Thailand
Bangkok on a budget: how much to plan?
Plan €1256 for 7 nights in Bangkok, return flight from London included, or €637 travelling cheap. On the ground that works out at €123 per person per day in comfort, €43 travelling cheap.
A buzzing capital of street food and temples. See what to budget before you fly.
- From
- €43/day
- vs. London
- 52%
- Best month
- Sep
Your trip to Bangkok
Set the length, the number of travellers and the comfort level: the figures recompute here.
€1,256
per person, flight included
- on the ground
- €861
- flight from London
- €395
- per person per day, on the ground
- €123
In short, where the money goes
- The heaviest line
- Food44 % of the trip
- The strongest lever
- Food€210 less travelling cheap
- Seven nights on the ground
- €861excluding flights
Food
€378
Accommodation
€280
Activities
€84
Extras
€63
Transport
€56
Over seven nights, food accounts for 44 % of what you spend. The line where travelling cheap changes the bill most is food, a €210 gap. The others are worth discussing, that one decides.
Basis: 530 hotel addresses surveyed for a 15 October 2026 arrival, 10 of twelve months of airfares, surveyed on 23 September 2026. The total excludes flights, insurance, personal shopping and any lodging split between several people.
InstantTripCost estimate
Full 7-night budget breakdown
Per-person estimate including flights from London, split across the six expense categories.
per person · Comfort
| Category | Budget | Comfort | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | €336 | €395 | €593 |
| Hotel | €84 | €280 | €1050 |
| Food | €168 | €378 | €1050 |
| Transport | €21 | €56 | €140 |
| Activities | €14 | €84 | €336 |
| Misc | €14 | €63 | €308 |
| 7-night total | €637 | €1256 | €3477 |
Flight from London (annual median).
Unit prices
comfort
Enough to check the total yourself, line by line, at the comfort level you picked.
- €8
- Breakfast
- €15
- Lunch
- €31
- Dinner
- €3
- City ride
- €12
- Site admission
- €123
- A full day
Orders of magnitude derived from our measured ranges, not surveyed venue by venue. Prices vary by neighbourhood and season.
Real budget
What a trip to Bangkok actually costs
Let's break it down. Lodging: a hostel dorm or entry-level hotel runs around €12 per night, a well-rated 3-star around €40, and 4 to 5-star around €150. Food: around €8 a day eating local, €18 mixing canteens and restaurants, €50 if you sit down for dinner every evening.
Local transport: roughly €3 a day on public transit, €8 adding a few taxi rides. Activities: about €15 a day at a normal sightseeing pace, €40 if you stack paid entries and day trips.
On a 5-to-7-day trip, lodging accounts for roughly 35-45 % of total budget, food 15-20 %, flights 20-30 % depending on the booking window, with the remainder split between local transport, activities, and miscellaneous (visa, insurance, tipping, SIM card). A Bangkok trip that goes over budget is almost always because the hotel is oversized for the rest, rarely because of activities.
Practical info
Language, currency, and logistics in Bangkok
Language: Thai, English is understood in most hotels and restaurants in tourist areas. Currency: Baht (฿) - plan €50-100 in cash for the first days and use a fee-free card for the rest.
The three tiers
What a budget traveller, a comfort traveller and a premium traveller typically spend.
Budget
€43
per day, approx
- Hotel / night
- €12
- Food / day
- €24
- Transit / day
- €3
- Sights / day
- €2
- Extras / day
- €2
Comfort
€123
per day, approx
- Hotel / night
- €40
- Food / day
- €54
- Transit / day
- €8
- Sights / day
- €12
- Extras / day
- €9
Luxury
€412
per day, approx
- Hotel / night
- €150
- Food / day
- €150
- Transit / day
- €20
- Sights / day
- €48
- Extras / day
- €44
When to go, and what the month changes
Average temperatures and conditions by month in Bangkok.
Mildest monthSeptember
Cheapest flightAugust€278
The hotels we measured in Bangkok
The area changes the price of a night by more than half at equal comfort. See the median price by area in Bangkok
The hotels we measured
Accommodation picks by price range.
Fellows House
Hostel, rated excellent (9.5/10) from 200 reviews.
The Companion
Hostel, rated excellent (9.4/10) from 263 reviews.
Station8 Hostel
Hostel, rated excellent (9.4/10) from 228 reviews.
Hansa Bangkok House
guesthouse, rated excellent (9.5/10) from 1,969 reviews.
Pipp Residence
Hotel, rated excellent (9.3/10) from 1,024 reviews.
Phranakorn-Nornlen
guesthouse, rated excellent (9.3/10) from 2,091 reviews.
Aster 9 House
guesthouse, rated excellent (9.9/10) from 267 reviews.
Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai
5-star, rated excellent (9.5/10) from 9,048 reviews.
Rent V38 #420 friendly Thailand
Hotel, rated excellent (9.4/10) from 761 reviews.
All observed hotels in Bangkok
36 of 531 surveyed properties shown, the cheapest in each tier. Nightly rate for a 2-night stay arriving 15 October 2026.
| Hotel | Category | Rating | From / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capsule Hostel and Thai Traditional Bath Bangkok | Budget | ★ 7.4 | €2 |
| PLOY Hostel | Budget | ★ 4.9 | €3 |
| Sukhum Ban Songthai | Budget | ★ 7.4 | €3 |
| Sukhum Charoen Krung Tak-Sin bridge guest house | Budget | ★ 5.5 | €3 |
| Panda Lodge Home Stay | Budget | ★ 6.5 | €4 |
| Sukhum Khaosan Au Bon Hostel | Budget | ★ 6.5 | €4 |
| RoXx Social Hostel | Budget | ★ 7.8 | €4 |
| Bangkok Group Bunk Hotel Khaosan | Budget | ★ 7.6 | €4 |
| JC home 刘 先 生 | Budget | ★ 7.2 | €4 |
| Sukhum Huai Khwang Guest House | Budget | ★ 7.2 | €4 |
| Siam Serene Hostel Khaosan | Budget | ★ 7 | €4 |
| New Masala Indian restaurant | Budget | ★ 4 | €4 |
| Jam Hostel Bangkok | Mid-range | ★ 9.1 | €9 |
| Hidden Lumpu | Mid-range | ★ 8.9 | €11 |
| Ralph Poshtel Sukhumvit | Mid-range | ★ 8.6 | €11 |
| La Locanda | Mid-range | ★ 7.8 | €12 |
| mstay | Mid-range | ★ 7.3 | €12 |
| Tian Tian Hostel | Mid-range | ★ 9 | €12 |
| Roof View Place | Mid-range | ★ 8.9 | €13 |
| RQ Timeless Dinsor Cultural Heritage House | Mid-range | ★ 7.9 | €13 |
| Ratchada 17 Place | Mid-range | ★ 6.9 | €13 |
| Lub d Bangkok Chinatown - Steps from Sam Yod MRT Station | Mid-range | ★ 9.1 | €14 |
| The Printing House Poshtel | Mid-range | ★ 8.9 | €14 |
| Bangkok 68 | Mid-range | ★ 6.8 | €14 |
| SENS Hotel Bangkok - Kubon | Luxury | ★ 8.6 | €15 |
| The Ex Capital Hotel Bangkok by Dancenter | Luxury | ★ 7 | €16 |
| The Narathiwas Hotel & Residence Sathorn Bangkok | Luxury | ★ 7.9 | €20 |
| Madison Bangkok Hotel | Luxury | ★ 7.8 | €24 |
| Narra Hotel | Luxury | ★ 8.4 | €28 |
| Ratchadamnoen Residence | Luxury | ★ 8.7 | €29 |
| Prince Palace Hotel Bangkok | Luxury | ★ 7.9 | €31 |
| Buddy Lodge, Khaosan Road | Luxury | ★ 8.1 | €33 |
| The Legacy Hotel Nana Sukhumvit, Aspira Collection | Luxury | ★ 7.9 | €33 |
| Elizabeth Hotel | Luxury | ★ 7.7 | €33 |
| FuramaXclusive Sathorn, Bangkok | Luxury | ★ 8.2 | €34 |
| Aspira Gems Center Silom | Luxury | ★ 8.7 | €34 |
What sightseeing costs in Bangkok
Recommended activities and tours.
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace (Thai: พระบรมมหาราชวัง, RTGS: Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang, pronounced [pʰrá bɔ̄ː.rōm má.hǎː râːt.tɕʰá wāŋ] lit. 'The Supreme Grand Palace') is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782.
Archaeological site
Bangkok National Museum
The Bangkok National Museum (Thai: พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ พระนคร, RTGS: Phiphitthaphanthasathan Haeng Chat Phra Nakhon) is the main branch museum of the National museums in Thailand and also one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia. It features exhibits of Thai art and history.
Museum
Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park (Thai: สวนลุมพินี, RTGS: Suan Lumphini, pronounced [sǔan lūm.pʰī.nīː]), also Lumpini or Lumpinee, is a 360 rai (57.6-hectare (142-acre)) park in Bangkok, Thailand. The park offers rare open public space, trees and playgrounds in the Thai capital and contains an artificial lake where visitors can rent boats.
Park
Democracy Monument
The Democracy Monument (Thai: อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย, romanized: Anusawari Prachathipatai) is a public monument in the city centre of Bangkok, capital of Thailand. It occupies a traffic circle on the wide east - west Ratchadamnoen Avenue, at the intersection of Dinso Road.
Monument
Vimanmek Mansion
The Vimanmek Mansion (Thai: พระที่นั่งวิมานเมฆ, RTGS: phra thi nang wimanmek) is a former royal villa in Bangkok, Thailand. It is in the Dusit Palace complex in Dusit District.
Museum
Sanam Luang
Sanam Luang (Thai: สนามหลวง, pronounced [sā.nǎːm lǔa̯ŋ]; lit. 'royal turf'), officially Thong Sanam Luang (Thai: ท้องสนามหลวง), is a 74.5 rai (119,200 m2) open field and public square in front of Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Sanam Luang is in the Phra Nakhon District, the historic center of Bangkok.
Square
Chitralada Royal Villa
Chitralada Royal Villa (Thai: พระตำหนักจิตรลดารโหฐาน; RTGS: Chit Lada Raho-than) is a royal villa located within Dusit Palace. This villa was permanent-residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the longest-serving monarch of Thailand and Queen Sirikit.
Garden
Victory Monument
Victory Monument (Thai: อนุสาวรีย์ชัยสมรภูมิ, RTGS: Anusawari Chai Samoraphum; lit. 'victorious battleground monument') is a military monument in Bangkok, Thailand. The monument was erected in June 1941 to commemorate the Thai victory in the Franco-Thai War.
Monument
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC; Thai: หอศิลปวัฒนธรรมแห่งกรุงเทพมหานคร) is a contemporary arts centre in Siam area, Bangkok, Thailand. Art, music, theatre, film, design and cultural/educational events take place in its exhibition and performance spaces.
Art museum
Sao Chingcha
The Giant Swing, also known as Sao Chingcha or Sao Ching Cha (Thai: เสาชิงช้า, RTGS: Sao Chingcha, pronounced [sǎw t͡ɕʰīŋ.t͡ɕʰáː] ), is a 21.15 m (69.4 ft)-tall, swing-shaped religious structure and a prominent landmark in the Sao Chingcha Subdistrict of Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. Located in front of Wat Suthat, it was formerly used in a traditional Brahmin ceremony and is now one of Bangkok's notable tourist attractions.
Architectural landmark
Places referenced on Wikidata. Admission prices vary by season - check each venue's official site.
Paying less in Bangkok
What moves the needle
What each decision takes off the €1276 total, strongest lever first.
- − €560
Travel cheap rather than mid-range
Hostel or entry-level hotel, local canteens, public transport. Accommodation is where the gap opens up.
- − €246
Stay five nights instead of seven
Two fewer nights also removes two days of meals, transport and sightseeing.
- − €140
Travel as a pair
The room is shared, nothing else is. Travellers themselves name this as the strongest lever.
Differences computed from our own measurements, for a 7-night mid-range stay, excluding flights.
FAQ
FAQ - Bangkok
- How much should I budget for a trip to Bangkok?
- For a 7-day trip to Bangkok, expect roughly €637 - €3477 per person depending on your travel style, flights included. The budget profile (hostels, local food, public transit) sits at the lower end ; mid-range comfort sits in the middle ; luxury (premium hotel, fine dining) approaches the top.
- When is the best time to visit Bangkok?
- The best value is in September, with pleasant temperatures and usually cheaper flights than during peak tourist season. This window combines moderate crowds and lower airfare.
- How do I get around in Bangkok?
- Local transport (metro, bus, taxi) costs an average of €3 - €20 per day depending on your style. Public transit stays the cheapest option ; a day or weekly pass usually pays off after just two rides per day.
- How can I do Bangkok on a budget?
- For a cheap trip to Bangkok, target around €43 - €123 per day per person excluding flights: a hostel or budget hotel, meals at local eateries, public transit, and 1-2 free activities per day. Across a week, plan to land below the lower bound of the global range.
- What's the budget for a weekend in Bangkok?
- For a 3-day / 2-night weekend in Bangkok, plan around €482 - €784 per person, flights included. Booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead and flying out Thursday evening / back Sunday evening cuts the total by 10-20 % on average.
- Is Bangkok an expensive or affordable destination?
- At 41 % of our reference index, Bangkok ranks among the most affordable destinations we track. In practice, a daily budget about 59 % below the average destination we track.
- How many days do you need in Bangkok?
- Plan 4 days for the essentials. A full week lets you add the surroundings without rushing, for roughly €369 more per person. Beyond ten days the cost grows linearly: each extra night adds about €123, lodging and daily spending included.
- Do you need a car in Bangkok?
- Our estimates assume public transport, which covers the centre and its near surroundings. Rental, fuel, parking and tolls are not included: if your route leaves the served area, add them as a separate line.
- How much cash should you bring to Bangkok?
- Bring €50 to €100 for the first days, until you see where cards work. When paying or withdrawing, decline the conversion into your home currency that terminals offer: it applies its own rate, consistently worse than your bank's.
At a glance
Wikidata, Wikipedia and Open-Meteo data
- Population
- 5.7M
- Area
- 1,569 km²
- Elevation
- 2 m
- Language
- Thai
- Currency
- ฿
- Time zone
- UTC+07:00
- Founded
- 1782
- Avg. July temp.
- 28°
- Avg. Jan. temp.
- 26°
- Rainy days / year
- 168
inhabitants
Baht
26° - 32°
22° - 31°
About
Bangkok in brief
Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estimated population of 9.1 million people as of 2024, 15.9% of the country's population. Over 17.4 million people live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region as of the 2021 estimate, making Bangkok a megacity and an extreme primate city, dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in both size and importance to the national economy.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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