Thailand has long been known as a budget traveller’s paradise – but it’s not as cheap as it used to be.
Growing tourism, and a strong baht mean you’ll definitely notice the costs creeping up.
That said, it’s still possible to have an incredible Thai holiday without blowing your budget – you just need to be a bit savvier than before.
After spending months travelling around Thailand with my family, I’ve picked up dozens of ways to stretch our baht, skip the tourist traps, and still soak up all the magic this beautiful country has to offer.
32 Money-Saving Thailand Travel Tips
Here are 30 of my favourite money-saving tips for travel in Thailand – whether you’re backpacking, travelling as a family, or just want more value for your dollar.
1. Compare booking engines with direct bookings
Use Booking.com to browse reviews and compare prices – and then when you’ve narrowed down your selection, check the direct rate on the hotel’s website or message them on Facebook/Whatsapp/Line for a better price, free breakfast, or a room upgrade.
Direct bookings often avoid commission fees, and hotels are usually happy to throw in perks to secure your stay.
This won’t always be the case but it’s worth comparing.
Pro tip: If you do end up booking through one of the big online booking engines, sign up to Shopback before you book and you can often get up to 10% cashback on your reservation.
2. Switch your currency display to NZD, payment currency stays THB.
It’s easier to track your spending in your home currency — and helps avoid overspending when you see 3,000 baht and think “that’s not too bad” (it’s over $160 NZD!).
Booking platforms often inflate exchange rates too, so changing your display currency can help you budget more clearly.
BUT – if you do choose to book via a booking platform, make sure you pay in THB so you aren’t paying marked up currency conversion fees to the booking engine.
3. Stay longer, save more
Accommodation discounts often kick in at 7 or 28 nights.
We’ve paid as little as $58 NZD per night for family rooms by booking long stays — even in popular spots like Koh Samui.
If you’re working remotely or travelling slow, these extended stay discounts add up fast.
4. Use local eSIMs or SIM cards
Ditch the pricey roaming plans.
Buy an AIS, DTAC or True SIM card at the airport or 7-Eleven.
They often include unlimited data for $10–$20 NZD a month.
You’ll get better coverage and save loads over international roaming.
Just be warned, you pay around double the cost for the SIM at the airport versus going to a convenience store, but it means you are connected before you get to the arrivals hall.
Plus, the staff will set up your phone and sim card for you – they make it super easy.
This is one expense we always splurge on.
TLDR: Airport = convenience/speed, Town/7-Eleven = cheaper.
5. Download Grab for rides and food
Grab is Thailand’s version of Uber — and it’s often cheaper and safer than haggling with tuk-tuks or taxis.
You can order rides, food, and even parcels.
Plus, no language barrier or cash needed, and you’ll earn points to redeem later.
Pro tip: It’s also worth downloading Bolt – they often work out cheaper for rides.
6. Eat where the locals eat
Look for busy food stalls, no English menus, and plastic chairs.
These places serve authentic Thai meals from $4 NZD – and the taste blows touristy spots out of the water.
Ask locals or hotel staff for their go-to lunch spots.
7. Choose apartments with a kitchenette
If you’ve got kids or picky eaters, cooking a few meals in saves money and sanity.
We stock up at Makro, Big C or Lotus’s for basics like cereal, fruit, yoghurt, and noodles.
Even a basic breakfast in can save $20+ a day for a family – we tend to have breakfast and lunch at home and go out for dinner.
Or if we eat out for lunch, it’s dinner at home.
Basically, we try to only eat out (or get Grab delivered) once per day.
8. Do a Food Tour — It’s a Meal, a Tour, and a Culture Lesson in One
If you’re going to splurge on one experience in Thailand, make it a food tour — it’s the ultimate bang-for-your-baht!
Instead of paying separately for dinner, a guide, and a cultural activity, a good food tour rolls it all into one memorable evening.
I highly recommend the Bangkok: Backstreets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings — a small-group experience (only 8 guests!) that takes you deep into Bangkok’s hidden culinary corners including two Michelin star listed venues.
My mum and I did this tour when she came to Bangkok and it was incredible – we both loved it and got to see a whole different side of the city.
You’ll:
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Taste authentic street food you’d probably never find or be brave enough to try on your own
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Learn fascinating stories behind each dish and the local communities
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Explore local neighbourhoods, temples, and street art with a friendly, knowledgeable guide
It’s the perfect way to get your bearings in a new city while eating really well.
And when you factor in that it covers a full meal or many tasting plates (we got over 15 plates!) transport, and a guided tour, it’s actually great value especially if you’re short on time and want to sample a lot in one go.
💡 Bonus tip: Do it near the start of your trip! You’ll gain insider food knowledge and local tips that’ll help you save money and order like a pro for the rest of your stay.
9. Take advantage of free attractions
Thailand still has heaps of unforgettable experiences that cost absolutely nothing.
You don’t need to spend big to soak up the culture, nature, and magic this country has to offer – some of the best moments we’ve had here didn’t cost a single baht.
Here are just a few tried-and-true free attractions that are 100% worth adding to your itinerary:
🌇 Bangkok: Watch the Sunset from Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)
Entry is free on religious holidays, and even when it’s not, it’s just 50 baht.
But walking the surrounding grounds at sunset, soaking in the view of the Old City and hearing the temple bells? That’s totally free — and unforgettable.
🏖️ Phuket: Relax at Nai Harn or Ao Sane Beach
While Patong is crowded and full of vendors, the southern beaches like Nai Harn and tiny Ao Sane are free, beautiful, and quieter.
Bring your own snacks and a towel and settle in for a budget beach day.
🌳 Chiang Mai: Explore the Old City’s Temples
There are over 30 temples inside Chiang Mai’s moat alone — and many are completely free to enter.
Don’t miss Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, where you can even join a monk chat to learn about Buddhism (also free!).
🌅 Pai: Dip in the Hot Springs or Catch the Canyon Sunset
Natural hot springs just outside Pai are free if you enter from the local (non-tourist) side, and Pai Canyon offers one of the most breath-taking sunsets in the north — no ticket required.
🐟 Krabi: Visit the Night Market and Stroll the Riverside
The Krabi Town Night Market is great for budget eats, but just wandering the stalls, watching the street performers, or walking along the Krabi River Walk is a lovely free evening out.
🐘 Sukhothai: Cycle Past Ancient Ruins
The outer zones of Sukhothai Historical Park are free and absolutely magical at sunrise or sunset.
Rent a bike cheaply and explore without needing to pay the main entry fee.
10. Use Wise or a travel card
One of the easiest ways to lose money while travelling in Thailand is through terrible exchange rates and hidden fees when using foreign cards.
That’s where Wise (formerly TransferWise) comes in — and it’s one of the smartest tools we personally use for budget-friendly travel banking.
Why Wise is a game-changer in Thailand:
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You can top up your Wise account in NZD, then convert it to Thai Baht at the mid-market rate — the best rate you’ll get outside a forex office.
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Pay directly in baht using the Wise card directly or through Google Pay or Apple Pay at restaurants, shops, and even for things like hospital bills or Grab rides. This avoids foreign transaction fees that regular bank cards often charge (typically 2.5–3.5%).
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If you do need cash, you can use your Wise card to withdraw up to 350 NZD/month (or equivalent) from ATMs fee-free — and after that, the fees are still much lower than what your bank back home would charge.
💡 Pro Tip: I load my Wise account in large chunks when rates are favourable (before the trip), then treat it like a travel wallet.
It gives me full control of our budget and avoids the shock of seeing exchange rate losses when we’re back home.
11. Withdraw More, Less Often
In Thailand, ATM fees are no joke – most banks now charge a flat 250 baht per withdrawal (~$11 NZD), up from 200 baht in mid 2025.
AEON used to be the go-to option with lower fees (150 baht), but they’ve now shut down their ATM network for foreign cards.
To save the most:
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Withdraw the maximum allowed per transaction (often up to 30,000 baht at Krungsri or Bangkok Bank) to reduce the cost per baht.
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Bring a fee-free travel card like Wise, Flight Centre Mastercard, or (if you’re from the US) Charles Schwab, which may reimburse ATM fees.
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Avoid withdrawing small amounts frequently, as you’ll pay that 250 baht fee every time.
It’s also smart to carry cash for smaller purchases, as many shops and restaurants still don’t accept cards – and using cash helps you stick to your daily budget more easily.
12. Travel in the shoulder season
Thailand’s shoulder seasons – May to early July, and September to early November – are some of the best times to visit if you’re looking to save money and avoid crowds.
Prices for accommodation, domestic flights, and even tours often drop by 30–50% compared to peak season (December–February).
What to expect:
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Yes, it’s technically the rainy season – but in many places, that just means one short afternoon downpour, not all-day washouts.
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The weather is still warm and tropical, especially in the north (Chiang Mai, Pai) or the Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan), where September and October can be drier than the Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi).
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You’ll enjoy more availability, lower prices, and a less hectic vibe – perfect if you’re travelling as a family or want to stay longer in one place.
Extra tip: Check major Thai holidays (like Songkran in April or Loy Krathong in November) if you want to avoid crowds or take part in festivals.
While technically in shoulder season, these periods can be busy and more expensive around tourist hotspots.
13. Fly into alternative airports
Sometimes it’s cheaper to fly into Don Mueang (DMK) instead of Suvarnabhumi (BKK), or Chiang Rai instead of Chiang Mai — always compare options.
Local airlines like Air Asia often run sales with these secondary airports.
14. Bring your own snacks for domestic flights
Low-cost airlines like AirAsia and Nok Air don’t include meals, and inflight prices are steep.
Bring fruit, crackers or even a sneaky sandwich.
This is especially helpful when flying with kids.
15. Use 12Go.Asia to book transport
This site compares buses, ferries, trains and vans.
Booking ahead secures your spot and often saves money — especially for popular ferry routes.
You can also avoid tourist mark-ups at local booking shops.
16. Hire a private driver for group travel
If you’re travelling as a family or in a group, hiring a private driver in Thailand can work out surprisingly good value and often cheaper than trains or buses once you add taxis to and from stations at either end.
You get door-to-door transport (no lugging bags in the heat), air-conditioning, flexibility to stop for food, toilets, viewpoints or temples, and none of the stress that comes with timetables, transfers or missed connections.
When you split the cost between three to six people, a driver is often similar in price – or cheaper – and far more comfortable, especially if you’re travelling with kids or luggage.
We personally use OD Taxi Thailand, run by Ordy, and couldn’t recommend her more.
We’ve done day trips from our home base in Hua Hin, airport runs to and from Bangkok, longer drives to Pattaya and Ayutthaya, and even a big inter-region trip from Koh Samui to Krabi with her.
She has drivers all over Thailand, is genuinely lovely to deal with, and makes everything easy.
We’ve paid both in cash and by depositing directly into her Thai bank account via Wise, she is fine with either.
💡 Tip: Always confirm the total price upfront (including fuel, tolls and waiting time if relevant), but don’t assume private drivers are a luxury option – in Thailand, they’re often just the most practical one.
17. Shop at local markets instead of malls
Skip the glitzy mall prices.
Markets like Chatuchak in Bangkok or your local night market are full of cheap clothing, gifts, and snacks.
Practice your bargaining skills and always pay in cash for better prices.
18. Refill your water bottle
Buy a 5L water container for around 50 baht (~$2.50 NZD) and top up your drink bottle each day at these water stations you will see everywhere.
Most charge 1 baht per litre and they only take coins.
This is also more eco-friendly and convenient when travelling with kids.
19. Negotiate – politely
Haggling is expected at markets but do it with a smile.
Ask, “What’s your best price?” rather than being aggressive.
Vendors respect polite bargaining and are more likely to offer you a deal.
20. Use free hotel shuttles and bikes
Some hotels offer free tuk-tuk shuttles to town or bike rentals – perfect for short trips to markets or the beach.
It’s a great way to save on taxis and get some exercise.
21. Use a laundry service instead of hotel laundry
One of the fastest ways to overpay in Thailand is by using services aimed squarely at tourists – and hotel laundry is the classic example.
Hotels often charge per item (yes, even per sock), which adds up very quickly, especially for families.
Instead, look for a local laundry shop – they’re everywhere.
These typically charge 30–50 baht per kilo, and your clothes will usually be washed, dried, and folded within 24 hours. Same service, a fraction of the cost.
22. Get massages at local shops
Resorts charge 600+ baht.
Walk down the road and find a local spa for 200–300 baht ($10–15 NZD) per hour.
Some even have loyalty cards or combo packages.
23. Don’t overtip
Tipping isn’t required in Thailand.
Round up your bill or leave 20–50 baht for great service – no need to go overboard.
Locals don’t tip much, so you don’t need to feel pressure to either.
24. Book domestic flights early
AirAsia and Thai Lion Air often have flash sales and discounts if you book 2–3 months ahead.
You’ll save heaps over last-minute bookings.
Signing up to airline newsletters helps you catch deals.
25. Buy travel insurance with your credit card
If you’ve got a premium card (like Amex Airpoints Platinum), you may already be covered – just check the fine print.
That’s one less expense to worry about if you meet the eligibility requirements.
26. Download maps offline
Use Google Maps offline to avoid data costs and never get lost (especially handy in the islands where signal can be patchy).
You can even star your hotel or favourite spots for easy access.
27. Join Facebook expat/travel groups
Groups like Thailand Travel Advice or Digital Nomads Thailand often have local discount codes, rental deals, and insider tips.
Ask about good places to stay or eat, or even find travel buddies.
28. Use cash where possible
Many small restaurants and taxis don’t accept cards – and using cash helps you stick to your daily budget better.
ATMs are everywhere, but carrying small denominations is useful for local markets.
29. Pack light – and shop smart
Bring basics only and buy what you need in Thailand – clothes, insect repellent, toiletries, even shoes are cheaper locally.
Plus, you’ll have room in your suitcase for souvenirs!
30. Opt for public transport
In Bangkok, take the BTS Skytrain or MRT instead of taxis – cheap, air-conditioned, and way faster during rush hour.
31. Be flexible
Leaving room to adjust plans lets you jump on last-minute deals, change cities based on weather, or stay longer when you find a place you love – all of which can save you money (and stress!).
Flexibility often leads to better adventures too.
32. Bring these items from home
Bringing these items from home can save real money and frustration.
- High-quality sunscreen (local brands are greasy or whitening)
- Tampons (hard to find outside major cities)
- Reusable shopping bags plastic bags are the default setting here, so if you care about reducing plastic waste, bring a reusable bag.
Final Thoughts
Travelling in Thailand doesn’t have to break the bank especially if you’re smart about where you stay, how you eat, and how you get around.
With a few tweaks and some local know-how, you can travel in comfort without sacrificing your budget even with kids in tow!
