The best areas to stay in Bangkok first time are Khao San Road, Riverside, Asoke & Nana, Silom, and Phloen Chit & Chit Lom.
However, there are quite some alternatives that all come with their own unique perks and characteristics.
These alternatives include Chinatown, Siam, Lower Sukhumvit, Rattanakosin, Pratunam, Khlong San, and Suvarnabhumi Airport & Lat Krabang.
As you can see, you have quite some options and it’s quite an overwhelming answer to your question about where to stay in Bangkok first time.
But don’t worry, because, in this article, we dive deeper into each and every part of Bangkok that we believe are among the best areas to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors, no matter the type of traveller you are.
If you want to go straight to the recommendations, tap on the following button. Or simply continue reading.
Bangkok is home to some of the most iconic temples in the country, such as Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).
It’s also a true street food paradise.
Neighborhoods like Chinatown and night markets like Jodd Fairs are simply street food havens.
Thailand’s capital is also a city that never sleeps, hence the name the Big Mango.
During the day, the city is already incredibly bustling with incredible activities.
You can shop at one of the many modern shopping malls like ICONSIAM, MBK, and Siam Paragon.
On the weekends, head over to Chatuchak, the largest weekend market in the world.
In the evening, there is always a party going on as Bangkok’s nightlife is simply legendary.
Backpackers and young Thai will be around Khao San Road, while for a more fancy night out, Thonglor and Ekkemai are incredibly popular.
Other popular areas are RCA, Sukhumvit Soi 11, and Silom.
To truly see the vastness of the city, head over to one of the many rooftop bars like Octave and Sky Bar.
The Chao Phraya River flows through the heart of Bangkok, and taking a boat ride along its waters provides a unique perspective of the city.
A boat ride during dawn and see Wat Arun should be on your bucket list, but a canal ride through the city is definitely a top activity too.
And at the end of the day after a full day of sightseeing, make sure to visit one of the many spas and massage salons to calm your muscles.
Bangkok offers luxury experiences at a fraction of the cost compared to many other major cities in the world.
World-class hotels, spas, and dining are accessible to you with various budgets.
But with so many different things to offer, it might be a bit challenging to pick the right area that suits your needs.
So, we’ve come up with a list of recommended areas to make things easier.
Each of the recommended areas comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, which are summarized after each paragraph.
With that being said, let’s jump straight to our recommendation.
Where to stay in Bangkok first time? Keep reading!
Overview of the best areas to stay in Bangkok for the first time:
Below, you find a table with an overview of all the recommended areas along with a short explanation of what makes that area so special.
You can tap on one of the green links to go immediately to that recommended area, or just continue reading the article.
The best areas to stay in Bangkok first time | What’s so special about this area? |
---|---|
1. Khao San Road & Rambutri Road | The place to be for young travellers at Asia’s backpack Walhalla Khao San Road. If you’re not in that category, Silom, Riverside and Sukhumvit are by far the better options! |
2. Riverside | Near many city highlights, excellent riverside view with 4 and 5-star hotels with good access to public transportation. |
3. Asoke & Nana | Located at the heart of Bangkok near both the BTS and the MRT (transit systems). Especially Nana is a popular nightlife area. |
4. Phloen Chit & Chit Lom | Luxury hotels located in the heart of Bangkok, connected to the BTS line. Here, you can find proper, upscale hotels with some of the best shopping malls at your doorstep. |
5. Chinatown | A chaotic area of Bangkok full of street food and exciting alleys to discover, ideal for those looking for something different from the modern parts of Bangkok. |
6. Siam | Central location with access to two BTS lines that take you to every corner of the city and many shopping malls. A very modern part of Bangkok that’s both convenient and extremely busy. |
7. Lower Sukhumvit | Good range of spacious and affordable hotels while being well-connected to the BTS line. Just keep in mind that you’re located further away from the city’s highlights. |
8. Silom | You’re located near many main attractions and the area has a good nightlife scene that’s extremely LGTB-friendly. |
9. Rattanakosin | This is Bangkok’s Old Town, which is close to major attractions and a paradise for those looking for legendary eateries. But the older parts of Bangkok are less connected to public transport. |
10. Pratunam | The authentic version of Siam with great access to shopping malls, located centrally with good access to the Sukhumvit Line and the Airport Rail Link, although no nightlife scene nearby. |
11. Klong San | Great riverside view and perfect access to the iconic ICONSIAM, upscale and luxurious hotels are available here, but you’re located a bit outside the centre, you do have access to the ferries that take you directly to the older parts of Bangkok. |
12. Suvarnabhumi & Lat Krabang | Ideal for those who need to catch a flight the next day, located near Rama IX Park and Srinakarin Night Market, but it’s difficult to reach the city centre due to bad traffic. If you do want to go to the city centre, take the Airport Rail Link. |
How to get around Bangkok?
Bangkok’s traffic is one of the worst in the world and especially during peak hours, you want to avoid the roads as much as possible.
The easiest way to move around Bangkok is either by MRT (Subway) or BTS (SkyTrain).
Staying near a station of one of the two rapid transit systems allows you to save incredibly much time.
These trains are equipped with proper air conditioning too and are incredibly modern.
There are several lines that take you to each corner of the city, as well as trains that take you to both airports.
Now, you can’t reach every top attraction by BTS unfortunately and we highly recommend you take a metered taxi or a Grab-ride (Asia’s Uber) during the last part of your travel and avoid a tuk-tuk.
While tuk-tuks might look fun, they are incredibly uncomfortable and are involved in many scams.
Taxis aren’t completely scam-free either, but when you always demand that the taxi meter is on and you have a sim card and a navigation app like Google Maps running, it barely goes wrong.
So, whenever you move around Bangkok, make sure to travel most of the distance by either the MRT or BTS, and if you need a taxi for the last few meters, hail one with a taxi meter or order a grab.
Tip: for a more adventurous way to explore the city, it is possible to use the canals and one of the many boat taxis.
While you need to do a bit of reading first in order to understand the routes, it’s quite a scenic route.
For example, it is possible to go from Siam to Wat Saket.
That means you have a quick and cheap way to get from the older parts to the heart of the city where you can then take both BTS Lines that take you to every corner of the city.
What is the best time of the year to visit Bangkok?
The best time of the year is between the end of November and the end of February.
During this time, the temperatures are reasonable compared to the hotter months after February.
Also, the rain has finally stopped during that time of the year.
Make no mistake, between July and November, it rains incredibly much.
Although it’s often just a few hours of rain that drops out of the sky, the city center, especially around Thonglor, does get flooded and traffic gets completely jammed.
Also, it’s not ideal to visit Bangkok’s highlights when it rains, as most major highlights of the city are outdoors.
That does not mean you cannot explore the city during the low season, because many do.
But the ideal time of the year is between the end of November and the end of February.
Now, there is one exception, namely during Songkran.
Songkran is Thai New Year and is widely celebrated in Bangkok (and the rest of the country).
During these days (always on the 13 until the 15 of April), the whole city becomes one large water fight festival and the events are incredibly fun to attend.
If you have the chance to experience Songkran, we highly recommend doing so.
Other popular destinations to celebrate Songkran are Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya, although it’s celebrated everywhere in the country.
The best areas to stay in Bangkok first time are:
1. Rambutri Road and Khao San Road
Simply put this way, most travellers in their twenties who stay in Bangkok for the first time choose this area for a couple of reasons. First of all, this popular street has plenty of affordable accommodations and it’s located near Khao San Road, the most popular street among backpackers who want to party at night and meet fellow travellers.
Secondly, it’s located in the older parts of Bangkok where you can find several city highlights such as The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun.
Lastly, in this part of the city, you can find several famous local eateries that serve authentic Thai dishes for decades, and often, the recipes are strictly kept within the family.
Although there is no direct access to public transport, which is a key factor when choosing the best area to stay in Bangkok for the first time, the MRT Line got extended in 2020, and nowadays you have an MRT Station near the Grand Palace.
That does not mean that Rambutri Road has direct access to public transport, apart from the boat services, which are iconic, but not ideal.
As you’re located near some of the older parts of Bangkok, the authenticity of this part of the city is something that cannot be beaten.
Areas like Chinatown (Yaowarat) and Talad Noi (the oldest part of Bangkok) are not that far from here and you can find some of the most authentic Thai restaurants nearby, including Pad Thai Thip Samai (the most famous Pad Thai restaurant in the world) and Jay Fai (Michelin-Star awarded street food restaurant), which surprisingly are basically neighbours.
Now, Khao San Road is not for everyone, especially those who love to indulge themselves in some comfort and luxury.
But, it’s a good starting point when you’re orientating where to stay in Bangkok first time. And, if you qualify as the younger tourist we describe as the ideal traveller for this part, you also have to enjoy some late-night parties.
If that’s not you’re thing, there are plenty of other options for you!
For who: young couples, party-minded travellers, backpackers
Tip: if you want to avoid the party crowd, your best alternative is to find a hotel near Phaya Thai. That area also attracts young travellers but does not have any nightlife nearby. It does have direct access to public transport and is even directly connected to the Airport Rail Link, the BTS Line from Suvarnabhumi to the city centre.
Advantages:
– An affordable area that attracts many young travellers
– Direct access to the popular Khao San Road (nightlife)
– Some of Bangkok’s highlights are located nearby
Disadvantages:
– No direct access to public transport
Relevant article: where to stay near Khao San Road.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
2. Riverside
In our article about the best areas to stay in Bangkok for families, we combined Riverside and Silom to be one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok, but there are a few big differences you must not ignore, especially for first-time visitors. Therefore, in this article, we split them up.
First of all, the Riverside is much quieter and the view of the river itself is simply amazing.
These two factors are ideal for families and couples and for that reason, you can find many amazing hotels in this area that offer comfort and quite a view.
The only downside is that the Riverside is not directly connected to either the BTS Line or the MRT Line.
Most hotels do have a free tuk-tuk service that will take you to the nearest station, but it’s not ideal.
On the other side, you won’t go back and forth all the time.
Most tourists just go out of the hotel in the morning and return back in the evening, so it’s a minor detail.
What you might have, is direct access to the boat services, depending on the exact location of your hotel, which is a unique way to explore some parts of the city.
You can take the boat all the way to Chinatown, Wat Arun and The Grand Palace.
But also to Saphan Kwai, where you have access to many other boat services and the BTS, although the latter is a station far from the centre.
In the end, in order to explore Bangkok the most convenient way, direct access to the BTS or MRT is what you really want.
If you really appreciate the view and the fact that this area is not that chaotic, and you don’t mind taking a tuk-tuk to the nearest station, then the Riverside is absolutely a good choice.
Tip: You can also take the boat directly to ICONSIAM with the boat service for those who want to go shopping.
For who: families and couples
Advantages:
– Relatively quiet environment, amazing riverside view
– Bangkok’s highlights are located nearby
– Access to ICONSIAM, ideal for shopping
Disadvantages:
– Not direct access to public transport
– Far from Suvarnabhumi Airport (more difficult to reach)
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
3. Asoke & Nana
There are other reasons to stay in this area (one of them is due to the convenient location), but in the end, most people, and with people, we mean single men, tend to stay around Asoke and Nana to enjoy Bangkok’s notorious nightlife to the fullest.
With popular nightlife areas such as Nana Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 11, Sukhumvit Soi 7 Beer Garden and Soi Cowboy just around the corner, there can’t be a better place to stay in Bangkok for certain first-timers who want to party.
With that in mind, it is still an excellent location to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors to the direct access to both the MRT (Metro) and the BTS (SkyTrain).
Travelling around Bangkok without any hassle is impossible, but if you do use both transit systems to the fullest, it saves you valuable time.
Also, there are plenty of good hotels to be found in this particular area, and, if you choose the higher-end ones, the chances that you would be bothered by drunk tourists are basically zero.
As it can be a hit or mix, we recommend you read some reviews first before booking. And if you do find a good hotel, you basically hit the jackpot as Asoke is among the best areas in Bangkok to stay.
Nana, on the other hand, should be avoided by couples and families, though.
For who: single men (Nana), every other type of (sightseeing) visitor (Asoke).
Advantages:
– One of the best connections to public transport
– Right in the middle of Bangkok’s notorious nightlife
Disadvantages:
– Despite the ideal connection to both BTS and MRT, it mostly attracts single men. This is rather a given fact than a disadvantage, but you as a first-timer should be aware of this.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
4. Phloen Chit & Chit Lom
For high-end hotels and excellent connections to public transport, the ideal area to stay in Bangkok for the first time is either Ploen Chit or Chit Lom.
Located in the city centre, steps away from the largest shopping malls, including the most luxurious ones, and relatively close to city highlights, it’s one of the top-tier areas that does come with a hefty price tag.
You are located between Siam and Asoke, which both are transportation hubs.
This area is known as the luxury area of Bangkok and many newly built skyscrapers are built here.
You won’t find the authenticity here that you find in the older parts of Bangkok.
Some of the top brands in the hotel industry have their branches here that offer spectacular service, comfy rooms and 360 degrees panoramic view rooftop bar.
You have direct access to the BTS, whereas you go west, you are one or two stops away from Siam, where you can get on the other BTS Line (Silom Line instead of Sukhumvit Line).
When you go east, you are two or three stops away from Asoke, where you can switch to the MRT.
Pick this area if you want comfort and stay in the modern part of Bangkok, if you’re budget allows it.
For who: any type of traveller with a big budget
Advantages:
– Top location in the middle of the city centre
– Connected to the BTS Line
– Luxurious, comfortable hotels
Disadvantages:
– It’s one of the most expensive areas to stay in Bangkok
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
5. Chinatown
Chinatown is a unique area in Bangkok that’s located in the oldest parts of Bangkok.
Chinese merchants were among the first settlers in Bangkok and until this day, Thai-Chinese citizens play a vital role in Bangkok’s local culture.
This area is a street food paradise, but also a culturally and historically rich area.
Even if you don’t book a hotel in this part of the city, you most definitely will visit Chinatown at least once to experience the organized chaos and the abundance of (street) food it has to offer.
But I have to be honest with you. Not every traveller will appreciate the chaos, the fumes and the loudness of Yaowarat, which is Bangkok’s Chinatown.
If you are a more experienced traveller in Southeast Asia, you will appreciate Chinatown for sure.
The small alleys where you can discover unique bars and cafes are something none of the other areas can compete against.
And Chinatown does have its own (unique) nightlife scene.
But if you’re a traveller that loves comfort and luxurious hotels, or when you’re travelling with family, Chinatown might not be the perfect location for you.
In the last years, Chinatown finally has got its own MRT Station, which takes you to important areas of the city where you find the major highlights. It does not have a connection with the BTS though.
Location-wise, you’re located near the river and highlights such as The Grand Palace and Wat Arun are not far from Chinatown.
It’s also good to know that there is a pier where you can take the boat taxi to for example Khao San Road.
If you’re looking for something unique and when you’re a bit of an experienced traveller that’s looking for a (street) food adventure, then Chinatown might be the best option you have!
For who: adventurious traveller, those looking for something unique.
Advantages:
– Street food Walhalla.
– One of the most unique parts of Bangkok, an area that’s ideal for those who want to explore small alleys and unique shops and bars.
– With the new metro station, you have good access to public transport as well as being located centrally near major attractions.
Disadvantages:
– Busy area full of pollution.
– A typical area that you either hate or love to the fullest.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
6. Siam
Siam is located in the heart of Bangkok and has direct access to the two BTS lines, which is a huge advantage.
You can also find several major shopping malls, including Siam Paragon, Siam Center and MBK Center.
Shopaholics will most definitely appreciate staying in this part of Bangkok.
And when you’re done shopping and visiting the malls around Siam, you can easily take the BTS to nearby BTS Stations where you can find several other malls, all the way to Ekkemai. But there are two things that you need to know when staying so centrally.
First of all, traffic is a huge pain.
This can easily be fixed by taking the mentioned BTS, however, it makes more sense to take the taxi to the older parts of Bangkok where you can find the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
When you use the taxi from Siam, you will most definitely be stuck in traffic.
It’s advised to take the BTS to Victory Monument first and take a taxi from there to avoid most of the traffic.
The second thing that you need to know is that Siam is mostly a commercial area and there is not much nightlife.
Also, local eateries and activities are not located here.
Again, for that, you have to travel (with the BTS) to other parts of the city.
But in return, you stay in a modern part of Bangkok with perfect access to the BTS lines.
Also, the shopping malls offer a huge variety of clean, Thai restaurants, which are ideal for families to explore the Thai cuisine.
Instead of eating at less-hygienic, local eateries, you eat at proper, well-known Thai restaurants with excellent service and a hygienic policy that meets Western standards.
For who: shopaholics, families.
Advantages:
– Great access to both BTS lines
– A huge variety of shopping malls
– Restaurants inside the shopping malls offer clean food that suits the whole family
Disadvantages:
– No nightlife
– Extremely busy, especially on the roads
– Definitely not an authentic area, but very modern (this can be an advantage too)
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
7. Lower Sukhumvit
Lower Sukhumvit has changed rapidly over the last few years and thanks to the BTS Line, it’s well worth considering staying in this area for the first time.
Why? You can find the best price-quality ratio when it comes to hotels.
The hotels here are much cheaper than in other areas and often relatively new.
The only downside is that you always have to travel a bit further than other recommended areas listed in this article.
How much further? When you stay in On Nut, for example, it’s probably an extra ten minutes on your BTS ride.
As you’re a first-time traveller in Bangkok, you have to figure out how the transit systems work, although it’s not that complicated.
Do know that when you’re staying in this particular area, you’re located further away from city highlights such as The Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho than other areas.
And for those who seek bustling nightlife, there are other areas that are much more convenient.
But if you are travelling as a family or a couple, and you usually are good at using public transport in new cities, this might be the best option for you, which does save you quite a bucks.
For who: families and couples
Advantages:
– Best price-quality ratio when it comes to hotels
– Relatively new hotels
– Direct access to the BTS Line
Disadvantages:
– Located the furthest from city highlights
– Longer travelling times.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
8. Silom
With a less spectacular view than the Riverside area and the fact that it’s not quiet at all, Silom is still one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok for first-timers, but for many other types of travellers too.
Silom is actually a business district in Bangkok, but due to its convenient public transport connections, an excellent area.
Also, Silom is located close to city highlights such as Lumphini Park and Chinatown, but nowadays also to The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Skywalk Mahanakhorn and many more.
You can also find several of the best rooftop bars Bangkok has to offer here, which is an ideal activity for couples, but most nightlife takes place in other parts of the city.
That’s why we believe Silom is more suitable for families and couples. The famous adult entertainment area called Patpong is located in Silom but lost most of its charm over the last few years.
Nowadays it mainly focuses on LGTB nightlife and thus attracts a different audience. The only downside of this area is that it’s located far away from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
For who: family, couples, LGTB (nightlife).
Advantages:
– Access to Lumphini Park
– Great connection with public transport
– Relatively close to Bangkok’s highlights
Disadvantages:
– Far from Suvarnabhumi Airport (more difficult to reach)
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
9. Rattanakosin
Rattanakosin is Bangkok’s Old Town and as you can expect, it’s surrounded by many important, historical buildings.
It’s the area where you can find The Grand Palace and Wat Pho, but also Wat Saket and many other old temples.
One of the best things about Rattanakosin is that you can find an abundance of brilliant, local eateries here.
Some of the most famous local restaurants are located in these parts of Bangkok.
Especially around Maha Chai Road and Dinso Road, you find some legendary eateries.
For example, Pad Thai Thip Samai, the most famous Pad Thai restaurant in the country is located here.
And right next to Thip Samai, you can find Jay Fai, which is a local restaurant that’s awarded a Michelin Star.
Other amazing restaurants are Mit Ko Yuan, Natthaphon Coconut Ice Cream, Kor Panich, Tee Yen-Ta-Fo, and Krua Apson, just to name a few.
You are located near several major highlights and even the famous Khao San Road is not close to here, but Rattanakosin is pretty boring during the evening.
Another downside is that you don’t have good access to public transport, although nowadays, there is an MRT Station near the Grand Palace.
It’s not ideal when it comes to moving around, but you’re staying in one of the most authentic areas the city has to offer with several major attractions super close to you!
For who: those looking for authenticity and excellent Thai food.
Advantages:
– Located in the oldest parts of Bangkok near many major attractions.
– Some of the best local restaurants are located here.
– Great area to explore on foot with many important and historical buildings nearby.
Disadvantages:
– It gets boring during the evening, for that, you have to visit Khao San Road.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
10. Pratunam
Pratunam is an area located near Phaya Thai BTS Station and Siam but deserves a special mention in this article.
It’s home to the iconic Baiyoke Tower and you can find Ratchaprarop BTS Station here, which is part of the Airport Rail Link that connects Suvarnabhumi with the city center.
Pratunam is known as a great shopping area as you have great access to several major shopping malls as well as the popular Pratunam night market.
Compared to Siam, Pratunam is far more authentic rather than modern while you’re located very centrally.
You also have direct access to the water taxis where you can explore the canals of Bangkok to the other older parts, including Wat Saket.
From there, you can explore popular attractions such as Wat Pho and the Grand Palace.
While there is no nightlife area nearby, you can easily take the BTS to the popular areas, such as Nana, Asoke, and Thonglor. Pratunam is the authentic alternative to Siam, as Siam is quite modern.
Both areas are hugely popular among shopaholics.
For who: shopaholics, families.
Advantages:
– Great access to many major shopping malls.
– The authentic version of Siam (not so modern).
– Access to the Airport Rail Link.
Disadvantages:
– Not direct access to the BTS Line, except the Airport Rail Link, so you have to travel just a tiny bit.
– No nightlife scene nearby, for activities during the evening, you have to travel.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
11. Khlong San
Khlong San is located on the west side of the Chao Praya River where you can find many high-end hotels as well as the iconic shopping mall named ICONSIAM.
As you’re located on the opposite side of the earlier mentioned Riverside, you have a fantastic riverside view as well, but you’re located more authentic area.
On this side of the river, you can also find the famous Wat Arun.
There is a BTS Station named Krung Thon Buri Station, that takes you to the city center, but the easiest way to reach the popular parts of Bangkok is by taking the ferry.
If you take the ferry to Rajinee, you’re near Sanam Chai MRT Station which takes you to the other corners of the city.
But it’s not as ideal as staying near the BTS line itself, like in Sukhumvit or Silom.
So why would you stay in this part of the city?
Well, it’s a unique way to stay comfortably around the riverside where you can find impressive, high-end hotels, and when you take the ferry, you can easily reach the older parts of Bangkok where you find some of the major attractions of the city.
Keep in mind that there is no nightlife scene in this part of the city, but hotels here do offer (rooftop) bars where you can enjoy the excellent riverside views.
For who: luxury traveller
Advantages:
– Great way to experience the authentic parts of Bangkok’s riverside.
– Access to ICONSIAM.
– Located near several major attractions on the other side of the river.
Disadvantage:
– In order to reach the MRT or BTS Line, you have to travel a bit and it takes a while to reach the central parts of the city.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
12. Suvarnabhumi Airport & Lat Krabang
When you’re staying shortly in Bangkok, and you have a flight to catch, staying around Suvarnabhumi and in particular, Lat Krabang, can save you a lot of stress as the traffic in Bangkok can be a big pain.
In case you choose to stay in this part of Bangkok, which is a bit outside the city center, it’s good to know that you still have some nice things you can do.
First of all, the hugely popular night market Srinakarin is located not that far from this part of the city.
You can also find a popular park named Rama IX Park.
The Happy & Healthy Bike Lane is a great, 23,5-kilometres-long bike lane around Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is a great activity in the early morning.
Around Lat Krabang Road, you can even find some local bars which is a cool way experience to witness the local nightlife scene, but it’s nothing compared to the city center’s nightlife scene.
But there is a huge downside, of course.
Visiting the city center is time-consuming.
Your best bet is either to take a taxi to On Nut BTS Station and from there on, take the BTS to the city center.
Or take the Airport Rail Link to the city center.
We only recommend you stay in this part of the city if you have to catch a flight the next day at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
For who: those who have to catch a flight the next day.
Advantage:
– Located near Suvarnabhumi airport, which saves you a lot of time when you have to catch a flight the next day.
Disadvantage:
– If you want to visit the city center, it takes you a lot of time to get there due to bad traffic.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors in this area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
Map of best areas in Bangkok for the first time
The next image is a map of the best areas in Bangkok for first-time visitors including the city highlights.
The image is in high resolution so you can easily zoom in to see all the details.
A map will follow soon.
There you have it, all our recommendations to your question about the best areas to stay in Bangkok for the first time.
We hope you enjoyed it and hopefully, you can make a good decision and have the time of your life in this amazing city!
Check out our relevant articles below for more useful travel and food information about Bangkok.
Bangkok food and activities articles:
Relevant articles travel in Bangkok
Where to stay in Bangkok first time
Where to stay in Bangkok for street food
Where to stay in Bangkok with family
Where to stay in Bangkok Reddit
Where to stay in Bangkok for nightlife
Where to stay in Bangkok on a budget
Where to stay in Bangkok for one night
Where to stay in Bangkok for 3 nights
Where to stay in Bangkok for shopping
Where to stay in Bangkok for couples
Relevant articles about popular destinations in Thailand
Where to stay in Krabi
Relevant articles about popular beach destinations in Thailand