BKK transfer from airport to city hotels
 

Hello,
Hoping for some good advice from the FT community.
My wife and I are traveling to CNX later this month. We have short overnights in Bangkok on both ends of the trip. We arrive into BKK at 2400 on a Saturday night and are staying at the Sheraton Grande Sukumvit, then on our return arrive into BKK at 1500 on a Friday afternoon with a departure the next morning at 0700, staying at the Banyan Tree.
From everything I've read, it sounds like it makes the most sense (e.g. a good balance between comfort and price) to hire an AOT Camry at the airport. We don't have a ton of luggage but what we do have is relatively heavy so I'm a little concerned about taking a train. Can I also book an AOT Camry from the hotel? Perhaps a taxi would be a good alternative back to the airport?
Thanks very much

You may not be able to book specifically an AOT Camry from the hotel, but they will certainly have a "limo service" that will provide the equivalent service, probably at a comparable price.

Every hotel I've stayed in in Bangkok has such service available, without exception.

Pretty sure train is off the table anyway, as you arrive too late and depart too early - at least that's always been my experience.

I have always used these

http://www.orientalescape.com/thaila...r/bangkok.html

Reliable and friendly drivers

IMO no need to take the overpriced AOT limo service. The cheapest option would be to take a taxi/cab. At least from the hotel to the airport it would also be the easiest option. When you enter the taxi insist that the driver uses the meter rather than giving you fixed fare.

Upon upon arriaval, you need to find the taxi stand on level 2 (not difficult at all). The fare to city should around 300 THB + 50 THB airport fee + high way tolls 65 THB (the latter to be handed over to the driver during driving)

There is plenty on info in this forum about taking taxi from the airport.

Hotel limo services are typically ridiculously overpriced. You'll pay double what a car service will charge.

I use S&P Limo sometimes. Good service, nice cars. www.splimousine.com I think their prices are similar to AOT.

But for sure a taxi is the cheapest option, especially at the time of day you will be traveling.

I use www.limousine.in.th

Well it might not be difficult if you directed people to the correct level?

I am fairly certain that the official taxi queue remains on LEVEL 1, which is one level down from LEVEL 2 which is commonly referred to as the ARRIVALS level, on which one clears Immigration, retrieves any checked luggage and clears Customs.

You've considered, and discarded, the train: why not just move up to a taxi? It's good value and incredibly easy to arrange.

I might consider a hotel limo if i felt fragile, but only if I could put it on expenses :D

Agreed, just grab a cab.

Somewhat of a dissenting voice, but I think AOT is fine. 1200 baht for a Camary (or equivalent). Counters right by baggage claim, they walk you right to your car. Never have to worry about booking ahead of time. Drivers have always been reliable, cars have been nice, etc. If you book your return with them at the same time, you get a 25% discount (i know someone mentioned in another thread that this was no longer valid, but it was available last month).

yes, you can find slightly cheaper limo rides or even cheaper taxi. Just for the convenience factor, AOT is worth it for me. Depends upon your price threshhold tolerance.

Not a dissent in my opinion. I think AOT is a great idea. I use another service so that I get a golf cart as part of the deal. But for most people I think the difference in price between an AOT car and a taxi ($10-15 US) is well, well worth the extra comfort, safety and professionalism of AOT.

1200B vs 300B = "(10 -15 US)" ??? That's $30 of hard earned, cocktail money in my book.

AOT is easy and convenient, no need to set anything up in advance.

-David

800 THB vs 300 THB. Is ~15 USD.

Save you a couple of drinks. Good for your health.