Cheap things to do in Bangkok
Three days of street food, free parks and local bars that cost almost nothing.
This is Bangkok for the traveller who wants to eat well, move slowly and spend almost nothing doing it. The days run from teak houses and monitor lizards to Chinatown noodle soup and a rooftop finish, with acclaimed cooking that still costs less than a airport sandwich. No resort pools, no tasting menus, just the city as most people who live here actually use it.
Day 1: Siam: parks, noodles, rock bar
Start with Jim Thompson's teak compound, walk off lunch in Lumphini Park alongside the lizards, and end the night with cold beers at The Rock Pub.
- 10:30 AM
Jim Thompson House Museum
Jim Thompson's teak houses full of Southeast Asian art; the ticket buys a guided tour, the shop and cafe are free.
Map - 12:30 PM
Thong Smith (CentralWorld Fl 3)
Cheap, crowd-pleasing Thai at Thong Smith's CentralWorld branch, same great boat noodles, easy to reach from Jim Thompson.
Map - 2:30 PM
Lumphini Park สวนลุมพินี
Stroll Lumphini Park in the afternoon shade, spot monitor lizards and herons, totally free, the city's best green lung.
Map - 7:30 PM
Thai Niyom
Great-value Thai at Thai Niyom, acclaimed local cooking at street-food prices, great value dinner.
Map - 9:00 PM
The Rock Pub
The Rock Pub is a no-frills local bar close by, cold beers, loud music, zero pretension.
Map
Day 2: Phrom Phong: wetlands, wet market
Benjakitti's skywalk over the wetland forest, pork noodles at Rung Rueang, Khlong Toei market, then dinner at Keawloon and drinks at Bar Us.
- 10:15 AM
Benjakitti Park
Walk the free 1.67 km elevated skywalk over the wetland forest, spot monitor lizards and herons, totally free.
Map - 12:30 PM
Rung Rueang Pork Noodles
Pork noodle shop on Sukhumvit 26; pick tom yum or clear broth, your noodle, and add the fish balls.
Map - 2:00 PM
Khlong Toey Market ตลาดคลองเตย
Bangkok's biggest wet market, a chaotic, colourful browse through fruit, veg, meat and street snacks, all dirt cheap.
Map - 7:30 PM
- 9:00 PM
Day 3: Old Town: palace, temples, Chinatown
The Grand Palace and Wat Arun in the same afternoon, then follow the river into Chinatown for rolled rice noodle soup and a rooftop drink above one of the neighbourhood's best restaurants.
- 10:15 AM
The Grand Palace
Thailand's most sacred complex, Emerald Buddha, gilded halls, unmissable and worth the entry fee.
Map - 12:30 PM
Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu (Phra Nakhon)
Great-value pad thai cooked over a roaring flame, proper cheap local lunch.
Map - 2:00 PM
Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan
Climb Wat Arun's porcelain-encrusted prang in the afternoon light, free riverside walk after.
Map - 4:30 PM
Saranrom Park สวนสราญรมย์
Free former palace garden with a lake and pavilions, where locals jog and stretch as the heat drops.
Map - 7:30 PM
Guay Jub Ouan Pochana
Peppery rolled-noodle soup with crispy pork belly on Yaowarat Road; expect a queue after dark.
Map - 9:00 PM
Opium Bar
Rooftop bar above Potong in Chinatown, the swear-by late-night finish, right after dinner.
Map
Where to stay
Lub d Bangkok Siam
Social hostel with private rooms by National Stadium BTS, a five-minute walk from Jim Thompson House.
Make Bangkok your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
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Book ahead
- Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium: a few days ahead
- Thai Country Club: weeks ahead
- Alpine Golf Club: weeks ahead
- Nikanti Golf Club: a few days ahead
- Siam Country Club Bangkok: a few days ahead
- Hidden Bangkok Tours: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Anyone saying the Grand Palace is closed today and offering a cheap tuk-tuk tour is running the gem and tailor scam.
- Do not follow ping-pong show touts in Patpong or Nana upstairs, where padded bills and intimidation follow.
- Skip Damnoen Saduak as sold by hotel desks and use Bang Nam Phueng or Amphawa instead for a floating market.
- Avoid Asiatique, buffet dinner cruises and gem or tailor factories on tour itineraries.
The full Bangkok travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around