10 Dos and Don’ts for Saving Money in Bangkok

It’s quite obvious that eating at a roadside stall will be cheaper than a swanky dining room. The range of street food is enough to fill an entire trip and still not sample everything. Barbequed meats, wok-fried noodles, freshly made papaya salad, chicken rice, and a whole world of different noodle soups usually costs less than 60 baht per dish. English can be a problem when ordering, but it's amazing what you can accomplish with a point and a smile. For around 60 baht to 100 baht, you can find basic yet tasty Thai food in air-conditioned comfort at one of Bangkok’s many food courts.

You can pick up clothes and accessories at cheap prices in many markets and wholesale malls in Bangkok, but Pratunam is just about as cheap as you will find in any of the popular tourist areas of Thailand without outright stealing. In particular, you should check out Platinum Fashion Mall, Pratunam Market and Pantip Plaza. Just be aware that any ‘designer’ goods that are a fraction of the prices found in other shops are probably not genuine.

Bargaining and haggling for a better deal is all part of the experience when shopping at markets in Bangkok. The first price offered is rarely the true price, especially in touristy areas like Khao San Road, Silom, and Chatuchak Market. 

Hotel prices fluctuate throughout the year – no surprise there. If you're looking to save money on accommodation, you should look at coming to Bangkok during the rainy season (May to September), when prices drop by as much as 50% from peak season rates. It might sound off-putting at first, but do be aware that ‘rainy season’ doesn’t mean it’s always pouring down outside. Instead, expect isolated showers, usually in the afternoon or evening.

If you plan on sightseeing all over Bangkok, you should make use of the BTS Skytrain, which has 2 lines covering Sukhumvit and Silom, with a central station in Siam. Single journeys cost between 15 baht and 45 baht, but you can buy a Rabbit travel card, which comes preloaded with multiple trips at a flat rate. This means you can cut across town for less than $1!

When you're out enjoying Bangkok’s nightlife, you should club your funds together and buy a tower of beer or a bottle of liquor, rather than single drinks as you might do in your home country – you’ll get loads more for your money! This is true of local bars as well as high-end nightclubs in Bangkok.

Watching the sunset from a rooftop bar is an incredibly popular activity in Bangkok, but you can end up spending a week’s worth of your food budget at some of the swankiest venues. It’s a good idea to check out rooftop bars that aren’t part of 5-star hotels in Bangkok – affordable options include Wanderlust Rooftop Bar, Wallflowers Upstairs, and NEST Rooftop Lounge.