Staying economical for your visit to Thailand doesn’t mean you must miss out on all the fun – there are plenty of ways to save while also enjoying the best of the Land of Smiles. Here are a few tips on touring the city without straining your wallet.
Save on Air Travel
Bangkok is one of the cheapest cities to travel to in Asia by flight. However, if this still proves too costly, you can consider other destinations, such as Kuala Lumpur, from which you’ll find cheaper connections to the Thai capital. Monitor airlines like Air Asia, which offer economical flights to Thailand, and consider how to manage your baggage costs.
Visit During the Shoulder Season
Another way to save in Thailand is to visit during the off season (July to September). This is when you’ll find plenty of discounts and offers at even the best 5-star hotel in Bangkok, including the likes of Pathumwan Princess Hotel. Although this time of year has frequent rainfall, you’ll still save considerably on accommodation and even flight costs.
Stick to Public Transport
Resist the urge to hop into one of the taxis outside your hotel or the airport, as they can be fairly pricy, particularly in Bangkok. Instead, use the city’s Skytrain, MRT network, and public buses, which are cheaper and connect to all key areas in the city. You can also rent your own bike if you prefer to travel independently. If a taxi is unavoidable, especially for travelling away from Bangkok, use a ride-hailing app like Grab.
Visit Street Stalls & Night Markets
One of the best ways to get a feel for the local scene is to enjoy a tour of the city’s street food. The busy hawker stalls and night markets have more variety than most restaurant menus and are fairly easy on your wallet. You’ll likely have to queue in line, but the wait is worth the reward – there’s nothing quite like enjoying freshly prepared favourites from warm stews to fried noodles to heartwarming servings of rice.