
Bangkok is one of the most exciting cities in Southeast Asia, and every neighbourhood has its own unique charm. Business travellers feel at home in Silom and Sathorn, fashion lovers gravitate towards the Siam shopping district, culture enthusiasts savour the riverside atmosphere, and backpackers find their home on Khao San Road. Whether you want to shop, sample street food, discover culture or dive into the nightlife, choosing the right neighbourhood makes your trip instantly easier and more enjoyable. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the six most popular districts so you can find the area that suits your trip perfectly.
Where to stay in Bangkok first time? A Complete Guide
Travel Types | Best area to stay in | Popular activities | Hotel price per night |
🎒 Backpacker | Khao San Road / Sukhumvit | Night market & bars, Grand Palace & Wat Pho, Chao Phraya boat | Hostel: £10–£30 |
💑 Couples | Riverside / Sukhumvit | Dinner cruise, sunset by the river, rooftop bar | Luxury: £170–£430+ |
👯♀️ Groups of friends | Sukhumvit / ilom Sathorn | Clubs & themed bars, Mahanakhon SkyWalk, Patpong Night Market | Mid-range: £45–£130 |
👨👩👧👦 Families | Siam / Riverside | Sea Life Aquarium, KidZania, ICONSIAM Water Show | Luxury: £130–£260+ |
* Prices are for guidance only and may vary by season.
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Siam: A shopper's paradise and transport hub
🧑🤝🧑 Suitable for
- Shopping enthusiasts, families and first-time visitors to Bangkok.
🌟 Nearby attractions
- Siam Paragon: One of Bangkok’s most famous shopping centres, featuring luxury brands, trendy fashion, restaurants and entertainment.
- MBK Center: An eight-storey shopping centre, popular for clothing, electronics and small souvenirs.
- SEA LIFE Bangkok (Siam Ocean World): Southeast Asia’s largest aquarium on the lower ground floor of Siam Paragon, with a wide variety of marine life.
- Madame Tussauds Bangkok: At Siam Discovery, you can take photos with wax figures of international stars and Thai celebrities.
- Siam Square: A neighbourhood brimming with trendy shops and independent designer boutiques, plus plenty of little shops and cosy cafés.
🚇 Transport Links
- Siam BTS Station is a key interchange where the Silom and Sukhumvit lines meet. From here, you can quickly reach Bangkok’s main business districts, nightlife areas and top sights.
Sukhumvit: Nightlife and international atmosphere in Bangkok

🧑🤝🧑 Suitable for
- Foodies seeking variety, young people who enjoy the nightlife, and business travellers.
🌟 Nearby attractions
- Terminal 21: A shopping centre styled after cities from around the globe, with trendy brands and international restaurants.
- Emporium & EmQuartier: High-end shopping destinations with abundant greenery, international luxury brands, and beautifully landscaped garden areas.
- Benjasiri Park: Located opposite EmQuartier, with walking paths, sports facilities and a tranquil lake, ideal for jogging or relaxing.
- Thonglor alleys: Cosy cafés, small design shops and popular bars are tucked away here. The area is a meeting point for locals and the trend-conscious.
🚇 Transport Links
- The BTS Sukhumvit Line runs through the entire neighbourhood, with the main stations Phrom Phong, Asok and Thonglor.
Silom / Sathorn: Business District and Urban Skyline

🧑🤝🧑 Suitable for
- Business travellers, night owls, and travellers seeking a high-end urban lifestyle experience.
🌟 Nearby attractions
- Lumphini Park: The largest green space in Bangkok’s city centre, with jogging paths and a man-made lake. A popular spot for morning exercise and relaxation.
- MahaNakhon SkyWalk: Perched atop the Pixel Tower, featuring a glass observation deck that offers a 360-degree view of Bangkok.
- Patpong Night Market: Known for handicrafts, clothing and authentic street food specialities. It’s buzzing in the evenings, a classic spot to experience the local nightlife.
- Sky Bar/Vertigo Rooftop Bar: For example, the Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower or Vertigo at Banyan Tree. From here, you’ll have a breathtaking view over the glittering city and can enjoy the evening with a drink.
- Silom Complex: A shopping centre right next to the BTS Sala Daeng station, featuring fashion stores, a wide range of restaurants, and everyday services that have you covered for all your daily needs.
🚇 Transport Links
- The area is very well connected. The BTS line includes the stations Sala Daeng, Chong Nonsi and Surasak. Silom MRT station is linked to Sala Daeng BTS by a connecting walkway, offering speedy connections to Siam, Sukhumvit and the riverside.
Riverside Bangkok: A tranquil holiday area by the Chao Phraya River

🧑🤝🧑 Suitable for
- Couples, families and travellers looking to enjoy a peaceful, high-quality holiday.
🌟 Nearby attractions
- Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): Iconic riverside temple, especially stunning at sunset.
- Wat Pho: Home to the colossal Reclining Buddha and a traditional Thai massage school.
- Grand Palace: A historic and architectural landmark of Thailand.
- ICONSIAM: A modern riverside shopping centre with luxury brands and cultural experiences.
- Asiatique Riverside Night Market: a combination of shopping, restaurants and a Ferris wheel, a popular evening destination by the water.
- Chao Phraya River Cruise: Boat tour along the riverbanks with views of illuminated landmarks and Bangkok’s skyline.
🚇 Transport Links
- From Sathorn Pier, you can hop on the affordable, authentic Chao Phraya Express Boats and easily transfer to Saphan Taksin BTS Station to explore Bangkok efficiently.
Chinatown: Cultural immersion and culinary discoveries

🧑🤝🧑 Suitable for
- Culture lovers, street food fans, photography enthusiasts, and travellers who want to explore historic neighbourhoods.
🌟 Nearby attractions
- Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha): Home to a 5.5-tonne Buddha statue made of pure gold and stands as a testament to centuries-old faith.
- Wat Mangkon Kamalawat: A vibrant Chinese temple, known for its strong incense aroma and classic Chaoshan architecture with richly adorned woodwork and stonework.
- Yaowarat Night Market: A lively street-food hotspot, known for Chinese and Thai specialities.
- So Heng Tai Mansion: A Chinese-Portuguese-style building that is more than a hundred years old, telling the story of early Chinese merchants.
🚇 Transport Links
- MRT Blue Line: Wat Mangkon Station, exit directly into the heart of Chinatown.
- Chao Phraya Express Boat: Ratchawong Pier, ideal for experiencing the city from the river and soaking up the unique riverside atmosphere.
Khao San Road: Hotspot for Backpackers and Nightlife

🧑🤝🧑 Suitable for
- Backpackers on a tight budget, young people who love nightlife and street food, as well as solo travellers looking to make international travel connections.
🌟 Nearby attractions
- Khao San Night Market: In the evenings, it’s lined with stalls offering street food, souvenirs and handcrafted goods.
- Democracy Monument: About a 10-minute walk away, a symbol of Thailand’s history and politics.
- Wat Pho and the Grand Palace: From Khao San Road, these iconic Bangkok sights are within walking distance or just a short ride away.
🚇 Transport Links
- Khao San Road isn’t served by the BTS or MRT, but it can be easily reached by bus, songthaew or Grab taxi to get to popular neighbourhoods such as Siam, Sukhumvit or Silom.
Staying overnight at Bangkok Airport: A practical choice for stopovers

🧑🤝🧑 Suitable for
- Travellers with early or late flights, connecting passengers
🚇 Transport Links
- Airport Rail Link: An efficient and cost-effective option. The terminus is Phaya Thai Station in the city centre, where you can change to the BTS Skytrain. The station is located on Level B of the airport.
- Taxi: You'll find the taxi ranks on Level 1 of the terminal. An airport surcharge and toll charges may apply.
- Airport Bus (Line A1): Runs directly to Mo Chit BTS station or Chatuchak Park MRT station; from there, it's an easy transfer to public transport.
- SRT Red Line: The train runs from Don Mueang Airport to the terminus at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. From there, you can connect to the MRT Blue Line to reach the city centre quickly.
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Where to stay in Bangkok? Backpacker neighbourhoods and accommodation

Staying overnight on Khao San Road
🎨 Exciting Activities
- Night market and shopping: handicrafts, street food, and lively markets await you.
- Cultural exploration: From most hostels, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are within walking distance.
- Nightlife: Street performances, bars, and social gatherings with international travellers offer a unique experience.
🏨 Recommended Hotels
- Wallaya Heritage Stay: The hotel features a massage room and a spa, and is just a five-minute drive from Khao San Road and Siam Square.
- Tinidee Trendy Bangkok Khaosan: The hotel offers an outdoor pool, laundry service and room service, and sits right on Khao San Road, close to the Democracy Monument.
Staying in Sukhumvit
🎨 Exciting Activities
- Thematic shopping: The Terminal 21 shopping centre and the design shops in Thong Lo beckon you to browse.
- Culinary discoveries: Street food, Thai cooking classes and cafés in the area offer a diverse range of delights.
- Creative experiences: The Commons and second-hand shops offer inspiring spots for young travellers.
🏨 Recommended Hotels
- TRIBE Living Bangkok Sukhumvit 39 by AccorHotels: Relax by the outdoor pool or in the spa with a sauna; the hotel is near the EmSphere shopping centre and UOB Live.
- Mercure Bangkok Sukhumvit 24: Enjoy the rooftop pool and the fitness centre; the hotel is located near EmQuartier and Benchasiri Park.
Where to stay in Bangkok with kids? Family-friendly neighbourhoods and accommodation
Category | 🏙️ Siam | 🌊 Riverside |
City atmosphere | Vibrant city centre, shopping and entertainment all in one place | Quiet, relaxing area, far from the hustle and bustle |
Family-friendly | Above all, indoor activities, numerous shopping centres and playgrounds, whatever the weather. | Nature and cultural experiences, boat trips, relaxed atmosphere |
Transport Links | BTS Skytrain hub, very easy to reach | Reliant on boats and taxis, with a special charm |
Staying overnight in Siam
🏰 Top activities for families
- Discover adventure: Experience a fascinating underwater world at Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World and get up close to marine life.
- All-day fun: At Siam Amazing Park, play and frolic to your heart's content in the water park and on the land-based rides.
- Relaxed shopping: Several large shopping centres are linked by sky bridges, so you can easily move from one to the next—even with a pushchair—and shop all day, whatever the weather.
🏨 Recommended family-friendly hotels
- Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai: Modern and well equipped with its own children's pool and babysitting service, so parents can enjoy a relaxed stay.
- Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok: With its own kids' paradise and kids' club, just moments from Siam Paragon and SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, ideal for families with children.
Overnight by the riverside
🏰 Top activities for families
- Chao Phraya River Cruise: Hop on an excursion boat to easily explore the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and other sights along the river, and experience the city from a whole new perspective.
- Riverside path and cycling: The riverfront promenade is flat and wide, ideal for families to take a stroll or cycle. There are also private tours that combine cycling with boat excursions.
- Family-friendly hotel facilities: Many high-quality riverside hotels offer kids’ clubs, children’s pools and professional childcare services, so parents can unwind and enjoy their stay.
🏨 Recommended family-friendly hotels
- Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok: The hotel boasts a garden and a pool overlooking the river, plus its own kids’ club, creating a smoke-free, eco-friendly holiday atmosphere for families.
- Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort: With a kids’ paradise, river-view family rooms, and amenities such as pushchairs, the resort offers a comfortable and family-friendly holiday experience by the river.
Hotels in Bangkok
5 star
Business travel
Family friendly
Gym
Swimming pool
Where to stay in Bangkok: Your questions answered
Which neighbourhoods in Bangkok are best for staying in?
- Sukhumvit: Ideal for shopping, nightlife and dining.
- Sathorn/Silom: Best for business travellers and luxury accommodation.
- Chinatown: Perfect for food lovers and culture seekers.
- Riverside: Ideal for peace, relaxation and luxury hotels.
Which neighbourhoods in Bangkok are considered particularly safe?
Travellers report that the neighbourhoods of Sukhumvit, Sathorn/Silom, Siam, and Riverside are among the safest areas for accommodation in Bangkok.Which neighbourhoods in Bangkok are suitable for families?
Neighbourhoods that are both safe and conveniently located are best for families. In Siam, Sukhumvit, and Riverside, families will find an environment with plenty of child-friendly activities, shopping centres, and restaurants close by.Which neighbourhoods in Bangkok are suitable for backpackers?
For backpackers in Bangkok, Khao San Road with its budget hostels and bars, and Sukhumvit (z. B. Soi 11, Nana, Asoke) with its excellent transport links, restaurants, and nightlife are particularly suitable.


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