There are many ways to go about it. Because there is no train or subway station within walking distance of Khao San, some tourists prefer to just take a taxi, as it is convenient and relatively  cheap (if they follow the meter, which they often do). But this option can be a real drag if the traffic is bad downtown.  During our recent visit to Bangkok, we found that the fastest and most convenient way to reach Chatuchak Weekend Market from the Khao San neighborhood is taking the tuk tuk and Sky Train route. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get from Khaosan Rd to Chatuchak Market.

1. Contract a tuk tuk to take you the Ratchathewi Station, which is part of the Sky Train service. 

Tuk tuks are the zippy three-wheeled public transport that you will see around the city. The general perception of tourists and the stigma associated with tuk tuks is that they are ‘touristy’ and they usually charge exorbitant amounts. But tuk tuks are fast and flexible enough to navigate through the busy streets of Bangkok effectively avoiding many traffic jams.

If you are not aware of this, Bangkok has one of the worst traffic flows in Southeast Asia. We were there during the weekend, and it was always busy on the streets. Tuk tuk drivers are so skilled that they can drive through jams, and thus, cut your travel time by as much as 50%.

However, if you are not familiar with how Southeast Asian drivers drive, then you may most likely think that tuk tuk drivers are crazy.  Honestly, it is not the safest ride, if you base it on first-world standards as they are no seat belts and other safety measures. But somehow tuk tuk-related accidents are not common. You can also tell your driver to drive a little slower if you think they are getting out of hand.

Pricing

Another issue about getting a tuk tuk is that they charge tourists too much. Some of them are also quite sneaky, and have the tendency to bring you to a travel agency, to earn commission off you.  But here are some tips to remedy these issues:

Tell the tuk tuk driver where you exactly want to go. Be serious when you state your destination, and avoid looking unsure. This will only give them the impression that they can bring you somewhere else.

When heading to Chatuchak market from Khao San tell them to bring you to Ratchathewi Station. Aside from saying the name of the station, show them the name in print.  Tell them these words:  “Skytrain, Ratchathewi Station.” They should be able to understand this. If they say they don’t then get someone else because it will only lead to a disaster. We had no problem finding a tuk tuk driver who understood that we wanted to go to Ratchathewi.

It is important to bring a map with you, so you have a rough idea which part of the city you want to go, and whether the driver is taking you to the right spot. Every Sky Train station has a big sign visible from the road, so that you will know that you have arrived at the right station.

The amount you should pay to get to Ratchathewi from Khao San area is 100-120 Baht. This is more than enough, and higher from what locals are willing to pay. If a driver asks for a higher amount and claims it’s ‘far’, walk away. They will call you back because they know that this rate is more than fair.