Bangkok's legendary backpacker hub with budget accommodation, street food, nightlife, and travel agencies.

About Khao San Road

Khao San Road is the epicenter of Southeast Asia\'s backpacker trail, a 400-meter street that has been welcoming budget travelers since the 1980s. Today it\'s a sensory overload of neon lights, thumping music, sizzling pad thai woks, fresh fruit shake vendors, and stalls selling everything from fisherman pants to fake IDs. Despite its touristy reputation, Khao San remains an essential Bangkok experience and a convenient base for the old city.

The surrounding Banglamphu neighborhood is far more interesting than Khao San itself. Phra Athit Road along the Chao Phraya River has trendy Thai cafés and bars with river views. Rambuttri Road (parallel to Khao San) is a mellower version with better food. The neighborhood is walking distance from Bangkok\'s most important temples—the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), and across the river, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). The Democracy Monument and the October 14 Memorial nearby mark sites of Thailand\'s pro-democracy movements.

Nearby Landmarks

Grand Palace Wat Pho Wat Arun Democracy Monument Sanam Luang

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost $8-13
Time 40-70 min

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost $6-9
Time 40-70 min

Grab pickup at arrivals

Step-by-Step Directions

Take A1 bus to BTS Mo Chit, ride BTS to National Stadium, then take a short taxi ride to Khao San Road.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi $8-13 40-70 min Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare $6-9 40-70 min Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Airport bus A4 to Khao San runs until about 11:00 PM. Taxis from Don Mueang are available 24/7 (THB 350–600 to Khao San). Khao San Road itself is Bangkok's late-night epicenter—bars and street stalls stay open until 2:00–3:00 AM. After midnight, Grab and taxis on Rambuttri Road or Phra Athit Road are the best return options.

Luggage Tips

Airport bus A4 has limited luggage space and gets very crowded. Taxis are a better option with bags. Khao San's guesthouses often have narrow stairs and no elevators—choose ground-floor rooms if carrying heavy bags. Lockers are available at several hostels for day storage. Travel light in the Khao San area to avoid hassle.

Accessibility

Khao San Road is flat but extremely crowded, making wheelchair navigation very difficult in the evenings. The surrounding streets have uneven sidewalks. The Grand Palace has some accessible areas but involves steps at most temple buildings. Wat Pho has accessible sections at ground level. Taxis are the most practical transport for mobility-impaired visitors to this area.