This Is How Far You Can Get With $100 USD In Thailand (2024)

Aside from its Insta-worthy beaches that everyone has added to their bucket lists, Thailand is a beautiful country that should be appreciated for its culture as well as its scenery. Everything about Thailand is exotic to travelers, from the sights and sounds to its regional cuisine and the best part? It usually comes at a pretty affordable rate for those planning a budget. With many wondering how far 100 USD can get them in Thailand (USD to Baht), it's no surprise this comes up a lot for potential vacationers. Just how far can someone spread their money abroad?

The toughest part about sticking to a budget will be deciding where to spend that money since there's so much to experience in such a country. The good news is that $100 USD is quite a solid amount to start with per day in Thailand, and this is what it will get travelers while they're there.

Related: Visiting Thailand For The First Time? Here Are The Biggest Dos And Don'ts

Trying Thailand's Food For $100 USD/Day

Right off the bat, according to Money, the best place to go for an affordable Thailand visit is phu*ket. This is where USD will travel the furthest, and it's one of the cheapest cities in the country for travelers in nearly every aspect. To start, we first need to know the conversation rate.

• Conversion Rate: $100 USD equals 3,554 Thai baht

While this might not mean much now, this should put into perspective how far that will travel: $17 USD equates to roughly 600 baht, which is the same price as an expensive silk scarf or covering. So, not only is it enough to purchase high-quality goods, but it'll also be more than enough to spend on food per day. According to Budget Your Trip, the average cost of meals per day in Thailand is 481 baht. Since $100 USD equal 3,554 baht, this means that a traveler can probably get about seven full days of meals in Thailand if they stick to a budget.

Personwith straw hat on face with full moon party pin on shirt in Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand

This could include trying street foods, opting for local restaurants rather than high-end dining establishments, and scoping out the grocery store for ready-made meals or cooking dinner at the hotel or rental. With the average meal being priced at about 198 baht per person per day, this is more than doable for a week-long vacation.

• Pro-tip: Thailand is home to some incredible street foods that should not be missed; not only are they delicious, but they'll fit perfectly within a budget.

Related: Wondering Why Thai Food Is So Popular? This Is Why It's Worth Visiting Thailand For

Accommodations On A Budget In Thailand

When it comes to finding affordable lodging accommodations in Thailand, this will come down to where travelers choose to stay. As stated before, phu*ket is very affordable to most travelers, with plenty of options depending on one's budget. The pricier, higher-end accommodations can be found closer to the city of Bangkok, so those should probably be left out when determining a Thailand budget.

Chiang Mai is a great alternative for those who wish to explore Bangkok but don't have it in their budget to stay within the city limits. The best way to do this is to arrange an overnight train trip into the city while making Chiang Mai a traveler's home base for the duration of the vacation.

Bang Na Expressway at night in Bang Na, Bangkok, Thailand

See Also

Thailand - Traveler view | Travelers' Health

Occasionally, it's even cheaper to stay in Chiang Mai as opposed to phu*ket, depending on the time of the year. In order to avoid the peak season costs, travelers could opt to stay during the off-season which will afford them a bit more in the way of what can be spent on accommodations. The cheapest option (as with any country) is a hostel; on average, one night in a hostel for one person is roughly 1,000 baht.

In USD, that's well under $100, and a traveler could afford to spend a full $100 on three nights with some extra baht left over. Combined with food costs - which are usually well under 1,000 baht or $30 USD - and travelers can afford to fill an itinerary with a budget of $100/day.

Tips For Saving Even More Money

Some of the biggest costs for any traveler are food and transportation. In order to cut down on these, travelers might want to consider opting for street foods. Thailand is home to some of the best food in the world, and many dishes are simple and quite affordable.

Those who opt to stay in a hostel or go with a rental such as Airbnb or another rental service are also in luck. More often than not, the neighborhood one is staying in has its own local food hub. This means that a good, affordable meal might be right around the corner without a person even realizing it - don't be afraid to ask hosts or the front desk for suggestions! Additionally, relying on transportation methods such as walking, bicycles, or scooters can be a huge help when it comes to cutting down the costs of a taxi or public transportation.

Thailand Has A Low Cost Of Living

Overall the cost of living is very low in Thailand (after all, the average monthly salary in Thailand is $550). Services in Thailand are also very affordable. It is always important to know how much money one will need while in Thailand.

According to Numbeo.com, some of the costs of living in Thailand are:

• Inexpensive Meal At Restaurant: $2.00 (Range $1 to $6)
• Cappuccino: $2.00
• Domestic Beer: $1.70 (0.5 liters)
• Public Transport: $0.90

Of course, prices are often higher for tourists. This is not because Thais scam international tourists but because many international tourists may not be willing to dine in inexpensive restaurants where the meals cost $2.00. Instead, most tourists choose to dine at more modern and flashy establishments and pay $10-15 for a meal - but that's their decision.

Kayaking in Ang Thong National Marine Park, Thailand

So a budget-originated backpacker can easily live in Thailand for $20 a day (stay in cheap hostel accommodation and eat local food). That means backpackers can live in Thailand for $100 for around five days. Some may be even able to make a $100 stretch for a week, but there will be little or no money left for a beer or some other treat (and activities are restricted to walking around taking pictures). Very basic hostels can be booked in Thailand for only $5 per night.

Traveling To Thailand During The 'Off Season' Will Save You Money

• Flights, hotels, and attractions are typically cheaper during the off-season months of April, May, September, and October.
• Late spring and early fall are the cheapest times to see Thailand.

One of the little-known facts about visiting Thailand is that the late spring and early fall is the cheapest time to come here. Beginning in the late spring (April), Thailand begins to see fewer travelers due to the hotter, more humid climate. Therefore, from April to May, there will be cheaper pricing, as well as throughout September and October. On top of that, Skyscanner reports that flights to Thailand are cheapest during July, August, September, AND October: so that could be a prime time to go.

A body of water surrounded by lush vegetation in phu*ket

Because of the inclement weather throughout the country during this time, tourists can expect lower overall pricing for their stay. Especially with $100, that can make a world of difference. For instance, saving a few hundred dollars on flights means more money on the mainland. What once might have been $100 a day could become much more because of these flight savings, which nobody will argue with. Planning a vacation at off-season times in Thailand and around the globe is always a good idea.