How Expensive is Bangkok, Part II
Bangkok on $20 a day? It can be done.
The last post on this topic generated a lot of traffic and since I’d taken the lazy way out and sent you over to Greg’s blog before, I wanted to address it in a little more detail.
Like Greg said, Bangkok can be cheap, but it’s not that cheap. Sorry folks, the days of $2/night guest houses have been over for decades. Head to Bangladesh for that (seriously).
Today 34B = $1.00, 47B = 1 Euro, 55B = 1 GBP
But let’s say you are on a really tight budget, and want to know how cheaply you can visit Bangkok and still enjoy seeing the city.
Sure, everyone wants comfort and convenience, but if it’s a choice between traveling on the cheap and not traveling at all, always go with the latter! Below I’ve worked out the realistic minimum you’ll need to spend if you visit Bangkok for three nights.
Sleeping
The cheapest guest houses I’ve seen in central areas lately are 250B per night. That’s about $7.50 in US dollars. For that price, you’ll get a small room, a fan and a shared bathroom. Expect some dinginess, a sketchy bathroom and a walkup or slightly inconvenient location. Still, not such a bad price. At the end of the day so long as the sheets are clean and there’s running water, it’ll do.
For twice the price, things get a lot better. It won’t be the Oriental, but 500B will often get you your own bathroom and even air conditioning. Though budget travelers gravitate towards the Khao San Road area or Soi Ngam Dupli, you can find 500B guest houses all over the city.
Cheapest sleeping for three nights: 750B
Eating
Eating in Bangkok is still very inexpensive and you don’t have to sacrifice anything if you want to eat cheaply. The best food in Bangkok is street food and you can find it practically everywhere. It’s freshest, tastes the best and it’s a lot more interesting to eat outside with the rest of the city than in some fancy, air conditioned restaurant.
- A cha yen or café yen (iced tea or iced coffee) is about 12B and it’ll taste better than anything you’ll find at Starbucks.
- A plate of som tam and some rice is about 25B, noodle soups and other dishes are similarly priced.
- Snacks, like fried bananas or a bag of fresh fruit are about 10B.
- A small bottle of beer is about 30B.
You can easily eat breakfast, lunch and dinner for 100B, 150B if you have a big appetite. Add another 30B for bottled water.
Cheapest eating for three days: 400B
Getting Around
If you are on a really tight budget, stay close to the places you want to spend your time and take advantage of public transportation. If you’re here for a few days exploring the city’s biggest museums, wats and other cultural sights, pick a guest house near Phra Athit Road or Khao San Road. You can walk to the sights or take a quick bus ride. When you want to get to Chinatown or the city center, hop on the Chao Phraya Express Boat. Get off at Surawongse for Chinatown or transfer to the Taksin Bridge stop on the Skytrain for the rest of the city. The boat is 17B, Skytrain to the center of the city is 25B (depending where you get off). A round trip to Chinatown will cost only 35B, to downtown 85B.
Cheapest getting around for three days: 150B
Getting There
If you’re coming from the airport, the cheapest way to travel is by public bus. Take the free shuttle from the terminal to the Airport Transportation Center, then hop on a public bus to your destination for just 35B. If you’re staying in the Khao San Road area, take the 556 to Democracy Monument. From there it’s about a 10 – 15 minute walk depending where you are staying. Check the list here for other destinations. Be careful not to confuse the more expensive airport express bus with the public bus. And stay tuned, because when the Airport Skytrain Link finally opens in a few months there will be another inexpensive option.
Cheapest round trip from the airport: 70B
Admission to Sights
Don’t forget the cost of admission to museums, wats and the Grand Palace.
Admission costs for sightseeing for three days: 800B
Total for 3 days and 3 nights
2,100B or $60 US
Caveats
- Nightlife. If you want to go out at night, you’ll probably spend as much money on drinks and snacks as you will on accommodations. Figure a beer costs anywhere from 30B up depending on where you go. If you’re going somewhere nicer, you may pay an admission charge.
- Traveling at night. The Express Boat stops running at around 7 p.m., so if you are staying in the Khao San Road area, plan excursions around that or budget additional cash for a taxi home.
- Taxis and Tuk Tuks. Don’t take a taxi unless the driver turns the meter on. In most of Bangkok this is not a problem, but it is a problem in the Khao San Road area. Many taxis will flat out refuse a meter fare and ask for exorbitant rates to take you anywhere. Tuk tuks don’t have meters but are usually very inexpensive, unless of course you’re in a touristy area. A fair price for a mile long tuk tuk ride is 50B maximum. If you can’t get that price, walk away.
- Doubling up. A double room is almost always cheaper than two singles, so… make some friends if you’re traveling alone.
When I visited Korea almost a decade ago (*sigh*), of course I ate in restaurants, courtesy of family and business associates. However, some of the best food I had was on the street and in a mall. I thought I got such a bargain when I got a plate of noodles, soup and kimbap (the original sushi) for under $5. Someone later assured me that I’d been ripped off.
Years ago, as a teenager visiting a friend in NYC, some of the best food I ate were the cheap pieces of pizza that cost well under $2 (back then). I’m sure people have wonderful memories of events in fancy, expensive restaurants, but I’ll take to the street anywhere.
Nice guide. To many people go to Bangkok and just hang out in tourist areas and pay to much money for basic things. Get away from Khao San Road area and explore the city.
I really appreciate your pointing out how Bangkok is not as cheap as everyone thinks it is. For some reason, the decades old reputation sticks and I can’t get people to shake off that notion.
I once challenged myself to a 40 baht budget for each meal. If one is willing to go with street vendors, 40 baht is enough to fill the stomach. Personally, I find that breakfast was the better time to do it.
Aaaah I remember my times of traveling this vast land. I eventually threw away my (not so lonely planet) guide book and truly went it kon diaw.
I’d ask moto cycle drivers for cheap digs in Thai and visit the lesser known regions of the kingdom through the extensive and dirt cheap bus network. All you need is a map of that network easily obtainable and you can travel the kingdom to your hearts content.
Once you live here the magic fades a little though,
However those great memories of past seldom do 
Take the next step and live there!
Http://thailanddelights.blogspot.com
Bangkok certainly isn’t a cheap destination, as it’s not been for years! When I used to travel here many years ago, I’d stay in Bangers for two days tops! Then I’d hit the road and head up to iisaan where accommodation food and everything else was cheaper.
After that I’d just travel those provinces, because I’d be staying in Thailand for two months at a time. I could spin my money out and still have a good time. Just imagine trying to spend two months in Phiket on a budget! Hahahaha
http://thailanddelights.blogspot.com