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Thailand Budget Index 2026
Daily costs for 33 destinations — from backpacker to luxury
All 33 Destinations by Budget
Sorted from cheapest to most expensive (budget daily rate in USD).
1Chiang Khan
Budget
$30
Mid
$70
Luxury
$165
2Chumphon
Southern ThailandBudget
$30
Mid
$70
Luxury
$165
3Khon Kaen
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)Budget
$30
Mid
$78
Luxury
$180
4Ayutthaya
Central ThailandBudget
$35
Mid
$95
Luxury
$270
5Bueng Kan
Budget
$35
Mid
$80
Luxury
$170
6Chanthaburi
Central ThailandBudget
$35
Mid
$80
Luxury
$180
7Chiang Mai
Northern ThailandBudget
$35
Mid
$95
Luxury
$270
8Chiang Rai
Northern ThailandBudget
$35
Mid
$88
Luxury
$195
9Hat Yai
Southern ThailandBudget
$35
Mid
$83
Luxury
$183
10Kanchanaburi
Central ThailandBudget
$35
Mid
$88
Luxury
$230
11Bangkok
Central ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
12Pattaya
Central ThailandBudget
$43
Mid
$120
Luxury
$330
13Hua Hin
Central ThailandBudget
$48
Mid
$120
Luxury
$305
14Phuket
Southern ThailandBudget
$48
Mid
$135
Luxury
$375
15Koh Samui
Southern ThailandBudget
$63
Mid
$190
Luxury
$625
16Lampang
Northern ThailandBudget
$1650
Mid
$4050
Luxury
$11500
17Krabi
Southern ThailandBudget
$1800
Mid
$4750
Luxury
$17000
18Lopburi
Central ThailandBudget
$1850
Mid
$4300
Luxury
$10250
19Mae Hong Son
Northern ThailandBudget
$2150
Mid
$5000
Luxury
$11250
20Mukdahan
Budget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
21Nakhon Phanom
Budget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
22Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)Budget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
23Nakhon Si Thammarat
Southern ThailandBudget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
24Nong Khai
Budget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
25Pai
Northern ThailandBudget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
26Phitsanulok
Central ThailandBudget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
27Rayong
Central ThailandBudget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
28Sukhothai
Northern ThailandBudget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
29Surat Thani
Southern ThailandBudget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
30Trang
Southern ThailandBudget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
31Trat
Central ThailandBudget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
32Ubon Ratchathani
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)Budget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
33Udon Thani
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)Budget
N/A
Mid
N/A
Luxury
N/A
| # | Destination | Region | Budget range | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiang Khan | $20-40(med $30) | $70 | $165 | |
| 2 | Chumphon | Southern Thailand | $20-40(med $30) | $70 | $165 |
| 3 | Khon Kaen | Isaan (Northeast Thailand) | $20-40(med $30) | $78 | $180 |
| 4 | Ayutthaya | Central Thailand | $25-45(med $35) | $95 | $270 |
| 5 | Bueng Kan | $25-45(med $35) | $80 | $170 | |
| 6 | Chanthaburi | Central Thailand | $25-45(med $35) | $80 | $180 |
| 7 | Chiang Mai | Northern Thailand | $25-45(med $35) | $95 | $270 |
| 8 | Chiang Rai | Northern Thailand | $25-45(med $35) | $88 | $195 |
| 9 | Hat Yai | Southern Thailand | $25-45(med $35) | $83 | $183 |
| 10 | Kanchanaburi | Central Thailand | $25-45(med $35) | $88 | $230 |
| 11 | Bangkok | Central Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150 |
| 12 | Pattaya | Central Thailand | $30-55(med $43) | $120 | $330 |
| 13 | Hua Hin | Central Thailand | $35-60(med $48) | $120 | $305 |
| 14 | Phuket | Southern Thailand | $35-60(med $48) | $135 | $375 |
| 15 | Koh Samui | Southern Thailand | $45-80(med $63) | $190 | $625 |
| 16 | Lampang | Northern Thailand | $1100-2200(med $1650) | $4050 | $11500 |
| 17 | Krabi | Southern Thailand | $1300-2300(med $1800) | $4750 | $17000 |
| 18 | Lopburi | Central Thailand | $1200-2500(med $1850) | $4300 | $10250 |
| 19 | Mae Hong Son | Northern Thailand | $1500-2800(med $2150) | $5000 | $11250 |
| 20 | Mukdahan | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 21 | Nakhon Phanom | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 22 | Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) | Isaan (Northeast Thailand) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 23 | Nakhon Si Thammarat | Southern Thailand | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 24 | Nong Khai | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| 25 | Pai | Northern Thailand | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 26 | Phitsanulok | Central Thailand | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 27 | Rayong | Central Thailand | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 28 | Sukhothai | Northern Thailand | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 29 | Surat Thani | Southern Thailand | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 30 | Trang | Southern Thailand | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 31 | Trat | Central Thailand | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 32 | Ubon Ratchathani | Isaan (Northeast Thailand) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 33 | Udon Thani | Isaan (Northeast Thailand) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
All prices in USD per person per day. Estimates based on current data (March 2026).
Cheapest vs Most Expensive
$Top 10 Cheapest
Average Budget by Region
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)
1 cities with budget data
- Budget
- $30/day
- Mid-range
- $78/day
- Luxury
- $180/day
Central Thailand
7 cities with budget data
- Budget
- $298/day
- Mid-range
- $697/day
- Luxury
- $1674/day
Southern Thailand
5 cities with budget data
- Budget
- $395/day
- Mid-range
- $1046/day
- Luxury
- $3670/day
Northern Thailand
4 cities with budget data
- Budget
- $968/day
- Mid-range
- $2308/day
- Luxury
- $5804/day
FAQ
Budget FAQ
What is the cheapest city in Thailand for travellers?
Bueng Kan and Nong Khai in the Isaan region are currently the cheapest destinations at around $19 per day for budget travellers. These northeastern cities offer authentic Thai experiences at a fraction of the cost of tourist hotspots like Phuket or Bangkok.
How much should I budget per day in Thailand?
It depends on your travel style and destination. Budget travellers can get by on $19-40/day (hostels, street food, local transport). Mid-range travellers should plan $40-100/day (3-star hotels, restaurants, occasional tours). Luxury travellers can expect $100-200+/day (resorts, fine dining, private transfers). The Isaan region and smaller cities are significantly cheaper than popular tourist destinations.
Is Thailand still cheap in 2026?
Yes, Thailand remains one of the most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia. While prices have risen in popular tourist areas like Phuket and Bangkok, many destinations — especially in the Isaan region and northern Thailand — still offer excellent value. Budget travellers can comfortably spend under $25/day in multiple cities.