Daily costs
| Typical daily cost | €20-40 / €60-110 |
|---|---|
| Budget level | $ / $$ |
| Trip length | 7 - 14 days recommended |
| Region | Southeast Asia |
What things cost
Illustrative planning allowances for the Thai islands. These are not verified current prices. Replace these allowances with dated quotes before booking. Check whether each price is per person, room or vehicle.
| Guesthouse or bungalow (per night) | THB 600–1,200 ($17–34) |
| Mid-range resort (per night) | THB 1,800–3,500 ($51–99) |
| Pad thai, khao soi, street meals | THB 50–120 ($1.50–3.50) |
| Beach restaurant dinner | THB 300–600 ($8.50–17) |
| Ferry between islands (Lomprayah etc.) | THB 400–1,100 ($11–31) |
| Island day trip or snorkel tour | THB 1,200–2,500 ($34–71) |
Daily budget by travel style
| Shoestring — THB 900/day ($26) | Bungalows, street food, songthaews, one snorkel trip per island. |
| Comfortable — THB 2,200/day ($63) | Pool resorts, mixed dining, speedboat tours, massages daily. |
| Upside — THB 5,000+/day ($142) | Beachfront villas, private longtail charters, spa days, chef islands like Yao Noi. |
The page-wide figure of €20-40 / €60-110 per day (at the $ / $$ level) matches the 7 - 14 days recommended. Flights are separate.
How to save money in the Thai islands
- Eat the street: THB 50 pad thai beats THB 500 hotel breakfast, and the night markets are the social event, not a compromise.
- Use local ferries (Raja Ferry, Songserm) over the fast tourist cats — half the price to Samui and Phangan.
- Travel the green season (May-October, Andaman): identical bungalows at 30-50% off, with rain in bursts rather than all day.
- Book longtail day trips at the beach, not the hotel desk — the same boat, the same islands, different commission.
Related guides
Ready-made itinerary · Best time to visit · General budget tips · Full the Thai islands guide
FAQ
Are the Thai islands expensive?
The famous two (Phi Phi, some of Samui) are; the rest are gentle: THB 900-2,200 per day covers bungalows, street food and boats comfortably.
How much do island ferries cost?
THB 400-1,100 per leg depending on speed and operator. Lomprayah and Seatran run the Gulf fast boats; Andaman legs use speedboats and ferries from Phuket and Krabi piers.
Which coast should I pick?
Andaman (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta) for November-April; Gulf (Samui, Phangan, Tao) for June-September. Between the two coasts, some island is always in its dry season.
What does a 7-14 day trip to Thailand's islands really cost?
Multiply the daily figure by your days: at the mid-range (€60 per day per person), on-ground costs for 7-14 days land around €400–€1,500, before international flights. The style table above shows which choices move you between the columns.
How to use these budget figures
These amounts are editorial allowances rather than a survey of current prices. Confirm the currency and whether the charge is per person, room, vehicle or group. Replace accommodation and activity figures with quotes for your dates. Flights, insurance and entry costs must be budgeted separately unless explicitly included.