Backpacking Bangkok (The Definite Budget Guide)
Written by Nour De Wilde Salhab| Last update: Aug 6, 2025
(First-Hand Travel Experience & Price Comparison)
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Three truths about Bangkok: the humidity slaps harder than a Muay Thai kick, the street food could win Michelin stars if it cared, and you’ll never see all of it in one trip—so don’t try.
I’ve backpacked this city enough times to replace my blood with Thai iced tea, and this backpacking Bangkok guide is here to keep your wallet intact and your days spicy.
Budget & Estimated Daily Costs in Bangkok
Bangkok sits in the sweet spot between “cheap enough for endless pad thai” and “oops, rooftop cocktails drained my bank card.”
On a tight backpacker budget, plan for €25–35 a day. That covers a dorm bed, three street-food meals, local transport, and a temple or two.
More comfort—think air-con cafés, an occasional Grab ride, and a craft beer—bumps you to €45–60. Anything above €70 daily means you’re living like a digital nomad influencer with ring lights.
Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Bangkok
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Hostel Price Statistics & Key Numbers in Bangkok
| Total number of hostels | 330 |
| Typical dorm bed prices in Bangkok | $5 |
| Private room costs in Bangkok | $29 |
| Cheapest hostel in Bangkok | Uni Hostel for only $3 |
| Popular Party Hostel in Bangkok | Tamni (149 hostels for partying in total) |
| Where to stay in Bangkok on a budget? | Phra Nakhon, Wattana, Bangrak |
Typical Daily Expenses in Bangkok
- Accommodation (Hostel Dorm Bed): €8–12 per night in shoulder season.
- Food: €10–15 total per day.
• Breakfast: €1–2 for jok (rice porridge) or banana roti.
• Lunch: €2–4 for a steaming bowl of boat noodles.
• Dinner: €3–6 for stir-fried basil pork with a side of mango sticky rice. - Local Transportation: €3 daily—mix BTS, canal boats, and the iconic orange bus.
- Attractions: €2–5; most temples are free or donation-based, Grand Palace is €14 but only once.
- Entertainment & Extras: €5–10 for a Chang beer tower, foot massage, or 7-Eleven snack raid.
Shoestring warriors survive on €30; splashy spenders hit €60+ without breaking a sweat.
Money Saving Tips
- Grab a Rabbit Card for BTS rides—saves coins and queue time.
- Eat where the plastic stools are tiny, and the menus have zero English; prices drop by half.
- Swap rooftop bars for riverside parks at sunset—same view, free entry.
- Skip ATMs with dynamic conversion; choose “charge in THB” to dodge hidden fees.
- Refill water at blue machines (฿2) instead of buying bottles every hour.
Getting Around Bangkok on a Budget
- Walk: Old Town is flatter than yesterday’s pancakes—perfect for strolls.
- Khlong Boats: Canal taxis cost ฿10–15 and slice through traffic like spicy papaya salad.
- BTS/MRT: Air-con lifesavers; rides average €0.80–1.20.
- Bus #53 & #15: Vintage fans on wheels, fare under €0.30, scenic chaos guaranteed.
- GrabBike: When monsoon clouds gather, hop a motorbike for quick point-to-point zips.
Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Bangkok
- Tailek's House BKK
- Khaosan River Inn Hostel - best for Family-Friendly Hostel, Older travelers (+50), Solo Traveller
- Tavee Guesthouse
- Top inn
- Siam International Backpackers Hostel
Best Free & Budget Friendly Attractions
Free Things to Do
- Watch dawn monks collect alms along Samsen Road.
- Explore Lumphini Park’s monitor lizards and tai-chi circles.
- Catch sunset from Rama VIII Bridge’s pedestrian path.
- Window-shop at Pak Khlong Talat (flower market) after midnight.
- Wander the art galleries inside Bangkok Art & Culture Centre.
Low Cost Attractions
- Wat Pho: €4 entry, reclining Buddha plus cheap massage school.
- Mahanakhon SkyWalk: €18 if you pre-book online at off-peak hours.
- Jim Thompson House: €8 for architecture, AC, and silk envy.
- Chatuchak Weekend Market: free to enter—budget €5 for coconut ice cream and souvenir madness.
How much are hostels in Bangkok?
Let's talk about hostel prices in Bangkok. This graph shows you typical, average prices for a bed in a dorm and for a private room. Simply mouse-over to see rates for each month.
Prices can vary a lot, especially on high-season, weekends, and special holidays such as New Years Eve.
Average Dorm Price per Month in Bangkok
Average Private Room Price per Month in Bangkok
Food and Drinks on a Budget
- Street Classics: Hunt for pad krapow stalls; locals queue, prices hover at €1.50.
- Night Markets: Talat Rot Fai Srinakarin sells giant Chang beers for €2 and live rock covers for free.
- Vegetarian Hack: Ask for “jay” menus at temple canteens—plates from €1.
- BYO Water: Most restaurants let you fill your bottle if you order food.
- Social Sips: Start with 7-Eleven pre-drinks, then follow Hostel WhatsApp chats to cheap rooftop hostels—no cover, epic skyline.
Experiences for Backpackers
- Cycle the car-free Bang Krachao jungle loop—bike rental €3.
- Take a free walking tour of Chinatown; tip your guide with a durian pancake.
- Book a Thai cooking class on the Thonburi side for €25—cheaper, more authentic.
- Join a midnight Muay Thai match at Rajadamnern; standing tickets from €12.
- Hop on the Maeklong “train market” day trip—budget €6 for van + iced coffee.
Additional Tips & Final Thoughts
- Best Time to Visit: Shoulder months (May & October) mean cheaper rooms and fewer selfie sticks.
- Booking in Advance: Reserve long-distance trains and popular hostels one week ahead; everything else, wing it.
- Avoid Tourist Traps: Skip tuk-tuks offering “lucky Buddha” tours; it’s code for gem scams.
- Safety First: Keep your phone in a zipped front pocket—motorbike snatches are real.
- Cultural Respect: Cover knees and shoulders at temples; shoes off before stepping onto raised platforms.
Bangkok rewards the curious and forgives the clueless. Stick to street food, ride every random boat you see, and leave wiggle room in your schedule—because in this city, the best plan is often the one you decide after a 30-baht pad thai.
Backpacking Bangkok? Here's What You Need to Know
These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I've been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I'm passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!
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About the author: Nour De Wilde Salhab
A Lebanese-Congolese-French-Belgian girl as likely to be found climbing a volcano in Indonesia or reading a sci-fi book by the sea in the South of France. Always on the hunt for remarkable experiences. My two favorites so far: volunteering in emergency medical services in Lebanon and solo backpacking around the world. Life is enjoyable in all its facets, from its healthy extremes to its mundane slows.
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