Post written in 2015
So here you are, along with thousands of other travellers, around the infamous Khao San Road, ready to go to the airport. If you don’t want to pay the outrageous taxi fare you are quoted or maybe you spent your taxi money on some last-minute shopping for friends at home, here are some options to get to the airport using public transport, as the locals do.
Getting from Khao San Road to Don Mueang International Airport Bangkok
Chances are you will be travelling via a low-cost airline at some point, so you will need to head to the Don Mueang International Airport, which is the world’s largest low-cost carrier airport as of 2015 and also, Asia’s oldest airport. It is located about 30 km from Khao San Road.
Duration: approximately 45 minutes (depending on traffic)
First, walk to Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, close to Democracy Monument. It is a short 5-minute walk until you see the bus stop sign. Look for bus number 59. Wait for it and do not worry if it takes a longer time, it will get there (we waited for 15 minutes the first time). See it? Flag it down by waving your hand. Get on it and pay when the ticket lady comes and asks for your destination. In December 2015, a ride to the airport with an air-conditioned 59 public bus was 23 baht. The bus stops next to a ramp which you need to climb. Take a left to cross the highway and get to the elevator, from which you can reach the airport floor that you want.
If you want to get from Don Mueang Airport to Khao San Road using public transport, walk past the arrivals terminal (past entrance number 1), and head towards the stairs, but do not go up. Take a left and walk a few meters until you see the bus stop. Then, take the 59 bus and get off at Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, close to Democracy Monument. From there, you will reach Khao San Road in 5 minutes.
Getting from Khao San Road to Suvarnabhumi International Airport Bangkok
Get on the 59 bus as you would for Don Mueang Airport, but get off at Phaya Thai Station. Same fare, 23 baht. Then walk a few meters to the Airport Rail Link BTS, you will see the stairs and the sign as you get off the bus. Climb the stairs and you will reach the BTS station. There keep straight, you will see the sign for the Airport Rail City Line. Purchase a ticket for the Airport Rail City Line (45 baht from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi) and board the train. You will arrive after 30 minutes and 7 stops on the first floor, from which you can easily reach the departures area, situated on the 4th floor.
Enjoy your trip and have a safe flight!
