Bangkok Budget Guide: Save VS. Splurge
This is your budget guide to saving vs. splurging in Bangkok.
As affordable as the city can be, we were also surprised to see how easily costs can add up. Below is our spending guide whether you’re on a tight budget or the sky’s the limit.
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES:
SAVE
Spend an evening in Chinatown. First head towards Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat – one of Bangkok’s best free temples. Cost: Free. Then head over to Yaowarat Road to taste the many foods from street vendors. Cost: 200 Baht Total Food Samples. If you’re looking to get away from it all, head over to Lumphini Park for a daytime stroll. Cost: Free.
SPLURGE
One of the most expensive cultural activities to do in Bangkok is to visit the Grand Palace. This should not be missed if only to appreciate the beauty that went into constructing the home of Thailand’s royalty. Cost: 500 Baht
FOOD:
SAVE
Look no further than Bangkok’s street for some delicious and wallet friendly eats. Cost: 40 Baht for Pad Thai or Noodle Soup. We also recommend checking out some of the smaller / quick bite restaurants for a delicious treat. One of our favorite: Som Tom Jay So. Cost: 60 Baht for a plate of papaya salad.
Click here to watch our YouTube Video on the Som Tom that Mark Wien’s Made Famous!
SPLURGE
For fine Thai cusine head on over to Dusit Thani’s restaurant Benjarong. The lunch menu here will set you back 900 Baht. If you’re in the mood for something different, try fine Turkish cuisine at the House on Sathorn at the W Bangkok. Dinner menus start at 2200 Baht, but remember, you’ll be dining at one of Asia’s 50 Best!
SHOPPING
SAVE
Head on over to one of Bangkok’s many markets. For a local experience where vendors won’t try to ripe you off (all prices marked) head on over to Chatuchak Green Market on the weekends; this is where young Bangkok hangs out. Other fashionable markets with reasonable prices include Platinum Market and Pratunum Market – across the street outdoors.
Click here to see our YouTube video on Chatuchak Green Market.
SPLURGE
You won’t have to look very far to find luxury shopping in Bangkok. Start at Siam Paragon, EM Quartier, or Emporium. Tip – if you can’t afford the luxe shops here, head straight to the food courts where you’ll find a wealth of options that won’t break the bank.
ACCOMODATION
SAVE
Bangkok has many options when it comes to sleeping on a budget. One of these options located Silom is i-Sanook Hostel with beds for $15 a night.
SPLURGE
Bangkok is known for having some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. Some great options for going a little above and beyond are the W Bangkok. If you’re looking to go all out, our recommendation would be The Siam Hotel which comes with your own personal butler.
Click here to read our full review of The Siam Hotel.
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