If you’re wondering whether you can pay with US dollars in Thailand and what currency you should bring with you, this post has all the information you need. As a traveller, it can be tricky to figure out how to avoid unnecessary fees, exchange money and pick the best ATM.

We’ve got all this info and more in our complete guide to using American dollars, Euro, GBP, Baht and other currencies in Bangkok and all of Thailand, whether it be with a credit card payment, money exchange or cash withdrawal.

So let us tell you if US dollars are accepted and what to use as an alternative.

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Why you can trust this article about paying with US dollars in Thailand

Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for South East Asia travel tips and information. I’ve been traveling to Thailand for more than 25 years, which feels crazy to say, but it’s true.

Needless to say, Thailand has changed a lot over the years, and I’m here to keep you updated on travel information and the best things to do or see. I live in Bali, which is just a short journey from beautiful Thailand, and I end up coming here several times per year for extended trips.

Whether you’re looking for an ultimate island-hopping itinerary, or useful currency tips, I’ve got you covered.

Since I travel quite a lot, I always end up with leftover currency, including Thai Baht, US Dollars and more. If you need tips and advice on when and where to exchange cash and whether you can make use of your US dollars during your time in Thailand, I can help you out.

Are US dollars accepted in Thailand?

US dollars are not widely accepted in Thailand and everything is paid in the local currency; Thai Baht or THB. Some countries in South East Asia, namely Cambodia, use the US Dollar as their main currency, but Thailand’s Baht is actually quite strong compared to the Cambodian Riel, so there is no reason for locals to accept the dollar.

You also have to consider the aspect of national pride and that it is respectful to adjust to a country’s customs. You would find it strange if a Thai person were to pay with Baht in the United States, so expect the same when you come to Thailand.

Can I pay with Euro in Thailand?

Just as is the case for US dollars, Euros are not accepted in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand and you won’t be able to pay in any European currency. Thai Baht is the only official currency of the country and you cannot pay with Euro anywhere, including large chain stores or local shops.

Can I use Indian rupees in Thailand?

Thailand is welcoming more and more Indian tourists, but paying with rupees is not possible anywhere in the country. Indian tourists need to exchange their rupees either before they depart from home, or on arrival in Thailand.

What currency do they use in Thailand?

The national currency of Thailand is the Thai Baht, which is valued at approximately THB 38 per €1, THB 36 per US $1 and THB 44 per £1.

This means that THB 100 is approximately €2.60, US $2.70 and £2.20.

Of course, these numbers will change depending on the strength of each individual currency, but they can act as a rough guideline for approximating values.

The Baht is further split into 100 satang, which you might come across in the form of coins, but they do not hold a lot of value and are rarely used in daily life.

Which currency is the best one to use in Thailand?

The best and only currency to use in Thailand is the Baht. Any other currencies will not be accepted in daily life, so it’s best not to try to use them.

That being said, when in a pinch, service providers like taxi drivers might take US dollars as a tip (not as a payment though). This is not common though and should be used more as a last resort and not as a habit. Consider, that small amounts of foreign currency can be difficult to exchange, so a smaller tip will essentially be useless to someone living in Thailand.

Again, don’t try to pay with US dollars in Thailand since it can be perceived as disrespectful.

Which currency one should take to Thailand?

If you own a credit card or Visa debit card, you don’t really need to take any currency in cash to Thailand. Depending on your bank and type of card, the easiest and cheapest way to get cash in Thailand is to head to an ATM where you might be charged a small fee, but it should generally be lower than what you would pay when converting cash.

We’ll go deeper into the topic below.

That being said, it may be smart to have around US $50 to $100 in cash with you as an emergency fund, but carrying more just puts you at risk of having it stolen.

If you’re set on bringing cash to Thailand, I would recommend bringing your home currency, since an additional exchange would only result in you losing even more money.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Thailand?

In my experience, exchanging money is best done in the country you’re travelling to, especially when it comes to places with comparatively low-value currency like Thailand.

If you’re arriving in Thailand from the United States, I would recommend exchanging money on arrival, although not at the airport where exchange rates are notoriously high.

Instead, find a reputable money changer with good reviews somewhere in a populated area and double-check the amount you’re receiving is correct to avoid scams.

Should you exchange money in Thailand at the airport?

Exchanging cash at an airport is generally not advisable, since money changers know that travellers do not have much choice when arriving in a new place without the local currency.

It’s much better to wait, and head to the centre of town to exchange your cash. You could do this if you have the Grab app installed on your phone already, which allows you to pay via credit card.

Another alternative is to exchange only a small amount of cash at the airport to pay for your transport, and then switch a larger sum once you’ve made it to your hotel.

Is it safe to carry cash in Thailand?

It’s just as safe to carry cash in Thailand as it is in most other places around South East Asia. Petty theft does occur, but it’s not extremely common and with some common sense can be almost completely avoided.

Keep the majority of your cash safely hidden and locked away at your accommodation, and only carry what you need for the day, just in case you run into issues.

Thailand is a safe place to visit, and while busy nightlife areas of places like Bangkok, Phuket or Pattaya might have an influx of pickpockets, this is not the norm.

How can I avoid ATM fees in Thailand?

There are two types of fees you will come across when it comes to getting cash from an ATM in Thailand. One will come from your bank back at home and the other from the ATM itself.

That means that avoiding fees at an ATM in Thailand begins with finding a travel-friendly bank that won’t charge you for getting cash out abroad. Generally, most banks charge either between 1% and 5% or a flat fee somewhere close to US $5 and $10.

Others offer cards that will allow you to geht cash from a Visa or Mastercard ATM abroad completely free of charge. Definitely double-check this to get an idea of how much you’ll be paying.

The second type of fee comes from the ATM itself and can be anywhere between THB 150 and THB 300 (~ $4.10 US and $8.20 US). Unfortunately, many ATMs in Thailand charge a lot to get cash out and THB 200 seems to be quite common.

AEON ATMS charge THB 150 (~ $4.10 US), which is relatively low, and Citibank ATMs can be free depending on if your home bank has a partnership with them.

Luckily, the ATM will inform you of the fee you’ll be paying, so you can decide whether it’s too much or not.

Can I use a credit card in Thailand?

It’s becoming more and more common to be able to pay with a credit card in Thailand, although most of the country still runs on cash. You can most likely pay by card in nicer restaurants and in big stores, but street food, taxi drivers and daily necessities will be unable to accept cards.

Credit card payment – in Baht or GBP?

When abroad, always pay in the local currency so that your own bank provides the exchange rate and not the place you’re shopping with. This means that a credit card payment in Thailand should always be done in Baht and not GBP, US dollars or Euro. That way, you’ll save money and get a much more favourable rate.

Is Thailand currency cheaper than Indian Rupee?

Thailand’s Baht is stronger than the Indian Rupee and THB 1 is worth approximately INR 2.20. This means that Thai currency is not cheaper than the Indian Rupee.

Maximum Thai currency allowed to be taken in to Thailand

Thailand allows visitors to take a total value of US $20,000 in cash with them, which includes the equivalent in Thai Baht. If you are importing more, it needs to be declared with the customs department.

What can you buy with 1 dollar in Thailand?

US $1 will buy a basic street food meal in Thailand, two small bags of chips, a soda, a souvenir bracelet, a short ride on a motorbike taxi using Grab or a street food snack.

Using US dollars in Thailand FAQ

Before you go…

You’ve got your currency problems in Thailand sorted out, so let me help you prepare for the rest of your trip. Check out our guide for Krabi vs Ao Nang, the best 2-week itinerary and this article on Koh Tao’s famous abandoned hotel.

You might also like our transport guides for Khao Sok, Bangkok, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Tao, and these creative Instagram captions for your social media posts about Thailand.

Spending time in Bangkok? Check out these unusual things to do there for a special occasion.

Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.