How Much Is Backpacking in Thailand?

By Robert Palmer

Backpacking in Thailand is becoming increasingly popular among travelers from all over the world. With its incredible beaches, stunning temples, and vibrant nightlife, it’s not hard to see why. But how much does it actually cost to backpack in Thailand?

The answer depends on your budget, but generally speaking you can get by on a minimum of US$25-30 per day, excluding flights. This will cover accommodation in a cheap guesthouse, basic food and transportation costs. If you’re looking for a more comfortable experience and don’t mind spending a bit more money, then you could easily spend up to $50 per day or even more.

Accommodation is usually the biggest expense when backpacking in Thailand – depending on where you stay, prices can range from as low as $5 for a dorm room in some of the cheaper guesthouses, up to $30 for a mid-range hotel room with air conditioning and hot water. However, if you are looking for something luxury then prices can be higher than this.

Food is also fairly inexpensive in Thailand – street food stalls offer dishes from around $1-$2 each (sometimes even less!), while sit-down restaurants tend to be slightly more expensive at around $3-$6 per dish depending on where you go. Alcoholic drinks are also reasonably priced – expect to pay around $2-$4 per bottle of beer in most bars and clubs.

Transportation costs are also quite affordable – local buses and trains won’t cost more than a few dollars each way between cities, while tuk-tuks or taxis can be hired for short distances at around $1-$2 per journey. For longer distances there are also various budget airlines that offer flights across the country at very reasonable prices.

Conclusion:

Backpacking in Thailand can be done on virtually any budget depending on where you stay and what kind of experience you’re after. Accommodation costs vary from as low as $5 for dorm rooms up to luxurious hotels costing far more than that; food is usually quite inexpensive ranging from street food stalls costing just a few dollars up to sit-down restaurants; and transport such as buses, trains and taxis are all reasonably priced too. With some careful planning it’s possible to backpack around Thailand for as little as US$25-30 per day (excluding flights).