Bangkok

Where to stay

Banglamphu, centered on Khao San Road and the quieter Phra Athit Road along the river, is where most budget travelers land and for good reason: temples are walkable, street food is cheap, and guesthouses are everywhere. If you want BTS access from your front door, lower Sukhumvit between Nana and Asok puts you on the skytrain network and the MRT interchange, though you'll pay more for the convenience.

Getting around

• Get a Rabbit Card and load credit onto it for the BTS Skytrain. Per-trip cost is lower than single tickets and you skip the queue entirely at busy stations like Siam and Asok.
• Dinner on Yaowarat Road in Chinatown runs cheap. Go after 7pm when the street stalls fully set up and the roast duck and seafood spots have fresh stock.
• At Suvarnabhumi airport, skip the taxis lined up outside arrivals and go to the metered public taxi queue on the first floor. The meter fare to central Bangkok is a fraction of what touts charge; anything agreed in advance will cost you more.

When to go

Beds are cheapest and easiest to find May through September during the rainy season. Prices climb and hostels book out from late November through February when the weather is dry and cooler.