11 Cheapest Places In Thailand To Visit
Are you planning a trip to Thailand and looking for the cheapest places in Thailand to visit?
Well, first, you should know that overall, Thailand remains one of the cheapest countries to visit, despite rising travel costs in Thailand and, well, everywhere else.
Popular destinations in Thailand, such as Phuket and Koh Samui, have raised the overall average travel cost for Thailand. However, both are still doable on a backpacker’s budget!
Something critical to remember when it comes to travel costs in Thailand is that even if you spend a little more than you’d like for a hotel per night, you can always save some money when eating out! Local food is very affordable anywhere you go in Thailand.
Before diving into the list, I want to emphasize that this article focuses on affordable places in Thailand that tourists will enjoy visiting—meaning there are plenty of activities and attractions to explore. If you’re expecting a list filled with tiny towns or destinations that offer little to do, this isn’t that kind of list.
Chiang Mai
The largest Northern city in Thailand is Chiang Mai, and it’s also the cheapest place in Thailand to visit.
Chiang Mai is a short one-hour flight from Bangkok, you can fly out of either of Bangkok’s airports straight to CNX.
Chiang Mai is famous for its mix of mountainous ranges and city life, offering the best of both worlds.
The ancient city is full of night markets to explore at night, several beautiful temples and national parks.
Over the last few years, Chiang Mai has become a hotspot for digital nomads and expats because of its low cost of living, stunning scenery, and still offering big city conveniences.
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $27 US
Pai
Pai is a charming village in the lush hills north of Chiang Mai. Those backpacking Northern Thailand will be familiar with Pai, the small village is around 3-4 hours from Chiang Mai.
The small village is surrounded by beautiful mountains that create a stunning backdrop amongst the town. Pai is also very famous for it’s many viewpoints including Pai Canyon, Yun Lai, and Phra That Mae Yen.
Overall Pai provides an ideal laid-back bohemian vibe, perfect for those looking to be around nature and relax.
The nightlife in Pai is lively, with its large night market surrounded by many bars and restaurants. Pai is also known for its sunrise and sunsets. Here, you’ll be able to experience some of the most beautiful sunsets in Thailand.
Are you looking to chill out to the fullest at a low cost amongst nature? Pai is the place for you to visit!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $33 US
Chiang Rai
Not far from the famous Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai is a small town that borders Burma and Laos. It’s most famous for its white temple, several historical sites, rice fields, mountains, and quiet lifestyle.
Located around 3-4 hours drive from Chiang Mai. The town of Chiang Rai attracts far less tourists than Chiang Mai.
Compared to Chiang Mai, you can enjoy a quieter atmosphere here. While some aspects of Chiang Rai are cheaper than Chiang Mai, food is costlier because the town is smaller than Chiang Mai.
In the last few years, the town has changed, and development is slowly giving this Nothern Thai town a slight more modern feel. A shopping mall, more housing including apartments/condos, and many restaurants have changed the town’s older feel.
While there may be fewer things to do in Chiang Rai versus Chiang Mai, it’s more suitable for those looking for a laidback town amongst mountains but would prefer to avoid the busy side of Chiang Mai.
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $37 US
Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is a small city with a population of only around 65,000 people. It’s located only 123 km away from Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, and is less than a two-hour drive from Bangkok.
The town is most famous for its natural sites, including Erawan National Park and Sinakharin Damn National Park. Both parks are known for their wide mountainous range, waterfalls, hiking trails, and other hidden nature gems—a haven for explorers and trekkers.
A small group of retirees and ex-pats reside in Kanchanaburi and have called it home for many years. After all, it’s location is quite convenient since the town offers a more traditional Thai experience, and it is only a two-hour drive from Bangkok.
From March through June, when Thailand is experiencing its highest humidity, Kanchanaburi is known for having a lower average humidity level, a bonus!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $42 US
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya, once the capital of Thailand, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, many tourist visit the town via day trip from Bangkok.
Known for its stunning ruins, rich history, and being surrounded by rivers, Ayutthaya features impressive temples such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, where the famous Buddha head is entwined in tree roots.
In addition to the town’s historical significance, Ayutthaya offers vibrant markets like the Ayothaya Floating Market, where visitors can enjoy delicious local street food and shop for souvenirs.
The laid-back atmosphere makes it perfect for leisurely exploration on foot or by bicycle. If you plan to stay there, know the town lacks any nightlife!
Ayutthaya’s charm lies in its surroundings and cultural experiences, and if you’re fascinated by history, you can’t miss it!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $45 US
Krabi Town
Krabi Town is perfect for those looking for a small town with close access to some of the most beautiful nature in the world.
Many must-visit islands and destinations are accessible from Krabi Town, such as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Railay. By speedboat, you can reach any of these in a few hours or less, costing around $20 US per person.
If you’re looking to visit a charming Thai village, Krabi Town ranks number one of the cheapest places in Thailand.
The town is famous for its Krabi Night Market and the river flowing by. Krabi Town is popular amongst backpackers because of its cheap hostels and laid-back atmosphere.
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $52 US
Hua Hin
Located along the coast and South of Bangkok is Hua Hin, a small seaside town known for its laidback seaside living, many seafood restaurants, temples, lively night markets, and low-cost living.
On one side is an extensive beach shoreline, and on the other side of the city are beautiful luscious green mountains.
From Bangkok to Hua Hin, it’s a two-hour and 50-minute drive with a total distance of 193 km. You can get here from Bangkok by train, taxi, Grab or Bus!
In recent years, condos and hotels have begun to pop up along the beach shorelines as the city increasingly becomes more popular amongst retirees and nomads. While this is the case, it’s not as noticeable as other places in Thailand that are popular amongst expats.
Not only is Hua Hin one of the cheapest places in Thailand, but it’s also the cheapest place to live in Thailand with a beach nearby!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $54 US
Bangkok
Thailand’s capital is known for its modern metropolitan city living, trade, temples, nightlife, night markets, shopping malls, and much more!
The best part about Bangkok is the access to many different foods at low prices. Besides the many night markets that dominate the city, you can find any worldwide cuisine type in Bangkok at an affordable price.
Bangkok is one of the cheapest cities in Thailand and one of the cheapest developed metropolitan cities in the world. Digital nomads and expats have relocated to Bangkok temporarily and permanently in recent years.
Transportation around the city is easy with the BTS (Skytrain) and MRT (Subway) lines running throughout the megacity.
Bangkok has two different airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK), its international hub airport, and Don Mueang (DMK), a domestic airport offering cheap domestic flights within Thailand.
When it comes to affordability, Bangkok is one of those places in the world where a tourist can visit spending a lot of money or spend very little, it all depends on your travel style!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $57 US
Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand and is most famous for its renowned Full Moon parties that occur once a month—tourists flock from all over the world to experience the Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan.
But besides its full moon parties, Koh Phangan is famous for its beautiful tropical scenery, many stunning beaches, and overall laid-back island atmosphere.
Despite being an island, it is decently developed, and there are many activities to enjoy, including night markets.
The island is an ideal place to visit or live because of its many activities and restaurants while maintaining its tropical traits.
Koh Phangan sits between two neighboring islands, Koh Tao and Koh Samui.
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $60 US
Koh Chang
Located along the eastern Gulf coast of Thailand is Koh Chang, large island with a small population of around 5000 residents.
Koh Chang is famous for its unique blend of lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and laid-back island vibes.
The island is home to a wide variety of wildlife, several beaches with healthy, colorful coral reefs, waterfalls, hiking trails, mangroves, and Mu Koh Chang National Park.
As you explore the coastlines of Koh Chang, you will continuously notice small beachside areas that are unique in their way. Lonely Beach is a popular beach in Koh Chang and is famous amongst backpackers because of its many beach bars along this picturesque, calm beach shoreline.
Despite being a tropical island, Koh Chang is conveniently only five hours away from Bangkok by bus and boat. The island is perfect for those who’d like to be off the grid living in a tropical paradise.
The best part about Koh Chang is that tourists don’t frequent the island as much as the other popular islands such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phi Phi, the rest!
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $62 US
Koh Lanta
Located in the Andaman Sea and reachable from both mainland Krabi or other islands located in Krabi is Koh Lanta, an absolute paradise for those looking for a tropical experience.
Koh Lanta is famous for its bohemian island atmosphere, pristine beaches full of healthy reefs, rainforest mangroves, and many beautiful viewpoints.
The island splits into two but is connected by the Siri Lanta Bridge in the island’s Northern part.
Koh Lanta has plenty of budget-friendly accommodations, from hostels to bungalows. A mix of the island’s alluring nature and reasonable accommodations makes Koh Lanta an ideal island for all to visit!
Digital nomads are slowly increasing in numbers to Koh Lanta. But despite the recent year of increased nomads and tourism, Koh Lanta remains a best-kept island secret amongst seasonal travelers who frequent Thailand.
Average Daily Visitor Cost: $64 US
Chiang Mai is widely recognized as the most affordable destination in Thailand, a status it has maintained for years.
While it may lack beaches, Chiang Mai compensates with a wealth of attractions, cultural experiences, and exciting day trips to enjoy!
Northern Thailand offers the most affordable destinations, with Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai as standouts!
Yes, Thailand is generally inexpensive for most tourists, primarily influenced by the currency you bring. Regarding hotels, food, and transportation, Thailand remains one of the most affordable countries in the world for travelers.
Most expats in Thailand reside in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui. These places offer an excellent standard of living with plenty of modern conveniences, expat communities, and amenities.
Happy & Safe Travels
Planning Checklist
- Find the best Hotels/Resorts
- Book a Vacation Home Rental
- Book a fun Tour in the Place you’re visiting
- Find the best Hostels
- Find/Buy the Cheapest Flights
- Get Travel Insurance when traveling
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links shared in this article might be affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, we will earn a small commission for any sales generated through this article and/or this website.
We recommend products/services we’ve either used or researched thoroughly – Thank you for supporting me so we can continue to share helpful travel content!
