Bangkok is renowned among backpackers for its crowded streets, cheap souvenirs, wild nightlife, and insane traffic. Many backpackers travelling Southeast Asia will visit Bangkok and are somewhat overwhelmed due to the pollution and crowds, however, compared to many big Asian cities, Bangkok is actually quite beautiful.
Give the city time and you will definitely come to love it. I’ve spent over three months backpacking in Bangkok, across a dozen visits over ten years, and it’s a city I still love to visit… While the initial chaos and, at times, admitted seediness can initially throw newcomers off, there is a lot to fall in love with should you give Bangkok the chance.
So, today, I’m going to breakdown beautiful and bombastic Bangkok! We’re going to talk about where to stay amongst Bangkok’s eclectic neighbourhoods, and what to do amongst it’s hidden bars and steaming hole-in-the-walls eatery. Most of all, we’ll talk about how to backpack Bangkok on a budget.
After all, this is Thailand, and Thailand is baby’s first budget backpacking Asia adventure. I’m bringing you the best travel tips as it all starts in Bangkok.
It all depends on your style of travelling. If you’re staying at fancy hotels and not eating locally, it will add to your travel costs in Bangkok very fast. Plan ahead, don’t spend money left and right and you’ll have an enjoyable and affordable trip. Whether you decide to just spend a weekend in Bangkok or you’re here for a few weeks, you’ve still got to be careful despite this being a famously budget place to visit!
Dorm rooms start at around $3 but you can get a cheap double room for just $4 if you look around. Dorm rooms in prime locations will set you back at least $10. Private rooms near Khao San start at around $10 but if you walk ten minutes outside of Khao San the price will drop by a few dollars. Chana Songkram is a good road to find cheap accommodation, it is just a five minute walk from Khao San and has loads of budget hostels, the Merry V Guesthouse is one of the cheapest.
In Bangkok, you can eat street food for under a dollar! The food is delicious, nutritious and great value. A meal in a restaurant will see you back a fair bit more, perhaps $10 a person including a couple of drinks.
City buses tend to be very crowded and can be quite confusing but they cost as little as $0.25 a journey. The Skytrain and Metro usually cost under a dollar a trip and are a great way to get around. Taxis throughout the city usually cost between $3 and $5 but make sure your driver puts the meter on. If you are travelling by yourself and don’t want to use public transport try out the famous motorcycle taxis, these are good value, especially during rush hour.
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Daily Travel Budget in Bangkok Breakdown
Dorm bed in a hostel: $3-$6
Small basic room for two: $7-$14
Nice accommodation (Airbnb, hotel, etc.): $15+
Street eat: $1-$3
Sit-down meal: $7-$14
Bus ride: <$1
Metro/Skytrain ride: <$1
Taxi fare: $3-$6
Bangkok Budget Backpacking Tips
Travelling to Thailand is relatively cheap, but there are some travel tips you can use to keep your daily spending budget lower. To keep your spending to an absolute minimum whilst travelling in Bangkok I recommend sticking to these basic budget backpacking tips…
- Use Public Transport – Bangkok has an extensive system of buses and metro lines (not to mention the countless taxis, moto-taxis, and tuk-tuks that line the streets). So make use of this and save up to do better things!
- Couchsurf: Couchsurfing is an excellent idea while backpacking Bangkok.
- Cook your own food: Get together with your amigos at the hostel and cook up a meal. You can save some pennies doing this.
- Haggle: Know how to haggle, and do it as much as you can. You can always get a better price for things especially while in local markets in Bangkok.
- Pack a travel water bottle: Save money – and the planet – every day!
Why You Should Travel to Bangkok with a Water Bottle
Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful
You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller.
STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC! If you’d like some more tips on how to save the world, be sure to watch the video below.
Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.
A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!
Jetpac eSIMs work just like an app: you download it, pick your plan, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.
Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic.
Grab an eSIM!If you’re wondering what to do in Bangkok, backpacker, don’t panic there is loads to do in Bangkok it is absolutely stacked with awesome activities and attractions. Don’t miss out! Infact, with so much to do you might just want to plan out a proper Bangkok Itinerary!
1. Receive the Sacred Sak Yant Tattoo
Many travelers visiting Thailand express an interest in learning about the fascinating practise of holy Sak Yant tattoos, find out more about these amazing works of art and get your own tattoo from a monk – I strongly recommend reading up on what the Sak Yant tattoo is to find out if it’s is right for you…
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
2. Learn About Thai Elephants Before You Buy “The Pants”
Open from 8:30 to 4:30, the Royal Elephant Museum is well worth a visit to learn more about elephants in Thai culture.
3. Try Some Authentic Market Shopping
You can buy almost anything in Bangkok’s huge markets, the best is probably the huge Jatujak Weekend Market. Tour a night market with a local in Bangkok and really discover the hidden gems of the city.
4. Or Some Less Authentic Modern Shopping
There are tons of shopping malls in Bangkok and if you have the cash these are great places to find relatively cheap clothes, electronics and designer knockoffs.
5. Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Po
Wat Po is home to the fantastic reclining golden Buddha and is definitely worth visiting. When you get to the temple touts may tell you it is closed, ignore them and go straight inside. Better yet, pre-purchase your ticket for Wat Po!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
6. Relax a Day in Lumpini Park
If you end up staying a while, one of the best places to see in Bangkok is this fantastic park with jogging trails, free weights and rowboats.
7. The Underbelly of Bangkok
A lot of travellers are keen to explore Bangkok’s famous sex scene; Soi Cowboy is supposed to be the more high-market place to hang.
8. Explore the Infamous Khao San Road
The epicenter of Bangkok’s backpacking scene, Khao San is definitely worth checking out. This is a fantastic place enjoy a few beers or get your first taste of a Thai bucket! Beware that a night out on Khao San will empty your wallet.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
9. Learn How to Cook a Proper Thai Feast
Booking a cooking class in Bangkok is an excellent way to get to know the legendary Thai cuisine flavors. Plus, you get to take some pretty awesome skills home with you.
10. Sample the Street Eats
The street food in Bangkok is some of the best street food in the world. It is cheap, plentiful and super tasty. It is also very safe and unlikely to make you sick. If in doubt, buy food from a stall frequented by local Thai people, that way you can be sure the fare is of good quality.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
For me, one of the most exciting things about being on the road is meeting new people and staying in new places. Bangkok is the starting point for many backpacking adventures, and there are some fantastic hostels to check out. These backpacker meccas are great for meeting fellow travellers, exchanging travel stories, tapping into the backpacking grapevine and just chilling the fuck out.
Hostels may be your best entry point for meeting fellow travellers, however, there are way more accommodation options! Swanky Airbnb apartments, family guesthouses, and authentic homestays secreted away amongst the vibrant neighbourhoods of Bangkok. Whether you’re looking for the insanity of nights trawling the city, or just a new home to live your digital nomad dream, you’ll find a place to stay in Bangkok to suit your needs.
Best Places to Stay in Bangkok
Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit is a centrally located neighbourhood with easy access to other districts throughout Bangkok.This neighbourhood boasts a number of historic and cultural attractions as well as great bars, restaurants and shopping making it the best area to stay in bangkok for first-time visitors.
Banglamphu
Banglamphu is the heart and soul of Bangkok. Centrally located, this neighbourhood is where you’ll find an excellent mix of historic and beautiful temples and a vibrant and lively party scene.
Khao San Road
Bangkok’s nightlife is nothing short of epic, and the city’s dedicated nightlife area is Khao San Road, a haven for backpackers looking to dance the night away and enjoy a non-stop party.
Thonglor
Thonglor is by far one of the coolest areas to stay in Bangkok. Located east of the centre, this trendy district is where Bangkok’s young, rich and famous come to sip ultra-hip cocktails and indulge in world-class cuisine.
Siam
Siam is the commercial centre of Bangkok and one of the city’s safest neighbourhoods, making it one of the best areas to stay for families. High-end malls and world-class restaurants are just a few of the top attractions here.
Best Time of Year to Visit Bangkok
The peak tourist season in Thailand is November to February when the weather is beautiful across the country but there’s a high chance you’ll run into a ton of tourists in Bangkok. The really popular guest-houses fill up fast so this is a country where it can definitely be worth making reservations. This way you can find cheaper accommodation which is difficult to find during peak season.
The local people are a really friendly bunch and keen to help so if you have any problems don’t be afraid to ask for directions from the locals. And Bangkok is a wonderful city to get lost in, there is SO much to explore.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
If you want to give the other tourists a miss, head over there in the non-touristy season. You can still do most things your planning for your trip to Bangkok even at the quiet times. It is just as much fun, maybe more!
Need help deciding between Bangkok and Chiang Mai? Check out our helpful guide.
Getting In and Out of Bangkok
Bangkok is the beating heart of the backpacking scene in South East Asia and most travellers end up starting their Southeast Asia backpacking trip by flying into Bangkok. You can, of course, also arrive via road or rail from:
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Or Cambodia.
Many nationalities can receive a thirty day, free, visa waiver on arrival (if arriving by air, it’s currently 15 days if you arrive overland). You can generally extend the waiver once, to receive an additional thirty days, for a fee. If your nationality requires a pre arranged visa or you want to sort out a Thai visa in advance, particularly for a longer stay, it is fairly simple to receive one a Thai embassy at home or abroad.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
From Bangkok, you can travel to a ton of really beautiful islands and some cool cities as well. Some islands are very crowded and others only have just a few bungalows on them. Some of the best (well… best-known) are:
- Koh Samet
- Koh Tao
- Koh Phangan
- Koh Samui
- Joh Lanta
- The Similan Islands
Chiang Mai is one of my favourites destinations in Thailand and is popular with the digital nomad crowd (according to new digital nomad statistics). If you’re unsure where the heck to go after Bangkok, check out this epic 3-week Thailand itinerary from my amigo Dave.
How to Get Around Bangkok
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
If you are super stoked by the prospect of riding in a tuk tuk, go for it but be sure to negotiate a price before you get in Keep an eye on your shit when in a tuk tuk. The local bus system is another great way to get around Bangkok and I also frequently use the Skytrain for longer distances. To get into the city from the airport, catch the Skytrain and then catch a Grab or a taxi from Thonburi or Bearing.
Grab (similar to Uber) is now readily available in several countries in the region including Thailand! Grab a great way to find taxis and the price is locked in on the app. However, Grab can often prove to be more expensive than regular taxi’s.
Best Nightlife and Parties in Bangkok
The best party streets in Bangkok are:
- Royal City Avenue
- Khao San Road
- Thonglor
- Soi 10
- Sukhumvit Soi 11
- Silom Road
Khao San Road’s reputation as the ultimate backpacker party hub is known across Southeast Asia, and has been for decades. Internet cafes, bars, restaurants, massage parlours, tattoo shops and hawkers line the 1km stretch of absolute mayhem. You’ll see people eating, drinking and dancing on the streets.
I would definitely not advise staying on Khao San road even though the cheap prices might be tempting as it’s damn noisy and you won’t catch any sleep. If you want to party stay nearby, just not on the actual road.
Safety in Bangkok
While having earned a reputation for its wild nightlife, tuk-tuk scams, and incorrigible ladyboys, Bangkok is safe – or at last a fairly safe destination to visit. You definitely stil need to keep your wits about you – especially if youre new to this part of the world – but you’re still looking at a safe trip to Bangkok. The main thing to stay aware of is knowing how to get loose safely and, crucially, not getting too loose.
Even though drugs are free flowing in the half moon and full moon parties, Thailand has very very strict laws against possession of drugs including imprisonment and the death penalty. My advice is to be extra cautious when it comes to drugs.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
A lot of the time, the weed is low-quality brick weed. Every now and again, unfortunate backpackers do get roofied so be careful with your drinks and don’t accept random shit from strangers. Read Blazed Backpackers 101 for tips on how to stay safe whilst partying in Bangkok.
Tinder is awfully common in Bangkok but more as a hookup app than a dating app. You can still give it a spin though, just before you take all the necessary precautions as Thailand makes it easy to get too wrapped in love and sex on the road.
Travel Insurance for Bangkok
Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Books to Read on Bangkok
- Lonely Planet Bangkok Travel Guide – Plenty of useful info on bus routes and where to go.
- Bangkok Tattoo – While Bangkok is rich in history, crowded with temples it is also a city shrouded in shadows with pollution, corruption, and the touted sex capital of the world. This book is a narrative of this dichotomy.
- Bangkok Eight – Bangkok is a strange city where Buddhist monks in saffron robes walk the same streets as world-class gangsters. Mystery ensues when a US marine sergeant is killed.
- Miss Bangkok: Memoirs of a Thai Prostitute – Miss Bangkok is a vivid and extremely moving memoir of a life of prostitution in Bangkok. Her confessions will make you laugh and cry, cringe and applaud but she will definitely change your perception of prostitution forever.
- Bangkok Haunts – This book is about the underbelly of Bangkok- District 8 and the story of Detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep who has seen just about everything on his beat there.
- The Damage Done: Twelve Years Of Hell In A Bangkok Prison – In 1978, Warren Fellows was convicted in Thailand of heroin trafficking and was sentenced to life imprisonment and what he went through for those years is beyond your worst imagination. It is an essential read.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Final Thoughts from this Bangkok Travel Guide
Make Money Online Whilst Backpacking Bangkok
Traveling in Bangkok long-term? Keen to make some cash when you are not exploring the city?
Teaching English online is a great way to earn a consistent income—from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection. Depending on your qualifications (or your motivation to obtain qualifications like a TEFL certificate) you can teach English remotely from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills! It’s a win-win! Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to start teaching English online.
In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online, TEFL courses open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world. To find out more about TEFL courses and how you can teach English around the world, read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad.
Broke Backpacker readers get a 50% discount on TEFL courses with MyTEFL (simply enter the code PACK50), to find out more, please read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad.
Whether you are keen to teach English online or looking to take your teaching game a step further by finding a job teaching English in a foreign country, getting your TEFL certificate is absolutely a step in the right direction.
Volunteering in Bangkok
Long term travel is awesome. Giving back is awesome too. For backpackers looking to travel long-term on a budget in Florence whilst making a real impact on local communities look no further than Worldpackers. Worldpackers is an excellent platform connecting travelers with meaningful volunteer positions throughout the world.
In exchange for a few hours of work each day, your room and board are covered.
Backpackers can spend long periods of time volunteering in an awesome place without spending any money. Meaningful life and travel experiences are rooted in stepping out of your comfort zone and into the world of a purposeful project.
Worldpackers opens the doors for work opportunities in hostels, homestays, NGOs, and eco-projects around the world. We’ve tried and approved them ourselves – check out our Worldpackers in-depth review.
If you’re ready to create a life-changing travel experience and give back to the community, join the Worldpacker community now. As a Broke Backpacker reader, you’ll get a special discount of $10. Just use the discount code BROKEBACKPACKER and your membership is discounted from $49 a year to only $39.
Worldpackers: connecting travellers with meaningful travel experiences.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Being a Responsible Backpacker in Bangkok
Backpacking in Bangkok will bring you ample opportunities to participate in debauchery, and it is very important to have fun, let loose, and get a bit wild at times. Most backpacking trips I have been on across the world have included at least a few mornings where I wake up knowing I went too far.
There are some things that will put you in the category of a straight up jackass if you do them. Being super loud and obnoxious in a tiny hostel at 3 AM is a classic rookie backpacker mistake.
Everyone in the hostel will hate you when you wake them up. Show your fellow travelers respect whilst backpacking in X and anywhere else for that matter!
Check out our post on how to be a responsible backpacker.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
Note: Grab is more expensive than a metered taxi, grab make money from adding their booking fee to the meter price.
Grab is different to uber.
Calling a Thai Ai hee ah…which literally means anus of a monitor lizard is possibly the most stupid thing that a person could do in Thailand. As a farang it may not cost you your life, but it is an insult which has vdry grave consequences. Suggest you take it down.
Your content is awesome and so useful! For sure I am going to use your tips when I go to Bangkok for my birthday on July! Keep up the good work! 🙂