TL;DR: A week in Thailand from Australia roughly costs AU$1,400 -$3,500 per person for a budget-to-mid-range trip, and around AU$4,800 for a family of four travelling comfortably. Flight Centre return economy fares currently start from around $866pp to Bangkok and $898pp to Phuket. A street food meal is around AU$4, and a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around AU$38. One thing to know before you fly: as of 15 September 2026, Australians get 30 days visa-free in Thailand, down from the previous 60 days.

Thailand is often called the Land of Smiles, and it's easy to see why — golden temples, tasty street food, tropical islands and jungle-clad mountains, all at a price that still goes a long way for Aussie travellers. This Thailand travel guide breaks the rough costs, so you can get an idea of how much AUD to THB to pick up before you go!

How much are flights from Australia to Thailand?

Based on current Flight Centre rates, return economy fares start from around $866 per person to Bangkok (BKK), and $898 per person to Phuket (HKT). Just note though, these are indicative "from" fares — accurate pricing depends on your exact travel dates, how far ahead you book, and the airline, so it's worth checking a fare calendar and being flexible where you can. Shoulder-season months tend to be cheapest, while flying around Songkran (mid-April) or the July school holidays pushes fares up quite a bit. 

Transport in Thailand

• Domestic flights: with Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Vietjet and Bangkok Airways, connecting Bangkok to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and dozens of regional airports — this fastest way to get across the country.
• Overnight sleeper trains: including the classic Bangkok–Chiang Mai line — it's slower than flying, but a memorable way to travel if you've got time up your sleeve.
• Buses and minivans: cheap, frequent and reaching almost every town, including the smaller islands via combined bus-and-ferry tickets.
• Ferries: essential for island-hopping between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the Andaman coast islands.
  Scooter or motorbike hire: a hugely popular way to see Thailand — but make sure your travel insurance explicitly covers it (more on that below).
• Group tours: a good option if it's your first time in Asia or you don't want to nut out the logistics yourself.

Pre-travel costs: visa, insurance and vaccinations

Before you even land, there are a few costs and rules worth knowing on top of your flights and daily spend — and Thailand's visa rules just changed.

Thailand travel visa cost

As of 15 September 2026, Thailand has cut its visa exemption for Australians from 60 days down to 30 days for tourism purposes, as part of a broader overhaul of its visa-free and visa-on-arrival scheme. Australians don't need to apply for anything in advance to get this 30-day stay — you just need:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months from your entry date
• A completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), submitted free online within 72 hours of arrival
• Proof of onward travel (a return or continuing ticket)

If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a one-time 30-day extension at Thai immigration once you're in the country, for around ฿1,900 THB (approx. AUD $84.54), bringing your total possible stay to around 60 days. Anyone planning a longer stay, remote work or retirement in Thailand (ah, the dream!) will need a different visa category entirely. Check the current requirements with the Royal Thai Embassy or a registered visa agent before you fly, since this is a live policy area.

Thailand travel insurance

Travel insurance isn't mandatory, but it's strongly recommended given the cost of private hospital care in Thailand. 

If you're planning to ride a scooter or motorbike (extremely popular in Thailand, especially in Phuket, Koh Phangan and Chiang Mai), double check that your policy explicitly covers it. Most insurers require a valid motorcycle licence from home plus an International Driving Permit, and riding on just a car licence is one of the most common reasons claims get refused.

Vaccinations

Have a chat with your GP about recommended vaccinations before you go, particularly if you're heading to rural areas in the north or planning a longer trip. These can be a bit pricey upfront but often cover you for years, so it's a one-off cost rather than a per-trip one.

When is the best time to travel to Thailand?

Wondering when is the best time to travel to Thailand? It depends on where you're headed and what you want to do, since the country runs on three main seasons:

• Cool season (November – February): the most popular time to visit, with lower humidity, minimal rain and pleasant temperatures across Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the islands. Expect bigger crowds and higher prices.
• Hot season (March – May): temperatures can climb into the high 30s°C, especially inland. Songkran (Thai New Year, mid-April) is a huge drawcard for the country-wide water festival, but book well in advance.
• Wet season (June – October): rain is heavier in the south and west coast (Phuket, Krabi), while the Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) actually sees its driest stretch around this time. Expect short, heavy downpours rather than all-day rain, plus the lowest prices and thinnest crowds of the year.

If you're wanting comfortable dry, sunny conditions across the whole country, November to February is your best bet — just budget for it being the most expensive season, too. 

Where to travel to in Thailand

Not sure where to travel to in Thailand? Most first-time travellers anchor around one (or a mix) of these places:

• Bangkok: think temples, markets, rooftop bars and some of the best street food on the planet.
• Chiang Mai & the north: lush mountain scenery, night markets and a slower pace of life.
• Phuket & the Andaman coast: Thailand's biggest island, gateway to Phi Phi, Krabi and the famous James Bond Island.
• Koh Samui, Koh Phangan & Koh Tao: the Gulf islands, known for beach resorts, diving and (on Koh Phangan) the Full Moon Party.
• Krabi: stunning limestone cliffs, rock climbing and quieter beaches than Phuket.

Many travellers fly into Bangkok and out of Phuket or Koh Samui (or vice versa) to cover both the culture and the coast without backtracking. Domestic flights, overnight trains and ferries make it easy to string a few regions together, too. 

How much does transport cost within Thailand?

Getting around day-to-day in Thailand is famousely cheap, whether you're on rails, wheels or water.

Petrol currently averages around AU$1.90 per litre (฿44.72/litre), and getting around Bangkok by rail is some of the best-value transport in the region:

• BTS Skytrain / MRT fare: approx. AU$0.76 – $2.89 per trip (฿17 – 65), depending on distance
• BTS one day pass: approx. AU$7.12 (฿160)
  Tuk-tuk ride (negotiated, short hop): approx. AU$4.45 – $13.35 (฿100 – 300)
• Taxi starting fare: approx. AU$1.78 (฿40)
• Scooter hire: approx. AU$6.67 – $15.57 per day (฿150 – 350), dropping to AU$40.05 – $80 per week (฿900 – 1,800)

Tuk-tuks aren't metered, so agree the fare before you get in. Drivers commonly open with 2–3 times what the ride is actually worth, so counter-offer at around 40–50% of the quote and meet in the middle. If you're hiring a scooter, confirm your travel insurance covers it, and check the bike over for existing damage before you ride off.

How much does food cost in Thailand?

A basic street food meal in Thailand averages around AU$4, and a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant averages around AU$38, according to Numbeo's September 2026 cost-of-living data for Thailand.
 

Street food carts and night markets are where Thailand's food reputation really earns its stripes, and with meals this cheap, most travellers eat out for the whole trip — including us.

How much does accommodation cost in Thailand?

Accommodation in Thailand spans everything from $10-a-night hostel to five-star beach resorts, and quality for the price remains hard to beat compared to back home. Phuket and Koh Samui carry a premium for beachfront locations, while Chiang Mai and Bangkok's outer districts remain noticeably cheaper for comparable quality.

Prices spike around Songkran (mid-April) and the Aussie summer school holidays; outside of that, you can expect to pay roughly the following. FYI, this is a guide only, and prices will fluctuate with seasonality and location.

• Hostel dorm bed: $8 – $22 AUD per night (approx. ฿180 - ฿494)
• Guesthouse / budget private room: $15 – $35 AUD per night (approx. ฿337 - ฿787)
• Mid-range 3-star hotel: $38 – $85 AUD per night (approx. ฿854 - ฿1,910)
• Boutique / 4-star hotel: $85 – $160 AUD per night (approx. ฿1,910 -  ฿3,596)
• Luxury 5-star resort: $160 – $600+ AUD per night (approx. ฿3596 - ฿13,484)