Khao San Road

Khao San Road in Bangkok is probably the most famous street in Bangkok and it is known as the place to be for every backpacker! This rather chaotic street in the middle of the (backpacker) district Banglamphu is a vibrant and colorful place and you'll find plenty of food stalls, bars, cheap hostels, hippies, souvenirs and cheap beers! At the beginning of the day, this street seems pretty ordinary but once the sun goes down and it gets dark, the street turns into a madhouse! 

You can find literally ANYTHING at Khao San Road: from dreadlocks, piercings, tattoos to a fake passport or a driver's license, you won't have any trouble finding it here! Many people choose to stay in Khao San Road for its great location as it is within close proximity of a lot of cultural attractions (such as Wat Pho and the grand palace).

You might even recognize Khao San Road from the Hollywood blockbuster "The beach" with Leonardo Dicaprio as the opening scene of the movie was filmed here!

Fun fact: 50 years ago, Khao San Road was locally known as a good place to buy rice and home to one of Bangkok’s largest rice markets. The name Khao San actually means ‘milled rice’ in English and was given to the road for its historic link to the rice trade.

How to get to Khao San Road

It's very easy to find Khao San Road and literally every taxi or tuk tuk driver knows where it is! If you are already in the city, it's best to take a taxi or a Tuk Tuk.

If you're coming from the airport: 

- As soon as you walk out of Bangkok airport you will find taxis everywhere and the ride takes about an hour.

- You can also take a special Airport Shuttle Bus (Bus line S1). These drive from Bangkok Airport to Khao San Road. The first bus leaves around 6:00 am and they run every 30 minutes.

Best time to visit:

It really depends on what kind of experience you're after. During the day, it's a pretty mellow street where you can enjoy shopping or have a massage in one of the many salons.

However, if you want to meet other backpackers, party or drink, you will enjoy this street the most during the evening or at night time!

Tips:

Getting an accommodation at Khao San Road is not ideal for those who want to get a good night’s rest. The area is very noisy and does not quiet down until around 4 AM. 

Always keep a close eye on your belongings, especially when visiting at night!