If you’re traveling on a budget, Southeast Asia is a great place to do it in. Once you get here, it’s easy to keep costs very low, and have an amazing time on just a few bucks. Take your pick from these three itineraries for a great day in Bangkok, for less than $10 – and easily around $5.
On weekdays, browse Chinatown or Khao San Road, both great for people-watching and shopping. Khao San is the original hippie backpacker haven for Western tourists; although it is cheesy and overly touristy now, it’s worth a visit to have a beer and pick up fun (though overpriced) souvenirs. There are also lots of traveler-friendly services such as internet cafes, tourist offices and inexpensive guesthouses, as well as a nightlife scene. Chinatown is sprawling, and much like Chinatowns in other big cities around the world it is full of unrecognizable foods and tiny shops where you can buy everything from ancient Chinese curing herbs to plastic blingy trinkets. There are also some cool temples tucked into the meandering alleys, and Soi Texas enjoys a lively seafood stall scene that pops up in the late afternoon and evening. (Cost: Free unless you buy something)
Before sunset, make your way back to the Chao Phraya River, for a cruise on the public water taxi (14 baht). Along the way you can glimpse amazing temples and a lot of local happenings. The public taxis are comfortable and easy to use, although locals use them for commuting so around 5 pm they can get crowded. I recommend starting about 45 minutes before sunset for the most spectacular views, possibly at the northern end of the river at the Krung Thon Bridge (landing #16), to the Memorial Bridge landing (#6) at the southern end.
Total Cost Per Person (Food & Transport): $3-7
