Thailand travel guide

Thailand: what it costs, where to go and how to get around

From my own trips: I lived in Chiang Mai, trained Muay Thai there, rode the northern loops by scooter and kept every expense of our 53 days in 2023.

Costs

Where to go

Northern loop

All guides

In short: in August to October 2023 Thailand cost the two of us €49 per person per day on the road (53 days, mid-range backpacking: double rooms, eating out, scooters and a few tours), not counting the flight to Asia. Below: our real costs per place, where to go, the scooter loop we rode through the north, how to get around and when to go.

Costs from our own expense sheet (two travellers, converted to EUR at the time). Prices change: check before you go. Last checked: October 2026.

Thailand at a glance

Our daily budget	€49 per person per day (Aug-Oct 2023, two people)
A double room cost us	€10–40 a night for the room (see the table below)
Currency	Thai baht (THB)
Visa	Rules change often: check the official Thai e-Visa site before you book. Staying longer to train? See the Muay Thai education visa.
Mobile data	eSIM or local SIM
Flight delayed?	What you are entitled to in Thailand

How much does Thailand cost per day?

Our average was €49 per person per day over 53 days. This is what it went to (per person per day):

Category	Per day p.p.
Accommodation (our share of a double room)	€10
Food and drinks	€18
Activities, tours, massages	€12
Transport (buses, trains, scooter fuel, Grab)	€2.57
Supplies (toiletries, SIM, laundry)	€3.94
Domestic flights	€0.74
Other	€1.93

Our costs per place

Place	Nights	Per day p.p.	Room
Chiang Mai	25	€48	€18–33
Bangkok	8	€60	€23–27
Krabi	4	€57	€23
Chiang Dao	2	€43	€30
Pai	2	€51	€24

What things cost us (for two, 2023)

Scooter rental in Chiang Mai: 750 THB for 3 days; for the northern loop we paid 6,400 THB for two scooters for 10 days.
Domestic flight Bangkok – Chiang Mai: 2,970 THB for two.
Train Surat Thani – Bangkok: 1,648 THB for two.
Bus Chiang Mai – Chiang Khong: 800 THB for two.
Grand Palace tickets in Bangkok: 1,000 THB for two.
Khao Sok lake, 2 days and 1 night: 5,400 THB for two.
Thai massage in Krabi: 600 THB for two (August 2023).
Cooking class in Chiang Mai: 2,000 THB for two.

The full trip, with nine more countries: what 8 months of backpacking in Asia cost us.

Where to go in Thailand

The places I know best, each with my own guides.

Chiang Mai

Where I lived: sunsets, temples, massages, Muay Thai and day trips.

Cycling around Chiang Mai

Samoeng, Doi Suthep and guided cycling tours.

Bangkok

Bike tours, markets, rooftop bars and getting in from the airport.

Krabi and the islands

Ao Nang sunsets, island tours and rock climbing.

Our Northern Thailand scooter loop (September 2023)

In September 2023 we rented two scooters in Chiang Mai and rode a big loop through the north in about two weeks, sleeping in a different village most nights. These were our stops, in order:

Stop	Nights
Chiang Rai	1
Chiang Khong	1
Mae Fa Luang	1
Fang	1
Chiang Dao	2
Pai	2
Sop Pong	1
Ban Rak Thai	1
Khun Yuam	1
Mae Chaem	1
Ban Khun Puai Tai (Doi Inthanon)	1

Before that we did the shorter Samoeng loop from Chiang Mai, with one night in a homestay in Samoeng. The two scooters cost 6,400 THB for 10 days, plus 600 THB for five extra days. More about the north: sunrise spots around Chiang Mai, downhill mountain biking on Doi Suthep and cycling tours in Chiang Mai.

Route and stops from my Polarsteps track; a downloadable GPX and map of the loop are in the works.

Getting around Thailand

In Chiang Mai: how the red trucks (songthaews) work, or a scooter.
From Bangkok airport: the free shuttle bus between the terminals; by bike or motorbike: Bangkok by motorcycle.
Bangkok to the south: Bangkok to Krabi, and the bus from Krabi airport to Krabi town or Ao Nang.
Long distances: we combined a domestic flight (Bangkok – Chiang Mai), the train (Surat Thani – Bangkok) and buses.
By car: renting a car in Thailand.
On to Cambodia: Bangkok to Cambodia via the Poipet border.

When to go to Thailand

The Thai Meteorological Department divides the year into three seasons: rainy season from mid-May to mid-October, cool season from mid-October to mid-February, and hot season from mid-February to mid-May. The south-east coast (Koh Samui and around) has its own rhythm, with most rain from October to December.

We travelled from August to October 2023, in the rainy season, and still rode a two-week scooter loop through the north. Source for the seasons: Thai Meteorological Department.

Staying safe and practical tips

Scams in Thailand and how to avoid them
Animal-friendly elephant sanctuaries: no riding, no shows
Flight delayed or cancelled in Thailand?
Mobile data: eSIM or local SIM
Airbnb in Thailand

Thailand in my photos

All my Thailand guides

Every Thailand article on GoBackpackGo, by region.

FAQ

How much money do you need per day in Thailand?

We spent €49 per person per day in 2023, travelling as a couple with double rooms, eating out, scooters and a few tours. The cost per place is in the table above.

How many days do you need in Chiang Mai?

See how many days in Chiang Mai: it depends on whether you add the northern loops.

Can you travel Thailand in the rainy season?

We did: from August to October 2023, including a two-week scooter loop through the north and island trips from Krabi.