Where to Stay in Bangkok for the First Time: A Complete Guide

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Bangkok

Bangkok is like a spicy bowl of tom yum—loud, colorful, and weirdly addictive.

I’ve backpacked the city around 14 times, testing hostels, night markets, and every mode of transport that rattles or floats. 

If you’re wondering where to drop your backpack on a first visit, this guide will save you from booking a cheap room that’s actually three tuk-tuk rides from anything fun.

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Bangkok

Best for Hostel Newbies

Restiny Hostel9.6

from ฿272 THB | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

The Yard Hostel9.4

from ฿291 THB | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Nap In A. Blue Moon9.6

from ฿181 THB | More Details

This is not an ad. We help you find the perfect hostel and compare prices from Hostelworld and Booking. You can save up to 23.7%

Top Neighborhoods to Stay in Bangkok

Khao San Road & Banglamphu

The OG backpacker circus. Hostels stack like Lego bricks, and the street hawkers can guess your national anthem after one glance.

• Vibe: Loud, sticky, endlessly social.
• Why stay: You’ll collect friends faster than hostel keycards.
• Best for: Night owls who consider 4 a.m. “early.”
• Budget note: Cheapest beds in town—but buy earplugs before arrival.

Phra Nakhon (Old Town)

Temples at sunrise, river breezes at sunset, and zero FOMO about missing Bangkok’s history. Locals sip coffee on wooden porches while monks shuffle past in saffron robes.

• Vibe: Calm mornings, camera-click afternoons, quiet nights.
• Why stay: You can walk—yes, walk—to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
• Best for: Culture junkies and early risers.
• Budget note: Dorms cost a tad more than Khao San but you save on taxis.

Sukhumvit (Nana–Asok)

Imagine a skyscraper canyon sprinkled with street stalls and skytrain tracks. One minute you’re in a mall food court; the next you’re eating mango sticky rice by a canal.

• Vibe: Urban jungle with air-con lifelines.
• Why stay: BTS everywhere—great when humidity feels like soup.
• Best for: Digital nomads, café hoppers, shoppers.
• Budget note: Dorm beds mid-range; food options from $ to $$$.

Ari

If Bangkok had a “treat-yourself but still wear flip-flops” district, this is it. Tree-lined streets, indie boutiques, and brunch that looks straight off Instagram.

• Vibe: Chill latte land.
• Why stay: Nights are quiet, mornings smell like croissants.
• Best for: Travelers needing downtime after full-throttle backpacking.
• Budget note: Fewer hostels, so book early.

Silom

Serious by day, sparkly by night. Office towers swap briefcases for cocktails when the sun drops.

• Vibe: Dual personality—9-to-5 then 9-to-late.
• Why stay: Lumpini Park for sunrise jogs, Patpong for neon chaos.
• Best for: Balance seekers and business-class budget hackers.
• Budget note: Plenty of affordable dorms near the BTS.

Chinatown (Yaowarat)

A maze of gold shops, incense, and sizzling woks. Your nose will guide you better than Google Maps.

• Vibe: Culinary carnival.
• Why stay: Midnight noodles and endless photo ops.
• Best for: Food-first travelers with iron stomachs.
• Budget note: Limited hostels; prices moderate.

Thong Lo & Ekkamai

The city’s trendy twin districts, where craft beer meets rooftop jazz. You might forget you’re on a budget—but Domino’s exists for a reason.

• Vibe: Hip, polished, wallet-testing.
• Why stay: Fusion restaurants and speakeasies abound.
• Best for: Style hunters and weekend-night dancers.
• Budget note: Dorm beds pricier; splurge or visit for evenings only.

Top 10 Tips for Your First Time in Bangkok

• Haggle lightly; smiling gets better discounts than shouting.
• Ride the orange-flag river boat—tourist views at local prices.
• Respect temple dress codes: shoulders covered, knees invisible.
• Skytrain > taxi during rush hour unless you enjoy stationary selfies.
• Street food safety hack: long lines mean hot, fresh, safe.
• ATM fees hurt; pull bigger chunks, stash them in different pockets.
• Sunscreen now, regrets never. Bangkok sun is a spicy beast.
• 7-Eleven toasties at midnight are a rite of passage—embrace it.
• Grab motorcycle taxis for short hops, but hold on like a koala.
• Learn “mai ao thank khrap/ka” (no thanks) to dodge persistent sellers gracefully.

Hostels in Bangkok Are the Best Option — Here’s Why

Bangkok’s hostel game is next-level: rooftop pools, co-working nooks, and free tuk-tuk shuttles all for the price of your coffee back home.

Common areas act like social Wi-Fi—switch them on, and you’re instantly connected. Female-only dorms are common, with keycard doors and CCTV, so solo women can sleep easy while still paying backpacker rates.

Many places toss in free pad thai nights, walking tours, or DIY Thai-tea classes—because new friends bond fastest over noodles and sugar.

Short and crisp: The Best Hostels in Bangkok

1. Soi 1 Guesthouse - Backpackers Hostel
2. Shanti Lodge - best for Party Hostel, Solo Traveller, Youth Hostel
3. Tavee Guesthouse
4. Siam International Backpackers Hostel
5. Shambara Boutique Hostel

Soi 1 Guesthouse - Backpackers Hostel

8.8

Sukhumvit

220/7 Soi 1... more

Shanti Lodge

8.2

Si Sou Tewet

"…Check out Emily Barr's "Backpacker" book, the Shanti Lodge is mentioned in it. Cheers! I have more

from

$4.28

Tavee Guesthouse

8.9

"…and Mrs. Tavee going strong. I became ill while staying there and was hospitalized with Dengue more

Siam International Backpackers Hostel

8.0

"…We liked that it was away from the tourist hype and business! The people are really lovely and more

Shambara Boutique Hostel

8.9

Phanakorn

"This is a terrific place to stay. The location is outstanding - just off the craziness of Khao San more

Final Recommendations

So, where should you crash? Party soul? Go full Khao San and let the night guide you. Temple lover? Wake up in Old Town and stroll to golden spires before the tour buses. Need metros, cafés, and a quick ride to the airport train? Sukhumvit checks every box.

Whichever neighborhood wins, remember Bangkok rewards curiosity. Eat something unpronounceable, hop on any boat that seems to be going somewhere, and let the city’s electric heartbeat set your pace.

7 Hidden Gemz in Bangkok (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Keep your sense of humor, your bottle of water, and your hostel address in Thai, and Bangkok will feel less like a jungle and more like the thrilling, sweaty playground we all secretly crave.

Backpacking Bangkok? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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I stayed in a Backpacker Hostel in Bangkok

My experience and what you can expect

About the author: Nour De Wilde Salhab

A Lebanese-Congolese-French-Belgian girl as likely to be found climbing a volcano in Indonesia or reading a sci-fi book by the sea in the South of France. Always on the hunt for remarkable experiences. My two favorites so far: volunteering in emergency medical services in Lebanon and solo backpacking around the world. Life is enjoyable in all its facets, from its healthy extremes to its mundane slows.