Where to stay in Bangkok: the best areas for your trip

In short: for a convenient first visit, stay in Sukhumvit or Siam, near the Skytrain. For charm, the riverside; for temples and a small budget, the Old Town; for street food, Chinatown. Bangkok’s traffic is heavy: being close to the BTS, the MRT or a boat pier is essential.

Understanding Bangkok in two minutes

Bangkok stretches along the Chao Phraya River. To the west, the Old Town (Rattanakosin) is home to the Grand Palace and the great temples; right next to it is Chinatown (Yaowarat). Heading east lies the modern centre: Siam and its malls, then the business districts of Silom and Sathorn, and endless Sukhumvit, with its hotels, restaurants and bars. The BTS (Skytrain) and MRT (metro) serve the modern centre; Chao Phraya Express boats link the river and the Old Town.

The right area for your trip

First visit and nightlife: Sukhumvit

Along the BTS line, Sukhumvit offers a huge choice of hotels, restaurants, rooftop bars and malls. Convenient and lively, it is, however, far from the temples (count on a BTS ride then a boat or taxi). The Nana area is very busy at night: choose Asok, Phrom Phong or Thong Lo for more calm.

Shopping and families: Siam

Where the two BTS lines meet, Siam is the city’s shopping heart, with big malls, an aquarium and restaurants. Central, convenient and safe, ideal for families.

Business and parks: Silom and Sathorn

A busy business district by day, Silom has Lumphini Park, night markets and plenty of restaurants. Sathorn is quieter, with upscale hotels. Well connected by BTS and MRT.

Charm and temples: the riverside

Hotels on the Chao Phraya offer superb views, especially at night. Boats reach the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun without traffic jams. This is often where you find the historic luxury hotels.

Budget and culture: the Old Town and Banglamphu

Closest to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, the Old Town is ideal for visiting the temples on foot. Around Khao San Road, the backpacker area is very noisy at night; nearby Phra Athit Road, on the river, is quieter. No BTS, but boats and the MRT are close.

Street food: Chinatown

Yaowarat, Chinatown, is a street food paradise at night. Lively and authentic, and well connected by MRT.

Getting to Bangkok

• Suvarnabhumi, the main airport: the Airport Rail Link runs to the centre, with connections to the BTS and MRT.
• Don Mueang, used by many low-cost airlines: an urban rail line and buses run to the city.

For timetables and fares, check the official websites. A private transfer takes you straight to your accommodation, handy if you arrive at night.

Our booking tips

1. Check the nearest BTS or MRT station or boat pier: that is criterion no. 1 in Bangkok.
2. Check the air conditioning and the pool: it is hot all year round, and a rooftop pool is a real bonus.
3. Make the most of the value: upscale hotels are often more affordable than in Europe or North America.
4. Read recent reviews about noise, especially near nightlife areas.
5. Choose free cancellation when it is offered.

Once you’re there

To plan your days, see our guide Things to do in Bangkok, and for the rest of your trip, our guide Travel in Thailand. The areas and useful services are on our Bangkok page.