Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Thailand and the Philippines, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Thailand and the Philippines, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
23 of the 29 items cost less in the Philippines.
Bottled, convenience store
Thailand: ≈ $0.21 – $0.45 ฿7 – ฿15 Philippines: ≈ $0.24 – $0.48 ₱15 – ₱30 Cafe or street vendor
Thailand: ≈ $1.20 – $2.40 ฿40 – ฿80 Philippines: ≈ $1.40 – $2.90 ₱90 – ₱180 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Thailand: ≈ $1.80 – $3.60 ฿60 – ฿120 Philippines: ≈ $1.30 – $2.40 ₱80 – ₱150 Tourist area, main course
Thailand: ≈ $4.50 – $12 ฿150 – ฿400 Philippines: ≈ $5 – $13 ₱300 – ₱800 Local market or stand
Thailand: ≈ $1.20 – $2.40 ฿40 – ฿80 Philippines: ≈ $0.80 – $2.40 ₱50 – ₱150 Mixed drink, bar
Thailand: ≈ $4.50 – $8.90 ฿150 – ฿300 Philippines: ≈ $4 – $8 ₱250 – ₱500 House wine, restaurant
Thailand: ≈ $18 – $30 ฿600 – ฿1,000 Philippines: ≈ $13 – $29 ₱800 – ₱1,800 Cafe or street stall
Thailand: ≈ $1.20 – $2.10 ฿40 – ฿70 Philippines: ≈ $0.64 – $1.60 ₱40 – ₱100 Standard route
Thailand: ≈ $9 – $15 ฿300 – ฿500 Philippines: ≈ $4 – $9.60 ₱250 – ₱600 Metered or typical fare
Thailand: ≈ $1 – $1.30 ฿35 – ฿45 Philippines: ≈ $0.22 – $0.32 ₱14 – ₱20 Single ride
Thailand: ≈ $0.51 – $1.90 ฿17 – ฿65 Philippines: ≈ $0.21 – $0.56 ₱13 – ₱35 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Thailand: ≈ $1.50 – $6 ฿50 – ฿200 Philippines: ≈ $4 – $8 ₱250 – ₱500 Tourist shop
Thailand: ≈ $0.75 – $2.40 ฿25 – ฿80 Philippines: ≈ $0.80 – $1.90 ₱50 – ₱120 Tourist shop
Thailand: ≈ $3 – $6 ฿100 – ฿200 Philippines: ≈ $1.30 – $4.80 ₱80 – ₱300 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Thailand: ≈ $6 – $15 ฿200 – ฿500 Philippines: ≈ $3.20 – $9.60 ₱200 – ₱600 Data package
Thailand: ≈ $9 – $21 ฿299 – ฿699 Philippines: ≈ $1.60 – $8 ₱100 – ₱500 Pharmacy or shop
Thailand: ≈ $4.50 – $8.90 ฿150 – ฿300 Philippines: ≈ $3.20 – $6.40 ₱200 – ₱400 Supermarket
Thailand: ≈ $0.30 – $0.60 ฿10 – ฿20 Philippines: ≈ $0.32 – $0.64 ₱20 – ₱40 Pack of 20
Thailand: ≈ $3 – $4.20 ฿100 – ฿140 Philippines: ≈ $1.90 – $2.70 ₱120 – ₱170 Pack of 20 tablets
Thailand: ≈ $0.75 – $1.50 ฿25 – ฿50 Philippines: ≈ $0.32 – $0.96 ₱20 – ₱60 Spray or lotion
Thailand: ≈ $1 – $4.80 ฿35 – ฿160 Philippines: ≈ $1.30 – $2.90 ₱80 – ₱180 Local barbershop
Thailand: ≈ $3 – $6 ฿100 – ฿200 Philippines: ≈ $1.10 – $4 ₱70 – ₱250 Laundry service
Thailand: ≈ $1.20 – $3 ฿40 – ฿100 Philippines: ≈ $0.72 – $1.40 ₱45 – ₱90 Standard full-body massage
Thailand: ≈ $6 – $12 ฿200 – ฿400 Philippines: ≈ $4.80 – $9.60 ₱300 – ₱600 Basic cut, salon
Thailand: ≈ $6 – $12 ฿200 – ฿400 Philippines: ≈ $3.20 – $8 ₱200 – ₱500 Entrance ticket
Thailand: ≈ $3 – $8.90 ฿100 – ฿300 Philippines: ≈ Up to $7.20 Up to ₱450 Organized excursion
Thailand: ≈ $36 – $75 ฿1,200 – ฿2,500 Philippines: ≈ $10 – $24 ₱600 – ₱1,500 Organized excursion 6-8h
Thailand: ≈ $39 – $89 ฿1,300 – ฿3,000 Philippines: ≈ $19 – $40 ₱1,200 – ₱2,500 Local cuisine cooking class
Thailand: ≈ $27 – $48 ฿900 – ฿1,600 Philippines: ≈ $32 – $72 ₱2,000 – ₱4,500 Tourist prices are about 3.2× the fair price in the Philippines, against 3.0× in Thailand.
Thailand 15th highest of 60
Philippines 6th highest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Thailand Round up the bill or leave 20-50 THB in restaurants. Massage therapists expect 50-100 THB tip.
Philippines Tipping of 10% is standard in restaurants without service charge. Hotel porters expect 20-50 PHP per bag; tricycle and jeepney drivers don't expect tips but appreciate rounding up.
Yes. In the Philippines you pay about 33% less than in Thailand at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Thailand 70, Philippines 47 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 23 of the 29 items cost less in the Philippines.
A week is cheaper in the Philippines: about $110 at fair prices, against $130 in Thailand. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $535 in Thailand and $300 in the Philippines.
In the Philippines: food and drinks cost about 9% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $4.50 – $12 in Thailand and $5 – $13 in the Philippines, street food $1.20 – $2.40 and $0.80 – $2.40.
In the Philippines: tourist prices there are about 3.2× the fair price on average, against 3.0× in Thailand. The biggest gaps in the Philippines: city taxi 1 km (23.5×), tourist SIM card (8.3×), and local handcraft (5.0×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Thailand vs Philippines, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/thailand-vs-philippines/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
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