Is Thailand expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Thailand is cheap by European, North American or Australian standards, though Bangkok's rooftop bars and the beach resorts can be as pricey as at home. A budget traveller can manage on about ฿1,250 (roughly €33) per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about ฿3,400 and comfort about ฿8,500. Street food, public transport and guesthouses are very cheap; islands, resorts and tours are where costs climb.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | ฿500 | ฿1,500 | ฿4,000 |
| Food & drink | ฿400 | ฿900 | ฿2,000 |
| Sights & tickets | ฿200 | ฿600 | ฿1,500 |
| Local transport | ฿150 | ฿400 | ฿1,000 |
| Per person, per day | ฿1,250 | ฿3,400 | ฿8,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Thailand day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Street-food dish in Chinatown | ฿50-150 |
| River ferry across the Chao Phraya | about ฿5 |
| BTS Skytrain or MRT fare | ฿17-65 |
| Grand Palace | about ฿500 |
| Wat Pho | about ฿300 |
| Traditional Thai massage, 1 hour | about ฿420-600 at Wat Pho |
| Rooftop-bar cocktail in Bangkok | ฿400-600 |
| Domestic flight Bangkok to Chiang Mai | roughly ฿1,000-2,500 |
| Guesthouse double in Khao San or Chiang Mai Old City | ฿700-1,200 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation and getting between regions are the main costs: guesthouses are cheap at ฿700-1,200, but riverside and beach hotels cost ฿2,000-4,000 and island resorts much more. Domestic flights, ferries to the islands and tours such as ethical elephant sanctuaries (฿2,500-3,500) add up. Food is very cheap at stalls and markets, while imported alcohol and western restaurants cost far more.
When it is cheaper
The rainy season, roughly May to October, is cheaper, with hotel rates in beach areas often roughly 20-50% lower; it is also the shoulder season in Bangkok and the north. Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Eat at street stalls and night markets rather than tourist restaurants.
- Use the BTS, MRT and Chao Phraya Express boats instead of taxis in Bangkok.
- Take trains or buses for short legs, such as Bangkok to Ayutthaya from ฿20.
- Book domestic flights early with Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways or Thai Lion.
- Use Grab or Bolt instead of hailing tuk-tuks, which often overcharge.
- Choose the coast in season: the Gulf islands and Andaman coast have different rainy seasons and prices.
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Common questions
Is Thailand expensive?
No. Budget travellers spend about ฿1,250 (roughly €33) a day and mid-range about ฿3,400; resorts and islands cost more.
How much does street food cost in Thailand?
Typically ฿50-150 a dish in Bangkok and less in the provinces.
How much is the Grand Palace ticket?
About ฿500, with a dress code covering shoulders and knees.