How to travel to Thailand on a budget

Thailand is one of the most popular attractions in Southeast Asia, beautiful yet affordable, with stunning natural scenery and a diverse culture plus delicious food. This guide will give you all the important information necessary for traveling around Thailand on a budget from when is the best time to visit to where are the cheapest places to eat and stay.

Best Time to Visit Thailand on a Budget

One of the most essential aspects of planning a trip to Thailand on a budget is selecting an optimal travel period. Thailand has three primary seasons: high, low, and shoulder. Travel expenses are greatly influenced by these seasons.

Peak Season (November to March)

This is the month when Thailand receives the largest number of tourists. The weather in these months is simply perfect being cooler and less rainy. However, it is also the most expensive time to visit. Hotel tariffs, flight costs, and tours tend to mount steeply at times even by 30% to 50%.

Shoulder Season (April to June, October)

The shoulder season offers a great combination of pleasant weather and fewer visitors. Although it can get pretty warm in April, the prices are much lower than during the peak season.

Monsoon Season (July to September)

Since this is considered as the off-peak period, prices of accommodation and flights can be 50% lower. If you are willing to get a little wet, this is the best time to visit since you will enjoy fewer crowds and better deals on hotels and flights offering you the trip to Thailand on a budget.

If you want to get the best deal for your flight then booking in the shoulder season and low season is the way to go.

Budget Accommodation in Thailand

Hostels

If you are traveling alone or backpacking, then hostels are the cheapest accommodation in Thailand. Thai hostels are generally very clean, contemporary, and well-kept, they provide an excellent atmosphere for encouraging interaction with other travelers. The cost is around 150 to 300 THB per night and facilities include Free Wi-Fi, social spaces, shared kitchens

Popular Activities:

Budget Hotels

For people who value privacy to some extent, budget hotels will be of great help. They are cheap yet still provide conveniences such as air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and sometimes even a small swimming pool

Popular Activities:

The cost is around: 500–800 THB per night
Facilities: Private rooms, air-conditioning, and basic amenities

Guesthouses

A guesthouse provides a local experience, usually operated by a friendly Thai family. It suits travelers who want to experience Thai culture and traditions but stay within a budget.

Popular Activities:

The cost is around: 300–600 THB per night
Facilities: Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms

Domestic Flights

Thailand has several low-cost carriers, including Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, and AirAsia, which provide very inexpensive flights connecting the country's key urban centers. If one books in advance, tickets are often available for as low as 600-1,200 THB.

Popular Activities:

Cost: 600 - 1,200 THB per flight (depending on the route)
Tip: Book early and compare prices across multiple airlines

Trains

Trains are the best form of travel for covering long distances in Thailand. They offer an inexpensive cost of traveling in Thailand, and the travelers get scenic views all along the route. Several classes are offered to suit the comfort levels and budgets of different passengers.

Popular Activities:

Sleeper trains cost: 800-1,500 THB
Local trains cost: 20-50 THB for short trips
Tip: Sleeper trains are an excellent overnight travel option, as they double up on your accommodation.

Buses

Buses represent affordable transportation in Thailand. While local buses charge between 10-50 THB for short distances, long-distance buses cost anywhere from 500 to 1,000 THB based on the distance traveled.

Popular Activities:

Cost: 10-100 THB for local buses and 500-1,000 THB for long-distance buses.
Tip: Book your ticket in advance for long distances, especially during the peak season.

Motorbikes and Scooters

Motorbikes represent one of the most common forms of urban and peri-urban mobility in Thailand. Renting a scooter is an excellent option for affordable self-exploration.

Popular Activities:

Cost: 150-300 THB per day
Tip: It is always advisable to wear a helmet and ensure that the bike is in good condition before you rent it.

Public Transport

In big cities like Bangkok, public transportation is unbelievably cheap. The BTS Skytrain in Bangkok is arguably one of the most convenient and pocket-friendly ways to get around the city.

Popular Activities:

Cost: 16–59 THB for a single ride on the Skytrain
Tip: Use rabbit cards for easy, quick, and reliable access to the BTS Skytrain system.

Among the other commonly used options are tuk-tuks and Songthaews (shared taxis) which will charge anything from 10-50 THB for a short journey.

Eating on a Budget in Thailand

Street Food

Street food is inexpensive and offers the best experience of the authentic flavors of Thailand. Everything from Pad Thai, and Som Tam (green papaya salad), to grilled satay skewers can be found freshly prepared.

Cost: 30-60 THB per meal
Where: Street stalls, night markets, and local food courts

Local Restaurants

Usually, Thai cuisine is provided in small family restaurants making it quite affordable to enjoy it. Many dishes are available to you and they include curry, stir-fry, and soup.

Cost: 70-120 THB per meal
Where: In local neighborhoods and near markets

7-Eleven and Supermarkets

For those who would like to save a little more, convenience stores such as 7-Eleven offer filling yet inexpensive ready-to-eat meals and snacks. A quick meal from 7-Eleven would cost around 20-50 THB.

Cost: 20–50 THB per meal

Must-See Budget-Friendly Attractions in Thailand

Temples

Some of the most breathtaking temples in the world are found in Thailand, and many of them are free or you only need to pay a nominal entrance fee.

Wat Pho (Bangkok): 200 THB
Wat Arun (Bangkok): 100 THB
Wat Phra Singh (Chiang Mai): 50 THB

Beaches and Islands

Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches. Most are open to the public, and there, you can spend days just sunbathing or swimming in pristine clear waters.

Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Railay Beach: These are accessible for no fee, but snorkeling or diving costs between 300-500 THB.

National Parks

Thailand's national parks represent the natural beauty of the country. The majority of the parks charge very low entrance fees, thus making it an economical way to enjoy hiking, wildlife scenes, and beautiful sceneries.

Erawan National Park: 200 THB
Khao Sok National Park: 300-400 THB

Markets

One of the most effective ways of getting a taste of Thai culture is by visiting a local market. Although it is just shopping, simply walking around colorful markets such as Bangkok's Chatuchak and Chiang Mai's Sunday walking street, is an enjoyable experience that costs nothing.

Cost: Free to explore, souvenirs and food costs around 50-100 THB

Shopping on a Budget

Known for its lively markets and street shopping, Thailand is a place where one can get almost everything at an affordable rate starting from clothes to souvenirs.

Floating Markets

Markets such as Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa are good places to buy fresh agricultural products, local snacks, and handicrafts.

Cost: 20-100 THB

Night Markets

Night markets in cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok offer a vast variety of goods, from handmade jewelry, and clothing to home decor.

Cost: 50-200 THB depending on the item

How to travel to Thailand on a budget