Khao San Road: Bangkok's Backpacker Ghetto

Khao San Road has sights, sounds, life and culture of its own. For backpackers who want to explore Bangkok’s cultural sights on a budget, make it your refuge!

Khao San Road is a haven for backpackers who are on a very tight budget. Others call it Bangkok’s “backpacker ghetto” or the “street that never sleeps.” It is teeming with cheap guesthouses, an eclectic mix of Thai and Western restaurants, tasty street foods, bars, pubs, and souvenir shops.

This short, busy street has a life and culture of its own. It has a cosmopolitan atmosphere to it that is not austerely Thai, swarming with backpackers, hippie-types and bohemian characters (mostly Caucasians) from all over the world. Many get corn rows and dreadlocks. Some opt to learn Muay Thai boxing. Others drink beer while sitting on the walkway. Tourists are just everywhere, eating, drinking, wandering around and checking out the wide array of shops and stalls.

Living in Khao San Road is dirt-cheap. In fact, you can eat a full meal for only 30 Baht ($1). Pad Thai (fried noodles), barbeques, and other rice dishes are sold in the sidewalk. Guesthouses and hostels can run as little as 200 Baht ($6) per night. How amazing is that!

Besides reasonably priced accommodation in Khao San, its location is very ideal too. It is near to some of the most popular and majestic temples in Bangkok. The Chao Phraya River is also just around the corner. The spectacular Grand Palace, perhaps the city’s most famous landmark, and Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, are only within walking distance. 

Not only that, Khao San Road has everything a backpacker needs if he/she plans to travel further around Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. Several travel agencies are all over the place. Almost every guesthouse has booking desks where you can arrange trips and purchase transportation tickets. Many backpackers also opt to stay at Khao San because it’s so easy to socialize and exchange travel tips and experiences with other travelers.

So for backpackers who want to explore Bangkok’s cultural sights on a budget, make Khao San Road your refuge!

How to Get to Khao San Road on the Cheap

The easiest and cheapest way to get to Khao San Road is by river boat. Boats run up and down the Chao Praya River at different times of the day. Take a boat heading north and alight at Phra Arthit Pier. Khao San Road is within walking distance from the pier. You can easily get quick directions there.

Another cheap option is taking the public bus. Bus numbers that pass by Khao San Road include numbers 2, 3, 15, 53, 511 and 509. Make sure you tell the bus conductor to drop you off at the nearest stop to Khao San Road.