Bangkok Trip Checklist: Tips for Booking Cheap Hotels

This information is not for those who think they already know what to do in Bangkok. This is for those who are visiting Bangkok for the first time and are wondering what to do. I hope your trip is safe, enjoyable, and cheaper than others!

Based on Bangkok, Thailand

First of all, I would like to let you know that this is written based on Bangkok, Thailand.

In Bangkok, the dry season is from November to April, and the rainy season is from May to October. However, it's best to add or subtract a month. Because of recent climate change issues, I go to Songkran every year, but this year, it was cooler during Songkran in Thailand than a summer in Korea... (Maybe it's because the air conditioner temperature indoors is much lower than in Korea).

Although it's the rainy season, it doesn't rain for days on end. Think of it as frequent, short, heavy showers. Personally, I adjust my vacation to match the flight schedule because I prefer cheaper prices...

Based on Economy Class

The total price includes airport usage fees and taxes. (This is the amount I would board a flight for. In other words, I compare various airlines and board a flight that matches the price).

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• Korean Air (Based on Songkran 2025)
• Morning departure, afternoon return, Fri-Sun schedule: 55 (minimum)
• Asiana Airlines - Evening flight departure, evening/early morning return: 40
• Thai Airways - Morning departure, evening return: 45
• Other LCCs: Under 25 (No checked baggage)
  

I set this standard and catch the lowest price in order, using the airline with my desired time :)

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Hotel Selection Criteria

(I prefer familiar places or modern hotels)

Since enjoying a hotel stay is the main purpose of my Bangkok trip, please refer to this for guidance^^; All prices are for two people including breakfast.

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• Kimpton: 23
• The Standard: 23
• Sindhorn Midtown: 18
• SO Bangkok: 18
• Eastin Grand Sathorn: 13
• Eastin Grand Sathorn Phayathai: 15
• Dusit Thani Bangkok: 45 (It will be open by my next visit, so I might try staying there for one night)

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I use the lowest price of hotels I like or am familiar with, based on having visited them twice or more, as a standard. After booking the flight, I check if hotels are available at this price. Once the flight and minimum hotel prices are decided, it's time to book right away :)

Let me tell you how to book a hotel cheaply.

It's Incognito Mode.

I searched Agoda for both The Standard hotels for a Friday-Sunday stay in the first week of November. (Fri-Sat-Sun)

The left side shows the logged-in status, and the right side shows the non-logged-in Incognito mode.

Normally, the right side should be more expensive, but the left side is cheaper because of Agoda's tier system... (When booking in Incognito mode and receiving reservation information via email, entering your email address will result in the reservation being linked to that email).

In short, if you want to book a hotel cheaply,

Try Incognito Mode Trip.com vs. Trip.com

Try Incognito Mode Agoda vs. Agoda

You can also search on MyRealTrip, Monkey, HotelPass, and Booking.com.

And when you search for hotels on Google below, you can see the total price, which shows the accommodation prices these platforms have,

If you compare hotel prices and find hotels at your desired price, book your flight and hotel immediately, and your trip preparation is complete :)

In other words, if others book on Agoda without information and pay 400,000 won, even if I find a hotel for 350,000 won per night by searching, I save 50,000 won per night.

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Also, check the official website. Official websites often have promotions, such as a +1 night stay for a 3-night stay, or sometimes cheaper than platforms. For hotels, if reservations are made without paying commissions, they can offer that commission as a service to customers, so customers will tend to use the official website :)

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2 people -> Take the subway or a taxi

4 people -> Squeeze into a taxi

More than that -> Rent a van and just use a VIP 12-hour service...

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And when you arrive at the hotel and don't know what to do... visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market and the Rot Fai Market Ratchada. I don't recommend eating there, the hygiene isn't great... North East, Silom Complex B1 floor, next to the entrance (the sign is green and...) - I'm new to Thai food, can you recommend something?

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• Korean food - Myung-Ryun Jin Sa Galbi was the most satisfying
• Rooftop bars - Skywalk (entrance fee required), Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar, Three Sixty (a bit chaotic because there are many people in their 20s), Moon Bar (entrance fee required, receive a voucher, hmm...) I recommend these.
• Massage - I've tried massages from local places to hotels, but it really depends on the person... If you like a massage therapist, get their LINE and find them again on your next visit.
• Currency exchange - I don't prefer using card payments, so I exchange 150,000 won per night. If you need money urgently or need to use a card, I use a TrueMoney card.
• Tips - I give 500 baht for a 1-hour massage and 1000 baht for a 2-hour massage. This is my personal standard. If a 10% or 7% service charge is added to the hotel bill, you don't need to tip.
• Recommendation - If you're with a lover or your parents, I really recommend afternoon tea. Women really enjoy it..​
• Children - Safari World Bangkok
• General - Temple tours are tiring because of the heat, so I recommend replacing them with a dinner cruise.
• Shopping - Shopping depends on preference, but for luxury goods and iPhones, it's cheaper in Korea if you're not a local.

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I think it's important to set criteria for tours.

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• Nearby - Maeklong Railway Market, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Safari World
• Further away - Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, etc.
• Coastal - Pattaya, Nemo / Koh Samet

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Set your criteria like this. For example, if you're thinking of going on a tour to Terminal 21 Pattaya, mark your hotel and the tour location on Google Maps and decide whether you can go there yourself. If you have enough time, go yourself; if the time is tight, use a tour agency.

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If you have children or parents and a larger group, I think you should arrange a private tour.

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Google Maps shows you how to get there, so if you can do it yourself, go freely :)

Thailand isn't a scary place. You are a customer spending money, and service providers treat customers like customers. There are occasional issues, but I had a happy trip to Thailand without any problems. If you have the chance, definitely go. Thai people smile a lot, which makes me happy too :)