Advice on travel to and through BKK
 

Hi. My wife and I will be going to India through BKK. Flying from IAD on United to BKK (and upgrading) and then a separate ticket to BOM. Our plan is to spend a few days in BKK on the way out, since this will be our first time in Thailand. My question is about the return.

We'll likely be flying Thai Airways from BOM-BKK. The flight leaves BOM at 11:00 and arrives at BKK at 4:30 am. The United flight then leaves at 7 am.

Are we better off budgeting a day in BKK on the return? This would (a) break up what will be a long trip; and (b) ensure that we make the United flight.

Specifically, is it more of a hassle to go into town for 24 hours than it's worth?

Also: does anyone know whether the flights from BOM to BKK on Thai are reliable? Since they are partners, we could check our bags all the way through; and 2.5 hours would normally be fine. However, since these are two separate tickets, if we were to miss our United flight, we might end up losing the upgrade, and I'd hate to do the 20-hr flight in coach!

Thanks for any advice anyone might have.

Traveling between city and airport isn't that much of a hassle, immigration is usually a snap (esp. at mildly unusual times like early in the morning when you can jump the queues as J passengers) and taxis to the city take less than half an hour in good traffic (again, 5-6 AM is pretty good). The primary negative would be having to pay the 500 baht (~US$10) airport tax on departure.

That said, 2.5 hours is a decent safety buffer, it gives you some room for error and is not a terribly long time to spend in the airport, esp. since as J passengers you can use the lounges (I presume? not sure how UA's upgrades work). So I'd think you can go either way.

I'd go with the stopover, simply so you don't risk losing the upgrade in the event of any problems. Another downside however is that you'd probably have to book 2 nights hotel in BKK, but accommodation is very cheap, especially if you avoid the top end properties.

...or use Priceline - I got the Shangri-La for $60 / night that way...and it is considered one of the best in BKK.