The Bangkok Virgin Backpacker Quick Guide 2012/2013, for those without the time to read the full blog.
Getting In.....
Most folk will arrive by plane from Europe into Suvarnabhumi Airport, yes the place is absolutely heaving with Europeans. Bangkok is well connected to just about anywhere in the world with plenty of direct and indirect flights to choose from - just Google your way around the airlines for some discounting, especially during the European summer.
I paid around £650 January 2012 with Jet Airways of India, changing at Delhi - 9 hours to Delhi and 4 hours to Bangkok airborne time. About 1 1/2 hours on the ground is a welcome break. The route from London crossed the Afghan mountains providing some stunning scenery - this may not always be the same route every time though.Other routes via the Middle East or Turkey tend to be slightly cheaper. Most European flights seem to arrive in bulk thus there can be lengthy immigration queues - took me 1 1/2 hours first time.
Getting to your Lodgings or Digs...
Backpacking, then your probably heading for the Khao San Road area where there is an abundance of guesthouses, lodgings and the odd hotel. The train to downtown is well signed from inside the airport. Pay 90 Baht for non-stop or 45 Baht for the stops, about 8 of them, either way all trains end up at Phaya Thai station where the line ends, pretty straight forward. Change here for lines north into the suburbs or south towards downtown, but to Khoa San Road, it's a bus trip.
At Phaya Thai, head down to street level and move forward towards the busy main road. Turn right here and look for the bridge taking padestrians across that busy road and head on over to the opposite side. Moving further along, away from the station take next main road left which go's more or less in the direction of Khao San. About 5 minutes along look out for a school entrance and shortly after that is a bus stand.
These buses stop at the bottom of Khao San Road and the top of Soi Rambuttri - 3, 6, 7, 9, 15, 30, 32, 33, 43, 65, 64, 82, 524. Walk along further in the same direction as the bus after getting off and KSR is the second street on the left. Soi Rambuttri is just on the right and left after the bus stand.
These buses stop on the eight lane boulevard, just outside the Khao San Road Area - 2, 15, 35,42, 44, 47, 59, 60, 68, 70, 79, 82, 124, 157, 171, 183, 203, 503, 507, 509, 511, 556. Get off at the next stop past a huge roundabout that contains within it, 4 giant pillars. This is know as the Democracy Monument. Proceed further to the pedestrian crossing. once across the boulevard proceed left, next right then second left - congratulations, you have made it to Khao San Road. To find Soi Rambuttri, head all the way down to the end of KSR, turn right then next left, that's Soi Rambuttri where there is an abundance of cheap and quiet lodgings - you can afford to be picky. Bus fare will be around 10-15 baht depending on the type of bus, and don't worry about small change, the money collectors are prepared for tourists!
From Don Muang Airport, head down to street level and make a right turn from terminal 1. This will lead towards the main highway into Bangkok Walk left a few metres and there is the bus stand. Bus 59 will take you all the way towards Khao San Road stopping on the boulevard as described above. Cost is about 25 baht in an aircon bus, plenty of room for backpacks but the journey can be a long one!
So, for those who yearn adventure, follow the above and those with a weak disposition will ditch the above and just get a taxi - 300-400 baht from the airports.
Here is a map of the KSR area google maps link - enjoy the adventure, errors and omissions accepted.
Getting In.....
Most folk will arrive by plane from Europe into Suvarnabhumi Airport, yes the place is absolutely heaving with Europeans. Bangkok is well connected to just about anywhere in the world with plenty of direct and indirect flights to choose from - just Google your way around the airlines for some discounting, especially during the European summer.
I paid around £650 January 2012 with Jet Airways of India, changing at Delhi - 9 hours to Delhi and 4 hours to Bangkok airborne time. About 1 1/2 hours on the ground is a welcome break. The route from London crossed the Afghan mountains providing some stunning scenery - this may not always be the same route every time though.Other routes via the Middle East or Turkey tend to be slightly cheaper. Most European flights seem to arrive in bulk thus there can be lengthy immigration queues - took me 1 1/2 hours first time.
Getting to your Lodgings or Digs...
Backpacking, then your probably heading for the Khao San Road area where there is an abundance of guesthouses, lodgings and the odd hotel. The train to downtown is well signed from inside the airport. Pay 90 Baht for non-stop or 45 Baht for the stops, about 8 of them, either way all trains end up at Phaya Thai station where the line ends, pretty straight forward. Change here for lines north into the suburbs or south towards downtown, but to Khoa San Road, it's a bus trip.
At Phaya Thai, head down to street level and move forward towards the busy main road. Turn right here and look for the bridge taking padestrians across that busy road and head on over to the opposite side. Moving further along, away from the station take next main road left which go's more or less in the direction of Khao San. About 5 minutes along look out for a school entrance and shortly after that is a bus stand.
These buses stop at the bottom of Khao San Road and the top of Soi Rambuttri - 3, 6, 7, 9, 15, 30, 32, 33, 43, 65, 64, 82, 524. Walk along further in the same direction as the bus after getting off and KSR is the second street on the left. Soi Rambuttri is just on the right and left after the bus stand.
These buses stop on the eight lane boulevard, just outside the Khao San Road Area - 2, 15, 35,42, 44, 47, 59, 60, 68, 70, 79, 82, 124, 157, 171, 183, 203, 503, 507, 509, 511, 556. Get off at the next stop past a huge roundabout that contains within it, 4 giant pillars. This is know as the Democracy Monument. Proceed further to the pedestrian crossing. once across the boulevard proceed left, next right then second left - congratulations, you have made it to Khao San Road. To find Soi Rambuttri, head all the way down to the end of KSR, turn right then next left, that's Soi Rambuttri where there is an abundance of cheap and quiet lodgings - you can afford to be picky. Bus fare will be around 10-15 baht depending on the type of bus, and don't worry about small change, the money collectors are prepared for tourists!
From Don Muang Airport, head down to street level and make a right turn from terminal 1. This will lead towards the main highway into Bangkok Walk left a few metres and there is the bus stand. Bus 59 will take you all the way towards Khao San Road stopping on the boulevard as described above. Cost is about 25 baht in an aircon bus, plenty of room for backpacks but the journey can be a long one!
So, for those who yearn adventure, follow the above and those with a weak disposition will ditch the above and just get a taxi - 300-400 baht from the airports.
Here is a map of the KSR area google maps link - enjoy the adventure, errors and omissions accepted.
