Where To Stay In Sukhumvit 2024 – 6 Best Areas
Wondering where to stay in Sukhumvit? Having lived there between 2017 and 2022, I can confidently say you’ve chosen the best area in all of Bangkok. Not only can I provide you with the top recommendations, but I can also assure you that Sukhumvit is an excellent choice for your stay.
In summary: the best areas to stay in Sukhumvit are Asoke, Siam, Thonglor & Ekkemai, Phloen Chit & Chit Lom, Phra Khanong & On Nut and Nana, depending on your purpose of visiting Bangkok.
Asoke: A major transportation hub with direct access to both the MRT and BTS. This makes it easy to navigate the Sukhumvit Line and reach every corner of the city. Given Bangkok’s notorious traffic, this connectivity is a significant advantage.
Siam: Technically not part of Sukhumvit, but a key transportation hub with access to both BTS lines, including the Sukhumvit Line. It’s a shopping paradise, though it’s less convenient for nightlife compared to Asoke.
Thonglor & Ekkamai: Located close to Asoke, these areas are popular for their vibrant nightlife and diverse Thai restaurants.
Phra Khanong & On Nut: Situated further from the city center, these areas are less popular with first-time visitors. However, they offer excellent value for money and can be a good choice for families or budget-conscious travelers, especially with BTS access.
- Phloen Chit & Chitlom: This is the luxury area of Sukhumvit where you can find upscale rooftop bars, luxury shopping malls, and five-star hotels. If your budget allows it, there is not a better place to indulge than here.
Nana: Known for its adult entertainment scene. If that’s what you’re seeking, Nana is the place. Otherwise, you might want to stay elsewhere.
The best areas to stay in Sukhumvit are:
1. Asoke
Arguably the best area to stay in Sukhumvit is Asoke, although there might be a misconception about this area.
The biggest misconception is that Asoke isn’t ideal for tourists, aside from those seeking adult entertainment. Yes, it’s true that Soi Cowboy, one of the most famous adult entertainment streets in Bangkok, is located here. And Nana, a well-known area for single men, is just one BTS stop away. But these are just small parts of what Asoke has to offer.
In reality, Asoke is a thriving business district, and you won’t encounter much of the nightlife scene unless you seek it out.
One of the major benefits of staying in Asoke is its unparalleled access to both the BTS and MRT. This means you can easily travel to all corners of Bangkok. As you’re in the city center, you can hop on the BTS to explore various activities in either direction, from shopping to vibrant local nightlife.
With the recent extension of the MRT line, you can even take the metro directly to some of Bangkok’s major attractions like Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, and Chinatown.
So, when it comes to moving around this city, it’s hard to beat Asoke.
As this is mainly a business district, and traffic is a major pain, this area feels like it’s always in a rush.
Also, as it’s very commercialized, it lacks authentic restaurants, especially compared to areas like Thonglor and Ekkemai.
Yes, there is a famous food court on the top floor of Terminal 21, a popular shopping mall, but honestly, the quality of this super cheap food is not as good as popular local eateries along Sukhumvit Soi 55.
However, the whole point of staying in Asoke is that you can easily reach other parts of the city.
Whenever you want to try Thai street food, you head to one of the popular night markets such as Jodd Fairs, which is located nearby.
Whenever you want to visit the older parts of the city for sightseeing, you take the metro.
Whenever you want a fun night out, you take the BTS to Sukhumvit Soi 11 or to Thonglor.
Whenever you want to go shopping, you take the BTS to one of the many shopping malls nearby or head to Terminal 21.
And whenever you want to try authentic Thai food, head over to areas like Sukhumvit Soi 55.
In short, Asoke is arguably one of the best areas to stay in Sukhumvit to flexibly travel around the city. It’s very hard to beat this advantage and it’s impossible to stay in an area in all of the city where you have access to everything.
2. Siam
Siam is not part of Sukhumvit itself but is the major transportation hub of the BTS lines, which includes the Sukhumvit-Line.
For that reason, I’ve added Siam to this article.
Like Sukhumvit, you have good access to the majority of Bangkok, except you don’t have direct access to the MRT.
That’s a pity because, with the MRT, which Asoke has direct access to, you can travel all the way to the older parts of Bangkok to see the city’s highlights.
There is, however, a way to travel all the way to Wat Saket (near Khao San Road), that most people don’t know of.
You can take a boat taxi, a form of transport that’s not popular among tourists, but extremely cheap, fun, and convenient.
Siam is, overall, an incredibly convenient area.
It’s the heart of Bangkok’s shopping scene, home to numerous malls, and is often where tourists who visit for retail therapy choose to stay. While there is some nightlife, other areas in Bangkok are better suited for that.
This automatically makes Siam family-friendly.
One of Siam’s key advantages is its access to both BTS lines, giving you a direct route to Silom and beyond. Additionally, just two stops on the Sukhumvit Line bring you to Phaya Thai, where you can connect directly to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Siam is the most modern part of Bangkok, which can either be a benefit or a drawback depending on your preference.
If you have nothing with nightlife, but you prioritize moving around the city without much hassle, then pick Siam over Sukhumvit.
3. Thonglor & Ekkemai
Thonglor and Ekkemai are two of Bangkok’s trendiest areas, particularly popular with the city’s young, affluent Thai crowd. While you’ll find a good selection of hotels here, they’re not typically the first choice for first-time visitors. It’s simply overlooked, but you should definitely consider staying here
If you’re into nightlife, these neighborhoods are ideal. Both locals and expats flock to Thonglor and Ekkemai to enjoy their unique mix of stylish bars and clubs. Unlike the laid-back vibe of Khao San Road, these areas have a more upscale scene—so be sure to dress the part and bring plenty of cash.
The downside to staying here—like in many areas further east of Asoke—is the lack of nearby city highlights. You’ll need to travel to visit the main attractions. Also, Thonglor’s main road, Sukhumvit Soi 55, is notorious for traffic jams, as are Ekkemai Road (Soi 63), Sukhumvit, and Asoke Road (Soi 21).
Along Sukhumvit Soi 55, you can find quite some unique restaurants. Expect local eateries but also trendy Thai restaurants that serve Thai food with a twist.
It’s quite easy to reach Asoke from here and thus the rest of the city. All you need to do is to make sure you stay close to a BTS Station for easy access to the rest of the city.
If you’re into nightlife and food and want to avoid the sleazy parts of Bangkok, these two combined areas are by far your best options!
4. Phra Khanong & On Nut
As with most cities, the farther you are from the main city center, the more affordable the accommodations tend to be. Phra Khanong has seen significant improvements over the past few years, with buildings around the BTS Station being completely renovated, making it a more attractive option.
On Nut, a favorite among expats, is known for its variety of affordable, often brand-new condos. Both areas offer reasonably priced hotels, but staying here comes with a trade-off.
These neighborhoods are quieter and less vibrant than central Bangkok, and you’ll need to travel a bit to reach the city’s key landmarks.
We recommend staying in Phra Khanong or On Nut if you’re an experienced traveler who’s comfortable navigating the city and doesn’t mind being a bit farther from the action.
5. Phloen Chit & Chitlom
One of the great advantages of Southeast Asia is that hotel rooms are generally inexpensive, especially when compared to European prices. However, luxury still comes at a premium. If your budget allows and you’re seeking a high-end experience, Phloen Chit and Chit Lom are the perfect areas to indulge in luxury and comfort.
These neighborhoods are home to some of the top hotel brands in the world, offering exclusive suites and premium services, such as champagne on demand. As you might expect, luxury malls are also plentiful in these areas, making them a haven for high-end shopping.
Both Phloen Chit and Chit Lom are just one or two BTS stops away from Asoke, a major transportation hub, meaning you’ll be centrally located and well-connected to the rest of Bangkok.
It’s just that these areas are available for the select few.
6. Nana
Bangkok is well-known for offering experiences that attract many single men. Along Sukhumvit, this scene is primarily centered around Nana Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 11, and Soi Cowboy, though the latter is located in Asoke.
Hedonistic travelers often party all night and prefer staying as close to the action as possible.
If that’s what you’re looking for, Nana is the place to be—there’s nowhere else in Bangkok quite like it. However, if that’s not your scene, it’s best to avoid Nana altogether.