Transportation options - Bangkok Airport to Khao San Road
I have discovered three ways to get from the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi international airport to Khao San Road, also known as backpacker alley. First, and perhaps most enticing, is to just take a taxi, which will set you back about $20-$25. The best part of taking a taxi is you eliminate the constant haranguing of touts trying to get you to go with them in their car. The best advice is to ignore the relentlessness of these pestering plebes and find some adventure in life, not to mention, save a lot of money for things more enjoyable than a taxi ride into town.
The next option is to take the Airport Express bus directly to Khao San Road. This is quite easily accomplished by proceeding down to level 1 of the airport and locating the Airport Express Counter along the windows. You can also simply walk outside and there is another counter clearly signed for the Airport Express. You will take the AE-2 and for 150 baht (about $4) you can go directly to Khao San Road. They depart from 6 AM (disregard the 5 AM sign) to about midnight. Pay at the little counter outside, which will open about 5:59 AM.
And now for those truly brave souls who came to Bangkok for real adventure, go directly to level 4 of the airport. Walk along the ticket offices until you locate door number 6 to the outside world. Proceed through this door and wait for a white airport shuttle bus, which comes along about every 15 minutes. Take this free shuttle to the municipal bus terminal or transport center, about 10 minutes from the main terminal of the airport. Here you will discover a very clean and well organized bus station. You will find the sign for bus number 556 to the Southern Terminal and wait for it to arrive. There is a small information window on the center island where you can confirm your bus number and destination along with scheduled departure times. But you should not need to wait long as the bus comes every 20-30 minutes. You will pay on board when the bus arrives and you will simply tell them Khao San Road and it should cost 35 Baht ($1). Now, find a seat and relax. You might tell the person selling tickets to notify you when it is time to disembark. They are very good about that.
You will continue on this bus until you reach the Democracy Monument and will get off on the first stop past the monument. It should take approximately an hour to arrive there. Simply continue walking in the direction the bus was going until you reach a traffic light. This should be Thanon Tanao Road. You will now turn right and cross the road (it is a very large road and you may have to stop halfway at the traffic island and wait for the next change of signals.) Continue on Thanon Tanao Road only a short way and you will see Khao San Road on your left. It is a pedestrian way and no cars are on it. Walk through the traffic barricades and you will discover backpackers heaven, not to mention the biggest tourist trap in Thailand. Enjoy your experience.
The next option is to take the Airport Express bus directly to Khao San Road. This is quite easily accomplished by proceeding down to level 1 of the airport and locating the Airport Express Counter along the windows. You can also simply walk outside and there is another counter clearly signed for the Airport Express. You will take the AE-2 and for 150 baht (about $4) you can go directly to Khao San Road. They depart from 6 AM (disregard the 5 AM sign) to about midnight. Pay at the little counter outside, which will open about 5:59 AM.
And now for those truly brave souls who came to Bangkok for real adventure, go directly to level 4 of the airport. Walk along the ticket offices until you locate door number 6 to the outside world. Proceed through this door and wait for a white airport shuttle bus, which comes along about every 15 minutes. Take this free shuttle to the municipal bus terminal or transport center, about 10 minutes from the main terminal of the airport. Here you will discover a very clean and well organized bus station. You will find the sign for bus number 556 to the Southern Terminal and wait for it to arrive. There is a small information window on the center island where you can confirm your bus number and destination along with scheduled departure times. But you should not need to wait long as the bus comes every 20-30 minutes. You will pay on board when the bus arrives and you will simply tell them Khao San Road and it should cost 35 Baht ($1). Now, find a seat and relax. You might tell the person selling tickets to notify you when it is time to disembark. They are very good about that.
You will continue on this bus until you reach the Democracy Monument and will get off on the first stop past the monument. It should take approximately an hour to arrive there. Simply continue walking in the direction the bus was going until you reach a traffic light. This should be Thanon Tanao Road. You will now turn right and cross the road (it is a very large road and you may have to stop halfway at the traffic island and wait for the next change of signals.) Continue on Thanon Tanao Road only a short way and you will see Khao San Road on your left. It is a pedestrian way and no cars are on it. Walk through the traffic barricades and you will discover backpackers heaven, not to mention the biggest tourist trap in Thailand. Enjoy your experience.
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