Grab or Bolt instead of street tuk-tuks so the price is fixed before you ride.
- Ride the Chao Phraya Express boat (about ฿16) between the old town and the riverside instead of a tourist river cruise.
- Book hotels with 'net' prices or check whether 10% service and 7% VAT are added.
- Buy beer and water at 7-Eleven or FamilyMart rather than in bars and hotels.
- Haggle at Chatuchak with a smile, aiming for about two-thirds of the first price; prices in malls are fixed.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Bangkok cost?
About ฿1,750 per person on a budget, ฿4,000 mid-range and ฿10,500 in comfort, including a shared double room, food, sights and local transport.
Is Bangkok cheaper than Singapore?
Yes, by a wide margin. Street food, hotels and transport cost a fraction of Singapore prices.
Why is my hotel bill higher than the price shown?
Many mid-range hotels and restaurants add 10% service plus 7% VAT unless prices are marked 'net'.