Where to Stay
Where to Stay in Thailand
Where you sleep shapes how much you enjoy the rest of the trip. Thailand offers everything from budget guesthouses to over-water villas, and the right choice depends on which region you are in and how you like to travel.
Pick the area by what the trip is for
| If the trip is about | Go for | Because |
|---|---|---|
| A first visit, a bit of everything | Kata or Karon, Phuket | Enough restaurants and beach life to fill a week on foot, without Patong's volume. |
| Nightlife | Patong, Phuket | The loudest concentrated nightlife in southern Thailand, and you can walk home from it. |
| A resort to settle into | Bang Tao, Phuket | Upmarket and on the calmest half of the west coast. Not a budget area, and it knows it. |
| Walking everywhere, no scooter | Ao Nang, Krabi | The one Andaman base that works end to end on foot, with the shortest boat hops. |
| Food, and the lowest prices | Phuket Old Town | The cheapest base on the island and the best fed. It is not a beach, and that is the trade. |
| A city stay that uses the trains | Sukhumvit, Bangkok | On the BTS, which beats a taxi at almost any hour in a city where that is rarely true. |
| Temples on foot, in the north | Inside the moat, Chiang Mai | The old city is a walkable square and most of what you came for is inside it. |
Each of those is argued on the guide it links to, with the areas compared against each other rather than described one at a time.
Choose your base
Where to stay in Thailand
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BangkokOld City for temples on foot, Sukhumvit for the rail network, riverside for the view. Live rates for all three.
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Chiang MaiInside the moat for temples, Nimmanhaemin for coffee and restaurants, the riverside for the markets.
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PhuketPatong for nightlife, Kata and Karon for a calmer beach, Bang Tao for resorts, the old town for food.
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KrabiAo Nang is the main strip for day trips. Railay is car-free and only reachable by boat.
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Koh SamuiChaweng for buzz and convenience, Bophut for a calmer, more characterful stay.
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All DestinationsBrowse all regions to match your accommodation choice to the right part of the country.
Not sure where to base yourself?
How to choose where to stay
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First time visitor
Bangkok for your first two nights, then one region. Do not split your stay across too many islands or the packing and travel time become the trip.
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Beach and relaxation
Pick one coast and commit to it. The Andaman (Phuket, Krabi) and the Gulf (Samui, Pha Ngan) have different vibes and different high seasons.
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Budget travel
Guesthouses near the old town in Chiang Mai and near Khao San Road in Bangkok offer the best value. Islands cost more than the mainland.
Top-rated Thailand tours and tickets
Free cancellation
The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise
Free cancellation
Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride
Free cancellation
Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai
Free cancellation
Phang Nga Bay Canoeing & James Bond Island Tour from Phuket
Free cancellation
Deep Mangrove and Canyon Kayak Tour in Krabi
Free cancellation
Half Day Highlights Koh Samui Tour
Free cancellation
Private Tour: Best of Bangkok in A Day
Free cancellation
Half-Day Floating Market and Railway Market Tour from Bangkok
Free cancellation
Chiang Rai White and Blue Temples Private Trip
Free cancellation
Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings
Free cancellation
One Day Tour Khao Sok Cheow Lan Lake from Krabi
Free cancellation
Angthong National Marine Park VIP Small Group Tour
Stay questions, answered
Should I book accommodation in advance?+
In high season (November to February) and around Songkran and New Year, yes, especially for popular beach resorts. Outside peak periods you have more flexibility.
Is it better to stay in Bangkok or skip it?+
Most visitors benefit from at least two nights in Bangkok to see the temples and get over jet lag before heading to the islands or the north.
Are resort areas expensive in Thailand?+
Beach resorts cost more than the mainland, but Thailand is still good value by global standards. A comfortable mid-range hotel on a popular island costs far less than an equivalent in Europe.
How do I get between accommodation areas?+
Domestic flights are the fastest option for long distances. Overnight trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai are comfortable. Island transfers go by ferry or speedboat.