Wondering how to get from Khao San Road to Suvarnabhumi Airport? Well, you have landed in the right place! Read on as I compare taking a train, bus, taxi, or private transfer and how to avoid getting stuck in Bangkok traffic and missing your flight!
When flying from Bangkok, you are likely to depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport. This airport, also known as Bangkok Airport, is actually the busiest airport in Southeast Asia.
You will undoubtedly need to get from Khao San Road, the popular backpacker hangout, to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Unfortunately, you can often face challenges with timing, reliability, and cost when trying to navigate the bustling city of Bangkok to catch a flight, especially from the centrally located yet traffic-prone Khao San Road.
Taxis can be expensive and super scammy if you choose the wrong one. You cannot walk 40 kilometers, and the buses take forever in the Bangkok traffic. And which one do you even get on!?
Thailand is my second home at this stage, and I have done this journey numerous times throughout the years, testing and trying different methods. That way, I can share my best tips with you.
Well, the most popular method, as long as you aren’t on a strict budget, is taking a taxi, which costs $15.00 and takes around 1 hour.
If you can’t afford it, why not head off a bit early and be on the lookout for travelers with backpacks? There is a high chance they are heading to the airport, and you could split the fare!
| Transport Method | Time | Cost | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | 1.5 hours | from $1.80 | Cheapest Way |
| Private Transfer | 1 hour | from $30 | Prebooked & Safe |
| Airport Rail Link | 50 minutes | from $4 | Quickest journey |
| Taxi | 1 Hour | from $15 | No Need To Prebook |
Wrong Airport? I also have a guide on how to get to Don Mueang Airport from Khao San Road!
How To Travel From Khao San Road To Suvarnabhumi Airport: Bus, Taxi, Private Transfer, Or Train?



🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Thailand: 12Go Asia 🚗
1. Take A Public Bus *CHEAPEST*
A super affordable way to travel to Suvarnabhumi Airport is to take the Bangkok Airport bus S1. From the Democracy Monument bus stop, you can begin the 90-minute journey.
Democracy Monument is just 600 meters from Khao San Road, making for a very easy walk, even when you are carrying all of your luggage. Just make sure to ignore all those annoying tuk-tuk drivers along the way.
These buses run from 7 am to 9 pm from Khao San Road to Bangkok Airport and depart every hour.
The S1 bus costs just $1.80 / 60 baht. This is a very reasonable price for an hour-long journey and provides an excellent budget-friendly option for backpacking Bangkok.
For more information on the S1 bus, check out Transit Bangkok.
Just leave well beyond your flight time to account for any delays. Traffic in Bangkok can be notoriously bad, and you definitely will not want to get caught up in it and miss your flight.

2. Book An Airport Transfer
The easiest way to get to the airport is definitely by booking a private transfer.
Though, when something is easy and fast it is often never cheap, so you will need to be prepared to part with a bit of cash.
You can book private transfers from any hotel in Bangkok on 12.Go Asia, with prices ranging from $30.00 for a 4-seater car to $40.00 for a 9-seater van. Alternatively, plenty of hostels or hotels should be able to book this transfer for you as well once you are in the city.
Also, if you have a large group or are worried about untrustworthy taxi drivers, this could be the perfect option!
It takes away the hassle of negotiating for a decent rate and the uncertainty of choosing a taxi driver off the street.



3. Combination Of Bus & The Airport Rail Link
The Airport Rail Link is another type of public transport you can use to travel from your accommodation on Khao San Road to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
This is not the most convenient option as you will need to take various forms of transport. However, if you are on a budget with plenty of time to spare you might give the Airport Rail Link a try.
First, you must catch the local bus from Democracy Monument to Phaya Thai Plaza. Democracy Monument is just 600 meters from Khao San Road, making for an easy, no-stress walk.
From there, jump on bus number 59.
It departs every 10 minutes, so you should not have a long wait. This ride costs $0.50 / 16 baht, so make sure to have some small change.
Once you arrive at Phayathai Plaza, you can enter the station and get on the city-line train to Suvarnabhumi Airport. This portion of the journey only costs $1.50 / 45 baht.
Using the Airport Rail Link will take you AT LEAST 1 hour and 20 minutes. If you have plenty of time to spare, this could be the best option, especially as it only costs $2.00 / 60 baht.

🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Thailand: 12Go Asia 🚗
4. Splurge On A Taxi *FASTEST BUT PRICEY*
The simplest way, which requires minimal organization, is to get a taxi. You can flag one down or use the Grab mobile app on your phone.
During most of the day, it will be relatively easy to find a taxi around the Khao San Road area. However, as this is a touristy area, be prepared to haggle and expect higher prices.
Unfortunately, during busy commute hours, it can be relatively hard to find a taxi. I found this out the hard way.
Also, taxis in Asia are notorious for ripping off travelers. There are numerous scams in Thailand, where drivers may lie about the agreed price or have a dodgy meter. However, not every driver does this.
If you have found a good driver, grab their contact details. You can call them directly and confidently know they will keep you safe.
If this is not an option be prepared to barter heavily, especially for a journey to the airport.
Also, I highly recommend purchasing a local SIM card when traveling in Thailand. They are super cheap and will give you internet access without WiFi coverage.
If you do have data, I recommend using Grab over a taxi. You do not need to worry about getting scammed, and they will also give you the amount on your phone beforehand so you know how much it will cost.
The journey will take 30 minutes in total, though this obviously depends on traffic. If you know it is going to be busy on the road, make sure to leave plenty of time.
You can also use Google Maps online for live traffic estimates. You should expect to pay around $13.00 / 400 baht for the journey from Khao San Road to Suvarnabhumi Airport.



Where To Stay In Bangkok?
There are plenty of areas in Bangkok that have become super popular with travelers. However, most people decide to stay in Khao San Road, Silom, Siam, and Sukhumvit.
In my opinion, Khao San Road is the perfect choice for first-time visitors to Bangkok and backpackers. Here, you will be amongst the action, and you will never have a dull moment. You will find many hostels in Khao San Road, which have an excellent social vibe.
My favorite hostel in the area is BED STATION Hostel Khaosan, simply because of its fantastic social scene, which I appreciate when I am traveling solo. Plus, their dorms are super clean and modern, and the beds are huge!
On my most recent trip, I stayed at Sleep Withinn, which is just across the street from Khao San Road. My private room was affordable, clean, and had great air conditioning. There was even a rooftop pool to use.
A super social hostel with a pool. The perfect place to stay for backpackers starting from $15.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
A favorite with travelers. A hostel with all the amenities, from $16.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
A great hotel among the action. Private rooms start from $26.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
Affordable and modern private rooms from $40.00 per night. BOOK NOW |
Things To Do While In Bangkok
Bangkok offers plenty of activities and attractions to keep you engaged for days or even weeks. This vibrant city is full of endless possibilities.
Visit the Grand Palace: A visit to the Grand Palace is a highlight of Bangkok. Despite the crowds, it’s a must-see. The entry fee of 500 THB / $16.70 provides access to the Royal Palace and the renowned Wat Phra Kaew Temple, home to the 14th-century Emerald Buddha.
Lumpini Park: For a dose of nature in the city, head to Lumpini Park. This green oasis offers jogging trails, gym equipment, and boat rentals. You might also encounter some local wildlife, including various birds and the park’s famous monitor lizards.
Check Out The Markets: Bangkok has so many excellent markets to check out. Thailand’s biggest market is The Chatuchak Weekend Market, which has over 15,000 stalls! It is known for being THE place on the weekends, but you will also find it open Wednesdays to Fridays.
Wat Arun: Wat Arun is definitely known as one of the more instagramable temples in Bangkok. Though that is because it is absolutely beautiful. The entrance fee is $2.70 / 80 THB.
Chao Phraya River Boat Trip: This is a common public transport option in Bangkok and a great way to explore the city. You can book a hop-on, hop-off ticket for less than $3.00. Some top spots to visit include Wat Po, Wat Arun, The Grand Palace, and Chinatown.

FAQS About Traveling To Suvarnabhumi Airport From Khao San Road
How do I get to Suvarnabhumi Airport from Khaosan Road?
To get from Khao San Road to Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can take a bus, a private transfer, the Airport Rail Link, or a taxi. The S1 bus is affordable at just $1.80 / 60 baht. Otherwise, if you aren’t worried about money, I recommend taking a taxi, which costs around $15.
How much is a taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khaosan Road?
A taxi from Khaosan Road to Suvarnabhumi Airport should cost around $15.00. Ask the driver to put on the meter to ensure you don’t get ripped off, or use the Grab App, which is the Southeast Asian version of Uber.
Which airport is near Khaosan Road?
Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) is the nearest airport to Khaosan Road, approximately 25 kilometers away.
🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Thailand: 12Go Asia 🚗
Deciding How To Travel To Suvarnabhumi Airport
Make sure to weigh up all your options to determine which will be the best transportation option for you.
Consider the price, the time it will take, and whether it is likely to be delayed. I mean, forking out the cost of a new flight is going to be a lot pricier than taking a taxi!
No matter which option you choose, just make sure you get to the airport in time and enjoy the next part of your journey!
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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on it and purchase something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. As always all opinions are my own and your support is much appreciated.
Photo credit: “Concouse E, Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok, Thailand” (CC BY 2.0) by David McKelvey .

really helpful article.. thank you for sharing
Thankyouuu so muchhhh wanderlust… I need this information
This was so helpful for trying to figure out how to get to Bangkok Airport. Thanks for writing x