Thailand Trip Cost from India for a Week
By Ganesh ·
Bangkok, Krabi and Phuket for 7 days costs about ₹55,000–90,000 per person. A cost table, a sample plan and the cheapest ways to do it.
A week in Thailand from India costs about ₹55,000–90,000 per person for a typical Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi trip with mid-range hotels and shared rooms. Backpackers do it for ₹40,000–50,000. Pool villas and island-hopping charters can take it well past ₹1.5 lakh. Flights are cheap compared with most international trips, so stays and island transfers decide most of the bill.
Cost per person for 7 days (approximate)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return flights to Bangkok or Phuket | ₹14,000–20,000 | ₹18,000–28,000 | ₹28,000–45,000 |
| Stays, 6 nights, twin-share | ₹7,000–12,000 | ₹15,000–28,000 | ₹40,000–80,000 |
| Domestic flight or ferry between Bangkok and the islands | ₹3,000–5,000 | ₹4,000–7,000 | ₹6,000–10,000 |
| Island tours and boat trips | ₹4,000–6,000 | ₹6,000–10,000 | ₹12,000–25,000 |
| Food | ₹5,000–7,000 | ₹8,000–12,000 | ₹15,000–25,000 |
| Local transport, SIM, entry tickets | ₹3,000–5,000 | ₹4,000–7,000 | ₹7,000–12,000 |
| Total | ₹40,000–50,000 | ₹55,000–90,000 | ₹1.1–2 lakh |
These are rough figures. December to January and Indian school holidays are the most expensive weeks; May to October is the low season on the Andaman coast, when rooms drop a lot but some boat trips stop.
Visa
Indian passport holders can currently enter Thailand visa-free for a short tourist stay, which removes what used to be a ₹3,000–5,000 cost. Rules for Indians have changed several times, so check the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi's official page for the allowed length of stay and any arrival form before you fly.
How to keep it cheap
Fly into one city and out of the other. Bangkok in, Phuket out (or the reverse) saves a domestic flight. AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and others fly Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi for little if you book a few weeks ahead.
Pick one island base. Krabi's Ao Nang is cheaper than Phuket's Patong, and the Phi Phi and four-island boat tours leave from both.
Eat where Thais eat. A plate of pad thai or fried rice at a street stall or food court costs a fraction of a hotel meal. Vegetarians can ask for "jay" food; look for the yellow flags with red letters.
Use Grab or Bolt in Bangkok rather than tuk-tuks, and the BTS Skytrain for long hops across the city.
A sample 7-day plan
- Days 1 and 2, Bangkok. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho in the morning, Chinatown for dinner, a river ferry instead of a cruise.
- Day 3, fly to Krabi and settle in Ao Nang.
- Day 4, four-island or Hong Island boat tour.
- Day 5, Railay beach by longtail boat.
- Day 6, ferry to Phuket, Old Town in the evening.
- Day 7, fly home from Phuket.
FAQ
Is ₹50,000 enough for Thailand?
For a week with hostels or simple guesthouses and street food, yes, if you find a flight under ₹18,000. Add another ₹15,000–20,000 for comfortable hotels.
Should I take baht or a forex card?
Both. Carry some baht for street food and markets, and use a forex card for hotels and malls. Thai ATMs charge a flat fee per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts less often.
Is Pattaya cheaper than the islands?
Usually, because you can reach it by road from Bangkok and hotels are plentiful. The beaches and water are better in Krabi and Phuket.
Photo: Doi Suthep Temple Chiang Mai Thailand by Philip Nalangan, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
