Choosing an area near Wat Pho
Wat Pho stands on Sanam Chai Road in Rattanakosin, the old town of Bangkok. The five areas below work as bases, and they differ in distance, in transport and in what you find in the evening. This page covers areas, not individual hotels, and it gives no room prices.
One warning first: the words Old Town or Riverside in a hotel name do not mean the temple is close. Check the hotel on a map, and check which side of the river it is on. If food is the reason for your trip, a base in Chinatown pairs well with a Bangkok food tour.
Our pick: a food tour that takes you back
This late food tour ends with a ride back to central hotels.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Wat Pho tours from your hotel area
Temple walks, tuk-tuk rides and food tours around Old Bangkok, with live prices and availability.
The five areas compared
What each area offers a visitor to Wat Pho.
| Area | Good for | Link to Wat Pho | Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tha Tien and Sanam Chai | Repeat visits to the temple and Museum Siam | At the temple, MRT Sanam Chai | Look at the evening options on a map |
| Rattanakosin Old Town | Temple and Grand Palace as reference points | Close, depending on the hotel | Not every Old Town hotel is next to the temple |
| Banglamphu and Khao San | Guesthouses, food and evening entertainment | Taxi, tuk-tuk or bus, check the route | Rooms differ in noise and price |
| Chinatown (Yaowarat) | Street food and a Chinese-influenced district | MRT Blue Line, from Wat Mangkon | Wat Mangkon and Sanam Chai are different stations, so ride on to Sanam Chai |
| Riverside | A base on the Chao Phraya | Depends on the bank | A river crossing may be needed |
For most first-time visitors, Tha Tien and Sanam Chai or the Rattanakosin old town are the simplest choice, since you can reach the temple early without a transfer. Food lovers can choose Chinatown, and travellers who want evening life can choose Banglamphu.
The areas in detail
What to know before you book.
Tha Tien and Sanam Chai
This is the area at the temple's address on Sanam Chai Road, with MRT Sanam Chai as the local station. It suits you if you plan more than one visit to the temple or to Museum Siam. The markets of Tha Tien are on the doorstep.
Things to do nearby →Rattanakosin Old Town
The temple and the palace are the reference points of this district. Hotels differ widely in distance, so a hotel with Old Town in the name is not automatically next to Wat Pho. Look up the walking route on a map before you book, and see the getting there page for how to arrive.
Banglamphu and Khao San
The area has many guesthouses, restaurants and evening music. It suits travellers who want nightlife close to the door. Rooms differ in noise and price, so read the room details and the hotel's location before you decide.
Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Yaowarat is the street-food area. You reach Wat Pho by the Blue Line, and Wat Mangkon, the Chinatown station, is not the same as Sanam Chai, so ride on to Sanam Chai. It suits a trip where eating matters as much as temples.
Bangkok night tours →Riverside
Check the bank. Wat Arun is on the west side of the river and Wat Pho is on the opposite side. A riverside hotel does not guarantee a walk to Wat Pho without crossing the water. For the west bank, see where to stay near Wat Arun.
How to check a hotel before you book
Four quick checks.
Map the route
Look up the walk or the ride to Sanam Chai Road in a map app. Do not rely on a hotel's own claim of being near the temple.
Check the river side
If the hotel is on the river, find out which bank and whether you need a ferry or a bridge to reach Wat Pho.
Find the nearest station
Sanam Chai is the closest MRT station to the temple. A hotel near another station means a longer ride.
Plan the first morning
If you want to arrive early, check the opening hours and how long the trip takes at that time of day.
Opening hours →
Where to stay near Wat Pho: frequently asked questions
Which area is best for a first visit to Wat Pho?
Tha Tien and Sanam Chai, or the Rattanakosin old town, are the simplest, since you reach the temple without a long transfer. Pick Chinatown if food matters most and Banglamphu if you want evening life.
Can I walk to Wat Pho from my hotel?
That depends on the hotel. This page gives no walking times for any hotel. Look up the route in a map app and check which side of the river the hotel is on.
Is a hotel with Old Town in the name close to the temple?
Not necessarily. The name does not guarantee distance. Check the location on a map before you book.
Is Chinatown a good base for Wat Pho?
It suits food-focused trips. You reach the temple by the MRT Blue Line, and the Chinatown station Wat Mangkon is different from Sanam Chai, so ride on to Sanam Chai.
Is this the official Wat Pho website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the temple, to hotels or to any tour operator.