Where to stay in Bangkok

Sukhumvit suits travellers who want convenience above all. The Skytrain makes it easy to reach the river, the malls and the main sights without a taxi, and you will never struggle to find a late meal. By day it is a bustling mix of offices, shopping centres and cafes. At night the side streets fill with bars, live music and street food, with some areas livelier than others. Pick a hotel close to a station and away from the busiest nightlife lanes if you want quiet sleep. Pavements can be crowded and uneven, and rush hour traffic is slow, so rely on the rail line.

Getting around: The BTS Skytrain runs along the main road, with MRT interchanges nearby.

The riverside is for travellers who want Bangkok at a gentler pace. Large hotels line the banks, many with pools, spas and terraces for watching the boats go by at sunset. Days can be spent hopping on a ferry to temples and markets, then returning to a calm retreat. Evenings are quieter than elsewhere, mostly hotel restaurants and a few riverside venues. Getting around depends on boats and shuttles, so check how your hotel connects to the nearest rail station and when the shuttle stops running. It is a superb choice for honeymoons and special occasions, less so for nightlife seekers on a budget.

Getting around: Hotel shuttle boats and river ferries link to the Skytrain at a central pier.

Silom and Sathorn work well for visitors who want a central base with an easy commute to almost everywhere. Weekdays feel purposeful, with office workers filling lunch spots and cafes. After dark the area changes, with night markets, rooftop bars and a well-known nightlife district drawing a mixed crowd. There are plenty of business hotels and a good range of mid-range and upscale options. Park and temple visits are simple to fit in, and the rail links make sightseeing painless. Be aware that some streets are loud late at night, and the traffic can make short taxi rides take a long time.

Getting around: Both BTS and MRT lines serve the area, with river piers close by.

The Old City is ideal for travellers who prioritise history and low prices. Many of Bangkok's best-known temples and the palace are within walking distance, and the backpacker streets nearby offer guesthouses and cheap eats. Days are best started early, before the heat and crowds build. Evenings are lively around the popular backstreets, though quieter in the heritage lanes. Without a rail line, you will use river boats, taxis and tuk-tuks, so agree fares or insist on the meter. Beware of friendly strangers who offer detours or closed-attraction stories, and expect basic facilities at the cheaper end.

Getting around: No Skytrain or metro in the core, so rely on river boats, taxis and tuk-tuks.

Siam is the heart of Bangkok's shopping scene and the easiest place to change trains. If your plan involves malls, cinemas, food courts and quick links to other districts, it is hard to beat. Air-conditioned walkways let you move around comfortably in hot or rainy weather. By day it hums with students and shoppers, and by night the malls stay open late while street vendors fill the pavements outside. It is less atmospheric than the older districts, and crowds can be heavy at peak times. Choose a hotel a short walk from the station, ideally on a side street, for a calmer night.

Getting around: The central BTS interchange here joins both Skytrain lines, with covered walkways.