Khaosan Road

The basics

Khaosan Road features a wealth of Bangkok sightseeing tours—you’ll struggle to find many that don’t at least pass by it. Options include food tours that help you overcome the language barrier to discover dishes beyond pad thai; tuk-tuk tours that cover top sights, such as the Grand Palace and Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun); hop-on hop-off bus tours, which visit all major Bangkok attractions; and, of course, nightlife tours that take you to the best bars and nightclubs along the strip.

Things to know before you go

• There are a range of accommodation options and backpacker hostels on Khaosan Road, but they’re often loud.

• You’ll find all the Thai classics such as pad thai, mango sticky rice, and guay tiew (noodle soup).

• While the street is paved and slightly uneven, it shouldn’t pose too much of a risk for travelers using strollers or those with limited mobility.

• As it’s one of the busiest tourist centers in Bangkok, keep a close eye on your belongings.

How to get there

Khaosan Road is in central Bangkok, just a 10-minute walk from the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It’s not served by the BTS Skytrain or MRT and the closest station is Hua Lamphong, which is a 20-minute walk away. Its best reached by tuk-tuk or hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus.

When to get there

Khaosan Road is at its best in the evening, when temperatures have cooled, the neon lights of the bars and restaurants blaze, and you’ll find most street food stalls open. Bars and clubs tend to stay open until the early hours. The peak season in Bangkok is from November through January.

The best street food to eat near Khaosan Road

Khaosan Road might bring the buzz, but it's not necessarily the best place to try authentic Thai cuisine. However, you’ll find a wealth of options on the nearby Phra Athit Road, just a 5-minute walk away. Sample curry rotis, beef noodle soup, and fresh salads laced with bird’s-eye chilies, then pop into a 7-Eleven for dessert for a refreshing blast of air-con.