Where to stay in Bangkok on a budget 2024 - 5 affordable areas
Wondering where to stay in Bangkok on a budget?
Thailand’s bustling capital is one of Southeast Asia’s top tourist destinations and a perfect starting point for exploring the country or region. Bangkok is famous for its vibrant mix of temples, street food, lively night markets, exciting nightlife, and stunning rooftop bars.
While hotels in Southeast Asia are generally reasonably priced (there are plenty of options around $30 per night), some areas of Bangkok are better suited for budget travelers than others.
In this article, we’ll explore the best neighborhoods in Bangkok for budget stays, each with its own set of pros and cons. After each recommendation, we’ll summarize these pros and cons, making it easier for you to decide which area suits your travel style and budget.
At the end of the article, you’ll also find a handy map highlighting all the recommended areas along with Bangkok’s top attractions.
So, let’s dive into our top picks for affordable places to stay in Bangkok.
Bottom line: The best areas to stay cheap in Bangkok are Khao San Road and Rambuttri Road, Phaya Thai, Lower Sukhumvit, Silom, and On Nut.
For many backpackers, Khao San Road is the starting point of their long journey through Southeast Asia, known for its vibrant nightlife and wide range of affordable accommodation options. However, it is mainly aimed at younger travelers looking for a lively atmosphere.
Lower Sukhumvit, Silom, and On Nut are much more family-friendly than Khao San Road.
Sukhumvit, in general, is one of the most sought-after areas by travelers. The closer you are to Asoke, the heart of the city, the harder it is to find cheap accommodation. However, if you stay within a few blocks of Asoke, you will easily find affordable options. Both Lower Sukhumvit and On Nut offer excellent value for money in this regard.
The main disadvantage of On Nut is that it is further away from the main attractions of the city. Still, it offers the best value for money when it comes to hotel rooms, making it a great choice for budget travelers.
Silom is also a great option, offering proximity to the city’s main points of interest. While this area is less modern than Sukhumvit, it offers more convenience than Bangkok’s older neighborhoods. One of the main advantages of Silom is its access to both the BTS and the MRT, making getting around the city easier. Plus, it’s cheaper than Sukhumvit without sacrificing convenience.
If you don’t mind staying in a comfortable but boring area, consider staying in Phaya Thai. It has great connections to the rest of the city, and you can find plenty of affordable hostels and hotels. Sadly, there’s not much to do in Phaya Thai, so you always have to travel a bit to find fun things.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll explore each of these areas in greater depth to help you choose the best option for your stay in Bangkok.
You can easily navigate to each area by tapping on the link. Or go directly to the overview of the best areas to stay in Bangkok on a budget.
1. Khao San Road (and Rambuttri Road)
Here’s an improved version of your paragraph about Khao San Road and Rambuttri Road for young travelers on a tight budget:
Many young travelers on a tighter budget often choose Khao San Road and Rambuttri Road as their preferred accommodation area in Bangkok. This vibrant part of the city is known as the backpacker epicenter of Southeast Asia, offering affordable options and a lively atmosphere.
The popularity of the area is due to its proximity to several major attractions and its reputation as a nighttime hotspot for both foreigners and young Thais. Khao San Road is famous for its lively bars, street food, and party atmosphere, making it ideal for those who enjoy a social and energetic vibe.
However, if you’re not into nightlife or the backpacker lifestyle, this area may not be the best fit. While it does have plenty of affordable hotels and party hostels, the experience is primarily geared toward younger, more adventurous travelers.
A major drawback is the lack of good access to public transportation, which is essential for getting around Bangkok. Although there is a metro station near the Grand Palace, Khao San Road is not within walking distance. Ferries and water taxis are available, but it can be less convenient compared to other areas with direct access to the BTS or MRT.
Despite its flaws, Khao San Road is still one of the most affordable areas in Bangkok. But don’t worry: there are other viable options if this area isn’t your style.
2. Lower Sukhumvit
The most convenient and attractive area of Bangkok for tourists is Sukhumvit, particularly around Asoke, the heart of the city. This nerve center offers access to every modern amenity imaginable, from a wide range of restaurants and shopping malls to convenience stores and lively nightlife spots. Staying near Sukhumvit also means easy access to several night markets and all the vibrant energy of the city.
However, with high demand comes a challenge: finding affordable accommodation near Asoke can be tricky. The solution is to stay a little further from the city center while still maintaining excellent access to the Skytrain (BTS). The area east of Asoke, known as Lower Sukhumvit, is the perfect choice for budget-conscious travelers who still want to enjoy modern comforts and conveniences.
When we refer to Lower Sukhumvit, we are referring to neighborhoods such as Thonglor, Ekkamai, and Phra Khanong. These areas are mostly residential, but still offer a decent selection of hotels. They offer the best of both worlds – a quieter setting and proximity to the BTS, making getting to the older parts of Bangkok such as the Grand Palace or Wat Pho a breeze with a quick metro ride from Asoke.
At night, Lower Sukhumvit offers several different nightlife scenes. Thonglor is a trendy spot with chic bars and restaurants, while Nana is more known for adult entertainment. For those looking for clubs, RCA is a major nightlife district frequented by locals and expats alike. Additionally, you can explore night markets such as Jodd Fairs and The One or enjoy the many rooftop bars along Sukhumvit Road. If you visit during happy hour, you can enjoy spectacular views of the city at a fraction of the price.
For couples or families traveling on a budget, Lower Sukhumvit strikes a perfect balance between affordability, convenience, and access to everything Bangkok has to offer.
Getting Around Bangkok: The easiest and cheapest way to get around Bangkok is to take the BTS (Skytrain) or the MRT (Metro).
Traffic in Bangkok is a huge pain in the butt and being stuck in a traffic jam is something you want to avoid at all costs as it can take hours to get to your destination during rush hour.
At all times, make sure to stay as close to the BTS station or the MRT station as possible.
Unfortunately, both Khao San Road and Rambuttri Road do not have direct access to these forms of public transport, but these areas are located close to some of the main attractions.
Although taking a tuk-tuk seems tempting and many first-time visitors believe that this is the way to get around Bangkok, in reality, these tuk-tuks are a huge rip-off.
Drivers often ask for ridiculous sums of money for a short ride.
In case you can’t take the BTS or MRT, take a taxi and make sure the meter is on.
3. Silom
Silom is another popular area of Bangkok, offering a combination of convenience and accessibility, especially for those who want to explore both the old and modern parts of the city. One of the main advantages of Silom is its excellent access to public transport – you can easily take both the MRT (subway) and the BTS (Skytrain), making it easy to reach all corners of Bangkok.
While Silom shares many similarities with Sukhumvit (both are convenient and well-connected), Silom has a more authentic and less modern feel. Unlike Sukhumvit, Silom has fewer shopping malls, which can be a drawback if you like easy access to shops and food courts. Malls in areas like Sukhumvit offer not only a wide range of shops, but also food courts, which are great for enjoying clean and affordable Thai food.
When it comes to nightlife, Sukhumvit has a more vibrant and varied scene, with more clubs and bars catering to different audiences. However, if you prefer authenticity and want better access to the city’s main attractions, Silom stands out. Its proximity to the Chao Phraya River and easy access to landmarks like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho make it an attractive choice for tourists looking to explore Bangkok’s cultural side.
Note that while Silom offers plenty of luxury hotels, it can be harder to find budget accommodation compared to areas like Lower Sukhumvit or On Nut. However, the combination of public transport options and its central location make Silom a fantastic choice for travelers looking to experience the real Bangkok with great connectivity.
4. Phaya Thai
Phaya Thai is often overlooked by tourists because there are no major attractions in the immediate vicinity and it can seem like a place with no major happenings. However, it does offer some interesting perks that make it worth considering, especially for travelers on a budget.
One of the biggest perks of staying at Phaya Thai is its direct connection to Suvarnabhumi Airport via the Airport Rail Link, making it incredibly convenient to get to the city center without too much hassle. It is also located close to Siam, the commercial heart of Bangkok, where the two BTS lines intersect. This proximity makes Phaya Thai popular with Asian tourists, particularly those from China, who visit Bangkok for duty-free shopping. Since these travelers prefer to spend their money on shopping rather than accommodation, Phaya Thai offers a wealth of affordable hotels.
If you plan to explore the older parts of Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace, it’s best to take the BTS to the Victory Monument and then hop in a taxi to avoid some of the city’s notorious traffic. This route allows you to reach the city’s cultural highlights in about half an hour. If you’re more interested in the modern side of Bangkok, it’s easy to take the BTS to Asoke and be in the vibrant Sukhumvit area in 15 minutes.
While Phaya Thai isn’t the most exciting or convenient area in Bangkok, it serves as a practical and affordable base, especially for travelers looking to save money. Its quiet atmosphere also makes it a great alternative for backpackers who’d rather avoid the noise and crowds of Khao San Road.
5. On Nut
The last area we recommend is On Nut. It is a very popular area among expats as you can find affordable apartments here and have good access to the BTS which takes you to the livelier parts of the city. In fact, this is the area I lived in for several years. For tourist purposes, it is not the ideal area, but nowadays, you can find some very good hotels which offer good value for money.
The downside is that you always have to travel a bit to visit the main attractions of the city. If you are handy with public transport in new cities, this area can be a viable option for you. But to get to the older parts of the city, where the highlights like Wat Pho and Chinatown are, you first have to take the BTS to Asoke and from there, take the MRT to the nearest station.
In total, that will take you approximately 45 minutes. If that doesn’t bother you, choose one of the hotels near the On Nut BTS station. If you prefer to stay more centrally and enjoy the benefits of Sukhumvit, stay closer to Lower Sukhumvit or Phaya Thai.