Spending Less Money in Bangkok

Gabriele and I are not rich at all. We need to control ourselves, to keep our budget under our limit, especially when we're in big cities. How?

• Bring your backpack (reasonable size)

People often asked me, "Gisel, why don't you bring your lugagge? You'll keep your shirts tidy, and you can put more stuffs too!". Well that's actually the reason! You've named it, dude.

First, I don't care about tidy shirts. Travelling is not about fashion. It's all about seeing the world and enjoying the moments. Second, why do we need more space? If you have your big lugagge with you, then it will give you more space to buy stuffs/ do shopping, which means you have to spend more money for that. So, bring what you need, and buy what you need!

• Find a host/local friends

Staying in a hotel/hostel would cost a lot, especially if you wanna stay for a long period of time. Finding a host is a good option for us. Not only saving our money, sharing our culture and stories worths more than the money we would spend for our stay in a hotel.

Then how could you find a host? It isn't that hard. Well it is. But not that hard. You can use Couchsurfing (couchsurfing.com) to look for a host. Or you can also use this website if you want to be a host of any traveller. I highly recommend this website. But remember, be selective!

If you feel insecure about living with a stranger, maybe you can try to go hangout with them! Couchsurfing can help you with this! 

This is Anna, our host in Bangkok

Left to right : Teddy, Gabriele, Gisella, and Anna.
I found Anna through Couchsurfing, and I found Teddy by coincident (from a project).
Going with the locals will give you different feelings

• Walk as much as you can

You might get tired at some point, and that's ok to spend your money on MRT, sky train, or even taxi. But really, you can really save your money by walking. You can use your money to buy some good foods, and to keep your body in shape too! Oh, it would be even better if you have some friends to walk with!

Maybe you won't feel it, but when you think about this, you can actually save a lot of money from walking

• Find great places with no or less entrance fee

Some people want to see those places that are mentioned in most travelling recommendation. And again, I don't really care about those fancy and popular places. I want to go to those places that suit me well.

If you browse about Bangkok on the internet, you'll find some temples as popular recommendation. Well I can't deny that those temples are really great. But I'm not so into temples, they often charge you for that (especially when you're a foreigner and have that foreigner face).

There are actually a lot of free places that you can visit, like parks, beaches, monuments, markets, and even universities that are worth to see. And that's what we did!

Joining their healthy dance on a park was actually fun!

Having your quality time on a public park can be an option

Having a local friend would be an advantage. Having a trip around their uni is a good option too

They charge foreigners to go inside the temple. But taking a photo is free!

• Go a bit further to find better prices

When you're in a popular place (or in a crowded place) and you need to buy something, or if you want to go by taxi/tuk-tuk, try to go further! Most of the time, you'll find some better options (lower price, more options).

Oh, one more thing! If you need to take a cab, try to take a cab that is on its way. Picking a waiting cab (when a taxi is waiting for their passenger) would cost more, usually in a popular places. 

I suggest you to walk and wait a bit. Go further and check for better options.

This kind of place usually offers better price

• Control yourself

When you only have small amount of money to spend, you really have to control yourself. Buying the foods and drinks you don't really need would double your expenses. Oh don't forget about that shopping thing! You have to stop yourself when you're running out of money, or if you don't have any space left in your backpack!

I prefer buying smaller stuffs with lower price.
Bigger stuffs would take more space.
Expensive stuffs would suck your money deeper.

Maybe you can try going to the market and ask for some free tasting!

Sometimes, going to Seven Eleven to have your lunch can be the best option..
It isn't that expensive (but it isn't that healthy as well!)

When you only have limited amount of money, you should keep yourself from
those fancy cafe or restaurant

Instant noodle isn't that bad!