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Thailand Budget Index 2026
Daily costs for 33 destinations β from backpacker to luxury
All 33 Destinations by Budget
Sorted from cheapest to most expensive (budget daily rate in USD).
1Bueng Kan
Budget
$19
Mid
$38
Luxury
$65
2Nong Khai
Budget
$19
Mid
$38
Luxury
$75
3Chanthaburi
Central ThailandBudget
$20
Mid
$48
Luxury
$120
4Chumphon
Southern ThailandBudget
$20
Mid
$48
Luxury
$150
5Lampang
Northern ThailandBudget
$20
Mid
$55
Luxury
$150
6Lopburi
Central ThailandBudget
$20
Mid
$48
Luxury
$120
7Mae Hong Son
Northern ThailandBudget
$20
Mid
$55
Luxury
$150
8Mukdahan
Budget
$20
Mid
$38
Luxury
$75
9Nakhon Phanom
Budget
$20
Mid
$45
Luxury
$80
10Nakhon Si Thammarat
Southern ThailandBudget
$20
Mid
$48
Luxury
$120
11Pai
Northern ThailandBudget
$20
Mid
$55
Luxury
$180
12Phitsanulok
Central ThailandBudget
$20
Mid
$55
Luxury
$150
13Trang
Southern ThailandBudget
$20
Mid
$55
Luxury
$180
14Ubon Ratchathani
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)Budget
$20
Mid
$48
Luxury
$120
15Chiang Khan
Budget
$23
Mid
$45
Luxury
$90
16Khon Kaen
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)Budget
$25
Mid
$65
Luxury
$225
17Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)Budget
$25
Mid
$65
Luxury
$225
18Udon Thani
Isaan (Northeast Thailand)Budget
$25
Mid
$65
Luxury
$195
19Kanchanaburi
Central ThailandBudget
$28
Mid
$65
Luxury
$225
20Rayong
Central ThailandBudget
$28
Mid
$70
Luxury
$225
21Hua Hin
Central ThailandBudget
$33
Mid
$80
Luxury
$300
22Koh Samui
Southern ThailandBudget
$33
Mid
$90
Luxury
$300
23Trat
Central ThailandBudget
$33
Mid
$80
Luxury
$300
24Ayutthaya
Central ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
25Bangkok
Central ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
26Chiang Mai
Northern ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
27Chiang Rai
Northern ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
28Hat Yai
Southern ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
29Krabi
Southern ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
30Pattaya
Central ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
31Phuket
Southern ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
32Sukhothai
Northern ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
33Surat Thani
Southern ThailandBudget
$40
Mid
$75
Luxury
$150
| # | Destination | Region | Budget range | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bueng Kan | $12-25(med $19) | $38 | $65 | |
| 2 | Nong Khai | $12-25(med $19) | $38 | $75 | |
| 3 | Chanthaburi | Central Thailand | $15-25(med $20) | $48 | $120+ |
| 4 | Chumphon | Southern Thailand | $15-25(med $20) | $48 | $150+ |
| 5 | Lampang | Northern Thailand | $15-25(med $20) | $55 | $150+ |
| 6 | Lopburi | Central Thailand | $15-25(med $20) | $48 | $120+ |
| 7 | Mae Hong Son | Northern Thailand | $15-25(med $20) | $55 | $150+ |
| 8 | Mukdahan | $15-25(med $20) | $38 | $75 | |
| 9 | Nakhon Phanom | $15-25(med $20) | $45 | $80 | |
| 10 | Nakhon Si Thammarat | Southern Thailand | $15-25(med $20) | $48 | $120+ |
| 11 | Pai | Northern Thailand | $15-25(med $20) | $55 | $180+ |
| 12 | Phitsanulok | Central Thailand | $15-25(med $20) | $55 | $150+ |
| 13 | Trang | Southern Thailand | $15-25(med $20) | $55 | $180+ |
| 14 | Ubon Ratchathani | Isaan (Northeast Thailand) | $15-25(med $20) | $48 | $120+ |
| 15 | Chiang Khan | $15-30(med $23) | $45 | $90 | |
| 16 | Khon Kaen | Isaan (Northeast Thailand) | $20-30(med $25) | $65 | $225+ |
| 17 | Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) | Isaan (Northeast Thailand) | $20-30(med $25) | $65 | $225+ |
| 18 | Udon Thani | Isaan (Northeast Thailand) | $20-30(med $25) | $65 | $195+ |
| 19 | Kanchanaburi | Central Thailand | $20-35(med $28) | $65 | $225+ |
| 20 | Rayong | Central Thailand | $20-35(med $28) | $70 | $225+ |
| 21 | Hua Hin | Central Thailand | $25-40(med $33) | $80 | $300+ |
| 22 | Koh Samui | Southern Thailand | $25-40(med $33) | $90 | $300+ |
| 23 | Trat | Central Thailand | $25-40(med $33) | $80 | $300+ |
| 24 | Ayutthaya | Central Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
| 25 | Bangkok | Central Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
| 26 | Chiang Mai | Northern Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
| 27 | Chiang Rai | Northern Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
| 28 | Hat Yai | Southern Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
| 29 | Krabi | Southern Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
| 30 | Pattaya | Central Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
| 31 | Phuket | Southern Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
| 32 | Sukhothai | Northern Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
| 33 | Surat Thani | Southern Thailand | $30-50(med $40) | $75 | $150+ |
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)
4 cities
- Budget
- $24/day
- Mid-range
- $61/day
- Luxury
- $191/day
Northern Thailand
6 cities
- Budget
- $30/day
- Mid-range
- $65/day
- Luxury
- $155/day
Central Thailand
10 cities
- Budget
- $30/day
- Mid-range
- $67/day
- Luxury
- $189/day
Southern Thailand
8 cities
- Budget
- $32/day
- Mid-range
- $68/day
- Luxury
- $169/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 β especially in the Isaan region and northern Thailand β still offer excellent value. Budget travellers can comfortably spend under $25/day in multiple cities.