As Bangkok is a huge metropolis, staying in the right place can save you lots of time and money during your visit. Explore the city's most popular districts among locals and tourists, and choose the best district to stay in Bangkok according to your preferences and trip plan.
You can discover the location of all the below-listed city's best districts in the Bangkok district map.
1. Watthana & Khlong Toei districts
Watthana, or Vadhana, is the Central Business District (CBD) that, together with Khlong Toei, forms the downtown Bangkok area that is better known as Sukhumvit. Actually, Sukhumvit Road is the main road separating Watthana and Khlong Toei districts. The Watthana district is located north of Sukhumvit Road, and the Khlong Toei district occupies the area south of it. Even if Watthana district is better developed, similar conditions can be expected if you stay closer to the main road.
The central area is bustling with business centers, shopping complexes, numerous dining spots, unlimited nightlife, and various hotels suitable for different budgets. Sukhumvit is a very convenient place to stay in Bangkok for the majority of travelers. Therefore, we always recommend the Watthana district or the Khlong Toei district for the first-time visitors who are looking for where to stay in Bangkok.
Watthana and Khlong Toei districts are easily accessible, as the BTS Sukhumvit Line spans along Sukhumvit Road. For the utmost convenience, stay close to one of the BTS stations in the area, such as Nana, Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lo, Ekkamai, or Phra Khanong. Asok is right in the center of the Sukhumvit area and is directly connected to the Sukhumvit MRT Station on the MRT Blue Line.
2. Din Daeng & Huai Khwang districts
If you are a person of the new generation who is passionate about the lively lifestyle in large cities and wants to avoid tourist crowds, consider Din Daeng and Huai Khwang districts that are just north of Watthana. Separated by Ratchadapisek Road, these two Bangkok districts form the area commonly known as Ratchada. Din Daeng district is on the left, and Huai Khwang district is on the right from the main road. It is a commercial and residential area in the city center, which is becoming a new hip area.
Din Daeng and Huai Khwang districts have many chic community malls, chillax cafes, nightclubs, and huge massage parlors. There are also unique and stylish accommodations available. The area is popular with Chinese and Japanese tourists but not as popular as the Sukhumvit area for Western tourists.
Staying close to Ratchadaphisek Road is most convenient, as the MRT Blue Line runs along a good length of the road. The main MRT stations in the area are Phetchaburi, Phra Ram 9, Thailand Cultural Centre, Huai Khwang, Sutthisan, and Ratchadaphisek.
3. Pathum Wan district
Pathum Wan district covers several popular areas in Bangkok, such as Siam, Lumphini, and Hua Lamphong. If staying in fresh and trendy areas is your preference, the Pathum Wan district, and especially the Siam area, is the place where you need to start your search for accommodation.
Siam is a famous shopping and entertainment area that is easily reachable from different parts of Bangkok. There is a top university, restaurants, fashion boutiques, and chic cafes scattered around the area. Siam is a lively place worshiped by the upper-class teenagers for fashion shopping and hanging out during the daytime.
Lumphini is a wealthy Bangkok residential area, which is home to many embassies and consulates as well as numerous high-rise buildings and a huge Lumphini Park, where you can stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy outdoor activities.
Located a little west of the center of Bangkok, Hua Lamphong is a historic neighborhood with lots of charm, history, and the old Bangkok railway station.
The Pathum Wan district is easily reached by BTS Skytrain, as Siam is the station where the BTS Silom Line and the BTS Sukhumvit Line connect. Lumphini and Hua Lamphong are connected by the MRT Blue Line.
4. Ratchathewi district
As it might be difficult to find an affordable accommodation in the Siam and Lumphini areas, consider staying at the Ratchathewi district, just north of Pathum Wan. The area is located close to the heart of the city and includes the areas of Pratunam, Victory Monument, and Makkasan.
Ratchathewi is a commercial district that is very popular among retailers and foreigners. It features numerous shopping centers and accommodations for a good price.
The district can be reached by BTS Green Line, as Ratchathewi, Phaya Thai, and Victory Monument BTS stations are located in the area. Phaya Thai BTS station is connected with the same-named Airport Rail Link station, making a trip from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ratchathewi fast, cheap, and easy. At Pratunam Pier, you can board the Saen Saep Express Boat to get to the old town of Bangkok or to the eastern districts of the city.
5. Bang Rak & Sathon districts
Separated by North Sathon Road, the Bang Rak and Sathon districts are another good area to stay in in Bangkok. The Bang Rak district, often called Silom according to the main road, is the area north of Sathon and consists of Silom Road, Surawong Road, and Si Phraya Road. Sathon, or Sathorn, is the district south of North Sathon Road. It's a financial and business hub of the city that is home to the local and international establishments, banking institutions, and law firms.
Both districts offer similar modern environments and border the Chao Phraya River. Most of the hotels in the area are upscale hotels set up in skyscrapers with trendy rooftop bars and top-quality services offered to tourists. The Bang Rak and Sathon districts are packed with amazing cafes, high-end restaurants, and spots for a lively nightlife. The area is a perfect place to stay in Bangkok for anyone looking to have a good time.
Bang Rak and Sathon districts can be easily reached by the BTS Silom Line. The central stop in Bang Rak is Sala Daeng BTS station, while Saphan Taksin BTS station lets you connect to the Chao Phraya Express Boat. Si Lom MRT station and Lumphini MRT station on the MRT Blue Line are also located in the area.
6. Bangkok districts along the Chao Phraya River
If Bang Rak and Sathon are too modern for your taste, choose one of the more authentic Bangkok districts along the Chao Phraya River. The Bangkok Riverside area offers a relaxing atmosphere with spectacular views of the river and is becoming increasingly popular among tourists as it is close to most of the cultural-historical attractions in Bangkok.
Some of the districts along the Chao Phraya River, like Khlong San on the western bank of the river, have seen more development recently with modern landmarks like ICONSIAM popping up. At the same time, the historic districts of Phra Nakhon and Samphanthawong keep their charm.
The Phra Nakhon district covers the old town of Bangkok with the most important historical attractions such as the Grand Palace and many famous temples, as well as Khao San Road, which is the most popular location to stay in Bangkok among backpackers.
Another popular Bangkok district on the bank of the Chao Phraya River is Samphanthawong, which is mainly covering Bangkok Chinatown, also known as Yaowarat. It is one of the oldest and most unique cultural districts in Bangkok. The streets of Chinatown are full of colorful buildings, decorations, and street food, making it a perfect place to stay for food lovers.
Commuting in the riverside districts is easy with the Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat services, operating along the Chao Phraya River. Reaching other Bangkok areas is also not problematic, as you can take a boat to the central pier (Sathorn Pier) and transfer to the BTS Skytrain at the nearby Saphan Taksin BTS Station. Main destinations in Khlong San can also be reached by the BTS Gold Line, while Phra Nakhon and Samphanthawong districts have several stations of the MRT Blue Line.
7. Bangkok districts close to the airport
Staying in the area close to the airport is suitable for travelers who are only making a short stopover in Bangkok or have a flight departing early in the morning.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), the main air travel hub of Bangkok, is located in the neighboring province of Samut Prakan. The accommodation at the airport is very convenient but quite high-priced. However, there are many reasonably priced hotels in the surrounding areas. You can stay in Samut Prakan or the Bangkok's nearby Lat Krabang district. Most of the hotels in the Suvarnabhumi area offer shuttle service between the airport and hotel.
To get to the city center of Bangkok from the airport or the Lat Krabang district is easy with the Airport Rail Link. The airport train is a fast and affordable way to get into the city from Suvarnabhumi. The Airport Rail Link Lat Krabang station is located just one stop from the airport.
If you will be traveling via the second airport of Bangkok, Don Mueang Airport, you can consider staying in the Don Mueang district. There are many reasonably priced hotels located within walking distance of the airport, perfect if you are catching a flight the next day.
Don Mueang Airport is located approximately 20 kilometers away from the city center, but it's easily accessible with the SRT Red Line.
Map of Best Districts to Stay in Bangkok
The best districts to stay in Bangkok are highlighted in this map.
For more options, explore the full list of Bangkok districts.
Tips for staying in Bangkok
If you want to have a complete experience of staying in the Thai capital city, book a hotel with one of the best infinity pools in Bangkok or one of the top rooftop bars in the city. Rooftop Bangkok covers all the best venues.