Best Area to Stay in Bangkok for Tourists
First of all, let me say congratulations to you for choosing Bangkok for your trip. Bangkok is a gigantic city with multicultural, plenty of restaurants, a number of world-class shopping malls, countless hotels and some amazing tourist attractions. Peoples often ask what is the best area to stay in Bangkok for tourists? With the availability of so many options and lack of awareness, choosing a place for your stay really becomes difficult for tourists, especially when you are visiting Bangkok with your family with the intention of shopping then you’ve to take several things into account. So instead of suggesting you one area, I put together five areas with pros and cons. Each area has its own characteristics. So bear with me and after going through my full post, you’d probably able to get rid of this confusion.
Chinatown
China is not only getting stronger in the military and economic day by day, China is attracting more respect in local trading markets around the world. The name Chinatown is being used in several countries for local districts, including Singapore and New York. Here in Bangkok Chinatown area is primarily used for backpacking. It’s really a cheap area with many of budget accommodations with stalls and shrines.The famous world’s largest gold Buddha exist in the Chinatown. This is a most recommending staying option for those travelers who want to explore many of Bangkok tourist attractions with a low budget.
Pro
Plenty of Backpacking Accommodation
Suitable for Mid-range Travelers
Several Tourist Attractions
Cons
Lack of Shopping Mall
Places & Tourist Attractions Near Chinatown
- Wat Traimit
- Sampeng Lane
- China Gate
- Yaowarat Road (At Night)
- Grand China Princess Revolving Rooftop Bar
- Wat Mangkol Kamalawat
- Romaneenart Park
- Wat Chakawat Ratchawat (crocodiles)
- Bangkok Chinatown by Bicycle
- Sala Chalermkrung (Khon)
Khao San
Do you know Bangkok holds an area which is enough popular among tourists without having any 5-star hotels? Sound like hard to believe. Right? But this is true. Khao San is exclusively constructed for budget travel. Khao San provides the huge amount of backpacking options with NO 5-star hotels. It does not mean there are no hotels available. Handful 3-star hotels and guesthouses are out there with reasonable prices. You would see most of the young backpackers here from a variety of countries. Khao San also possesses multiple bars, thus In the evening sometimes young tourists drink an excessive amount of alcohol which often causes the traffic jam.
Pros
- Good for backpackers
- Good for Drinkers
- Good for Young traveler
Cons
- No 5-star hotel
- Noisy & Crowded
Places & Tourist Attractions Near Khao San
- Grand Palace
- Wat Pho and Reclining Buddha
- Emerald Buddha (Grand Palace)
- Giant Swing
- Golden Mount
Riverside
Those people who are visiting Bangkok with the idea of the luxury trip, Riverside is waiting to be discovered. Riverside is a high priced area which owns many of the temples and plenty of five-star hotels. Unlike previous pointed out spots, here you would find expensive accommodation mostly luxury hotels. Riverside hold various sightseeing water- taxis, dinner cruises, ferries are just names of attractions.
Pro
- Luxury Lifestyle
- Countless 5-star Hotels
- Multiple Sightseeing Options
Cons
- Expensive
- Shortage of Shopping Malls
Places & Tourist Attractions Near Riverside
- The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
- Wat Arun
- Wat Pho
- Thonburi Canals (Khlong)
- Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower
- Asiatique The Riverside
- Royal Barges Museum
- Wat Kalayanamit
Rattanakosin
Rattanakosin is an additional staying spot for tourists. It’s located next to Chinatown with magnificent and revered historical attractions. In the past Rattanakosin had been a kingdom and that is the reason here a good number of are traditional sightseeing points. The easiest way to get in Rattanakosin is by Chao Phraya Express Boa
Pros
- Good for history & culture Lovers
Cons
- Shortage of Shopping Malls
Places & Tourist Attractions Near Riverside
- Rattanakosin Island Aerial
- Grand Palace
- Wat Phra Kaew
- The palace buildings
- Wat Pho
- Wat Ratchapradit (Temple)
- King Prajadhipok Museum
Best Area to Stay in Bangkok for Shopping
Bangkok is very popular among tourists for shopping. Specifically for cosmetic products & grocery items, the city has set its own trustworthiness. Each and every month a considerable amount of visitors visit the Bangkok for shopping purpose. If you’re one of them who has an open wallet for shopping then book your hotel within listed areas.
Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit is one of the best areas for shoppers and partygoers. This area comes with the longest road which means you can easily move around the entire Thailand from here. Sukhumvit is particularly popular for shopping malls, eating, and bars. Tourist places like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho and many others are not very far. You’ll be able to easily go to these places by Skytrain (BTS) or any other public transport.
Pros
- A lot of bars
- Plenty of Shopping Malls
- Good for Foodie
Cons
- Plenty of bars so not good for if you’ve kids
- Not much tourist attractions
- Walk often required visiting the tourist’s places
Places & Tourist Attractions Near Sukhumvit
- Kamthieng House Museum
- Thailand Creative and Design Center
- Benchasiri Park
- Benjakiti Park
- Chacrit Muay Thai School
- Face Cooking School
- Emporium (Shopping Mall)
- Nana Square (Shopping Mall)
- Ploenchit Center (Shopping Mall)
Siam
Siam is located in the middle of the Bangkok city with a huge amount of world-class shopping centers. This area should be the first choice for those visitors who don’t have limited passion for nightlife. Since Siam has restricted bars so this area is also best for families. Lots of family-friendly attractions places are out there. Since it is located in the middle of the city moving around the Bangkok is very easy. Several transportation options available in fact The central BTS Skytrain Station located here.
Pros
- Countless Shopping Malls
- Several Families friendly attractions
- Availablity of the central BTS Skytrain Station
- Lots of food options
Cons
- Lack of Bars
Pratunam
If you have ever done research on Bangkok shopping markets, I’m sure you have already heard about the Pratunam market, which is located in Pratunam and Rates in this market are mostly non-negotiable unless you buy in bulk. In fact, Pratunam is an area in Bangkok, which is the home of the wholesaler-retailers. The Platinum Fashion Mall or Indra Square are two famous shopping spots in Pratunam where you can buy cosmetic, grocery, electronics and other casual items at a cheap price. The best way to reach there is Skytrain. Chidlom and Ratchathewi are two nearest metro stations, which are located at 15-minute walk away. You can directly come to Pratunam from Suvarnabhumi Airport, the trains run every 15 minutes (more frequently at peak hours).
Pro
- Best for foreign retailers
- Good for Shoppers
- Easy to reach Airport
Cons
- Busiest
- A little bit Noisey
- Mostly Crowed Traffic
Places & Tourist Attractions Near Pratunam
- Baiyoke Tower II Observatory and Revolving Roofdeck
- Bangkok Dolls Museum
- Phaya Thai Palace
- Victory Monument
- City Complex
- Indra Square
- Krungthong Plaza
- Metro Fashion Mall
- Pratunam Center
- Pratunam Market
Best Area to Stay in Bangkok for Nightlife
Silom
Silom is a main business hub area in Bangkok mostly packed with finance sectors including banks, etc. Silom is at the distance of 40KM from Bangkok airport and approximately 1-hour driving required to get there from Bangkok airport. As evening begins and sunset Silom transform into the paradise for food lovers and partygoers. Tow nearest BTS metro stations Si Lom MRT station Daeng. Silom is more famous for nightlife and foods than any other thing.
Pros
- Plenty of Bars
- Several Nightclub
Cons
- Traffic Problem
- Not Safe for Kids
Places & Tourist Attractions Near Silom
- Lumpini Park
- The Dome Sky Bar
- Sri Mariamman Temple
- Bangkok Folk Museum
- Bangkok Seashell Museum
Do let me know in comments when you are planning to visit Bangkok?
