As of November 12, 2026, Indonesia is cheaper than Thailand for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $65 in Indonesia against $79 in Thailand, a gap of 21.5%. Over the past year Indonesia has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+9.6% after inflation, against +5.8%). Thailand carries the lower US advisory (Level 1 against Level 2). Thailand is the easier of the two to travel.
| Measure | Indonesia | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $65 | $79 |
| Lean day | $28 | $35 |
| Comfortable day | $158 | $187 |
| Real change, 12 months | +9.6% | +5.8% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +9.3% | +4.1% |
| Versus 5-year average | +22.3% | +7.3% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 1 · Normal precautions |
| Ease of travel | 4.2 · Well set up | 4.8 · Effortless |
| Index score | 78 | 75 |
| Best months | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb |
| Shoulder months | Apr, Oct | Mar, Jun, Oct |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Seventeen thousand islands, and almost everyone only visits one of them.
The catchBali is congested and no longer cheap by local standards. Inter-island transport is slow and schedules are suggestions.
The most polished budget destination on earth: everything works, at every price point.
The catchThe baht has been strong and the islands price like southern Europe in peak season. Value now lives in the north and in shoulder months.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.