The most famous backpacker street in the world — budget guesthouses, street food, buckets and the gateway to Southeast Asia
Flight Time
11h from London
Best Time
November to February
Country
Bangkok, Thailand
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Khao San Road is the most famous backpacker street in the world — a short, chaotic, extraordinary strip of budget guesthouses, street food stalls, bars and travel agencies that has been the gateway to Southeast Asia since the 1980s. It is loud, colourful and unapologetically fun.
The street food is extraordinary — pad thai, mango sticky rice, grilled satay and fresh fruit shakes, all for under £1. The nightlife is intense — the street fills with travellers from every country, the bars blast music and the atmosphere is unlike anywhere else in Bangkok.
The greatest advantage of Khao San Road is its proximity to the Grand Palace — Bangkok's most important sight is a 10–15 minute walk away. Phra Athit Road (riverside bars, popular with Thai students) is a short walk north. Wat Chana Songkhram temple is directly adjacent.
Budget guesthouses start from £5 per night. Travel agencies on the street sell bus, train and boat tickets to destinations throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia — Khao San Road is the classic starting point for a Southeast Asia trip.
The best time to visit Bangkok is November to February. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals, with the FIBI discount applied automatically.
Jan
29°C
Feb
31°C
Mar
33°C
Apr
34°C
May
33°C
Jun
32°C
Jul
31°C
Aug
31°C
Sep
31°C
Oct
30°C
Nov
29°C
Dec
28°C
Call us or send an enquiry and we'll find you the best deal across Travelpack and JTA Holidays.
Call 01282 960 460The street food, nightlife, temples and budget travel culture that make Khao San Road the most famous and atmospheric backpacker neighbourhood in the world.
Khao San Road comes alive after dark — the street fills with travellers, locals and street performers, the bars blast music, the food stalls grill satay and pad thai, and the bucket cocktail vendors do a roaring trade. The atmosphere is extraordinary — a mix of nationalities, ages and travel styles united by the shared experience of being on the road. The street is at its most intense from 9pm to 2am.
The street food around Khao San Road is some of the finest in Bangkok. Pad thai cooked fresh in a wok for under £1, mango sticky rice, grilled corn, fresh fruit shakes, green papaya salad, boat noodles and the extraordinary variety of the nearby Banglamphu market. The food stalls on Rambuttri Road (one street parallel to Khao San) are less touristy and even better.
Khao San Road's greatest advantage is its proximity to the Grand Palace complex — Bangkok's most important sight is a 10–15 minute walk or a short tuk-tuk ride away. Staying on Khao San Road means you can visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun early in the morning (before the crowds) and return for breakfast. No other area in Bangkok offers this convenience.
Phra Athit Road, a short walk from Khao San Road along the Chao Phraya riverfront, is Bangkok's most atmospheric bar street — a row of small, independent bars and cafes overlooking the river, popular with Thai students and young locals. The atmosphere is relaxed and creative, with live music, cold beer and excellent food. A welcome contrast to the intensity of Khao San Road itself.
Wat Chana Songkhram, directly adjacent to Khao San Road, is a beautiful and peaceful Buddhist temple that provides a striking contrast to the chaos of the street outside. The temple is active and atmospheric — monks in saffron robes, incense smoke and the sound of chanting. A reminder that Khao San Road sits in the heart of Bangkok's most historic neighbourhood.
Khao San Road has the best selection of budget souvenirs, travel clothing and backpacking gear in Bangkok. Fisherman's trousers, elephant print clothing, handmade jewellery, fake student ID cards, bootleg books and travel accessories are all available at low prices. The travel agencies on the street offer bus, train and boat tickets to destinations throughout Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Rambuttri Road, one street parallel to Khao San Road, is the more relaxed and atmospheric alternative — the same budget guesthouses, street food and bars, but with a calmer, more local atmosphere. The guesthouses on Rambuttri are often better value and quieter than those on Khao San Road itself. The street food is excellent and the bars are less crowded.
Banglamphu, the neighbourhood surrounding Khao San Road, is one of Bangkok's most interesting and authentic areas — a mix of traditional Thai shophouses, local markets, temples and the backpacker infrastructure of Khao San Road. The Banglamphu Market (a short walk away) is excellent for local food and everyday goods at local prices. The neighbourhood is safe, walkable and full of character.
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
Google Maps embed — add your API key to activate
Set mapEmbedUrl in the destination data to display an interactive map here