Bangkok on a Budget
A river ferry that costs less than a coffee, street food that outclasses fine dining, and a city where the sights barely dent the wallet, here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down too.
Bangkok is genuinely one of the more affordable major cities in the world to visit, street food is cheap, transport is cheap, and even the paid temple visits cost a fraction of European equivalents. Here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down without cutting the trip short.
Visit outside the hottest months for a more comfortable trip
March through May brings Bangkok’s most intense heat, considerably more draining for a full day of sightseeing. The cooler season, November through February, offers noticeably more comfortable temperatures, and prices don’t rise much given Bangkok’s steady year-round tourism.
Wat Pho and many temples cost very little
Admission to most Bangkok temples, including Wat Pho, sits at a fraction of what you’d pay for a major European sight. The Grand Palace’s ticket price includes several other sites too, worth checking what’s bundled before paying separately elsewhere.
Use the BTS Skytrain and river ferries over taxis
Bangkok’s traffic is genuinely notorious, a short taxi ride can take considerably longer, and cost more, than the equivalent BTS Skytrain or ferry journey. Both run cheaply and efficiently, and the ferry doubles as sightseeing along the river.
A street food cart beats a tourist-priced restaurant
Pad thai, mango sticky rice and grilled satay from a proper street cart are widely some of the best food in the city, considerably cheaper than a sit-down restaurant near the Grand Palace. Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road remains one of the best cheap eats destinations in Bangkok too.
Consider Banglamphu or Sukhumvit’s side streets
Hotels right near the Grand Palace sit at the top of the price range given the location. Banglamphu, near Khao San Road, or the quieter side streets off Sukhumvit both run noticeably cheaper while staying well connected via BTS or river ferry.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
