Thailand’s crazy capital, Bangkok, has everything from fleapits to luxury 5-star hotels. WIFI is almost everywhere, hot showers are a given and there are many options in almost every area of the city. So how much do you get for your money in Bangkok?
Cheap cheap for you: 300 baht ($10) & under:
- For this price in Bangkok you would be wise to look around Khao San Road and Banglamphu area, forget Sukhumvit! You can find single rooms as cheap as 300 baht but for this don’t expect luxury. You will get a bed, a fan and a bathroom will be shared. When we checked last week, a room at ‘The Happy House’ (off Rambuttri Road) last week cost 250 baht (prison cell-like but clean.) Elsewhere in the city, you can get a dorm for just a little over 300 baht. Dorm rooms at HI Sukhumvit (Thong Lor) start at 330 baht and 380 baht in HQ Hostel (Silom).
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Won’t break the bank: 500 – 800 baht ($15-$25)
- For backpackers who aren’t on a mega tight budget, mid-range options are probably your best bet. There are many choices for around 600 baht that will get you an air-con private room, adjoining hot shower and a good chance of free wifi in the room. If you are traveling in pairs, this is a good deal as the price is per room not per person. Many options of this quality can be found around Khao San area, such as The Rambuttri Village Inn, (450 baht for single room) (swimming pool on the roof!) The Green House, D&D Inn (rooms from 550 baht, right on the Khao San Road) and Four Sons Village (from 400 baht). There are also many options elsewhere in the city along the Sukhumvit Road (for example, Suk 11 Backpackers Hostel offers single rooms with shared showers for 500 baht.) Soi Kasamsan near national stadium also has a few guesthouses such as A-One Inn with rooms around the 600 baht mark.
Find and book single rooms and budget hotels in Bangkok
Splurge: 1,000 baht ($35) & above:
- About 1,500 baht will get you a decent hotel room in Bangkok; air-con, free wifi, (sometimes a swimming pool and breakfast included!) For a real luxury hotel expect 3,000 baht and up. Some of the more expensive, plush hotels can be found along the Sukhumvit Road, Silom and Thong Lor area, although most of the hotels mentioned in this guide have more exclusive rooms at the 1,500 baht mark; (HQ Hostel in Silom – double room 1,700 baht / Niras Bangkoc, Banglamphu – ensuite room 1,700 baht / Sleep Withinn, Rambuttri Road, Banglamphu – single room 1,200 baht / D & D Inn, Khao San Road – deluxe triple room 1,100 baht)
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AREAS TO STAY IN BANGKOK:
The Famous Khao San Road & Soi Rambuttri
Most of the cheapest backpacker options can be found around the famous Khao San Road, nearby (and a bit quieter) Rambuttri Road in Banglamphu area. This is the main backpacker hub of Bangkok, where thousands of travellers meet and greet, (read: get wasted) set off on new journeys or conclude their travels in South East Asia. You will find all types of accommodation around this area that will suit any budget from prison cells to 5-star.
The most famous backpacker street in the world? Khao San Road, Bangkok
A seething mass of activity, bars, pubs, nightclubs, cheap market shops, street food and thousands of backpackers make this a 24-hour party zone and it is certainly an exciting experience that has got to be seen. Don’t expect peace and quiet if you stay on the actual Khao San Road as the music and street life goes on until the early hours. Nearby Rambuttri Road is a little more subdued and you can find some quieter hostels tucked away here. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a chilled out local scene this is really not the place for you!
Nightlife at a backpacker bar on Soi Rambuttri, Bangkok
Despite many backpackers thinking that this is the centre of Bangkok, (some believing it to be the centre of Asia) the Khao San Road is actually way out West of the city and inaccessible by the convenient BTS (sky train system) and MRT (underground) which means getting taxis around is essential. Although taxis in Bangkok are very cheap (always ask to put the meter on) the daily traffic jams can make journeys to other parts of the city very slow. If you do end up staying in Khao San Road don’t be one of those backpackers who never leave the area apart from a novelty tuk tuk ride! Just behind the Khao San Road at Pra Athit Pier you can catch the local ferry on the Chao Phraya for 13 baht to other parts of the city such as nearby atmospheric China Town.
Book hostels in Khao San Road, Bangkok
The Greater Banglamphu Area
When backpackers first began to visit Bangkok over 20 years ago, the Khao San Road existed of just one street of cheap basic rooms that locals let out for a song to dreadlocked hippie types. Since then, the road has spread and is continuing to spread with hotels springing up all around the area of Banglamphu. The beauty of Bangkok is that it is possible to stay within a 15-minute walk of Khao San down a quiet side street and feel like you are in a different world.
The sois (streets) of Sam Sen Road are a good place to find some guesthouses that are great value for money and away from the craziness of the Khao San Road. Try the raved about ‘Sam Sen Sam Place’ with mid-price rooms, friendly atmosphere and free wifi. Flashpackers may want to try, the stylish Diamond House, on the main road or the chic and stylish ‘Nap Park’ located on Tani Road near the Banglamphu Market and a big tree!
We’ve also heard good things about the hostel ‘Niras Bangkoc Cultural Hostel’, just outside Banglamphu on Mahachi Road within walking distance of major tourist attractions such as The Grand Palace, Wat Po, Wat Arun, the Golden Mount and about 20 minutes from the Khao San Road.
The historical Niras Bangkoc Cultural Hostel, Bangkok
Book hostels in Banglamphu, Bangkok
Buzzing Sukhumvit Road – Bangkok’s Main Artery
The Sukhumvit Road runs straight through the centre of Bangkok and is connected by the sky train, which makes travel easy. This area which runs through Siam Square is a central business district and shopping hub and contains the citys’ most plush shopping malls, 5-star hotels, offices, massage parlours, tailors, bars, night clubs, restaurants, pubs and everything in-between! For backpackers tired of the Khao San scene there are some good, value for money options here.
The many sois (streets) that run off the main Sukhumvit Road have tons of places to stay catering for budget travellers or big spenders. Right by the shopping hub of Siam Square, you can try the modern and friendly, Lub D Backpackers Hostel (Siam Square BTS) which has a huge common area, restaurant, bar, free wifi and a good crowd.
Just a little way down Sukhumvit Soi 11, (a popular street for nightlife amongst expats) located in a lively little alleyway, there is the atmospheric Suk 11 Backpackers Hostel (Nana BTS) with private rooms, dorms, intriguing corridors and graffiti on the walls! Grab a cheap drink at Cheap Charlies on the corner if you stay here and look out for the interesting ornaments.
Graffiti on the walls of Suk 11 Backpacker Hostel, Bangkok
Other options for backpackers include Soi 1 Guesthouse (Sukhumvit, Soi 1, Ploen Chit BTS) and at the other end of the street, HI Sukhumvit (2 minutes walk from Thong Lor BTS on Soi 38) Both of these options have a good atmosphere and private rooms and dorms at a reasonable price for the backpacker.
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National Stadium & MBK
There are a few budget options within 2-minute walking distance of National Stadium BTS and MBK Shopping Centre located down Soi Kasemsan. Wendy House is a flashpacker options with rooms a little expensive (900 baht and up) but a friendly vibe, free wifi & attached cafe. The Bed & Breakfast Inn opposite is pretty basic but cheaper (600 baht for single room) and the A-One Inn is also a popular choice amongst more mature travellers.
Book hostels near National Stadium, Bangkok
Stylish Silom & Trendy Thong Lor
Silom and Thong Lor aren’t exactly backpacker territory, with skyscrapers, luxury hotels, expensive restaurants and chic bars. However, there are a few excellent hostels situated here which mean you can experience life in the beating heart of the city at a reasonable price. (And its Bangkok, so there are always cheap and delicious local eateries nearby!) Staying in Silom or Thong Lo will certainly give you a glimpse into the everyday business life of the city and you will catch a glimpse of the trendier side of Bangkok’s personality. BTS Sala Daeng is the central station which gives access to the rest of the city.
Flashpacker joints include the modern and spotless ‘HQ Hostel’ with dorms starting at 380 baht, free wifi & attached cafe. Lub D Hostel in Silom is always a favourite amongst backpackers, with a huge common area, dorms and privates, an attached bar and friendly traveller vibe. In nearby Thong Lor (2 minutes walk from Thong Lo BTS Station) you will find the popular HI Sukhumvit with dorms from 330 baht or singles at 650 baht. Thong Lor is one of the most exclusive areas of Bangkok where rich Thais and expats hang out in many of the high-class bars.
Book hostels in Silom, Bangkok
Chill out area at the flashpacker ‘HQ Hostel’, Silom, Bangkok
