Being Thailand’s capital and the most visited city in the world, with an array of exotic street food, epic nightlife, never-ending buzzing streets, and exquisite temples which are just some of Bangkok’s highlights, many often wonder if it is an expensive city to visit. Especially those who have never been there before but think it to be a strange but enticing city that deserves more than just a stopover to jungles and beaches.
Is Bangkok an Expensive City to Visit?
Thailand is a well-known country for tourists/travelers on a budget. You can experience lots of excitement with only a few funds. But when visiting the capital city of a country, it is only natural that the expenses be a bit higher. Visiting Bangkok is a bit more expensive as compared to visiting other parts of Thailand, however, it is still very affordable.
Without a travel budget and some discipline, you may as well end up spending too much before even realizing it, costing you way more than it should. Such scenarios can be avoided by improving your bargaining skills and staying local. Bangkok is a city for every one of different classes to enjoy, have fun, and make memories without completely emptying their pockets.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Trip To Bangkok?
Below is a well-curated guide to help you understand how much it would cost to visit Bangkok and stay for at least three days. It depicts:
- Flight cost
- Accommodation
- In-city Transportation
Have in mind that this information may not be 100% accurate as it is subjected to change at any given time.
Flight Cost
An estimated cost of a trip ticket to Bangkok is around 210 USD to 1450 USD. The cost of a flight will always be the highest in your travel budget, however, this amount depends on where you are and what month of the year you intend to travel. For example, flying from New York to Bangkok in December is always cheaper compared to other months.
Below is a list of average flight costs from major global cities to Bangkok in the cheapest month. Note that these costs are subject to change at any given time and as such may not be 100% accurate.
New York – Suvarnabhumi Airport: 354 USD to 838 USD
Sydney – Suvarnabhumi Airport: 238 AUD to 1,180 AUD
London – Suvarnabhumi Airport: 237 GBP to 492 GBP
Vancouver – Suvarnabhumi Airport: 670 CAD to 983 CAD
The Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is in charge of most international flights, it is also the most affordable when visiting Bangkok.
Accommodation
Compared to other parts of Thailand, Bangkok has the highest cost of accommodation, however, the prices are still affordable. Irrespective of your social class, the city is designed to accommodate everyone, from low-cost apartments to exotic suits for the higher class.
Being a big city, one could easily get confused in finding the best places to stay. An ideal location is the central part of the city especially if you don’t mind spending time on public transport.
Of course, staying in hotels is quite pricey in every country around the world, and as such hostels are the best option for low-budget tourists/travelers. Below are insights into accommodation costs and types in Bangkok. Hopefully, it will help you decide which one fits into your travel budget and suits your needs.
Hotels in Bangkok
If it is a luxurious visit to Bangkok you seek then hotels are your go-to for all the ‘sip my cocktail in infinity pools after massage’ experiences. As earlier said, hotels are the most expensive in terms of accommodation and could easily become the biggest cost in your travel budget. Their prices always range from $60 to $500 and above for a night – and for sure, they come with great luxury.
It is guaranteed to always have new sheets and towels every day, with exquisite hotel bars and staff on stand-by for your every need. Some hotels provide breath-taking views, the perfect escape from the noise and chaos of an ever-buzzing city filled with over 15 million people.
Below are the three top-tier hotels in Bangkok
Buddy Lodge: this is a modern-day Thai-styled hotel with a rooftop pool and a fitness center. It is very close to Khao San, but far enough from the noise and chaos of the city. The perfect fit for a relaxing vacation.
Casa Nithra: this is a 4-star hotel with an excellent value for money. They offer delicious food, friendly staff, and a swimming pool.
Vera Nidthra: what makes this hotel exceptional in this list is its proximity to the Iconsiam, from here you catch boats to the majority of the tourist attractions.
Hostels in Bangkok
A hostel will be the best fit for you if you love to socialize, make new friends, and save money. These hostels exist in varieties tailored to everyone’s preferences, from a hippy sanctuary managed by eccentrics to higher-classed rooftop types of hostels. Basic dorms can be acquired for $3, while fancy privates could go for $125 per night.
When it comes to choosing the best hostels in Bangkok for tourists/travelers, this task could be challenging. So below are three suggestions of the most favored hostels and hopefully, they could be in tune with your style.
Playground Hostel: this is one hostel filled with party vibes. Here you can spend most of your nights making good memories, losing to drinking games, and nursing hangovers in the mornings.
The Yard Hostel: the rooms here are made from recycled shipping containers, and the environment features beautiful gardens. Situated in the center of Bangkok, it is an eco-friendly relaxing sanctuary.
Diff Hostel: this is a comfortable, clean, and chilled hostel to be in. It is close to the BTS station which makes moving around easier.
The Cost of Transportation within Bangkok
Fortunately for you, there are lots of cheap ways to move around Bangkok, being a really big city with lots to see and experience. Also popular for being one of the most connected cities in the world, they are lots of public transportation establishments; such as sky trains, busses, tuk-tuks, and ferries, all of which are quite affordable, and the highest you could remit for a single trip is around $2.75.