Cheapest places in Thailand
Seven places where your money goes furthest, from the north to the quieter islands.
If you want your money to last, go north and inland. Places away from the beaches and the big-name islands are where Thailand is still remarkably cheap.
1. Pai
The cheapest dorm beds in the country, averaging about $5 a night according to Hostelz. Cheap street food at the walking street and free sunsets at Pai Canyon. Pai on a budget
2. Chiang Mai
Dorms from ฿200, khao soi for about $1.50–2.50 and a flat ฿30 songthaew fare. The everyday backpacker spend is about ฿610. Great for long stays too: studios in Santitham start at about ฿6,500 a month. Chiang Mai on a budget
3. Ayutthaya
The old royal capital is an easy, cheap train ride from Bangkok. Most visitors come for the day, so guesthouses stay affordable, and a rented bicycle is all you need to see the ruins.
4. Kanchanaburi
River rafts, the Death Railway and Erawan's waterfalls, reached by local train and bus from Bangkok. Fewer foreign tourists than the islands, and prices to match.
5. Bangkok (yes, really)
Bangkok is cheap if you do it right: dorms from ฿250, the BTS from ฿16, street food from ฿40. The everyday spend is about ฿740. Bangkok on a budget
6. Koh Lanta
The most affordable Andaman island for a quiet beach stay, with long beaches and bungalows. Ferries from Krabi cost ฿400–500.
7. Koh Tao
Not cheap for beds compared with the north, but the cheapest place in Thailand to learn to dive (Open Water ฿12,000–14,000), with many schools offering discounted accommodation during courses.
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The least budget-friendly
Koh Phi Phi (hostels ฿400–700, beers ฿80–150), Koh Samui, and Patong on Phuket. You can still visit them on a budget, just for fewer nights.
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Questions people ask
What is the cheapest place to visit in Thailand?
Pai and Chiang Mai in the north are the cheapest, with dorm beds averaging about $5 in Pai and ฿200–350 in Chiang Mai.
What is the cheapest Thai island?
Koh Lanta and Koh Tao are usually the best value. Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui are the most expensive.
Is Bangkok cheap?
Yes, if you use the BTS, eat street food and stay in hostels. A backpacker spends about ฿740 a day before temples and tours.
Where is cheapest to live in Thailand?
Chiang Mai is the classic budget base, with studio rents from about ฿6,500 a month in Santitham.