How to Visit Bangkok on a Budget

I started visiting Bangkok in my early twenties. I was living in India at the time and earning a relatively modest salary, in rupees. Although Bangkok is considered a fairly inexpensive destination compared to North America or Europe, costs were a bit higher than in Delhi. This meant that I had to work with modest means.

These first experiences proved to be excellent training. Even though I'm now a little older and earning money, I still approach the city through the eyes of a budget-conscious traveler, even if they prefer to stay in quieter neighborhoods. Here's how I keep costs to a minimum.

Be strategic with international flights.

Getting to Bangkok will probably be your biggest expense. Finding cheap flights isn't an exact science, and while booking international travel months in advance was once considered a smart approach, these days you're more likely to find the best deals if you book about two months before your trip.

As someone who gets immense pleasure from finding flight deals, I enjoy spending a lot of time on aggregator sites such as Google Flights And Skyscannerby determining which possible combination of departure and return dates will allow me to get the best deals. If that sounds miserable, you can simply plug in a few possible date ranges and set alerts to track airfare increases and decreases.

Use public transportation when possible.

Bangkok's public transportation infrastructure is exceptional, consisting of buses and commuter trains, as well as clean and efficient transportation. BTS sky train and MRT (metro) networks. The Bangkok Airport Rail Link is a boon for travelers arriving or departing from Suvarnabhumi Airport, providing a quick and cheap connection to Phaya Thai and Makkasan stations.

Unfortunately, some areas, including backpacker paradise Khao San Road and the streets around the nearby Grand Palace, are not well connected to the city except by bus. tuk-tuk (and be prepared to bargain hard) or splurge on a metered taxi (available via the To input carpooling app). If you're traveling alone, you can save some money by hiring a motorbike taxi (also available on Grab). As another added benefit, motorcycle taxis can generally get through traffic much faster than taxis.

Choose budget options and book in advance.

Bangkok isn't the kind of destination where you'll have to consider sacrificing physical comfort to save a few baht: many of Bangkok's budget hotels are in good condition and usually have much-needed air conditioning. While many party-loving backpackers head straight to the Khao San Road area in search of ultra-affordable hostels and guesthouses, there are plenty of great options across the city with double rooms ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 baht ($30-$90) per night.

One of the best values ​​in town, Hotel P18 Bangkok is tucked away on an alleyway, a 10-minute walk from the Jim Thompson House Museum and the Bangkok cluster of shopping centers in Siam. This affordable sanctuary has large, single rooms and a covered outdoor rooftop overlooking the Saen Saep Canal.

Another great but slightly more expensive option is the Old Capital Bike Inna heritage hotel located a 10-minute walk from Mount d'Or (Wat Sa Ket Ratchaworamahawihan). As its name suggests, the 10 rooms of this family inn have a cycling theme. Free evening bike rides and loaner bikes offer a free and fun alternative to tuk-tuks and motorcycle taxis.

And while you can expect to pay a hefty sum to stay in some of Bangkok's most opulent places, book in advance or come in advance. low season – and you might be able to get a luxury room in one of the award-winning propertieslike the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort And The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhonfor around $200 a night.

Eat cheaply.

One of the biggest perks of Bangkok is that you can enjoy tasty food without splurging. The city's street food scene is among the best in the world, and you can easily pick up a plate of piping hot pad thai or a bag full of mango and sticky rice for as little as 35 baht (about a dollar) in local restaurants. market areas. “I recommend going to Chatuchak Weekend Market or Wang Lang Market,” says Pan Thitirat, a local and crew member of the The courta guesthouse/hostel hybrid in the artsy Ari district. “There is also a canteen at Exim Bank in Ari area with meals starting from 35 baht.”

Snacks are also easy to find in Bangkok: go to a local fruit seller to buy mango, mangosteen or, if you're daring, durian. (Don't bring this notoriously stinky fruit back to your hotel; many properties have giant NO DURIAN signs plastered on their front doors.)

Save on sightseeing tours.

Entrance fees to Bangkok can add up, particularly if you stick to more expensive attractions such as the Grand Palace or even the more affordable Jim Thompson House Museum. However, many temples in Bangkok are inexpensive or free to visit. “I recommend Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, which has no entrance fee, and Golden Mount, which costs 50 baht to enter,” says Thitirat. Art lovers also have plenty of options – Thitirat suggests Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC)which is free for visitors, and the Siam Museumor 100 baht (around 3 dollars) for foreign visitors.

Want to get away from the metropolitan madness? Thitirat recommends creating your own Chao Phraya River cruise by boarding a public boat or spending time in green spaces such as Lumpini Park and Rot Fai Park. “You can also rent a bike or walk and relax while admiring nature.”