photo by Fang
Our Bangkok self-guided tour was an evening departure and a noon return, strictly speaking, lasting only 3.5 days.
Despite being our first time in Bangkok, we found it so enjoyable that we wished we could stay longer.
For those interested in exploring Bangkok’s city center, it’s advisable to allocate 5 to 6 days for a more leisurely experience.
I’ve always wanted to visit Bangkok, a city that blends elements from various countries. For me, it feels like a melting pot, embracing people from all around the world.
Our trip skipped the must-see cabaret show for first-time tourists, focusing instead on the slow-paced activities we personally desired.
▽ Transport and SIMCard▽
- 【Transport】If there are many people, you can consider going on a road trip. – you can pick up the car at the airport ▷ See car rental prices here
- 【Transport】Special stores also have discounts ▷ Bangkok BTS Skytrain Rabbit Card
- 【SIM card】[dtac5G] HAPPY TOURIST SIM Card for Thailand – Thailand Pick Up
- 【WIFI】[Klook Counter Pick Up] Unlimited 4G Portable Wifi for Thailand
▽ Cooking Academy ▽
- ❤Most people’s choice❤ ▷ Silom Thai Cooking School in Bangkok
- You can choose ❤evening class❤ ▷ Tingly Thai Cooking School Experience in Bangkok
- Most rated ▷ Sompong Thai Cooking Class
- Luxury experience you deserve! ▷ Blue Elephant Thai Cooking Class
- Siamese Cookery House Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok
▽ Recommended day trip for lazy people ▽
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Maeklong Railway & Amphawa Day Tour
- Bangkok Temple Tour: Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, Wat Arun
- Ayutthaya Must-Visit Tour: Summer Palace, Temples, and Markets
- ❤Suitable for those who like animals❤ ▷ Bangkok Safari World Private One Day Tour by SST (from Bangkok)
▌Thailand Bangkok Travel Guide-Things you need to know
Our Itinerary:
For detailed information, you can click on the link for a comprehensive article. This post will primarily focus on expenses.
- Day 1: Taiwan → Bangkok → Rest at Lyf Hotel
- Day 2: Rent a scooter → Breakfast at Kope Hya Tai Kee(Thai-traditional-breakfast) →Wat Arun Temple → Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) → Lek Thai Massage → Riverside Night Market
- Day 3: Chatuchak Weekend Market → One More Thai Massage → Khao San Road Night Market → Late-night snacks from 7-11
- Day 4: Maeklong Railway Market → Damnoen Saduak Floating Market → Free time → Jodd Fairs Night Market
- Day 5: Erawan Shrine → Departure from Bangkok to Taiwan
Total Expenses Breakdown:
▌ Flight and Visa Fees
Due to the reopening of travel post-pandemic, our July trip to Bangkok saw slightly higher airfare. We flew with EVA Air, and the round-trip ticket was approximately $ 476 per person.
Ticket prices to Bangkok, in general, can range from $ 254 to $ 476, depending on the travel season and your country. Occasionally, airlines may offer cheaper tickets, so speed to snap up the tickets matters.
Additionally, for the visa, we handled it ourselves at the Taipei office, which costs $ 40 per person.
You can check whether your country is visa-free when entering Thailand on this website:
▌ Accommodation Expenses
Excluding the first night’s poor accommodation, our stay at Lyf Hotel costs around $ 39 per night, totaling $ 117 for 3 nights.

Hotel Review: Budget-Friendly LYF Hotel in Bangkok | Located in the prime area of Sukhumvit, free parking, 3 minutes from BTS station
▶ Accommodation Quick Guide◀
More recommended accommodations in Sukhumvit: Bangkok Sukhumvit Area | 12 Popular Budget Stays
▌ Food Expenses
Surprisingly, our four-day trip cost us only 3,689 Thai Baht for food, averaging around 900 Baht per day. The key is the recent devaluation of the Thai Baht, making it quite economical.
Below, I list our meals for reference on Thai prices.

▌ Entrance Fees and Entertainment Expenses
Whether it’s visiting ancient temples, getting massages, or tipping, these expenses, totaling 2,848 Thai Baht for two people, are included in this category.

Affordable Thai Massage in Bangkok: ONE MORE THAI Massage and Herbal Ball, one hour for 500 Baht
▌ Internal Transportation Expenses in Bangkok
As we opted for a scooter rental, part of our expenses went to fuel. Bangkok’s fuel is slightly more expensive than in Taiwan, costing around 100-150 Baht per fill. Another significant portion went to taxi fares, as we used taxis for transportation from the airport to the hotel. The total transportation cost was 2,934 Thai Baht.

▌ Shopping Expenses
This part varies for each person. While Thailand is known for affordable prices, shopping for luxury items in department stores can still be significant. Personally, we spent a total of 2,582 Thai Baht for two people.

▌ Overall Expenses
Summing up, our four-day trip to Bangkok cost us approximately 18,158 Thai Baht for two people. Note that this excludes airfare, as ticket prices can fluctuate significantly. Doing research in advance or catching good deals can result in cheaper flights. Therefore, this figure represents only our daily living expenses.

Bonus Content: Avoiding a Stay Disaster at Le Fenix Sukhumvit
On our first night in Bangkok, we stayed at Le Fenix Sukhumvit (SHA Extra Plus) instead of the Lyf Hotel mentioned in the article.
It turned out to be the most frightening hotel I’ve ever stayed at. Let me share the details.
▌ Accommodation Selection Process
Before this Bangkok trip, I had visited Chiang Mai in 2018, where the value for money was exceptional. You could stay in a villa with your own pool for a reasonable price.
Assuming Bangkok would be similar, I thought of accommodation as merely a place to sleep. So, I booked a hotel for one night at around Baht 600~800, relying on somewhat positive reviews on booking websites.
- Interested readers can check: Sukhumvit Le Fenix Hotel [SHA Extra Plus]
▌ Accommodation Issues
At this point, you might be wondering, how bad can a hotel be?
- From the moment we entered the lobby for check-in, we noticed the floor was dusty, and the carpet looked worn. Taking the elevator to our room, we found that the cleanliness of the corridor and room left much to be desired.
- There were unidentified stains on the bed sheets and pillows.
- The bathroom water temperature fluctuated between hot and cold. The provided disposable shower gel and shampoo didn’t match typical usage habits, leading to spending an extra 5-10 minutes just to open the shower gel.
- The hairdryer lacked sufficient power.
- There were unexplained large bloodstains on the walls (see image below).

▌ Recommendations
Here are a few sincere suggestions, and I hope you take them into consideration:
- Don’t entirely trust reviews from booking websites; it’s better to read reviews from Asians since, from experience, they tend to prioritize hygiene and cleanliness.
- Don’t go for the cheapest option like I did. When visiting Bangkok, it’s better to find a hotel costing at least $ 30 per night.
Bangkok travel guide
▌Thailand Bangkok Travel Guide-Things you need to know
Bangkok travel recommendations
Practical goodies for traveling in Thailand
- Bangkok internet card ➤ [Thailand Pick Up Only] dtac HAPPY TOURIST 4G/5G SIM Card for Thailand
- Get it for free ➤ ICONSIAM Tourist Privilege Card