Bangkok, Thailand, is one of the cheapest destinations on the planet. Mostly because it offers exceptional value for money spent. But how cheap is it? This article will go over the expenses you might encounter in Bangkok, including accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.
Accommodation
The cost of accommodation in Bangkok is hard to beat. If you’re low on cash, it’s easy to find dorm beds in hostels for as little as 300 baht (~$8 USD) per night, year round.
If you want your own room, expect to pay at least 500 baht (~$13 USD) per night. Prices go up from there, of course, and a lot has to do with the location. (Never stay too far outside of the city, though. Bangkok is known for its terrible traffic.)
If you’re staying for a month or longer, there are a lot of cheap places to rent. Try looking on Airbnb to take advantage of monthly discounts.
Or, if you’re looking to save even more cash, I recommend renting a serviced apartment.
A serviced apartment is a mixture between a hotel and an apartment building. Each room is fully furnished, and it may even come with a cleaning once a week (though not always). Many of them host short-term and long-term guests.
In Bangkok, these buildings are usually much older, but they also have a lot more space. If you’re tall and don’t want to be cramped in the more modern-looking apartments, this is a great deal.
There are a lot of bargains in the city center, and you can find some serviced apartments with a pool and gym for as little as 10,000 baht per month (~$269 USD). A lot of these places are virtually unknown to travelers. (This site is great for finding deals.) Please note that the customer service may not be great, so don’t expect the staff to treat you like they do back home.
Also, serviced apartments often charge more for electricity fees, but this is negligible if you’re not planning to stay at home very often. I’ve been staying in a serviced apartment for my whole tenure in Bangkok (about four years), and I have no wish to live anywhere else.
Eating Out and Drinking
Bangkok is a food paradise. A typical Thai meal at a local restaurant will cost you 60 baht (~$2 USD). (And there’s no rules about tipping, either.) You can eat that pretty much every day. As always, there are more expensive options, but it’s possible to live a great life while spending less than $10 per day.
Beer is a similar story. A can of beer, depending on the brand, will only cost around 60 baht (~$2 USD). If you want to save but still have fun, you can grab a can of beer from any 7-Eleven and simply walk around the city.
The price for alcohol in bars will vary, but around Khao San Road you’re looking at around 100 baht (~$3 USD) for a large bottle of beer (Chang).
Transportation
Bangkok’s transportation is convenient and cheap. The city’s public transport network includes the BTS Skytrain and MRT, which cost around 10 baht to 50 baht ($0.25-$1.50 USD) per one-way journey.
Buses are similarly cheap, and cost around 10 baht ($0.25 USD) per trip, though this also depends on where exactly you’re headed.
The fee for getting in a taxi in Bangkok is 35 baht ($1 USD), and from there it is 5 baht ($0.15 USD) per kilometer.
I wouldn’t recommend tuk-tuks if you’re on a budget, as they try to milk you for as much money as possible, and there are no set prices.
Entertainment
Bangkok offers loads of inexpensive or free attractions (if you can handle the heat). Parks, temples (sometimes), and markets do not charge entry fees.
There are many budget-friendly bars throughout the city (you may find a lot of them on the side of the road). But Khao San Road is generally considered the cheapest place to go out drinking.
If you like art museums, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) is free to enter. They may also put on events from time to time.
Additionally, if you walk around Central World, you might find free live music, or at the very least some interesting exhibits to look at it.
Many of the malls are often changing their themes or setting up some decorations because of a festival. There always seems to be something going on.
The Bottom Line
Though people often complain that Bangkok is getting more and more expensive, it’s still a cheap destination if you know where to look. Though who knows how long it will last. Regardless, it’s possible to have a great time in Bangkok on any budget.
