Where to sleep in Bangkok
Bangkok is a vast metropolis and offers a wide range of accommodations at any budget, from hostels to luxury hotels. Our favourite areas are Banglamphu/Khao San, Silom, Siam, Chinatown, and Sukhumvit. In our many trips to Bangkok, we often chose the Silom area.
The best areas where to sleep in Bangkok
1. Banglamphu/Khao San
Banglamphu is an old Bangkok neighbourhood, well known because it encases the Khao San Road area, the most famous Bangkok area. Khao San is mostly popular among young backpackers for its budget accommodations, vibrant nightlife, street food vendors and shops/stalls selling affordable items. The area is indeed always crowded and noisy, especially during the evening and at night. If you choose this area, we highly recommend not to sleep around Khao San Road because of loud music from the bars that could make difficult to get any sleep at night, unless you want to enjoy the nightlife until late at night.
Distance from/to the airports: BKK is about 30 km; DMK is about 28 km.
Attractions: In addition to Khao San Road, in Banglamphu, you’ll find many highlights of Bangkok like the Grand Palace, What Pho, What Suthat (and the Giant Swing), Wat Saket, Democracy monument and Bangkok National Museum. The west side of Banglamphu lines the Chao Phraya river; therefore, you can also catch the ferry to cross the river or look for a river cruise boat.
BTS Skytrain/MRT Underground: There are no Skytrain or MRT Underground stops in this area. The best way to move around is by bus, taxi, Grab car or Tuk Tuk. The closest MRT Blue Line stations are Sanam Chai (a few minutes walk from Wat Pho) and Sam Yot (10 minutes by taxi/tuk-tuk from Khao San, towards Chinatown).
Accommodations: DPM Bangkok Hostel Bar, Bed Station Hostel, Sawasdee House, Erawan House, Casa Vimaya Riverside, Khaosan Art Hotel, Khaosan Palace Hotel, Dang Derm in The Park Khaosan, Buddy Lodge, Chillax Heritage, Navalai River Resort.
2. Silom
Silom is our favourite Bangkok neighbourhood, and it’s a significant financial district of the Thai metropolis. With its good hotels, green parks, modest-sized malls, excellent restaurants and fancy sky-bars, Silom is one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok. The most known Skybar in Silom (and in Bangkok too) is at the Lebua State Tower, also made famous by the 2011 movie, The Hangover Part II. Silom is also an excellent base from which to explore the city as it has several Skytrain and Subway (MRT) stations.
Distance from/to the airports: BKK is about 30 km; DMK is about 27 km.
Attractions: The highlights in this area are Lumpini Park, Patpong redlight district, Patpong night market, Lalai Sap Market, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.
BTS Skytrain/MRT Underground: The BTS Skytrain station are Surasak, Chong Nonsi, Sala Daeng (connected to MRT Silom Station). The MRT stations are Silom (connected to BTS Sala Daeng station) and Sam Yan.
Accommodations: Urban Hostel Bangkok, BRB Hostel Bangkok Silom, Pas Cher Hotel de Bangkok, Le Siam Hotel, Furama Silom Hotel, Narai Hotel, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, Amara Bangkok Hotel, Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse.
3. Siam
Siam area is Bangkok’s shopping centre, well known for its big fashionable malls, shopping centres, department stores, and trendy fashion boutiques. This area is a good option for those who prefer to stay in the city’s modern part. With its record stores, cinemas, bookstores, cafes, and bars, Siam square is the heart of this neighbourhood.
Distance from/to the airports: BKK is about 28 km; DMK is about 29 km.
Attractions: The highlights in the Siam area are the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World (the largest aquarium in South East Asia), Madame Tussauds, Jim Thompson’s House museum, and the shopping malls like MBK, Siam Paragon, Central World, and Central Chitlom.
BTS Skytrain/MRT Underground: Siam is well connected by several Skytrain stations making it easy to explore Bangkok from here. BTS stations are National Stadium, Siam (interchange station between BTS Silom Line and BTS Sukhumvit Line), Ratchadamri, and at the edge with Silom area, there is Sala Daeng interchange station where you can catch the MRT Underground (MRT Silom station). There are no MRT stations in the centre of Siam, but if you sleep at the south edge of the neighbourhood, there is the MRT Blue Line Sam Yan station.
Accommodations: Siam Stadium Hostel, The Hat trick Hostel, Oyo 597 Chatel Hostel, House of Papa, Patumwan House, Ozone Hotel Samyan, Happy 3, Ibis Bangkok Siam, Kritthai Residence, Golden House, Holiday Inn Bangkok, Pathumwan Princess Hotel, LiT Bangkok Hotel.
4. Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Bangkok, a lively and colourful part of the town full of people, restaurants, market stalls, shops, and budget accommodations. Chinatown’s heart is Yaowarat Road and its alleys, especially from the evening when thousands of locals and tourists come here to eat in the many restaurants or to taste the excellent street food.
Distance from/to the airports: BKK is about 35 km; DMK is about 27 km.
Attractions: The highlights of this old neighbourhood are Yaowarat Road, Wat Traimit and the Golden Buddha, Sampeng market and, indeed, to explore Bangkok’s historical roots. Not far from Chinatown, you’ll find the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Little India.
BTS Skytrain/MRT Underground: The 3 MRT Blue line stations that serve Chinatown are Hua Lamphong, Wat Mangkon and Sam Yot. Close to Hua Lamphong MRT stations, there is the Bangkok Railway Station.
Accommodations: Ama Hostel, Hostel Urby, Chinatown Residence, Four Sisters Homestay, U&D Guesthouse, The Orientale, Pho Place, La Locanda, W22 by Burasari, iCheck inn Regency Chinatown, Grand China Hotel, Miramar Hotel, Hotel Royal Chinatown.
5. Sukhumvit Area
Sukhumvit is a trendy Bangkok neighbourhood, the right choice if you are looking for luxury hotels, international restaurants, modern bars, cafes and cosmopolitan clubs. Sukhumvit is popular among youth and foreigners living in Bangkok for its vibrant nightlife. The street Soi 11 is the most famous party street in Bangkok and boasts a wide selection of restaurants, clubs, and bars. Sukhumvit is also renowned for two redlight districts, Nana Plaza on the street Soi 4 and street Soi Cowboy, an alley of street Soi 23. Anyway, it’s possible to find affordable accommodations here too.
Distance from/to the airports: BKK is about 26 km; DMK is about 27 km.
Attractions: There are no attractions in this area.
BTS Skytrain/MRT Underground: Sukhumvit area is well connected by public transports to the rest of the city since the BTS Skytrain runs along Sukhumvit Road, and the MRT underground Blue line crosses it. The BTS stations are Phra Khanong, Ekkamai, Thong Lor, Phrom Phong, Asok and Nana. The MRT stations are Sukhumvit and Queen Sirikit NC. Sukhumvit MRT station is only 5 minutes walk from Asok BTS station.
Accommodations: LA 49 Hotel, BelAire Bangkok, Centre Point Sukhumvit 10, Grand Business Inn, Bally Suit Sukhumvit, 39 Boulevard Executive Residence, The Quarter Phromphong by UHG, Two-three homely hotel, Studio Asoke, Hope Land Hotel Sukhumvit 8, FuramaXclusive Sukhumvit.
