Overview
Khao San Road has been the mecca of global backpackers since the 1980s — a 410 m strip made famous by the movie 'The Beach.' Cheap guesthouses, street bars, pad thai and fried-insect stalls, hair-braiding kiosks, and massage shops pack the road in a 24-hour buzz. Nearby Rambuttri Street is mellower, with outdoor cafes ideal for a relaxed beer. During Songkran (Thai New Year, April) it becomes the epicenter of the world's biggest water-fight festival. Free entry. A 10-minute walk from Phra Athit pier on the Chao Phraya Express Boat.
Opening Hours
24 hours (stalls and bars typically 17:00-02:00)
Travel Tips
It comes alive after 21:00. Street food prices for tourists can be a bit inflated — politely bargain. During Songkran (April 13-15), bring a waterproof bag.
Hotels near Khao San Road
Hotels and guesthouses in Bangkok, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Other attractions in Bangkok
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
Thailand's royal guardian temple. Bangkok's top attraction, home to the revered Emerald Buddha.
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
A stunning porcelain-decorated temple rising along the Chao Phraya River.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
The world's largest weekend market and a shopping paradise with over 8,000 stalls.
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Famous for its 46 m gilded reclining Buddha and as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
Jim Thompson House
Traditional teak house museum of Jim Thompson, the American who brought Thai silk to the world.
Asiatique The Riverfront
Riverside night market and Ferris wheel complex with over 1,500 shops.
Lumpini Park
Bangkok's central oasis — a sprawling park famous for tai chi at dawn and resident water monitor lizards.