KhaoSan Road

Many visitors to Thailand choose to head straight to Khao San Road, and who could blame them? From Thailand's new Suvarnabhumi Airport - pronounced 'Su-wan-na-poom', you have many travel options. The airport is located in Racha Thewa in Samut Prakan province, 30 kilometers east of Bangkok. An extension of the BTS (Skytrain) connection to the airport is underway, but it may take some time before it is completed.

For now, the easiest way to get from the airport to Khao San Road is by taxi, and metered taxis can be found to the right of the exit on the first floor. The journey to Khao San Road will cost 300 baht plus a toll way tax and takes 40-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Ignore the taxi offers inside the airport. These people charge around 700 baht for the same journey and are very persistent.

Another option is to take the airport's large air-conditioned city bus. This costs 150 baht and is also available from the first floor. The AE2 bus will take you straight to Khao San Road.

Those on a tight budget may want to opt for one of the BMTA buses, which cost just 35 baht. These can be caught from the airport bus terminal, and you can get there by a short ride on the shuttle bus. There are many buses to choose from at the terminal, so you need to check carefully before boarding. Ask the driver "Bpai Banglampu mai" (are you going to Banglampu).

Getting to Khao San Road from other parts of the city can be a little more complicated as there is no direct rail link. Hua Lamphong is Bangkok's main railway station. From here, bus 53 will take you to Banglampu, within walking distance of Khao San Road. Visitors from the south may arrive at the Thonburi station (Bangkok Noi). Simply take the ferry across the river to pier 13, walk along Phra Athit Road and turn right. Walk about 300 meters and you will see Khao San Road on the opposite side of the road. Look for Gulliver's Travellers Tavern on the corner.

If you are coming from around Thailand by bus, you may find yourself at Mo Chit (the Northern Bus Terminal). From here, you can catch bus 3 straight to Khao San Road. The journey costs just 7 baht and takes about 30 minutes.

From Ekamai (the Eastern Bus Terminal), catch bus 2 to Ratchadamnoen Klang and walk 5 minutes to Khao San Road.

If coming from the center of town you may want to travel by Skytrain (BTS) or underground (MRT). You can either choose to get off at Mo Chit and catch the number 3 bus, or get off at Saphan Taksin and catch the ferry along the Chao Phraya River to pier 13. Make sure you have plenty of change as the ticket machines on the BTS only take 5 and 10 baht coins.