Where to stay in Bangkok first time - 4 Best areas [simplified]
Having lived in Bangkok for almost five years, I can confidently say that I can give you good advice on where to stay in Bangkok first time.
There are tons of articles available on the internet that try to give an answer, but – in my opinion – those are overcomplicating this answer.
So, I will give a very straightforward answer and will keep it as short as possible.
There is one golden rule that you always have to remember when visiting this incredible city: stay as close as possible to a BTS Station or an MRT Station.
In the next paragraph, I’ll explain to you exactly what that means.
Bangkok is an incredibly diverse city with old and authentic parts as well as modern areas.
Major attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun are located on the west side of the city, which is the older part.
For sightseeing purposes, it does make sense to stay near the river and the older part.
However, the modern parts of Bangkok offer great nightlife and shopping options and are far more bustling.
This is already the first dilemma for most first-time visitors.
And there is another thing worth noting: traffic congestion here is one of the worst in the world.
As said in the introduction, the golden rule is to stay as close as possible to either a BTS Station (to access Bangkok’s SkyTrain) or an MRT Station (to access Bangkok’s metro).
By doing so, you can travel around the city without much hassle and you won’t be stuck in traffic.
The modern parts offer far better connectivity to these systems than the older ones.
But, if you do choose to stay in the older parts, especially when you want to stay close to the famous backpackers’ street Khao San Road, you do have decent – not perfect – access to a metro station nowadays.
In the next paragraph, I will dive straight into the best areas for first-time visitors, and shall specifically state what makes them so good and give you the best advice regarding traveling around the city when staying in that particular area.
Further down this article, there is a section where I dive deeper into Bangkok’s public transportation and the best ways to get around.
Overview of the best areas to stay in Bangkok for the first time
Below, you find an overview of all the recommended areas along with a short explanation of what makes that area so special.
You can tap on the blue button to go immediately to that recommended area or continue reading the article.
1. Sukhumvit
The heart of Bangkok with perfect access to both the BTS and the MRT.
Tons of things to do in the evening and each neighborhood comes with its own perks.
In my opinion, you should stay here if you visit the city for the first time. Keep in mind that major attractions are located in the older parts of Bangkok.
If you’re into nightlife, then Asoke and Nana are the perfect spots along Sukhumvit. If you prioritize accessibility, then Asoke is the area you’ve been looking for.
For a calmer yet convenient experience along Sukhumvit, Thonglor is the neighborhood that you’re looking for.
2. Riverside
For families, this is the perfect area as it’s relatively calmer compared to other parts of Bangkok.
It doesn’t attract the party crowds and major attractions are located close by. Keep in mind that access to the MRT and BTS is more limited compared to Sukhumvit.
As the name already suggests, many hotels offer great riverside views, making it also quite a good area for couples who like to take it easy in the Big Mango and enjoy a nice hotel room with stunning views.
3. Silom
This part of Bangkok is a bit similar to Sukhumvit. The big differences are that the nightlife scene is not as extensive as Sukhumvit and it feels less developed.
You do have good access to both the MRT and the BTS, however, the BTS line is a different one than the one in Sukhumvit and I think that the Sukhumvit line is more tourist-friendly.
You are located closer to the older parts of Bangkok, which are the major attractions (Chinatown, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and The Grand Palace). The area does feel more authentic.
4. Khao San Road
If you’re a younger traveler, and particularly a backpacker, who is ready to explore Southeast Asia, you want to stay around Khao San Road.
Here you can find many like-minded adventurers who just landed in Bangkok. Khao San Road transforms into a wild party street in the evening.
The area is home to countless affordable hostels, guesthouses, and hotels. If you want to meet fellow travelers, stay here.
If you’re not into partying, then stay in the nearby area that’s called Rattanakosin or around Thanon Samsen.
The best areas to stay in Bangkok first time are:
1. Sukhumvit
Having lived in this part of Bangkok for almost five years, I believe that Sukhumvit is by far the best option for most travelers.
Sukhumvit is one of the main arteries in the city and right above this main road runs the SkyTrain, Bangkok’s most convenient public transportation system.
Along this road, you can find several distinctive neighborhoods that offer great nightlife scenes, food scenes, shopping facilities, night markets, and much more.
What it doesn’t offer though, is major attractions that the city is known about.
What do I mean by that? The majority of the highlights are located in the older parts of the city and Sukhumvit is among the most modern parts of Bangkok.
In order to conveniently reach the older parts, you simply take the metro all the way to Sam Yot MRT Station.
And you can find the MRT connection along the Sukhumvit Line as well.
There is also a SkyTrain line that runs from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the city center, and it’s possible to reach Sukhumvit solely by train.
In other words, Sukhumvit offers the best connectivity in all of Bangkok and its neighborhoods come with quite some unique features.
In the next subparagraphs, I dive into each recommended neighborhood of Sukhumvit.
I. Asoke
When it comes to great access to Bangkok’s public transport and thus visiting all the important parts you as a tourist want to visit, Asoke is hands down the best option.
Why? It’s because here, you have direct access to the very convenient Sukhumvit Line (SkyTrain) as well as the Metro Blue Line.
There are many fun neighborhoods to discover along the Sukhumvit Line.
Nana is a great area for nightlife, although it’s also home to Bangkok’s largest red light district.
Thonglor is a trendy area with a fantastic nightlife scene that caters to the hi-so of Bangkok.
RCA is where you can find several major nightclubs.
There are several night markets in and around Asoke.
And lastly, Ekkemai is a great area for a more casual night out.
Going towards Siam with the SkyTrain, you will encounter several major shopping malls that offer a lot of convenience.
And if you stay on the train, you’ll end up in Mo Chit, where you can find the Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Then there are many rooftop bars to discover, food courts, and countless local eateries.
But when you use the Metro Blue Line, you go straight to the older parts of Bangkok, including Chinatown as well as the area where you can find several major attractions.
Basically, when staying here, you go out during the day for sightseeing and in the evening, there are many fun things to do nearby.
Is there anything not to like about Asoke?
Well, it’s also a business district right in the middle of the city, meaning that it’s intensely busy. Bangkok, in general, is a busy city, but Asoke is even worse.
Also, Asoke is home to Soi Cowboy, another red-light district, which means that this area does attract some of its clientele.
This is just a minor issue because you won’t be bothered that much if you’re not specifically looking for those things.
Keep in mind that Asoke is a modern part of Bangkok full of skyscrapers and concrete. If you’re looking for something more authentic, areas like Riverside are more viable.
But traveling around this chaotic city is relatively easy when staying here.
Lastly, getting from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Asoke is also quite easy as you can simply take the Airport Rail Link to Makkasan Station and from there, take the metro Asoke.
II. Nana
Nana is a nightlife area. In Bangkok, streets connected to main roads are called Soi’s.
In Sukhumvit Soi 4, you can find a large adult entertainment plaza, while at Sukhumvit Soi 11, you can find several major nightclubs and cool bars. I
can’t deny the fact that this attracts many young but also old travelers.
If this is your thing, then definitely stay as close as possible to these streets.
However, in recent years, Nana has also been revitalized.
This happened to many neighborhoods, and Nana is one of the last ones that really needed an upgrade.
The result is that there are many brand-new hotels available for a very good price near the BTS Station.
That means that you’re located centrally, and only one SkyTrain stop away from the metro.
Keep in mind that in the evening, the streets in and around Nana are a bit sketchy.
It’s not dangerous, but street prostitution is still a thing here. I
s it family-friendly? No, families should stay elsewhere.
But if you don’t mind witnessing some of Bangkok’s other parts while staying in a brand-new hotel that’s located centrally for a very good price, then Nana won’t disappoint.
Also, comparing Nana with Asoke, it offers a far better nightlife experience and that is something many young tourists want.
III. Thonglor
If Nana is too much for you, then Thonglor is definitely a better option.
The area is actually an upscale part of Bangkok where many of the hi-so have an apartment.
This also reflects the food and nightlife scene, as you can find many trendy restaurants, cafes, and bars here.
But for most tourists, it’s still very affordable.
You’re located further away from the city center, but when you stay close to Thonglor BTS Station, this won’t matter that much.
I would not recommend staying further away from the city center than Thonglor (Ekkamai, Phra Khanong, On Nut, etc. are stations that are located too far away from the center and it makes it inconvenient for tourists).
Thonglor is an area that isn’t per se tourist-orientated, which means that you get a better understanding of what central Bangkok is about.
That also means that you won’t find typical tourist attractions within its vicinity.
You won’t find as many tourists here compared to areas like Asoke and Nana.
That makes Thonglor a bit more of a challenging area for those who haven’t visited a Southeast Asian city before.
But if you’re a bit of an experienced traveler, Thonglor is actually super fun.
Especially if you’re a nightlife enthusiast, you have quite some options here.
If you want an even more local experience, then head over to Ekkemai, an adjacent neighborhood with beer bars, local cafes, great restaurants, and much more.
Just keep in mind that you’re relying heavily on public transport and that you probably need to switch lanes more often.
Getting from the airport to Thonglor is also not as convenient as Asoke, so you probably have to take a taxi.
But if you want to enjoy the evenings with good food, unique (cocktail) bars, and rooftop venues, Thonglor is an excellent option.
How to get around in 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.
2. Riverside
Riverside is another excellent area to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors.
As the name already suggests, you have stunning views over the Chao Phraya River.
Compared to Sukhumvit, Riverside is relatively calm.
Of course, traffic congestion during the day is still a huge pain, but there are several spots next to the river that are not that chaotic.
Because of that, it’s the best option for families.
As you’re located near the older parts of the city, you have good access to the major attractions.
Chinatown, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and The Grand Palace are all located nearby.
The architecture in this part of Bangkok is also different compared to Sukhumvit.
If you truly want to go back in time, I recommend walking along Talat Noi. You can easily find this area using Google Maps. Walking through these small alleys full of historical buildings is quite an experience.
Because of the heat, I suggest to start as early as possible.
Some of these historical buildings are renovated and you can find trendy coffee shops inside these places.
One of the downsides of staying in and around Riverside is that you don’t have great access to public transportation.
Luckily, most hotels offer free tuk-tuk services to and from the nearest station, but you will still end up in a bit of traffic.
Often overlooked by tourists, you can use water taxis, ferries, and private longtail boats to explore the waterways.
For example, you can go to the Si Phraya Ferry Pier where you take the boat all the way to Phanfa (where you can find Wat Saket, a temple built on a hill with excellent panoramic views).
Here, you can also find the Maha Chai Road, where you can find some of the most famous local restaurants in the city.
But it’s also possible to take the boat all the way to Siam, which is the heart of the city.
The whole boat trip will take you about half an hour and won’t even cost you a dollar.
Not only is it a fun way to explore Bangkok, but it’s also quite a scenic route.
Overall, Riverside is an excellent option for those seeking something more authentic with great access to major attractions and older parts of Bangkok.
But it’s a bit more challenging to get around the city compared to Sukhumvit.
Also, there is not much nightlife, so it’s quite obvious that mostly families with younger kids tend to stay in these parts of the city.
3. Silom
Silom is another excellent option and it used to be one of the most popular areas among tourists for a very long time.
Nowadays, Silom just feels more authentic than Sukhumvit.
It’s not that Silom is outdated but Sukhumvit is more modern.
Also, there are certain parts of Silom that has been closed, including parts of its legendary nightlife scene, which is a pity.
So, why should you choose Silom over Sukhumvit?
You’re located much closer to major attractions, including Chinatown.
When you take the metro that runs under Silom, you can go straight to the older parts of Bangkok, and its major attractions.
In other words, when it comes to sightseeing, Silom is more convenient.
You also have direct access to the MRT and the BTS, although the BTS line is a different one than the one that runs over Sukhumvit.
The Silom line takes you to places most tourists don’t go, so you have to switch lines at Siam.
When staying in Silom, you’re also located near Bangkok’s Riverside, and here, you can find many rooftop bars with stunning views over the Chao Praya River.
Obviously it’s all about personal preferences, and Silom is still a very good option.
If you prioritize sightseeing with good access to public transportation and you’re not in town to party until dawn, then Silom is an excellent option.
If you do like to explore Bangkok’s nightlife scene, then Sukhumvit is a better option.
That said, Silom is far from boring in the evening, and especially when you compare it with Bangkok’s Riverside, it’s a much more vibrant part.
Keep in mind that getting from the airport to Silom is a bit of a hassle.
4. Khao San Road
The last area that I recommend is the famous backpackers street called Khao San Road.
For many, this is the starting point for an epic adventure through Southeast Asia.
Because it caters to backpackers, you can find an abundance of affordable hotels, hostels, and guesthouses here.
In the evening, Khao San Road transforms into a party street full of outside bars, loud music, cheap drinks, and deep-fried insects on a stick.
As you’re located in the older parts of the city, it’s quite easy to reach the major attractions.
However, you don’t have good access to the BTS or the MRT, although, with the extension of the metro line, there is one station not really far from Khao San Road.
When staying here, make sure to visit the famous eateries along the Maha Chai Road, if you want to eat like locals do.
Also, as you’re located near the river, using boat taxis and ferries is a convenient and often overlooked way of transportation.
You can take the boat from Wat Saket all the way to Siam (central Bangkok) for a bargain.
If you’re not into backpacking or partying, then it doesn’t make sense to find a hotel in this part of the city.
However, it’s still an area to explore during the evening if you’re nearby.
If you’re a younger traveler and you want to meet many like-minded adventurers, then book your hotel here.