Thailand costs: How much does a 3-week vacation cost?

Thailand costs — everyone who plans a vacation in the Land of Smiles stumbles across this at some point. Thailand stands for dream beaches, great food, and plenty of adventures — and all of this is often much cheaper than at home. But let’s be honest: How much does a vacation in Thailand really cost if you want to make it comfortable without moving straight to a luxury resort?

We’ll tell you exactly that here. We’ll take you along and show you what you should budget for flights, accommodation, food, transport, and activities. Everything is based on our own experiences — honest and without frills. Enjoy browsing!

1. Flights to Thailand
2. Accommodation and hotels
3. Food and drink
4. Shopping in the supermarket
5. Getting around
6. Activities and entrance fees
7. SIM card and internet
8. Other Costs
Sample calculation for 3 weeks in Thailand
Costs in Thailand – Our Conclusion

1. Flights to Thailand

Flight prices to Thailand vary considerably depending on when and how you book. For a direct economy flight from Germany to Bangkok, you can expect to pay an average of €600 to €900. With a stopover, it’s often a bit cheaper – you can sometimes find deals starting from €500.

During peak season, around Christmas, New Year, and the German winter months, it’s naturally more expensive. A direct flight can easily cost €1,000 or more. In the off-season (for example, in May, June, or September), you can find really good deals.

Our tip: We usually look for flights 3–6 months in advance and compare on various portals such as Skyscanner or Google Flights. Tuesday or Wednesday are often the best days to book – no joke! And if you’re flexible, it’s worth checking out flights from Amsterdam or Zurich, as you can sometimes find real bargains there.

Khao Hua Jook Pagoda

2. Accommodation and Hotels

In Thailand, you’ll find a ton of great accommodations for every budget – and especially as a regular vacationer, you don’t have to stay in a hostel or luxury resort. For a decent mid-range hotel, you’ll usually pay between €60 and €100 per night. Often, breakfast is even included. If you’re looking for something a bit more chic and modern, expect to pay €120-150.

It’s a bit more expensive on the islands directly on the beach, especially in high season – but you’ll wake up with a real sea view. If you prefer more space or are staying in one place longer, a vacation rental or Airbnb is also worthwhile. Especially in places like Chiang Mai or Phuket, there are great apartments starting at just €30-50 per night, often with a pool and kitchen.

Our tip: We usually book accommodations through Booking.com* because they often offer free cancellation and the reviews are super helpful. Be sure to pay attention to the location – it’s better to go somewhere more central, otherwise you’ll end up spending too much money on taxis and transfers later on. And take a close look at the reviews, especially regarding cleanliness and noise levels.

Our accommodation list from our last trip:

Phuket: Craft Resorts & Villa* | approx. €113 per night
Koh Yao Yai: Baan Taranya Resort* | approx. €160 per night
Ao Nang: Ao Nang Eco Villa* | approx. €145 per night
Koh Lanta: Treeya Lanta Resort* | approx. €118 per night
Koh Phangan 1: Varivana Resort* | approx. €143 per night
Koh Phangan 2: All At Sea Resort* | approx. €74 per night
Koh Samui: Botan Villa with Pool* | per night approx. 130 €
Bangkok: Somerset Sukhumvit Thonglor Bangkok* | per night approx. 113 €

3. Food and Drink

Street food, yes or no? Definitely yes! Street food is simply a part of Thailand and usually tastes fantastic. You can get a Pad Thai, fried rice, or mango sticky rice at the street stalls for as little as €2-3. Just make sure it’s busy – where there are lots of people eating, the food is usually fresh and good. And when the food is prepared in front of you, you can be sure it hasn’t been sitting around for hours.

If you want something a little more leisurely, local restaurants serve delicious food for around €3-7 per dish. You can often get freshly prepared curries, fried noodles, or grilled fish. Drinks like water or a soft drink usually cost around 50 cents to €1.

In more touristy restaurants—that is, places with a sea view or in hotels—you’ll naturally pay more. Main courses there range from €8 to €15, and cocktails often cost €6–€8. While it tastes good, you’ll often end up eating twice for the same price in local restaurants.

4. Shopping in the Supermarket

You might also be wondering how much the supermarket costs in Thailand? Many things are cheaper than here, but there are also surprises. Water and soft drinks usually cost only €0.30–€0.50 (half a liter). You can often get beer (0.5l) for €1–€1.50. Wine, on the other hand, is quite expensive in Thailand; you can easily pay €10–€20 for a bottle in the supermarket.

Snacks like chips or chocolate cost €1–€2, depending on what you buy. Local products are super cheap. You can often find fruit for very little money, especially at markets. Imported products—for example, cheese, muesli, or special spreads—are quite expensive.

Hence our conclusion: We prefer eating out to shopping at the supermarket. The price is simply not worth it — and the food in a restaurant or at a street food stand is fresh, delicious, and often even cheaper than cooking yourself.

Current prices of some food items:

5-liter water canister: €1–1.50
Soft drinks (0.33-liter can): €0.50–0.70
1-liter juice: €1.70–2.30
0.5-liter local beer (e.g., Chang): €1–1.50
Imported wine (0.7-liter): from €15
Toast: €1–1.50
Instant noodles: €0.30–0.40
Packet noodles: €2–2.50
Chips (large pack): €1–1.50
Chocolate (e.g. Snickers): €0.80–1
White bread (1 loaf): €1–1.50

Butter (250 g, imported): €3–4
Yogurt (small cup): €1.50–2
Milk (1 liter): €1.50–2
1 pack of eggs (10 pcs): €1.50–2
Small jar of Nutella: €3.50–4
Cheese (100 g, imported): €3–5
Rice (1 kg): €1–1.50
Mangos (1 piece): approx. €0.80–1
Bananas (1 bunch): approx. €1–1.50
Pineapple (freshly peeled): approx. €1–1.20
Papaya (1 piece): approx. €1–1.50

5. Getting Around

Taxis are cheap in Thailand, but make sure the meter is turned on! In Bangkok, you usually pay €5–10 for a 20-minute ride. Tuk tuks are often more expensive than taxis, so bargaining is encouraged—so always agree on the price beforehand! For short distances, you’ll pay around €2–5, depending depending on how well you negotiate.

We find the Grab app (Asian Uber) super relaxed and fair. You see the price directly and don’t have to negotiate. Our absolute recommendation, especially in tourist regions. You can also pay directly via the app (by credit card) and don’t need cash.

Renting a scooter is super convenient, especially on the islands or in smaller towns. Prices are usually around €5–8 per day, and longer rentals are cheaper. Make sure you have an international driver’s license (yes, they’ll want to see it during checks) and take photos of the scooter before you set off – otherwise, you’ll be charged for minor scratches. Also: Always wear a helmet, even when it’s hot.

If you’re traveling longer distances, you can easily book domestic flights – they start at €30–60 with airlines like Air Asia. Ferries to the islands cost between €8 and €20, depending on the route; sometimes there are combination tickets with a bus or minivan (e.g., from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi or from Phuket to Koh Samui).

Private transfers from the airport to the hotel often start at €20–30, but are super convenient if you don’t want the stress after a long flight. We are happy to book these transfers on your arrival and departure to Thailand.

6. Activities and Entrance Fees

There’s so much to do in Thailand – and most of it doesn’t cost the earth. Popular activities like snorkeling tours, island hopping, or day trips start at around €20 to €50 per person (private tours usually €100–€150). Transfers, lunch, and guides are often included. It’s best to always check the reviews and book with reputable providers – either locally or through platforms like GetYourGuide*.

Entry into national parks usually costs 3–8 €, sometimes a little more in tourist areas. There is often no entrance fee for temples (exceptions, for example, in Bangkok). Important: Always cover your shoulders and knees! A scarf or sarong in your backpack is super practical. Shoes must be removed before entering.

Massages are practically mandatory in Thailand! An hour of traditional Thai massage starts at €8–10, depending on the location and ambiance. Treatments are naturally more expensive in chic spas – a facial or body scrub starts at €30–50, but it’s totally worth it if you want to treat yourself.

7. SIM Card and Internet

Internet in Thailand is super cheap and fast. You can get a SIM card with 15–30 GB data for 30 days for around €10–15. It’s best to buy your SIM card directly at the airport – there They’ll help you insert and activate it. We’ve had very good experiences with DTAC. In larger towns, you’ll also find shops everywhere if you want to buy more data later.

We used the e-SIM from Airalo* (30 days of unlimited internet) our entire time in Thailand and always had a very good and stable connection. We were connected to the internet immediately after landing. With our code “NICOLE2629”, you’ll receive €3 credit for free (and we’ll receive it too, as a thank you).

8. Other Costs

Having your laundry done? It’s super easy and inexpensive. Laundry services are available almost everywhere; they cost around 40–50 baht per kilo (about €1–15). You’ll usually get your clothes back freshly washed and folded the same day or the next morning.

In Thailand, tips are not required, but are appreciated. seen. In restaurants, simply leave the change or round up a bit. We always gave between 20 and 40 baht (depending on the total). For massages or tour guides, it’s okay to give a little more. Generally, 10% of the total is a good guideline.

At markets or in small shops, you’ll find clothing, handicrafts, spices, and much more. Haggling is part of it! T-shirts usually cost €3–5, while small souvenirs or decorative items cost around €1–3. But be careful: Always remain friendly when negotiating – it should be fun, not an argument.

Sample calculation for 3 weeks in Thailand

Of course, it always depends on how you travel and where you stay. But here’s a rough guide for a relaxed, comfortable vacation without luxury. Roughly speaking, you’ll end up with approximately €2,500–3,200 per person for a three-week vacation. This is, of course, only a guideline — depending on how much you shop or whether you’re on a low budget or looking for something more luxurious, it can be cheaper or more expensive.

Costs in Thailand – our conclusion

Thailand is and remains a great travel destination – also for those who want to travel comfortably without spending a fortune. The bottom line is that you can plan on around €2,500 per person for a relaxed 3-week vacation in mid-range hotels, with good food, excursions, and a bit of wellness.

Our money-saving tips without sacrificing comfort:

Travel in the off-season – it’s cheaper and significantly more relaxed.
Book accommodations with free breakfast to save time and money.
Take advantage of street food and local restaurants instead of expensive hotel restaurants!
Rent a scooter instead of taking a taxi every day (if you feel comfortable doing so).
Compare tours and transfers beforehand, preferably via 12go.com* or GetYourGuide*.

Thailand costs: How much does a 3-week vacation really cost?