How Much Money to Bring to Thailand: Daily Budgets + Cash Strategy
Thailand is famous for value. Here’s how much to bring and how to handle money throughout your trip.
Daily budgets
Backpacker: ฿1,000-1,500/day ($30-45), hostels, street food, songthaews. Mid-range: ฿2,500-4,500/day ($75-135) — 3-star hotels, restaurant meals, taxi/Grab. Luxury: ฿8,000-20,000+/day ($240-600+): beach resorts, fine dining, drivers.
How much cash to bring
Bring $200-500 USD cash for initial exchange + emergencies. Exchange at Super Rich or Vasu (Bangkok) for best rates. ATMs are everywhere but charge ฿220 per withdrawal. Pull max each time.
ATMs
Pull ฿20,000-30,000 ($600-900) per withdrawal to minimize ฿220 fees. Charles Schwab + Capital One 360 refund these fees. ATMs in 7-Eleven, malls, banks. Don’t use airport ATMs, high fees + worse rates.
Tipping + cards
Tipping isn’t required but ฿20-50 appreciated for service. Round up at restaurants. Cards work at hotels, mid-range restaurants, malls. Street food + taxis + tuk-tuks + most beach businesses are cash only.
Scam awareness
ATM skimmers exist — use bank-attached ATMs only, cover keypad. Counting cash openly is fine in shops but discreet on the street. Use a money belt only in dense crowds (Khao San, full moon parties).