What's a good guesthouse near Bangkok airport?

You're passing through Bangkok and need just a few hours sleep in a cheap guesthouse not far from the airport, but when you Google "accommodation near Bangkok airport" all you get are listings for hotels that cost per night what you budget per week. Don't fret! There's no need to sleep at the airport or on the street, nor to pull an all-nighter at the closest karaoke parlour you can find. You can find a cheap bed close to each of Bangkok's airports -- here's Travelfish's pick.

Bangkok has two airports

The old airport -- once known as Don Muang, then respelt by authorities as Don Mueang in an attempt to better confuse newcomers -- serves the bulk of Thailand's domestic flights. The new airport, Suvarnabhumi (another easy to spell, easy to remember name), serves some domestic flights and the vast majority of international flights. Don Mueang's airport code is DMK, Suvarnabhumi's is BKK -- so check your ticket to find out which one you're actually going to be arriving at or departing from.

Neither airport is all that far from downtown, so just because you're arriving at 22:00 and departing the next morning at 06:00 doesn't mean you should absolutely write-off the idea of staying in this area. Traffic, weather and natural disasters aside, neither facility is much more than 45 minutes from downtown by taxi. In fact we've got from Sukhumvit Soi 27 to Don Mueang in as little as 14 minutes (the driver previously crewed on the USS Enterprise) and Suvarnabhumi in 25 minutes. However, if the traffic melts down, the city floods or a coup strikes, the trip could well take hours. So don't say we didn't warn you.

Guesthouses, hostels and cheap hotels near Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport

Basically, the further you get from this airport the better the budget accommodation scene becomes and we'd say unless you're really desperate, head at least a little into town to one of the first two places mentioned below, rather than opting for one of the cookie-cutter places right by the airport.

Refill Now!
We're a very big wrap on this place, and while it's not the closest accommodation to Suvarnabhumi, it is the best. Spotless dorms and private rooms -- all with shared facilities, funky restaurant and cafe area, small pool and top-floor massage centre -- what more could you need? Prices are above Bangkok standard for hostels, but this isn't your typical hostel. About a 20-minute taxi ride from Suvarnabhumi by taxi, its dorms are 599B, private rooms 786B.
Refill Now!
191 Soi Pridi Bhanomyong 42 Yak 5, Sukhumvit Soi 71, Bangkok
Tel: (02) 713 2044
http://www.refillnow.co.th/
Book online with Hostel World or Hostelbookers.

Sukhumvit On Nut Guesthouse Located a five-minute walk from Sukhumvit Soi 89, On Nut Guesthouse doesn't look like much from the street, but the rooms are clean and well kept. Facilities include WiFi internet, an upstairs terrace and an onsite cafe. The hostel is easy walking distance to On Nut Skytrain, so this is perhaps the better choice if you want to easily connect to the rest of Bangkok. Rates are very reasonable, with fan-cooled dorms starting at just 169B and double rooms from 579B. While it lacks the style of Refill Now!, On Nut Guesthouse remains a good value option that is not too far from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Sukhumvit On Nut Guesthouse
125/2 Sukhumvit Soi 89, Bangkok
T: (07) 112 1301
F: (02) 742 4525
http://www.bangkok-guesthouse.com
Book online with Hostel World.

Floral Shire Resort, Queen's Garden Resort, Convenient Resort and Grand Inn Come Hotel, Airport
All four of these places are very close to Suvarnabhumi Airport -- none more than five to ten minutes by taxi -- so if you're after a bed and nothing more, any of these will suffice. They're more like motels than resorts and would probably just be cheap apartments if there didn't happen to be an international airport next door. Floral Shire starts at 1,200B, Queen's Garden at 750B, Convenient at 950B and Grand Inn Come at 1,750B.

Guesthouses, hostels and cheap hotels near Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport

We Train International House
From Don Mueang the options are more limited for a cheap bed. The one stand-out budget option is We Train International House. Run by a non-profit women's group that supports abused women and children, you can rest easy knowing you're supporting a good cause. The hostel is a short taxi ride from Don Mueang airport (if you've got little luggage then a motorbike taxi will be fine) making this the closest cheap digs to the airport. Rates are very reasonable, with air-con dorms starting at a rock-bottom 100B and private rooms at 500B. Be sure to print off the map from their website as it can be a little tricky to find.
We Train International House
501/1 Dechatungka Road, Don Mueang, Bangkok
T: (02) 967-8550-4
F: (02) 929-2300
http://www.we-train.co.th/
Contact directly for online reservations at: info@we-train.co.th

More in the cookie-cutter airport hotel style, Airport Suite Bangkok and Asia Airport Hotel are your two best bets. We've a slight soft spot for Airport Suite as it's a smaller, more personable place. The Asia Airport is pretty aged, but well located for shopping and eating (it's atop a shopping mall), while the Airport Suite is a little more out of the way. Airport Suite Bangkok starts at 1,600B and Asia Airport Hotel at 1,350B.

Parting words

If you do decide to opt for one of the closer airport hotels, be sure to enquire after a free airport transfer to save you money on the taxi -- most of them offer this service. Also be sure to check rates for these places online or via the establishment direct as you'll almost definitely get a better rate than trying to book through a tourist desk upon arrival at the airport.

Other opinions

Got a personal favourite for a comfy bed close to one of Bangkok's airports? Let us know on the Travelfish messageboard.