Sawasdee kha! (Or hello in Thai).
Bangkok is one of the top cities for backpackers from all parts of the globe. With plenty of international flights, mouth-watering street food, rich culture and easy access to other parts of Southeast Asia, this doesn’t come as a surprise.
Many solo travelers, like myself, kick off their backpacking journey in Bangkok. I visited Bangkok in 2024 and faced the same problem that many people do: there are so many accommodation options to choose from. You could easily spend days researching different hostels.
I’m here to help you narrow down your hostel of choice in Bangkok so you can quit worrying and start drooling over all the pad thai you’re going to eat.
After backpacking through Southeast Asia, I’ve gotten pretty good at recognizing the best hostel chains and knowing what amenities are best in a hostel. For many people, this includes things like swimming pools, air conditioning, private room versus dorm options. Solo travelers, however, should also look at social activities, common areas and the right vibe for their travel style.
I’ve created this guide to the best hostels in Bangkok for solo travelers. I’ve broken down these hostels into different categories so you can choose which type of hostel best matches your lifestyle.
Let’s dive in.
The Short Answer: Best Hostels in Bangkok for Solo Travelers
- Best Overall Hostel: Bed Station
- Best Party Hostel: Mad Monkey
- Best Chill Hostel: Jam Hostel
- Best Digital Nomad Hostel: Diff Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel: Revolution Hostel
Best Overall Hostel: Bed Station
Bed Station is constantly ranked one of the best hostels in Bangkok, and this is true for solo travelers. Many backpackers kick off their journey at Bed Station, where they meet others doing the same. Sometimes, it even leads to traveling together.
Location-wise, Bed Station is near Khao San Road – the infamous pedestrian party road – so if you’re looking to experience the nightlife in Bangkok, Bed Station will be a quick tuktuk away. In addition, it’s near a SkyTrain, so you can easily get around town.
This hostel has amenities like a pool, a gym, private rooms, pool table and ongoing events to meet other solo travelers.
Prices start at $9/night.
Best Party Hostel: Mad Monkey
If you’re looking to party, the rule of thumb is to stay at Mad Monkey. Despite their reputation for being a party hostel, Mad Monkey keeps their hostel clean and well-maintained.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll have a free welcome drink in hand. Their bar sets the scene for their signature pub crawls to Khao San Road.
They offer events that aren’t just focused on drinking, too. Their Madventures city tours will take you around Bangkok, while also giving you the chance to meet other travelers.
Other amenities include a swimming pool, private rooms and shared dorms, restaurant, 24 hour reception and female dorms.
Prices start at $15/night.
Best Chill Hostel: Jam Hostel
If nightlife isn’t your thing – or you don’t want to stay at a hostel constantly surrounded by it – then I recommend Jam Hostel. Located just a 10-minute walk from Khao San Road, this hostel is a community of like-minded people.
It’s a great place to relax with other solo travelers. They host events such as communal dinners and temple cleanups.
Signature amenities include free breakfast, key card access, patios, female dorms and a rooftop bar.
I stayed here in 2024 – check out my comprehensive review on Jam Hostel.
Rates start at $16/night.
Best Digital Nomad Hostel: Diff Hostel
Located in the heart of Bangkok is a cozy hostel known as Diff Hostel. While not as famous as some of the aforementioned hostels, you should consider it if you’re a remote worker or digital nomad.
With plenty of plugs, lights, seating space and USB ports, it’s got everything you need for a day’s work.
This is the perfect hostel for solo travelers who work on the road. Their dedicated laptop space will make it easy to bond with others who also work and travel.
There are also social areas to mingle once work is done. In addition, amenities include a bar, private and dorm rooms, free WiFi and friendly staff.
Rates start at $14/night.
Best Cheap Hostel: Revolution Hostel Asoke
Revolution Hostel Asoke may be the newest hostel on this list, but it’s risen in the rankings of the best hostels in Bangkok for solo travelers.
It is a four-story building located in the heart of Bangkok (Asok). The hostel is conveniently accessible through underground and skytrain within 8-10 minutes walking distance.
They’ve got plenty of places to meet other solo travelers, including areas with bean bags and TWO cafes and bars. It’s affordable and comfy – what more could you want?
The neighborhood is a mix of traditional street food stalls coupled with more modern buildings – an example is one of the most fashionable malls in the city, Terminal 21. And there are heaps of great restaurants, local vendors, outdoor and rooftop bars just a few minutes away.
Rates start at $10/night.
What to Look for in a Bangkok Hostel
Location
The best hostel for you should have a good location. This can vary based on what you want to do in Bangkok, so I highly recommend narrowing down what you want to see before you choose your hostel.
There are typically three areas for backpackers in Bangkok.
- Khao San Road – The pedestrian street with bars, street food and nightclubs.
- Sukhumvit – A large area with good nightlife.
- Chinatown – Another large area that is covered by the MRT subway.
My personal recommendation is near Khao San Road. If you choose this area, again make sure you’re near Khao San Road, not on Khao San Road. Unless you can sleep through anything! (The road gets very rowdy at night).
Price
Budget is always a priority, and I know some hostels can be cost prohibitive. Make sure you know what your nightly budget is before you start looking at hostels (I’ve often caught myself looking at the fanciest ones only to realize they’re out of budget).
In Bangkok, you get what you pay for. That being said, fortunately Bangkok is an affordable destination, so you shouldn’t have any issues finding a reasonably priced hostel.
Services and Amenities
Finding an affordable and well-located hostel is important, but what about amenities?
Well, it’s fair to say that some amenities are a need-to-have versus nice-to-have. Which amenities fall into which category depends on the traveler.
For example, is a pool something you need? Could you choose a different hostel without a pool and save a little bit of money?
Some services, like free WiFi, are need-to-haves in this day and age. The good news is Bangkok has so many good hostels that you won’t have any problems snagging the amenities you want.
Tips for Solo Travelers When Choosing a Bangkok Hostel
Below are a collection of best practices I’ve learned from booking hostels in Bangkok as a solo female traveler.
- Use HostelWorld to gather information and easily compare/contrast different hostels.
- Write a list of what you want to do in Bangkok and look at where those activities are located. Choose a hostel close to your top activities.
- Double check if the hostel has a website – you may be able to find a cheaper rate.
- Don’t worry about booking your hostel out too far in advance. Generally, a week is okay.
- Know before you go how they accept payment. Do they take card? Is it cash only?
I hope this has helped you narrow down your hostel of choice in Bangkok, Thailand! There’s so much to do in Bangkok, including free activities, so chances are, you’ll be spending lots of time outside anyways.
Did I miss any great hostels in Bangkok? Let me know in the comments below.
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4 comments
[…] If you’re looking for recommendations for hostels, I wrote a guide to the top hostels for solo travelers in Bangkok. […]
Where you stay in Bangkok can make or break your visit and you have provided some great options. I think a hostel with a pool is a must in Bangkok because it can get so hot and a pool is a social place, particularly when visiting Bangkok solo.
Super informative- thanks! I’m definitely the chill vibe seeker and your recommendation looks divine!
I think I might be getting too old for parties at hostels, so Jam Hostel looks like the best option – that rooftop bar looks fab with all the plants. But all of these are pretty amazing value!