Real expenses for Thailand
Planning a budget-friendly trip? Discover the Real Expenses for Thailand with actual costs in INR & EUR, a detailed 7‑8 day itinerary, and money‑saving tips for smart travellers.
Why Real expenses for Thailand matter
Travel blogs often list wild guesses or high-end prices. I stick to real costs gathered from recent travellers and 2025 data. Knowing Real expenses for Thailand helps you plan without surprises. I’ll show you exactly what you need for a week: hostels, meals, transport, attractions, a visa, and some extras. All prices are in Indian Rupees (INR) and Euros (EUR). I explain how to save and compare costs so you stay in control.
Money at a glance: Budget ranges
Let’s break down daily costs for a budget-friendly yet comfortable Thailand adventure:
| Category | USD/day | INR/day | EUR/day |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation |
$5–15 |
₹415–1,245
|
€5–14 |
|
Food & drink |
$5–12 |
₹415–995 |
€5–11
|
|
Transport
|
$2–7 |
₹165–580 |
€2–6 |
|
Sightseeing & activities |
$5–15 |
₹415–1,245 |
€5–14
|
|
Misc (water, snacks) |
$3–5
|
₹250–415
|
€3–4
|
- Mid-range around ₹6,000–9,000/day (€75–140).
- Budget travellers often spend ₹2,500–4,200 daily, and that’s realistic.
Visa costs
- On-arrival 15-day visa: 2,000 ฿ ≈ ₹5,000 / €50
- E-visa 60-day option: 2,560 ฿ ≈ ₹6,400 / €64
Always carry a copy of your booking and return flight to avoid issues at immigration.
4. 7–8 Day Budget Itinerary with Costs
You roll into Bangkok and, trust me, the energy hits you right away.
Day 1 | Land in Bangkok – ₹4,000 (~€45)
- Hostel bunk’s ₹1,500—nothing fancy, but hey, you’re not here for the decor.
- Chow down on Pad Thai and coconut water for ₹800 (street food is a rite of passage here). Getting around? BTS or those wild city buses, ₹400.
- Grand Palace and Wat Pho set you back ₹800, but you get a headphone guide, which is actually pretty cool if you like weird old royal stories.
- Random water and snacks: ₹300.
First day, and you’re already swept up in the buzz of Bangkok. Palace ticket includes an audio guide—honestly, it’s worth it, unless you’re just here for the Instagram pics.
Day 2 | Bangkok deep dive – ₹4,000 (~€45)
- Hostel’s ₹1,500 again (consistency is comforting, right?).
- Eat riverside noodles, sip local coffee—₹800.
- Ferry and metro rides, ₹400.
- Wat Arun and a museum ticket: ₹800.
- Snacks and icy drinks: ₹300.
- Hop on the ferry across Chao Phraya—₹25 for a killer view.
Super chill and honestly, why sit in traffic when you can just float by everyone?
Day 3 | Ayutthaya day trip – ₹3,500 (~€40)
- Hop a train to Ayutthaya and back for ₹450.
- Grab a bike for ₹500—wind in your hair, temples everywhere.
- Temple entries: ₹500. Lunch and cold drinks: ₹600.
- More snacks and water, because, let’s be real, it’s hot—₹300.
- All in, ₹3,500.
Skip the fancy tours; just pedal around and let the ruins blow your mind. Budget-friendly and way more fun.
Day 4 | Fly to Chiang Mai – ₹3,500 (~€40)
- Flights are around ₹3,000 (score it cheaper if you’re quick).
- Hostel: ₹1,200. Food and snacks: ₹800.
- Local transport, maybe a cheeky drink: ₹300.
- Temple entry: ₹200.
Chiang Mai’s like taking a deep breath after Bangkok—hills, night markets, and a pace that lets you chill out.
Day 5 | Chiang Mai in full swing – ₹3,500 (~€40)
Hostel: ₹1,200. Eats: ₹800. Getting around by songthaew or scooter: ₹400. Doi Suthep entrance: ₹400. Cooking class: ₹1,200 (seriously, just do it—you’ll eat like a king and feel like a chef). It’s one of those travel things that lives up to the hype.
Day 6 | Off to Phuket – ₹6,000 (~€70)
Flight: ₹3,500. Guesthouse: ₹2,000. Food & rides: ₹500. You’ll land in Phuket with time to dump your bag and hit the beach for sunset. Not bad for a travel day.
Day 7 | Beach day or island hop – ₹6,500 (~€75)
Boat trip: ₹1,500. Beach lunch: ₹1,200. Extras (snorkel, sunbed, you name it): ₹300. Boats leave in the morning for islands like Phi Phi or Racha, and honestly, lounging on a rented chair with the ocean in front of you? It’s the stuff postcards are made of.
Day 8 | Back to Bangkok – ₹4,500 (~€50)
Flight: ₹3,000. Food and taxi/BTS: ₹1,500. Your last evening is prime for a night market run—grab those last souvenirs and stuff yourself with snacks one more time. You’ll leave full and happy.
Day 9 | Optional: Pattaya or extra market chaos – ₹4,000–4,500 (~€45)
- Mini-bus to Pattaya: ₹600.
- Guesthouse: ₹1,500. Meals & ferry: ₹1,000.
- Beach & extras: ₹1,000.
Got an extra day? Squeeze in some more beach time or city exploring before heading home. It’s a sweet way to round things off if you can swing it.
Thailand on a budget? Totally doable, and you’ll have a blast.
Total Trip Cost Summary
Combine the days:
Day 1: ₹4,000
Day 2: ₹4,000
Day 3: ₹3,500
Day 4: ₹3,500
Day 5: ₹3,500
Day 6: ₹6,000
Day 7: ₹6,500
Day 8: ₹4,500
Optional Day 9: ₹4,000
For a week in Thailand, you’ll probably spend somewhere between ₹30,000 and ₹34,000—call it €350 to €400. If you’re grabbing your visa at the airport, tack on another ₹5,000 (about €50). So altogether, you’re looking at ₹35,000 to ₹39,000, or around €400 to €450.
Want to treat yourself to one more day of pad thai and beach sunsets? Just throw in an extra ₹4,000 (a bit under €45). And hey, quick heads-up—this covers just about everything, except your flight to and from India. That one’s on you!
INR, EUR, USD cost checks
- Alright, here’s the scoop: If you’re hanging out on the islands, expect to drop about ₹4,500 a day, so around $55 or €45. Yep, it’s almost double what you’d pay just chillin’ on the mainland. No joke.
- But hey, getting around isn’t gonna drain your wallet. Trains and buses? Super affordable, like ₹150 to ₹400 per day. That’s practically pocket change. Prefer flying? Snag those tickets early, and you’re looking at ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 between cities. Wait too long and, well, your credit card might cry a little.
Reddit travellers back this up, too. Someone said, “Hostel under $10… street food, water, couple coffees, $12 a day. Public transport’s like $7 daily.” See? Not bad at all.
Now, if you wanna hit the islands, just brace yourself: “Island day trips cost $40–50 with transfers and lunch.” Yikes, but hey, you’re on an island, so maybe it’s worth it.
Comparative price tips
- Honestly, if you’re trying to save some cash, Thailand is your spot. Way easier on the wallet than Europe, hands down.
- Food? We’re talking ₹100–150 for a meal. That’s the same as pocket change, especially if you’ve ever tried to eat out in Europe (your bank account probably cried a little).
- Transport? The BTS is like ₹60 a ride, and buses? Sometimes just ₹15–₹30. That’s way less than a cab anywhere in Europe, trust me.
- Flights inside Thailand aren’t scary either, ₹2,500 one way, or if you’re feeling chill, the train or bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is just ₹450. That’s less than what you’d pay for a croissant and coffee in Paris, and you get somewhere.
- Want to see temples? Entry fees hover around ₹200–₹800, and you don’t have to worry about getting scammed by pirate copies or weird tourist traps everywhere.
- Accommodation’s a breeze too: shared hostel for ₹1,200 a night, or snag your own room for about ₹1,500. Try finding anything decent for that in London or Amsterdam. Spoiler: you won’t.
So yeah, you’ll end up spending like 40–60% less than you would traipsing around most developed countries. Your wallet might just survive the trip this time!
How to cut costs further
- Bunk up in dorms or split a room, an easy way to meet people (and save cash).
- Grab your meals from street stalls. Forget the sit-down restaurants, honestly.
- Trains and buses? Super handy, just jump on for both short and long trips.
- Travel light, no one wants to pay those annoying checked bag fees (₹300–1,000 just to lose your bag anyway).
- Book your flights a couple of months early if you can.
- Pick hostels close to BTS or MRT stations, it’ll make your life so much easier.
- Share a ride or rent a scooter with someone. Seriously, it’s fun and your wallet will thank you.
With all this, you’ll get by on ₹2,500–3,000 a day, which is around 30 Euros. Not bad, right?
Transport & seasonal notes
- Also, don’t freak out if Bangkok gets a little hazy around January to March—fires and stuff mess up the air quality. Feels like walking through soup some days.
- Good news though: Bangkok’s got shiny new metro lines (Pink and Purple, just launched 2024–25), so getting around is way easier and cheaper. Taxis should always use the meter (starts at 35฿, around ₹95)—don’t be shy about asking. Or just use Grab, it’s like Uber and about the same price as a cab. Super easy.
Safety & travel advice
- Hey, quick heads up for Thailand: don’t mess with the tap water—just grab bottled, it’s cheap and your stomach will thank you later. And trust me, sunscreen and mosquito repellent are your best friends, especially if you’re chilling in Chiang Mai or hitting those dreamy islands. Mosquitoes there? Absolute menaces.
- Watch out for tuk-tuk drivers offering deals that sound too good to be true, like random tours or “special” jewellery shops. That’s scam central. Smile, walk away, no drama.
- Haggling in markets? Normal! Knock off around 25% from their first price, but keep it friendly—nobody likes a rude tourist.
- Keep a copy of your passport with you, just in case the police want to check your docs. Saves you a lot of hassle.
Packing checklist
- Bring some light, comfy clothes—cotton shorts and a few t-shirts will save you when it’s hot out.
- Toss in a couple of things that cover your knees and shoulders. Temples are beautiful, but they’re not the place for tank tops.
- Good walking sandals or sneakers are a must. Your feet will thank you, trust me.
- Don’t forget a travel adaptor (Type C or E—yeah, the plugs are different!).
- Pack your meds and a basic first aid kit, just in case something goes sideways.
- Power bank and your phone with an offline map app—because getting lost is only fun in movies.
- Reusable water bottle—hydration is your friend.
- And a small backpack for day trips, so you’re not stuck juggling water bottles and souvenirs all day.
Final Thoughts
So, you’re dreaming of a week in Thailand? Sweet choice. With about ₹35,000–39,000 (that’s roughly €400–450), you can totally soak up Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and maybe even sneak in Pattaya, without sweating over cash.
That budget covers hostels, tasty food, travel between cities, sightseeing, and your visa. Not bad, right? You can always pinch a few more pennies by choosing cheaper spots or upgrading your rooms if you’re feeling fancy. Either way, you don’t need to be loaded to have an epic time.
Just mix it up: stay in shared hostels, hit up street food stalls (trust me, the pad thai is next-level), ride public transport, and save a little for the extras you care about. Thailand’s got everything: temples, gorgeous beaches, buzzing markets, wild nightlife, and a whole lotta culture, all on a budget.
Keep your plans simple, watch out for the usual tourist traps, and let your money do the heavy lifting. Your rupees go a long way here.
Need some help picking flights, figuring out what to pack, or planning a longer route? Just holler. I’m happy to help you travel smarter, not harder!
