irishcheer21

Hey again everyone. Well, we're off this day next week, eeekk! I had a quick question about getting to the Wats if you're not staying in the Banglamphu area. From the maps I've seen, the skytrain ends before you get into the old city / Banglamphu area. If so, do people generally take tuk tuk's or taxis to get to the temples or could you take the skytrain to the west stop and walk across the river? We're thinking of staying in the Asia Hotel (making the final decision today, so any suggestions on places other than the Asia Hotel in that price range (40-60 dollars) would be great!) which is located in the shopping area more so than the Wat area so I was wondering how easy it will be to get to the temples when it's a zillion degrees outside Thank you all so so much. I honestly can't count how many things I've learned from everyone here. (and man am I excited to be the one finally posting a trip report!!)

Gpanda

Take an a/c Taxi to the Grand Palace, etc. They are cheap and easy. Tuk tuks are amusing the first time, but the novelty wears thin in the heat and traffic air. Also, make sure you go see the Lady Boy Cabaret, Calypso at the Asia Hotel.

rhkkmk

if you decide on asia hotel it has direct access to the skytrain so i would use it as much as possible...i generally take it to a spot near to where i want to go and jump into a taxi from there....never a tuk tuk...once in a tuk tuk is sufficient in bkk traffic....fumes!!!

MichaelBKK

You might want to be sure where you're going. There are something like 5,000 wats in Bangkok alone, so asking a taxi driver to take you to the 'wats area' could land you in big trouble.

Normally, I suggest people take the Skytrain to the Taksin Bridge station and then take the boat. It's a much more enjoyable way to see more of Bangkok and a more relaxing way of getting someplace than taxis. However, as its the rainy season, the river can be a bit rough. I would still recommend taking at least one trip by boat. The grand palace, Wat Po and Wat Arun are right on the river, so all these sights can be reached by boat. In fact, you're a bit crazy to take a taxi to Wat Arun. Take one to Wat Po, then take the cross-river ferry to Wat Arun.

Mole

I agree with going via the river, however make sure you jump on the boat with the locals (dont buy tourist ticket at the kiosk) you buy your ticket on board which was 11 baht in August last year. Remember the palace is never closed do not believe anyone who tries to convince you otherwise as you walk towards the Grand Palace (they can be very convincing)

fuzzylogic

Agree totally about using the public river buses on the Chao Praya. You just have to watch out for what sort of river bus it it - all stops/express etc - denoted by the colour of the penant it's flying. All explained at major jetties.

You can certainly take the skytrain to the end of the line at Taksin Bridge and get a ferry up to Wat Pho - my favourite - and there is a cross river shuttle from there to take you across to Wat Arun. Return the same way, and get the river ferry up to the stop for Royal Palace - or take a taxi perhaps between the two. There is also a ferry stop giving access to Banglampu for cheap and cheerful eating at the end of the day.

Happy travels.

Kathie

The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha are right "next door" to Wat Po, so you get off and the same river stop for both. From there you can take a tiny ferry across the river to Wat Arun.

So your route would be to take the skytrain to Taksin, take the water taxi from there to the stop for The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Way Po. Visit both of those sites, then walk back to the pier and take the tiny ferry across the river to Wat Arun.

On your retrun, just take the little ferry back to the pier and take the water taxi back to Taksin, right at the foot of the Skytrain.

Michael is quite right, don't take a taxi to or from Wat Arun, if you do take a taxi, do so from the Wat Po/Grand Palace side of the river.

irishcheer21

again, amazing responses. thank you so much guys. by "wat area" i meant the grand palace/ wat po / wat arun area again, thank you all so much. (btw, i hate topping posts just for saying thank you, so sorry about that but i really wanted to tell you guys how much i appreciate your help!).
thanks again,
Amy