I've always wanted to travel alone. No particular reason, I just want to experience it. I want to know how it feels to be alone in a foreign place, not knowing anyone or anything.
So I did it. As a 21st birthday gift for myself, I brought myself to Bangkok.
Bangkok was great. It was hot as hell but the people are nice and friendly enough. Everything is cheap, and public transportation is convenient and easy to use. They are also very accessible!
Everyone around me was worried about me. I am after all a "petite female solo traveler". But let me assure you, Thailand (well, at least Bangkok) is pretty safe and suitable for a solo backpack traveler. I'm back unscratched and in love with the City- so don't worry!
Everyone around me was worried about me. I am after all a "petite female solo traveler". But let me assure you, Thailand (well, at least Bangkok) is pretty safe and suitable for a solo backpack traveler. I'm back unscratched and in love with the City- so don't worry!
Anyways, so I've posted my itinerary and travel tips on Facebook but here is a copy of it:
So a challenge I set for myself is to spend less than RM100 each day, and see if I can still be comfortable.
The answer is Yes. Excluding plane tickets.
With just a 2kg backpack on my back, I set off to The Land of Smiles, City of Angels.
Here’s my experience:
Here’s my experience:
Day 1: Union Mall ➡️ Khao San Road ➡️ Soi Rambuttri
✈️ 12PM Landed in DMK
🚕Taxi to Union Mall. This is to cut traveling cost from DMK to KSR. There is no train from DMK into the city, so you can either wait for the bus or take the taxi. From Union Mall, I took the MRT right outside to 🚇Chatuchak, transferred to BTS and headed towards 🚝Saphon Taksin.
✈️ 12PM Landed in DMK
🚕Taxi to Union Mall. This is to cut traveling cost from DMK to KSR. There is no train from DMK into the city, so you can either wait for the bus or take the taxi. From Union Mall, I took the MRT right outside to 🚇Chatuchak, transferred to BTS and headed towards 🚝Saphon Taksin.
From Saphon Taksin (Water Taxi Central), I took their 🛥Express Boat (Orange Flag) and headed towards Phra Athit (N13). And from the pier, I walked to KSR. It’s located 5 mins walk away.
I stayed in Ploen Bangkok Hostel KSR, which is right outside of KSR and next to Soi Rambuttri, so it’s pretty safe from the craziness in KSR. Since I reached KSR at around 5-6pm, it was just nice to walk around and explore KSR before sundown. KSR is alright. Lots of young tourists on their Summer Break. Cheap food, Cheap stay, Cheap Beer🍻
There’s a shortcut from KSR to Soi Rambuttri. It’s at the entrance of “Susie Wong”; you won’t miss it- there’ll be people walking in and out through that.
Soi Rambuttri has a more chill vibe than KSR. It feels more laid back and vintage-ish. Had dinner here coz I wasn’t feeling street food yet.
Day 2: The Old City ➡️ Pratunam
8:30AM Woke up later than planned. Had my free breakfast at the Hostel (always eat your free food!), checked-out and headed to The Grand Palace. It was a ~30 minutes walk.
The entrance fee was 500B but I was mistaken for one of the Chinese tourists in a tour group and so I didn’t pay for my entry hahaha.
8:30AM Woke up later than planned. Had my free breakfast at the Hostel (always eat your free food!), checked-out and headed to The Grand Palace. It was a ~30 minutes walk.
The entrance fee was 500B but I was mistaken for one of the Chinese tourists in a tour group and so I didn’t pay for my entry hahaha.
After that I continued walking to Wat Pho to see the largest reclining Golden Buddha and to experience Traditional Thai Massage from the place of origin! It was fantastic! I highly recommend it! My backpack felt 4kg lighter and I 10 years younger.
After Wat Pho, I walked some distance to 🌻Pat Klong (the 24/7 Flower Market). For some reason, it was a kinda down day so not many stalls were open, hence less flowers 😞 it’s pretty wet too, just in case you planned to wear sweeping pants/skirt like I did.
From there, I took 🛥Express Boat again (the jetty is right behind the market) to Si Phraya (N3), and took 🚕GrabCar to Neilson Hayes Library.
After an hour plus in Neilson Hayes, I just walked around and walked for ~30mins all the way to 🚝Siam BTS Station. Took the train to 🚝Ratchatewi, which is where Pratunam is at. Walked for around 20 minutes to reach to my hostel.
Cocoon Hostel is located in a "courtyard", so it's relatively quieter, making it a pleasant place to stay in.
The rest of my day were spent shopping and just walking around the crowded Platinum Mall. I didn't really like it coz 1. too many tourists, and 2. not much options to choose from. I realized then how much I like Union Mall and local areas like where Neilson Hayes is at.
Retired around 9PM+ and just chill in my hostel.
Day 3: Siam ➡️ Union Mall ➡️ DMK
The third day was a super chill one. Woke up a bit later, checked out, and walked to The Siam Paragon (20+ mins) to exchange money as I thought they offer the best rate. I'm not too sure if the exchange rate hiked, but I personally think SuperRich 1965 offers better rate than SuperRich.
The third day was a super chill one. Woke up a bit later, checked out, and walked to The Siam Paragon (20+ mins) to exchange money as I thought they offer the best rate. I'm not too sure if the exchange rate hiked, but I personally think SuperRich 1965 offers better rate than SuperRich.
Anyways.
From there I just walked around window shopping, till I reached Siam Square. Visited Eve & Boy and bought quite some beauty products ❤️
After lunch, I headed once again to Union Mall (🚝Siam-🚝MoChit-🚇Chatuchak-🚇Phahon Yothin) so I can shop and move to DMK.
Walked around the alley outside Union Mall. I enjoyed exploring a more local area. I actually felt safer in local area than touristy places. People are friendlier and no one is blatantly trying to scam me.
Around 6PM, I flagged a taxi (make sure its meter is running! It's actually cheaper than Grab. And faster coz 6PM is their rush hour so Grab might take some time if it’s not in your area) and went to DMK. Flew back and reached KLIA2 at 1:45AM, stayed overnight, and my adventure ended there.
💸Cost Breakdown💸
Day 1
Taxi to Union Mall 280B
MRT to Chatuchak 16B
BTS to Saphon Taksin 44B
Express Boat to Phra Athit 15B
Sticky Rice Mango 50B
Pork skewer 15B
Pad Thai 140B
Hostel RM29.25
Total: 560B + RM29.95
Day 1
Taxi to Union Mall 280B
MRT to Chatuchak 16B
BTS to Saphon Taksin 44B
Express Boat to Phra Athit 15B
Sticky Rice Mango 50B
Pork skewer 15B
Pad Thai 140B
Hostel RM29.25
Total: 560B + RM29.95
Day 2
Wat Pho Entrance fee 200B
Express boat to Si Phraya 15B
Grab to NSL 180B
Neilson Hayes library 100B
BTS Siam to Ratchatewi
Pork skewer 15B
Street Pad Thai 40B
Thai milk tea 25B
Hostel RM49.89
Total: 629B + RM49.89
Wat Pho Entrance fee 200B
Express boat to Si Phraya 15B
Grab to NSL 180B
Neilson Hayes library 100B
BTS Siam to Ratchatewi
Pork skewer 15B
Street Pad Thai 40B
Thai milk tea 25B
Hostel RM49.89
Total: 629B + RM49.89
Day 3
Lunch: pork skewer 15B
Pastry 40B
BTS to Mo Chit 44B
MRT Chatuchak to Phanon Yothin 16B
Coconut drink 45B
Taxi to DMK (including toll) 180B
Dinner at DMK (chocolate roll) 60B
Sleep in KLIA2 Free
Total: 400B
Lunch: pork skewer 15B
Pastry 40B
BTS to Mo Chit 44B
MRT Chatuchak to Phanon Yothin 16B
Coconut drink 45B
Taxi to DMK (including toll) 180B
Dinner at DMK (chocolate roll) 60B
Sleep in KLIA2 Free
Total: 400B
Grand Total: <RM280.84 in 3 Days 3 Nights 🎉
I don't feel like I suffered or anything. I was comfortable and well. I think it's possible to go lower, perhaps I'll try that next time 😉
Fun Tips:
1️⃣Book your hostel via Agoda. It's the cheapest out of other hostel sites. They also have "lowest price guarantee".
2️⃣When using Agoda, use it via Shopback link so you can get 6% cashback. You can sign up here and get RM5 right off: https://www.shopback.my/?raf=JZN23V
3️⃣Bring a selfie stick and/or a tripod so you can take pics of yourself.
1️⃣Book your hostel via Agoda. It's the cheapest out of other hostel sites. They also have "lowest price guarantee".
2️⃣When using Agoda, use it via Shopback link so you can get 6% cashback. You can sign up here and get RM5 right off: https://www.shopback.my/?raf=JZN23V
3️⃣Bring a selfie stick and/or a tripod so you can take pics of yourself.
What's the cheapest trip you have taken? To where? Let me know! I’d love to challenge myself to more budget backpack travels!
