Dreaming of an exciting getaway that won’t break the bank? Bangkok, Thailand is your perfect destination. This vibrant city is full of budget-friendly adventures, from street markets to cultural sites.  

Discover what to do in Bangkok when you’re on a budget. Check out this list of the city’s most affordable attractions. You can shop, dine, and immerse yourself in Thai culture for just a few hundred pesos!

If you have limited time or budget, focus on visiting these notable sites. They capture Thailand’s history and culture and have very affordable entrance fees.

Deep dive into Thailand’s royal history, art, and unique architecture. You’ll see ornate halls and pavilions with hand-painted murals and ancient sculptures, lush gardens, and a temple that houses the Emerald Buddha—Thailand’s most sacred religious relic.

• Address: Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon
• Entrance fees: 500 baht (approximately ₱780)
• Opening hours: Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Housed in the former royal palace of the Vice King, the museum’s exhibits display artifacts from prehistoric times to the modern area. This includes costumes, musical instruments, historical weapons, and Thailand’s largest collection of traditional art. 

• Address: Na Phra That Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
• Entrance fees: 200 baht (approximately ₱310)

These religious sites let you soak in Bangkok’s culture and history. Wear modest clothes that cover shoulders and knees to show respect.

This temple is highly respected in Thai culture that its image graces the 10-baht coin. Though best known for its striking phra prang (towers) which are adorned with Chinese ceramics, the complex also has beautiful shrines, ponds, and picturesque pathways. 

• Address: 34 Arun Amarin Road, Kwang Wat Arun, Khet Bangkok Yai
• Entrance fees: 100 baht (approximately ₱155)
• Opening hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The ancient temple was first built in the Ayutthaya period (1351 to 1767). In the 18th century, King Rama I renovated the complex. Many of the buildings still stand today, including the temple’s Golden Mount. It leads to the top of the hill, where you’ll find a chedi, a Buddhist monument containing Buddha’s relics.

If you visit during mid-November, when the Loi Krathong Festival is held, you can witness the temple’s traditional rituals and ceremonies.

• Address: 44 Chakkraphatdiphong Road, Ban Bat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai (near the Phan Fa Lilat Intersection)
• Entrance fees: 50 baht (approximately ₱78)
• Opening hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The temple houses Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha statue. This impressive figure is 46 meters long and covered with gold leaf. The soles of its feet depict 108 auspicious signs of Buddha, inlaid with mother of pearl.  

Bonus: Since the temple also has a well-respected massage school, you can get a full-body massage after your tour. 

• Address: 2 Sanam Chai Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
• Entrance Fee: 200 baht (approximately ₱310)
• Opening Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Skip the malls and luxury boutiques, and head for the street markets, where you can find everything from clothes to antiques at much lower prices. 

Ready to shop? These markets offer the widest variety of goods and the best prices. 

Explore the world’s largest weekend market, with over 15,000 stalls that sell everything from trendy clothes and accessories to antiques and handmade crafts.

• Address: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok
• Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

This bustling business center has dozens of stores and street stalls that offer great finds at very reasonable prices. You can buy jewelry and handmade trinkets, Thai silk and traditional clothing, and medicinal herbs and teas.

Chinatown’s also got some of Bangkok’s best street food stalls, so you can shop and snack at the same time. 

• Address: Yaowarat Road, Samphanthawong, Bangkok, Thailand
• Opening hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Some shops and stalls may stay open until later.)

Do you love fashion? You’ll get the best bargains at this popular market that sells clothes, shoes, and accessories at wholesale prices. You can get jeans or a pair of sneakers for as low as 200 baht (about ₱310).

• Address: Pratunam Market, Ratchaprarop Road, Ratchathewi
• Opening hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

If you prefer one-of-a-kind finds, check out this night market in Bangkok. It sells retro furniture, vintage clothing, and quirky collectibles. Think of it as Bangkok’s Etsy—prices are a bit higher, but you get unique items made by local artists. 

• Address: Srinakarin Soi 51
• Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

This open-air complex along the Chao Phraya River combines the charm of a night market with comfortable shopping and dining facilities. If you’re traveling with young kids, this may be more feasible than crowded street markets. Its Ferris wheel also provides a spectacular view of the city skyline.

• Address: Charoen Krung Road, Wat Phraya Krai
• Opening hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 12 midnight 

Why eat at a restaurant when you can get more authentic and affordable Thai food at the local street market? You can get a main dish like noodles for around 40 to 100 baht (approximately ₱62 to ₱155) and snacks like grilled meat skewers for 10 to 35 baht (around ₱16 to ₱54).

Use this list of the most popular Thailand street food to enjoy the best local flavors at the best prices. 

Don’t leave Bangkok without trying these local specialties.

• Pad Thai: stir-fried noodle dish with tamarind sauce 
• Som Tum: green papaya salad with a spicy lime dressing 
• Moo Ping: grilled pork skewers
• Mango Sticky Rice: sticky rice with fresh mango and coconut milk
• Tom Yum Goong: hot and sour shrimp soup
• Roti: crispy pancakes with banana and condensed milk or chocolate sauce 
• Kway Teow: noodle soup with meat and fresh herbs  
• Hoi Tod: crispy fresh oyster omelet cooked on a griddle  

Frequent travelers and forums say these street markets offer the most authentic and affordable dishes.

1. Chatuchak Weekend Market: This has a vast variety of both food and shopping stalls.
   Address: Kamphaeng Phet Road Lat Yao, Chatuchak
2. Yaowarat (Chinatown): It’s one of the best places to get crispy pork belly, noodles, curry, and oyster omelets.
   Address: Yaowarat Road, Samphanthawong
3. Jodd Fair (Lamprao): This is cleaner than other street markets and has some of the more exotic food in Thailand like deep-fried silkworms and durian soft-serve ice cream. But prices are steep compared to other street markets.
   Address: Rama IX Rd, Huai Khwang
4. Black Market Samutprakan: If you’re willing to go a little outside Bangkok, this night market is less crowded and sells authentic food at non-tourist prices. 
   Address: 353 Sukhumvit Road, Thai Ban Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan

Exhausted after a whirlwind of shopping, eating, and tours? These activities let you take a quiet break—and they’re so much cheaper than going to the spa!  

Grab a basket of street food and head for this green oasis. It has playgrounds, well-tended lawns and wooded areas, and an artificial lake. You can rent a paddleboat, join the free tai chi or yoga sessions, or just enjoy the scenery.

• Address: Rama IV Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
• Opening hours: Daily
• Entrance fees: Free to enter; paddleboat rentals start from 40 baht (approximately ₱62).

A tuk-tuk is a three-wheel motorcycle taxi. Use it to get between nearby attractions, especially in areas like the Old City where you can easily hop from one temple to another. The open-air design lets you soak in the sights, sounds, and smells of Bangkok as you zip through its streets.

Tuk-tuks don’t have meters, so agree on a fare beforehand (typically 100 to 200 baht for short rides).

The Chao Phraya River boat stops at piers near important tourist attractions. With a day ticket, you can hop on and off whenever you’re ready to move on to the next stop. 

• Address: The boats depart every 30 minutes from 11 piers along the Chao Phraya River. Check the drop-off points and route.
• Cost: The one-day pass, which allows unlimited rides, costs 200 baht (approximately ₱310). Single journey tickets cost from 15 to 40 baht (approximately ₱23 to ₱62) depending on the distance. 

With a little planning, you can get better deals or avoid unnecessary expenses. 

• Pick the best flight dates. Avoid the peak season (November to February) and choose a weekday flight, which tends to be cheaper and less crowded.
• Find affordable accommodations. Check hostels or Airbnbs in Silom, Sukhumvit, and Khao San.
• Use public transportation. Download the ViaBus app (available on Google Play and App Store) to plan your route and find stations. If you ride a taxi, insist on using the meter—it's illegal for drivers to refuse!
• Avoid high international transaction fees. Use your GCash card for cashless transactions or ATM withdrawals. It has lower currency conversion and withdrawal fees than other bank cards.
• Pre-book roaming promos. You need it to access maps, search for local stores or restaurants, or receive OTPs and other card notifications. Check out this guide to international roaming and find out how you can get an internet connection anywhere in the world for as low as ₱100 a day!
• Level up your bargaining skills. Don’t be shy about asking for a discount! Smile, and politely offer about 50-60% of the original price. If the seller counters, meet them halfway. Walk away if the price isn’t right—many times, they’ll call you back with a better deal.
• Save on spa treatments.  Skip the pricey hotel spa treatments, and opt for a traditional massage at Thailand temples and monasteries.

 Now that you know what to do in Bangkok, you just need to plan your trip. Use your mobile internet to monitor hotel rates and be the first to know about seat sales or special promos. Instantly book with GCash, and you’re ready to travel. During your trip, you can also activate your eSIM and use GoRoam Thailand to enjoy a strong and seamless internet connection.