Essential Bangkok Travel Guide on the Cheap: 2 Days in $100

There are lots of places you can stay in Bangkok for 280 baht ($8) or less. Check out Asha Guesthouse ($8 for a private double, meaning just $4 per person per night) or Sukhumvit On Nut Guesthouse (205 baht for a bed in a 4-bed dorm). Use sites like Hostels.com to find the best option for you. If you're traveling with a friend, you can get even cheaper deals by sharing a room. Set your budget around 280 baht per night for 2 nights to stay in the $100 overall budget.

Food

You can easily eat in Bangkok for 300 baht ($8.50) per day or less. Choose a hotel or guesthouse near a shopping mall and eat fresh, authentic Thai food for just 35 baht ($1) per meal. Both lodging options given above area near shopping malls. Small bottles of water from the 7-11 are only 7 baht (20 cents), so avoid paying double the price in tourist areas or restaurants.

Transport

Taxis to and from the airport shouldn't cost more than 300 baht ($8.50) unless you're paying tolls as well. Don't take taxis during rush hour and you won't run over your budget. Alternatively, take the free airport shuttle bus to the bus terminal (about a 5 minute ride) and then take a local bus to your hotel.

For in city travel, you can use the Skytrain (BTS), underground (MRT), and the ferry boats. A trip from one end of the city to the other, using both Skytrain and ferry, shouldn't cost more than 60 baht ($1.72). Most trips won't cost that much, so with taxis and local transport you can expect to pay about $15 for transport during your 2 days in Bangkok.

Attractions

On your first full day, you can ride the tourist boat for 120 baht, included in the transport budget. From here, you can see most of Bangkok's main attractions, including Wat Arun (50 baht entrance fee), Wat Pho (50 baht), and the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (350 baht). Entrance fees for these attractions come up to $13, and many other temples and places you'll visit are free. If you've got some money to spare, you can also get a Thai massage near Wat Pho for just 250 baht ($7.15) an hour. You can also visit the Royal Barge Museum or the Museum of Forensic Science if you can stretch to over $100.

On the second day, I'd suggest spending the morning learning how to cook Thai food with May Kaidee. The four hour cooking class, from 9am to 1pm, costs 1200 baht ($34), which can fit in your $100 budget. With May, you'll learn how to make 10 dishes, and you'll spend the morning not only cooking but also eating your creations! Spending time with May is a great way to learn about Thai culture and local cuisine.

In the afternoon, ride the ferry from May's back to Saphan Taksin BTS (Central) and take the Skytrain to MBK mall near National Stadium BTS Station. You need to see Thai shopping malls to believe them, but make sure you take a complimentary map when you enter. Eat in the delicious food court and do some window shopping before walking down to check out the hip and trendy Siam Square. If you didn't spend all of your food budget, there's plenty of ways to spend it between MBK and Siam Square!

There you have it. You can easily do Bangkok for 2 days in $100, although giving yourself a bit more of a budget will allow you to practice your bargaining skills and get a few gifts or new wardrobe items to bring home. Although the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew entrance fee is a bit steep at 350 baht, it's totally worth going to see it. Enjoy your time in Bangkok!