Thailand was one of our first major stops.
Before arriving, we kept hearing the same thing:
“Thailand is cheap.”
While that’s partly true, we quickly learned that your actual spending depends heavily on your travel style.
We weren’t luxury travellers.
We weren’t backpacking on the absolute lowest budget either.
We stayed in simple accommodation, travelled by train and ferry, explored attractions, and ate plenty of local food.
This is exactly how much we spent travelling in Thailand.
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Quick Summary
Total Spent: SGD 3,410.02
Destinations Visited:
- Hat Yai
- Surat Thani
- Koh Samui
- Chiang Mai
- Bangkok
Travel Style:
Budget to mid-range long-term travel
Thailand Expenses Breakdown
| Category | Cost (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Food & Drinks | S$ 958.48 |
| Tour & Attractions | S$ 691.95 |
| Transport | S$ 655.77 |
| Accommodation | S$ 530.62 |
| Shopping | S$ 240.52 |
| Others | S$ 131.87 |
| Visa / Permit | S$ 89.88 |
| Entertainment | S$ 59.20 |
| eSIM | S$ 36.53 |
| Laundry | S$ 15.20 |
| Total | S$ 3,410.02 |
Accommodation
Total: SGD 530.62
This was one of the biggest surprises.
Accommodation in Thailand was cheaper than we expected.
We stayed in a mix of:
- Guesthouses
- Budget hotels
- Airbnb properties
Most places were clean, comfortable, and offered excellent value for money.
Compared to Europe, accommodation costs felt incredibly reasonable.
Would We Spend More Next Time?
Probably not.
We were happy with the balance between comfort and budget.
Food & Drinks
Total: SGD 958.48
Food ended up being our largest expense category.
Not because food is expensive.
Because we love eating.
Thailand is one of those countries where every street seems to have something worth trying.
Some of our favourites included:
- Boat noodles
- Thai milk tea
- Pad Kra Pao
- Mango sticky rice
- Local night markets
Even after travelling through many countries, Thailand remains one of our favourite food destinations.
Was It Worth It?
Absolutely.
We never regretted spending money on food.
Transport
Total: SGD 655.77
Our transport expenses included:
- Trains
- Ferries
- Grab rides
- Local transport
- Intercity travel
One of the more memorable journeys was travelling through southern Thailand and using ferries to reach the islands.
Transport costs remained reasonable, especially compared with Europe.
Tours & Attractions
Total: SGD 691.95
This category was higher than expected.
Many travellers focus only on food and accommodation costs when budgeting for Thailand.
But attractions can add up quickly.
Some highlights included:
- Temples
- Museums
- Cultural attractions
- Sightseeing activities
Thailand offers plenty of free experiences too, but we felt the paid attractions were generally worth it.
Shopping
Total: SGD 240.52
This included:
- Souvenirs
- Small travel items
- Everyday necessities
When you’re travelling long-term, shopping isn’t just about souvenirs.
Sometimes it’s replacing items that wear out on the road.
Which City Cost Us The Most?
Bangkok
Approximate Spending: SGD 1,528
Not surprisingly, Bangkok became our biggest expense location.
There was simply more to do:
- Food
- Attractions
- Shopping
- Transport
Despite being the most expensive stop, we still felt Bangkok offered excellent value.
Surat Thani & Koh Samui Area
Approximate Spending: SGD 1,025
Island travel usually costs more.
Ferries, accommodation, and tourist-focused services naturally push spending higher.
Chiang Mai
Approximate Spending: SGD 893
Chiang Mai felt noticeably more relaxed than Bangkok.
It also felt easier to travel on a lower budget.
The food scene alone made it worth visiting.
Was Thailand Expensive?
Honestly, no.
Thailand was one of the most affordable countries we visited during our world trip.
The biggest lesson?
Your budget depends more on your choices than the country itself.
You can travel Thailand very cheaply.
But if you enjoy food, attractions, and occasional comforts, your spending will naturally increase.
What We Would Do Differently
If we visited again, we would:
- Spend more time in Chiang Mai
- Slow down our travel pace
- Use fewer short-distance transport options
- Budget even more for food
Because the food was worth every dollar.
Final Thoughts
Thailand remains one of our favourite countries for long-term travellers.
The combination of:
- Great food
- Friendly people
- Affordable accommodation
- Good transport
- Beautiful scenery
makes it easy to understand why so many travellers return again and again.
For us, spending SGD 3,410 as a couple felt like excellent value for the experiences we had.
And if there’s one thing we’d happily spend more money on next time?
Thai food.