Pattaya can cost ฿1,200 a day or ฿12,000 a day — same city, totally different trip. Here's where the money actually goes, with real 2026 prices, so you can plan a budget that fits how you travel.
Daily budget, at a glance
- Shoestring: ฿1,200–1,800/day.
- Mid-range: ฿2,500–4,500/day.
- Comfortable: ฿6,000+/day.
- Cash is king — ATMs add a ฿220 foreign-card fee.
- Flights not included above.
What things cost (2026)
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Street-food meal | ฿50–80 |
| Restaurant main | ฿200–400 |
| Local beer (bar) | ฿80–150 |
| Baht-bus (songthaew) hop | ฿10–30 |
| Grab / taxi across town | ฿120–250 |
| Budget room / guesthouse | ฿500–1,000 |
| Mid-range hotel | ฿1,200–2,500 |
| 4–5 star hotel | ฿3,000–7,000+ |
| Scooter rental (per day) | ฿200–300 |
Prices are typical ranges and move with season and location — treat them as planning figures, not quotes.
Three sample days
Shoestring (~฿1,500): guesthouse ฿700, street food ฿250, baht-buses ฿60, a few beers ฿400, beach day free.
Mid-range (~฿3,500): hotel ฿1,800, restaurants ฿700, drinks ฿600, an activity ฿400.
Comfortable (~฿8,000): 4-star ฿4,500, dining ฿1,500, Grab everywhere ฿600, nightlife ฿1,400.
Money tips
Bring or withdraw Thai baht — cash runs Pattaya, and most ATMs charge a ฿220 fee per foreign-card withdrawal, so take out larger amounts less often. Agree taxi/baht-bus prices before you get in, and keep small notes for street vendors.
→ Full money, ATMs & exchange guide
Common questions
How much per day?
Shoestring ฿1,200–1,800; mid-range ฿2,500–4,500; comfortable ฿6,000+.
Is Pattaya cheap?
Yes by Western standards — street meals ฿50–80, beer ฿80–150, budget rooms ฿500–1,000.
Money for a week?
~฿9,000–13,000 shoestring, ฿18,000–32,000 mid-range, ฿42,000+ comfortable (ex-flights).
// Plan your trip — Pattaya Authority network
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