📖 4 min read
How much money do you need in Thailand (real numbers 2026)
Thailand is CHEAPER than you think. You can eat 3 times a day for €3. Sleep in a hostel for €5. And have the best pad thai in the world for €1. But you can also spend like in Europe if you don't know where to look.
Actual daily budget
Backpacker (800-1,200 baht / €22-33)
| Concept |
Cost |
Example |
| Bedroom |
250-400 baht |
Hostel in Khao San Road |
| Food |
200-300 baht |
Night market + street food |
| Transportation |
100-150 baht |
BTS + occasional tuk-tuk |
| Extras |
100 baht |
Water, snacks, beer |
| Total |
650-950 baht |
18-26€ |
Average traveler (1,500-2,500 baht / €41-68)
| Concept |
Cost |
Example |
| Hotel |
600-1,000 baht |
3 star hotel in Sukhumvit |
| Food |
400-600 baht |
Restaurant + street food + beer |
| Transportation |
200-300 baht |
BTS + Grab |
| Activities |
200-400 baht |
Temples, massage, tours |
| Total |
1,400-2,300 baht |
38-63€ |
Comfort (3,000-5,000 baht / €82-137)
| Concept |
Cost |
Example |
| Hotel |
1,500-2,500 baht |
4 star hotel or villa |
| Food |
600-1,000 baht |
Nice restaurants + beach |
| Transportation |
400-600 baht |
Grab + some tour |
| Activities |
500-1,000 baht |
Thai massage, snorkeling, cooking |
| Total |
3,000-5,100 baht |
82-140€ |
How much does each thing really cost?
Meal
| Type |
Price |
Example |
| Street food |
30-60 baht |
Pad thai, som tam, mango sticky rice |
| Local restaurant |
80-150 baht |
Complete Thai food |
| Tourist restaurant |
200-400 baht |
In beach areas |
| Romantic dinner |
500-1,000 baht |
Nice restaurant in Bangkok |
Transport
| Type |
Price |
Example |
| BTS/MRT (subway) |
16-59 baht |
By way |
| Tuk-tuk (short) |
50-100 baht |
Always haggle |
| Grab (10 km) |
150-300 baht |
Bangkok |
| Taxi (10 km) |
100-200 baht |
If you use a taximeter |
| Motorcycle rental/day |
200-300 baht |
On islands and Chiang Mai |
Accommodation
| Type |
Price/night |
Example |
| Bedroom |
150-300 baht |
Hostel |
| Private room |
400-700 baht |
Hostel or guesthouse |
| 3 star hotel |
700-1,200 baht |
Bangkok, Chiang Mai |
| 4 star hotel |
1,500-3,000 baht |
Beach or city |
| Villa/beach |
3,000-8,000 baht |
Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan |
The money trick: where to get bahts
ATMs that work:
- ✅ Bangkok Bank — the most common
- ✅ SCB (Siam Commercial Bank)
- ✅ Krungthai Bank
- ✅ ATM at 7-Eleven (70-150 baht withdrawal fee)
Withdrawal fee:
- Thai bank: 220 baht (€6) per withdrawal + your bank charges more
- Wise: No Thai commission, only 0.35% exchange
- Revolut: Free up to €200/month, then 2%
My recommendation: Use Wise. Withdraw 10,000 baht in a single withdrawal to minimize fees.
How much cash to carry
Golden rule: Arrive with 5,000-10,000 baht (€135-270) in cash. You can get more later.
| Situation |
Cash needed |
| Airport → Hotel |
300-500 baht (train or taxi) |
| First day |
1,000-1,500 baht |
| Emergencies |
3,000 baht apart |
| Recommended total |
5,000-10,000 baht |
Mistakes that cost you money
- Change at the airport: You lose 10-15% vs the real exchange
- Haggle with a smile: In markets, haggle with a smile but do not pay more than 50% of the initial price
- Don't use Grab: Tuk-tuks scam you 90% of the time
- Pay in euros: The exchange rate is very unfavorable
- Do not carry backup cash: On small islands there are no ATMs
Mobile payments in Thailand
- ✅ GrabPay: Payment in apps and some stores
- ✅ Contactless cards: In Bangkok and large stores
- ✅ Apple Pay: Some businesses in Bangkok
- ❌ PayPal: Almost doesn't work
- ❌ Bizum: Does not exist
Money checklist
- ☐ Wise/Revolut activated with physical card
- ☐ Notified your bank that you are traveling to Thailand
- ☐ 5,000-10,000 baht in cash (or euros to exchange)
- ☐ Currency conversion app installed
- ☐ Passport photo on your mobile
- ☐ Trail Wallet configured to record expenses
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