Make your first solo travel trip in Bangkok even more memorable by staying at these unique hostels!
First published: 15 November 2019
The colourful, Peranakan-themed Yim Bangkok. Photo credit: Booking.com
With a vibrant culture, friendly locals, and lively nightlife, Bangkok is a great destination for solo travelling! And if it’s your first time travelling alone, you might want to skip the traditional hotel and stay at a budget-friendly hostel instead 😉
Not a hotel! Photo credit: Yim Bangkok
Contrary to popular belief, hostels are more than just a cheap place to rest! They’ve got cute aesthetics, excellent locations (near BTS train stations), luxe facilities comparable to hotels, and options for both introverts (i.e. private rooms) and extroverts who want to make friends (common social spaces).
So read on for the 13 best Bangkok hostels — where the extra ‘s’ stands for sabai sabai 😂.
Read also: 4D3N Bangkok Itinerary — Finding Hidden Gems in the City All Singaporeans Know
Cheap flights to Bangkok
Fly directly to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Both airports are a ~20-minute taxi ride to the city, with frequent flights by major international airlines.
If you’re looking to score the cheapest flights, use a flight aggregator tool such as Skyscanner. Use the widget below to get started! But in case that doesn’t load, click here.
1) Lub d Bangkok Siam — for hostel newbies
Photo credit: Klook
Hostels can be daunting for the newbie, but Lub d Bangkok Siam offers affordable bougie accommodation with great social culture — featuring a common area where parties are held at night, and other facilities like a doughnut bar and a cosy home cinema!
Apart from comfy dorm beds, Lub d is also famous for spacious, squeaky-clean bathrooms, which come decked with toiletries and hair dryers. If you prefer more privacy, book a deluxe double room (~S$86 for two) with an en-suite bathroom and other luxuries like a flat-screen TV.
Cost: From ~S$24/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~40min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
2) The Spades Hostel — for aspiring Tai-tais
Photo credit: Klook
Want the high life but don’t have the wallet for it? Those with a taste for luxury will love The Spades Hostel, with sophisticated dorms and a common room that oozes elegance. Have high tea at their Lemoncurd Tearoom restaurant, or shop for the latest off-designer threads at Platinum and MBK, a 20-minute walk away.
Cost: From ~S$19/night (1 pax, single bed with shared bathroom)
How to get there: ~30min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
3) AMA Hostel — for colourful personalities
Photo credit: Booking.com
Located in the bustling Chinatown and decorated with Peranakan motifs in vibrant colours, AMA Hostel will delight those with personalities that are larger than life. Shared facilities include a bar, lounge and terrace, as well as a breakfast buffet daily.
Cost: From ~S$18/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~35min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
4) The Yard Hostel — for nature lovers
Photo credit: Klook
Amidst the overwhelming Bangkok bustle, The Yard Hostel‘s charming, fairy-lit gardens are a breath of fresh air. The greenery isn’t pure aesthetics either — the ecological hostel uses recycled shipping containers as its rooms, and reduces air-con use by insulating walls with recycled paper, amongst other nature-loving practices.
First-timers can rent their bicycle (for free!) to explore the much-loved hipster cafes and boutiques in Ari Neighbourhood.
Cost: From ~S$23/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~22min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
5) Bed Station Hostel — for grunge lovers
Photo credit: Booking.com
If you’re into Doc Marts and electric guitar, you’ll love the grungy, industrial style of Bed Station Hostel. While mostly grey, the hostel is far from drab — they have a modern bar and pod beds. It also has a fantastic location, as it is situated right next to the BTS Skytrain station.
Cost: From ~S$18/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~33min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
6) Here Hostel — for avid Instagrammers
Photo credit: Klook
While all the hostels on this list are extremely photogenic, Here Hostel gets special mention for having an actual slide. Start your morning by whizzing down to the first floor for free brekkie — talk about #holidaygoals!
Housed in a restored 100-year-old building, this hostel exudes a chic, modern style, with an exposed brick interior alongside other quirky touches. The dorms are also well-designed with privacy curtains, a personal reading light, and charging points.
Its location is perfect for first-time solo travellers as it’s only a 5-minute walk to Khao San Road’s amazing nightlife, as well as historic attractions like Wat Pho and the Grand Palace.
Cost: From ~S$26/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~30min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
Read also: Alternative Things to Do in Bangkok: 15 Hidden Gems Most Tourists Don’t Know Of
7) Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel — for foodies
Photo credit: Booking.com
Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel is a gastronomical heaven, featuring an old-school cafe known for delicious brunches and gourmet coffee. For seconds, visit the street food market right outside (a must-do if it’s your first time in Bangkok), or take a 10-minute walk to the hipster eateries along Khao San Road.
Cost: From ~S$19/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~33min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
8) NapPark Hostel — for social butterflies
Photo credit: NapPark Hostel
Making new friends is one of the best things about solo travelling/backpacking, and few places do it better than NapPark Hostel. The chic accommodation is packed with opportunities to mix and mingle, with a chill rooftop balcony and a lively communal lobby.
If you’re feeling especially sociable, book a 22-person dorm — you’ll definitely make some new friends there! The staff are also super friendly and regularly plan fun activities like BBQs and bike tours.
Cost: From ~S$13/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~35min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
9) TALES Khao San — for nightlife enthusiasts
Photo credit: Booking.com
If you’re into partying, Khao San Road is known for its lively nightlife with plenty of bars, clubs, and live music bars! And a unique place to stay in the area is the trendy railroad-themed TALES Hostel.
Housed in a refurbished shophouse, every corner of TALES is eye-catching and on-theme, from its chic steel entrance to dorms resembling train cabins. Make some new friends here and explore the area together by bar-hopping 😉
Cost: From ~S$22/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~38min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
10) Once Again Hostel — for digital nomads
Photo credit: Booking.com
Remote workers will love Once Again Hostel! They boast WiFi access in all areas so you can work comfortably on your bunk bed, in their lobby, or even on their rooftop terrace. There are also lots of perks like free breakfasts, clean aesthetics, and a shared TV/movie room.
The staff offer free tailored tours around the city, so you can be as efficient with your R&R as you are at work!
Cost: From ~S$22/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~36min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
11) Sook Station — for smooth criminals
Photo credit: Klook
If you’re looking for a unique experience for your first time solo travelling, try a “stint” at the prison-themed Sook Station. You’ll be issued your own black-and-white prison jammies, convict serial number, and a tiny, minimalist jail cell.
As dreary as the surroundings may seem (dull walls, blocky benches, and “rusty” bathroom doors), Sook Station is actually pretty luxurious, with complimentary toiletries and cosy, private dorms.
Cost: From ~S$37/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~30min drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport (Google Maps)
12) Hostel URBY — for quiet introverts
Photo credit: Booking.com
Hostel URBY features a modern teak-and-concrete design, with a wooden balcony where you can admire the view of the gorgeous Chao Phraya River in peace and tranquillity, away from the city. While the hostel does offer shared dormitory rooms where you can meet new friends, you can also opt for a private double room if you wish!
Cost: From ~S$22/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~40min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
13) Pillow & Bread — for slow-paced, chill travellers
Photo credit: Booking.com
If you look up Pillow & Bread, you might see a pic of a giant Snorlax plushie displayed in their lobby. I think he’s the perfect mascot for this budget-friendly hostel that prioritises the “couch potato” life. It’s far from the touristy spots in Bangkok, has a garden, and a common area with board games!
Photo credit: Booking.com
So it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a more laid-back hostel. And if you’re wondering, yes, they do give free bread in the morning 😂
Cost: From ~S$16/night (1 pax, single bed in dormitory)
How to get there: ~21min drive from Don Mueang International Airport (Google Maps)
Where to Stay in Bangkok
The railway-themed interior of TALES Khao San. Photo credit: Booking.com
There really is no better place to stay in Bangkok than a hostel, especially if you’re travelling solo for the first time! The Land of Smiles is filled with game-changing hostels that have full-service facilities, great locations, and chic modern designs. Not to mention, you’ll get to save money and potentially meet new friends along the way 😁
Read also: Bangkok City Guide — Things to do other than shopping
Any other recommendations on where to stay in Bangkok? Let us know in the comments!
