Is Thailand cheap to visit? A year or two ago, there would have been no need to ask, “Is Thailand cheap?” Thailand was cheaper but less popular and had poorer structures and services.
Many travellers also wonder, “Why is Thailand so cheap?” The answer lies in factors like lower living costs, affordable local produce, and a well-developed tourism industry that keeps prices competitive. How cheap is Thailand compared to other countries? The affordability is due to a combination of local economic factors and the value that tourism brings to the country.
While the number and quality of things to do in Thailand have grown incredibly over the past few years, it’s also become more expensive to visit the Kingdom. It’s not as costly as locations in Europe or North America, of course, but it’s also not as cheap as neighboring countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, or even Vietnam.
It doesn’t matter if you want to know the exact answer to “Is Thailand really that cheap?” or wish to get a broad sense of your expected Land of Smiles expenditure.
Thailand’s Myth of a Cheap Paradise
People have been playing telephone for so long, which helps to explain why the phrase “Is Thailand cheap?” has become so popular. Today, many tourists who talk highly of Thailand haven’t been there in a long time. This implies they forgot how much it cost or it was less when they left. A lot of people who still think Thailand is very cheap have spent more time in Europe and Asian countries with higher living standards than they have in Southeast Asian countries that are cheap.
So, how cheap is Thailand really? In a broad sense, yes, especially if you are from the West or are used to going there. Some things are still true, like the fact that five-star hotels in Bangkok are cheaper than in almost any other city in the world (maybe except Kuala Lumpur)— However, you should keep in mind both before and during your holiday that most people claiming Thailand is cheap have no idea what they mean.
How Much Does Traveling in Thailand Cost?
Hotels
Hotels in Thailand are not expensive. Staying in Thailand yields significantly more than you pay for. This is true of all kinds of hotels, from the five-star So Sofitel Bangkok and Eastin Grand Sathorn in Bangkok to the verdant Sunrise Tropical Resort on Krabi and even the lavish Rayavadee. The other end of the price range has cheap hotels and Airbnb flats where you can stay for almost nothing, usually £16.20 or less per night. If you’re wondering, “Is Thailand cheap to visit?”—the affordability of accommodation alone gives a strong yes. One does not need to discuss the low cost of Thai hotels.
Transportation
Another element influencing the cost of your trip to Thailand is transportation. Whether you use the BTS or MRT systems in Bangkok, the Grab app (Southeast Asia’s Uber) to hail rides throughout the Kingdom, or low-cost flights like Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile, generally getting about Thailand is cheap. This is another reason why many travelers find Thailand affordable when they ask, “Is Thailand cheap to visit?” However, there are times when it’s not cheap, like when taxis have monopolies, like on the island of Koh Samui or in some parts of Phuket. Tuk-tuk drivers know how popular these are and charge a lot for them.
Food and drink
Does food cost less in Thailand? Indeed, if your taste is for Thai cuisine. With holy basil, you may enjoy homestyle staples like khaaw man gai chicken rice and pad ga prow gai fried chicken for thirty or forty THB a plate. For food lovers asking, “Is Thailand cheap to visit?”—street food prices make dining here an absolute bargain. Forget it, though, if you wish to eat foreign (particularly Asian) cuisine in Thailand. This holds even in “nice” Thai establishments. Seafood is pricey around Phuket, Krabi, and the southeast Trat archipelago islands, where finer resorts reside. Thailand also has pretty high prices for booze, at least real alcohol. Finding “good” cocktails for 400 Baht or more is not hard. TIP: If you use one of these great travel credit cards—many of which have no transaction fees and reward you for every purchase—you can save money on Thai food trips.
Activities
Thai prices are very low. For adventure seekers wondering, “Is Thailand cheap to visit?”—you’ll find that many activities come at a fraction of the cost compared to other destinations. Yes, it isn’t always the case with some hobbies. The good news about Elephant Nature Park close to Chiang Mai (or comparable locations near Chiang Rai) is that part of your charge (a half-day tour might run roughly 100 USD) supports the park’s good goals. But it would be best to look at things in a relative way instead of an absolute one. If you compare the prices of scuba diving in Thailand to other countries, you’ll see that it’s pretty cheap.
Other Thailand travel expenditures
Is Thailand cheap to visit? Why is Thailand so cheap? Thailand has a lot of cheap things. What costs a lot? Fees you are unaware of until you arrive define some of the worst aspects of your trip to Thailand. Most Thai ATMs charge 220 Thai Baht (about 7 to 8 Thai Baht) every use, did you know? Furthermore, many businesses charge an additional 2% to 3% even if you could pay with cash when you use a credit card. This is carried out to safeguard their bottom line. More than that, you have to be smart to avoid paying the “farang price; you should understand how to trade before you visit markets like Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Why the Thai Baht Is Exciting
Should you go to Thailand? Is Thailand cheap to visit? How much is a Thai baht? That’s the first thing you should check. The currency’s value has changed over time, with £1 worth about 36 baht at its weakest and about 29 baht at its strongest. This has caused prices to change in a way that can be seen. Things like almost full employment cause this variation, the Thai royal government’s large gold reserves, and choices made by the Thai Central Bank. These changes help explain why the cost of going to Thailand is changing.
If you don’t want to be let down or even shocked while travelling, it helps to look at the baht’s value through a fixed lens, one that usually gives it a little more value than it deserves. So, is Thailand cheap to visit? For example, the 20 baht note is worth about 50p, the 100 baht note is worth £2.50, the 3,000 THB note is worth £75, and so on. Assuming that the baht is worth between 40 and 43 British pounds is a simple and effective way to avoid disappointment.
Would you recommend Thailand?
Why is Thailand so cheap? Value is what matters, not whether you think Thailand is cheap or not. Sometimes, the answer is a clear and resounding “yes,” like when it comes to the Kingdom’s great hotels and guest houses, as well as its food, from the delicious street food in Chiang Mai to the restaurants on Bangkok’s rooftops. In fact, many travellers wonder, “how cheap is Thailand” compared to other destinations, and the answer often surprises them. For example, Thai people think that Bangkok’s BTS and MRT systems are pricey compared to their salaries, and cheap flights within Thailand aren’t much cheaper than flights to other places.
Is Thailand still economical? Some people see that differently than others. However, we will say that a trip to Thailand is still a very good deal, even when compared to other nearby countries. When you ask, “how cheap is Thailand” for tourists, it’s important to consider the quality of the experience along with the cost. Although Cambodia and Vietnam are cheaper, they also have more problems, like scams, road accidents, food-borne illnesses, and so on, than Thailand, which is more modern and sophisticated.
FAQs About Is Thailand cheap to visit?
What amount of Thai Baht do I need for a day?
Is Thailand cheap to visit? A day of 20 GBP (about 900 Baht) might be enough if you don’t mind staying in cheap hotels or hostels. Most guests would need at least twice that much to get by. People can live comfortably in Thailand with 80 GBP per day.
The price of Thai food: How much does it cost?
How Much Does Thailand Cost Now? Not expensive food, especially street food. A bowl of Pad Thai noodles or Khaaw Man Gai chicken rice will cost you 70p (30 Baht) or less, no matter where you are in Bangkok.
How much does a holiday to Thailand cost?
Thailand isn’t as cheap as Vietnam, but holidays there are still great value. Thai food alone can cost less than £2,400 for two people for two weeks, not including flights to and from Thailand.
Want to explore more tips on making the most of your budget in Thailand? Check out this insightful guide from Lonely Planet: Thailand on a Budget.
