Where to stay in Bangkok?

Staying in Siam and Pratunam, unmissable areas

Situated in the middle of the metropolis, Siam and Pratunam are two of Bangkok’s best-known districts. And for good reason: they’re a must-see, not least because they make up the city centre.

They also attract visitors for their nightlife. There are plenty of restaurants and bars along the lively streets. Dynamic and modern, we really recommend them if you don’t know where to stay in Bangkok. 

Here you’ll find the capital’s biggest shopping centres, including MBK, Siam Paragon, Platinium, Central World and Palladium. Ideal for shopaholics looking for bargains and luxury department stores. There are also many museums, such as the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.

Lumphini Park is also just a stone’s throw away for those looking to recharge their batteries. Finally, you can take an evening stroll through the Talad Neon. This is one of the city’s busiest night markets, ideal for foodies. 

These two areas are also the most well-connected. You can take the bus, the Skytrain (also known as the ‘BTS’) or the shuttle boat to reach the old town. Staying here means you’re close to public transport and can easily get around.

As for where to stay, you’ll have no trouble finding accommodation to suit all budgets. This includes prestigious hotels. Note, however, that for the most attractive offers you’ll need to book well in advance. So, more than anywhere else, if you want to stay in Bangkok, plan ahead as much as possible.

Accommodation in Sukhumvit, a popular area of Bangkok

The Sukhumvit district is very popular with travellers, locals and expats alike. This is one of Bangkok’s main districts, not far from the centre of the Thai capital. As you’d expect, many people like to stay here. 

During the day, it’s mostly a business centre with museums, parks, shops and markets. After dark, you can enjoy trendy restaurants, nightclubs and the rooftops of the coolest bars. If you move away from the main street, it’s quieter, however.

Staying here means you can get around very easily. Buses and taxis are everywhere, but you’ll want to take the Skytrain, which runs all the way up the street. The Wat Saket temple is about forty minutes away by metro. And about an hour from the other major temples in the old town and the klongs.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport, to the east of Bangkok, is also an hour away as well.

You’ll need a large budget to be able to stay there. Even if there are a few good deals to be had, most of the hotels are upmarket, often with a rooftop and swimming pool with a view. It’s hard to find cheap ones here.

Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Silom

Further south, next to the Chao Phraya River, is the lively Silom area. Primarily a business centre, it’s a great spot for anyone who wants to stay nearby the tourist attractions. 

In terms of points of interest in this area, tourists like to frequent the art galleries, in particular the 338 Oida Gallery. There is also the Mahanakhon tower, which offers a panoramic view of the skyscrapers, and a number of historic temples.

In the evening, the district comes alive, with locals and tourists alike enjoying the various bars, nightclubs, restaurants and rooftops along Silom Road.

Walking along, you’ll come across the capital’s best-known night market, Patpong. This area is also known as Bangkok’s ‘red-light district’.

Conveniently, this area is less than 30 minutes from the old town and its temples, as well as the main shopping centre. The metro and Skytrain will be your daily means of transport as there are a lot of stations here.

For overnight stays, there is a wide range of hotels, apartments and hostels in the area. You’ll find both premium establishments and budget accommodation here. It is accessible for those on a tight budget, as the area is a little less popular than those mentioned above.

Khao San Road, a festive and busy area

To the north, Khao San Road is one of the busiest streets in the metropolis. Tourists flock here, and the crowds don’t let up. After all, this is one of Bangkok’s must-sees! If you want to stay in an area known for happy hour and partying, this is the place to be.

Particularly lively at night, it attracts lots of visitors for its entertainment and festive atmosphere. You’ll see the glittering signs of shops, bars, restaurants, massage parlours and street food stalls everywhere.

In the day, you can visit many monuments, temples and parks. The street is noisy, but there is some quieter accommodation available nearby. 

You won’t be able to take the skytrain or metro here, though. To get around, take the bus or a tuk-tuk. The boat routes on the canals are also very practical. While this area is clearly not optimal in terms of transport, it’s worth noting that all the must-see temples are within a twenty-minute walk.

That’s why it’s a popular spot for those staying for a short time, as it’s quite close to the Buddhist monuments.

As for where to stay, you won’t find much on offer here. The hotels are cheap though. The area is also quite popular among backpackers.

Chinatown, affordable accommodation in Bangkok

Chinatown attracts lots of visitors with its colourful, vibrant streets. Here you’ll find Buddhist temples, Chinese restaurants and crowded streets. It’s a good place to stay in Bangkok if you like Chinese food and quirky, unique spots. 

Its more southerly location makes it a good base if you want to visit the Buddhist temples on your trip. And don’t miss the Golden Buddha, just a short walk away!

Another popular attraction for travellers is the Sampeng market. Chaotic and lively, it’s home to many stalls selling local produce, with the locals themselves being the main consumers. 

In terms of transport, Hua Lamphong station is a 20-minute walk away, which is handy if you want to travel to the rest of the country. Note that it takes around twenty minutes by public transport to get to the old town and around forty minutes to get to Sukhumvit, the modern centre. The nearest metro station is Wat Mangkon (a 5-minute walk from the Golden Buddha).

There are plenty of cheap hotels to choose from around here. You won’t find large and luxurious establishments, but small, cosy and comfortable accommodation, often with rooftop swimming pools.

It’s an ideal place for families, with a friendly atmosphere away from the busy areas of the centre.

Staying in Rattanakosin, close to the temples

The historic Rattanakosin area is a must see. Located by the river, you’ll find many Buddhist temples with their characteristic architecture. This area is ideal if you want to be as close as possible to the temples and you don’t care about the bustle of the city centre. 

Once somewhat deserted, it now offers nice traditional restaurants and more accommodation. By staying here you’ll be next to must-see monuments such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Saket (Golden Mount), and other treasures.

You can also stroll through Saranrom park for a moment of tranquillity. It’s really a place of discovery. The area is of course frequented by thousands of tourists.

Staying here means you won’t need public transport, of which there is little. Hua Lamphong is the nearest metro station, but is still around forty minutes’ walk from Wat Pho. Travellers therefore tend to take the bus, or a tuk-tuk, which are practical and can be found everywhere.
Taxis are also plentiful, but be wary of scams. As a result, getting to Sukhumvit or Siam will likely take a while. Just be aware of that.

As far as places to stay are concerned, there are still not that many options, but there are a few nice hotels. Prices are reasonable, however.

Staying West of the Chao Phraya River, near the Klongs

Beyond the Chao Phraya River, there is one last area which can be worth staying in. There are lots of things to see here, but it’s certainly the relatively low cost of accommodation that brings tourists here.

For points of interest, there are picturesque little villages, away from the tourist masses. They sit along the klongs, the canals that cross the west of the river. They were once used as a trade route.

Today, you can walk alongside them. It’s also a great time to admire the last of the floating markets, selling fruit and other local produce.

There are also cafés and restaurants serving authentic cuisine, particularly further down towards Thonburi, where there is a night market. You won’t find much else to see here, as the major points of interest are on the other side of the river.

To get to the other side of the river, you’ll need to take a tuk-tuk or bus. To the south, however, you’ll find the skytrain. But the distance to the stations will, of course, depend on where your accommodation is located. Some are well located for this purpose.

In any case, staying in the west can save you a lot of money. There’s no luxury accommodation here, just charming little hotels in all price ranges. It’s a great way to discover Bangkok without breaking the bank.