Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LGSakers]

Just curious how much I should expect to pay (outside of hotel/hostels/flights) for food, water, transportation, sightseeing, drinks... I will be staying in Bangkok for 4 nights.

[northway]

That totally depends on what you want to do. You could spend 3,000 or you could spend 12,000.

[LGSakers]

That little, really? Mainly I am just wanting to check out Bangkok and maybe head to a beach somewhere... Undecided. I know traveling cross-country will cost me between 800-2000 Baht... But if that is the case, that sounds pretty great.

[northway]

Well, wherever you stay there will likely be cheap street food nearby. You'll spend more than 3,000 if you're drinking, but if you use public transportation you'll spend very little getting around. The sights are pretty cheap to see. I think you can probably have a good time on around 1,500 a day while still taking some taxis and seeing the sights.

Tip: avoid taking tuk tuks for any reason other than novelty. Taxis are generally cheaper.

[AsiaESLbound]

I spent about $300 in 3 days not counting room. It can be less and can be a lot more than this depending on what you do and how you do it. Shopping, drinking, massages, drivers, entrance fees, and eating out determines how much it will cost. Not counting room cost, I spent $25 RT airport taxi including tolls, $50 on massages, $50 on drinking, $80 on food and non-alcohol drinks like coconuts and shakes, $25 souvenir art, $20 for boat and train rides, $9 mosquito repellent, $10 Doxycycline pills, $23 travel health insurance, maybe $20 more in entrance fees, and $15 for 2 tuk tuk rides. Now, there's a new train running so round trip airport transport should be easier, quicker, and set you back about $15 less than using taxis. Rooms were the cheapest part of my Bangkok stay at $8 a night for 2 nights. Bangkok is not the cheapest time, but it's a popular start and stop point for SE Asia trips.

[ttompatz]

[LGSakers]

Thanks for the info, guys. Anyone been to Cha-Am? Really leaning towards it... Looks like the perfect getaway area. Not too busy during the week (when I'll be there), decent prices, not far from much.

[northway]

Do you know where you're staying in Bangkok? Because that can affect how much you're spending. I got a cheap place that was in the middle of nowhere in Sukhumvit and ended up spending more than I would have if I'd stayed more centrally due to lack of cheap street food nearby and needing to take taxis rather than the sky train.

[LGSakers]

Yeah, I'll actually be staying the first night quite close to the airport... Reason being my flight gets in late (12AM)...

[northway]

[LGSakers]

Well, the plan right now is this:

Fly to BKK on either the 26th or 27th and spend the night (all the flights arrive at ~12:55AM the next day). I have no real desire to see Bangkok (I'll see it in June on my end of contract trip) and will head to Cha Am. Flying back to Busan on the 30th or 31st depending on when I fly in.

Do you think it would be a good idea to simply fly into Bangkok and look for a place near the airport when I arrive, or will most places there be booked solid? And one other question... Not sure if you can answer this, but I am having trouble finding the answer... Getting to Cha Ma, would I be able to get a train/bus at the airport?

Thanks!

[northway]

You can't exactly look for a place near the airport, you'd be booking with the agents that wait outside of baggage claim. Don't do this. You'll be paying a solid 25 to 50% markup. I'm looking on Agoda right now and there are a ton of vacancies near the airport, starting at less than 600 baht.

Sorry about the Bangkok-centricity of my posts, I misread and thought you were asking about the city specifically.

[LGSakers]

Thanks man, really appreciate the help!

[Capo]

20k shud cover it. Hot tip when u arrive at bkk go upstairs to departures and get ur cab there no waiting or queue fee