Bangkok on a Budget: The Complete Backpacker's Guide

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Bangkok is one of those cities that grabs you instantly. It’s loud, hot, chaotic, and completely addictive — and it’s one of the best value destinations on the planet for backpackers.

I’ve been to Bangkok four times now. The first time I landed with $600 and a terrifying amount of optimism. I’m still here (metaphorically), so it worked out.

Getting there

From the airport: Don’t take a taxi from the arrivals hall — they’ll quote you 600–800 THB. Instead:

Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai station: 45 THB (~$1.30). Takes 30 minutes, runs every 10 minutes.
From Don Mueang (budget airlines): take bus A1 or A2 to BTS Mo Chit for 30 THB.

Flights: AirAsia, Nok Air and Lion Air fly domestically for next to nothing. Internationally, look for deals on Skyscanner 6–8 weeks out.

Where to stay

Bangkok has some of Southeast Asia’s best hostels. Budget for $8–15/night in a dorm, $20–35 for a private room.

Best areas for budget travellers:

Banglamphu / Khao San Road — backpacker central, walkable to the old city temples
Silom — slightly more local feel, great food, well-connected by BTS
Ekkamai / On Nut — residential neighbourhood, cheaper than central, on the BTS line

I stayed at Lubd Siam* on my first trip — great rooftop, strong AC, easy BTS access. Around $12/night for a dorm.

What to do

The temples (mostly free or very cheap)

Wat Pho — Home of the massive reclining Buddha. Entry is 200 THB (~$6). Worth every baht — the complex is huge, beautiful, and you get a free traditional massage voucher (well, you did when I went).

Wat Arun — Cross the river on the 5 THB ferry, then 100 THB entry. The porcelain mosaic is stunning at sunrise and sunset.

Wat Saket (Golden Mount) — 20 THB entry, great views over the old city. Far fewer tourists than the famous temples.

Lumphini Park — Free. Go early morning to see locals doing tai chi, or at dusk for the monitor lizards. Yes, monitor lizards.

Markets

Chatuchak Weekend Market — Saturday and Sunday only. 15,000 stalls. Budget 4–5 hours minimum. Take the BTS to Mo Chit. Free entry.

Or Tor Kor Market — The posh produce market next to Chatuchak. Free to browse, incredible tropical fruit for almost nothing.

Talad Rot Fai (Train Market) — Two locations (Ratchada and Srinakarin). Night market with vintage goods, street food and a great atmosphere. Free entry.

Where to eat

This is the easy part. Bangkok street food is world-class and costs almost nothing.

Pad Thai at a street cart: 50–80 THB Khao man gai (poached chicken rice): 50–60 THB Som tum (green papaya salad): 40–60 THB Mango sticky rice: 60–80 THB

Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) is where I go when I want to eat everything. Go from about 6pm onwards. The seafood barbecue spots are pricey, but the smaller stalls lining the street are incredible and cheap.

Pro tip: Eat where locals eat. If the menu only has English and pictures, prices will be 2–3x higher.

Getting around

BTS Skytrain — Fast, AC, 17–59 THB per journey depending on distance. Buy a Rabbit Card (stored value) to avoid queuing for tickets.

MRT — Covers different routes than BTS, interchangeable with BRT and river ferry.

Chao Phraya River Ferry — 15 THB per hop. One of the nicest ways to move between the old city and Silom/Sathorn.

Grab (taxi app) — Like Uber. Always cheaper and more transparent than hailing a tuk-tuk. A 20-minute ride rarely costs more than 80–120 THB.

Tuk-tuks — Fun for a single ride experience, but negotiate firmly and don’t expect to go anywhere quickly.

Money-saving tips

Eat from 7-Eleven for breakfast — Thailand’s 7-Elevens are genuinely good. Toasted sandwiches, fresh coffee, sticky rice, onigiri. Total cost: 60–80 THB.
Avoid the Grand Palace tours — hire a cheap audio guide or just follow the free signage. The touts outside offering “Buddha is closed today” are lying.
Get a DTAC or AIS SIM at the airport — 299 THB for 30 days with data. Don’t pay hotel WiFi fees.
Happy hours are everywhere — most rooftop bars do 5–7pm deals. Cheap Singha, good views.
Walk the canals in Thonburi — hire a longtail boat for about 1,500 THB split between a group, or catch the local canal ferry for 10–14 THB per stop.

Practical info

Visa: Most nationalities get 30 days visa-on-arrival free. Check your country’s current status.

Safety: Bangkok is very safe for travellers. Watch out for gem scams (they’re everywhere near the Grand Palace) and anyone who approaches you unsolicited offering to take you somewhere “amazing.”

Power: Type A/B plugs (same as US). 220V. Bring a universal adapter.

Language: Very little English outside tourist areas, but Google Translate’s camera feature works brilliantly on menus.

Have a Bangkok tip I missed? Drop it in the comments below or get in touch.

Asia on TravelTown