(Gone) RGN - SFO in F $450 one way AI; other N. America cities included
Jan 29, 2013, 1:23 am
#9271
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Ok changed my inbound to RGN. I now have a 5h 55min transit tomorrow and a new US$50 bill. 1. What can I do? Head into town for a few hours? Can I afford it if I only have $50, I do have other used bills though. Will traffic be ok?
Jan 29, 2013, 6:51 am
#9272
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,041
I mentioned it before, but as a point of reference, I flew in to RGN from DMK last week and even with a visa from the Myanmar embassy in Wash DC, I had a hard time. They probably hadn't seen that style before at the Thai AirAsia desk. If I had no visa and just two passport photos, I think I would have had a serious battle on my hands.
Jan 29, 2013, 7:48 am
#9273
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 642
If you don't leave the airport, you can just tell the guys in the VOA booth and they'll get some very helpful people to escort you to the transit lounge. They'll also retrieve your luggage from baggage claim and get your ongoing ticket (if you haven't gotten them already). You can save yourself a VISA or VOA ($20) using this option.
If you do want to leave the airport, you can get the VOA when you land at the booth at the bottom of the stairs in the arrival area. It's $20 and requires 2 passport photos. You might have a problem with the checkin agent at BKK since technically a VOA is for ongoing travel. Since you are doing BKK-RGN-(back to) BKK, this is not ongoing travel (it needs to be BKK-RGN-(somewhere else). However, many people have been able to do this, and the VOA guys in RGN have no problem with it.
If you do want to leave the airport, you can get the VOA when you land at the booth at the bottom of the stairs in the arrival area. It's $20 and requires 2 passport photos. You might have a problem with the checkin agent at BKK since technically a VOA is for ongoing travel. Since you are doing BKK-RGN-(back to) BKK, this is not ongoing travel (it needs to be BKK-RGN-(somewhere else). However, many people have been able to do this, and the VOA guys in RGN have no problem with it.
I would absolutely NOT rely on this option if you are doing BKK/DMK - RGN - BKK. You will likely have problems at checkin.
I had a visa in my passport (for next month) so I had no problem, but they did check for it.
Jan 29, 2013, 7:59 am
#9274
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 642
In that time, we were able to commute from/to the airport, spend about an hour walking around the older part of town and visit the Shwedagon Pagoda for ~1.5 hrs. Arrived back at the airport 2.5 hrs before the next flight.
There was an entrance fee of $5-10/person to visit the Pagoda (sorry, can't remember exactly how much).
According to my taxi driver, traffic can get bad sometimes, but it was ok for us...
If you are efficient at clearing immigration & changing your money, I would think you would be able to actually see the town for 1-2 hours and still get back to the airport at a comfortable time. Personally, I like to play it safe and plan to get back to the airport early... the taxis are in bad shape, traffic is unpredictable, etc.
Last edited by tlott; Jan 29, 2013 at 8:06 am
Jan 29, 2013, 8:33 am
#9275
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: Yorkshire Coastliner
Posts: 1,278
Indeed. The Central Hotel now charges $80 for a room that in 2009 cost $35. Hasn't Traders also doubled its prices since 2010?
Jan 29, 2013, 4:52 pm
#9276
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Phx, AZ
Programs: BA Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 664
If you don't leave the airport, you can just tell the guys in the VOA booth and they'll get some very helpful people to escort you to the transit lounge. They'll also retrieve your luggage from baggage claim and get your ongoing ticket (if you haven't gotten them already). You can save yourself a VISA or VOA ($20) using this option.
If you do want to leave the airport, you can get the VOA when you land at the booth at the bottom of the stairs in the arrival area. It's $20 and requires 2 passport photos. You might have a problem with the checkin agent at BKK since technically a VOA is for ongoing travel. Since you are doing BKK-RGN-(back to) BKK, this is not ongoing travel (it needs to be BKK-RGN-(somewhere else). However, many people have been able to do this, and the VOA guys in RGN have no problem with it.
If you do want to leave the airport, you can get the VOA when you land at the booth at the bottom of the stairs in the arrival area. It's $20 and requires 2 passport photos. You might have a problem with the checkin agent at BKK since technically a VOA is for ongoing travel. Since you are doing BKK-RGN-(back to) BKK, this is not ongoing travel (it needs to be BKK-RGN-(somewhere else). However, many people have been able to do this, and the VOA guys in RGN have no problem with it.
This was my experience last week as well. I got a transit VOA as I wanted to go into the city for a few hours, but they offered to take me to the transit area with no visa. Very helpful staff at the VOA office.
I would absolutely NOT rely on this option if you are doing BKK/DMK - RGN - BKK. You will likely have problems at checkin.
I had a visa in my passport (for next month) so I had no problem, but they did check for it.
I would absolutely NOT rely on this option if you are doing BKK/DMK - RGN - BKK. You will likely have problems at checkin.
I had a visa in my passport (for next month) so I had no problem, but they did check for it.
Thank you both for sharing, I'll just explain to the Thai Airways agent in Vietnam and hopefully to convince him/her to let me on the flight and put some notes on my record in case the agent in BKK give me issues. Hopefully speaking the same language in Vietnam helps.
Jan 29, 2013, 6:20 pm
#9277
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ADQ
Programs: Alaska Air
Posts: 456
Definitely be careful with traffic - took us an hour and a half to get downtown from the airport. Getting back was more like 45 minutes, but that was from the National Museum. The Pagoda is 5 USD or 4,500 Kyats, as is the museum. Kids 5 and under are free. The ferry across the river from downtown is 2 USD each way.
Watch out for some of the trishaw drivers and taxi drivers, who have unfortunately started to learn the art of hustling tourists. Easy enough to walk on by til you get somebody honest. Most of the people we encountered were super friendly and curious and kind.
There are things to check out that aren't all the way downtown. A big lake that seemed like a nice place to take a walk. Or there's a three hour train that loops all around the city and comes fairly close to the airport. Riding just part of that could be fun. The Pagoda and the Museum are both far enough from downtown to avoid a fair amount of the really bad traffic.
Watch out for some of the trishaw drivers and taxi drivers, who have unfortunately started to learn the art of hustling tourists. Easy enough to walk on by til you get somebody honest. Most of the people we encountered were super friendly and curious and kind.
There are things to check out that aren't all the way downtown. A big lake that seemed like a nice place to take a walk. Or there's a three hour train that loops all around the city and comes fairly close to the airport. Riding just part of that could be fun. The Pagoda and the Museum are both far enough from downtown to avoid a fair amount of the really bad traffic.
I had about an 8 hour transit and hired a taxi at one of the airport taxi desks for 4 hours for about $25 or $30.
In that time, we were able to commute from/to the airport, spend about an hour walking around the older part of town and visit the Shwedagon Pagoda for ~1.5 hrs. Arrived back at the airport 2.5 hrs before the next flight.
There was an entrance fee of $5-10/person to visit the Pagoda (sorry, can't remember exactly how much).
According to my taxi driver, traffic can get bad sometimes, but it was ok for us...
If you are efficient at clearing immigration & changing your money, I would think you would be able to actually see the town for 1-2 hours and still get back to the airport at a comfortable time. Personally, I like to play it safe and plan to get back to the airport early... the taxis are in bad shape, traffic is unpredictable, etc.
In that time, we were able to commute from/to the airport, spend about an hour walking around the older part of town and visit the Shwedagon Pagoda for ~1.5 hrs. Arrived back at the airport 2.5 hrs before the next flight.
There was an entrance fee of $5-10/person to visit the Pagoda (sorry, can't remember exactly how much).
According to my taxi driver, traffic can get bad sometimes, but it was ok for us...
If you are efficient at clearing immigration & changing your money, I would think you would be able to actually see the town for 1-2 hours and still get back to the airport at a comfortable time. Personally, I like to play it safe and plan to get back to the airport early... the taxis are in bad shape, traffic is unpredictable, etc.
Last edited by wildway; Jan 29, 2013 at 6:23 pm Reason: More info
Jan 29, 2013, 6:24 pm
#9278
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Jan 29, 2013, 6:38 pm
#9279
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Trenton, NJ (PHL, EWR)
Programs: A3 Gold, BA Bronze
Posts: 1,633
Definitely be careful with traffic - took us an hour and a half to get downtown from the airport. Getting back was more like 45 minutes, but that was from the National Museum. The Pagoda is 5 USD or 4,500 Kyats, as is the museum. Kids 5 and under are free. The ferry across the river from downtown is 2 USD each way.
Watch out for some of the trishaw drivers and taxi drivers, who have unfortunately started to learn the art of hustling tourists. Easy enough to walk on by til you get somebody honest. Most of the people we encountered were super friendly and curious and kind.
There are things to check out that aren't all the way downtown. A big lake that seemed like a nice place to take a walk. Or there's a three hour train that loops all around the city and comes fairly close to the airport. Riding just part of that could be fun. The Pagoda and the Museum are both far enough from downtown to avoid a fair amount of the really bad traffic.
Watch out for some of the trishaw drivers and taxi drivers, who have unfortunately started to learn the art of hustling tourists. Easy enough to walk on by til you get somebody honest. Most of the people we encountered were super friendly and curious and kind.
There are things to check out that aren't all the way downtown. A big lake that seemed like a nice place to take a walk. Or there's a three hour train that loops all around the city and comes fairly close to the airport. Riding just part of that could be fun. The Pagoda and the Museum are both far enough from downtown to avoid a fair amount of the really bad traffic.
Jan 29, 2013, 7:36 pm
#9280
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CLT / AVL
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Kimpton IC; IHG Diamond Ambassador;
Posts: 319
Has anyone else had a difficult time canceling a R2 ticket with expedia.es? I've tried calling several times to no avail. It is NOT accessible on their website. It's NH plated, and NH wants me to talk to Expedia. The overseas segment is on DL - they want me to talk to NH. All I want is to cancel the damn thing, as I can no longer take the flight.
Jan 29, 2013, 7:43 pm
#9281
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
Has anyone else had a difficult time canceling a R2 ticket with expedia.es? I've tried calling several times to no avail. It is NOT accessible on their website. It's NH plated, and NH wants me to talk to Expedia. The overseas segment is on DL - they want me to talk to NH. All I want is to cancel the damn thing, as I can no longer take the flight.
NH cancels the flight so throw me a freaking bone and let me reschedule the itinerary but no... Expedia.Es says I must cancel and rebook the itinerary and they will gladly help me and charge me an arm and leg.
Dear Mr. USA18DCA:
We put you in relation to flights contracted through Expedia.es with route numbers ##### and #####.
Informed that the airline ANA (All Nippon Airways) has canceled its flights and offer no alternative. On a flight change we can not change the airline hired, so the only thing you can do in this case is a cancellation of the contract and return flights total cost paid (€ 65.22 per ticket). We are happy to help you book new ticket with the remainder of balance for new ticket.
The flights have been given above also canceled, so that there is no alternative.
Please confirm us that you have received this email in order to proceed with the corresponding return.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation at all times. Our Reservations Department is available to help you book other flights as required. The contact number is 912 757 401 and the service is available Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00 pm, and weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. In the event that you are outside Spain the contact number is 0034 912 754 415.
Yours sincerely.
Sincerely,
Sandra M.
Customer Service Department
We put you in relation to flights contracted through Expedia.es with route numbers ##### and #####.
Informed that the airline ANA (All Nippon Airways) has canceled its flights and offer no alternative. On a flight change we can not change the airline hired, so the only thing you can do in this case is a cancellation of the contract and return flights total cost paid (€ 65.22 per ticket). We are happy to help you book new ticket with the remainder of balance for new ticket.
The flights have been given above also canceled, so that there is no alternative.
Please confirm us that you have received this email in order to proceed with the corresponding return.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation at all times. Our Reservations Department is available to help you book other flights as required. The contact number is 912 757 401 and the service is available Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00 pm, and weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs. In the event that you are outside Spain the contact number is 0034 912 754 415.
Yours sincerely.
Sincerely,
Sandra M.
Customer Service Department
Jan 29, 2013, 7:48 pm
#9282
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Multiple locations
Programs: AAdvantage ExPlat LT Gold, BA Silver, Aegean Star Gold
Posts: 5,038
I was there back in late November:
The ferry across the river was a dollar each way. Seems like it was that price for several years. Bring your camera and enjoy the sights...
3 hour circular train was a dollar. But you had to buy your ticket from Platform 7. They checked the ticket three times. I was really surprised that they checked it so many times...
I felt like Burma was paradise lost, things changed so much from 2010... can't even imagine what it will be like in 2 weeks when I go for another R1....
The ferry across the river was a dollar each way. Seems like it was that price for several years. Bring your camera and enjoy the sights...
3 hour circular train was a dollar. But you had to buy your ticket from Platform 7. They checked the ticket three times. I was really surprised that they checked it so many times...
I felt like Burma was paradise lost, things changed so much from 2010... can't even imagine what it will be like in 2 weeks when I go for another R1....
Definitely be careful with traffic - took us an hour and a half to get downtown from the airport. Getting back was more like 45 minutes, but that was from the National Museum. The Pagoda is 5 USD or 4,500 Kyats, as is the museum. Kids 5 and under are free. The ferry across the river from downtown is 2 USD each way.
Watch out for some of the trishaw drivers and taxi drivers, who have unfortunately started to learn the art of hustling tourists. Easy enough to walk on by til you get somebody honest. Most of the people we encountered were super friendly and curious and kind.
There are things to check out that aren't all the way downtown. A big lake that seemed like a nice place to take a walk. Or there's a three hour train that loops all around the city and comes fairly close to the airport. Riding just part of that could be fun. The Pagoda and the Museum are both far enough from downtown to avoid a fair amount of the really bad traffic.
Watch out for some of the trishaw drivers and taxi drivers, who have unfortunately started to learn the art of hustling tourists. Easy enough to walk on by til you get somebody honest. Most of the people we encountered were super friendly and curious and kind.
There are things to check out that aren't all the way downtown. A big lake that seemed like a nice place to take a walk. Or there's a three hour train that loops all around the city and comes fairly close to the airport. Riding just part of that could be fun. The Pagoda and the Museum are both far enough from downtown to avoid a fair amount of the really bad traffic.
Jan 29, 2013, 8:06 pm
#9283
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,393
(Gone) RGN - SFO in F $450 one way AI; other N. America cities included
We did bkk-rgn-bkk a couple days ago. Had a tourist visa in our passports but didn't have to use it. Just told the Thai agent on the jet bridge that we were in the evening thai flight and she didn't blink. Could not have been easier
Only downside was that the lounge closed "for cleaning" so we had to wait in the terminal for about a 45 mins. Then we hung out in the lounge for the next 4 hours.
And our visa is still intact for next time.
Only downside was that the lounge closed "for cleaning" so we had to wait in the terminal for about a 45 mins. Then we hung out in the lounge for the next 4 hours.
And our visa is still intact for next time.
Jan 30, 2013, 12:55 am
#9284
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AS, BA, AA
Posts: 3,670
When we went, we took $20s. The cab fare was $30, but he was happy to take a crisp $20 and a very rumpled $10 from my wallet, so I assume that the taxi fare could be negotiated down to $20 safely.
Worst case, the pagoda should be able to break your $50 for the entrance fee and you can pay the taxi driver with the change from that.Has anyone else had a difficult time canceling a R2 ticket with expedia.es? I've tried calling several times to no avail. It is NOT accessible on their website. It's NH plated, and NH wants me to talk to Expedia. The overseas segment is on DL - they want me to talk to NH. All I want is to cancel the damn thing, as I can no longer take the flight.
She eventually decided that because I had a real embassy visa in my passport, it was OK. But I have a feeling I would have spent an extra half-hour at the check-in desk without the embassy visa (which did, indeed, remain intact and unused on that trip to RGN.)
Last edited by janetdoe; Jan 30, 2013 at 1:06 am