For budget travelers a simple hostel bed or small private room near Khao San Road or in the old town usually costs between 15 and 30 dollars a night. The rooms are basic with a fan or air conditioning and shared bathrooms are common. Many hostels have a rooftop area where people hang out in the evening. Its noisy sometimes but that is part of the Bangkok experience and you meet lots of other travelers.

• In the luxury option you stay in a modern 4 or 5 star hotel with great views or a boutique hotel in a quieter area. Expect to pay 170 to 240 dollars per night. You get spacious clean rooms, excellent breakfast included, a swimming pool on the roof, and that nice feeling of comfort after walking all day in the heat.

Street food is the highlight of a budget trip to Bangkok. You can eat like a king for very little money. Start the day with fresh mango sticky rice or noodle soup from a small stall, have pad thai or som tam for lunch, and finish with grilled seafood or mango with sticky rice again in the evening. Daily food costs can easily stay under 15 dollars while you try dozens of different tasty dishes.

• Luxury food in Bangkok means dining with amazing views. You sit in nice restaurants or rooftop bars enjoying refined Thai cuisine, fresh seafood, and creative cocktails. Many places offer beautiful presentation and good wine or Thai whiskey pairings. One dinner can cost 70 to 110 dollars for two but the atmosphere and quality make it feel special.

You mostly use the cheap BTS skytrain and MRT when its too hot or too far to walk. Tuk-tuks are fun but you need to bargain hard. Many people also walk a lot or rent a bike in quieter areas. Its chaotic but cheap and you get to see the real city rhythm.

• With a higher budget you take taxis with air conditioning whenever you want or book private tuk-tuk tours that are arranged in advance. Some travelers even hire a private driver for the whole day which makes moving between temples and markets much more comfortable and stress-free.

Bangkok has plenty of free and cheap things to do. You can visit the Grand Palace and temples early in the morning, walk through colorful markets, take a boat on the Chao Phraya river using public ferries, and simply wander around the neighborhoods watching street life. Many temples are free or cost almost nothing.

• In the luxury version you get skip-the-line tickets and private guided tours to the main attractions. Private boat rides on the river with comfortable seating and snacks feel completely different from regular ferries. Evening rooftop bar visits with city views and special cultural experiences like private Thai massage or cooking classes at high-end places make the trip much more memorable.