Thai Baht - How to Make the Most of your Spending Money in Thailand
05/05/25
Looking forward to jetting across the globe on a trip to Thailand soon?
Whether you’re planning on relaxing on the gorgeous beaches, exploring the lovely islands, delving into the rich culture, enjoying the array of cuisine, or fitting in an adventure or two; we’re sure that spending money features near the top of your to-do list and that’s why we’re here to help!
Here at Hay Travel we’ve put together all our top tips to help you manage your Thai Baht (THB), give you an idea of what things cost in Thailand, iconic sights to visit at no cost to your pocket, and to point you in the right direction to get the best foreign exchange deals with ease.
Food, Drink, and Excursions in Thailand
To help you budget for your visit to Thailand; here’s a rough idea for of what your daily spend might be food and drink-wise and the cost of exploring the sights on excursions.
Meals: When it comes to dining out – you can go down the casual route with street food from 45 to 90 THB (£1 to £2), choose a mid-range restaurant from 130 to 220 THB (£2.90 to £4.91), or push the Baht out on a luxury eatery for 220 to 900 THB (£4.91 to £20.10).
Drinks: A pint of local draught beer is typically 70 THB (£1.56), and a cappuccino also might set you back about 70 THB (£1.56).
Excursions: A speedboat trip from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay ranges from 1,790 to 3,581 THB (£40 to £80pp). We recommend booking your tour packages before you go. We have a range of Thailand excursion deals available to check out if you haven’t already booked yours.
Thai Delights That Won’t Break the Bank
One of the best things about Thailand is that many of its iconic manmade and natural attractions are completely free to visit without the need to spend a Baht. Here are a few of our favourites:
Bangkok's Temples and Palaces
You can enter Bangkok’s famous temples like Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Arun for free; and you can also view Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and The Grand Palace from the outside at no cost.
Chiang Mai’s Huay Kaew Waterfall
It won’t cost you a Baht to explore the natural surroundings and splash around to your heart’s content in the tranquil Huay Kaew Waterfall at the base of Doi Suthep near Chiang Mai.
Big Buddha Phuket
You can visit Phuket’s iconic Big Buddha at no cost to your pocket – built entirely from donations, a small contribution is much appreciated in the donation box – but don’t forget to cover your knees and shoulders as a mark of respect.
Be Money Savvy Before you Leave Home!
Here's how to make your spending money go further with Hays Travel:
Convenience: Pre-ordering your Thai Baht with Hays Travel means that, not only will you be able to track and secure the best exchange rates, but you’ll also have cash in your wallet ready to spend when you land in Thailand - saving you the need to visit the ATMs or currency exchange kiosks at the airport at home or abroad!
Prefer to pay by Card: If you opt to use your normal bank card in Thailand, don’t forget to let your bank know to avoid any issues paying by this method. The Hays Travel Money Card is also a great option to arrange before you leave home; as it has no hidden fees, multiple currency options, and allows you to top it up whenever, wherever using the handy App.
Order your travel money via Click & Collect today to secure a great rate!
Need to purchase your Thai Baht? Hays Travel is offering great rates online and instore right now! With the convenience of Click & Collect or Home Delivery, plus expert advice with dedicated foreign exchange staff in each branch, it's never been easier to buy your travel money.
Don’t miss the Baht – Order Today!