How to Explore Bangkok on a Budget

Regarded as one of Asia's top tourist destinations, the Thai capital attracts a wide range of visitors. Home to some of the region's most diverse cultural and culinary landscapes, the sheer variety of activities available in the city makes Bangkok an irresistible pick for tourists of all ages and income levels. Having been renowned as a backpacker's paradise for decades, the capital of Thailand is still accessible to budget travellers. Here's how you can enjoy a tour of Bangkok on a budget.

Find a Convenient Base

Travellers who wish to explore the Thai capital on a budget should first and foremost secure a centrally located hotel to serve as their base. Since budget travellers cannot afford to stay for an extended period and have limited funds to spend on transportation and sightseeing activities, it is prudent to stay in a Bangkok city hotel that's located close to all the major tourist hotspots. Whether it's the Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok or a hostel in the heart of the city, a central location can cut down the time one spends travelling to and from attractions while also making walking to various highlights a possibility.

Spend Time in Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the most affordable and bargain-friendly neighbourhoods in Bangkok thanks to the Chinese community in the area which offers everything from food to souvenirs at unbelievable prices. Even if one is not based in Chinatown, heading to this part of the city for the inexpensive but delicious meals, Chinese food and desserts make a great deal of sense while shopping for gifts and other consumer products to take home also becomes an exciting adventure in Chinatown where imports from mainland China are sold on every street corner. Chinatown is also home to its own cultural points of interest which are free to visit and they include the Wat Mangkon Kamalawat and Guan Yin Shrine.

Dine and Shop in Street Markets

Chinatown is not the only area in Bangkok to boast street food vendors and sprawling thoroughfares with hundreds of stalls as various corners of the Thai capital are reserved for locals and tourists in search bargains. For a shopping spree look no further than the Chatuchak Weekend Market, the Ladies Market and the Talat Rot Fai Market while those who wish to grab a delectable bite to eat should head down to Khlong Toei, the Wang Lang market and the Marine market. The Bang Rak Food Market in Silom also shouldn't be missed for its irresistible selection of crab cakes.

Tour the Floating Markets

Serving as both a cultural point of interest as well as a shopping destination, a tour of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a must for all budget travellers exploring Bangkok. This unique marketplace where everything is sold from a longtail boat offers bargain hunters some exciting opportunities to purchase authentic Thai creations and other curios. Open from 7am to 5pm, the best time to tour the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is during the wee hours of the morning when one can also catch a glimpse of the river dwelling communities living in the channels of the Chao Praya River.

Use Public Transportation

Efficient and affordable, the cheapest way to get around Bangkok is also the fastest and the most accessible. Head to the nearest MRT or BTS Skytrain station to catch a ride to nearly any corner of Bangkok for a nominal fee and arrive safely and quickly at your destination. One can purchase a multi-day travel pass from the station and use it to pay for train rides and bus journeys around the city. Easy to top-up as you travel, these travel passes offer budget visitors the chance to explore Bangkok for less.