Bangkok
Where to Stay in Bangkok: The Neighborhood Matters Less Than the Subway Station
There is only one deciding factor, and all others come second: the actual walking time to an elevated subway station.
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Comparisons of Bangkok's neighborhoods will tell you about the atmosphere, nightlife, and character. All of that is true, but none of itmatters nearly as much as the walking distance to an elevated subway station.
In a city where a six-kilometer taxi ride can take fifty minutes at the wrong time of day, being just five minutes away from the BTS or MRT can make all the difference. Choosing cheaper accommodations three kilometers from a station comes at the cost of commutes, heat, and patience—every day, twice a day.
Here are the neighborhoods that meet this criterion, along with their other merits.
Neighborhoods, Compared
| Neighborhood | Service | Who is it for? | The downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sukhumvit | BTS along its entire length | First-time visitors: Everything is accessible | High traffic, little charm |
| Thong Lor | BTS, same line, further east | residential neighborhood, great places to eat in the evening | further away from the temples |
| Silom and Sathorn | BTS and MRT: Line Intersections | Very central, business district that comes alive in the evening | noisy on weekdays |
| Siam | BTS, junction of the two lines | short stays, shopping malls | no neighborhood life |
| Riverside | BTS Saphan Taksin, then by boat | river, temples, relative calm | more expensive, farther from the city center |
| Banglamphu, Khao San | no station | an evening, not a night | noise until morning |
How to Choose, Based on the Type of Trip You're Taking
Two or three nights, first visit: Sukhumvit or Siam. We want to minimize travel time and see the highlights—not get too attached to one neighborhood.
A week or more: Thong Lor. The neighborhood has a life of its own; the restaurants open in the evening aren't geared toward visitors, and you eventually end up developing your own routines there.
A trip focused on temples and the river: Riverside, as long as you're willing to pay a little more and stay a bit further from the city center.
Layovers of less than twelve hours: stay near the airport—and only in this case. The express train takes about thirty minutes to reach the city center, so there’s no point in going any further.
The test to take before booking
No matter which neighborhood you’re in, check a map to see the actual walking time to the nearest station. Accommodation listings often describe a station as being “nearby” even if it’s a kilometer and a half away—which means a twenty-minute walk in 35-degree heat, round trip, several times a day.
If it's more than a ten-minute walk, look for another place. That's the only criterion that matters, and it's worth more than all the online reviews combined.
What Matters Next
Air conditioning is a must—and not just during the hot season. See “Weather and Climate.”
A swimming pool—which isn't a luxury in Bangkok but a way to get through the day. It's included at price points that come as a surprise to visitors from Europe.
A window. Rooms without windows are common in budget accommodations, and this information isn't always highlighted in the listings.
In summary
There’s only one deciding factor: being within a ten-minute walk of an elevated subway station. Sukhumvit for a first-time visit, Thong Lor for a week or more, Silom for a central location, and Riverside for the river and temples. Khao San Road is worth visiting for an evening, but it’s not a good place to stay overnight, since there’s no subway and it’s too noisy. And always check the actual walking time on a map rather than relying on the “nearby” label in a listing. The complete guide is on the “Visit Bangkok” page,and Khao San Road has its own page.
Which neighborhood should you stay in when visiting Bangkok?
In a neighborhood served by the BTS Skytrain or the MRT subway. This is the most important factor of all. Sukhumvit for a first-time stay, Silom for a central location, Thong Lor for a residential neighborhood, and Riverside for the river and temples.
Should you stay near the temples in Bangkok?
Not necessarily. The historic district isn't well served by the subway, and you can see all the temples in a single morning. It's better to stay along a subway line and travel to the temples via the river on the day you plan to visit.
How much does a night at a hotel in Bangkok cost?
There is a wide range of options, and the city is inexpensive for the quality you get. A decent, well-located double room can be found for a few dozen euros, and upgrading to a hotel with a pool and a view is still very affordable compared to European capitals.
Which neighborhoods should you avoid when staying overnight in Bangkok?
Khao San Road if you want to stay overnight: the street is noisy until the early morning and doesn't have a subway station. More generally, avoid any accommodation that's more than a quarter of an hour's walk from a station, regardless of the price.
Is it better to stay near the airport in Bangkok?
Only if you have a layover of just a few hours or a very early morning flight. The express train connects Suvarnabhumi to downtown in about 30 minutes, so there’s no need to sacrifice your stay just to be close to the airport.