What currency do you pay with in Thailand? How much do goods cost in a regular supermarket and how much in a restaurant? And how much does a week in the city cost? Find out in this chapter.
How much do hotels cost? Find out hotel prices now
Thai baht
The official currency in Thailand is the Thai baht, with 1 baht divided into 100 satang.
Colourful notes of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 baht are in common circulation. Coins in circulation are worth 1, 2, 5 or 10 baht and 25 and 50 satang respectively.
Expect to find it easiest to get away with 200 baht notes when paying at street stalls, as well as restaurants and smaller shops. Higher than that are either not accepted or run the risk of being scammed with inaccurate change.
- International currency code - THB (numeric code 764)
- Currency symbol - ฿
Unfortunately, ATMs always dispense high denomination notes. We recommend exchanging these when buying a train ticket from the airport, on the metro or in a hotel, for example.
Can I pay with foreign currency in Thailand?
No. The only official currency is the Thai baht. Exceptionally, some hotels or tourist agencies organizing organized tours may accept US dollars.
Where to exchange money and card payments in Thailand
You can 't do without cash in Thailand. Card payments are not nearly as widespread as in Europe, for example. You can pay by card in supermarkets, the ubiquitous 7-Elevens, most hotels and better restaurants.
On the other hand, cards are only minimally accepted at sightseeing entrances, almost not at all in street bistros or Thai massage parlours, and in marketplaces. You can't pay with a card when buying train or bus tickets or in taxis.
ATMs in Thailand - they are all over the country in huge numbers. You can find them at airports, subway stations, train stations, at monuments and freely on the street. Finding an ATM will not be a problem even in smaller towns.
However, you have to take into account the ATM withdrawal fee, which is usually 220 thb. We have not been able to find an ATM that does not charge a fee.
Withdrawing from Thai ATMs works exactly the same as in any other developed country.
Money changers are available at all airports, border crossings, banks and freely on the street in major cities. However, we recommend exchanging money directly at the airport, where there are usually good exchange rates. Look for the exchange office with the smallest difference between selling and buying the currency.
For exchanges, we recommend US dollars or euros.
How much does what cost - prices in Thailand
Prices in Thailand are significantly lower than in Europe or North America, but the differences are not as dramatic as they were at the turn of the millennium.
The most expensive destinations in Thailand are the seaside resorts, islands and Bangkok.
Shops tend to be open from 9/10am to 9/22pm, except for 24-hour nights (e.g. 7-Eleven).
Examples of prices
How much does basic food, tourist attractions or transport cost in Thailand? Check out the indicative price table.
Accommodation in a double room (prices per night)
- Cheap hostel with shared bathroom - from 15 usd
- Local 3* hotel - from 30 usd
- International 4* hotel - from 70 usd
- Search for accommodation in Thailand
Food in restaurants
- Hot main meal in a regular restaurant for tourists - 70 thb in rural areas / 130 thb in Bangkok / 200 thb in resorts
- Hot main meal in a local restaurant or canteen - from 50 thb in rural / 100 thb in Bangkok and resorts
- Menu in a fast-food restaurant - 250 thb
- Hot meal at a local stand or restaurant - 60 thb (small one-dish meals from 25 thb)
- Espresso or Capuccino in a cafe - 60 thb
- Water 0,33 l - 12 thb
- Fanta/Coca Cola/Sprite 0,5 l - 25 thb
- Draft beer - 120 thb
Food in the supermarket
- Water 1.5l - 16 thb
- Packed sandwich - 50 thb
- Hot food in a box (they heat it up for you in the microwave at checkout, including free cutlery) - 50 thb to 70 thb
- Coca Cola (and other sodas) 2l - 40 thb
- Milk 1l - 55 thb
- Rice 1 kg - 40 thb
- Chicken 1 kg - 85 thb
- Beef 1 kg - 370 thb
- Canned tuna - 50 thb
Shipping
- Bus ticket in the city - from 8 thb to 30 thb depending on distance
- Long distance bus ticket - from 700 thb from Bangkok to Phuket
- Train ticket - from 350 thb from Bangkok to resorts in the south
- Price of petrol 1 litre - between 37 thb and 43 thb
- Car rental for the day - from 1 300 thb
- Rent a scooter for the day - from 150 thb
- Taxi - shorter trips around Bangkok 80 thb
- Tuk-tuk - almost always more expensive than a taxi, price to be agreed
- Compare car rental prices in Thailand
Alcohol and cigarettes
- Bottle of wine in a shop - 600 thb
- A can of local beer - 50 thb
- Cocktails in a bar - from 120 thb
- A pack of cigarettes - 140 thb
Tipping and haggling
Locals rarely tip, but taxi drivers or waiters are used to it from tourists. Therefore, you won't offend either if you don't tip or if you do. If you are going to tip, do so just like in Europe. At the restaurant, either say the amount you want to pay straight away or have it returned and then leave the tip with the receipt.
You should also give a few baht to the hired guides or leave it at the temple after your visit.
Bargain with a smile in the markets and smaller shops. It all depends on your skills and the mood of the seller. Quantity discounts have been successful (buy two products for free; buy one product for half price, etc.).
How to save
You can save the most by eating at street stalls, here typically Thai restaurants, the kind frequented by locals and not tourists (or rarely). The markets also offer a wide range of tasty options for cheap money.
Buses are the cheapest form of transport, trains on intercity routes and if you're travelling light without checked luggage, then planes.
However, taxis are not expensive in Thailand either, so feel free to use them as well. On the other hand, try to avoid overpriced and often fraudulent tuktuk.
You will also save significantly on accommodation if you choose local hotels instead of well-known hotel chains. These can be comparable in quality but several times cheaper in price.