How Much Should you Budget to Backpack Thailand?
Thailand is a dream backpacker adventure – it’s cheap, easy and there’s so much to do and explore. Check out my ultimate Thailand backpacking route and itinerary for where to go.
Even though Thailand is cheap it’s always useful to know how much to budget when planning and saving for a trip. So that’s why I’m sharing a brief rundown of my average costs when backpacking around Thailand to help others save for their backpacking Thailand budget.
My costs reflect my travel style. I have to admit I am not the kind of person who obsessively records every penny, cent or baht I spend.
I traveled on a budget but not rock bottom shoe string and splashed out on nicer accommodation or meals every now and then but these are average guideline prices.
Your costs could be less or more depending on your style of travel and comfort level. If you travel as a couple or with a friend it is cheaper as you can split accommodation and taxi costs.
These costs are for a average guideline only and it is always, always better to take more money to account for incidentals, emergencies, impromptu shopping sprees or a splurge on a posh hotel or internal flight. Doing activities like scuba diving, trekking, courses and tours will also push your budget.
My Average Daily Backpacking Thailand Budget (per person) takes into account;
- Accommodation shared between two people, (apart from in countries where dorm beds have been the only budget option)
- 2 restaurant meals per day,
- A street food or convenience store like 7/11 snack,
- 3 bottles of water,
- A couple of beers,
- A long distance (12 hr) bus or train journey
- 2 short taxi or public transport rides
- Visiting an attraction.
I have displayed costs in local currency, British Pounds and US Dollars but be aware that prices and exchange rates are always changing.
Backpacking Thailand Budget:
| Item | Cost in Baht | Cost in GDP £ | Cost in US$ |
| Guesthouse Room for 2 | 500 Baht | £9.25 | $15.50 |
| Restaurant Meal | 150 Baht | £2.75 | $4.65 |
| Street Food | 70 Baht | £1.30 | $2.15 |
| Long Distance Bus/Train | 275 Baht | £5.10 | $8.50 |
| Local Transport & Taxis | 80 Baht | £1.50 | $2.50 |
| Bottle of Water | 20 Baht | £0.37 | $0.60 |
| Beer | 80 Baht | £1.50 | $2.50 |
| Attractions | 200 Baht | £3.70 | $6.20 |
| Average Daily Budget Per Person | 1475 Baht | £27 | $46.00 |
| Average Weekly Budget Per Person | 10,325 Baht | £191 | $320.00 |
| Average Monthly Budget Per Person | 44,742 Baht | £828 | $1,386.00 |
So hopefully this gives you a guideline cost so you can work out your backpacking Thailand budget and how much you need to save up for how many weeks you wish to backpack in Thailand!
Also be aware that the prices on the Thai islands are often alot more expensive than in the North of Thailand.
And think about saving for any extra activities like scuba diving courses, cooking or yoga lessons, trekking, sightseeing, shopping, souvenirs and wild nights out drinking that you do on your trip. For me, it’s well worth it for the adventure of a lifetime!
Please be aware that prices and currency conversions are always changing. For more info on budgeting an excellent resource for backpacker costs is Price of Travel which lists cities in order of price. South East Asia is the cheapest region in the world with cities here making up most of the top 10 cheapest from only US$ 14 per day! See here for cheapest cities in Asia
Thailand is still one of the cheapest places in the world to backpack – check out this post for more cheap backpacking destinations.
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What was your backpacking Thailand budget? Share your thoughts and help out others travellers 🙂
