As the virtual heart of Southeast Asia, Bangkok is a city full of life and polar opposites that coexist in relative harmony. Getting there is only half the battle, figuring out where you need to stay and what you need to do really helps determine where you need to stay. It’s probably obvious, but you can find maps of Bangkok and see top destinations including Dusit Zoo, Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Khao San Road, Lumpini Park, China Town, Democracy Monument, and of course Wat Po. The area has its advantages… but maybe also some disadvantages here and there. Some of the fancier hotels include The Peninsula, Westin, The Oriental, Shangri-La Hotel, JW Marriot, and Baiyoke Sky Hotel, among many others.
There are many areas for less expensive accommodation however Khao San Road is often overrun with tourists however if rubbing shoulders with this crowd is what floats your boat then that is the place to be…lots of the hotels and guests The houses in this sector of Bangkok are aimed at backpackers on a budget. Remember, Bangkok is a city FULL of contrasts. Choosing a hotel near Hua Lamphong will make things easier for you when you need to be at the train station at 4:50 am to catch a train to another part of Thailand… it’s best to book your train trip with at least a day’s notice. It’s hard to find someone to do this for you or it’s not a bad thing to go there and do it yourself. Taking the train shouldn’t be considered low-key, as you get to see much of the countryside and get a chance at other opportunities that you wouldn’t have if you just used the very cheap air flights that run across the country. It usually comes down to how much time you have and less how much money you have at your disposal. A train ride to Chiang Mai can set you back 1300 baht for an overnight sleeper ride… a flight can only cost triple that or more ($75-125 USD) you off for free of course. It is a stop of the MRT (underground train in BKK) which also connects with the BTS. Depending on what your main focus is for your commute, you may find it valuable to locate along the BTS (Bangkok Transit System), a highly modern air-conditioned elevated rail system that is 10 times faster than other modes of travel throughout the city.
