The short answer: bring $200-400 USD in cash for the first 24 hours, then withdraw or exchange in Thailand for the rest. The longer answer covers ATM fees, why airport exchanges are the worst option, and the cash-vs-card split that actually works.
The Quick Numbers
| Trip length | Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | $200-300 USD | $300-500 | $500-800 |
| 14 days | $300-450 | $400-700 | $700-1,200 |
| 21 days | $400-600 | $500-900 | $900-1,500 |
| 30 days | $500-800 | $700-1,200 | $1,200-2,000 |
These are arrival cash targets — what to land with. You'll top up via ATM or currency exchange in Thailand. Run exact numbers in our trip cost calculator.
Why You Should Carry Less Than You Think
It's tempting to convert your entire trip budget to baht before you fly. Don't. Three reasons:
- Your home bank gives you bad rates. US banks typically charge 3-5% above the mid-market rate for THB. Thailand-side exchanges (SuperRich, Vasu) sit closer to 0.5-1.5%.
- Carrying ฿50,000+ in cash is a theft risk. Most Thai hotels have safes, but losing a fat envelope is a real risk in shared rooms or transit.
- Cards work for 50-70% of your spend. Hotels, restaurants, malls, 7-Elevens, tour operators — all take cards. Save cash for street food, songthaews, markets, and small towns.
The Cash-vs-Card Split
Cash only
- Street food and food carts
- Songthaews (red trucks)
- Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis
- Markets and small shops
- Long-tail boats
- Most temple donations and entrance fees
- Smaller islands and rural areas
Card works
- Hotels (most accept Visa/MC)
- Sit-down restaurants in cities
- 7-Eleven, Family Mart, malls
- Major tour operators (Klook, GetYourGuide)
- Domestic airlines
- Grab (linked to your card)
- Tesco Lotus, Big C supermarkets
City split: Bangkok / Phuket / Pattaya — 60% card, 40% cash. Town split: Chiang Mai / Krabi — 50/50. Island split: smaller islands, Pai, mountain villages — 70-80% cash.
ATM Fees in Thailand (The Annoying Truth)
Every Thai ATM charges a flat ฿220 fee per withdrawal for foreign cards, regardless of withdrawal amount. This is the bank's fee, on top of whatever your home bank charges (typically 1-3% foreign transaction fee + their own ATM fee).
Withdrawal limits are usually ฿20,000-30,000 per transaction for foreign cards. To minimize fees:
- Withdraw the maximum (฿20,000+) every time
- Plan 2-4 ATM trips for a 2-week trip, not 10-15
- Use bank-branded ATMs (Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, Krungsri) inside bank lobbies — never standalone street ATMs (skimmer risk)
- Notify your bank of travel before you leave
The Best Card to Bring
If you only have a normal US/UK debit card, expect to pay ฿220 + ~3% on every withdrawal. There are better options:
- Wise (formerly TransferWise) — debit card with mid-market rates and minimal fees. Best all-around for travel.
- Charles Schwab Investor Checking (US) — refunds all foreign ATM fees. The classic traveler's account.
- Revolut — UK/EU equivalent of Wise.
- Chime, SoFi (US) — newer fintech options with low foreign fees.
Open one of these 3+ weeks before your trip — debit cards take 7-14 days to ship.
Currency Exchange (Where to Convert)
Worst rates → Best rates
- Airport exchanges (worst) — typically 4-6% below mid-market. Avoid.
- Hotel front desk — 4-5% below. Avoid.
- Bank branches — 2-3% below. OK in a pinch.
- SuperRich, Vasu, Twelve Victory (best) — 0.5-1.5% below mid-market. Multiple branches across Bangkok and tourist areas.
Compare live exchange rates on GetBaht.com →
Bring crisp, unmarked USD bills
Thai exchanges are picky about bill condition. Old, torn, marked, or pre-2003 USD notes are often refused or discounted 2-5%. Hit your US bank for new $100 bills before you fly — they get the best rates (better than $20s or $50s).
The Exact First-24-Hours Cash Plan
- Land at BKK or DMK with $200-400 USD in cash (mostly $100 bills, a couple of $20s for emergencies).
- Pull ฿4,000-6,000 from a bank ATM in the airport for immediate transit + dinner. Take the ฿220 fee.
- Take the Airport Rail Link or a metered taxi to your hotel.
- Day 2: walk to a SuperRich branch (Sukhumvit, Silom, or near Chit Lom BTS) and exchange your remaining USD at much better rates.
- Days 3+: top up via ATM as needed (max withdrawals to minimize fees).
How Much to Carry Day-to-Day
In the city, ~฿2,000-4,000 in your wallet is plenty. On the islands or in smaller towns, carry ฿4,000-7,000 since ATMs are scarcer and small businesses are cash-only. Always leave a backup ฿5,000-10,000 in your hotel safe.
Other Money Logistics
Tipping
Not mandatory but appreciated. ฿20-50 for taxi drivers and tour guides; round up the bill at restaurants. Many restaurants now add a 10% service charge automatically.
Bargaining
Markets and tuk-tuks: yes, expect to negotiate. Start at 50-60% of the asking price. Restaurants, malls, 7-Elevens: never bargain — prices are fixed.
Cash for Bali / Cambodia / next country
If you're doing a longer Southeast Asia trip, hold onto $100 USD for the next country. Most regional airports have OK exchange rates for USD, but converting baht into ringgit/dong/dollar is rarely good value.
The 3-Sentence Summary
Bring $200-400 USD in crisp $100 bills for arrival. Get a Wise or Schwab card before you fly. Use SuperRich or Vasu (not airports) for any further USD-to-baht exchanges in Thailand.
The Two Mistakes to Avoid
1. Don't convert your whole budget at home. Your home bank's rate is 3-5% worse than SuperRich's. On a $2,000 trip, that's $60-100 lost for nothing.
2. Don't exchange at the airport. Pull a small ATM withdrawal for transit and exchange the rest downtown.