StayAreasWhere to stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is huge and its traffic is slow, so the best base is one near the Skytrain (BTS), the metro (MRT) or a river pier. Stay in the Old Town around Khao San Road for the Grand Palace and Wat Pho; in Chinatown for street food; on the Riverside for grand hotels and river boats; in Siam for malls and the best transport links; in Silom and Sathorn for rooftop bars and business; or along Sukhumvit for restaurants, nightlife and the widest choice of hotels. November to February is the coolest, driest time to visit.
6 neighbourhoods compared · Typical mid-range hotel ~$105/night · Prices updated Oct 2026
Our recommendations
Best for a first visitSiam~$115/night · Malls, Skytrain hub & Jim Thompson House
Also consider Old Town & Khao San
Best nightlifeSukhumvit~$100/night · Restaurants, nightlife & endless hotel choice
Also consider Old Town & Khao San, Chinatown
Best foodChinatown~$85/night · Yaowarat street food & old shophouses
Also consider Sukhumvit, Old Town & Khao San
Best valueOld Town & Khao San~$80/night · Grand Palace, temples & backpacker bars
Also consider Chinatown, Silom & Sathorn
Best upscale stayRiverside~$130/night · Grand hotels on the Chao Phraya
Also consider Silom & Sathorn
Compare Bangkok neighbourhoods
Pick what matters to you and we'll rank the areas.
| Area | Best for | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Old Town & Khao San | ~$80 | First visit, Budget | ||||
 Chinatown | ~$85 | Nightlife, Budget | ||||
 Riverside | ~$130 | Upscale, Families | ||||
 Siam | ~$115 | First visit, Families | ||||
 Silom & Sathorn | ~$100 | Business, Upscale | ||||
 Sukhumvit | ~$100 | Nightlife, Business |
Typical mid-range double room per night, not live prices · Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas
Bangkok neighbourhoods on the map
Typical hotel prices in Bangkok
A typical mid-range double costs about $105 a night across the areas we cover. Budget hotels start around $45; luxury hotels average $290.
Riverside, Siam cost the most. Old Town & Khao San, Chinatown are the cheapest, around $50 a night less than Riverside.
These are typical rates outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026.
| Area | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town & Khao San | ~$35 | ~$80 | ~$205 |
| Chinatown | ~$40 | ~$85 | ~$220 |
| Silom & Sathorn | ~$45 | ~$100 | ~$260 |
| Sukhumvit | ~$45 | ~$100 | ~$260 |
| Siam | ~$50 | ~$115 | ~$290 |
| Riverside | ~$60 | ~$130 | ~$520 |
Bangkok FAQs
What is the best area to stay in Bangkok for first-time visitors?
Siam, followed by Old Town & Khao San. Bangkok's modern centre around Siam Square and Ratchaprasong, where both Skytrain lines meet among the city's biggest malls.
How much does a hotel in Bangkok cost per night?
Across the areas we cover, a typical mid-range double costs about $105 a night, from around $45 for budget hotels to $290 for luxury. Old Town & Khao San (~$80) is the cheapest area and Riverside (~$130) the most expensive. These are typical rates, not live prices.
Where should I stay in Bangkok on a budget?
Old Town & Khao San, followed by Chinatown, Silom & Sathorn.
Which Bangkok neighbourhood is best for nightlife?
Sukhumvit, followed by Old Town & Khao San, Chinatown.
Where is the best area to stay in Bangkok with kids?
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Which area is quickest to reach from Suvarnabhumi Airport?
Sukhumvit: about 40 minutes (Airport Rail Link to Makkasan, then the MRT Blue Line to Sukhumvit). Siam is next at about 45 minutes.