Bangkok is one of those cities that can eat your wallet alive if you’re not paying attention. Tuk tuks will quote you ten times the fair price, tourist restaurants near Khao San Road will charge you London prices for average food and every “helpful” stranger who approaches you unsolicited is almost certainly about to take you somewhere you don’t want to go.
That said it’s one of the best cities in the world if you know what you’re doing.
Skip the tourist trail and head to Ari or Thonglor neighbourhoods where locals actually eat and drink. Street food from a cart outside a convenience store will cost you 50 baht and taste better than anything in a tourist restaurant. The BTS Skytrain is cheap, air conditioned and will get you anywhere worth going without the hassle of negotiating with drivers.
Wat Pho is worth the entrance fee. The Grand Palace is impressive but crowded and expensive. Chatuchak Weekend Market is genuinely one of the best markets in Asia but go early before the heat becomes unbearable.
For nightlife, Sukhumvit Soi 11 is where most travellers end up and it does the job. If you want something more local ask your hostel staff where they actually go on a night off. The answer is usually far more interesting.
One practical tip that saves a lot of hassle. Get a local SIM card at the airport the moment you land. It costs about £5, gives you plenty of data and means you can use Google Maps and Grab (the local taxi app) from the minute you step outside. Grab prices are fixed so you’ll never get ripped off on transport again.