Hostels in Thailand

About Thailand

Easily the most visited country in SE Asia, Thailand is a great place to begin your journey in Asia. While you get over any culture shock you might be feeling, you can enjoy the fantastic food and beaches - not to mention the interesting culture and that lovely climate - the country has to offer.

Thailand is the ideal place to start exploring Asia for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it's a country that has gotten quite used to a heavy influx of tourists over the years. So, yes - it's a bit more touristy than nearby Laos or Cambodia, but it will also have many of the conveniences of a country comfortable with tourism that other SE Asian countries won't. But Thailand is more than just a tourist magnet - it's a beautiful and fascinating country which, for plenty of its visitors, is exotic and different from their own cultures. It's exotic without being uncomfortable - and you know that money you've worked so hard to earn so you can travel? Well, it'll go much further in Thailand than Europe. You'll want to keep an eye out for the inevitable scammers who prey on unsuspecting tourists who are wide-eyed in wonder, but if you keep your wits about you you should be fine.

You're likely to begin your journey in Bangkok, but you won't want to end it there. Thailand's capital is famous for its pollution and traffic jams, and though you'll certainly find pockets of genuine Thai culture in the congested heart of Bangkok, you're more apt to find backpackers acclimating to the culture. Bangkok is fabulous in that it is so accustomed to tourists that you'll find everything you need for the rest of your trip through SE Asia. You'll also meet plenty of other travelers who can share their tips for travel through the rest of Thailand. And then you'll want to get out and explore the rest of the country.

If it's sun and sand you're looking for, you could head East or South from Bangkok. Both areas offer either great beaches or islands just off the coast. Some are more heavily touristed than others, so you'll have your pick between popular beaches and more secluded beaches - you just have to keep looking until you find the spot of sand that you want to call home. If you'd like to get off the beaten track in Thailand, visit the Isaan region in the northeast of the country. You'll even be treated to some interesting Khmer ruins. The northern section of this oddly-shaped country contains the popular Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city, and the area known as the Golden Triangle where the countries of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand come together.

Your money will go pretty far in Thailand, and that includes where you sleep. Whether or not the word "hostel" is in the name of the place, you'll find hostel-like accommodations all over the country. Generally speaking, the cheapest beds you'll find throughout Thailand are called "guesthouses," but even the budget hotels are a comparative bargain. Like the hostels in Bangkok, you're likely to run into other budget travelers in the cheap hotels and hostels all around the country with whom you can swap stories and travel tips. You can browse your options on this page by choosing a town or city from the list and then reading about the Thailand hostels (or hostel-like places) in that town or city. You may also want to read more about the Bangkok hostels in particular.

Still planning your trip to Thailand? You can search for international airfare to Thailand and read about what to see and do in the country in our Thailand Travel Guide.

Browse Hostel by region

Resources