The best hostels in Bangkok range from quiet spots to get a good night's sleep to party palaces with super social vibes. Most backpackers use Bangkok as a base for their Southeast Asian travels, passing through the capital city to other places in the region.
To simplify your life, we've compiled a list of Bangkok's best hostels. With so much to do and see, planning your accommodation is the last thing you want to worry about.
Table of Contents
- Quick Recommendations
- What To Look For
- Best Hostels in Bangkok
- Best Hostel for a Quiet Night -- Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel
- Best Hostel for Social Atmosphere -- Once Again Hostel
- Best Hostel for Partying -- Bodega Bangkok Party Hostel
- Best Hostel for Amenities -- Here Hostel
- Best Hostel for City Entertainment -- Slumber Party Bangkok
- Best Cheap Hostel -- Playground Hostel
- Conclusion
- More Thailand Hostels
Quick Recommendations
Quiet Night — Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel
Social Atmosphere — Once Again Hostel
Partying — Bodega Bangkok Party Hostel
Amenities — Here Hostel
City Entertainment — Slumber Party Bangkok
Cheap Stay — Playground Hostel
What To Look For
Bangkok is a vast city with accommodations ranging from tiny mom-and-pop hostels to international luxury resorts. Here are some tips for deciding where to stay.
Best Neighborhoods
Two types of backpackers come through Bangkok: those who prefer the old side and those who prefer the new side. The old city of Bangkok is home to a delightful array of temples, palaces, and ancient architecture.
You will probably be surprised at its unique charm. Many backpackers will probably have heard about its most popular street, Khao San Road, as it is the party road where backpackers meet, and almost anything goes.
The other part of Bangkok where many backpackers live is Sukhumvit. This district is popular for nightlife, shopping, and traditional Thai food and has dozens of streets to explore. It is much more modern than the other side of town, with skyscrapers and internationally recognized consumer chains. The BTS (metro) line also runs through Sukhumvit Road, making the rest of the city conveniently accessible.
Where you stay depends on the type of experience you are seeking. Traveling between the two parts of town can be time-consuming, but backpackers tend to skip around Bangkok quickly anyway.
Cost of Hostels
Bangkok can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it. You will find better deals in the off-season (September-November and January-April) than in the typical travel season.
Adam, Go Backpacking's Community Manager, has stayed in Bangkok for as little as $5 per night in a private room at Yes Khaosan! in the center of Khao San Road. He's also stayed at one of his favorite hostels in Sukhumvit (Slumber Party Bangkok) for less than $2 per night in December. Where and when you stay are key factors when searching for hostels in Bangkok, but expect to pay between $4 and $9 per night.
See also: Cost of Travel in Thailand
Additional Tips
In Bangkok, backpackers struggle with transportation. Taxis are cheap, but public transport is even less expensive, and most would like to use it when possible. Bus routes are practically impossible to figure out (especially on a short visit).
Traffic is a nightmare no matter where you are—the solution is the MRT. If you stay within walking distance of the BTS, you can get almost anywhere on the Sukhumvit side of town quicker than a taxi. Plus, it is easy to figure out.
Best Hostels in Bangkok
Let's get on with the search. Below, we have highlighted some of the best hostels in Bangkok based on what you may be looking for.
Best Hostel for a Quiet Night -- Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel
From $13 for a dorm (6-8 beds)
Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel is the perfect place to stay for a good night's sleep during your stopover in Bangkok. You can even cook a simple meal from home in one of the most stellar kitchens we've seen in any Southeast Asian hostel.
Enjoy a quiet night in the quality facilities of Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel. If you meet a few friends and decide you want a drink, Khao San Road is only a 10-minute walk away!
Best Hostel for Social Atmosphere -- Once Again Hostel
From $13 for a dorm (12 beds)
Once Again Hostel is a great place to stay if you are a social bee looking to meet some friends for the rest of your Southeast Asia backpacking trip. Located in a nice part of Old Town, it boasts the hostel was designed for travelers to fit their needs. That might be why the common area has such a good vibe. Also, Once Again Hostel has a fabulous rooftop where you can spend many nights, and every other guest seems to agree.
Best Hostel for Partying -- Bodega Bangkok Party Hostel
From $6 for a dorm (14 beds)
Thailand is the king of party hostels. The islands are filled with young backpackers looking for a good time, but so is Bangkok! As soon as the sun goes down, you will see that the drinking games and alcohol never stop flowing at Bodega. Prepare for a good time, or the good time will find you.
Bodega Bangkok Party Hostel (yes, that's its real name) is internationally known for its wild atmosphere. And it's just minutes from some of the best clubs in Sukhumvit.
See also: Thailand Nightlife
Best Hostel for Amenities -- Here Hostel
From $14 for a dorm (6 beds)
When it comes to packing a hostel with everything, Here Hostel has done just that (including a multi-level indoor slide so that you can get to the party downstairs even quicker!).
With an outdoor pool, multiple outdoor terraces, a bar, security lockers, and even a book exchange, Here Hostel has done an excellent job of providing travelers comfort. Feel like you are at home as soon as you step in. Not to mention, it is only a short walk from the madness at Khao San Road.
Best Hostel for City Entertainment -- Slumber Party Bangkok
From $7 for a dorm (10 beds)
Slumber Party Bangkok offers a plethora of entertainment. Adam checked in for a two-night stay and stayed for nearly two weeks. Whether walking tours, pub crawls, or just friendly staff, count on entertainment staying at Slumber Party Bangkok. There's always fun to be had in a clean and safe environment, so it's one of Adam's favorite hostels.
Best Cheap Hostel -- Playground Hostel
From $5 for a dorm (8 beds)
Though the Playground Hostel is away from the traditional areas where backpackers stay, it provides an excellent facility in the heart of a unique neighborhood near public transportation. Adam also stayed at Playground Hostel on one of his trips to Bangkok to explore a new area of the city. He ended up staying longer because he enjoyed the environment.
With three levels of bunk rooms plus an outdoor/indoor lounge with a pool table, there is plenty of room for a crowd. Depending on when you visit Bangkok, you can stay at the Playground for anywhere from $3-7 per night, making it our pick for Best Cheap Hostel.
Conclusion
Backpackers seem divided on Bangkok. Some love it; some don't. Either way, we're confident these are some of the best hostels in Bangkok. We have listed some of our favorite hostels, but it isn't even a sliver of the whole pie in Bangkok. There are so many accommodation options in this city that we could write a book and still not cover every hostel.
