Advice for first time at BKK?
 

I will be connecting through BKK next month and have about 18 hours for a layover. For those of you familiar with BKK, do you recommend leaving the airport to find a nearby hotel (up to $100/night)?

If so, what specifics should I know about leaving the airport? Since I'll have to go through customs and I'm assuming pay some kind of fee to enter the country, is it worth it for 18 hours? And how early should I return to the airport before my international departure? (I'm unaware of how long it takes to get back into this airport).

And should I convert USD to Thai currency before leaving the airport? Recommendations for transportation to/from a hotel?

For anyone who can help with instructions, thanks a million in advance. ^ Normally I wouldn't step out of the airport in a completely unfamiliar country, but I'm confident that FlyerTalk will take the fear factor out of this process!

if you use search, there are lots of previous posts on this exact topic. as i've only stayed in the city, i'll leave that part to prior posts and to others.

BKK is an efficient airport, and there is no charge for a tourist visa.

as for money changing, there isn't enough difference at the airport or in town to matter in this case.

Stay in the city. There is little of interest near the Airport. Book a hotel near the river or near the BTS, Silom, Riverside, Sukhamvit and explore. Take a metered taxi to your hotel. Search tells you step by step how to do it. Cost will be about 250-300 baht each way. 50 baht less on the return.

Experience as much of Bangkok as you can during your brief stay, ride on a non-tourist boat on the Chao Phraya with ordinary people. Walk around and see how people live. Try Tom Yum in a restaurant. Lots to do.

I'm sitting in Bangkok now, and it's certainly worth a trip to the city. First-rate hotels are inexpensive, and the city has lots to offer. I'll bet you can get the Holiday Inn at Chit Lom (not the one in Silom) for under $100. Be sure to get a hotel near a Skytrain station, because traffic can be gruesome.

While in the city, shopping is a great pasttime. Execellent knock-offs are available (esp at night markets such as Suan Lum or Patpong) if you're into designer watches & similar. DVDs are also available, though quality can be iffy. The legality and morality are questionable, but the choice is yours.

You can also get a great massage, either with or without "extras." Whatever you're looking for, Bangkok has it.

While there is no charge for entry to Thailand, you must pay 500 Baht (about US$12) on leaving the country.

Thanks for the great post. Are you recommending I use Skytrain to get around as opposed to a taxi? My primary concern is the relatively short amount of time I have and also the time it will take to check back into the airport.

Does the Skytrain connect with the airport? Can it be easily navigated for an English speaking user? Thanks.

Skytrain does NOT go to the Airport,

if you leave the airport make sure you have 500 baht departure tax,

A taxi to the city is real cheap, if they use the meter its 150-200 depending how the traffic is, plus 50 baht airport fee , and 40-60 baht expressway charge.

If you are landing at midnight or so , you can get to your hotel in 30 minutes or so,

add extra time the next afternoon to get back to the airport , lots more traffic then

Rally

You can also avoid the long lines (and 50 baht airport taxi fee), by getting a taxi at the departure level, as they're letting people off.

$100 will buy you a lot of hotel in Bangkok. I normally stay in a 3 star place for $30 a night, or will splurge for a $60-$70 4 or 5 star room sometimes. Prices have gone up lately, so I don't think I'll be getting the $55 rooms at the Shangri-La anymore!

Taxi drivers will try and overcharge you, just make sure they use the meter. I'd figure on 60 minutes to get back to the airport if it's not late at night. There are ATMs outside the arrivals hall. That's where you'll get the best exchange. The exchange desks at the airport take about 5% extra off, so not much of a deal.

But the ones in the airport won't, if you ignore the touts and the limo booths inside and if go to the public taxi stand just outside the terminal instead. The little booth there will translate your destination and give you a slip with the taxi's license number and a number to call if you have any problems.

My one-day tour of Bangkok, perhaps doable in 18 hours if you don't need any sleep: http://wikitravel.org/en/One_day_in_Bangkok

Couple of Things:

I recommend Celadon in the Sukhothai as the best food I had in BKK. It is a huge menu, quite varied, and representative of most regions in Thailand.

Tea at the Oriental is great. The pastries are quite good, but it is the service and atmosphere (as well as the rotating types of live music) that shine. It is around 23USD per tea set, but you can order a la carte.

For hotels, as somebody mentioned, there are often great deals. I have seen the Four Seasons for just 139, and I stayed at the Oriental, including breakfast, for 228USD. I'm sure that below these you can find some great value. However, it is most important that you are either on the skytrain or the river. I personally prefer the river, as to me, that is the nicest part of the city. The Oriental/Peninsula/Shangri-la all have the river and skytrain stop. I also know that the Royal Orchid Sheraton and Marriott Resort are on the river and are cheaper options to the ones listed above (except perhaps the S-L - I never looked there).

In my opinion, you can skip the Chatuchak weekend market. I found it hot, buggy, and essentially unpleasant.

Jim Thompson House is a must-do as is, of course, the Royal Palace/Emerald Buddha Temple.

I personally enjoy the Chatuchak weekend market very much, but it is usually very hot and crowded. (Never had a problem with bugs.) The market is NOT, however, something that I would recommend to someone with only an 18-hour layover.

Great suggestion with the taxis! ^ These are the kinds of things a first-timer would never know without your input. Thanks!

When you say "outside the terminal", are the domestic/international terminals the same? (I will be arriving internationally). Also, is this taxi stand outside arrivals or departures?

Terminals
 

There is a domestic and international terminal close to each other, and the taxi stand is right out side of baggage claim. I am sure you can catch a taxi outside of arrivals as well.

Exchanging money in BKK
 

The money exchange in BKK is strange to me. If you convert USD, the exchange rate is somewhere between 38 to almost 41 baht for $1. The airport exchange rate is somewhere just over 40 baht, which is not bad. CNY on the other hand is very different, between 4.3-4.9, which is a 15% difference.

I recommend Pattaya which is a ways from Bankok but nice and a lot of fun :D

I'm in a similar situation as the OP, 18hrs in BKK enroute to BLR.

I was looking at either the JW Marriott or the Sheraton Grande (trying to earn miles at every opportunity) ;) The lowest rate I found (via expedia) is $155, I'm not sure I want to pay that much. Are there other sites (country specific, perhaps?) that might offer a better deal?

I've never been to BKK before and am thinking of a half-day tour of the city. Are either of these hotels conveniently located for this (and from the airport as my flight to BLR is at 7PM). How long does it take to get o the airport at this time of day?

Cheers!

apart from the sweat - i don't mind,
the market is no longer a bargain , and anything you should want to buy (that doesn't have legs) is cheaper in the world trade center - for starters

and for you all looking for cheap rates -
try www.wotif.com or latestays.com

asiarooms.com
 

I use this site http://www.asiarooms.com/thailand/ba...ilom-area.html for most of my bookings in Thailand. The J.W. is $122 including tax and service (17.7%) and the Riverside Resort is $93 including breakfast, tax and service. You pay in U.S. dollars, no credit card fees and it is pretty painless.

You get points for incidentals at least at the Riverside, cannot speak to the J.W., but J.W. Phuket gives them so I expect you will get them. They treat Marriott Rewards people well. The question to ask is whether 1450 Marriott points are worth over $30 difference in the room rate. There are lots of inexpensive hotels including IMHO, Rembrandt, Novotel Lotus, Swiss Lodge-insist on a good room and many others mentioned in various threads. The above 3 are personal experience. Hotels near the airport are not worth the effort from personal experience also because downtown Bangkok is the place to be and at least the Quality Suites is very worn and not worth the money (Oh-and it is not affiliated with Quality at all.

Sukhothai Hotel and Other Tips
 

On my one-night visit last year, I stayed at the Sukhothai, and ate like a pig at their chocolate buffet lunch. It was a high-class tea and light snacks spread PLUS every variety of chocolate desserts one could imagine. Very indulgent! I got a Friday-only internet rate. The Sukhothail is a wonderful hotel.

The Royal Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple, of course, are must-see sights. However, I am surprised that no BKK experts here warned of the numerous scam artists who try to divert wide-eyed tourists (like me) to the fake gem stores and other bad places. Since the thread was started by someone who has never been to Thailand before, I'll offer some rules that I think might save someone's time in BKK from being wasted, ruined, or worse:

1. If someone tells you that the temple or palace is closed or that you are dressed inappropriately, DO NOT BELIEVE IT.

2. If someone suggests an alternative sight to visit, DO NOT GO.

3. If someone offers to send you on a pedicab ride somewhere, DO NOT ACCEPT IT. (I'm talking about street touts, not legitimate hotel employees, for items 1 thru 3 here)

4. If it is a gem or an antique, buy it only if you like it for how it looks.
ASSUME IT WILL HAVE NO VALUE EXCEPT TO YOU.

5. Do not be fearful or paranoid; crime in BKK is more likely to be by stealth or trickery rather than violence.

Bowgie

The best advice I have is to stop at the TAT (tourism authority of Thailand) office in the airport, or in the city, and use the maps they give out to travel around along the chao praya river in the daytime to see the temple sites. Also go see Siam Square (thai teenagers influenced by anything trendy in Japan: J-pop), and the area around there (extreme malls) for fabulous shopping.

If you scoot to the departures level on arrival, you can usually pick up a cab that's just dropped off a passenger, and they won't charge you the airport pickup surcharge.

This works best if you've got no bags.

I wouldn't recommend this to a first-timer though, as you don't have anybody available to translate your destination, and no course if things go wrong.

I use the upstairs guys if I have to arrive during the late evening rush and there's a humongous queue downstairs, but the rest of the time the 50 baht (c'mon, it's $1!) is a small price to pay for the convenience.

So, does everyone recommend the taxi for a first timer? I'll be arriving in BKK on Friday morning and have never been, but I've been looking at the Airport Bus routes and perhaps the train. My ultimate destination is the Westin Grande Sukhumvit. I'll be arriving about 11am from KUL. Is the taxi really the best option?

Thanks!!

You should email the Westin regarding airport pickup. I know the rate at the SGS is 1,500 baht.

Yes.

The airport bus is not all that much less expensive, and
a much greater hassle. Don't even think about the train,
especially if you are going to Sukhumvit.

If you want to check on airport pickup by your hotel,
please do... but I expect that it will be at least 4X the
cost of a taxi. Using the taxi desk as described above
(exit through customs, turn left, walk past all the touts,
go outside, and you will see the booth), and it will be
painless and reasonably efficient. Pay the tolls to the
driver (60 baht) for the highways.

Bangkok is awesome... 18 hours,, eh, lol kinda pushin it... The trip from the airport to downtown Bangkok is about 45 minutes if I remember correctly (without traffic)... You'd have to exchange money when you get to the airport, and when you leave the airport be prepared to pay 500Baht for departaure tax, that got me and my friend who had about 10.00 left hahaha, so we were screwed... As for hotels, you can find any hotel for under 100.00, you'll live like a king for 100.00... Things are very reasonable in Thailand... Depending on what times you arrive and leave, you might be able to squeeze in some sights.. The Grand Palace is really cool, a lot of things to see, probably take ya about 2 hours to see everything.. If your into nightlife, you should DEF. check out the nightlife over there... It's like the Asian version of Amsterdam if you get my drift :) crazy experiences haha... It's a lot of fun though... You'd probably be able to do a lot in 18 hours...

Ah yea, taxi is the best way to go from the airport to downtown by the way.. Taxi drivers speak little English so have a map ready, stop by the Tourist information center in the airport and pick some up..

Ah yea, by the way, mentioned above, DO NOT let the Tuk-Tuk drivers pressure you into going somewhere, I think they say "You want city tour" or something around that nature, me and my friend were dumb enough to go along with it.. they just drive you around the city and swing you by random stores trying to get you to buy ...., it's a waste of time.. Thai people pressure you into everything, just say no and ignore them.. Saves you time...

Do wear long pants if you plan to visit a temple. Relax and enjoy your stay. If your like me, you will be back.

[QUOTE=gary_nj]Using the taxi desk as described above
(exit through customs, turn left, walk past all the touts,
go outside, and you will see the booth), and it will be
painless and reasonably efficient.QUOTE]

IIRC, the "touts" you mention are actually meeter & greeter reps from the different hotels. They all have a signboard indicating which hotel they represent, with the person's name they should meet & greet.

There are a lot of those too, but usually they stay put and yawn quietly as they wait for their guy. The touts gary_nj is referring to, on the other hand, do their best to shove clipboards in your face, yell "Taxi meeester!" and get you into their limo/illegal cab. I used to hate them with a vengeance, until I figured that a forceful Mai ao khrrrrrrap gets them to shut up.

[QUOTE=Caloy]jpatokal is right--the hotel greeters are actually toward your right as you exit customs. To the left are all those trying to sell you a ride into town.

Keep it Simple
 

1. Money: turn left when exiting, money changer there, better rate than hotel. Get some small bills (see below).

2. To/From airport: turn left when exiting customs. If you're apprehensive, take Thai Limo B$600. Otherwise, take meter taxi immediately to your right door (after walking out of waiting section) for B$200-250 ride into town, tell driver to take tollroad/highway, have some B$20 or B$50 to pay for tolls. Local taxi service is safe and reliable - just don't act like it's your first time to Bkk! Drive into 'town' anywhere from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and location. Hotel cars outrageous price and ABSOLUTELY no need for it!

3. Make sure you keep B$500 left for 'airport tax' - you buy ticket for this after you check in and before proceeding to immigrations.

4. Hotels: stick near skytrain, sukhumvit has plenty 3 stars which are like 5 stars in states for under $100. I stay at Novotel Lotus on Soi 33 which can be had for under $100 with full bkfast. Don't let fact that girlie bars on Soi 33 discourage you...it's a business/tourist hotel, SAFE and good service. Plenty of others are cheaper and you don't have to stick to major chains...google search will give you tons of options. Or PM or post your budget and you'll get plenty of advice.

5. Sights/shopping - wow, that would take forever. PM for specifics...get a good guide book, thumb threw it to see what attracts you. I suggest Lonely Planets but that's personal choice.

Last advice: search this site, question has been asked and answered before :)

Hi, im living in bkk and 15 minutes travel to the airport. Amari Airport hotel is the nearest, actually its connected to the airport. but u can also find worth $80US a 7 minutes travel from the airport. its MIRACLE GRAND HOTEL.

good luck,
MARRS

Is a reservation necessary for a Thai Limo? Do they have some random fleet of cars waiting in que for on demnd folks?


Thanks,

AZJ

I'll be transiting BKK for ~9 hours overnight (11:30 PM - 8:50 AM). Is it worth it to get a hotel near the airport, or is it better to stay in the airport? :confused: How about an airport lounge during that time? :confused: (I belong to Priority Pass.)

The Dayrooms at BKK are great. While I will be taking advantage of all this advice for a 20 hour layover later this month, last month I connected through the airport with only 7 hours. The Dayrooms run about $10 an hour and are clean, quiet and comfortable. I figured with all the time it would take to clear customs and then re-enter the airport upon my return, I could instead save lots of time in a Dayroom.

I haven't had a problem getting one yet (I've stayed in them twice), but both times the desk agent recommended that I get a reservation next time.

limo
 

Any of the 600 baht touts will be more than happy to hook you up. There are also a couple of limo booking booths. 600 baht gets one a car not a true limo. Limo usually means a Mercedes car. Cab is 1/2 as much.