PRICES IN THAILAND

Is Thailand expensive? How to estimate your budget?

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THAILAND

Prices in Thailand - is Thailand expensive?

Many of you ask me whether Thailand is expensive. Quite a few people who reach out for help with trip planning have no idea what things cost here - whether it’s transport, attractions, or accommodation. So, I decided to write this (rather detailed!) guide to help you plan your trip more confidently - not only by giving you real-life price examples, but also by sharing a few budgeting tips and showing you where the biggest price differences are.

You’re probably wondering: How much money do I need for a 2 or 3 week trip? Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer - it really depends on your expectations and travel style. “Vacation” means something different to everyone. Let me answer you honestly, from experience - for us, living in Asia for a few years now, Thailand can feel pricey at times, especially when we come back from Vietnam, where our monthly costs are often half as much. On the other hand, when we look at current prices in Poland, Thailand still feels like a bargain. I can’t imagine paying 60 PLN for lunch in Wrocław or 40 PLN for a cocktail! The price increases over the last two years definitely make us think twice about going back home - and after checking the menu prices at our favorite restaurants, we can confidently say: Thailand is still cheap.

How to estimate your budget?

If I were to compare Thailand to Poland, some things are 2–3 times cheaper (depending on the region). But not everything - for example, milk and western products can be more expensive. In general, yes, it’s affordable - but it’s not so cheap that you’ll live off 50 PLN a day while sightseeing from morning till night. Transport, attractions, and accommodation still cost money - less than in Europe, but not negligible. That’s why it’s important to estimate your budget carefully and do it early, so nothing catches you off guard. You don’t want to be on your dream vacation having to choose between a nice hotel and a beautiful day trip, right? You’ve waited for this holiday long enough - you deserve a clean hotel with a lovely view, not a damp bungalow with a fan and a tiny window. So how do you plan your budget if you have no idea what things cost?

It’s simple - though a bit time-consuming. Here’s how to do it step by step:

list all the attractions you want to visit. Check entry fees and note them down,
check transportation costs between destinations - flights, buses (don’t forget to add baggage fees for checked luggage) - and record them,
add airport or station transfers - metro, taxi, or shuttle - depending on your choice,
calculate tour prices - compare online rates with local ones and write both in your table,
estimate local transport costs - taxis, scooter rentals, etc.

Once you’ve calculated the essentials for your trip - meaning transportation and the cost of attractions you definitely want to visit - you’ll end up with amount X. Then, take the amount you originally had in mind (your budget) and subtract X. The difference is what you should allocate for accommodation and daily expenses such as food, drinks, beer, cocktails, massages, souvenirs, etc.

If the remaining amount is too small, you’ll need to adjust - either skip some attractions, reduce the number of destinations (the more destinations, the higher the costs), or choose land transport (trains, buses) instead of domestic flights. Alternatively, you can decide to save up a bit more before your trip. This is always my go-to method when planning our travel budget.

Of course, everyone has different priorities. If, for you, the most important thing is accommodation and your vacation needs to be luxurious - relaxing in great conditions, with a pool or a spa - then you should start your budget calculations from that amount.

Don’t be fooled by travel agency prices - they usually include only flights and basic accommodation with breakfast. The biggest part of your spending will actually go toward domestic transport and excursions, national park fees, and other activities. If you buy a package for 16,000 PLN for two people and think you’ll spend only 3,000 PLN total on-site - you’re in for a surprise.

Domestic transport within Thailand usually costs between 1,000 and 2,000 PLN, depending on how many destinations you visit and what kind of transport you use (flights, buses, trains, ferries). Daily expenses average around 150–300 PLN per day for two people, depending on your lifestyle. That means around 2,100–4,200 PLN for two weeks. So altogether, your total will likely be somewhere between 3,100 and 6,200 PLN - and that’s before adding attraction tickets!

Really good quality accommodation - with air conditioning, often a balcony or a small garden — for two weeks in excellent locations for two people can easily be found for 2,000–3,000 PLN. Better flight tickets with one layover cost around 6,000–7,000 PLN, transportation between 1,000–3,000 PLN, attractions 2,000–2,500 PLN, and personal expenses (food, drinks, massages, etc.) around 2,500–3,500 PLN.

So, comfortable holidays for two - without penny-pinching but also without major luxury, filled with excursions and attractions in two or three destinations — should fit within the range of 14,000–18,000 PLN. If you plan your vacation well in advance (around six months), even a bit of luxury can fit in 😉 And if your budget is larger, there’s no need to count every penny - you can splurge a little on the spot without worrying about missing out on activities or the dream hotel you had in mind.

Now, try calculating the cost of a 14-day holiday in Poland in a popular tourist area and tell me what you get - because honestly, I’ve lost track of local prices!

So how much will the whole trip cost?

So how much money should you bring for your daily expenses?

I always say - it depends on how you like to enjoy your vacation. As you can see from the examples above, the “normal” version versus the “budget” version can easily differ twofold in cost. And we’re still not talking about luxury here - just regular holidays. A visit to a local restaurant, a drink by the beach, a domestic flight, and a taxi ride - you can easily save 200 zł if you go for cheaper alternatives. It’s like that with everything during the trip. That’s why it’s so important to calculate your total costs properly - otherwise, you might plan to spend 10 000 zł and end up spending 20 000 zł instead.

If all this planning feels overwhelming - reach out to the professionals 😉 Once I know your travel dates, expectations, and planned budget, I can quickly tell you whether your budget is realistic or if it’s worth adding another 1000 or 2000 zł to be able to enjoy more activities or experiences.

As I mentioned earlier, you should plan for at least 100 zł per day per couple when traveling on a budget, and up to about 300 zł per day for a more comfortable trip - dining at restaurants, grabbing fresh fruit smoothies or coffee during the day, sipping a coconut or beer while watching the sunset, getting a massage, and, of course, buying water or snacks at the store. If you also want to bring back souvenirs, clothes, or Thai cosmetics, make sure to include that in your overall budget.

PS - of course, it’s possible to find flights for 5,000 PLN or even less, stay in hostels for 900 PLN, eat street food for 50 PLN a day (about 700 PLN total), and move around only by bus or scooter for about 500 PLN. That brings the total to under 10,000 PLN for two people. But let’s be honest - this style of travel isn’t for everyone, so it’s good to know the average prices.

Many people traveling to Asia for the first time don’t know what to expect - and it’s understandable. The internet is full of misleading stories. Plenty of travelers boast about eating for 4 PLN at markets or sleeping for 25 PLN a night, but they rarely mention that it was in a tiny hut without air conditioning, far from civilization, and that they ended up paying more for taxis than for accommodation. Sure, you can travel that way - but after a few days of Thai food, we’re craving pizza or butter chicken. You simply can’t eat the same thing every day unless you’re a hardcore fan of Thai cuisine. It’s the same with accommodation - if you’re traveling short-term, you might tolerate a small, stuffy room. But if your goal is rest, it’s hard to justify saving money on accommodation when you enjoy relaxing on the terrace, playing cards, or grilling in the evening. Plus, air conditioning is a must (unless you’re in the mountains during the cold season). Location is just as important as comfort. In the past, when we didn’t rent scooters, we ended up overpaying for rides to attractions, meals, or even grocery runs. We soon realized it was better to pay extra for a nice, central stay than waste money on Grabs or local songthaews (which aren’t always that cheap depending on the region).

Also remember - a traveler and a vacationer are two very different people. What’s perfectly fine for a budget backpacker (used to rougher conditions or heat) won’t necessarily work for someone who saves all year - or longer - for two weeks of true rest in a cozy, clean villa with a pool, a view, and fluffy white towels. If you belong to the second group, you should know - those dreamy villas don’t cost 25 PLN per night.

Uczta w restauracji za 55 zł za dwie osoby

Zupka na dwie osoby z budki przy plaży, kokos na spółkę i piwko ze sklepu za 16 zł

Przykłady - różnice cenowe

Pad Thai z targu w Bangkoku za 4 zł

Taxi z lotniska 60 zł

Metro z lotniska za 2 os. mniej niż 20 zł

Samolot na Krabi z bagażem 2 os. = ok. 350 zł - 550 zł

Bus na Krabi z bagażem 2 os. = ok. 165 zł - 190 zł

Dwa drinki w knajpce przy plaży ze świeżych owoców = 25 zł - 35 zł

Drinki z lokalnym rumem, colą i lodem z 7 eleven = cały dzień drinkowania za 20 zł

Below, I’ve listed approximate prices in Thailand. Of course, they vary depending on the region - touristy areas, beachfront spots, city centers, or places with English menus and English-speaking staff will always be more expensive. In Bangkok, the north, or less touristy areas where only Thai menus are available and no one speaks English - prices are noticeably lower.

🌴🌴🌴

Przykładowe ceny w 7 eleven (taka tajska "Żabka"):

Woda 0,5l – 10 – 18 THB
Sześciopak wody – 1,5l – 50 – 100 THB
Baniak wody 6l – 40 – 60 THB
Dobra w smaku woda witaminowa (jeżeli nie lubicie wody lub Waszym dzieciom nie będzie wchodziła zwykła woda – na zdjęciu dwie smaczne – żółta i różowa, dostępne w każdym 7 eleven – koszt 18 THB)
Coca Cola w puszce – 20 THB
Piwo 600 ml – 40 – 65 THB (taniej w 3-paku), mniejsza puszka ok. 40 THB, piwo craftowe 60 – 100 THB, Corona (330 ml) 70 THB
Napoje alkoholowe w postaci drinków, typu Smirnoff ice – ok. 55 – 65 THB za buteleczkę 275 ml
Wino typu Jacobs Creek ok. 700 THB
Tost (ugrzany na miejscu) – 29 THB
Mleko – 50 – 60 THB
Sok w kartonie z owoców (dobry to Tipco) – 60 - 70 THB

Masaż - ceny wahają się przeważnie od 200 THB wzwyż (250-350 THB jest dobrą ceną)

Napoje w knajpach:

Duże piwo to 90 - 100 THB ok. 10/11 zł , małe to 65 - 80 THB (ok. 8/9zł)
Drinki od 99 - 130 THB w happy hour (zawsze pytajcie czy są happy hour - zawsze są, nie zawsze informują) ok. 12 - 15 zł
Świeży kokos 50 - 70 THB ok. 6 - 8 zł
Herbata/kawa zazwyczaj: 30 THB ok. 3,50 zł
Mrożona herbata np. ice tea czy z miodem lub mlekiem czy kawa z lodem itd:. ok. 50 - 70 THB ok. 6/8 zł (są bardzo duże)
Świeże soki, smoothie: od 20 – 25 THB za sok do 60 – 80 THB za moothie, którymi można się najeść (2 zł – 9 zł)

W mniej turystycznych miejscach im bardziej tajsko - tym taniej. Na wyspach, im bliżej plaży i bardziej europejsko - tym drożej.

Jedzenie:

Lokalny streetfood 30 THB – 80 THB (4 – 9 zł)
Thai Pakcakes/Roti: ok. 40 - 60 THB (5 – 7 zł)
Tajskie lody: to zazwyczaj 100 THB (11 zł) za porcję na targu ze świeżych owoców i dodatkami JAK WYGLĄDAJĄ
Dania w knajpach (średnio od 8 zł do 15 zł za danie):
Tajskie dania 50 THB - 180 THB (średnio ok. 14 zł) - czasem trzeba domówić ryż za ok. 30 THB
Europejskie/indyjskie 150 - 250 THB (średnio ok. 16 – 30 zł)
Ryba z grilla 250 - 350 THB (ok. 30 – 40 zł)

Ceny w Tajlandii 2025

I’m on a budget - how can I spend as little as possible while in Thailand?

start planning at least six months in advance – this way, you’ll have a much better chance of finding affordable accommodation and cheaper flights,
plan your trip day by day so that nothing catches you off guard — and if you need help, you know where to find us 😊 contact,
once your itinerary is ready, check flight prices — stay flexible! Avoid traveling during peak season, holidays, or school breaks, and check if there are any major festivals happening in Thailand at that time (as local prices may spike). Don’t limit yourself to flying in and out of Bangkok - Thailand has several international airports. The more flexible you are, the better deals you’ll find,
set a clear budget and create a detailed expense spreadsheet. Track your spending during the trip to know if you can afford a little extra fun later on,
choose accommodation close to attractions or the town center to save on transportation costs,
if you have the proper license and feel confident on the road (and aren’t afraid of left-hand traffic), consider renting a scooter - even for just a few days. If you’re exploring a lot, you can easily save a few hundred złotys in just several days,
if you don’t plan to rent a scooter, avoid regular taxis. Use Grab instead or negotiate with local songthaews (shared minivans),
eat at night markets and small local restaurants, preferably those without English menus - that’s usually where you’ll find the best and cheapest food,
bring your own snacks and drinks to the beach or on excursions - it’s nothing to be ashamed of! Packing your own cups, ice, beer, and snacks is totally normal. Beach bars and island restaurants tend to be much pricier. (Just make sure to clean up after yourself!),
book tours locally and don’t hesitate to negotiate. Check prices online first for reference. Some day trips are better with organized tours, but for others, it’s cheaper and more flexible to go independently. Join online travel groups or connect with other travelers on-site to share the cost of renting a boat or a private car with a driver - it’s cheaper and more intimate than joining a large group,
travel with friends if possible (groups of 4, 6, 8, or 10 people). Larger groups can save significantly on accommodation, transportation, and private tours,
avoid the most popular destinations - prices there are always inflated, and Thailand is full of stunning, lesser-known places that are just as beautiful (if not more).

wycieczka na Poda Island, znajomi w łódce

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