Bangkok On A Shoestring: Arriving In & Exploring The City-Part 1

Stifled by Delhi’s oppressive heat and tired of looking at holiday photographs that our friends were putting up on Facebook, my husband and I decided to take our own vacation. The only question was where? Looking at rising hotel costs and soaring airfares, we decided to choose a destination that would be budget friendly and yet offer a relaxed and fun experience. Thailand popped up as a wonderful option and with a great flight and hotel deal secured, we were off on a much deserved break to Bangkok on a shoestring.

Fly to Bangkok

Since its emergence as a popular travel destination for Indian travellers, Bangkok is very well connected by air to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Carriers such as Air India, Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific and IndiGo operate regular flights and if you book in advance, you’re likely to get a great deal.

Indian nationals can get a Thai visa on arrival in Bangkok for a maximum stay of two weeks. If you wish to stay longer or would like to apply for a Thai visa in India, you’ll need to do so three weeks in advance at the embassy or consulate closest to you. Make sure you provide all the necessary documents at the time of application to avoid any delays in processing the visa.You can also apply for a visa on arrival at Bangkok airport, which will cost you 1000 Thai Baht. Remember to carry all the necessary documents and cash when applying for a visa on arrival. If you’d like to save time at the airport, you can also apply for a ‘fast track’ visa that costs 1200 Thai Baht.

Here’s a helpful tip - if you have a connecting flight to Phuket, Chang Mai or Koh Samui from Bangkok, it is advised you apply for a visa in your home country before landing in Bangkok to avoid any last minute delays.Bangkok’s airport is the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which is located at a distance of 30 kilometers from the main city. Bangkok is notorious for its traffic and on a good day, it should take you about 35 minutes to reach downtown Bangkok.

Explore Bangkok

Bangkok, a world class global city has so much to offer that it’s possible that you can spend your entire holiday here and still not have explored everything in this exciting city. If you’re on a budget trip and don’t want to spend a lot on sightseeing, you can enjoy many attractions in Bangkok that are absolutely free.

With 95% of Thailand’s population practicing Buddhism, there are a string of Buddhist temples you can explore in Bangkok. Many of these temples such as the Wat Pratnum Wanran, Wat Traumit, Wat Saket, Wat Benchamabophit and the Wat Chaekawat don’t charge an entry fee. If you’re ready to loosen those purse strings a bit then do visit the Wat Arun (entry TBH 50), sitting right at the edge of the Chao Phraya River and the Wat Pho (TBH 100), which is home to the breathtaking 43 metre long reclining Buddha.

Apart from temples, Bangkok is also home to several museums, many of which are free to visit. These include the Bangkok Butterfly Museum and Insectarium, Bangkok Corrections Museum, Bangkokian Museum (also known as the Bangkok Folk Museum) and the Royal Elephant Museum. It is advised to check the opening and closing times of these museums before visiting.

If your vacation includes a weekend in the city then do visit the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the largest flea markets in the world. It’s very easy to get lost in Chatuchak so it’s a good idea to look at the map. Chatuchak is home to some of Thailand’s finest merchandise and sells anything and everything; from silk fabric, bamboo furniture and handicrafts to leather, ceramics, plants and even pets! You can spend the entire day here so wear comfortable shoes and put on your bargaining hat. Other popular street markets in Bangkok are Nonthaburi Market, Pak Khlong Market and Pratunam Market.

If swanky air conditioned malls are more your kind of thing then Bangkok won’t disappoint you. The city is home to larger than life malls, where you can comfortably pass the entire day shopping, eating or just sipping coffee and reading a book in a coffee shop. If you’re on a budget, the Platinum Fashion Mall is an ideal place to shop for clothes, shoes, jewellery and handbags. Here’s a tip - if you buy three or more items from a store, you’ll get a great discount on your purchases.

Other malls in Bangkok are the Siam Centre (for local brands), Siam Paragon (for luxury brands), Terminal 21 (a unique mall with a different country theme for each floor) and the MBK Centre (for electronics, gifts and souvenirs). Our personal favourite was the MBK Centre from where we picked up quirky t-shirts, souvenirs and gifts at  bargain prices. If you’re a bargain hunter looking for a great deal, try going to MBK Centre near closing time (10 pm). This is when most vendors sell their merchandise at a  cheaper price as compared to the rest of the day.

Getting Around Bangkok

Public transport in Bangkok is very well organised and there are many ways of getting around the city without shelling out too much money. Some convenient options include the BTS or Skytrain, the MRT, which is the underground train system, ferries, taxis, tuk tuks and motorbike pillion rides. Our choice of conveyance was the Skytrain, which proved to be very convenient and was also a quick way to get around the city.

So what are you waiting for? Book your budget holiday to Bangkok with MakeMyTrip today.

Plan your trip with our Bangkok Destination Guide.

P.S: Look out for my next post in which I talk about accommodation and eating out in Bangkok.