Choosing between Sukhumvit vs Riverside is less about location and more about the kind of Bangkok you want to wake up to.
I’ve stayed in both areas multiple times (sometimes bouncing between them during the same trip), usually after convincing myself this time I’d finally cracked the code.
I’ve watched the sun rise over the Chao Phraya with a coffee I paid too much for, and I’ve also stumbled back to a Sukhumvit hotel at 2 a.m., questioning my life choices but never bored for a second.
These two areas represent two completely different Bangkoks.
One is restless, vertical, and plugged into the city’s electric grid.
The other flows slowly, horizontally, and feels like a postcard that somehow escaped modernization.
Let’s get brutally honest about both.
Sukhumvit is an all-time favourite for many, and there are plenty of good reasons for that.
It’s one of the main concrete arteries of the city, and it feels like a new shopping mall or skyscraper opens every month.
Staying here puts you right in the centre of several major nightlife areas: RCA, Phrom Phong, Thonglor, and Soi 11.
Right above the main road runs the Skytrain, also known as the BTS.
Taking the Skytrain is one of the major perks, as you can travel between neighbourhoods rapidly.
Staying near a BTS station is therefore a must.
But it gets better: if you stay near Asoke BTS Station, you also have direct access to the metro. You can reach every corner of the city from here.
The MRT, in particular, comes in handy when you want to visit Chinatown, one of the many night markets, or even Wat Pho.
And the BTS takes you to all the cool neighbourhoods that Sukhumvit has to offer.
If you’re on a budget, you can even stay in Lower Sukhumvit. Although not perfect, you can still reach popular areas like Asoke and Nana within a ten-minute train ride.
Almost every central BTS station along Sukhumvit has one or more shopping malls.
Although this might not sound very touristy at first, these huge places feel like small towns with all the facilities you can think of (and they’re air-conditioned too).
From mobile stores for your SIM card to huge food courts where you can find affordable, clean Thai food, you can find it all here.
But don’t underestimate how wealthy and trendy Bangkok can be.
There are many incredible high-end restaurants, rooftop bars, nightclubs, and speakeasies to be found here.
It’s one of the most versatile areas, and Sukhumvit never sleeps.
Are there things you might not like?
Sukhumvit is loud and chaotic, but most areas in Bangkok are.
There are also two adult entertainment areas located here, which you might want to avoid when visiting as a couple or with kids.
Lastly, it’s a very modern area, and most of the historical highlights are located near the river.
But in terms of getting around…and when it comes to food, shopping, and fun nights out—it’s hard to beat Sukhumvit.
During the day, you’ll likely visit other areas, especially around Bangkok’s Old Town.
That’s where you can find many of the city’s top attractions.
Still, it’s great to return to your hotel, freshen up, and not have to travel far to have everything within reach.
I highly recommend choosing Sukhumvit, unless you’re specifically looking for something calmer—which is exactly what the Riverside area offers.
Sukhumvit at a glance:
Staying along the river feels like stepping into a different timeline.
The Chao Phraya Riverside is Bangkok’s visual anchor…the place where the city slows down just enough to be admired.
Here, you can find many of Bangkok’s attractions, including Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chinatown, and ICONSIAM.
Many families and couples who want to avoid Bangkok’s wild nightlife tend to stay here.
There are plenty of high-rise hotels that offer stunning views over the river—one of the major perks.
And it’s not as if you can’t go out in this part of the city.
Silom has a decent nightlife scene and is located not far from the Riverside.
But I’d recommend visiting Talat Noi and Song Wat Road, both trendy areas popular among Thai youth.
There’s no crazy nightlife here, but you’ll find unique street art, alternative cafés, and riverfront venues where you can enjoy Bangkok’s skyline without paying for overpriced drinks.
Keep in mind that you don’t have great access to the metro and Skytrain.
Many hotels do offer free tuk-tuk rides to the nearest station, but it’s far from ideal.
However, if you’re going to choose the Riverside over Sukhumvit, I recommend reading a bit more about traveling by ferry and boat along the river and canals.
This form of transport is often overlooked, and with a bit of research (even Google Maps provides quite a lot of useful information), you can travel quickly and cheaply to many major attractions as well as central neighborhoods.
If you’re into nightlife, I recommend staying in Sukhumvit.
Couples and families who enjoy stunning skyline views by the river, combined with a relatively calm environment, should choose the Riverside over Sukhumvit.
Riverside at a glance: