So, here’s a straight breakdown for two people travelling from India for five nights. We’ve split it into budget, mid-range and luxury, so you can see where your money goes and where you can save.
Thailand trip cost for a couple: the quick answer
For a 5-night trip for two people, including return flights from India:- Budget: about ₹70,000 to ₹90,000
- Mid-range: about ₹1.1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh
- Luxury: about ₹2 lakh and above
Cost breakdown table (for 2 people, 5 nights)
| Cost | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
| Return flights (2 people) | ₹36,000 | ₹48,000 | ₹70,000 |
| Hotels (5 nights) | ₹11,000 | ₹27,500 | ₹70,000 |
| Food | ₹10,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹35,000 |
| Tours and activities | ₹8,000 | ₹14,000 | ₹25,000 |
| Local transport and transfers | ₹4,000 | ₹6,000 | ₹12,000 |
| SIM, insurance and extras | ₹3,000 | ₹4,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Total for two | ₹72,000 | ₹1,19,500 | ₹2,18,000 |
| Per person | ₹36,000 | ₹59,750 | ₹1,09,000 |
Flights from India: the biggest chunk
Flights usually take the largest share of your budget. Fares from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru vary a lot depending on the month, how early you book, and whether you fly direct or with a stop.A few ways to bring the price down:
- Book two to three months ahead, especially for December and January.
- Be flexible by a day or two. Midweek flights are often cheaper.
- Compare Bangkok and Phuket. A cheaper fare into Bangkok plus a short domestic flight can sometimes beat a direct Phuket fare.
- Set fare alerts and check our guide to finding cheap flights.
Hotels: where to stay as a couple
Hotel prices below are per night for a double room, and they jump in December and January.- Budget: around ₹1,800 to ₹3,000
- Mid-range: around ₹4,500 to ₹7,500
- Luxury: ₹12,000 and above
- Kata and Karon (Phuket): calmer beaches, good for couples
- Kamala (Phuket): quiet and relaxed
- Patong (Phuket): busy, loud and full of nightlife, so skip it if you want peace
- Ao Nang (Krabi): a convenient base for island tours
- Railay (Krabi): romantic and reachable only by boat, but usually pricier
Food and Local Transport
Thailand is kind to your wallet when it comes to food. Street food dishes are cheap, and sit-down restaurant meals are reasonable. Indian restaurants are easy to find in the main tourist areas, so vegetarian and Indian travellers won’t struggle.If you’re vegetarian, say mai sai nam pla (no fish sauce), because many dishes use fish sauce or oyster sauce without saying so.
For getting around, ride-hailing apps like Grab and Bolt are usually cheaper than street taxis. Phuket taxis in particular can be expensive, so agree on the price first or use an app. Airport transfers cost more than most people expect, so compare a hotel transfer, an app and a pre-booked car.
Couple activities worth paying for
- Phi Phi Islands speedboat tour: the classic. Group tours are cheaper, private longtail boats are more romantic.
- Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island: limestone cliffs and calm water, with a lot of photo spots.
- Sunset at Promthep Cape or the Big Buddha: free or very cheap, and beautiful.
- Krabi four-island tour or Railay Beach: great for swimming and snorkelling.
- Couple’s spa: Thai massages are affordable compared with India’s resorts.
- Old Phuket Town: colourful streets, cafes and street markets in the evening.
Sample 5-night plan for two
Phuket (3 nights)
- Day 1: Arrive, check in at Kata or Kamala, sunset at the beach
- Day 2: Phi Phi Islands speedboat tour
- Day 3: Phang Nga Bay tour, then Old Phuket Town in the evening
Krabi (2 nights)
- Day 4: Road transfer to Krabi (about 3 hours), evening at Ao Nang
- Day 5: Four-island longtail tour or Railay Beach
- Day 6: Return to Phuket airport (about 2.5 to 3 hours by road) or check flights from Krabi, then fly home
Best time to visit Thailand as a couple
The dry season on Thailand’s Andaman coast runs from about November to April, with calmer seas and clear skies. December to February is the busiest and priciest period. November and March to April are a sweet spot, with good weather and lower prices. From about May to October is the monsoon, when hotels get cheaper, but seas can be rough and some boat tours get cancelled.Not sure whether Phuket or Bali suits your dates? Our Bali vs Phuket comparison will help, and the best places to visit in December guide covers year-end trips.
Visa, entry and money tips
Entry rules for Indian travellers have changed more than once in recent years, so check the official Thai government or embassy website before you book. Most visitors are also asked to fill in an online Thai Digital Arrival Card before landing, which should only be done on the official site.Keep these ready: a passport with at least 6 months of validity, your return ticket, hotel bookings and some proof of funds. For our full list, see the international travel documents checklist.
For money, carry some Thai baht in cash for street food and small shops, and compare exchange rates before you convert a large amount. Airport counters are usually the worst. Always buy travel insurance, because boat tours and water activities carry real risks.
7 ways to save money
- Travel in November or March to April instead of the Christmas week.
- Book flights early and compare Bangkok and Phuket.
- Stay in Kata, Karon or Kamala instead of the Patong strip.
- Eat at local restaurants and food markets for most meals.
- Use Grab or Bolt instead of street taxis.
- Pick two or three tours instead of one every day.
- Get an eSIM or local SIM instead of paying roaming charges.
Our take
A 5-night Thailand trip for two works well at almost any budget, as long as you decide what matters to you. If it’s beaches and privacy, put money into the hotel. If it’s experiences, spend on tours and eat cheaply. And if you’re flexible with dates, you’ll save more on flights than on anything else.For more ideas, see our Thailand destination page and Phuket page.