Is Bangkok the gateway to South East Asia? Is it cheap for tourists? Is 3 days enough for BKK?

Bangkok is known as the Venice of the east, a true jewel in the incredible country that is Thailand. It truly is the city that has everything: fantastic shopping, unforgettable sights, incredible food, and a bustling and engaging culture that sweeps you off your feet and begs you to join in.

If you are considering a trip to Bangkok, here are a few titbits to whet your appetite and help you decide just how long you should stay in this amazing place.

Is Bangkok the gateway to South East Asia?

In the most literal sense of the phrase, as well as entirely metaphorically, Bangkok is indeed the gateway to South East Asia. Many flight paths that you might take will involve stopping over in Bangkok, so instead of just waiting out a layover in the airport, why not make it a proper stop of a few days and add another fantastic location to your travel itinerary?

It can also be an excellent home base for just the same reason. Cheap and affordable flights leave one of Bangkok’s two airports all the time going to other wonderful places in Thailand and the wider area. You can fly to Vietnam or South Korea for a few days and spend less than you would on a night in a hotel in London, or head to Cambodia or Laos by bus or bike with ease.

If you are concerned about what to do with your bags while hopping from country to country, you can also get great value luggage storage by Keep-It in Bangkok, who will take care of your bulky items leaving you free to head wherever the wind, or your desires, take you.

Bangkok also offers you a taste of many of the different places that you can find in South East Asia. You can head down to china town, listen to all kinds of music, and indulge in some of the very best food in the world all in one place.

Taking a trip to the region without spending some time in Bangkok is like visiting Arizona and skipping the Grand Canyon, or ordering the most delicious meal imaginable and then only eating bread. Miss out on this incredible city and all it has to offer you at your own peril.

Is Bangkok cheap for tourists?

One of the greatest considerations when planning any trip is your budget. You need to have a clear idea of how much it will cost you to go from place to place, and how much you need, and are willing, to spend on everything from accommodation to transport to your food and drink.

In this regard, Bangkok will never let you down. You can eat some of the best food that you have ever tried sitting on a plastic chair in the middle of the street for less than £1, and find plenty of activities and sights to see that cost you absolutely nothing.

There are of course plenty of places that do cost money, and more pricey restaurants and bars that do charge more, but you can certainly find the kind of experience to suit any budget without much effort in this spectacular city. 

Accommodation is similarly varied, with hostels available for as little as £1 (though often without proper air conditioning!), private rooms for as little as £5, and luxurious suites that would cost an arm and a leg in most countries for comparatively little. 

There is a reason why Bangkok remains the first choice for backpackers and holidaymakers alike, offering a mind-blowing experience, roaring nightlife, fascinating history, and so much more and all for a low, low cost.

If you are looking to travel on a budget, or are just savvy about how you spend your money, look no further than Thailand and Bangkok for the holiday of your dreams.

Is 3 days enough for Bangkok?

While it would be wonderful to have as many holiday days as you want, and really take your time slowly getting to know all of the varied areas and secrets that are to be found in Bangkok, if you do it right you can manage to see a huge amount in just a few days.

Some of Bangkok’s biggest tourist sites, including the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Golden Buddha, and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha to name a few, can be visited in a day of hopping from spot to spot.

You can have a taste of the lively nightlife, see some of the shows, wander the streets doing some shopping and experience the dishes that have helped make Thailand such a culinary giant. If you plan your trip properly, three days can allow you to see pretty much all of the different faces of Bangkok and gain an understanding of all it has to offer.

If you are planning a trip to Thailand, therefore, you can plan on spending a few days in Bangkok, head up to Chiang Mai in the North, or down to any one of the country’s incredible and stunning islands, and then finish off your trip with another day or two in Bangkok.

Many people find that once they have headed here once, it keeps drawing them back. Every trip to the region can involve a stop in Bangkok if you wish, so don’t necessarily feel that you have to cram in every street and temple while you are there.

If you can spend more than three days in Bangkok, getting to know the friendly and welcoming people a little better, and getting used to the pace and beauty that you can find here, then so much the better. But do take heart that Bangkok is not going anywhere, and this jewel of a city will remain the gateway to South East Asia for years to come.

Conclusion 

If you haven’t yet taken a trip to the region, or are planning your return to South East Asia, Bangkok is an amazing place to start. Between the low prices, the sights, tastes, and experiences that you can find there, Thailand’s capital truly is one of the best holiday destinations that you can find anywhere in the world.